2nd November 1923 - British Legion

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British Legion

A special general meeting of the Buntingford Branch was held at the Ex-Service Men's Club on Monday last.

Capt. H.H. Williams presided. Mr H.G. Maughan was unanimously elected Hon. Secretary, and the following resolution, which has since been forwarded to the Prime Minister and to the Local Member of Parliament, was unanimously carried:

"That this meeting of the Buntingford and District Brnch of the British Legion assembled on the 29th October, 1923, hereby confirms and supports the Manifesto issued by the National Executive Council of the British Legion, with regard to Unemployment, and demands that a National Employment Committee be established, and that immediate steps be taken to float a National Work Loan in accordance with the said Manifesto."

19th Nov 1926 - Correspondence

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Correspondence

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Dear Sir,

I should be glad if you could spare me a short space in the columns of your Paper to thank, on behalf of the members and Committee of the Buntingford and District Branch of the British Legion, all those who so willingly assisted in various ways to raise money for Earl Haig's British Legion Appeal Fund on Remembrance Day, and to express the Committee's high appreciation of the services rendered for such a good cause.

There are some items still to be received, and as soon as these come to hand a detailed account will be published.

Yours faithfully,

E.C. Clarke

Buntingford, 18th Nov., 1926.

19th Nov 1926 - Buntingford Congregational Church Armistice Sunday

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Buntingford Congregational Church

Armistice Sunday

On Sunday evening last a special Armistice Remembrance Service was held at the Buntingford Congregational Church, and was attended by a large congregation.

The Town Silver Band (under the able direction of the Bandmaster, Mr E.J. Smith), the members of which are always willing to give their assistance, was present, and preceded the Remembrance Service with the following musical items: Handel's "Hosanna," "Jerusalem, my glorious home," and "a hymn of the homeland."

The Remembrance Service following. At the organ, Mrss Blanche Langham played for the singing of the hymns, "Oh Lord of heaven, and earth, and sea," "My God, my Father, while I stray," and "O God, our help in ages past"; the offertory voluntary and for the vesper following the Benediction; whilst the Band led the singing of John S. Arkwright's hymn, "The Supreme Sacrifice."

A large Union Jack covered the pulpit desk and the communion table below. The Lesson was from Deut. vi., and the Litany of Commemoration from "The Book of Congregational Worship," as also were the remaining prayers and appropriate invocatory sentences. The offerings were on behalf of the Church and the British Legion.

The Minister based his remarks on Deut. vi. 6-7 "And these words...thou shalt teach...diligently unto thy children." Memory in the individual life was one of the possessions of us all. There was also such a thing as a national memory. The Israelites, e.g., had been brought by God out of Egypt, and in those early days of the Hebrew race there were frequent appeals made to them keep fresh the memory of the Divine providence towards them, to "teach diligently (i.e., with constant repeptition) thy children" the history of their wonderful preservation. The stones set up after the crossing of Jordan were to be "for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."

The communion service - "This do in remembrance of Me" - is also an act of commemmoration. With the occurance of Remembrance Day our own national memory is touched, and as a nation we call to mind once more the years of the Great War, especially remembering those who laid down their lives in a great cause. The two minutes' silence have been set apart that in the midst of our work in the world we might remember such men (and not suffer their memory to perish from the earth), give renewed thanks for the end of the conflict, and (leaving not their work unfinished) reconsecrate ourselves in service to our fellowmen and to God.

The motto to be writ large upon our hearts is "Lest we forget, lest we forget" (Kipling).

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them." (Laurence Binyon).

A generation is growing up to whom the war is but a name; they will ask, "What meaneth this Day, this service at the Cenotaph, at the memorial on the gill?" Remembering the injunction to "teach diligently," it must be ours to give the explanation, and to foster a spirit which will never cease is agitations until war as a means of settling international disputes is abolished from off the face of the earth."

After the service the Band again played selections, viz - the anthems "I will arise," "Lead, kindly light," and "The mighty Lord"; "The lost chord," "Sweet and low," Handel's "Largo in G" and "Abide with me," the latter including the "echo".

The Minister expressed thanks to Miss Langham and to the Band thanks and warm appreciation for their very helpful services, and the National Anthem, led by the Band, brought the whole exercises of observance and remembrance to a close.

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.