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.]

25th February 1927 - Football - Aspenden v. Hertford Athletic

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Football

Aspenden v. Hertford Athletic

Aspenden were at home to the Athletic on Saturday last, this was the return game of a fortnight before which Aspenden won, so they Athletic brought a strong team, and fully deserved the point they gained.

In the first-half the visitors did the majority of the attacking, and only the excellent play of the home defence kept them from scoring more than once, this was from a penaty for hands, which gave them the lead at the interval.

The second-half was more evenly contested, and after a quarter of an hour's play, Aspenden equalized from a well-placed corner that S. Dowler headed through.

The visitors were then awarded another penalty, but the home goalie saved well from the spot kick. Shortly afterwards Aspenden took the lead, when a shot fell in the goalmouth which enabled H. Parker to score at close range.

The Athletic then played with renewed energy, and from a fine movement easily scored.

This was followed by midfield play, and no further scoring.

Result - Aspenden 2 - Hertford Athletic 2.

25th February 1927 - Football North Herts Benevolent Shield

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Football

North Herts Benevolent Shield

The Town Beaten After Extra Time

Thorogood's Fine Defence

Two goalkeepers, Farey of Pirton, and Reed, of Buntingford, both dressed in green sweaters and black shorts, faced each other for two hours on the Hitchen Imps ground on Saturday last, and because Reed had to fetch the ball out of the net on four occasions, Pirton carried away the beautiful Shield which they came so close to winning on Boxing Day.

It must be said that Reed was in no way to blame for the four goals scored against him; he put up and excellent game throughout.

The Teams

Under Mr Winters, of Hitchin, the teams lined up as follows:

Buntingford - Reed; Hatchett, Thorogood; Holmes, Howlett, Rayment; E. Moule, Birkett, H. Clark, E. Pledger, H. May.

Pirton - Farey; Cherry, Baines; Warren, Crawley, Goldsmith; Chamberlain, Price, Gotto, Davies, Titmuss.

When the writer of these notes arrived, the game was some ten minutes old, and Pirton was pressing strongly.

When Thorogood or Hatchett were not being called upon to clear, Reed was jumping up at well directed shots, and looked as if Pirton would score at any minute, indeed, one shot hit under the crossbar, and although many near-by spectators alleged that the ball was over the line the referee disallowed the point the 'Fords made tracks for the other goal, where Birkett shot by the post.

Continuing to press, Pirton found the net, but the referee ruled that two of their men were off-side, and once again the town supporters drew a breath of relief.

Something like third minutes elapsed before the bustling Pirton forwards began to tire, and it was then that the town team took up the attack, and Pirton realised that the 'Fords were really dangerous, and from combined play by the town's right wing, MOULE opened the scoring with a low cross-shot.

Much encouraged, the town played with more confidence, and although Pirton continued to break away on the right wing, their attacks were generally beaten down by Rayment or Thorogood. On one occasion Titmuss got in a shot which scraped the bar, with Reed unsighted.

Birkett and Holmes were often in the wars, and at one time both were off the field. It was during their absence that Reed was called upon a good deal, and he saved a stinging shot from Chamberlain, which completely deceived Thorogood.

Before half-time the town added to their score through BIRKETT, who, after a fine piece of work, banged the ball past Farey from close quarters.

Half time - Buntingford 2 - Pirton 0.

On resuming, it was evident that Pirton had made up their minds to have a good try at making good, and they set off an attack which resulted in Hatchett having to use some of his best tactics.

Two or three corners were forced, and when these were taken from the right wing, they were always a source of danger to Buntingford. 

Pirton's distribution of the ball became good and lusty, long passes began to tell their tale. The left wing was continually putting over accurate centres, and time and again Thorogood was called upon to clear: not once did he miskick.

It was CHAMBERLAIN who received a pass from Price and banged the ball past Reed, and after several more attempts the same player scored again a few minutes from time. This resulted in extra time being played.

Each side put their best into the last half-hour, but the Buntingford forwards were erratic in their shooting, and the strain of extra time began to tell.

Following a melee TITMUSS put Pirton ahead. Just before time, CHAMBERLAIN completed the hat trick, the final score being-

Pirton 4 - Buntingford 2.

As stated, Reed, Hatchett and Thorogood put up a good defence. In the half-back line, Howlett played finely throughout, and gave his forwards a lot of assistance. Rayment was speedy and clever, but Holmes, after his injury was not often in the picture.

Moule and E. Pledger were the pick of the fowards, although the latter was not so accurated with his shots as he generally is. In control Clark did quite well, but he tired before the final whistle. Birkett showed his average skill, but it was only at times that he was able to get going as he was covered by the ever-watchful Crawley. 

H. May was terribly slow, certainly he did not receive the passes he should have done in the first-half, but this should have made him more eager for the remainder of the game. Some of his long kicks were beautifully placed, but he had anything but a red-letter day.

Shield Presentation

Mr W.P. Flint, in presenting the Shield to the winning team, said the two teams had played an excellent game - clean and sportsmanlike. They were all there that afternoon to swell the funds of the North Herts Benevolent Fund.

Pirton was among the first to join, and won the Shield in the season 1923-1924. Buntingford joined two years ago, and had been in the final twice; all honour to them. (Applause).

On Boxing Day last year, Buntingford, after being two down, pulled through and became the winner of the Shield. Two great games.

Mr Flint then handed the Shield to the Captain of the Pirton team, and medals to the two teams.

There was a large crowd present, many travelling from Buntingford by charabanc.

S. Howlett, with his usual sporting spirit, called for three cheers for the winners.

In presenting a medal to Thorogood, Mr Flint said, "A wonderful display at the back, Sir."

Now for the Greg Cup competition!

25th February 1927 - Debating Society

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Debating Society

Owing to illness, there was a smaller attendance than usual at the meeting of the Buntingford and District Agricultural Debating and Discussion Society.

The subject for discussion was "Seed mixtures" and the improvement of arable land."

The speaker, Mr H.R. Williams, illustrated his remarks with charts of 1, 2 and 4 year leys.

A discussion followed and questions answered by the lecturer.