4th February 1927 - Board of Guardians

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Board of Guardians

Monthly Meeting

Big Increase in Tramps

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday (yesterday).

Present - Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Dimsdale, The Rev. L.W. Wright, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. G. Graves, W.J. May, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson, E.J. Marshall, H.C. Marshall, Claud Fraser, A.W. Page, and T.J. Stick, with the Master (Mr F.W. Butler), the Relieving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin) and Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke).

The Late Mrs F. Prime

On the proposition of the Chairman, it was unanimously resolved to send a letter of condolence to Mr Frank Prime, of Meesden Bury, on the recent loss of his wife.

Master's Report

The Master reported as follows:

Number of inmates - men 22, women 17, children 2. Total 41. Corresponding period last year - 40.

Number of casuals during month - 174. Corresponding period last year - 21.

During the month two females have died.

Gifts

The following gifts have been received and much appreciated:

Mrs Dimsdale (cake), Mrs Dixon, Mrs Veasey, Mrs J. Smith, Capt. Green (Salvation Army), and Mrs C.H. Poulton - (books).

Casuals

During the past month 174 casuals were admitted, against 21 for the corresponding period last year. Of those admitted this year over 100 are men under 50 years of age, who state they are looking for work on farms.

The present accommodation is sufficient, if the men are discharged the first day after admission.

The Chairman asked if the men were genuinely looking for work on farms, and the Master said that some of them did not appear suitable for farm work.

Relief Cases

Several relief cases were dealt with by the board.

Resolution From Derby

A circular was read from the Derby Union asking for the support of the Board with reference to the following resolution passed by the Derby Guardians:

"This is Board is very concerned and distressed to find so many male applicants for relief who have fought and been maimed and disabled in the great war, and the Country after all promises made on its behalf, has failed to stand by these men and prevent their becoming chargeable to the Poor Law."

It was decided to leave the resolution on the table.

There was little other business and the meeting was followed by the monthly meeting of the Buntingford Rural District Council, a report of which will appear next week.

11th March 1927 - Buntingford Board of Guardians Monthly Meeting

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday in last week.

Present: Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Dimsdale, The Rev. L.W. Wright, Captain H.H. Williams, Messrs. G. Graves, E. Bygrave, A.W. Page, E.J. Marchal, A.J. Hayes, W.J. May, F. Prime, G.C. Wilson and H.E. Dudley, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), the Relieving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin) and the Master (Mr F.W. Butler).

Master's Report

The Master reported that there were 39 inmates in the Institution. During the month five had been admitted and four discharged; one had died. There was again an increase in casuals, 189 being admitted during the past month, again 19 for the corresponding period last year.

The Master also reported that on Wednesday, 1st March, two casuals - Albert Smith and J. Brown - were set a task of woodchipping in one of the cells. When the Master entered at 11.30 a.m., Smith picked up a chopper and threatened him; Brown also became abusive, and the Master entered the cell and tried to eject Brown; in doing so Smith picked up a log of wood and again threatened the Master, who overpowered both men, and later had Smith locked up in another cell for the night.

The man again became abusive, and smashed all the panes of glass in the window. The following morning he was set to pick oakum, and was visited by members of the House Committee.

Mr Butler stated that he had engaged the services of an ex-Police Sergt. to watch the man until his discharge from the casual ward.

The Chairman said he was glad the Master came through his experience unhurt. The question has been raised as to whether the Master should engaged additional assistance when cases such as this arose.

Mr G.C. Wilson said the event was quite a serious matter, and he was of the opinion that the matter of engaging extra help with the casuals should be left to the Master.

This was agreed, the rate of pay per hour or day being fixed.

House Committee

The House Committee reported that they had visited the Institution and had found everything in a satisfactory condition.

It was reported that the night nurse at the Institution had secured another appointment, and the matter of filling the post left to the Matron.

Estimates

The Clerk submitted the estimates for the half-year. The net amount required for common fund charges was £1323 against £1385 for the corresponding period last year.

The produce of a penny rate was £85 10s. - the amount required would therefore mean a rate of approximately 1/4 in the £.

Relief

Several relief cases were dealt with, and instructions given to the Relieving Officer.

4th March 1927 - Buntingford Rural Deanery

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Buntingford Rural Deanery

Conference at Buntingford

Africa and the World Call

A meeting of the representatives of the Ruri-Decanal Conference for the Rural Deanery of Buntingford, took place at the Assembly Room, the George Hotel, on Saturday afternoon.

The Rev. W. Mc C. Kerr, of Meesden (Rural Dean) presided, supported by the Secretary (Rev. W.L. Shepherd, of Hormead).

The clergy attending were - Rev. A. Howard (Layston), Rev. F.R. Williams (Anstey), Rev. L.W. Wright (Wyddiall), Rev. W. Jobson (Braughing), Rev. H.F. Webb-Bowen (Barkway), Rev. E.E. Empringham (Cottered), Rev. A.G. Langdon (Munden), Rev. J.L. Dutton (Aspenden) and the Rev. A.G. King (Westmill). A goodly number of lay members were present.

The conference opened with prayer, offered by the Rev. A. Howard.

The Rural Dean stated that the Diocesan Board of Finance were anxious to adjust the assessments of the Diocesan Quota in parishes where it was considered that the assessment was too high. It was decided to appoint a committee to represent the parishes concerned, and the Board of Finance had asked for names to be submitted and a date selected for discussing the assessment.

The conference was of the opinion that the date of the meeting should be left over until it was ascertained which parishes proposed appealing against the assessments. Those elected to serve on the committee were Rev. A.G. Langdon, Mrs Dimsdale and the Rural Dean.

