25th February 1927 - Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society Annual Meeting

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Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the members of the Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society was held at the Society's Hall on Monday evening.

The Chief Ranger, Bro. J.B. Cutts, presided, other members of the Court present being: Brother E. Saunders (Sub-Chief Ranger), Bro. E. Bolton (Senior Woodward), Bro. A. Coxall (Junior Woodward), Bro. D. Wallis (Senior Beadle), Bro. W. Budd (Junior Beadle), and Bro. B.E. Thody (Assistant Secretary).

The Court was opened with the usual formalities, after which the Assistant Secretary stated that the sickness benefit paid during the past month amounted to £21 3s. 10d., and funeral benefit £14.

Applications were received for assistance from the Subsidiary Benefit Fund, and these were favourably considered by the Court.

Balance Sheet

The Secretary submitted the books and accounts of the society for the year ending 31st December 1926.

On the sickness fund there was a balance of £2554 5s. to the good. The amount paid in sickness benefit during the year was £269 4s. 4d.

The funeral fund showed a satisfactory balance of £1209 15s. 1d. In the subsidiary benefit fund there was a balance of £118 15s. 2d.

Members had been assisted from this fund during the year, and the Society had also made the usual donations of £2 2s. to the Hertford County Hospital and the Buntingford Nursing Fund.

The management and medical expenses amounted to £71 19s. 4d., the receipts being £90 11s. 8d., leaving a balance in hand of £18 12s. 4d.

The statement of funds, which totals £3901 7s. 7d., was shown as follows: War Loan £3205 5s., Hertfordshire Housing Bonds £100, Freehold Property £100. Post Office Savings' Bank £462 6s. 4d. Cash in hand at end of the year £23 16s. 3d. There was a membership of over 200.

The Chairman said he thought the accounts were entirely satisfactory; the Society was on a sound financial footing, and the various funds each showed an increase on the previous year's workings.

The Sub-Chief Ranger then proposed, and Bro. E. Bolton seconded, that the accounts be submitted to the Auditors.

The whole of the Officers were re-elected en-bloc and thanked for their past services.

The minutes of the meeting were then read, and the Court formally closed by the Chief Ranger.

It is pleasing to record that the Society, which commenced its activities as far back as 1874, is in such a satisfactory position, and it is hoped that many young men who are not members, will come forward and join in its activities.

The Secretary, who is Mr Ernest G. Thody, has held that office since 1896.

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[Note from Alison - The amount of total funds available is equivalent to approximately £225,000 in today's money.]

18th March 1927 - Death of Mr W.D. Bye

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Wyddiall

Death of Mr W.D. Bye

We regret to record the death of Mr W.D. Bye, who passed away on Wednesday of last week.

The deceased, who was 67 years of age, had lived in Wyddiall for the past 30 years. He was taken ill just before his wife's death in November last, and although he underwent a serious operation he did not recover his healt.

The large company present at the funeral at Wyddiall Church on Saturday afternoon showed the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow workers and villagers.

The immediate mournes were - Mr H. Bye and Miss A. Bye (son and daughter), Mr W. Bye and Mrs G. Smith (son and daughter), Mr and Mrs F. Bye (son and daughter-in-law), Mr G. Smith and Mrs H. Bye (son-in-law and daughter-in-law), Mr B. Woods and Mrs W. Bye (son and daughter-in-law), Mr W. and Miss H. Coxall (brother and sister-in-law), Mr W. Bye and Mrs Bentley (brother and sister), Mrs R. Catley and Mrs E. Catley (sisters), Mrs W. Coxall (sister-in-law), A. Bye, H. Catley and J. Bentley (nephews).

Amongst others present were: Lt.-Col. Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, Mr W. May, Mr T. May and Mr H. May and many employees. Fellow employees from the farm on which the deceased was employed acted as bearers.

15th April 1927 - Death of Mrs Maria Coxall

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Death of Mrs Maria Coxall

We regret to record the death of Mrs Maria Coxall.

The deceased, who was 75 years of age, was quite well in the early days of last week, but after a few days' illness she passed away early on Monday morning last. Her husband died eight years ago.

The deceased leaves a grown-up family of two sons and five daughters, and sympathy is extended to them in their loss.

The funeral takes place at Layston on Saturday afternoon.

8th April 1927 - British Legion Annual General Meeting

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British Legion

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion was held at the Club Room on Thursday evening of last week. The chair was taken by the President (Captain H.H. Williams), who was supported by the Chairman of the branch (Mr G. Scarborough Taylor), Mr G.H. Maughan, and the hon. secretary and treasurer (Mr E.C. Clarke).

Mr H. Clarke was elected Chairman pro tem.

Mr F.W. Butler moved the re-election of Capt. H.H. Williams as President of the branch. They all knew the keen interest their President took in all matters related to Ex-service men. (Applause).

This was seconded by Mr H. Clarke and carried with acclamation.

Capt. Williams then took the chair. He said that although the branch may not have seemed to have done much during the past year it had carried out the work it had been asked to, and he hoped they would go on. As far as he (the Chairman) was concerned, he would do his best for the Ex-service men and for the Legion. (Applause).

The Chairman moved the re-election of Mr Scarborough Taylor as Chairman and Mr E.E. Dennis as Vice-Chairman.

Mr E.C. Clarke was re-elected secretary with Mr F.W. Butler as treasurer. The Committee was re-elected en bloc, with the addition of Mr A. Coxall. The Committee was also appointed to act as the Unity Relief Committee.

Mr E.C. Clarke presented his annual report. during the year five new members were admitted, bringing the total to 42. Business loans had been granted to two members, and several Ex-service men had received assistance from the Relief Fund, the total amount distributed being £24 7s. 2d.

The balance sheet showed total receipts £13 12. 5d. and expenditure £5 19s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of £7 12s. 11. The Poppy Day receipts were reported as being £102 13s. 10d., which was considered very satisfactory.

Mr Scaborough Taylor, who said the accounts were in a very satisfactory condition, moved their adoption.

This was unanimously carried.

The Chairman said he regretted that out of 19 who received assistance from the Relief Fund only three were members; he hoped that all Ex-service men would realise that the membership was only 2 and a half pence per month. It was rather disappointing to find that men did not join the Legion after being helped.

The secretary stated that nominations were required for one member to attend the Whitsuntide Conference in London, and the name of the President was submitted.

Mr Scarborough Taylor brought up the question of games fixtures with neighbouring branches, and it was decided to challenge Barkway to a shooting match.

A sincere vote of thanks to the Secretary (Mr E.C. Clarke) for the able manner in which he had managed the branch during the year concluded the meeting.