13th August 1926 - Passing of a Good and Faithful Friend

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Passing of a Good and Faithful Friend

What appears to have been one of the most sensible and faithful dogs that has lived in the town of Buntingford died last Friday night, at the advanced age of 14 years.

He was known as "Boy Sparkes." He had numerous friends, and was not only known in the town but most of the surrounding villages.

He was a curly retriever and was reared on an Allenbury's feeding bottle, as his master had him at two days' old.

This dog had many singular ways. Here are a few of his tricks:

His master would send him to the Railway Station to meet a friend if he was busy and couldn't go himself, and the dog would bring the person home delighted.

He rescued a dog from the river round Pig's Nose, and would on being informed over night go to collect bones or anything from his many friends in the town and would always bring these home.

One evening his master had been to visit a friend and left his stick on the back of the chair in the room he was sitting. On walking home his master met another friend, and during the little conversation with him realised he was minus his stick, and said "I have left my stick up the street." The dog, on hearing this, went and barked and shook the door where he had been with his master.

When the door was opened he walked through to this room and got the stick off the back of the chair and brought it to where his master was still in conversation. The marvellous thing about this is that the dog was not told to fetch the forgotten stick, but simple [sic] overheard the remark.

"Boy" was a keen football and motorist. He was in a habit of gatherine flowers on his Sunday morning wals. Being so fond of flowers, he is buried in his master's garden near the bridge, and many of his old friends now visit his grave on which is a bunch of wild flowers, as he used to gather, bearing this token:

"In memory of a dear faithful friend, gathered from where he and his master used to walk, from his sorrowing master."

Goodbye, Black Chap.

13th August 1926 - Buntingford Charities

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Buntingford Charities

The Trustees of the Buntingford Charites [sic] invite Tenders for the hire of the undermentioned pieces of land for the terms of 7 years from the 29th September, 1926:

1. The piece of land containing about 1 acre and 24 poles, situate near to Hillside on the London Road, and now in the occupation of Mr Saunders.

2. The piece of land containing about 1 acre, situate near the Wyddial Road and adjoining Littlecourt, and now in the occupation of Mr Albert Porter.

3. The piece of land containing about 1 acre, situate in Great Bartholomew's Field near the Hare Street Road, and now in the occupation of Mr Stearn.

Tenants will be required to pay the rents annually on the 29th September in each year, and also to pay all rates, taxes and other outgoings (except Landlord's property tax), and they will also be required to accept a Lease or Agreement in the form usually granted by the Trustees, and to pay half the cost thereof.

Sealed tenders, marked "Tender for Land," addressed to the Chairman of the Trustees, should be delivered at my office on or before Wednesday, the 8th day of September, 1926.

H.H. Macklin.

Clerk to the Trustees.

High Street, Buntingford, Herts.

13th August 1926 - Buntingford Bowls Club Fete

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Garden Fete at the Red House

By the kind permission of Mr and Mrs Claud Fraser, a Garden Fete was held at the Red House, Buntingford, on Bank Holiday, in aid of the Buntingford Bowls Club.

It was organised by the committee, the hon. sec. (Mr J. Lawrence) being ably assisted by Mr H. Clarke. Favoured with a brilliant summer's day, the 600 people who attended the Fete entered with zest into the pleasures, and spent indeed a very happy time.

At the opening ceremony of the Fete, Mr W.J. May, the Chairman of the Committee, said Mr Marshall, the President of the Club, who was to open the Fete, was so well known that he needed no introduction.

The Club especially wished to thank Mr and Mrs Fraser for the kindness in placing their beautiful gardens at the disposal of the committee. The Club had hitherto been somewhat handicapped by the use of a green that was slightly below the ordinary standard size, and this had affected their play. The opportunity had arisen of acquiring a suitable piece of land in Wyddiall Road, which was in course of construction as a bowling green.

Mr H.C. Marshall endorsed the remarks of Mr May, and in declaring the Fete open said the Bowls Club had every cause to be grateful to Mr and Mrs Fraser (Applause).

There was a very big choice of attractions, and all were fairly well patronised.

Messrs. Barratt's Jazz Band and Concert Party from Bedford besides playing selections and for dancing on the lawn up to 10 o'clock in th evening, gave two excellent concerts that were greatly appreciated. The humourous items on the programme deserve special mention.

Upwards of a hundred persons tried their skill at the treasure hunt, the treasure being won by Mr H.C. Marshall, whose success highly pleased the visitors. In guessing the weight of a lump of coal, actually weighing 89lbs. 6ozs., Mr E.J. Totman was the winner, his estimate being 90lbs.

Two, Miss Bartrop and Mr C. Fraser, guessed the weight of a cake (4lbs. 3 and three quarts ozs.), and the latter resigned his right, and the cake was handed to Miss Bartrop.

For the bowls competition, Mr F. Boniwell won premier honours with a score of 25, and in clock golf Mr C. Fraser with a score of 23. No less than six tied in hitting the target for a prime ham, which was eventually won by Mr Howard. This was superintended by Mr W.J. May.

The greatest novelty was the pig in a poke, the pig being presented by Mr Mannox, who managed this competition. There were numerous entries, and five tied, the winner being Mr Skipper.

For the stop-watch competition, Mr J.P. Hill, of the Bengeo Club, Hertford, was the winner with only a minute out. He gave the time 3.27, but it actually stopped a minute earlier, 3.26.

The flying arrow pastime in charge of Messrs. E.J. Totman and A. Mayes proved very popular, as also did Mr F.W. Butler's offer of 2s. for a penny, but the anticipations of those who participated in this feat were not altogether realised. A good prize was set apart for the lucky ticket. It turned out to be 126, and the possessor of this ticket has not yet claimed the prize.

It was just the evening for an open air whist drive, and the prizes were won as follows:

Ladies - 1 Miss Boniwell, 2 Mrs Stepley, lowest score Miss Wilds.

Gents - 1 Mr Walsingham, 2 Mr Watson, lowest score Mr Ward.

Teas and refreshments were in great request, and this part of the Fete arrangements was in the capable hands of a ladies' committee, which won high praise for the dainty way the teas were served on the lawn.

At the gate Mr J.L. Cornwell and Mr J. Boniwell, two of the oldest members of the Bowls Club, had charge.

For such a well-arranged Fete, to uphold a good old sport reaching back centuries, the promoters certainly deserved every success, and it is pleasing to record that the proceeds amounted to about £60.

13th August 1926 - Bowls

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Bowls

The Buntingford Bowls Club played Allenburys at home on Saturday, July 31st, when a very good game resulted in a win for them by 17 points.

The home team scored 49, and the visitors 32.

Last Saturday, August 7th, the Buntingford Club played at home against Hertingfordbury, when they again won by 16 points.

The visitors scored 28, against the home team's 44.