23rd April 1926 - Help the Hospitals

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Help the Hospitals

The Whist Drive and Dance at the Benson Hall on Wednesday, April 14th, was an unqualified success. The total proceeds came to £31 3s. 1d., against which the only charge was £5 for prizes, leaving £26 3s. 1d. to be divided between the Hertford and Royston Hospitals. Each hospital has already received its half share of £13 1s. 7d.

This splendid result could not have been achieved if Father Morgan's efforts had not been so cordially and generously supported by all the Clubs and Societies of the district. The Town Band gave their services free of charge, and the Women's Institute (under the capable leadership of Mrs Fell) organised and sold the refreshments.

Also the following Clubs gave time and labour freely, besides subscribing these amounts:

Aspenden Sports' Club (and friends) £3 10s.; Boys' Club, 10/-; British Legion, £1 1s.; Bowls Club, £1 12s.; Football Club, £1; Musical Society, £1; Tennis Club, £1; Women's Institute, 15/-; Workmen's Club, 10/-.

Special thanks are also due to Mr Wilkerson, who made no charge for printing window bills, tickets, and advertisements in the Gazette. And to Father Morgan for giving the use of the Benson Hall and doing the secretarial work and general organisation. 

Mrs Leslie gave an extra prize for the "lucky chair," and tables and cards were lent by the British Legion and Boys' Club.

Refreshments were provided by Mrs Stubbings, Mrs Wyman, Miss Parker, Mrs Leslie, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Williams, Mrs Fletcher, Mrs Blakiston, Miss Morgan, Mrs Philpott, Mrs Dixon, Miss Lushington, Mrs Coates, Mrs M.K. Smith, Mrs Croslegh, Mrs Fell, and the Convent.

The following helped to serve the refreshments: Mrs Aylott, Miss I. Aylott, Mrs S. Smith, Misses Camp, Mrs Feasey, Miss Ward, Misses Cornwell, Miss Blakiston, Mr Blakiston, Miss Parker, Miss Saunders, Mrs Leslie, Miss Leslie, Miss Lushington, Miss L. Graves, Mrs Thody. Messrs Moss lent china, glass, spoons, &c.

Mr P. Castle prepared the hall and cleaned up afterwards, assisted by Father and Miss Morgan.

At the whist, Mr Dennis was M.C. The prize winners were:

Ladies - 1 Miss Bower, 2 Miss M. Cornwell, 3 Miss Woodley; Consolation, Miss A. Deards.

Men - 1 Mr T. Martin, 2 Mr A. Francis, 3 Mr E. Ward; Consolation, Mr E. Moule.

Highest score, first half, Mr A. Moule; lucky ticket, Mrs Bedford; lucky chair, Mr E. Scrivener.

The prizes were presented by Dr Fell; and two hours' dancing to music supplied by the Town Band and Mrs Stapley wound up a successful and enjoyable evening. Mr L. Smith, as M.C., officiated in his usual tactful and efficient manner.

3rd Feb 1928 - Buntingford Bowls Club

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Buntingford Bowls Club was held at the Headquarters of the Club on Wednesday evening last, Mr H.C. Marshall, the President of the Club presided, being supported by Mr W.J. May (Captain) and Mr J. Lawrence (Hon. Sec.)

The Hon. Secretary presented his annual report. During the season the Club played 20 league matches, of which 14 were won and six lost. In addition to again winning the Aston Challenge Cup the Club created a record  in defeating the Rest of the League for the first time in the history of the League.

In presenting the balance sheet Mr Lawrence said a large amount of money had been expended on the new green, and further expense was necessary. He wished to make it known that in the event of the Club being wound up the new Green would become the property of the Buntingford Nursing Association.

He hoped, therefore, that the inhabitants of Buntingford and district would support the Bowls club as they had done in the past. The Club would then go on to further successes, and would possess one of the best Greens in the County.

[Transcriber note - There's two sets of accounts on the original image that I won't transcribe here, see the original image for the information]

In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet Mr W.J. May said he did so with much pleasure. He was sure they could not find a more energetic secretary than Mr Lawrence, who gave a great deal of his time to the Club, and the members appreciated his services.

Mr F.W. Butler seconded, and the accounts and reports were unanimously adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Captain H.H. Williams moved the re-election of Mr H.C. Marshall as president. They all knew what Mr Marshall had done for the Club, and the manner in which he entertained them on winning the Challenge Cup. (Applause).

Mr A.C. Bartlett seconded, and the vote was carried with acclamation.

Mr H.A. Mannox moved the re-election of the Vice-Presidents, with the addition of Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis. 

This was seconded by Mr J. Lawrence, and carried unanimously.

Mr Lawrence was re-elected Hon. Sec. and Treas., with Mr Mannox as Assistant Secretary.

Mr W.J. May said he would be leaving the district this spring, but hoped he would not sever his connection with the Club for some time. His years of office with the Club had been most pleasant. (Applause). He had much pleasure in proposing that Mr Butler be elected Captain.

