3rd Feb 1928 - Hare Street, Funeral of Mr Thomas Bardwell

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Hare Street

Funeral of Mr Thomas Bardwell

The second funeral in the new Catholic Cemetery at Hare Street took place last Saturday, when the body of Mr Thomas Bardwell, of Hare Street, was laid to rest.

The death occured the previous Wednesday, January 25th, the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. Mr Bardwell had been ailing for some days, but his death was unexpectedly sudden.

A large number of relatives and friends were present at the Service in Hare Street Chapel, and many went to the grave-side also in spite of a heavy downpour of rain. In the Chapel, the Choir from the Buntingford Convent sang a hymn beloved by the deceased, "Jesu, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills my breast"; and the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was then said for the repose of his soul, as well as the psalm used for the departed through all the ages of Christianity, "Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord."

Father Morgan, in a short address, commented on Mr Bardwell's intense love for our Blessed Lord, which he was able to satisfy so perfectly in the Catholic Church. The Sacred Presence of our Divine Lord on the Altars of the Church was a great joy to him; he came and talked to Jesus as to a death Friend. In the Holy Mass also he found his Redeemer, for Christ is the Great High Priest Who offers every Mass, using the human priest as His tool or instrument. And the magnet that drew Mr Bardwell to undertake his long walks to Buntingford Church was the Sacred Host, veiling the presence of Jesus, and raised above the Altar for the adoration of the faithful. 

The Holy Name of Jesus also was constantly on his lips; he often repeated the Divine Praises, taught by the Catholic Church to her children, "Blessed be Jesus Chris, Blessed be the Name of Jesus." And that Holy Name was the last word ever uttered by the deceased, for he died saying "Dear Jesus." He has seen his saviour now, for on Wednesday morning he met Him face to face. To His gracious mercy we commit our departed friend. May he rest in peace.

It was intended to sing at the grave-side another favourite hymn of the deceased, "Oh Jesus, Jesus, dearest Lord," but the inclement weather prevented a lengthy stay in he Cemetery; the priest merely blessed the grave in the accustomed manner with incense and holy water, and said the brief prayers which accompany the committal of the body to the grave.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered at Buntingford Church for the repose of Mr Bardwell's soul on the day of the burial; and at Benediction on Sunday afternoon the congregation sang the hymn omitted at the grave-side and said once more the Litany of the Holy Name, offering it for the deceased.

All who knew Mr Bardwell will long remember him for his simple and unaffected piety. R.I.P.

The immediate mourners were: Miss Emily Bardwell (daughter), Mr N. Bardwell (brother), Mrs D. Bardwell and Mrs W. King (sisters-in-law), Mr and Mrs H.E. Bardwell (nephew and niece), Mr and Mrs Player and Mrs Darton (brother-in-law and sisters-in-law) and Mrs Norris (niece).

Others present included Miss Lyall, Mrs Waterton, the Misses Marriott, Mr and Mrs S. Wick, Mrs Gillett, Mr Reg. Wilson, Mr Corbett, and Miss L. Norris.

27th Jan 1928 - Wyddiall, The New Rector

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Wyddiall - The New Rector

Induction of the Rev. W. Mc C. Kerr

The Institution and Induction of the Rev W. Mc C. Kerr as Rector of Wyddiall was conducted by the Lord Bishop of St Albans on Monday afternoon last. The new Rector was formerly Rector of Meesden and is Rural Dean for the Buntingford Deanery. There was a large congregation present at the service.

The visiting Clergy were the Rev. A. Howard (Layston), the Rev. E.E. Empringham (Cottered), the Rev. F.R. Williams (Anstey), the Rev. H. Shepherd (Gt. Hormead), the Rev. A.G. Langdon (Munden), the Rev. A.G. King (Westmill), the Rev. H.F. Webb-Bowen (Barkway), the Rev. F.W.B. Jobson (Braughing), the Rev. A.J. McKinney (Buckland), Canon Shorting (St Albans), and the Rev. W.J. Stewart (Langley). The Rev. Dr H.V.S. Eck, of Ardeley, acted as the Bishop's Chaplain.

Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., the Patron of the living, presented the new Rector to the Bishop in the following words: "Reverend Father in God, I present you this meet and proper person to be insitituted to the cure of souls in this parish."

