20th August 1926 - Buntingford Board of Guardians

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

Tramps Still On The Increase

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday (yesterday).

Present: Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman), Capt. H. Williams, The Rev. L.W. Wright, Messrs. G. Graves, A.J. Hayes, E. Bygrave, G.C. Wilson and W.J. May, with the Master (Mr F.W. Butler), the Relieving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin), and the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke).

Master's Report

The Master reported as follows:

Number of inmates - men 15, women 13, children 3. Total 31.

Number admitted to Casual Ward - men 14, women 1. Corresponding period last year, men 2.

During the month two male inmates have died.

Gifts

The following gifts and invitation has been received by the inmates and much appreciated:

Mrs H. May and Mrs Greg (books), Mr E.G. Thody (invitation to Flower Show).

Mr C. Miles has recently overhauled and cleaned the harmonium free of charge.

The Chairman said the members of the Board were very grateful to the donors of the gifts.

Mr G.C. Wilson said he would like to refer to the work Mr Miles had carried out to the harmonium. He had really made a good job of it and had done it free.

The Clerk was instructed to write a letter of thanks to Mr Miles.

House Committee

The House Committee reported as follows:

"The House Committee visited the wards and found all in good order and the inmates comfortable, and well cared for. The contract work was well in hand for the accommodation of the increased number of tramps, and will shortly be completed."

Relief

Cases under this heading were discussed, and instructions given to the Relieving Office.

Other Business

Mr A.J. Hayes stated that some of the tenants of the cottages at Union Row had complained that the large chestnut trees at the entrance to the Institution robbed their bedrooms of light.

After discussion the Master was instructed to have the trees trimmed.

Rates

The Chairman enquired the position with regard to the Poor Rates, and the Clerk stated that some of the parishes had not paid in the amounts required.

13th August 1926 - Women's Institute Group Meeting

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Women's Institute Group Meeting

Members Entertained at Aspenden House

It is fortunate that Aspenden House, the home of Captain and Mrs H.H. Williams, contains so many spacious rooms, for one Thursday of last week some 200 members of the Buntingford Group of the Women's Institute, who were to have been entertained in the beautiful gardens, had to seek shelter indoors.

Mrs Williams, the popular Group Leader, had made all arrangements for an outdoor event, when a heavy shower sent everyone under cover.

The large rooms downstairs were cleared of furniture, and some 200 members from Buntingford, Buckland, Clothall, Hormead, Sandon, Westmill and Weston Institutes were entertained to tea, &c.

There was great enthusiasm throughout the afternoon, and a most enjoyable time was spent by all.

Members of the Westmill Institute gave a delightful sketch, entitled "My Man John," and later Mrs C.R. Turney, of Mardleybury Manor, gave an address on "Co-operation," in which she referred to Mrs Williams' work for the Group.

At the close Mrs May proposed a hearty vote from thanks to Mrs Williams for her hospitality, she had done wonders under such trying conditions.

Mrs E.T. Morris seconded the proposition, which was carried with great cordiality. Votes of thanks to the players and to Mrs Turney were proposed by Mrs H.C. Marshall.

Fortunate, the weather cleared up during the evening, and the company enjoyed a walk around the gardens. Photos of the members were taken on the lawn.

13th August 1926 - Buntingford Bowls Club Fete

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Garden Fete at the Red House

By the kind permission of Mr and Mrs Claud Fraser, a Garden Fete was held at the Red House, Buntingford, on Bank Holiday, in aid of the Buntingford Bowls Club.

It was organised by the committee, the hon. sec. (Mr J. Lawrence) being ably assisted by Mr H. Clarke. Favoured with a brilliant summer's day, the 600 people who attended the Fete entered with zest into the pleasures, and spent indeed a very happy time.

At the opening ceremony of the Fete, Mr W.J. May, the Chairman of the Committee, said Mr Marshall, the President of the Club, who was to open the Fete, was so well known that he needed no introduction.

The Club especially wished to thank Mr and Mrs Fraser for the kindness in placing their beautiful gardens at the disposal of the committee. The Club had hitherto been somewhat handicapped by the use of a green that was slightly below the ordinary standard size, and this had affected their play. The opportunity had arisen of acquiring a suitable piece of land in Wyddiall Road, which was in course of construction as a bowling green.

Mr H.C. Marshall endorsed the remarks of Mr May, and in declaring the Fete open said the Bowls Club had every cause to be grateful to Mr and Mrs Fraser (Applause).

There was a very big choice of attractions, and all were fairly well patronised.

