28th May 1926 - North and East-Herts Musical Festival

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North and East-Herts Musical Festival

Buntingford Musical Society's Successes

Buntingford was again well represented in the North and East-Herts Musical Competitions, held at Letchworth recently.

The competitors themselves have reason to be proud of their efforts, and the town and district congratulates them on again winning, in addition to other prizes, the handsome challenge cup, which was won by the Buntingford Musical Society in 1923 and 1924.

There was keen competition at this year's festival, and the adjudicator, Dr Whitaker, complimented the choirs on their performances. He especially alluded to the tenors.

Again we make no apology for attributing the Musical Society's success to the skill of their able conductor, Mr E.E. Dennis, who must feel very satisfied at winning the challenge cup three years out of four.

The awards were as follows:

Silver Challenge Cup - Buntingford Mixed Choir. "Sleepers Aware" (Bach).

First Prize - Buntingford Mixed Choir. "Full Fathom Five."

First Prize - Buntingford Mixed Choir. "Flora gave me fairest flowers."

Silver cup. Buntingford Men's Choir. "Hey Nonny No."

Second prize - Buntingford Ladies Choir. "Rose Leaves" and "Fly not so fast."

Fouth Prize - Buntingford Senior School Choir.

In the Ladies' Competition, Buntingford nearly secured the premier award, losing by one point only.

21st May 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Buntingford and the Strike - T.U.C. and N.U.R. - This Weather - A Strange Gathering - Food Only

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Well done! The thanks of the public are due to those ladies and gentlemen of Buntingford and district who gave their services in various ways during the strike.

There were many things which had to be dealt with, and the spirit in which all volunteers gave their services was much admired.

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The Mails - Throughout the ten days of the strike, the mails for Buntingford and district were conveyed to and from Ware by local car owners.

An official of the Post Office accompanied the mails on each occasion, and there is no doubt that some speed records were put up on the Ware road - Express delivery with a vengeance.

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A Police Speed Up - The writer of these notes recollects an incident which occurred during a Parliamentary Election some years before the war. 

A motor car had been sent out to a distant part to bring in three Police Constables to poll at Buntingford. The poll closed at 7 p.m., and at two minutes to that the car had not returned.

At 6.59 a droning noise was heard and a crowd of persons near the Conservative and Liberal Committee Rooms in the High Street knew that the car was coming down the hill from Hillside. It was a race against the clock, and as the car tore up the High Street to the cheers of the waiting crowd the town clock struck the hour; the constables were just in time to record their votes.

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Food Only - Reference was made in this Paper last week to a Ford van which carried a side of bacon on the bonnet.

Last Friday a lorry passing through the town had chalked on the back "Milk for Baby," "Beer for Dad."

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The Canteen - The all-night canteen for lorry drivers was a boon to several tired and cold men who were engaged in transporting food-stuff to London from the market gardens of Cambridge and Lincolnshire.

On Monday morning four persons of very different callings met in the canteen. One was the driver of a lorry loaded with cabbages, another a member of the Editorial Staff of The Daily Telegraph, one a petrol distributing agent, and one a gipsy in a pair of very worn boots and a ragged coat, whose horse had strayed from Westmill where a "pull up" had been made for the night. Incidentally he was a Yorkshireman, and came from the same town as the same volunteer who served him with a cup of hot coffee.

**

T.U.C. and N.U.R - Much has been said and written of the Policy of the T.U.C. and N.U.R. To save a long debate it is quite easy to find their policy.

Simply turn the letters around, you then have - CUT and RUN.

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Congratulations - Congratualtions to the Buntingford Musical Society on their success at the Herts. Musical Festival at Letchworth on Saturday.

The adjudicator, Dr Whitaker, spoke highly of the Buntingford Choir. The choir passed on the compliments to their able conductor, Mr E.E. Dennis, to whom the efficiency of the choir is undoubtedly due.

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Whitsun Weather - Unless there is a considerable change in the weather this weekend there is little prospect of a sunshine Whitsun, such as we have experienced for the past seven years.

Our gardens and farm crops are sadly in need of the warm sun. In many gardens early potatoes have suffered from frost, which has occurred on several nights recently.

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The Women's Institute Fete - Given a fine day, the Fete, to be held at Layston Court on Monday, should be a great success.

There are many novel events including a parade of children in fancy dress. From latest reports there will be several well-filled stalls.

7th May 1926 - Football Buntingford & District League

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Football

Buntingford & District League

Champions v. The Rest

Presentation of the Cup and Medals by Mr H.C. Marshall

Odsey, the champions of the Buntingford & District League, met a team drawn from "The Rest," on the town ground on Saturday last.

