30th November 1923 - Wyddiall Men's Club Formed

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Wyddiall

Men's Club Formed

On Tuesday evening last, a meeting was held in the schoolroom, the object being to form a Club in the village.

Col. C. Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., presided, and there was a large attendance.

It was decided to form a Club in the village, and to open the room four nights a week. Mr E. Searle was elected Hon. Secretary, and Mr H. Money, Hon. Treasurer.

It is hoped, also, to arrange a small refreshment bar in the Club Room. 

The subscription was fixed at 3/- for the season. Col. Ellis said he was pleased to let the Club have the use of the schoolroom, and he wished it every success.

Magazines would be welcome, and should be sent to the Club Room.

30th November 1923 - Buntingford Improvement Society

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To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Buntingford Improvement Society

Sir,

The correspondence in this matter has undoubtedly shown that a certain amount of interest is in existence as to the possibilities of this Society, which suggests that its activities might be advantage be re-commenced.

When formed, the actual name of the Society was not popular with some supporters, who thought it should be a Ratepayer's Association instead.

I propose calling a Public Meeting sometime in the week following the General Election, a notice of which will appear in the advertisement columns of the "Gazette" next week, when it is hoped that all those interested will attend.

The whole question can ben be thoroughly discussed, and let us hope the Society with such good objects can be resuscitated, even if it is necessary to re-christen it.

The Society certainly effected many improvements in addition to bringing together those interested in the Town, while its primary object was the mutual benefit of the townspeople generally, but a certain hostility was apparant which a public meeting may help to remove.

Yours faithfully,

H. Clarke, Hon. Secretary.

30th November 1923 - Fire Protection

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To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Fire Protection

Sir,

The outbreak of fire at Hare Street, an account of which appeared in your last issue, has aroused interest on the question of fire protection in Buntingford and district.

Before the war, the Buntingford Fire Brigade were an efficient and well-equipped body. The Brigade, however, was a voluntary one, and any renewels and repairs were, I understand, borne by the Brigade itself.

Today, voluntary service is a different matter, in which the cost of accoutrements, &c., and the loss of renumerative time play a large part. It is also doubtful whether at any during the day, horses could be obtained to draw the engine to the scene of a fire out of Buntingford itself.

Fortunately, in Buntingford, a good supply of water is available from the town mains, but a body of men is necessary to deal with any outbreak of fire, and to know the exact position of any of the various fire hydrants.

It is argued that the Ware or Hertford engines could be summoned, but should a fire break out in the town considerable damage might be caused before any outlying brigade arrived.

It is thought that steps should be taken to ensure that, in the event of a fire in Buntingford or district, the outbreak could be dealt with at once. Perhaps this important matter will come before the Buntingford and District Improvement Society.

Yours faithfully,

Tradesman, High Street, Buntingford.

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Transcriber note - There isn't a copy of the report of the Hare Street fire referred to at the beginning of this article.

30th November 1923 - Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society

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Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society

Special Meeting of Members

Important Business Transacted

A special general meeting of the members of this Society was held at the Foresters' Hall on Monday last.

The Chief Ranger, Bro. J. Cutts, presided, and was supported by the Sub-Chief Ranger, Bro. E. Saunders; the Secretary, Bro. Ernest G. Thody; the Asst. Secretary, Bro. B.E. Thody; Bro. J. Cornwell, Trustee; the Woodwards, Bros. E. Bolton and G. Wallis; and the Beadles, Bros. D. Wallis and W. Budd.

There was a good attendance of members.

The Secretary stated that the Committee had been requested by the Ministry of Health to consider the advisability of amalgamating with some parent Society, in order that the assets and liabilities might be consolidated.

The Committee had carefully investigated the matter, and had approached the Cambridge General Benefit Society, who were willing to take over the management and liabilities of such Club matters that related to the National Health Insurance.

The Secretary said he wished it to be clearly understood that only such matters as related to the National Health Insurance would be dealt with by the Cambridge Society, and that the Buntingford Independent Foresters' Society would continue to exist in its entirety, just as it was before the National Health Insurance Act came into force.

The following resolution was then put to the meeting, and was voted on by ballot, the result of which was as follows:

For the resolution - 136

Against - 13

The Cambridge General Benefit Society covers a wide area in Herts., Cambs., and Essex, and amongst other Society's amalgamated are the Buntingford Union Association, and the Bishops Stortford Foresters' Friendly Society.

The Buntingford Independent Foresters' Society is open to membership to all between the age of 10 and 40 years. There is a Section for juveniles, and the sick and disablement benefits compare favourably with any other Society in the country.