19th Nov 1926 - Armistice Day in Buntingford

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Armistice Day in Buntingford

Excellent Arrangements

Armistice Day was commemorated in a very solemn manner, the local branch of the British Legion, which made all the arrangements, following in a large measure the order of procedure to that so admirably carried out last year.

"Revellie" was sounded at 6 a.m. by Mr J. Gibbs.

Shortly before 11 a.m. a procession was formed opposite the Ex-Service Men's Club. It comprised Ex-Service Men, Boy Scouts (under the command of Ex-Scoutmaster C. Miles), and Special Constables. The procession marched to the Town War Memorial, where the townspeople and a number of Rural District Councillors were assembled.

The introductory portion of the service was read by the Rev. A. Howard, M.A. A stirring address was given by the Rev. W.L. Shepherd, of Great Hormead, after which the two minutes' silence was observed. Then came the singing of the beautiful hymn "The Supremem Sacrifice," after which Capt. H.H. Williams, the President of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion, read out the names of the heroic dead whose names are inscribed on the War Memorial.

The Rev. John Cole read a portion of the scripture, and prayers were offered by Captain Green of the Salvation Army. The Blessing was pronounced by the Rev. L.W. Wright.

Following the singing of the National Anthem each of the bodies represented placed a wreath at the base of the Memorial. Mr E.J. Smith sounded "The Last Post" and the parade reformed and marched to Church Street and dismissed.

YARDS OF PENNIES

The usual collection of pennies in the High Street was conducted by Mr F.W. Butler and Miss Ward, who were assisted by Miss Porter, Miss Lushington, Miss Fell, Miss Mary Feasey and Miss Mary Crane.

JUMBLE SALE

During the afternoon a jumble sale was held at the George Hotel. Mr Crane kindly collected the goods, which were being sold by Mrs Fell, Mrs B.E. Thody, Mrs H. Clarke, Mrs Coleman, Mrs Squires and Mrs Camp. The Ex-Service men are grateful to these ladies, and to all others who assisted with the day's arrangements.

THE CONCERT

The annual concert was held in the Benson Hall during the evening, when a first-class programme was given by "The Gossips," as well-known London Concert Party.

There was a crowded audience, some 200 persons having to be turned away. The platform was decorated with pot plants, kindly lent by Mr E.G. Thody. The programme fittingly opened with the singing of Kipling's Recessional by the Buntingford and District Musical Society, conducted by Mr E.E. Dennis. Altogether the concert was an outstanding success.

Valuable assistance in connection with the concert and the arrangements for the service at the War Memorial was rendered by Captain H.H. Williams, Mr H. Clarke (Secretary of the British Legion Club) and Mr E.C. Clarke (Sec. of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion).

SALE OF POPPIES

The arrangements for the sale of poppies were again undertaken by Mrs H.C. Marshall, who was assisted in the sale by Miss M. Fell, Mrs J. Aylott, Miss P. Mayes, Miss Scrivener, Miss Wilkerson, Miss E. Smith, Miss M. Crane, Miss Armstrong, Mrs L. Smith, Miss Cutts, Miss Lushington, and Masters John and George Taylor.

The villages also assisted, the representatives being: Anstey, Miss Buckwell; Wyddiall, Lady Heaton-Ellis; Aspenden, Miss G. Phillips; Buckland, Miss P. Morris; Westmill, Mrs Coutts-Deacon; Cottered, Miss Wilderspin; part Furneaux Pelham, Mrs Holmes; Meesden, Mrs Kerr; Great and Little Hormead, Mrs Dimsdale; Rushden, Mr E.J. Marchal; Ardeley, Mr J.H. Thorpe.

24th Feb 1928 - Layston Annual Church Meeting

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Layston Annual Church Meeting

The Annual Church Meeting of the electors of Layston was held at the Women's Institute Hall on Tuesday evening, when there was a good attendance.

Following prayer and the reading of the collect for Ash Wednesday by the Vicar (Rev A. Howard), who was in the chair, the minutes of the previous meeting were read by the hon. secretary and treasurer of the Parochial Church Council, and these were duly signed.

Mr Maughan, in presenting the report of the Church Council for the past year, mentioned that an active Church Councillor had been lost by the death of Mrs H. Coleman. The receipts for last year amounted to £75 4s. 0 3/4d., and the expenditure totalled £73 8s. 2 1/2d., which left a larger balance in hand than the previous year. The sum paid to special societies during the past year amounted to £49 4s. 9d.

Mr Fraser moved the adoption of the accounts, and Mrs M. Corp seconded Mr Fraser's proposal.

The Electoral Roll was presented, showing that 16 names had been erased due to death and removals, and 29 had been added, and the number now on the Roll was 252.

It was reported that Mrs Howard had been able to send the full quota (£35) to the Diocesan Board of Finance, this amount being chiefly comprised of contributions received in connection with the Free-Will-Offering-Scheme.

The Parochial Church Council, viz., Mrs J. Smith, Mrs Howard, Mrs Dixon, Mrs Butler, Mrs Macklin, Mrs Corp, Miss Boniwell, Miss Davies, and Messrs. Freeman, Miles and Pateman, were re-elected en bloc on the proposition of Capt. Tollemache, seconded by Mrs H. Clarke. Miss Woods was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Council.

Another representative, in addition to Mr Fraser, was required for the Diocesan Conference, and Mrs Howard was appointed, she having expressed her willingness to serve.

Mesdames Butler, Macklin, Dixon and Howard were elected representatives on the Ruri-decanal Conference.

Regarding the repair of the organ at St Peter's, the vicar expressed his thankfulness that what he considered to be a "stumbling stone" had been rolled away, and after paying nearly £50 to Messrs. Corps there was a small balance left over, and this he had placed to the magazine account, because he was continually paying money from his own pocket to meet expenses which the magazine entailed.

The new heating apparatus has involved a further expenses, and the vicar mentioned that after paying £50 to Messrs. Grundy a sum of £29 was still needed, and he appealed to all to help raise this amount.

The vicar also mentioned that the initial expenses in connection with the new Churchyard were being borne by Mr Fraser, and the Bishop would consecrate the ground in the spring. The Bishop would also conduct a Confirmation Service at St Peter's on June 22nd.

Warm thanks were expressed by the vicar to all the officers for their past services, also to Mr Fraser (the host of the evening) and all helpers, and this concluded the business meeting.

Refreshments, which had been kindly provided by Mr Fraser, were then served, and musical programme followed. Miss M. Macklin, who presided at the piano throughout the evening, gave two delightful pianoforte solos, and Mrs Armstrong sang "The Second Minuet" with fine expression.

Mrs Corp's song "My ain folk" was also very much enjoyed. Mr E.E. Dennis then conducted community singing, such well-known songs as "Billy Boy," "Bobby Shaftoe" and "Loch Lomod" being popular with all; closing with the well-known hymn, "Jesus, Lover of my Soul," to the beautiful Welsh tune, Aberystwyth.