10th December 1926 - Women's Institute

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Women's Institute

The Annual Meeting was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday, December 8th, 1926. The President was in the chair, supported by Mrs Hummerstone and Mrs Laird. The Tellers appointed were Messrs. Harvey and Pratt.

The report of the last annual meeting was read and signed. An interesting report of this year's work was given by Mrs Hummerstone, and the balance sheet presented by Mrs Laird, duly audited, showed a balance in hand of £3 18s. 2d.

The President introduced various matters of interest in a brief speech before moving the adoption of report and balance sheet, including the suggestion of adopting a "Village Flowers," and a Resolution to be sent up to the N.F.W.I. Annual Meeting.

Balloting for the new Committee took place, including officers and delegate. The 1927 Committee comprises: Mrs Bright, Mrs Deacon, Mrs Guinness, Mrs Harvey, Mrs C. Hummerstone, Mrs Lee, Mrs A. Pegram, Mrs H. Pegram, Mrs Read and Miss Woodward.

The President is Mrs Guinness, Vice-President Mrs C. Hummerstone, Delegate Mrs Deacon.

Votes of thanks were proposed and duly seconded and passed heartily to the Tellers, and Mr Bright, the Auditor, to Mrs C. Hummerstone as Hon. Sec., to Mrs Laird as Hon. Treas., and to Mrs Deacon as President 1926.

The meeting closed with the singing of England and the National Anthem.

11th February 1927 - Annual Vestry Meeting and Parochial Church Council

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Westmill

Annual Vestry Meeting

The Annual Vestry Meeting, postponed from January 17th, was held at the Village Hall on Monday evening last. There was a scarce attendance owing to the prevalence of influenza.

The chair was taken by the Rector, the Rev. A.G. King, who proposed a vote of thanks to both the Churchwardens for their work during the past year. This was seconded by Mr F. Harvey.

Mr Laird was re-elected People's Warden, on the proposition of Mrs Coutts-Deacon, seconded by Mr Harvey. The Rectory nominated Mrs Greg as Rector's Warden.

Parochial Church Council

The first meeting of the newly elected Council was held on Monday evening last, the Rector, the Rev. A.G. King presiding. Mr Harvey was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman.

Mrs Coutts-Deacon's resignation as Hon. Secretary was received with regret, and after expressions of thanks to her, Mrs Bright was unanimously elected in her stead.

Mr J. Laird was elected Hon. Treasurer and Mrs Coutts-Deacon, Mr Harvey and Mr Laird as representatives to the Ruri-Decanal Conference.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

23rd July 1926 - Westmill Women's Institute

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Westmill

Women's Institute

The July meeting was held on Wednesday, the 21st inst., at Knight's Hill, by kind invitation of Mrs Laird.

The usual proceedings took place and one new member elected at the business meeting, which was at 6.30.

A whist drive followed, prizes for which were given by six members, and the bountiful tea was given by Mrs Laird. There were eleven tables, Mrs Laird acting as M.C. It was a very stormy evening, so the proceedings were conducted under cover.

For the prizes, Mrs Darton and Mrs Lee tied for the first lady's; Mrs Pegram was awarded consolation, while an extra prize was won by Mr G. Warner (playing as lady).

Mr W. Jackson and Mr W. Baker won first and second gents' prizes respectively, Miss Bright (playing as gent) being awarded consolation prize.

Mr Harvey, for the visitors, proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the hostess.

In spite of the weather, a very cheerful evening was spent.

9th July 1926 - Westmill School Entertainment

**Content warning: There is a racist term in the original article that I have censored in the text below, but is uncensored in the original image.**

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Westmill

School Entertainment

The children of Westmill School gave a very successful entertainment on Friday in last week to a good and appreciative audience, in the Village Hall.

The first part of the programme took the nature of a ****** Troupe, and the boys acquitted themselves very creditably, with John Miller as Interlocutor and Charles and Ernest Pegram as cornermen, supported by Keith Bright and Edward Rayment.

To help in the singing, several girls dressed as pierrots gave a striking effect on the stage. This part concluded with a small sketch, entitled "The Ghost," very ably performed by the cornermen and Keith Bright, as ghost.

The second part was miscellaneous, chiefly devoted to the performance of the infants, which was capitally done and elicited continued applause from the audience.

Kathleen Jackson gave a monologue in a very clear and appreciative manner, followed by a song by Violet Miller, so well rendered that an encore was accorded her. 

