10th September 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Since any matter under this heading has appeared in our columns our little town has been honoured with an up-to-date postage stamp machine.

It is a convenient addition, and is, we believe, used by a large number who previously have made a habit of calling on neighbours for stamps on Sunday evenings.

***

The Electric Light Standards have been erected in our district in a very short while, and it is expected that before Christmas the current will be passing through the miles of cable now being fixed.

There does not, however, appear to be any chance of a supply for the town this year, as a transforming station will have to be built near the town.

***

Another motor accident has occurred at the Harestreet road Corner. The alterations to the bridge do not appear to have had the desired effect, the trouble being due to the fact that the Harestreet road traffic cannot be seen by motorists coming from the town until they reach the crown of the bridge.

The vast majority of motorists appear to be afflicted with a superstitious dread of carrying the simplest requisites and remedies that might be useful should a mishap occur.

Perhaps it is thought that a "medical" case will invite a catastrophe, much as some men and women imagine that the making of a will may hasten his or her death.

A few bandages, some iodine and sticking plaster do not take up much room.

***

7th January 1927 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

The custom of giving treats is still maintained in Buntingford.

During the past week, two treats - one to the old folks and one to the young - gave untold pleasure.

On Saturday - New Year's Day - Mrs F.J. Robinson, with her customary kindness and thoughtfulness gave a sausage dinner to the inmates of the Poor Law Institution.

There was still a festive appearance about the place, the decorations for Xmas still adorning the large dining hall with its beautifully scrubbed floor. On spotless white table cloths, plates, knives and forks were laid ready for the annual sausage dinner.

Punctually at 1 p.m., the inamtes filed into the room, the women and children sitting at one table and the men at another. Large white enamelled pots of hot sausages and vegetables were carried in by attendants, and soon the inmates were enjoying a meal that is not on the official menu of the Institution.

Beer and minerals - a very generous helping too - were served during the meal, at the close of which the entire company stood up and drank to the health of Mrs Robinson.

The came the distribution of an ounce of tobacco to the men, who filled their pipes while one of the inmates sang a very old song about a "White Part-i-ridge." Another inmate, an old soldier, also sang, but it was difficult to catch words other than "The Ship that never returned." Most of the company seemed to know the chorus for they joined in heartily.

Then the women went back to their quarters and left the men to their pipes and "forty winks."

The other party was at the Ex-Service Men's Club on Monday last, where everything went jolly from 4 o'clock to 7.30.

A feature of the party seemed to be the excellent manner in which the children behaved. There was no snobishness as is sometimes seen when adults gather for tea and games, and but for one sturdy little fellow, who wanted Dad near him during tea, the entire company did justice to a very sumptuous tea.

After grace, led by Mr E.E. Dennis, had been sung, the long tables were cleared away, and community singing on a small scale started the evening's enjoyment. "This old man came rolling home" was taken up by everybody.

"Spinning the tray," "musical stick" (with Mr Dennis at the piano), "family coach" and "passing the pennies" were other games which all (including the adults) enjoyed.

The arrival of "Father Christmas" was the signal for more cheering, and the intimation that the gifts were about to be distributed from the huge Christmas tree.

Before toys were handed out, each child received a National Savings' Card bearing two sixpenny stamps - an excellent idea considering that last year's gift of a similar nature has led to a good deal of saving.

There was really an excellent assortment of toys &c., and a box of puzzles given to one little girl caused a good deal of perplexity amongst the grown-ups.

Before leaving, oranges, chocolate, weets and cakes were distributed, and one noticed that the National Anthem was sung none too lustily.

18th June 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Encouraging the Youngsters

The School Sports held on Thursday of last week were a step in the right direction. Perhaps one of our local schools will turn out an English champion.

The way to the top of the ladder is easy through the School Sports Association for any lad with the right stuff in him.

The Weather

The weather conditions were decidedly bad for a sports meeting, competitors and spectators alike being driven to cover by the heavy showers which fell during the afternoon and evening.

Every available nook and corner seemed to be taken up when the rain came on, and two boys were seen taking shelter under a motor car crowded with children.

The Ladies

Once again that wonderful band of "helpers" rose to the occasion and did their very best in the management of the teas.

Under a roughly made shelter, which threatened to collapse at any minute, they worked untiringly for some six hours under trying conditions.

The Officials

The excellent arrangements for the sports were made by Mr E.E. Dennis, who was assisted on the day by a band of workers. Of these, Mr Roberson and Mr E.C. Clarke deserve special mention.

Mr Clarke spent the whole of the afternoon and evening in a bell tent recording and tabulating the results of the various events. His task was made more difficult by the competitors themselves - some thirty of them crowding into the little tent during the heavy showers.

More Difficulties

The sports were originally arranged for Wednesday, June 2nd, but had to be postponed on account of the wet weather. On Wednesday of last week most of the arrangements were complete and a large marquee was erected to serve as a tea tent and a shelter combined.

The gale of Wednesday night brought the tent down and damaged the poles so much that it was impossible to erect it again. In addition some cattle broke through the sports enclosure during the night and badly damaged the running tapes and pegs.

Another tent received such bad treatment from the elements that it had to be pulled down just before the competitors began to arrive.

