17th September 1926 - Death of Mr Edward Pigg

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Buckland

Death of Mr Edward Pigg

It is with much regret that we record the death of Mr Edward Pigg, of Buckland, Buntingford, a well-known Alderman of the County of Hertford, and a man admired by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mr Pigg had been in failing health for nearly a year, and recently he had been seriously ill. He passed away on Monday morning last at his residence at Buckland.

Mr Pigg, who was born at Barkway, belonged to an old agricultural family. He farmed Chipping Hall Farm for many years, and was one of the best known breeders of Shire Horses in the County, his collection of silver cups, &c., being very fine.

He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Herts in 1902. A staunch Conservative, he was a generous supporter of the cause, and took a particular interest in the Buntingford Branch of the Hitchin Conservative Association.

He was elected a Guardian of the Buntingford Union, and a member of the Buntingford Rural District Council in 1890, and held the chairmanship for some time. He was also chairman of the Ashwell Board of Guardians and a member of the Ashwell Rural District Council.

Besides County matters, he took a deep interest in all affairs connected with his village. He was a particularly good farmer and his men had great affection for him; his own quiet enthusiasm working wonders among them.

His wife, three daughters, and three sons survive him, and much sympathy is felt for them and other relatives in their great loss.

The funeral will take place at Barkway Church today (Friday), a report of which will appear in our next issue.

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Transcribers note: A copy of the following weeks paper does not appear to have been saved.

3rd December 1926 - Women's Conservative Association

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Women's Conservative Association

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Women's Branch of the Conservative Association was held in the George Assembly Room, Buntingford, a 6.30 p.m., on Friday, November 19th.

The President (Lady Heaton-Ellis) was present, also Mrs Williams (as Chairman), Mrs Dimsdale (the Vice-President), Mrs Baker (the hon. treasurer), and also the hon. secretary. There were over 100 members of the Association present.

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed.

The hon. secretary's report was read, which showed the meetings had been well attended, as also had the Committee meetings.

The number of members on the books up to the end of October, 1926, was 244, which, in spite of removals and resignations, showed an increase of 26 members on last year's total.

A financial report was read by Mrs Baker, showing a small balance in hand.

Mrs Howard proposed, and Mrs Henry May seconded, that the officers be re-elected en bloc.

This was carried unanimously.

New names were added to the Committee, proposed by the hon. secretary and seconded by the hon. treasurer.

Mrs Howard, of Watford House, Westmill, gave a most excellent address on the danger of apathy on the part of women voters, and emphasised the responsibility that the vote had given to women.

There was an exhibition and sale of goods sent by members for the Buntingford stall at the Hitchin Fete, and the hon. sec. would like to take this opportunity of thanking all in the villages who have so generously contributed.

Tea was served most expeditiously by Mrs Thody and a band of helpers.

9th July 1926 - Lieut.-Col. C. Heaton-Ellis Knighted

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Lieut.-Col. C. Heaton-Ellis Knighted

Satisfaction and pleasure is expressed on all sides at the honour conferred on Col. C. Heaton-Ellis, of Wyddiall Hall, Buntingford, the King having conferred the honour Knighthood in the Birthday honours list week.

Col. Heaton-Ellis, who is the popular Chairman of the Hitchin Division Conservative and Liberal Unionist Association, was born in 1864, and educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. 

In 1885, he jointed the 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (Herts. Militia), then commanded by Col. R.B. Fellows, C.B., and in 1900 served in South Africa, and in the Great War both with his regiment and on special service under the Admiralty.

He was awarded the C.B.E. (Military) and thr 1914-15 star, retiring after the war as Lieut.-Colonel. He was a member of the Herts County Council 1903-1919, representing Layston (Buntingford) division; is Chairman of the Buntingford Petty Sessional Division; a Deputy Leiutenant for Herts; and was joint Secretary of the Puckeridge Hunt, with Mr Tresham Gilbey, in 1904-5.

