22nd April 1927 - Brent Pelham Fire

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Brent Pelham

Fire

A serious fire broke out at Beeches, the resident of Major M.E. Barclay, joint master of the Puckeridge Hunt, on Thursday morning last.

The fire, which is stated to have been caused through a motor car back-firing, destroyed two valuable hunters.

Five other horses were rescued with difficulty, but the stables and newly-erected men's quarters were badly damaged.

The Bishops Stortford and Ware Fire Brigades were in attendance, and fortunately there was a good supply of water available.

23rd July 1926 - Cricket - Brent Pelham v. Wyddiall

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Cricket

Brent Pelham v. Wyddiall

The above teams met at Pelham on Saturday last, and a good game resulted.

Pelham batted first, and ran up a respectable score of 83 - P. Saunders playing a good innings of 34 (not out). On Wyddiall going in to bat, the Pelham bowlers were soon mastered, and when time was called had made 137 runs for 6 wickets.

H. Pledger played a splendid innings of 53 (not out) and also took six wickets (so it could be said it was his match).

S. Pledger (27), W. Hatchett (23), and C. Hatchett (17) also helped splendidly to raise such a good total.

Scores:

Brent Pelham

H. Martin, c Hatchett, b R. Pledger - 10

W. George, b R. Pledger - 8

C. Whiffin, c T., b H. Pledger - 10

P. Saunders, not out - 34

W. Dodkin, b H. Pledger - 1

R. Coxall, b H. Pledger - 6

W. Bailey, c Hatchett, b May - 1

S. Bentley, b H. Pledger - 3

H. Brett, c Hatchett, b H. Pledger - 2

C. Westwood, run out - 1

Byes - 5

Total - 83

Wyddiall

C. Hatchett, c and b Saunders - 17

S. Pledger, c George, b Dodkin - 27

W. Hatchett, c and b Coxall - 23

H. Pledger, not out - 53

T. Pledger, b Whiffin - 0

R. Pledger, b Whiffin - 1

H. May, c Dodkin, b Coxall - 3

F. Hatchett, not out - 4

H. Hatchett - did not bat

S. Stubbs - did not bat

F. Camp - did not bat

Byes - 9

Total (for 6 wkts.) - 137

18th June 1926 - Buntingford and District School Sports Association

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Buntingford and District School Sports Association

1st Annual Sports Day

The 1st Annual Sports Day in connection with the above Association took place at Chapel End, Buntingford (by kind permission of Mr C. Smith), on Thursday in last week.

Teams came from the following schools: Anstey, Barkway, Braughing, Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Cottered, Great Hormead, Meesden, Great Munden, Puckeridge C. of E., Puckeridge R.C., Reed, Sandon, Standon, and Walkern. The competitors numbered 250.

The Sports Day was first arranged for Wednesday, June 2nd. It rained all day. This necessitated postponing the event until June 10th. It was again wet, but the programme was successfully carried out, although the bad weather increased the difficulties of rearrangements.

Teachers and children were very enthusiastic, and some really good material was discovered.

The team races were especially interesting, and the full results will be found below.

Mr E.E. Dennis, Hon. Sec. and Treas., explained the objects of the Association, and stated that Buntingford and District could now send a representative team to compete at the County School Sports to be held at Ware on Saturday, July 3rd.

He thanked all those who had helped to make the meeting a success, particularly the teachers in the schools in the district for their splendid co-operation. It was very pleasing to record that some of the smaller schools had supplied winners in the different events.

The Hon. Sec. and Treasurer thanked the Preisdent (Lieut.-Col. C.H.B. Heaton-Ellis) and the Hon. Baron Dimsdale for kindly giving a Shield for the Boys, also the Walkern School Managers for the Shield for the Girls, ad the C.E.M.S. (per Mr Pitcher, Cottered), for the Shield for the smaller schools. On behalf of the Association, he also thanked all those ladies and gentlemen in the district who had supported the movement, and Mr C. Smith for kindly placing the meadow at the disposal of the Association. He specially thanked Mr E.H. Roberson and Mr E.G. Thody for much help given prior to the day.

Mr H.E. Stickland (Braughing C.C. School) then thanked Mr E.E. Dennis for all the good work he had done, and said that he felt sure the Association would prosper. Enthusiastic cheers from the children followed.