Messrs. Barratt's Jazz Band and Concert Party from Bedford besides playing selections and for dancing on the lawn up to 10 o'clock in th evening, gave two excellent concerts that were greatly appreciated. The humourous items on the programme deserve special mention.

Upwards of a hundred persons tried their skill at the treasure hunt, the treasure being won by Mr H.C. Marshall, whose success highly pleased the visitors. In guessing the weight of a lump of coal, actually weighing 89lbs. 6ozs., Mr E.J. Totman was the winner, his estimate being 90lbs.

Two, Miss Bartrop and Mr C. Fraser, guessed the weight of a cake (4lbs. 3 and three quarts ozs.), and the latter resigned his right, and the cake was handed to Miss Bartrop.

For the bowls competition, Mr F. Boniwell won premier honours with a score of 25, and in clock golf Mr C. Fraser with a score of 23. No less than six tied in hitting the target for a prime ham, which was eventually won by Mr Howard. This was superintended by Mr W.J. May.

The greatest novelty was the pig in a poke, the pig being presented by Mr Mannox, who managed this competition. There were numerous entries, and five tied, the winner being Mr Skipper.

For the stop-watch competition, Mr J.P. Hill, of the Bengeo Club, Hertford, was the winner with only a minute out. He gave the time 3.27, but it actually stopped a minute earlier, 3.26.

The flying arrow pastime in charge of Messrs. E.J. Totman and A. Mayes proved very popular, as also did Mr F.W. Butler's offer of 2s. for a penny, but the anticipations of those who participated in this feat were not altogether realised. A good prize was set apart for the lucky ticket. It turned out to be 126, and the possessor of this ticket has not yet claimed the prize.

It was just the evening for an open air whist drive, and the prizes were won as follows:

Ladies - 1 Miss Boniwell, 2 Mrs Stepley, lowest score Miss Wilds.

Gents - 1 Mr Walsingham, 2 Mr Watson, lowest score Mr Ward.

Teas and refreshments were in great request, and this part of the Fete arrangements was in the capable hands of a ladies' committee, which won high praise for the dainty way the teas were served on the lawn.

At the gate Mr J.L. Cornwell and Mr J. Boniwell, two of the oldest members of the Bowls Club, had charge.

For such a well-arranged Fete, to uphold a good old sport reaching back centuries, the promoters certainly deserved every success, and it is pleasing to record that the proceeds amounted to about £60.

6th August 1926 - Buntingford Local Association of Boy Scouts

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Buntingford Local Association of Boy Scouts

The Annual Rally in connection with the Buntingford and District Local Association of Boy Scouts was held on Wednesday in last week at Longmead (by king permission of H.C. Marshall, Esq., J.P.) There was keen competition and the rally was very successful.

The following three troops competed - Buntingford, Brent Pelham and Furneaux Pelham.

A 3 o'clock the scouts, who were in charge of District Commissioner Major M.E. Barclay, paraded on the Market Hill and then marched to "Longmead," where they competed for the Shield, which was previously held by the Brent Pelham Troop.

As will be seen by the following list, Buntingford and Brent Pelham each gained 75 out of a possible 90 marks, and therefore will hold the shield for six months each.

Buntingford

Turnout - 17

Ambulance - 15

Signalling - 16

Tent Pitching - 17 

Fire Lighting - 10

Total - 75

Brent Pelham

Turnout - 18

Ambulance - 14

Signalling - 20

Tent Pitching - 15

Fire Lighting - 8

Total - 75

Furneaux Pelham

Turnout - 16

Ambulance - 11

Signalling - 18

Tent Pitching - 14

Fire Lighting - 9

Total - 68

Marks possible 90.

The judges were Dr Campbell, Mr E.E. Dennis and Mr G. Last, and Messrs. A. Lake, F.W. Butler, A. Freeman and E.J. Totman acted as stewards.

Mrs Marshall kindly presented the shield to the winning troops, and the scouts thoroughly enjoyed the other sports which took place.

Mr E.E. Dennis (Hon. Sec and Treasurer) thanked Mr and Mrs Marshall for their kindness in placing the meadow at the disposal of the Association, and also for the excellent tea which had been provided.

Major Barclay also spoke of the great interest Mr Marshall had always taken in the Scout Movement in the district.

Cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Marshall, Major Barclay (Secretary) and helps.

Special thanks are due to Messrs. G. Handy, H. May, S. Daniels, E.G. Thody, B.E. Thody, Harry Clark and the Buntingford Congregational Church for loan of materials.

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We have been asked to mention that Scoutmasters are still wanted. More troops could be found if Scoutmasters can be obtained.