5th August 1927 - Buntingford & District Horticultural Society

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Buntingford & District Horticultural Society

A Fine Exhibition

"A fine exhibition, especially in the vegetable classes. The root classes and the pea classes were excellent, and we have seldom seen such fine potatoes."

The above was the comment passed by the judge at the Buntingford Flower Show, held yesterday.

The venue was once again Corney Bury Park, kindly lent by Mr W.J. Wedd, and when one entered the gate it seemed impossible that the pre-war shows, for which Buntingford was famous, were held in the small meadow adjoining.

The weather was on its best behaviour, brilliant sunshine prevailing throughout the day. There were few umbrellas seen in the show ground - what there were appeared to be in use as sunshades.

The Officials

The President of the Society is Mr H.C. Marshall, who was a successful competitor at yesterday's Show.

The Hon. Secretary, Mr Ernest G. Thody, once again spared no efforts to make the show a success; he was also a very successful exhibitor, his cut flowers being a specially fine exhibit.

The Committee worked assiduously throughout the day.

Trade Exhibits

There were four trade exhibits, Messrs. Chaplin's of Waltham Cross, taking first prize for a wonderful display of roses and gladioli; the display was staged on a platform 24ft. long by 4th. 6ins. wide.

Other trade exhibits included Messrs. Goodliffe's and Mr W. Keep's displays of herbaceous and rock plants, and Mr H.A. Thody's exhibit of fruit.

Exhibits

The entries numbered over 1,000, and were staged in three large tents.

As stated, there was an excellent entry in the root classes, the judges remarking that they had seldom seen better potatoes.

There were ten table decorations, Miss Thody taking first prize with a pretty single rose, "K of K" and "Waltham Cross." Major Douglas Crossman, M.F.H., (Mr Dibben, gardener) took first prize for best arrangement of pot plants; he had a fine colour scheme of pink and mauve hydrangeas with ferns.

The Judges

The following kindly acted as judges:

Trade exhibitors and amateurs classes, Messrs. A. Jeffries (Hertford) and J.A. Gates (Ardeley); cottagers' classes, Messrs. J. Friend (Stansted) and W. Ring (Puckeridge); table decorations, Messrs. Keep, Chaplin and Goodliffe; bread, Mr R.F. Dellow; honey, Mr C.H. Poulton; cooked potatoes, Mr C. North; bottled fruit, Mr S. Daniels.

The tea tent was very capably managed by the Buntingford Women's Institute.

It was found impossible to manage the teas on the same lines as last year, so the Institute kindly came to the assistance of the Society, and their services were greatly appreciated by the large numbers who patronised the tea tent during the afternoon.

Attractions

There was an attractive programme of amusements, &.

Thirty boys from the William Baker Technical School at Hertford (Dr. Barnardo's Homes) gave two excellent gymnastic displays during the afternoon and evening, and were accorded a very warm welcome.

Through the kindness of several ladies and gentlemen, the boys, together with their Band, were entertained to tea. Dr Barnardo's Boys' Band was also in attendance, and played selections throughout the afternoon and evening for the displays, and later for dancing.

A balloon race, organised by the Committee, drew several competitors. The prizes - vouchers value 15/- and 7/6 - will be awarded to the competitors whose balloons travel farthest.

Thurston's amalgamation of amusements drew a large crowd, especially towards the close. The day's events concluded with a grand display of fireworks by Messrs. J.R. Wells, of London.

A further report, together with a complete list of awards, will appear in our next issue.

Large numbers flocked to the ground during the evening, and the gate receipts exceeded £80.

27th August 1926 - Horticultural Society Open-Air Whist Drive and Dance

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Horticultural Society

Open-Air Whist Drive and Dance

Fairyland Scene at West View

The spell which has cast itself on any garden function arranged at West View during recent years has at last been broken, and for a pleasant change fine weather prevailed for a Whist Drive and Dance held in the pretty grounds, by kind permission of Mrs Wyman, on Wednesday evening last.

Early in the afternoon there was a slight shower, but the weather turned out fine later.

There was not such a large company present as was expected, due perhaps to the harvest operations; sixteen tables were occupied for whist, and several persons came in later for the dancing.

The Illuminations

By the time the whist had finished, the grounds had quite a fairyland resemblance; some 600-700 fairy lights and Chinese lanterns of various colours casting a beautiful glow over the lawns and the flower-beds. It was a charming sight.

The Standon Orchestra provided an excellent programme of dance music, and Mr Little (who presided at the piano) won admiration for the way he filled the post of pianist. The other members of the orchestra were Mr A.H. Hedges, Mr Hunter and Mr G. Wilmont, who also acted very efficiently.

