21st December 1928 - Layston Church Expenses

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Layston Church Expenses

Layston Church is faced with a heavy deficit, and the Parochial Church Council are making every effort to wipe this out as soon as possible.

On Saturday a successful sale of clothing and other articles took place in the Women's Institute Hall in this connection, when a sum of over £8 was realised.

Mr F.W. Butler kindly made all arrangements for collecting and conveying the articles (given by parishioners and others) to the Hall, and the following assisted with the selling:

Mesdames Boniwell, Bonness, Brodie, Butler, Clarke, Corp, Dixon, Davies, Feasey, Geaves, Howard, Woodley and Mr G. Hill.

The organisers are very grateful to all who assisted.

15th October 1926 - Harvest Festival at St Peter's

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Harvest Festival at St Peter's

The Harvest Festival services were held on Thursday in last week and were continued over the following Sunday.

The church was beautifully decorated with a profusion of corn, flowers, fruit and vegetables, which had been brought as thankofferings.

The corn had previously been weathered at the Parish Room by Mrs Pateman, Mrs Corp, Miss Woodley, Mrs H. Clark, Miss V. Feasey, Mrs Howard and Miss Brodie, the actual decorations being tastefully carried out by Miss Boniwell, Mrs Butler, Mrs Coleman, Mrs White, Miss M. Howard, Miss Lushington, Mrs Ambrose, Mrs J. Pateman and Mr H.L. Baker.

The Rev. H.B. Webb-Bowen, R.N., Vicar of Barkway, preached on Thursday evening to a large and attentive congregation. The anthem "Song to the Lord of the Harvest," was well rendered by the choir, and the whole service was a hearty and happy one.

On Sunday, in addition to the morning and evening services, a Flower Service was held in the afternoon.

The church was well filled, and many generous offerings were brought by the children of flowers, fruit and eggs, accompanied by appropriate texts, which been warmly appreciated by the sick and needy. The Festival closed with a very hearty service on Sunday night.

Owing to the special fuel and lighting difficulties, the offertories were for that object, over £6 being received, but in addition nearly £3 was given for the hospitals.

21st January 1927 - St Peter's Annual Social

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St Peter's Annual Social

The annual social for the adult members of the Layston Choir and Sunday School Teachers, given by the Vicar and Mrs Howard, was held at the Vicarage on Thursday, January 13th.

A splendid repast of refreshments was served, and indoor games of every description were indulged in.

Songs were also sung by Mr H. May (the Lay Reader), and Mrs May, Mrs Corp, and Mr C. Miles. Miss M. Macklin presided at the piano.

At the close, Mr Miles proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Vicar and Mrs Howard for their kindness in entertaining the party who had all spent a most enjoyable evening, this was seconded by Mr Pateman.

The party broke up at 11.30.

11th March 1927 - Death and Funeral of Mr F. Cowtan Furness

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Death and Funeral of Mr F. Cowtan Furness

We sincerely regret to record the death of Mr F.C. Furness, who was well and popularly known in the town. He was taken ill with influenza about a fortnight ago, and died from cerebral haemorrhage on Friday last.

Mr Furness, who was 66 years of age, was born in Holborn, his parents owning a large confectioner's business on the site of the new West Central Post Office. He spent many years in Cornwall, and came to live at Buntingford about three years ago. During the war he served in the Irish Fusiliers. His cheery face and happy disposition will be greatly missed by a large number of friends.

He was buried at Layston Church on Wednesday afternoon, amidst general signs of regret. There was a large number of floral tributes, including a wreath from the Buntingford British Legion Club, of which the deceased was a member.

The immediate mourners were:

Mr R.G. Furness, Amersham (brother), Mr H.G. Bustard, Forest Gate (nephew), Mrs Davies, Miss Davies, Mr T. Wilson, Kennington; Mr F. French, Chelmsford; Mr Reed, Hertford; and Mr J. Horner, Ware.

Among others present were Revd. John Cole; Mr H. Clarke and Mr E.C. Clarke (representing the British Legion), Messrs G. Smith, E.P. Borsberry, A. Wilson, S. Saggers, H.A. Thody, S. Waters, E. Southgate, M. Corp, Mr and Mrs J. Wilson and Mrs Houlden.

Wreaths were as follows:

From Miss Davies

Mrs Davies and Girls

Mr Furness, Mrs Bustard & Family

Ex-Service Men's Club

Mr and Mrs French

Mrs Hone, Albe and Ede

Wilder and Patsy

Will, Gert and his Godchild Ronald

Ina and Billy

Mr and Mrs C. Clark

Mr and Mrs G.B. Medland

Mr and Mrs Wilson, sen.

Mr and Mrs Wilson, jun.

Mr and Mrs Corp

Messrs Houlden

Mr and Mrs H. Handy

Mr and Mrs Plumb

Mr M. Reid

Mr and Mrs Pledger

Mrs C. Rand and Mrs Parker

Doris and Stan

Tony

"Pip"

27th May 1927 - Country Dancing

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Country Dancing

The first of a series of meetings of the Buntingford Branch of the English Folk Dance Society was held at the George Hotel on Thursday evening of last week.

There was a good number present, and a company from Walkern came over to join in the evening's pleasure. Miss M. Macklin presided at the piano, and Mr E.E. Dennis made an efficient M.C.

Thanks to Mrs H.L. Baker (the hon. secretary) and Mrs M. Corp (hon. treasurer), the Buntingford branch of this popular society is on a very sound footing, and an attractive programme is promised for the coming season.

Miss G. Pugh, of Ardeley, is the efficient and popular instructress.

24th Feb 1928 - Football Club

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Football Club

On Tuesday evening a whist drive and dance, in aid of the funds of the Town Football Club, was held at the Benson Hall, when in spite of a very foggy evening, several persons from the district were present. The event was quite successful.

Twenty-four tables were in use, and Mr H. Clarke carried out the duties of M.C. The voucher prizes were won by the following players: Ladies - 1 Mrs Nash 9188), 2 Mrs S. Smith (183), 3 Mrs Piggott (173). Gents - 1 Mr T. Pledger (173), 2 Mr R Fisher (172), 3 Mr M. Corp (171). A special prize for the highest score at the first half was given by Mr Daniels, and this was won by Mr E. Hatchett.

At the conclusion of the whist, dancing took place until midnight.

Mr C.H. Tottman officiated as M.C. and the music was supplied by the "Mavis" Dance Band.

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.

26th Feb 1926 - National Institute for the Blind

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National Institute for the Blind

Successful Whist Drive at the Benson Hall

A successful whist drive, in aid of the funds of the above institution, was held at the Benson Hall on Wednesday evening.

Twenty tables were occupied, and Mr H. Clarke kindly acted as M.C. The scoring was fairly high, and four ladies had to cut for prizes.

Mrs Stapley and Miss I. Aylott both scored 180, and winning the cut Mrs Stapley took first prize - a case of tea knives, Miss Aylott being second with a cake knife. Mrs Corp and Miss Mean both scored 176, and on the cut Miss Mean took third prize - a fancy jam dish.

For the gents prizes Mr F.C. Nash was first with a score of 180 - prize, a clock. Mr T. Pledger, who was second, chose a cigarette tray and matchbox; and Mr H. Clark, with a score of 175, was third - prize, a leather purse and wallet.

Father Morgan kindly presented a pack of cards for the player with the highest score at the first-half, and this prize was won by Mr A. Coxall.

Mrs H. Clarke distributed the prizes.

At the close, Mr B.E. Thody, who organised the drive, returned thanks to Mr Clarke and the helpers.