25th March 1927 - Buntingford & District Agricultural Debating and Discussion Society

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Buntingford & District Agricultural Debating and Discussion Society

The last meeting of the 1926-27 season of the above Society took place at the Assembly Room, the George Hotel, on Tuesday evening.

The chair was taken by Mr A. Macarthur, who introduced the principal speaker (Mr J.W. Reid, of Oaklands).

The subject down for discussion was "The business side of Farming," and, as the speaker said, it was one for wide consideration.

In farming it was often necessary to lose on one branch in order to gain on another. Sheep farming, he said, often failed as a business proposition, but its value in manuring the land could not be reckoned in £ s d.

In many cases economies could be effected in labour, it had been proved that the average proportion of labour to the expenditure of a farm was 28 per cent, and while to try and effect economy in labour would mean disaster in many cases, it had been found that quite a number of farms were under-staffed.

Economy in horse labour could often be effected. There was also the question of economy in manures by purchasing the right kind. It had been found that 12,000 acres in Hertfordshire were deficient in lime. Economy in feeding stuffs should also be practised.

The speaker then dealt with the question of increased receipts, and dealt with such matters as dairy farming, poultry and store cattle.

Mr Macarthur, Mr Scarborough Taylor and Mr S. Pigg took part in the discussion which followed, and at the close Mr Macarthur, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Reid, said he wished, on behalf of the Society, to thanks Mr Hunter-Smith for the help he had given them. He regretted that some of the meetings had been poorly attended, and he hoped that if the Society carried on next year they would have an increased membership.

Mr S. Pigg seconded the vote of thanks, and Mr J. Laird, in supporting the vote, said he thought there were many who did not realise what Oaklands was doing for them.

The vote was carried with acclamation.

Mr J.W. Reid and Mr J. Hunter-Smith replied, and said that if it was decided to carry on next year they would be pleased to help.

22nd April 1927 - Anstey - The Late Mr James Cowlin Pigg

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Anstey

The Late Mr James Cowlin Pigg

Impressive Scenes at Church and Graveside

It is with sincere regret and sympathy with the bereaved relatives we record the decease of Mr James Cowlin Pigg, of Anstey Hall.

The deceased, who had been ill for some considerable time, passed away in a London nursing home on Wednesday of last week. His death, at the age of 41 years has brought great sorrow, not only to the parish but to the whole district.

The deceased's father, the late Mr J. Pigg, farmed the 700 acre Hall Farm for over 30 years, and at his death some six years ago, the villagers were happy to think that his son, "Jimmy," was to remain with them and farm the land his father had left. "Jimmy" as he was known to all, was a man of whom no one spoke ill. A good farmer and a very generous employer, he was loved by all who came into contact with him. The most marked characteristic of him was his love of fair play and fair dealings. He was also a lover of sport and was considered an excellent shot.

Prior to the Great War he joined the Herts Yeomanry, but at the outbreak of war he expressed a wish to go abroad and was transferred to the R.G.A. and saw a good deal of fighting in Palestine. 

Ater the war he returned to Anstey, where he took an interest in all local affairs. A staunch Conservative, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the cause. He was also a member of the Buntingford Board of Guardians and Rural District Council.

The deceased was only married some two years ago.

The Funeral

The popularity of the deceased over a wide area was testified to by the large number who assembled for the funeral on Monday afternoon last. The interior of the Church was bright with Easter flowers, many of them having grown in the woods on the Hall farm. The full choir was present, and the service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. F.R. Williams, assisted by the Rural Deal (The Rev. W. McKerr), and The Rev W.L. Shepherd (Hormead). The hymn song was "Peace, perfect peace."

The coffin was plain oak, and was borne from the Hall by eight of the deceased's employees. The interment took place in a flower-lined grave at the east end of the churchyard, being only separated from the Hall garden by a yard entrance to the Hall.

The immediate mourners were: Mrs J.C. Pigg (widow), Mr H.F. Pigg (cousin), Miss Pigg and Miss G. Pigg (sisters), Mr and Mrs L. Duke (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs Seabrook and Mrs Baker (aunts), Mr and Mrs E. Pigg, jun. (cousins), Mr and Mrs F. Pigg, and Mr T. Coleman.