Mr E.E. Dennis then called for cheers for the Band. The children and assembly then sang the National Anthem. The Hon. Sec. and Treasurer wishes to thank the following for their assistance:

Materials - Messrs. E.G. Thody, P. Hamilton, J. Holmes, G. Handy, B. Nicholls, S. Daniels, W.H. Smith, G. Aylott, T. Hummerstone, E.J. Crane, F. Rand, H. May, M. Smith, Burrows (Hitchin), J. Ireland, A. Bardwell, R. Dellow, E. Leak, E. Borsberry, Letchworth Boys' Club, Hitchen and District School Sports Association (per Mr F.W. Bunn), Buntingford Congregational Church, The Rev. A. Howard, and Miss E.M.A. Woods.

Workers - Messrs. E.G. Thody, E.H. Roberson, Marshal; B.E. Thody, A.G. Day, H. Cutts, A.E. Mayes, E. Martin, J. Thody, G. Bedford, H. Mannox, W. Graves, Clerks of the Course; F. Butler, J.W. Sutterby, A.C. Bartlett, H.E. Stickland, A.G. Jenkins, W. Cooper, Stewards; The Rev. W.L. Sheppard, The Rev. John Cole, The Rev. A.G. King, Mr W.J. May, Mr F. Cannon, Judges; Mr Harry Clarke, Mr F. Fraser, Starters; Mr E.C. Clarke, Miss Gardner, Recorders; Mr G.H. Maughan, Timekeeper.

Ladies' Committee for Refreshments - Mesdames H.L. Baker, W. Corp, J. Pateman, H. Clarke, E.H. Roberson, H. Feasey, J. Warren, A.E. Mayes, G. Geaves, F.W. Butler, A. Coxall, Misses Anthony, L.M. Davies, M. Mayes, H. Walsingham, E.G.W. Howard. Mr J.A. Anthony.

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RESULTS

Championship Events

Boys

100 yds. - 1 L. Thompson (Reed) 13 secs., 2 C. Dowler (Buntingford), 3 G. Alder (Walkern), 4 S. Savage (Walkern).

220 yds. - 1 R. Graves (Buntingford) 34 secs., 2 S. Savage (Walkern), 3 F. Edwards (Walkern), 4 A. Ives (Puckeridge R.C.).

440 yds. - 1 C. King (Walkern), 1 and one third mins., 2 G. Warner (Buntingford), 3 N. McLeod (Meesden), 4 L. Poulton (Buntingford).

880 yds. - 1 C. Scrivener (Buntingford) 3 mins. 12 secs., 2 C. King (Walkern), 3 W. Garland (Gt. Hormead), 4 G. Jackson (Puckeridge R.C.)

Hurdles - 1 R. Graves (Buntingford), 2 H. George (Meesden), 3 C. Cook (Braughing), 4 N. Birch (Brent Pelham).

Long Jump - 1 L. Gray (Walkern), 13 ft. 6 ins., 2 C. Dowler (Buntingford), 3 J. Miles (Walkern), 4 E. Ginn (Braughing).

High Jump - 1 G. Adler (Walkern), 3 ft. 11 ins., 2 W. Hummerstone (Braughing), 3 E. Chalkley (Walkern), 4 P. South (Sandon).

Team Race - 1 G. Adler, C. King, F. Edwards, S. Savage (Walkern); 2 C. Dowler, R. Graves, A. Rose, C. Clarke (Buntingford); 3 R. Jennings, H. George, L. George, N. McLeod (Meesden); 4 W. Hummerstone, A. Springham, E. Ginn, C. Cook (Braughing).

Winning School - WALKERN C.C. (31 points). Challenge Shield for Boys presented by Lieut.-Col. C. Heaton-Ellis and Hon. Baron Dimsdale. Runners up - Buntingford Senior C. of E. (25 points).

Girls

100 yds. - 1 M. Barker (Braughing), 13 secs., 2 L. Dye (Sandon), 3 J. Bysouth (Braughing), 4 e. Ruskin (Gt. Hormead).

150 yds. - 1 G. Copeland (Anstey), 23 secs., 2 E. Searle (Buntingford), 3 N. Bonfield (Buntingford), 4 H. Arnold (Braughing).