28th May 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

A Sunshine Holiday - Holidaymakers were about in large numbers on Sunday and Monday, the bright sunshine and warm air keeping out of doors until a late hour.

On Monday a large number of motor coaches passed through the town, and one coach, whose occupants alighted in a narrow road near Buckland for a picnic tea, was only with difficulty turned round for home.

**

The Women's Institute Fete - The sun contributed in no small way to the success of the Women's Institute Fete, held at the charming grounds of Layston Court on Whit-Monday. The sum of nearly £16 was taken at the gate, this representing an attendance of over 600.

**

The Fortune Teller - A Gipsy fortune-teller, who persuaded the gate keepers to let her through, was the centre of an interesting crowd, and those who knew her identity were smiling at the bewilderment of those who were wondering seriously why such a person was allowed to trade under the very noses of the stall-holders.

Before entering the grounds, the Gipsy Lady enquired of a Police Officer whether she would be allowed inside. "Its more of a charitable affair than anything" said the officer, who five minutes later discovered that the lady was there for good of the cause.

As a result of her efforts the Gipsy handed over the excellent sum of £5 to the Fete funds.

**

The Competitions - The most surprising result of the various competitions was that of the bowls. Mr Walter May, who had never before handled a wood, beating all the seasoned players of the Buntingford Bowls Club. Last year he won a clock gold competition, the first time he handled a Club.

21st May 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Buntingford and the Strike - T.U.C. and N.U.R. - This Weather - A Strange Gathering - Food Only

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Well done! The thanks of the public are due to those ladies and gentlemen of Buntingford and district who gave their services in various ways during the strike.

There were many things which had to be dealt with, and the spirit in which all volunteers gave their services was much admired.

**

The Mails - Throughout the ten days of the strike, the mails for Buntingford and district were conveyed to and from Ware by local car owners.

An official of the Post Office accompanied the mails on each occasion, and there is no doubt that some speed records were put up on the Ware road - Express delivery with a vengeance.

**

A Police Speed Up - The writer of these notes recollects an incident which occurred during a Parliamentary Election some years before the war. 

A motor car had been sent out to a distant part to bring in three Police Constables to poll at Buntingford. The poll closed at 7 p.m., and at two minutes to that the car had not returned.

At 6.59 a droning noise was heard and a crowd of persons near the Conservative and Liberal Committee Rooms in the High Street knew that the car was coming down the hill from Hillside. It was a race against the clock, and as the car tore up the High Street to the cheers of the waiting crowd the town clock struck the hour; the constables were just in time to record their votes.

**

Food Only - Reference was made in this Paper last week to a Ford van which carried a side of bacon on the bonnet.

Last Friday a lorry passing through the town had chalked on the back "Milk for Baby," "Beer for Dad."

**

The Canteen - The all-night canteen for lorry drivers was a boon to several tired and cold men who were engaged in transporting food-stuff to London from the market gardens of Cambridge and Lincolnshire.

On Monday morning four persons of very different callings met in the canteen. One was the driver of a lorry loaded with cabbages, another a member of the Editorial Staff of The Daily Telegraph, one a petrol distributing agent, and one a gipsy in a pair of very worn boots and a ragged coat, whose horse had strayed from Westmill where a "pull up" had been made for the night. Incidentally he was a Yorkshireman, and came from the same town as the same volunteer who served him with a cup of hot coffee.

**

T.U.C. and N.U.R - Much has been said and written of the Policy of the T.U.C. and N.U.R. To save a long debate it is quite easy to find their policy.

Simply turn the letters around, you then have - CUT and RUN.

**

Congratulations - Congratualtions to the Buntingford Musical Society on their success at the Herts. Musical Festival at Letchworth on Saturday.

The adjudicator, Dr Whitaker, spoke highly of the Buntingford Choir. The choir passed on the compliments to their able conductor, Mr E.E. Dennis, to whom the efficiency of the choir is undoubtedly due.

**

Whitsun Weather - Unless there is a considerable change in the weather this weekend there is little prospect of a sunshine Whitsun, such as we have experienced for the past seven years.

Our gardens and farm crops are sadly in need of the warm sun. In many gardens early potatoes have suffered from frost, which has occurred on several nights recently.

**

The Women's Institute Fete - Given a fine day, the Fete, to be held at Layston Court on Monday, should be a great success.

There are many novel events including a parade of children in fancy dress. From latest reports there will be several well-filled stalls.

5th Feb 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

There was an excellent attendance at the meeting of the Guardians yesterday, but there was no "hush, hush" about the proposed Poor Law Reform.

One of the Councillors rose and condemned the Government's proposals in a ruthless manner, while another Councillor said he spent all last Sunday in trying to fathom what good there was in the proposed reform.

Mr H.C. Marshall must have taken more than an active interest in the matter at the County Council meeting on Monday, for he explained to the Guardians in a very able manner what the County Council thought of the scheme.

***

At the Council meeting which followed there was great speculation as to the fate of the board near Hillside, which informas passers-by that they are about to enter Buntingford.

As the Council propose erecting signs asking motorists to drive slowly through the town, it was suggested that the name board be scrapped.

It was discovered, however, that this was erected by the County Council, and that none but that body have any power to have it removed.