Thanks

The Committee desire (through the medium of the Buntingford "Gazette") to thank Mrs Wyman for so kindly placing her grounds at the disposal of the Society.

Best thanks are also due to Capt. and Mrs Denny, of Little Court, and Miss Lushington, for prizes; to Mrs E.G. Thody and Miss Thody for managing the refreshments; to Mr H. Clarke, who was a very efficient M.C.; Mr C. Miles and Mr E.C. Clarke, gate stewards; Mrs Stapley for the use of piano; Mr A.G. Day and Mr B.E. Thody for arrangements; Mr E.J. Crane, carting; Mr J. Holmes and the Ex-Service Men's Club, use of tables and chairs; Mrs Coates, gift of cakes; and to the Hon. Sec. (Mr E.G. Thody) for the illuminators. Mr A. Coxall also lent valuable assitance.

The Prizes

Prizes for whist were won by the following:

Ladies - 1 Miss Cornwell 160, 2 Miss Lushington 157, 3 Mrs Day 156.

Gents - 1 Mr Nash 165, 2 Mr S. Howlett 162, 3 Mr H. Cutts 157.

6th August 1926 - Buntingford Horticultural Society

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Buntingford Horticultural Society

Annual Show

The Buntingford Flower Show was held in Corney Bury Park yesterday (Thursday) and was a pronounced success.

The quality of the exhibits were exceptionally fine, and we believe the number of entries constituted a record for the Society.

For the first time since 1914, the Buntingford Horticultural Society staged its Annual Show entirely on its own.

Since 1920, the Society has held its shows in conjunction with the Agricultural Society, but as this Society held its Show at Hertford this year, the Horticultural Society reverted to is old date in August.

All roads led to Corney Bury Park, where, by kind permission of Mr W.J. Wedd, the show was staged. It is estimated that there were quite 3,000-4,000 people present.

The show as a whole was a distinct advance on last year, and approximated to the old-time shows which made Buntingford famous for its flower shows. The entries totalled just over 762. The quality of the exhibits was also of a fine standard.

The trade exhibits were very fine, the displays of roses by Messrs. Chaplin's (Waltham Cross), Messrs. Harkness (Hitchin), Mr J. Pigg (Royston) and Mr C. Bolton (Wyddiall) being exceptionally fine. Mr H.A. Thody had a fine show of fruit.

Other Attractions

The Buntingford Town Silver Band, under Mr E. Smith, were present, and their selections during the day were greatly enjoyed.

Among the various other attractions was a demonstration with live bees by Mr Herrod-Hempstall, F.E.S., expert to the Ministry of Agriculture, and entertainments, side-shows, &c.

In the evening dancing to the band took place. At dusk a magnificent firework display was given by Messrs. J. Wells, of London. W. Thurston's up-to-date amusements were well patronised.

The Management

An immense amount of organising work had been put in by the Hon. Secretary, Mr E.G. Thody, and by the General Committee.

Mr Thody has held the post of Secretary and Joint Secretary for 40 years and his experience and worth is beyond computation. In addition he was a most successful exhibitor.

The Officers were:

President - H.C. Marshall, Esq.

Committee - Messrs. A.C. Bartlett, C. Bolton, G. Budd, H. Clarke, J. Cornwell, E. Crane, J. Dean, E.E. Dennis, T. Dibbin, H. Fry, W.G. Jones, J. May, H. Money, T. Rolfe, G. Scarborough Taylor, F. Sharp, W. Nichols, B.E. Thody, J. Totman, C. Walters, T. Hummerstone, W. Watkins, B. Rustead, and A. Warner.

20th May 1927 - Charity Football Match

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Charity Football Match

As a result of the football match between Mr J. Holmes' XI and Mr E.E. Dennis's XI., the sum of £5 15s. has been equally divided between the Buntingford Nursing Fund and the Buntingford Horticultural Society.

The amount is very satisfactory, and best thanks are due to Mr Holmes and Mr Dennis for arranging the fixture.

16th July 1926 - Buntingford and District Agricultural Society

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Buntingford and District Agricultural Society

A Fine Show At Hertford

Hertford, 15th July.

The Seventh Annual Show of the Buntingford and District Agricultural Society was held at Hartham, Hertford, today, in fine, but very dull weather.

There was a good attendance, and the judging was completed under most agreeable circumstances. As was to be expected, empty stalls and pens were nowhere to be found, the proportion of absentees in the cattle classes being very low.

Owing to Foot and Mouth Disease near Reading, no cattle from the Royal Show was present.

