Armistice Day in Buntingford
Excellent Arrangements
Armistice Day was commemorated in a very solemn manner, the local branch of the British Legion, which made all the arrangements, following in a large measure the order of procedure to that so admirably carried out last year.
"Revellie" was sounded at 6 a.m. by Mr J. Gibbs.
Shortly before 11 a.m. a procession was formed opposite the Ex-Service Men's Club. It comprised Ex-Service Men, Boy Scouts (under the command of Ex-Scoutmaster C. Miles), and Special Constables. The procession marched to the Town War Memorial, where the townspeople and a number of Rural District Councillors were assembled.
The introductory portion of the service was read by the Rev. A. Howard, M.A. A stirring address was given by the Rev. W.L. Shepherd, of Great Hormead, after which the two minutes' silence was observed. Then came the singing of the beautiful hymn "The Supremem Sacrifice," after which Capt. H.H. Williams, the President of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion, read out the names of the heroic dead whose names are inscribed on the War Memorial.
The Rev. John Cole read a portion of the scripture, and prayers were offered by Captain Green of the Salvation Army. The Blessing was pronounced by the Rev. L.W. Wright.
Following the singing of the National Anthem each of the bodies represented placed a wreath at the base of the Memorial. Mr E.J. Smith sounded "The Last Post" and the parade reformed and marched to Church Street and dismissed.
YARDS OF PENNIES
The usual collection of pennies in the High Street was conducted by Mr F.W. Butler and Miss Ward, who were assisted by Miss Porter, Miss Lushington, Miss Fell, Miss Mary Feasey and Miss Mary Crane.
JUMBLE SALE
During the afternoon a jumble sale was held at the George Hotel. Mr Crane kindly collected the goods, which were being sold by Mrs Fell, Mrs B.E. Thody, Mrs H. Clarke, Mrs Coleman, Mrs Squires and Mrs Camp. The Ex-Service men are grateful to these ladies, and to all others who assisted with the day's arrangements.
THE CONCERT
The annual concert was held in the Benson Hall during the evening, when a first-class programme was given by "The Gossips," as well-known London Concert Party.
There was a crowded audience, some 200 persons having to be turned away. The platform was decorated with pot plants, kindly lent by Mr E.G. Thody. The programme fittingly opened with the singing of Kipling's Recessional by the Buntingford and District Musical Society, conducted by Mr E.E. Dennis. Altogether the concert was an outstanding success.
Valuable assistance in connection with the concert and the arrangements for the service at the War Memorial was rendered by Captain H.H. Williams, Mr H. Clarke (Secretary of the British Legion Club) and Mr E.C. Clarke (Sec. of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion).
SALE OF POPPIES
The arrangements for the sale of poppies were again undertaken by Mrs H.C. Marshall, who was assisted in the sale by Miss M. Fell, Mrs J. Aylott, Miss P. Mayes, Miss Scrivener, Miss Wilkerson, Miss E. Smith, Miss M. Crane, Miss Armstrong, Mrs L. Smith, Miss Cutts, Miss Lushington, and Masters John and George Taylor.
The villages also assisted, the representatives being: Anstey, Miss Buckwell; Wyddiall, Lady Heaton-Ellis; Aspenden, Miss G. Phillips; Buckland, Miss P. Morris; Westmill, Mrs Coutts-Deacon; Cottered, Miss Wilderspin; part Furneaux Pelham, Mrs Holmes; Meesden, Mrs Kerr; Great and Little Hormead, Mrs Dimsdale; Rushden, Mr E.J. Marchal; Ardeley, Mr J.H. Thorpe.