He was elected Chairman of the North Herts Conservative Association on the retirement of the late Mr Delme-Radcliffe in 1906, and has held that position ever since.

It is his proud boast that during those many years he has invariably received the most whole-hearted and loyal support of his colleagues, and that the seat has always been held by members of the Conservative Party - the late Dr Hillier, Lord Cecil (best known in North Herts as "Lord Robert,") who was member for 11 years, and now by the present popular member, Major Guy Kindersley.

Col. Heaton-Ellis is a freemason, and an officer of the Grand Lodge, and has travelled extensively in Australia, East Africa, and the West Indies. In July, 1923, he and Mrs Heaton-Ellis accompanied by Lieut.-Col. L.G. Murray, commanding the 2nd King's African Rifles, crossed a little known part of Tanganyika Colony (late "German East") on a hunting expedition of over a month's duration, and obtained some interesting trophies. The party at one time was in a part of the country where the natives had never seen a white woman. 

The Colonel takes an active interest in all local institutions, and the whole district offers heartiest congratulations to him and to Lady Heaton-Ellis on the great honour conferred upon them.

2nd July 1926 - Conservative Gathering at Hatfield House

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Conservative Gathering at Hatfield House

Brilliant sunshine welcomed the members of the Conservative Association to the beautiful home of a family long famous in the annals of the Party, and Hatfield House and grounds, kindly thrown open to Major Kindersley's supporters, were greatly appreciated by about 800 guests, who gathered there on Wednesday afternoon by the kind invitation of the Marquise and Marchioness of Salisbury.

The proceedings were mainly of an informal character, and that largely contributed to the pleasure of all. The invitation was from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and omnibuses, charabancs, and all kinds and sizes of cars brought both men and women electors to enjoy roaming about the grounds and garden, and also to have the opportunity of seeing over some of the house and admiring the old pictures and other objects of interest.

Tea was served in a large marquee under shady trees, after which Major Kindersley (who, with Mrs Kindersley, had been moving about and conversing with many friends), gave a short address referring to the recent and present strikes, the Russian gold question, and this week's Labour outburst in Parliament.

Gracefully expressed words of thanks were spoken by Colonel Heaton-Ellis and by Mrs Hargreaves; and the kindly expression of welcome by Viscount Cranborne was enhanced by his hope that this happy occasion would only be the first of many similar gatherings.

Buntingford and district was well represented, and the meeting together of so many from various parts of the constituency testified not only to the strength and wellbeing of the Conservative cause, but to the happy and friendly spirit among its adherents.

18th June 1926 - Buntingford Conservative and Liberal Unionist Association

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Buntingford Conservative and Liberal Unionist Association

The Marquis of Salisbury has very kindly consented to throw open Hatfield House and Gardens to the Hitchin Division Conservative Association on Wednesday, 30th June, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A contract has been made for tea to be provided at 1/3 per head. Charabancs will leave Buntingford at 2 p.m.

Names of members and their friends wishing to join the party should be sent to Mr B.E. Thody, Buntingford, by Tuesday next (22nd June). - Advt.

28th May 1926 - Buntingford and District Women Conservatives

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Buntingford and District Women Conservatives

Garden Meeting at Aspenden House

The members of the Buntingford and District Women Conservative Association, held a Garden Meeting at Aspenden House on Wednesday afternoon, by kind invitation of Captain and Mrs H.H. Williams.

Last year's event was marred by a steady downpour of rain, but on Wednesday the sun shone brilliantly and before and after the meeting, which was held in a beautifully shaded corner of the grounds, the company enjoyed a walk around the well-kept garden, now bright with summer flowers.

Some 200 members were present, and in opening the meeting Mrs H.H. Williams said they were glad to welcome Mrs Heard again. The general strike was over, and everyone was smiling again.

She was sure that everyone present was proud to belong to the Conservative party and proud of Mr Baldwin; even his opponents - she would not say enemies as she thought he had none - admired him. (Applause).