Among others present were - Mrs Wyman, Mrs Dimsdale, Miss F. Pigg, Miss N. Pigg, Mrs Oyler, Miss Beale, Miss N. Ashford, Mrs Monk-Jones, Miss Lyall, Mrs C.R. Turney, Mrs White, Mrs H.F. Pigg, Mrs Turney, Miss Coleman, The Rev. L.W. Wright, Rev. Morton, Mr and Mrs S. Pigg, Mr and Mrs W.T. Patten, Mr and Mrs F.B. Cannon, Mr and Mrs W. Johnson, Mr and Mrs J.F. Lofts (Stortford), Mr H. Clarke (representing the Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club) and Mrs Clarke, Mr and Mrs Hammond (Ware), Captain E.T. Morris, Dr H.E. Dixon, Messrs. T. May, H. Fry, J.R. Russell, J. Russell, G. Scarborough Taylor, P. Hamilton, E. Mildren, R. Gardener, F. Brown, W. George, W. Millbank, F. Sapsed, W.J. Sapsed, F. Prime, Andrew Weir, C. Bolton, C. Johnson, H. May, F. Rand (Kelshall), A.W. Page, S. Lees, Harry May, J. May, H.R. Stubbing, A. Macarthur, V. Pledger, C. Burr, W. Burr, F. Dibbin (representing the local branch of the Conservative Association), Herbert Ward, G. Andrews, S. Hoy, W.J. May, J.S. Baker, T.J. Stick, H.E. Dudley, Jack Pigg, J. Woollard, B. Kent, S.A. Rice, H. Mole, C.P. Mole, C. Chapman (Standon), John Coleman, and Messrs. F.W. Butler, E.G. Thody, and H.H. Macklin (officers of the Buntingford Guardians and R.D.C.)

There was also a large number of villagers and employees present.

15th April 1927 - Buckland Women's Institute

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Buckland

Women's Institute

On Wednesday, April 6th, the monthly meeting was held in the School at 6.30 p.m. This was arranged and very successfully carried through by members, the 1927 committee having a complete rest.

Mrs S. Pigg took the chair as President, Mrs F. Pigg was Vice-President, Mrs T. Pigg Secretary, and with the help of other members they are to be congratulated on such a successful and happy meeting.

Rather a lengthy business programme was gone through, and then Mrs Whiteside, of Barkway, gave a very interesting demonstration on sealing wax work.

The vote of thanks passed to this lady was very heartily carried.

Tea was a very pleasant time. The refreshments had been given by members, and thus the three-pences charged were clear profit, and these, with the pennies taken from those who would neither sing nor say, amounted to 15/9, which went to the Outing Fund.

Much fun was derived from the "Roll Call," as also from a play by four members, Mrs Young, Mrs Jarman, Mrs Tott and Miss M. Gilby, entitled "The Jumble Sale." It was well acted, and it is to be hoped will spur members on to thus entertain each other.

After a set of Musical Chairs, and Miss N. Pigg's congratulations on this well arranged meeting, the singing of God save the King brought another pleasent time to a close.

27th May 1927 - Nursing Association

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Nursing Association

The Committee of this beneficient Association have just issued their thirtieth annual report and balance sheet. Both will be perused with general interest.

The Committee acknowledge the generosity of the subscribers and their kindly thoughts in providing, in so many different ways, such substantial assistance to the funds of the Association, and beg to thank sincerely, "The Bunties" for their talented entertainment; Miss Lushington for another successful whist drive; all those who managed and collected on flag day; to the Foresters,' Mr Fry, and those who took collecting boxes; to Miss Pigg for her concert; to Mr Hedges for the time and skill he gives to the motorcycle; to Mr Jeff Smith for finding the accommodation for it; and to Mr E.C. Clarke for auditing the accounts.

There is also a reference in the report to the death of Mrs Elliott, who for many years helped and supported the Association.

The report refers to the popularity of Nurse Davies and Nurse Tunwell, whose excellent work and kind attention has been a boon to the patients and a satisfaction to the Committee. Nurse Davies paid 2,480 visits during the year, and Nurse Tunwell 1,379.

The balance sheet, including a balance in hand at the beginning of the year, shows total receipts £341 14s. 5d., and a credit balance of £20 2s. 9d. 

The chief items on the receipt side are: Subscriptions £78 18s. 6d., donations £68 7s. 11d., collections in Churches £8 18s. 9d., collecting boxes £3 4s., cottage monthly subscriptions £15 2s. 1d., maternity fees £25 7s., health and maternity grants £18 15s. 6d., contributions from Cottered £41 12s. 9d., from Rushden £18 8s. 8d., and from Westmill £28 2s. 7d.

Thanks from the town and district is accorded to the Committee and district representatives for their valuable services, and sincere gratitude is accorded Mrs Alex Dixon, the Chairman and Hon. Sec. Her devoted services for many years have been invaluable to the wellbeing of the Association.