The Rural Dean said he thought the quotas were assessed the same as last year.

The Rev. C.W. Alington, of Baldock, the addressed the conference on "Africa and the World Call." The demand, he said, had arisen from the very sudden opening up of Africa by explorers.

He referred to the work of Livingstone, and of his challenge to the Universities; it was through Livingstone's message to the Universities that the mission to Africa took its birth. In dealing with Africa it should be remembered that the population of white men to black at 1 and a half million to eight million. A hundred years of most splendid missionary work had created a problem of its own, extracts from one book showing that in one diocese alone the baptisms were 14,000 a year.

The demand had also risen from the opening up of the country by the settlement of alien races, the great strides in commerce and industry and by the work of missionaries. The Missionary Societies had made such headway, that at the present time 90 per cent of the education is in the hands of the Missionary Societies. (Applause).

The speaker then dealt with extracts from the report on Africa, and at the close of his address, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the proposition of the Rural Dean, who said that before they met that afternoon, someone had said it was a pity they were not discussing the new Prayer Book. He (the Rural Dean) was very glad they were not. (Laughter); he thought that they should look to the great problems which had to be dealt with, and not trouble so much over matters which were of comparatively small importance.

A discussion on the World Call followed, the Rev. E.E. Empringham and Mr W.J. Pitcher taking part.

The conference then closed, after which tea was provided.

22nd April 1927 - Anstey - The Late Mr James Cowlin Pigg

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Anstey

The Late Mr James Cowlin Pigg

Impressive Scenes at Church and Graveside

It is with sincere regret and sympathy with the bereaved relatives we record the decease of Mr James Cowlin Pigg, of Anstey Hall.

The deceased, who had been ill for some considerable time, passed away in a London nursing home on Wednesday of last week. His death, at the age of 41 years has brought great sorrow, not only to the parish but to the whole district.

The deceased's father, the late Mr J. Pigg, farmed the 700 acre Hall Farm for over 30 years, and at his death some six years ago, the villagers were happy to think that his son, "Jimmy," was to remain with them and farm the land his father had left. "Jimmy" as he was known to all, was a man of whom no one spoke ill. A good farmer and a very generous employer, he was loved by all who came into contact with him. The most marked characteristic of him was his love of fair play and fair dealings. He was also a lover of sport and was considered an excellent shot.

Prior to the Great War he joined the Herts Yeomanry, but at the outbreak of war he expressed a wish to go abroad and was transferred to the R.G.A. and saw a good deal of fighting in Palestine. 

Ater the war he returned to Anstey, where he took an interest in all local affairs. A staunch Conservative, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the cause. He was also a member of the Buntingford Board of Guardians and Rural District Council.

The deceased was only married some two years ago.

The Funeral

The popularity of the deceased over a wide area was testified to by the large number who assembled for the funeral on Monday afternoon last. The interior of the Church was bright with Easter flowers, many of them having grown in the woods on the Hall farm. The full choir was present, and the service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. F.R. Williams, assisted by the Rural Deal (The Rev. W. McKerr), and The Rev W.L. Shepherd (Hormead). The hymn song was "Peace, perfect peace."

The coffin was plain oak, and was borne from the Hall by eight of the deceased's employees. The interment took place in a flower-lined grave at the east end of the churchyard, being only separated from the Hall garden by a yard entrance to the Hall.

The immediate mourners were: Mrs J.C. Pigg (widow), Mr H.F. Pigg (cousin), Miss Pigg and Miss G. Pigg (sisters), Mr and Mrs L. Duke (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs Seabrook and Mrs Baker (aunts), Mr and Mrs E. Pigg, jun. (cousins), Mr and Mrs F. Pigg, and Mr T. Coleman.

Among others present were - Mrs Wyman, Mrs Dimsdale, Miss F. Pigg, Miss N. Pigg, Mrs Oyler, Miss Beale, Miss N. Ashford, Mrs Monk-Jones, Miss Lyall, Mrs C.R. Turney, Mrs White, Mrs H.F. Pigg, Mrs Turney, Miss Coleman, The Rev. L.W. Wright, Rev. Morton, Mr and Mrs S. Pigg, Mr and Mrs W.T. Patten, Mr and Mrs F.B. Cannon, Mr and Mrs W. Johnson, Mr and Mrs J.F. Lofts (Stortford), Mr H. Clarke (representing the Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club) and Mrs Clarke, Mr and Mrs Hammond (Ware), Captain E.T. Morris, Dr H.E. Dixon, Messrs. T. May, H. Fry, J.R. Russell, J. Russell, G. Scarborough Taylor, P. Hamilton, E. Mildren, R. Gardener, F. Brown, W. George, W. Millbank, F. Sapsed, W.J. Sapsed, F. Prime, Andrew Weir, C. Bolton, C. Johnson, H. May, F. Rand (Kelshall), A.W. Page, S. Lees, Harry May, J. May, H.R. Stubbing, A. Macarthur, V. Pledger, C. Burr, W. Burr, F. Dibbin (representing the local branch of the Conservative Association), Herbert Ward, G. Andrews, S. Hoy, W.J. May, J.S. Baker, T.J. Stick, H.E. Dudley, Jack Pigg, J. Woollard, B. Kent, S.A. Rice, H. Mole, C.P. Mole, C. Chapman (Standon), John Coleman, and Messrs. F.W. Butler, E.G. Thody, and H.H. Macklin (officers of the Buntingford Guardians and R.D.C.)

There was also a large number of villagers and employees present.