27th Jan 1928 - Foresters' Friendly Society

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Foresters' Friendly Society

A Court Meeting was held at the Society's Hall on Monday evening last, the Chief Ranger, Bro. J.B. Cutts, presiding. The Secretary, Bro. E.G. Thody, submitted the accounts for the year 1927. The sickness benefit paid amounted to £347 17s. 4d., and funeral benefit £98. Both these are record amounts for the society.

The management expenses, which include salaries, printing and stationery, surgeon's fees, repairs, valuation expenses, installment of electric light, &c., amount to £89 16s. 5d. The statement of funds shows that the Society is on a sound financial footing. War Loan investments total £3205, Hertfordshire Housing Bonds £100, Freehold Property £100, and money at Post Office Savings Bank £380. At 31st December there was a membership of 203, on the private side. State member are not included in the totals.

In moving the adoption of the accounts, the Chairman side the past year had been an abnormal one as far as sickness was concerned. Early in the year the Society paid out as much as £40 in sick benefit one week. The accounts were duly passed.

It was decided to send the usual subscription of £2 2s. to the Buntingford Nursing Fund and the Hertford County Hospital.

The following officers were elected for 1928: Chief Ranger, Bro. J.B. Cutts; Sub-Chief Rangers, Bro. E. Sanders; Woodwards. Bros. E. Bolton and A. Coxall. Senior Beadle, Bro. D. Wallis; Junior Beadles, Bro W. Budd; Trustrees, Bros. J.L. Cornwell, G. Wallis, and J.T. May.

26th Oct 1928 - Buntingford Congregational Church

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Buntingford Congregational Church

Silver Tree & Entertainment

On Tuesday evening, October 16th, a large company assembled in the Buntingford Congregational Schoolroom for a social evening, the chief features of which were a "Silver Tree" and an entertainment by members of the Buntingford Women's Institute.

In his opening remarks the Minister said that whilst the idea of a Silver Tree was by no means new in itself, having been carried out with marked success in neighbouring Churches, it was certainly an innovation where the question of raising funds for the Buntingford Congregational Church was concerned.

He explained the idea, which briefly was as follows: Fancy paper bags having been made, they are distributed to the friends, who, by contributions of silver, &c. (notes not being unwelcome) from themselves, their own friends and relatives, do their best to fill them. These are returned on the day when the "tree" is to be held, each containing a quotation, either from the Bible, or from a hymn, prose or poetry (sometimes the sender's favourite text or motto), and hung on a tree or trees. The bags are opened, the verses, &c., read out together with the individual amounts, the whole constituting a very interesting item in an evening's social programme or a pleasing part of an afternoon's outdoor event.

The Minister remarked also that they had now installed the electric light in the Church, vestry and schoolroom, at a cost of some £30 to £36. A certain number of subscriptions had in the summer been forthcoming in connection with that part of the Special Appeal Fund, and he was hoping that the proceeds of this social evening, which was in aid of this fund, would result in the balance of the money being obtained. The bags had been taken not only by the friends at the Congregational Church, but also by others in the town and country who were interested in its work; and for this wider response to the appeals also he expressed his warm thanks.

The bags were then opened by Mr H. Cutts and Mr R.F. Dellow, and the reading of the amounts of the contributions and the quotations, &c., by the Minister was proceeded with. Though this item took some time, it was nevertheless followed with much interest by all who were present, many Biblical texts referring to the "light." The tree was kindly loaned by Mrs Squires.

During a short interval refreshments were served, Mrs Camp and Mrs Blaxill being in charge of this stall, they and their helpers being kept quite busy satisfying their customers' hunger and thirst.

The Minister then welcomed Mrs Ralph Scott and Mrs B.E. Thody, who, together with a number of fellow members of the Women's Institute, had in response to his request, very willingly come along to help in the evening's entertainment. Their contribution to the programme was the acting of a charade, the word taken being "Institute" in its three syllables. This was provocative of much amusement, was exceedingly well done, and included, on a minor scale, an admirable representation of Madame Tussaud's Exhibition. A number of miscellaneous items of entertainment by the same ladies followed, their entire programme being very much appreciated.

During the evening there was also a Jumble and Work Stall, Mrs Benstead and Mrs Cornwell being in charge, and they and their assistants did very good business. Mr Anderson did duty at the door, exacting toll of all comers.

The Minister, at the close, expressed his thanks to the members of the Women's Institute; to all who had sent along gifts towards the refreshments; and to one and all who had in any way, by time, service, &c., before and during the evening, helped to make it so successful.

The results of such an occasion are always two-fold - a social: it was "a very enjoyable evening"; and a financial: this too was very satisfactory, for the tree proved to be of a very productive nature, and has continued to yield "fruit" to the value now of £16 4s. The total proceeds from the evening's effort to date amount to £20 19s. 8d., and it is expected that by the end of the present week they will amount to £22 10s (approximately). It is gratifying to note that the electric light account has been settled, and is now a thing of the past.

The singing of the Doxology brought to a close a very pleasant and very delightful evening.

5th Oct 1928 - Funeral of Mrs Jackson

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Funeral of Mrs Jackson

List of Floral Tributes

On Monday afternoon last, October 1st, the remains of Mrs Harry Jackson, whose sudden death we announced in our last issue, were conveyed to Layston and laid to rest in a quiet corner of the Churchyard.

