22nd April 1927 - Anstey - The Late Mr James Cowlin Pigg

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Anstey

The Late Mr James Cowlin Pigg

Impressive Scenes at Church and Graveside

It is with sincere regret and sympathy with the bereaved relatives we record the decease of Mr James Cowlin Pigg, of Anstey Hall.

The deceased, who had been ill for some considerable time, passed away in a London nursing home on Wednesday of last week. His death, at the age of 41 years has brought great sorrow, not only to the parish but to the whole district.

The deceased's father, the late Mr J. Pigg, farmed the 700 acre Hall Farm for over 30 years, and at his death some six years ago, the villagers were happy to think that his son, "Jimmy," was to remain with them and farm the land his father had left. "Jimmy" as he was known to all, was a man of whom no one spoke ill. A good farmer and a very generous employer, he was loved by all who came into contact with him. The most marked characteristic of him was his love of fair play and fair dealings. He was also a lover of sport and was considered an excellent shot.

Prior to the Great War he joined the Herts Yeomanry, but at the outbreak of war he expressed a wish to go abroad and was transferred to the R.G.A. and saw a good deal of fighting in Palestine. 

Ater the war he returned to Anstey, where he took an interest in all local affairs. A staunch Conservative, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the cause. He was also a member of the Buntingford Board of Guardians and Rural District Council.

The deceased was only married some two years ago.

The Funeral

The popularity of the deceased over a wide area was testified to by the large number who assembled for the funeral on Monday afternoon last. The interior of the Church was bright with Easter flowers, many of them having grown in the woods on the Hall farm. The full choir was present, and the service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. F.R. Williams, assisted by the Rural Deal (The Rev. W. McKerr), and The Rev W.L. Shepherd (Hormead). The hymn song was "Peace, perfect peace."

The coffin was plain oak, and was borne from the Hall by eight of the deceased's employees. The interment took place in a flower-lined grave at the east end of the churchyard, being only separated from the Hall garden by a yard entrance to the Hall.

The immediate mourners were: Mrs J.C. Pigg (widow), Mr H.F. Pigg (cousin), Miss Pigg and Miss G. Pigg (sisters), Mr and Mrs L. Duke (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs Seabrook and Mrs Baker (aunts), Mr and Mrs E. Pigg, jun. (cousins), Mr and Mrs F. Pigg, and Mr T. Coleman.

Among others present were - Mrs Wyman, Mrs Dimsdale, Miss F. Pigg, Miss N. Pigg, Mrs Oyler, Miss Beale, Miss N. Ashford, Mrs Monk-Jones, Miss Lyall, Mrs C.R. Turney, Mrs White, Mrs H.F. Pigg, Mrs Turney, Miss Coleman, The Rev. L.W. Wright, Rev. Morton, Mr and Mrs S. Pigg, Mr and Mrs W.T. Patten, Mr and Mrs F.B. Cannon, Mr and Mrs W. Johnson, Mr and Mrs J.F. Lofts (Stortford), Mr H. Clarke (representing the Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club) and Mrs Clarke, Mr and Mrs Hammond (Ware), Captain E.T. Morris, Dr H.E. Dixon, Messrs. T. May, H. Fry, J.R. Russell, J. Russell, G. Scarborough Taylor, P. Hamilton, E. Mildren, R. Gardener, F. Brown, W. George, W. Millbank, F. Sapsed, W.J. Sapsed, F. Prime, Andrew Weir, C. Bolton, C. Johnson, H. May, F. Rand (Kelshall), A.W. Page, S. Lees, Harry May, J. May, H.R. Stubbing, A. Macarthur, V. Pledger, C. Burr, W. Burr, F. Dibbin (representing the local branch of the Conservative Association), Herbert Ward, G. Andrews, S. Hoy, W.J. May, J.S. Baker, T.J. Stick, H.E. Dudley, Jack Pigg, J. Woollard, B. Kent, S.A. Rice, H. Mole, C.P. Mole, C. Chapman (Standon), John Coleman, and Messrs. F.W. Butler, E.G. Thody, and H.H. Macklin (officers of the Buntingford Guardians and R.D.C.)

There was also a large number of villagers and employees present.

15th April 1927 - Funeral of Mrs Mottram

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Funeral of Mrs Mottram

Amid signs of general regret, the funeral of Mrs W. Mottram took place at Layston on Wednesday, the 6th inst.

The remains, encassed in a plain oak coffin, were carried to the graveside by members of the Foresters' Friendly Society.

The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A. Howard, and the immediate mourners were Mr W. Mottram (husband), Mr S. Howlett (nephew), Mrs Howlett (sister), Mr W. Norris (brother), Mr Howlett (brother-in-law), Mrs Norris (sister-in-law), Mr Goodchild, Mrs Hants, Mrs Driver, and Miss C. Norris (nieces).

Amongst the townspeople present we observed - Mrs H. Coleman, Mrs C. Miles, Mrs A.G. Day, Miss Marsden, Mrs H. Clark, Mrs Aylott, Miss Aylott, Mrs E.G. Thody, Mrs C. Postle, Mrs Ambrose, Mrs A. Howard, Mrs E. Camp, Mrs A. Clark, Mrs H. Clark, Mr J. Smith, Mr A. Clark, and Mr J. Bishop (the last two representing the Buntingford Football Club) and others.

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Read the death announcement.

8th April 1927 - Buntingford Women's Institute

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Buntingford Women's Institute

Opening of New Hall

The new Hall, erected at an approximate cost of £1,000, for the Buntingford Women's Institute, was formally opened by Mrs Haldane on 30th March.