Hertford indeed gave a hearty welcome to the Society, which was mothered for a couple of years by the old-established Buntingford Horticultural Society, and after six combined shows it was under different circumstances that the Agricultural Society stages its seventh show.

Indeed everything was different - the venue and the people. One grew accustomed at Buntingford to meeting the rank and file of the Agricultural industry - the labourers who tilled the land in the winter and cut the golden corn in the summer - men who were glad when the Buntingford Show came round in order that they might have a day's enjoyment with their fellow workers and watch the horses from their own farms being led proudly round the shaded ring in Corney Bury Park.

In the past the Buntingford Show has been a gathering of agrilculturalists and horticulturalists, but today it was a different type of person that was threading his way by the pay-boxes and over the cool waters of the River Lea on to Hartham. Clerks, tradesmen and shop girls were in the majority, and but for little groups of agricultural workers gathered near the animal pens one would think the crowd typical of a first-class cricket match or a garden party.

Although it was the Buntingford Show there appeared to be few Buntingford people here - one in every thousand probably came from Buntingford district. The huge ring - many times larger than the Corney Bury ring - was lined with motor cars and people, while others found accommodation under the trees by the swimming bath.

Things were astir here very early this morning, and by 8 a.m. entries were pouring into the Show Ground from a special railway siding. Stewards were busy directing stockmen, and the Secretary's tent was swarmed with enquirers, five clerks, with their shirt sleeves rolled up, doing their best to keep the routine of the day going.

In a tremendous marquee opposite, waiters and waitresses were preparing for the public luncheon, while close by there was the usual ear-splitting noises from the poultry tent, which was rapidly filling up.

One rabbit - a beautiful creature - was glad of company in the next pen, as he had been on the Show ground since Tuesday afternoon. There was a varied assortment of implements on the trade stands which were hoping to do a record business. One thing was certain, and that is that the vendors of ices and cool drinks had a harvest.

The Exhibits

The horse classes were unaffected by the conditions that hampered the movement of exhibits in order departments, and as a rule the various breeds were strongly represented. Breeders of shires paraded the breed in force, and quality of high order was witness.

The collection of cattle was impressive, as was seen when the prize exhibits were paraded later. The breeds that specialise for milk and meat production were pleasing in numbers; there was a large entry of Shorthorns, British Friesians and Red Polls.

Sheep and pigs made a meritorious display.

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The Show was undoubtedly a great success, and it is hoped that the financial result will be first step towards the return of the Show to Buntingford.

9th July 1926 - Buntingford District Horticultural Society

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Buntingford District Horticultural Society

This Society has just issued its schedule for the 43rd Annual Summer Show, to be held in Corney Bury Park on the 5th August.

There are all the prominent features in the schedule, from which the show has long held its high reputation, and among the numerous attractions will again be the popular Baby Show.

30th April 1926 - Horticultural Society

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Horticultural Society

A meeting of the Committee was held at the George Hotel last evening, when the question of reducing the money due to the Hon. Sec., in respect to the 1925 Show, was discussed.

It was reported that as some of the tickets had not been returned, the total in respect of the recent football match could not be arrived at.

It was decided to hold a whist drive and dance on Friday, May 14th, at the George Hotel, the first prize for whist being 1/2 ton of coal to each lady and gentleman, given by Mr Crane.

23rd April 1926 - Horticultural Society

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Horticultural Society

An Effort to Reduce the Deficit

The old established Buntingford Horticultural Society is faced with a large deficit, and the Committee is hoping to arrange various events to wipe off the adverse balance before the 1926 show is held.

A football match, in aid of the Society's funds, was held on the town ground on Wednesday. The arrangements were made by Mr J. Holmes, who captained the "Black and Whites," and Mr J. Thody, who captained the "Reds." Unfortunately, heavy rain fell just before the match, and this considerably affected the attendance.

The weather cleared before half-time, and, as a number of admission tickets had been previously sold there was a good attendance.

The "Black and Whites" team was chiefly composed of Cheshunt players with W. Hatchett and H. Birkett of the Buntingford Club. After the interval the "Reds" scored four more goals to their opponents' one.

Final score - "Reds" 8, "Black & Whites" 4.

Thanks are due to Mr E.E. Dennis, who officiated as M.C., the Town Football Club, for the use of the ground, to Mr J. Holmes, who entertained the "Black & Whites" and the Town Silver Band, who were in attendance and played selections during the interval.

A very obstinate animal - a cross between a horse and a camel - was led round by Bandmaster E. Smith, and in addition to causing a good deal of fun was the means of collecting £1 for the funds.

Later in the evening, the Silver Cup, presented by Mr C.H. Poulton, was handed to the Captain of the winning team.