19th Nov 1926 - British and Foreign Bible Society

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British and Foreign Bible Society

Buntingford Auxiliary

The Annual Buntingford Meeting, which was one of 14 meetings being held in the district between November 8th and November 26th, was held on Wednesday in the Congregational School, and was considered by many who have attended them year after year to be one of the best ever held here.

The deputation was Mr Gracie, Sec. in Ceylon. The meeting was as usual preceded by a social hour, with tea arranged and given by the ladies of the Buntingford Committee and other friends.

After tea, Mr and Mrs H. May sang two sacred duets. Mrs Saggers kindly recited twice, and at the commencement of the meeting the anthem "O taste and see" was sung by a special choir, all the items being much appreciated.

In the unavoidable absence of Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, through indisposition, the chair was taken by Rev. A. Howard. Mr H. May read a portion of scripture, and Rev. John Cole offered prayer.

Mr Gracie, who has worked in Ceylon for 33 years, gave a deeply interesting and instructive address on "the island of spicy breezes," and the wonderful progress which has been made there, and which would have been impossible without the work of the Bible Society.

He related the remarkable way in which the Bible Society had first taken up work there, before any missionary had arrived, through the labours of a young Indian civilian of wonderful linguistic powers and Christian zeal, who was the first translator of the Singhalese New Testament.

Now the Bible is being read and studied by tens of thousands of students, many of whom, though not bapized Christians, are framing their lives by the teaching of Christ. Here at home people are decrying and neglecting their Bibles, but in India and Ceylon it is becoming more and more the one Book worth studying.

The meeting closed with a hymn and prayer. The collection amounted to £2 12s. and the proceeds of the tea to nearly £2.

Appended is last year's report:

[Transcriber note - There is a list of accounts at the end of this report, the layout of which didn't entirely make sense. Please see the original image if you want to see the accounts].

24th Feb 1928 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E. (in the chair), Capt. H.H. Williams, Claud Fraser, William Steel, and G.W. Pepper, Esqs.

NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE

Ernest Newman, of 15, Council Cottages, Cottered, brought a charge of common assault against his neighbour, Jack Gravestock. Gravestock pleaded "not guilty."

The plaintiff said that on Saturday, 7th January, he returned to his home shortly after 9 p.m. After he had been indoors some minutes he heard someone at the front door. He went to the door and the defendant took hold of him and tried to pull him out. Some men were standing at the front gate, and the plaintiff went down the path to enquire what was the matter. Jack Gravestock then took hold of him and pushed him on the village green, and dumped him in the mud two or three times. He afterwards reported the matter to the police.

Edith Newman, wife of the complainant, said she was having a few words with her husband on the night in question when the defendant came to the front door and tried to pull her husband outside. Later her husband went outside and was pushed in some mud by defendant.

Cross-examined, witness stated that her husband was not drunk that night.

The defendant, in giving evidence, said that at about 10.20 p.m. on the Saturday night in question he was indoors with his parents when he heard screams of "murder" and "help." He went to the front door, where he saw Mrs Newman, who asked him to hit her husband.

Newman then came out of the house and witness said to him "I want to see you; come on to the green." Newman walked over to the green and slipped down in the mud, where he laid for some minutes.

Mrs Hearne, of 14, Council Cottages, said that at 10.30 p.m. on the day in question she heard someone screaming. She ran outside, and saw Mrs Newman lying in the path. When Newman came out of the house she asked him to go to his wife's assistance, and he replied "She is only putting it on."

Harry Gravestock, the defendant's father, gave evidence, and said that when he went outside Mrs Newman was shouting "murder" and asking for protection. When Newman came out into the road he walked on to the green, and slipped and fell in the mud.

Harry Hearn and Joseph Pepper said they stood in the road and saw Newman fall down in the mud. The defendant did not push him down.

Mrs Gravestock, the defendant's mother, said there was an awful row outside, and when she went out Mrs Newman told her that Newman would kill her son. The witness went out on to the green where she saw her son (the defendant) standing with another man. She went up to the man, and, thinking he was Newman, smacked his face. She then discovered it was Mr Pepper she had struck. (Laughter). The witness added she helped Newman up and pushed him indoors.

The Chairman said the Bench were of the opinion that the assault had not been proved. The case would be dismissed.

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A CHILD

Mrs K. Goss, a married woman, of Buntingford, was summoned by John E. Gibbs, of Buntingford, for alleged cruelty to his child, Frederick Gibbs, aged three years.

The plaintiff, in a lengthy statement to the Bench, said that while his wife was in hospital his three children were placed in the care of Mrs Goss. He paid her £1 per week for their maintenance.

On Tuesday, 20th December, Mr Goss brought the boy, Frederick, home, stating that the child had misbehaved himself. The complainant found that the child complained, and on examining him it appeared as though the child had been struck. He took the child to the Police Station, where he was examined by Police Officers. He also saw Mrs Goss, who denied thrashing the boy.

Mrs Goss, in giving evidence, said that when she took the children into her care they had chicken-pox. In consequence they had marks on their bodies.

On the morning of December 20th she attended to the boy, Frederick, as usual. When she went to dress him at 7.30 a.m. she found he had misbehaved himself, so she gave him a smacking. She did not smack his head, and the child seemed all right at breakfast. She had three children of her own, and would have treated any of them just the same.

Mr G.H. Maughan, of Messrs Chalmers Hunt & Co., defended, and pointed out that a person who has charge of a child is legally entitled to administer such punishment as is necessary. There were times when corporal punishment was necessary, and this occasion had been one of them.

The complainant then called his daughter (Barbara) to give evidence and further evidence for the defendant was given by her husband and daughter.