Captain Williams, in seconding Mr May's proposition, said how much the members would regret Mr May's departure. Mr May had brought to the Club a measure of success which was at one time never to be expected. (Applause).

The meeting unanimously agreed to make Mr May a Honorary Life Member of the Club.

Mr E.G. Thody proposed, and Mr C.H. Poulton seconded, that the following be elected to serve on the General Committee: Messrs E.J. Totman, J. Boniwell, F.B. Sharp, J.L. Cornwell, H.E. Birkett, F. Crouch, E.R. Brett, H.A. Mannox, J. Bishop, J. Cutts, E.P. Borsberry, and L. Hagger.

OTHER BUSINESS

Business in connection with the new Green, and a suggested match with Luton Town on the date of the opening of the new Green, was discussed, after which a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, concluded the meeting.

19th Feb 1926 - Buntingford Bowls Club

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Annual General Meeting

PROPOSED NEW GREEN

The annual general meeting of the members of the Buntingford Bowls Club was held at the George Hotel on Thursday evening in last week. Mr G. Scarborough Taylor presided, and was supported by the Captain (Mr W.J. May) and the Hon. Sec. and Treas. (Mr J.L. Cornwell).

After the minutes of the last general meeting had been read and confirmed, the Chairman read a letter from Mr H.C. Marshall (the President of the Club), who said he regretted being unable to be present that evening.

REPORTS

Mr J.L. Cornwell read his annual report. During the past season the club had played 34 matches, and had entered for the various competitions in the East Herts. Bowls League. In this League they had scored 767 points against their opponents 606.

Mr W.J. May and Mr J. Lawrence had kindly presented gold and silver medals for a club competition, which was most successful. The Captain's Cup had not been won outright, as owing to bad weather the competition was not finished.

The finances of the club were satisfactory; on last year's workings there was a small adverse balance of 1/5, which had been defrayed that evening. (Applause).

The Chairman said he considered the report and accounts very satisfactory. In passing, he would like to add that the annual dinner, at which he had the pleasure of being present, was a most successful affair; he was sure everyone present spent a very happy evening.

The accounts and report were then passed, on the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr F.B. Sharp.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Mr W.J. May moved the re-election of the President (Mr H.C. Marshall). Mr Marshall was a true sport and was always willing to do his utmost for the club. He (Mr May) hoped that their president would find pleasure in supporting the ancient game of Bowls (applause)

This was seconded by Mr F.W. Butler and carried.

Mr J. Lawrence moved the re-election of the Vice-Presidents en bloc with the addition of Mr George Aston and Mr Chapman-Wood. The club was very grateful to the Vice-Presidents for their support and interest.

Mr E.J. Totman seconded.

Mr C.H. Poulton replied on behalf of the Vice-Presidents, and said he was pleased the club was going successfully.

Mr W.J. May, who has been Captain for three seasons, proposed that Mr F.W. Butler be asked to be Captain for 1926.

Mr Butler moved an amendment that Mr May be re-appointed, and this being seconded by Mr J. Lawrence was carried unanimously. The Chairman said he was pleased Mr May had reconsidered the matter. He was a man of keenness and enthusiasm, coupled with tact.

Mr F.W. Butler was unanimously appointed Vice-Captain on the proposition of Mr E.J. Totman, seconded by Mr Cornwell.

Mr Cornwell then intimated that he was no longer able to carry out the duties of Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. Mr Butler then proposed that Mr J. Lawrence be appointed. In moving this, he (Mr Butler) would like to say that the members were very grateful to Mr Cornwell for the way he had carried out the combined duties (Applause).

Mr Lawrence agreed to take over the post, and said he would do his best.

The general committee elected were as follows: Messrs W.J. May, F.W. Butler, J. Lawrence, E.J. Totman, J. Pateman, J. Boniwell, E. Birkett, F. Crouch, J.L. Cornwell, and H. Clarke.

The green committee elected were - Messrs F.W. Butler, E. Brett, J.L. Cornwell, W.J. May, E.J. Totman, and J. Lawrence.

Selection committee - The Capt. and Vice-Captain, and Messrs E.J. Totman, J. Lawrence, J. Boniwell, and F.B. Sharp.

OTHER BUSINESS

It was decided to enter the East Herts. Bowls League and the Rinks and Pairs Competitions.

The Captain said the question of a new green was on the agenda. As a matter of fact the new green did not exist, but the [sic] hoped something could be done to get a longer green than the one they had at present. When the club visited other clubs in the League, they had to play on full dized greens, and it was some time before the Buntingford players could get accustomed to the length. Mrs Ashford had kindly offered the club another site, and if the members agree a small committee might be formed to go in to the question of cost, &c. 

Various suggestions were put forward, and it was eventually decided to appoint a small sub-committee to discuss the matter and report later. The committee appointed were Messrs. G. Scarborough Taylor, W.J. May, F.W. Butler, C.H. Poulton, E.J. Totman and J. Lawrence.

THANKS

A vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding brought the meeting to a close.