20th Jan 1928 - Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club

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Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club

Annual Treat to Members Children

For upwards of seven years the children of the members of the Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club have, during the Christmas season, been entertained to a tea and Christmas Tree.

Those who attended the treat given on Wednesday last were unanimous in their praise for the excellent arrangements. A Christmas Tree, lit up with electric lamps, was at one end of the room, and by it stood a huge clothes basket full of neatly wrapped parcels.

The entire room presented a scene fitting to the festive season - evergreens and paper decorations being used on a lavish scale.

About forty children sat down to a sumptuous tea, consisting of bread and butter, cakes, &c., huge plates of which speedily disappeared, whilst the helpers were also kept busy in filling the cups with hot tea.

Following the tea, the long tables were cleared away and games went on merrily until 7 p.m., when the arrival of Father Christmas was the signal for an outburst of cheering. He immediately went to the Christmas Tree and commenced distributing the presents. After this, the noise of drums and various wind instruments can better be imagined than described.

Before leaving each child was handed a National Savings Card bearing two 6d. savings stamps. The cards were distributed by Mrs H.H. Williams, who thanked the helpers for their excellent work.

Winnie Winters then call for three cheers for the ex-service men, which was heartily given.

Mr Scarborough Taylor proposed a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs H. Clarke for their work in connection with the arrangements, and this was carried amid cheering.

The National Anthem was then sung, and each child was handed a bag of sweets and an orange.

Those responsible for the excellent arrangements were Mr and Mrs H. Clarke, Mr and Mrs E.C. Clarke, Mrs Warren, Mrs S. Smith, Mrs S. Howlett, Mrs Davies, Mrs Starr, Mrs Hall and Mr E.E. Dennis.

Visitors during the evening included Mrs Williams, Mr and Mrs Scarborough Taylor, Mr G.H. Maughan, and Mr and Mrs B.E. Thody.

Ex-Service Men At Supper

Hardly had the last child left the children's party when the ladies who assisted with the children's tea set to work on an equally important job - the preparation of the tables for the ex-service men's supper. This was the first event of its kind to be held in Buntingford, and judging by the number present and the success of the evening it promises to become an annual event.

About forty ex-service men and their friends sat down at daintily laid and prettily decorated tables, doing justice to an appetising spread consisting of roast beef, boiled beef and ham, cheese, pickles &c. Mr A.E. Mayes, a former honorary secretary of the club, presided, and a very enjoyable evening was spent.

After the loyal toast had been honoured, songs were contributed by Mr S. Daniels and the whole company joined in the singing of well-known Army choruses and songs. Mr Dennis worked extremely hard at the piano throughout the evening, and kindly lent song books.

At the close, the Chairman proposed the toast of "The Ladies." Everyone was very grateful to them for the excellent service they had rendered, not only at the supper but also at the children's treat.

The ladies were then accorded musical honours.

Musical honours were accorded Mr Dennis for his valuable assistance at the piano, and votes of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, and to Mr H. Clarke, the hon. secretary, for the excellent arrangements, concluded a day which gave great pleasure to the members of the Club and their children.

20th Jan 1928 - Benson Hall

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Benson Hall

In spite of the heavy rain which fell last Wednesday evening, the dance in the Benson Hall was well attended; in fact, nearly as many were present as could fit comfortably on the spacious floor, which is known as the best dancing floor for miles around.

Mr Blakiston, who filled the post of M.C. in his usual accomplished manner, announced that prizes would be given for a spot dance and for the best "fancy dress." No prizes had been promised for either event, but the Management felt that some recognition was due to the large number who had braved the elements, among whom were visitors from Cottered, Therfield, Puckeridge, Aspenden and Hare Street.

The Standon Orchestra kindly undertook the difficult task of judging the entries in the "Fancy Dress Parade" - "difficult" because of the clever portrayal of the varied characters selected. The prizes went to Miss Kelly, The Limes, Therfield, who came as the "Blue Moon"; and to Mr Kelly, of the same address, who was a "French Cavalier," with wig, uniform, cocked hat, and sword complete.

The gentlemen, however, had already agreed that as the "fancy dress" ladies exceeded the gentlemen in number, the men's prize should go to the second lady, and this award was to Miss May Mulvany (of Aspenden), who represented a "Spinning Top."

The spot dance prizes were won by Mr Mead and Miss Norris; and the "lucky ticket" prize of 7/6 by Mr W. Game of Buntingford.

Novelties were distributed after the interval. Masks, hats, crowns, spectacles, false noses, whistles, puff-outs and similar features added to the general merriment; and red electrics enhanced the colour scheme adopted by the energetic Decorating Committee, who had suspeded festoons and streamers across the Hall, producing an effect well worth seeing.

The refreshments, to which justice was done, were provided by the Committee and friends. The total receipts came to £7 11s. 1d.

Father Morgan wishes to thank all who helped to make the event such a success, both the capable workers and those who patronised the dance in spite of the inclement weather.

An invitation "Leap Year" dance is announced for February 29th, with the new Buntingford Dance Orchestra in attendance.

20th Jan 1928 - Layston Choir Social

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Layston Choir Social

The members of the Layston Church Choir, together with the Sunday School teachers, numbering about twenty, were entertained at the Vicarage on Thursday evening in last week by the Rev. and Mrs Howard. Some members were unable to be present owing to illness.

Following various parlour games, in which the amusing and absurd actions of the players caused roars of laughter, the company assembled in the dining room, where an excellent repast was served and, needless to say, this was greatly enjoyed.

Following this, further games were indulged in, and the spirit of jollity reached its height. Songs were then contributed by individual members, and all joined in the singing of "Home, Sweet Home" and other well-known songs, Miss M. Macklin ably presiding at the piano.

The singing of two hymns, and the reading of a psalm and prayer offered by the Vicar, concluded a most enjoyable evening, which passed all to quickly. Before dispersing shortly before midnight, Mr G. Hill, on behalf of all present, thanked the Rev. and Mrs Howard for their kindness in entertaining them that night, and the Vicar suitably replied.

20th Jan 1928 - Young Britons Entertained

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Young Britons Entertained

The members of the Buntingford Branch of "Young Britons" were entertained to a treat by the President, Mrs H.H. Williams, on Saturday last.

Long before 4.30 - the hour arranged for tea - there was a strong muster of Young Britons waiting admission to Foresters' Hall, where the treat was held. A bountiful tea was provided, and the sixty children present appeared to have good appetites.

After tea, bon-bons were distributed, and after a few games there was a lantern lecture given by Mr B.E. Thody and Mr R. Butler. In addition to many local slides, there were several showing various British possessions overseas, and these were explained to the children by Mrs Williams.

Before leaving, very hearty cheers were given for Mrs Williams for her kindness in entertaining such a large gathering, and to all the helpers. After the National Anthem had been sung, each child received gifts of chocolate, cake or oranges.

The arrangements throughout were excellent, Mrs Williams being assisted by Mrs Bonness, Mrs Darton, Mrs Parker, and Miss Olive Poulton. The two monitors, Horace Darton and Cyril Kimpton, were very much in evidence; their chief task was to call the roll - not a very easy one under the circumstances.