27th Jan 1928 - Wyddiall, The New Rector

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Wyddiall - The New Rector

Induction of the Rev. W. Mc C. Kerr

The Institution and Induction of the Rev W. Mc C. Kerr as Rector of Wyddiall was conducted by the Lord Bishop of St Albans on Monday afternoon last. The new Rector was formerly Rector of Meesden and is Rural Dean for the Buntingford Deanery. There was a large congregation present at the service.

The visiting Clergy were the Rev. A. Howard (Layston), the Rev. E.E. Empringham (Cottered), the Rev. F.R. Williams (Anstey), the Rev. H. Shepherd (Gt. Hormead), the Rev. A.G. Langdon (Munden), the Rev. A.G. King (Westmill), the Rev. H.F. Webb-Bowen (Barkway), the Rev. F.W.B. Jobson (Braughing), the Rev. A.J. McKinney (Buckland), Canon Shorting (St Albans), and the Rev. W.J. Stewart (Langley). The Rev. Dr H.V.S. Eck, of Ardeley, acted as the Bishop's Chaplain.

Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., the Patron of the living, presented the new Rector to the Bishop in the following words: "Reverend Father in God, I present you this meet and proper person to be insitituted to the cure of souls in this parish."

The new Rector, standing before the Bishop, then took the various oaths required, after which there was silent prayer. The Bishop then took the new incumbant by the hand and, preceded by the Rev. A.G. Langdon (who acted for the Archdeacon) and the Patron (Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis) he conducted him to the five principal parts of the Church - the Font, the Prayer Desk, the Lectern, the Pulpit, and lastly to the Altar, during which appropriate verses of the hymn, "We love the place, O God," were sung, and certain questions were put to the incumbent, at each place to which he answered "I will do so, the Lord being my Helper."

The incumbent then knelt before the Bishop at Altar rails, and after prayers the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus" was sung, the Bishop sung the first and third lines and the congregation the second and fourth of each verse. The Bishop then read the letters of Institution, and afterwards, with his hand on the head of the incumbent, pronounced a Benediction.

The incumbent was then led by the hand to the Church door and to the belfry, where he tolled the bell to signify to the parishioners that he had taken possession.

The Bishop then delivered a very stirring address. He said with the institution of their new Rector they were beginning a new chapter in the history of that parish. The great object in every parish, county and country was that men should have life and have it more abundantly. Christ's work goes on through us. Our Lord used a human body to make God known to us, and men came to know that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God because they looked at Him in the face. No man could mistrust a Man with a look like His. It is a terrible thing when a man loses his grip on life, and when we hear of men committing suicide we say they are temporarily insane, because normal people want to live.

We must get back to God and find out the laws governing human life. We have seen tremendous progress in many things. Wireless, for instance, and even greater things than that were spoken of. There was a talk of television; so in addition to people ringing you up on the 'phone and talking to you, there was a prospect of them actually seeing what you were doing. A few years ago a man who could drive a motor car was considered a kind of super man.

All material progress has come from study and research, and by following the laws of nature; all theories respecting farming woud "go west" if the laws of nature were not obeyed. 

Fellowship is one of the laws of God and those who belonged to large families knew what that meant. If there were any present who were members of a large family let them thank God for it, for they had received their education, especially if they happened to be the youngest member of the family, for their elder brothers and sisters would see to it that they roughed it.

God had given us parents, brothers and sisters, and we had to learn to live together - sometimes with people we did not like, but all had a common job to do for God, and without Him we can do nothing.

During the singing of the last hymn a collection was taken for the Ordination Candidates Fund, and the service concluded with the Blessing pronounced by the Bishop.

After the service the Bishop, the Clergy, and members of the congregation were entertained at Wyddiall Hall by Sir Charles and Lady Heaton-Ellis.

Miss Marion Macklin, L.R.A.M., presided at the organ.

26th Oct 1928 - Cottered Congregational Church Harvest Festival

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Cottered

Congregational Church Harvest Festival

The Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held on Sunday and Monday last at 6 and 7.15 p.m. respectively. As usual, the Church was prettily decorated, and each service was exceedingly well attended. The ample display of flowers, fruit, vegetables, &c., was proof of the great interest shown in this annual event in the village.

Mr Rogers, of Hay Street, Braughing, conducted the Sunday service, and was assisted by Mr Leader, who gave a very stirring address. God, said Mr Leader, has not broken His promises, and He deserves our praise and thanks not once a year or once a month or once a week, but daily. Harvest time, he continued, should be a stocktaking time for each one of us - a time for examining the fruits of our last sowing and for choosing the seeds for our next.

Mr Rogers spoke on similar lines, and the service closed with the hymn "Sow in the morn thy seed." Mrs Grundy kindly presided at the organ. The collection amounted to 14s. 3 1/2d.

On Monday, Mr Andrew Miller, of Barnet, delivered the address, and was supported by Revd John Cole, of Buntingford, and Mr Harper, of Therfield. Unlike so many earthly promises; said Mr Miller, God's promises were made without repentance and they still stood after 4,000 years as the display of produce before him proved.

Mrs Miller gave two very delightful solos, with autoharp accompaniment, entitled "In the Garden" and "The Love of God." The Buntingford Town Silver Band (under the direction of Mr E.J. Smith) very kindly provided the music for the hymns.