The new Rector, standing before the Bishop, then took the various oaths required, after which there was silent prayer. The Bishop then took the new incumbant by the hand and, preceded by the Rev. A.G. Langdon (who acted for the Archdeacon) and the Patron (Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis) he conducted him to the five principal parts of the Church - the Font, the Prayer Desk, the Lectern, the Pulpit, and lastly to the Altar, during which appropriate verses of the hymn, "We love the place, O God," were sung, and certain questions were put to the incumbent, at each place to which he answered "I will do so, the Lord being my Helper."

The incumbent then knelt before the Bishop at Altar rails, and after prayers the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus" was sung, the Bishop sung the first and third lines and the congregation the second and fourth of each verse. The Bishop then read the letters of Institution, and afterwards, with his hand on the head of the incumbent, pronounced a Benediction.

The incumbent was then led by the hand to the Church door and to the belfry, where he tolled the bell to signify to the parishioners that he had taken possession.

The Bishop then delivered a very stirring address. He said with the institution of their new Rector they were beginning a new chapter in the history of that parish. The great object in every parish, county and country was that men should have life and have it more abundantly. Christ's work goes on through us. Our Lord used a human body to make God known to us, and men came to know that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God because they looked at Him in the face. No man could mistrust a Man with a look like His. It is a terrible thing when a man loses his grip on life, and when we hear of men committing suicide we say they are temporarily insane, because normal people want to live.

We must get back to God and find out the laws governing human life. We have seen tremendous progress in many things. Wireless, for instance, and even greater things than that were spoken of. There was a talk of television; so in addition to people ringing you up on the 'phone and talking to you, there was a prospect of them actually seeing what you were doing. A few years ago a man who could drive a motor car was considered a kind of super man.

All material progress has come from study and research, and by following the laws of nature; all theories respecting farming woud "go west" if the laws of nature were not obeyed. 

Fellowship is one of the laws of God and those who belonged to large families knew what that meant. If there were any present who were members of a large family let them thank God for it, for they had received their education, especially if they happened to be the youngest member of the family, for their elder brothers and sisters would see to it that they roughed it.

God had given us parents, brothers and sisters, and we had to learn to live together - sometimes with people we did not like, but all had a common job to do for God, and without Him we can do nothing.

During the singing of the last hymn a collection was taken for the Ordination Candidates Fund, and the service concluded with the Blessing pronounced by the Bishop.

After the service the Bishop, the Clergy, and members of the congregation were entertained at Wyddiall Hall by Sir Charles and Lady Heaton-Ellis.

Miss Marion Macklin, L.R.A.M., presided at the organ.

19th Feb 1926 - Church Sunday School

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Church Sunday School

The Sunday School Sunday was observed on Sunday last at St Peter's. In the morning the children occupied a prominent place. Children's hymns were sung, and the sermon by the Vicar, on Ephesians vi. 1-4, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Fathers...bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," was such as the children could not fail to understand.

In the afternoon a service was held, when the parents were largely represented. The Prize-giving will be held today (Friday) at "The George" Assembly Room at 7, to which all parents and friends of the children are warmly invited. Mr B. Thody is kindly giving a lantern entertainment after the prizes have been given.

Lent services will be held throughout Lent on Thursday evenings (for the most part) at 7. The preachers on February 25th will be the Rev. A.G. King.

12th Feb 1926 - Westmill - Church Renovation Fund Concert

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Westmill

CHURCH RENOVATION FUND CONCERT

A concert, in aid of the above fund, was given at the Village Hall, Westmill, on Wednesday evening last.

The preliminary arrangements were ably carried out by Mrs Deacon (of Knight's Hill), and Mr F. Anthony (Buntingford), and a lengthy programme was gone through - most of the items being encored.

Previous to the first item on the programme, Mrs Deacon referred to the church being over 800 years old, and that repairs, of course, were necessary from time to time, and also that as it was a heritage to us, said it was only right we should keep it in good condition.

The concert was thoroughly enjoyed, and the room packed to overflowing. All the artists gave there [sic] services free.

A substantial sum was realized [sic], and will be given to the fund.

Before the close, the Rev. A.G. King thanked the promoters, and also everyone who has assisted in making the entertainment such a success.