4th February 1927 - Buntingford & District Musical Society

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Buntingford & District Musical Society

Present "The Pied Piper of Hamelin"

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"Rats! They fought the dogs and killed the cats, And bit the babies in their cradles"

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On Wednesday evening of last week Buntingford and District Musical Society preseted Parry's "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" at the Benson Hall, Buntingford. This is one of the most difficult works the Society has yet dealt with, and their production is worthy of the highest praise.

There was a well-balanced orchestra, the members of which came from Hertford, Letchworth, and Hitchin, while the soloists were Mr Ralph Williams, L.R.A.M. (tenor) and Mr Rintoul Johnson (baritone). These two soloists were heard at their best, their style of singing being charming and arresting.

The story goes that after the Pied Piper had cleared the town of the rats the Mayor and Corporation tried to evade payment of the thousand guilders previously offered him, and then the Piper stepped into the street,

"And to his lips again, Laid his long pipe of smooth, straight cane, And out came the children running."

Then they were led away by the Pipe to a hill, in which a caverna was suddenly hollowed. And when they were all in the door in the mountain-side shut fast,

"And Piper and dancers were gone for ever."

Although the piece had been so effectively set to music by C. Hubert Parry, the words are, of course, by Robert Browning, and if it is one of the most difficult works the Society has touched it is remarkably short, lasting little more than half-an-hour.

It was therefore necessary to fill up the programme with other items, and Mr E.E. Dennis , the conductor to the Society, git on a novel idea when he introduced Community Singing into the programme. The second part of the programme was therefore taken up with Community Singing, and after a little instruction from the conductor, the whole audience were joining heartily in the singing of such well-known songs as "John Peel," "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag," and "Tipperary."

"Buntingford's Burning" was a special favourite, with "Shenandoah" a close second.

Mr E.E. Dennis, who has worked so assiduously for the Society, conducted the whole programme. Mention must also be made of the valuable services rendered by the pianist, Miss Macklin; Mrs Fell, Mrs Butler and Mrs H. Feasey were in charge of the catering arrangements; while Messrs H. Clarke, F.W. Butler, E.C. Clarke, and E. Martin kindly acted as stewards.

18th March 1927 - Aspenden - Consecration of New Burial Ground by Bishop Lander

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Aspenden

Consecration of New Burial Ground by Bishop Lander

The beautiful little church of St Mary's, Aspenden, was the scene of an important ceremony on Wednesday of last week, when the consecration of the new burial ground was carried out by Bishop Lander, the Assistant Bishop of St Albans.

The new burial ground is situate on the south side of the old Churchyard, and has been given by Sir Arthur Lushington. One-sixth of the ground has been reserved for Sir Arthur Lushington and members of his family. The cost of enclosing the ground has been defrayed by Mr H.C. Marshall, of "Longmead," Buntingford, and the cost of making the entrance by Miss G. Lushington of "Absesdene," Buntingford, thus the new ground has been opened free of debt.

Bishop Lander was attended by the Rural Dean (the Rev. W.J.L. Dutton), and the following clergy: Rev. H.R. Shepherd (Hormead), Rev. F.R. Williams (Ansty), and the Rev. A.G. King (Westmill).

Amongst the congregation were Mr and Mrs W. Steel, of Aspenden Hall; the Rev. and Mrs L.W. Wright, of Wyddiall; Miss Lushington, Mrs R.W. Fell, Mrs L.C. Croslegh, and Mrs A. Howard. The Rev. A. Howard was unable to be present.

The service in the Church was conducted by the Rector, the Lesson, taken from II St John, being read by the Rev. A.G. King.

In an address from the chancel steps, the Bishop said they were preparing a place, not for those who were dead, but for themselves. Life is short, and though we do not dread death, as Christians we make provisions for the future. When the life goes out of a body we treat that body with respect. A Churchyard should be the best kept garden in any parish; all the flowers should be of the best, and there should be no untidiness, for it was a place of sympathy and unity.

He (the Bishop) had spent many years in China, a country where there was much show at a funeral and very little hope after the grave. In setting aside a burial ground they were asserting their belief that our Lord is Lord of all, and we go forth in faith and confidence and look to our own decease.

As the procession left the Church the choir and congregation sang the hymn "Soldiers who are Christ's below." The Bishop, accompanied by the Churchwarden (Mr E.S. Fletcher), and followed by the clergy, the choir and the congregation, then proceeded to the new burial ground.

At the entrance to the plot, the Rector, addressing the Bishop, said "Reverend Father in God, we beg you to consecrate this ground for the burial of our people."

The Bishop then replied "I am willing to perform the consecration, to which let us proceed in peace."

The procession the perambulated the boundaries of the plot, during which Psalm xci. was said, after which the sentence of consecration was read and signed by the Bishop.

The Bishop then made the following declaration:

"By virtue of our sacred office in the Church of God, we Michael, by Divine Permission Bishop of St Albans, do now consecrate, and for ever set apart from all profane and common uses, this ground, to be the resting-place of the bodies of the dead until the glorious Resurrection of the last day; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

A prayer for all who mourn and the Blessing concluded the ceremony, and the procession returned to the church chanting the Nunc Dimittis.

4th March 1927 - Sale of Work

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Sale of Work

The Annual Sale for Home and Foreign Missions was held at the George Assembly Room on Wednesday last, and was opened at 3 o'clock with prayer by the Vicar, Rev. A. Howard.

The attendance was not what might have been expected, but the friends who did come were liberal in their purchases, with the results that the proceeds were rather more than last year - £5 1s. 3d. for Home Missions (C.P.A.) and £8 10s. for C.M.S.

Mrs Dixon, Miss Fry, Mrs Wyman and Mrs J. Smith were in charge of the C.M.S. Stall, while that for Home Missions was in the hands of Mrs Fell, Mrs Barham, and Mrs Howard.

A number of efficient and willing helpers presided over the teas and the cake stall, while Miss Helen Fraser, Miss Jean Armstrong and Miss Barbara White did good business at the sweet stalls.

All the sweets, cake, and provisions for the tea were given by ladies in the town, and added comfortably to the sum raised.

8th April 1927 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Col. Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., Claud Fraser and Capt. H.H. Williams.

No Lights

Percy Hanley, a waiter, of Great Hormead, was fined 10/- and 4/- costs for riding a cycle without a light at Great Hormead.

Furious Driving

Charles Cummer, of 23, Gordon Road, Edmonton, was summoned for furiously driving a horse and van at Buntingford. 

Evidence was given by P.C. Gillett who said that on 23rd March he heard a horse and van coming down the high street at full gallop. The driver was beating the horse with a steel lined stock.

The witness followed the van to the bridge where the defendant gave his name as Albert Brown, afterwards giving his correct name as Cummer.

The van narrowly missed hitting a car near the George Hotel, and again at the Post Office.

Mrs Fell said she saw the horse and van coming down the street at a terrific rate. There were a number of children in the road, and as she thought there would be an accident she followed the van down the High Street.

The Chairman, who thanked Mrs Fell for coming forward in a public spirited way, said there would be a fine of £3 and costs.

Licensing

Twenty seven applications for exemption from dog licence duty were granted by the Bench, Supt. Wright stating that the Police had no objections.