The collection amounted to £2 0s. 3 1/2d. and the sale of produce after the service realised £2 5s. 6d.

The collections and proceeds of sale will be equally divided between the Royston and District Hospital and the Church Funds.

13th May 1910 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford

Petty Sessions

Friday Last - Before Sir R. Romer (in the chair), Major Heaton Ellis, H. Shepherd Cross, E Pigg, S.P. Woollatt, and F.C. Porter, Esqs.

John Geo[rge] Skipp, labourer, Buntingford (against whom there are 53 previous convictions), was brought up in custody on a charge of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting P.C. Bell while in the execution of his duty on April 23rd, 1910, at 3.30p.m. [??]  on Layston Bridge, Buntingford.

P.C. Bell gave evidence, and stated that at 3am on Saturday morning, April 23rd, he with P.C.'s Gravestock and Hunt was on duty on Layston Bridge, when the defendent came over and went in the direction of the Railway Station, and when he came to the Adam and Eve public house, he began knocking at the door until he awoke the inmates. The landlady looking out of the upstairs window, asked what he wanted, Skipp replied "I want to come in," and the landlady replied "You will not come in here." Skipp then began to pull down a barber's pole that was over one of the windows.

He was told to let it alone and replied "Shan't." He then came back to the bridge and began to abuse witness, who advised him to clear off, and walked towards him, when he struck witness on the chest, and kicked him on the leg, and in the struggle grazed some skin off his right thumb. Seeing he was drunk and would not go away, witness then took him in to custody, and with the assitance to P.C. Gravestock took him to the Police Station, where he was charged and detained. He was the same day brought before F.C. Porter, Esq. at 6.30 p.m., and remanded to the cells until Monday the 25th, when he was brought before Sir R. Romer and remanded to St Albans Gaol until next Bench day, Friday 6th May.

P.C. Gravestock, Cottered, gave corroborative evidence.

The Bench convicted on both charges, and for drunk and disorderly he was sentenced to one calendar month hard labour, and for assulted P.C. Bell to two calendar months hard labour, the sentences to run consecutively.

Wm [William] Edward Manning, labourer, High Street, Buntingford, appeared to bail to answer a charge of being drunk and disorderl on the public highway at Bunctingford on April 22nd.

P.C. Hunt, Hare Street, proved the case, the defendant being fined 6s. 6d. including costs.

Geo[rge] Wallis, bricklayer, Baldock Lane, Buntingford, appeared to bail charged with stealing 8 hen's eggs, value 1s, the property of Harry [Dalzell?] Piper, at Judge Farm, Great Hormead, on April 27th.

P.C. Hunt, Hare Street, proved the case.

The defendant against whom there was nothing known, and who felt his position keenly, was spoken to by the Chairman, who said it was a despicable thing to do, but the Bench did not want to make a criminal of him, and would deal with him leniently. They would deal with him under the First Offender's Act, and would bing him over in the sum of £5 for 6 months to come up for judgement if called upon.

Mrs Lucy Kingsley, Cottered, applied for a new off licence (through the death of her husband) at Cottered.

The Bench could not grant it as she could produce Probate of the Will, nor Letters of Administration, but granted a Protection Order until next transfer day, 17th June, 1910.

19th Feb 1926 - Nursing Fund Whist Drive

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Nursing Fund Whist Drive and Dance

The annual whist drive, in aid of the Cottered Nursing Fund, was held in the hall, by kind permission of Mr Herbert Goode, on Tuesday evening.

The arrangements were well made by a band of workers, and a most enjoyable evening was spent by all present. The beautiful decorations were admired by all, and at the close, thanks were accorded Mr Goode for placing the hall at the disposal of the committee.

As usual, there was quite a large number present, and twenty-three table [sic] were in use for whist. Several non-whist players came later for the dancing which was indulged in until the early hours of the morning, the excellent dance programme being enjoyed to the full.

Mrs T.J. Stick, who for some time has carried out the duties of Hon. Treasurer, presented the prizes to the most successful players. She said she was pleased that so many were in sympathy with the Association, and she hoped that now Mrs Tapper had come to take over the duties of Treasurer, the Association would go on even more successfully (Applause).

Mrs W.J. Tapper said she was sure they were all grateful to Mrs Stick for what she had done for the Association. They were all sorry that Mrs Stick was unable to carry on as Treasurer, but they knew that the Association would receive her whole support (Applause).

For whist, Mr A. Beadle efficiently acted as M.C., and the prize-winners were:

Ladies - 1, Mrs Hull (clock); 2, Mrs A. Beadle (hot-water jug). Consolation - Miss Bastard.

Gents - 1, Mr J. Cannon (shaving set); 2, Mr C. Hills (ash tray and cigarettes). Consolation - Mr D. Pinnock.

Mr William Tapper acted as M.C. for the dancing, and the music was provided by Mr R. Brabrook (piano) and Mr G. Hunter (violin).

A special word of praise is due to the ladies of the Committee, who had charge of the refreshments, which gave satisfaction to all. Mention must also be made of the helpers who rendered their services as doorkeeps &c.

The sum of £9 0s. 9d. was realised.