The last item was a sketch, called "Who's Who?" performed by four girls (Hilda Reed, Elsie Bradbury, Alice Miller and Florrie Moule), all of whom gave a very good account of themselves, though the acting of Florence Moule as the servant, "Jemima Anne," brought round after round of laughter and applause.

A capital evening concluded with the National Anthem, and a hearty vote of thanks proposed by Mr C. Hummerstone to Mr Harvey and Miss Hankin was most warmly responded to.

As the entertainment was given in aid of the Nursing Fund, the sum of £4 1s. was handed over to Mrs C. Hummerstone, the secretary of the Westmill branch of the Nursing Association.

2nd July 1926 - Westmill Whist Drive and Dance

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Westmill

Whist Drive and Dance

A successful whist drive and dance was held on Wednesday evening, in aid of the Hertford and Royston Hospitals, and, by the kind permission of Mr Bright, on his lawn.

Commencing at 7.30, the whist drive continued until 9.15, the results of which were: Ladies- 1, Miss V. Miller; 2, Mrs Taylor; 3, Miss Hardey. Gentlemen - 1, Mr Warner; 2, Mr Marvell; 3, Mr Lee. Lucky chair - Mrs Hummerstone.

After the refreshments had been served by several ladies, dancing was carried on till 11, to the strains of the Buntingford Town Band under the able conductorship of Mr Smith. This much increased the enjoyment and success of the evening.

The gardens and laws were now illuminated by many fairy lights which Mr Bright had previously arranged, and which gave a charming and striking effect.

All the prizes had been most generously provided by the following kind donors: Mrs Greg, Mrs Guiness, Lady Furniss, Mrs Howard, Mrs Laird, Mr Deacon, Mr Coates and Mr Russell.

A very happy evening was terminated with the National Anthem by the band.

2nd July 1926 - Westmill Women's Institute

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Westmill

Women's Institute

The June meeting was held at Coles on Wednesday, June 23rd, by kind invitation of Mrs Greg. There was a record attendance of Institute member [sic], 33 being present out of a membership of 40.

As it was an open meeting, there were many guests, also a number of visitors invited privately by Mrs Greg, totalling 64.

Unfortunately a heavy rain-storm interfered with tea out of doors, but was partaken of in the dining room after the business meeting, at which the President took the chair, assisted by Mrs Laird.

Then a play, "My man John," undertaken by nine members, was presented in the garden to a most appreciative audience. Mrs Pratt most ably took the part of a farmer's widow, and was the mother of William (Mrs Deacon) a Bucolic man who cared only for flowers and quietness, and knew nothing of the ways of courting.

John, the faithful servant, was admirably portrayed by Mrs H. Pegram; Julia, an heiress (Mrs Guy Miller) and Laura, her friend (Mrs Lee) were very good. Mrs Gardiner's maid (Susan) was well enacted by Mrs Bright. The parts of three gypsies were well carried through by Mrs J. Rayment as Nat, Miss R. Skipp as Tansie, and Miss H. Read as Chris.

A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by a vote of thanks to Mrs Greg for her kind hospitality, provided by the President, and cordially responded to by all, also Mrs Hummerstone proposed a vote of thanks to the actors.

It is hoped to act the play at the end of July in aid of Institute funds.

9th April 1926 - Westmill - Whist Drive and Fancy Dress Dance

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Westmill

Whist Drive and Fancy Dress Dance

The attendance at the whist drive and dance held at the Village Hall on Tuesday evening exceeded all expectations. The event was an entire success, and the promoters are to be congratulated on the result. The proceeds are being devoted to the Social Club.

Fifteen tables were in use for whist, and the following were the successful players:

Ladies - 1 Miss Hilda Reed (umbrella), 2 Mrs Barnes (chocolates); consolation, Miss Dora Jackson (handkerchiefs).

Gents - 1 Master T. Hummerstone (walking stick), 2 Mr L. Pegram (cigarettes); consolation, Mr Alec Pratt (handkerchiefs).

There were several entries for the fancy dress competition. Mr Hugh Holmes as "John Bull" won first prize (fountain pen), Miss Theakston as a "Dutch Boy" second (box of chocolates), while the prize (a clock) for the most original design was won by Miss Deacon, her "scarecrow" costume being very striking.

The prizes were presented to the winners by Mrs H.H. Williams who congratulated the recipients.

An excellent programme of up-to-date dance music was provided by Mr C. Little. Mr H. Bright very ably acted as M.C. throughout the evening.