Hurdles - 1 L. Hill (Buntingford), 2 M. Wornham (Buntingford), 3 D. Skipp (Cottered), 4 G. Roper (Standon).

Long jump - 1 H. Arnold (Braughing) 11ft. 3ins., 2 M. Barker (Braughing), 3 L. Dye (Sandon), 4 A. Coxall (Buntingford).

High jump - 1 L. Hill (Buntingford), 3fts. 6ins., 2 E. Ruskin (Gt. Hormead), 3 M. Wornham (Buntingford), 4 W. Hummerstone (Braughing).

Team Race - 1 E. Searle, O. Martin, N. Bonfield, A Coxall (Buntingford), 2 H. Arnold, J. Bysouth, M. Barker, W. Hummerstone (Braughing), 3 M. Brand, L. Taylor, E. Ruskin, G. Hummerstone (Gt. Hormead), 4 G. Copeland, P. Bentley, L. Martin, F. Sapsed (Anstey).

Winning School - BUNTINGFORD SENIOR C. of. E. (23 points). Challenge Shield for Girls, presented by Managers of Walkern C.C. School. Runners up - Braughing C.C. (18 points).

Winners of Shield (for schools with less than 100 on books), presented by C.E.M.S. per Mr Pitcher, Cottered, Gt. Hormead C. of E. (8 points). Runners up - Meesden C. of E. (7 points).

OTHER EVENTS

Egg and Spoon Race (girls) - 1 G. Gravestock (Cottered), 2 E. Gray (Walkern).

Sack Race (girls) - 1 P. Bentley (Anstey), 2 E. Prior (Braughing).

Flower Pot Race (girls) - 1 E. Prior (Braughing), 2 M. Newbound (Braughing).

Skipping Race (girls) - 1 M. Barker (Braughing), 2 H. Arnold (Braughing).

Driving Race (girls and boys) - 1 A. Wallace, S. Cox (Standon), 2 A. Rose, R. King (Buntingford).

Sack Race (boys) - 1 C. Prior (Braughing), 2 H. Webb (Braughing).

Throwing Cricket Ball (Boys) - 1 S. Savage, 2 E. Chalkley (both of Walkern).

Obstacle Race (Boys) - 1 A. Ives (Puckeridge R.C.), 2 R. Cannon (Sandon).

9th April 1926 - The Puckeridge Hunt Point-to-Point Hunt Ball and Races

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The Puckeridge Hunt Point-to-Point Hunt Ball and Races

FATAL ACCIDENT TO WELL-KNOWN RIDER

THE BALL

Quite a prominant outstanding event in the county was the Point-to-Point Hunts Ball, which took place at the Public Hall, Much Hadham, on Tuesday evening last.

All the complete organising arrangements were effectively made by Mrs North Hickley, of Hill House, Much Hadham. The other ladies, too, of the Puckeridge Hunt contributed not a little to the success of the evening.

The Public Hall was transformed into an attractive ball room. The splendour of the decorations in colour and design could not fail to please. Besides flowers, flags and pictures, there were some choice flowering plants lent by Major and Mrs O.F. Christie, of Culver Lodge. Perhaps the most noticeable feature was a number of foxes' masks that adorned the halls, and were prized trophies of many famous runs.

The ball was attended by about 190 ladies and gentlemen, the elite of the Puckeridge country. A considerable proportion of the gentlemen were in pink, and this added to the gaiety and splendour of the scene.

Newman's well-known Band from London was engaged, and gave perfect satisfaction. The programme with many of the newest dances gave general delight. Dancing began at 9.15 p.m., and the last dance closed at 3.45 a.m.

The Public Hall was connected by a covered way with the Hut, where supper was admirable served from 11 p.m.

A large number of those present at the ball also attended on Wednesday the Puckeridge Hunt Point-to-Point Steeplechase.

THE RACES

The Point-to-Point races were held near Brent Pelham on Wednesday. Although rain fell throughout the day there was a large gathering.

A fatal accident occured to Mr H. Fordham in the first race. His horse fell at one of the jumps, and in rising trod on him. Mr Fordham was at once removed to Brent Pelham where his conditions became worse, and he died early yesterday morning.

A keener huntsman it would be difficult to find, and his tragic death has come as a terrible shock to hundreds in the district. The inquest takes place this evening, and a fuller account will appear in our next issue.