The Vicar, the Rev. A. Howard, who officiated, read the service very sympathetically. There was a large number of sympathisers and friends gathered at the Church and graveside to pay their last respects to the deceased's memory, which testified to the high esteem in which she was held.

At the graveside, in committing the body to the grave amid much manifestation of sorrow, the Vicar referred to the deceased as one of a family whom he had known for many years, he having watched the departed one grow from childhood in to womanhood.

The coffin, which was of plain oak with brass furniture, bore the inscription, "Betty Jackson, died September 26th, 1928, aged 42 years."

A special coach was required for the large collection of beautiful floral tributes, which more than covered the grave.

A list of the wreaths is appended.

The immediate mourners were Mr H.A. Jackson (husband), Mr and Mrs E. Harradence (brother and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs A. Jackson (father-in-law and mother-in-law), Mr Bob Jackson, Mrs Charge, and Miss E. Jackson (brother-in-law and sisters-in-law), Mr W. Jackson and Mr F. Jackson (uncles), Mrs H. Handy (cousin), and Messrs. H. Cutts, S. Dowler and H. Plumb.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr G. Handy.

LIST OF WREATHS

From her own "Chubby".

From her brothers, Bert and Percy, Saskatchewan, Canada.

From Ernest and Daisy to dearest Betty.

In loving memory, from Dad, Mum and Ethel.

From Francis, Daphne and Brenda, to dearest Auntie Betty.

In loving memory, from Hilda, Bert and children.

In loving memory, from Hilda and Bob.

With deepest sympathy, from Uncle Walter and Auntie.

In loving memory, from Uncle Frank and Aunt Ada.

In loving memory, from Winnie and Harry.

With sincere sympathies, from Buntingford tradesmen.

With sincere sympathy, from Mr and Mrs E.J. Totman.

With sincere sympathy, from Mr and Mrs Bartlett and family.

With sincere sympathy and in remembrance of many happy times, from Eva, Bert and Joe.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs C.H. Tottman and Mr and Mrs J. May.

In kind remembrance and heartfelt sympathy, from Ernie McNulty.

With sincere sympathy, from Mr and Mrs E. Camp and family.

In loving remembrance, from Herbert.

In loving memory of a sincere friend, from Mr and Mrs E.B. Haddock.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs Dowler.

With sincere sympathy, from W. Mottram and Sid.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs J. Lawrence.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs G. Handy.

With deepest sympathy, from Fred.

In loving memory, from Mrs Game and Willie.

In loving memory, from Mrs Halls, Dolly and Len.

With sincere sympathy, from Mrs Arthur Smith.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs A. Walhert.

With heartfelt sympathy, from Stanley and Harry.

With deepest sympathy, from Mrs Pateman and family.

In loving memory, from A. Stapley.

With heartfelt sympathy, from Mrs Prior.

With deepest sympathy, from Mrs W. Parker.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs E. Plumb.

26th Feb 1926 - Social at the Congregational Church

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Social at the Congregational Church

On Thursday, February 18th, in the Congregational Church Schoolroom, a very enjoyable evening was spent, the occasion being a Church Social. The schoolroom had been tastefully decorated by Mr Herbert Cutts, and presented a very pleasing appearance.

The evening commenced with a general conversazione. Then followed various musical items, &c., Miss Dorothy Howard (solo, "All Alone"); Miss Kathleen Smith (pianoforte, "Birds of Paradise," &c.); Miss Kitty Camp (pianoforte), Miss Alice Franklin (recitation, "The Key to the Situation"). 

A number of competitors took part in a previously prepared piece of unpunctuated prose. This caused great amusement, the audience being informed, e.g., that wine could be made with glycerine, special trains would be run updside down. In this competition, Mr Leonard Skipp, of Cottered, made the least number of mistakes.

Miss Emily Benstead followed with a monologue, "The Lost Golosh." She took her part well (finding in the end that this lost piece of footwear was residing serenely inside the other golosh). All these items were enthusiastically applauded.

Two sketches followed, one entitled "The Neighbours of Gooseberry Court" by Mr and Mrs Skipper ("Mrs Dobbs" and "Mrs Perkins" respectively) and Miss Gladys Mean ("Miss Amelia Copper") of the Cottered Congregational Church; and the second, entitled "Uncle Joseph" by Mr Herbert Cutts ("Mr Samuel Smith"), Miss Emily Benstead ("Mrs Selena Smith"), Mr C.L. Tutty ("Mr Dick Saunders"), Miss Edith Careless ("Miss Kitty Smith"), Mr Harry Feasey ("Mr Joe Tubb" and "Uncle Joseph," a myth), and Miss Kitty Camp ("Jane").

The artistes in both instances are to be congratulated on their excellent performance, while the amusement and merriment that accompanied their various experiences and adventures before the curtain was drawn must have been sufficient reward for all the preparation and care which they had given.

There was an interval between the two sketches for two items in which everyone took part. The members of the Ladies' Committee assisted by willing helpers, waited on the company with trays of tea, coffee and cakes, which many friends had, with their usual generosity, kindly contributed; and a collection was taken on behalf of the funds of the Church.

At the close the Minister thanked all who in any way (by gifts, time or services) had assisted towards the evening's pleasure.

The Doxology brought the evening to a close.