The relatives of the late Mr F. Cowtan Furness wish to express their thanks for the many expressions of sympathy and offers of help receive in their recent bereavement.
Mr and Mrs C.F. Keen and all relatives of the late Stanley C.F. Keen, otherwise called "Pet," who passed away the 2nd March, 1927, wish to return their heartfelt thanks to all who extended kind sympathy during their sad bereavement; and to thank those who sent the most thoughtful and beautiful wreaths.
Football
Greg Cup Semi-Final
Buntingford 4. Stevenage 2.
Considering the weather and the treacherous state of the ground, the match between Buntingford and Stevenage, played on the town ground on Saturday, was quite a good one.
There was a moderate attendance when the teams lined up several minutes later than the advertised time of starting.
Stevenage, who kicked down the slope for the first-half, were soon away, but were repelled by Thorogood, whose long kick sent H. May away on the left wing; after beating the visitors right back, May sent in a fine shot which went over the bar.
The visitors' quintette then got away, and through a misunderstanding between the home backs, the ball came across the mouth of the home goal with six or seven players after it; a melee followed, and from this Leech pushed the ball into the corner of the net to give Stevenage the lead. A few minutes later further pressure on the visitors' left wing caused the home defence a good deal of trouble, one shot skimming the goal-post.
Following a run by Wallis and Birkett, the latter shot at goal, and the ball, striking the visitors' left back, turned into the net.
In the second-half E. Moule put in some excellent work, one of his efforts being remarkably good. E. Hatchett and Rayment were also in the picture with some fine passes, which were turned to good account.
By this time the rain, which continued to fall heavily, had made the ground in a treacherous state, the players finding it very difficult to keep their feet. A break through by Stevenage resulted in Leech scoring with a fine shot. The next goal came from Wallis, who scored for the town from close range.
During the ensuing exchanges, the Stevenage defence was seen to advantage, but their goalkeeper was eventually beaten by W. May, who sent in a beautiful shot from 20 yards out. There was considerable excitement when the visitors were pulled up for an infringement on the touch line, but the resultant free kick, taken by E. Hatchett, went wide. A few minutes from the end, Birkett added another goal for the Fords by driving the ball through a crowd of players and into the corner of the net.
The two teams kept their tempers better than their feet, and it was noted that the only free kicks were for offside or an infringement on the touch line. As the ground was in such a bad state, it would be unfair to comment on the play of the individual members of the town team, but one word of praise must be voiced by E. Moule, who again proved himself a fearless, clever and speedy winger.
As Hitchin Imps won their match on Saturday they meet Buntingford in the final on Easter Monday. It is unlikely that the match will be played at Hitchin.
Correspondence
To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.
Incorporated Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmens' Help Society
Dear Sir,
We are anxious to make known in the County, that the Hertfordshire Branch of the Incorporated Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmens' Help Society, is being revived and put in working order.
The existence of the many organizations which the necessities of the war called into being, such as the United Services Fund, British Legion, Red Cross Emergency Fund, &c., might naturally suggest that the activities of the older society were no longer needed.
Careful enquiry, however, shows that this is not so, and those who deal with the applications for help find many cases among
(1) Serving soldiers and sailors in distress,
(2) Ex-Service men who have seen no War Service or who had enlisted since the War,
which do not come under the Rules of these other Funds and cannot be helped by them, and for which the care of the Soldiers and Sailors Help Society is indispensable, if the County organization is to be complete.
This Society aims at having a representative for each town or village to advise these men, to help get them employment or to put them in touch with other agencies which may be able to help them.
The importance of co-operation with the other Ex-service Organizations is fully recognised, and whenever it is possible it is hoped that the local representatives of the other Societies may be willing to represent the Soldiers and Sailors Help Society, also, as to concentrate the work for soldiers under one head, and to prevent any danger of overlapping.
We hope that this short account of the reasons for the revival of the work of the Society may show that experience has proved its necessity, and that the interest and assistance of all those who care for the welfare and comfort of Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen in Hertfordshire may be extended towards making the Society as useful in the future as it was in the past.
All information as to Local Representatives can be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Miss Dorothy Newsam, The Red Cottage, Broxbourne.
Hampden, Alice Salisbury.
March, 1927.
Congregational Church Notes
The preacher last Sunday was Mr John Patmore, who at short notice conducted both morning and evening worship, and whose very helpful services were very much appreciated.
On Tuesday evening, March 8th, a visit was paid by Miss Simmonds, who for over 30 years has worked in India under the London Missionary Society.
Miss Simmonds spoke on her work among the women and girls in India, and her visit was very much appreciated.