There was a crowd of about 200 present, when the teams lined up under Mr F.J. Camp. The Odsey players soon showed aggressive tactics, and from a run on the right wing a goal resulted.

At times play was very interesting, but the champions, who showed good combination throughout, were always the better team, and deserved to win.

Final score - Odsey 8, The Rest 4.

PRESENTATION OF CUP & MEDALS

In presenting the handsome cup to the Odsey captain, Mr H.C. Marshall said he congratulated the team on their success. He noted that the Cup had not been won for two years in succession by any team, and while he congratulated the winners on their success, he could not express the wish that they would win the trophy again next year.

The Odsey captain replied, and said the team were proud to have won the Cup; he was sure they would do their best to win it next year.

Mr E.E. Dennis, on behalf of the teams and the League, thanked Mr Marshall for making the presentation, the Football Club for the use of the ground, Mr Nichols and Mr H. Clarke for acting as stewards, and Mr F. Camp and the linesmen.

Cheers were then given, after which the two teams and the officials were entertained to tea.

19th Nov 1926 - Armistice Day in Buntingford

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Armistice Day in Buntingford

Excellent Arrangements

Armistice Day was commemorated in a very solemn manner, the local branch of the British Legion, which made all the arrangements, following in a large measure the order of procedure to that so admirably carried out last year.

"Revellie" was sounded at 6 a.m. by Mr J. Gibbs.

Shortly before 11 a.m. a procession was formed opposite the Ex-Service Men's Club. It comprised Ex-Service Men, Boy Scouts (under the command of Ex-Scoutmaster C. Miles), and Special Constables. The procession marched to the Town War Memorial, where the townspeople and a number of Rural District Councillors were assembled.

The introductory portion of the service was read by the Rev. A. Howard, M.A. A stirring address was given by the Rev. W.L. Shepherd, of Great Hormead, after which the two minutes' silence was observed. Then came the singing of the beautiful hymn "The Supremem Sacrifice," after which Capt. H.H. Williams, the President of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion, read out the names of the heroic dead whose names are inscribed on the War Memorial.

The Rev. John Cole read a portion of the scripture, and prayers were offered by Captain Green of the Salvation Army. The Blessing was pronounced by the Rev. L.W. Wright.

Following the singing of the National Anthem each of the bodies represented placed a wreath at the base of the Memorial. Mr E.J. Smith sounded "The Last Post" and the parade reformed and marched to Church Street and dismissed.

YARDS OF PENNIES

The usual collection of pennies in the High Street was conducted by Mr F.W. Butler and Miss Ward, who were assisted by Miss Porter, Miss Lushington, Miss Fell, Miss Mary Feasey and Miss Mary Crane.

JUMBLE SALE

During the afternoon a jumble sale was held at the George Hotel. Mr Crane kindly collected the goods, which were being sold by Mrs Fell, Mrs B.E. Thody, Mrs H. Clarke, Mrs Coleman, Mrs Squires and Mrs Camp. The Ex-Service men are grateful to these ladies, and to all others who assisted with the day's arrangements.

THE CONCERT

The annual concert was held in the Benson Hall during the evening, when a first-class programme was given by "The Gossips," as well-known London Concert Party.

There was a crowded audience, some 200 persons having to be turned away. The platform was decorated with pot plants, kindly lent by Mr E.G. Thody. The programme fittingly opened with the singing of Kipling's Recessional by the Buntingford and District Musical Society, conducted by Mr E.E. Dennis. Altogether the concert was an outstanding success.

Valuable assistance in connection with the concert and the arrangements for the service at the War Memorial was rendered by Captain H.H. Williams, Mr H. Clarke (Secretary of the British Legion Club) and Mr E.C. Clarke (Sec. of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion).

SALE OF POPPIES

The arrangements for the sale of poppies were again undertaken by Mrs H.C. Marshall, who was assisted in the sale by Miss M. Fell, Mrs J. Aylott, Miss P. Mayes, Miss Scrivener, Miss Wilkerson, Miss E. Smith, Miss M. Crane, Miss Armstrong, Mrs L. Smith, Miss Cutts, Miss Lushington, and Masters John and George Taylor.

The villages also assisted, the representatives being: Anstey, Miss Buckwell; Wyddiall, Lady Heaton-Ellis; Aspenden, Miss G. Phillips; Buckland, Miss P. Morris; Westmill, Mrs Coutts-Deacon; Cottered, Miss Wilderspin; part Furneaux Pelham, Mrs Holmes; Meesden, Mrs Kerr; Great and Little Hormead, Mrs Dimsdale; Rushden, Mr E.J. Marchal; Ardeley, Mr J.H. Thorpe.