18th March 1927 - Congregational Church Social

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Congregational Church Social

A very pleasant time was spent in the Congregational Schoolroom on Thursday in last week, the occasion being a social.

There was a very good gathering, and in an opening remark or two, the Minister referred to the various phases of Church life, including the devotional or spiritual and the social sides. The room had been attractively decorated by Mr H. Cutts.

A lengthy programme of miscellaneous items was carried through, consisting of - pianoforte solos (Miss Blanche Langham, Miss M. Ashton); solos (Miss Emily Benstead, Miss Langham, Miss Dorothy Howard); recitations and humourous readings (Mrs G. Saggers, Miss Langham, the Minister).

A sketch entitled "Our at-home day" caused much amusement, the various parts being taken by Miss Benstead, Miss Edith Careless and Miss Kitty Camp, and the item being very well performed. The introduction of Community singing marked a change in the usual programme, whilst two competitions were provocative of much fun.

The response to the appeal for refreshments was splendid, and during an interval these were now served.

At the close there was an announcement of the competition result together with an expression of thanks to all who had helped to make the evening a success. Best thanks are certainly due to the many who kindly contributed towards the refreshments; to the members of the Ladies' Committee, and other lady helpers who in many ways rendered splendid service in connection with the social; to those who assisted in the entertainment and sketch and duties relevant; to those who had worked "behind the scenes," and to all who helped to make the social so successful.

The proceeds of the evening were on behalf of the Church funds.

The singing of Auld Lang Syne brought the social to a conclusion.

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.

11th March 1927 - Funeral of Mr Stanley F. Keen

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Funeral of Mr Stanley F. Keen

The funeral of Stanley F. Keen, whose death at the early age of 18 years was reported in this Paper last week, took place at Layston Church on Saturday afternoon, the service being conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A. Howard.

Members of the Buntingford Independent Foresters' Society carried out the duty of bearers, the deceased being a junior member of that Society. His employer, Mr A. Jackson, kindly lent his car, and the evidences of sorrow were marked by the number of people present and the beautiful floral tributes.

Mr and Mrs C.F. Keen (father and mother), Mrs W. Whiting and Mrs P. Deards (sisters), Mrs R. Saunders (aunt), Mr P. Deards and Mr J. Gibbs (brothers-in-law), and Miss Jackson.

The wreaths were as follows:

From Mum and Dad

Maggie and Will

Nellie and Percy

Vera and Phyllis

Mr and Mrs A. Jackson and Family

Mr and Mrs and H. Jackson and Mrs James Harradence.

Mr G. Hagger

Mr L. Bradford

His pals - J. and L. Plumb, C. and B. King, R. Fish, J. Ward, J. Oakley, C. and M. Worboys

Mrs Parker

Mr and Mrs French

Mr and Mrs A. Dray

Mr and Mrs Arthur Dray

Miss E. Cutts

Mr and Mrs L. Smith

Mrs Patmore and Mr Hummerstone

Mrs Pateman and Family

Mr and Mrs Haddock

Mrs Brewington

Mrs Prior and Family

Mrs Horth and Reg

Mrs G. Bradford

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.