23rd July 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding.

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor's Report was presented and passed.

Little Hormead Cottages

The Surveyor reported on the drainage at these cottages, and after a discussion the Surveyor was instructed to interview Mr Pattern.

Housing Acts

Application for subsidies under the House Act, 1923, were received from Mrs Lacey, of Cottered, and Mr R.G. Peck, of Rushden. Both applications were granted.

The Milk and Dairies Order, 1926

The order was discussed, and the Medical Officer of Health (Dr Dunn) was asked to report on the order at the next meeting of the Council.

Rating and Valuation Bill

The question of the new Rating and Valuation Bill was discussed, and the following elected to serve on the local Rating Committee: Mrs Dimsdale, Messrs. W.J. May, C. Fraser, A.J. Hayes, W.H. Kittow and G. Graves.

Mr C. Hummerstone asked what would be the position of the present Assistant Overseer when the new act came into force.

The Clerk pointed out that there would have to be a certain number of collectors, and the matter was left for the Committee to report upon.

16th July 1926 - Women's Institute

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Women's Institute

By the kind invitation of Mrs Fraser, the members of the Buntingford Women's Institute greatly enjoyed having their monthly meeting in the delightful grounds of the Red House. Tea, provided by Mrs Fraser, was served from the picturesque old barn.

In the absence of the President (Mrs H.C. Marshall), who is laid up with a cold, Mrs H.H. Williams conducted the business part of the meeting.

A very interesting talk on Chinese Customs was given by Miss Woods, who was gorgeously arrayed in a Chinese costume belonging to Mrs Fraser.

An exhibition of ancient and modern needlework brought by members was most successful. Mrs Camp's examples of dresses created considerable amusement. Some samples were also shown with wonderful stitches. The draw for a cushion resulted in the hostess gaining the prize, a great satisfaction to all her guests.

All agreed that it was one of the pleasantest of meetings, and the glories of the garden were much appreciated.

16th July 1926 - Visit of St Hilda Band

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Visit of St Hilda Band

A Delightful Programme

As was expected, the famous St Hilda Band was given a fine reception on their visit to the town on Monday last.

The Band gave two performances, one at Aspenden House (by kind invitation of Capt. and Mrs H.H. Williams), and an evening performance at the Red House (by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Claud Fraser).

There was a small but appreciative audience at the afternoon performance, at which Capt. Williams thanked the band for such an excellent programme.

On Monday evening there was an audience of between 400 and 500, lured by the beautiful warm evening and the "soft strains of music." The seating arrangements were excellent, and the entire programme was greatly enjoyed.

Mr Lawson Williams, the celebrated tenor, formerly of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, appeared before a Buntingford audience for the first time. Mr Williams is an actor as well as a singer, and his song, "Let me like a Soldier fall," was loudly encored; he was recalled a second time and sang "I passed by your window."

The Band concluded the evening programme with the hymn "Abide with me," the second verse being played by four of the bandsmen in a distant part of the grounds.

At the close, Mr E. Smith, the bandmaster of the Town Silver Band, thanked the St Hilda Band for the excellent programme, Mr and Mrs Claud Fraser for placing the grounds at the disposal of the Band, and all those who had helped to make the evening such an enjoyable one.

9th July 1926 - Band Concert

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Band Concert

To have won the Thousand Guinea Band Trophy five times is a record of which any band might be proud.

The famous St Hilda Band, who are visiting the town on Monday next, hold this distinct honour, and there is no doubt that there will be a large attendance at the Red House, kindly placed at the disposal of the Band by Mr and Mrs Claud Fraser.

Capt. and Mrs Williams have also kindly lent their charming grounds for the afternoon performance. The Band have with them this time Mr Lawson Williams, a tenor of repute.

Mr Lawson Williams was late principal tenor of the Carl Rosa Opera Company and Queen's Hall Concerts, London.

The concert will be the musical event of the season.