Mrs Heard, who was give [sic] a hearty welcome, said it was just a year since she was at Aspenden. She had come to speak to them about the Empire. Britain and her dominions still stood first. 

The women of England were home builders and home keepers and the home life of England stood out as a pattern to the whole world. The Conservative party stood for bringing together the peoples of England and her dominions under the rule of King George V.

The standard of living was higher than it had ever been before, and the Conservative party had been instrumental in making it so. They heard a lot about Free Trade - it was not really Free Trade but free imports. England had to import an enormous amount of food as it was only able to produce enough to feed eleven million of its fourty eight million people.

The Strike

The Socialists were always talking about International Brotherhood, and when the T.U.C. called the general strike, they thought that foreign countries would take action with them. As everyone knew men in other Countries did not strike out of sympathy with the T.U.C. because they knew that while our men were out they were taking our orders. The strike had undone all the good things the Union had done in the past. There was no doubt that some of the unions of this Country had been responsible for better conditions for the workmen, better hours, &c., that was their national work.

The T.U.C. had a surprise when the people rose and said "hands off the constitution of this County."Continuing, Mrs Heard said she liked to feel that the people of England liked fair play, and she had a certain sense of admiration for some of the leaders of the T.U.C. for the manner in which they surrendered to the Government. The strike had certainly cleared the air, and the people of Britain had said "We will be ruled, but only by people who we have put into power." (Applause)

Referring to Mr Baldwin the speaker said that when the history of England was written, his name would be written in letters of gold, for no man could have done more. Our forefathers had made this Country what it was today, and we today are able to say that what they were we are. Let us bring up our children to walk in our footsteps so that England in the future may be as strong as she is today. (Applause).

On the proposition of Mrs H.H. Williams, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Heard for her inspiring address. Mrs Coutts-Deacon moved a hearty vote of thanks to Capt. and Mrs Williams for their hospitality and Colonel Heaton-Ellis associated himself with Mrs Deacon's remarks.

Tea was served on the lawn, and the Buntingford Town Silver Band played selections. Later in the evening there was dancing, the band providing the music.

26th Feb 1926 - Buntingford Conservative Associaton

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Buntingford Conservative Associaton

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Buntingford Branch of the Hitchen Conservative and Liberal Unionist Association was held at the George Hotel on Thursday evening last.

The chair was taken by Mr Claud Fraser. There was a small attendance of members, the business being of a formal nature only.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman said the members would be glad to hear that Major Kindersley had recovered his health, and that he would be visiting Buntingford on March 26th.

Election of Officers

Capt H.H. Williams moved that Mr Claud Fraser be re-elected Chairman of the branch. They all knew the interest their Chairman took in the Association as a whole. (Applause).

Mr Scarborough Taylor seconded the resolution, which was carried with applause.

The Chairman thanked the meeting for re-appointing him, and said he would always do his best for the cause.

The following were elected to serve on the Central Council: Dr R.W. Fell, Messrs. W. Steel, C.H. Poulton, A.W. Page, A. MacArthur and W Houlden.

The Chairman and Captain H.H. Williams were elected to serve on the General Executive.

The committee elected were as follows: Dr R.W. Fell, Messrs. F.B. Sharp, J. Pateman, E.J. Crane, C.H. Poulton, E. Camp, E.E. Dennis, E. Denson, T.Kingsley, J. Camp, W. Manning, H. Thody, W. May, W. Houlden, and G. Scarborough Taylor.

Mr B.E. Thody was nominated Secretary.

Other Business

Capt H.H. Williams spoke on the newly-formed scheme for raising subscriptions, and Mr Scarborough Taylor asked whether monthly lectures could be arranged. 

The committee were asked to meet and discuss this question.

The Secretary was also instructed to obtain membership cards.

[Transcriber note: "Major Kindersley" was Guy Kindersley, Conservative MP for Hitchen]