The hall, which faced the main road at the north end of the High Street, is fitted up with every modern convenience, including central heating and a hot and cold water service. The main hall is 54 ft. long and 24 ft. wide, and at the rear of this are two dressing rooms, each 13 ft. by 12 ft.; folding doors are fixed in order to make one large room.

At the main entrance there is a ticket office and on the right a ladies' cloak room, the gentlemen's cloak room being on the left. There is an imposing front, with red bricked pillars and iron fence and gates.

The hall was crowded for the opening ceremony. The chair was taken by the President (Mrs H.C. Marshall), who was supported by Mrs H.H. Williams, Mrs Fell, Mrs Howard, Mrs Coleman, and the Secretary (Miss Boniwell).

The President, who was greeted with applause, said that day was a very proud one for the Buntingford Women's Institute. The Institute started in November, 1919, and now on March 30th, 1927, they had their own hall. (Applause). They had the hall through the help of many friends, and she hoped that it would be a benefit and pleasure not only to the Women's Institute, but to the whole of Buntingford.

Mrs Martin Smith was unable to be with them that afternoon, but they had Mrs Haldane, a Vice-Chairman of the Herts. Association, who would perform the opening ceremony. (Applause).

Mrs Haldane said it gave her great pleasure to open such a splendid hall. It was a great achievement for an Institute to build its own hall, and it had meant a great deal of hard work and sacrifice. She congratulated the members very heartily, not only for having a hall, but also for doing a great community work; there was great importance in doing things together. (Applause). The work the Buntingford Institute was doing was reflected on the county of Hertfordshire, and on behalf of the county she would like to say "Thank you."

Mrs Haldane then formally declared the hall open, and wished it a long life, a life that would make Institute life better, brighter, and healthier. (Applause).

Miss Sheila Armstrong then handed Mrs Haldane a beautiful bouquet.

Mrs H.H. Williams said it was a proud day for them all, including their gentlemen friends present. They had with them members of all the religious bodies of Buntingford - the Rev. A. Howard, the Rev. John Cole, and Captain Green of the Salvation Army. Father Morgan sent his best wishes, and regretted that owing to a long-standing engagement he was unable to be present. Continuing Mrs Williams said they wished to commend the hall to God's service, and she would ask them all to join in saying the Lord's Prayer.

This was followed by the singing of "Jerusalem," Miss Woods conducting the singing.

Mrs Fell proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Haldane for performing the opening ceremony, and this was carried with acclamation.

Miss Boniwell (Hon. Sec.) gave the financial statement. After a lot of work in connection with fetes, &c., they had at last got their hall, but they had not quite paid for it. The amount collected by the Institute by means of fetes, &c, was £460. Members' loans amounted to £280, and a kind friend had loans them £300, bringing the total amount to £1040. They had now to set to work to pay off the loans, and they were starting straight away. (Applause).

Mrs A. Howard said that thanks were due to one who had not asked for it. The success of the Buntingford Institute was due to its President (Mrs Marshall.) (Applause). But for her and Mr Marshall they would not be in the position they were today. The members rejoiced to have their own hall, and when they looked back and saw what had been done in past they knew they could look forward to what would be done in the future. (Applause).

Mrs J. Warren seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried with applause.

The President, in replying, said they had to thank Mr E.G. Thody for a good deal. He had been the father, mother, godfather and brother of the hall, and had been perfectly marvellous. But for him they would not have had such a fine building.

Thanks were also due to Mr Claud Fraser, who had purchased the ground and had been most kind throughout. (Applause).

Then came a programme of music, &c., Mrs Scarborough Taylor sang "Down Vauxhall Way" and Mrs G. Armstrong sang by request "The Second Minuet." Miss A.V. Bartlett made a welcome return to the concert platform, and sang two songs, "The Gleaner's Slumber Song" and "Just for a While." Mrs G. Saggers gave one of her amusing recitations, and Mrs Haldane and Miss Woods told some amusing stories. For the men folk, Mr W.J. May replied with a funny tale.

Tea was then served to all present, after which the Committee prepared the room in readiness for the whist drive and dance held during the evening, when there was a crowded attendance, many being unable to take part in the whist drive. Mr H. Clarke performed the duties of M.C. and it was through his excellent management that the 41 tables were arranged.

Dancing followed, the music being supplied by the popular Standon Orchestra, with Mr Ivan Sharp as M.C. 

The whist winners were: Ladies - 1 Miss E. Cutts, 2 Mrs Handy, 3 Miss L. Sartin. Gents - 1 Mr H. Shepherd, 2 Mr W. Watson, 3 Mr W. Gilbey. Highest score first half, Mrs Case. Highest score second half, Mrs Case. Highest score second half, Mrs L. King. Longest stay at one table, Miss R. Cannon. Lowest score, Mr T. Wornham. Lucky ticket, Miss E. Winters.

The festivities went on merrily till 1 a.m. on Thursday morning, everything from the opening ceremony in the afternoon to the last waltz passing off without a hitch.

20th May 1927 - St Peter's

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St Peter's

On Sunday last, sympathetic reference was amde both morning and evening by the vicar (Rev. A. Howard) to the loss sustained by the parish and congregation in the death of Mrs Coleman, who had for some years been an active Church worker, a member of the Parochial Church Council, and a regular communicant at S. Peters, and one who would be greatly missed.

The deepest sympathy was felt by all with those most nearly concerned.