The Chairman, in addressing the complainant, said that the Bench had listened with great patience to all the evidence. They were impressed by the fact that the complainant had called no medical evidence to support his case. 

They further noted, from the evidence, that although an officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children had his attention called to the matter, there was some significance in the fact that he did not intervene in the case.

The Bench were of the unanimous opinion that the case must be dismissed.

POSSESSION CASE

The case in which Mrs Page applied for the possession of a cottage in the occupation of Jonah Brown, and which, as reported in our issue of 10th February, was adjourned for the Magistrates to inspect the alternative accommodation offered the tenant, again came before the Bench.

In dismissing the application for possession, the Chairman said that the alternative accommodation offered the tenant was, in the opinion of the Bench, unsuitable.

3rd Feb 1928 - League of Nations Union

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League of Nations Union

Despite a very wet evening, the Women's Institute Hall was well filled on Thursday evening of last week, of the occasion of a meeting in connection with the League of Nations Union.

The chair was taken by Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, who was supported on the platform by Mrs M.E. Downer, Mrs Lanyon, Mrs G.C. Coutts Deacon, Miss Woods, the Rev. A. Howard, the Rev. E.E. Empringham, the Rev. F.R. Williams, the Rev. A.G. Langdon, the Rev. W. Mc C Kerr and the Rev. John Cole.

A letter of regret at being unable to attend was read from the Rev. A.N. Morgan.

The Chairman gave a very able survey of the work of the League of Nations, and referred to Lord Robert Cecil as whose life's work was for the League. (Applause)

Sir Charles then referred to the past work of the League and added that it would do still greater work in the future (Applause).

Mrs M.E. Downer, of the League of Nations Union, then gave an extremely interesting address on the work of the League of Nations. The League, she said, would settle disputes by reason and not by thought. The Battle of Trafalgar cost £88,000, but one of our present day battleships cost £6,000,000 and we were no stronger in the Navy than we were in Nelson's day. They had in the League of Nations a piece of machinery that could stop war; the machinery was not perfect, but it was everyone's duty to support the League.

The speaker's fine closing appeal resulted in 37 new members being enrolled.

Mr Andrew Weir moved a vote of thanks to Mrs Downer for her most interesting address. He (Mr Weir) could not help thinking that if anyone knew of any other way of settling disputes than through the League of Nations, then for God's sake let them say so.

Miss Woods seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried amid applause.

Mr W.S. Fordham, of Puckeridge, moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and this was seconded by Mr W.J. May and carried with applause.

Thanks are due to the Rev. E.E. Empringham, of Cottered, for the excellent arrangements in connection with the meeting - it is through him that a brand was formed in the district. Mrs Lanyon has also done valuable work in the Braughing district.

Members of the Cottered Troop of Scouts were on duty at the Hall, and handed round enrolment forms.

3rd Feb 1928 - Buntingford Bowls Club

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Buntingford Bowls Club was held at the Headquarters of the Club on Wednesday evening last, Mr H.C. Marshall, the President of the Club presided, being supported by Mr W.J. May (Captain) and Mr J. Lawrence (Hon. Sec.)

The Hon. Secretary presented his annual report. During the season the Club played 20 league matches, of which 14 were won and six lost. In addition to again winning the Aston Challenge Cup the Club created a record  in defeating the Rest of the League for the first time in the history of the League.

In presenting the balance sheet Mr Lawrence said a large amount of money had been expended on the new green, and further expense was necessary. He wished to make it known that in the event of the Club being wound up the new Green would become the property of the Buntingford Nursing Association.

He hoped, therefore, that the inhabitants of Buntingford and district would support the Bowls club as they had done in the past. The Club would then go on to further successes, and would possess one of the best Greens in the County.

[Transcriber note - There's two sets of accounts on the original image that I won't transcribe here, see the original image for the information]

In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet Mr W.J. May said he did so with much pleasure. He was sure they could not find a more energetic secretary than Mr Lawrence, who gave a great deal of his time to the Club, and the members appreciated his services.

Mr F.W. Butler seconded, and the accounts and reports were unanimously adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Captain H.H. Williams moved the re-election of Mr H.C. Marshall as president. They all knew what Mr Marshall had done for the Club, and the manner in which he entertained them on winning the Challenge Cup. (Applause).

Mr A.C. Bartlett seconded, and the vote was carried with acclamation.

Mr H.A. Mannox moved the re-election of the Vice-Presidents, with the addition of Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis. 

This was seconded by Mr J. Lawrence, and carried unanimously.

Mr Lawrence was re-elected Hon. Sec. and Treas., with Mr Mannox as Assistant Secretary.

Mr W.J. May said he would be leaving the district this spring, but hoped he would not sever his connection with the Club for some time. His years of office with the Club had been most pleasant. (Applause). He had much pleasure in proposing that Mr Butler be elected Captain.

Captain Williams, in seconding Mr May's proposition, said how much the members would regret Mr May's departure. Mr May had brought to the Club a measure of success which was at one time never to be expected. (Applause).

The meeting unanimously agreed to make Mr May a Honorary Life Member of the Club.

Mr E.G. Thody proposed, and Mr C.H. Poulton seconded, that the following be elected to serve on the General Committee: Messrs E.J. Totman, J. Boniwell, F.B. Sharp, J.L. Cornwell, H.E. Birkett, F. Crouch, E.R. Brett, H.A. Mannox, J. Bishop, J. Cutts, E.P. Borsberry, and L. Hagger.

OTHER BUSINESS

Business in connection with the new Green, and a suggested match with Luton Town on the date of the opening of the new Green, was discussed, after which a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, concluded the meeting.