2nd March 1928 - Death and Funeral of an Old Resident

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Death and Funeral of an Old Resident

The death of Mrs E. Plumb, wife of Mr William Plumb, occurred at the Hertford County Hospital on Saturday in last week.

Mrs Plumb was born in the village close on seventy years ago, where she was greatly respected by the inhabitants. The mortal remains were brought to Aspenden the following Wednesday, and rested in the deceased's home throughout the night before burial on Thursday afternoon.

The Rev. A.G. King, Rector of Westmill, conducted the service, and the family mourners included: Mr W. Plumb (husband), Mrs Savage (daughter), Messrs. William and Fred Plumb (sons), Mrs Tolts (sister), Mrs Gooch (sister-in-law), Mr Arthur Plumb and Miss Annie Plumb (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mrs W. Plumb (daughter-in-law), Mr John Plumb (brother-in-law), Mrs Bunn, Mrs Morly, Mrs Waters and Miss L. Plumb (nieces), and Mrs Miller (grand-daughter).

There was also a large number present at the Church to pay their last respects to the memory of the deceased, and there was a collection of beautiful floral tokens, and included wreaths from Mrs Steel, Mrs A. Wilson, Mrs H. Poulton, Mrs Fletcher, Captain and Mrs Williams; a small posy was also sent by Master Leslie Moule, who showed many little kindnesses to the deceased in her old age.

The Rev. King, preaching at the Parish Church on Sunday morning, referred to the deceassd's [sic] life and her simple faith. Much symyathy [sic] is extended to the family in their bereavement.

18th March 1927 - Aspenden - Consecration of New Burial Ground by Bishop Lander

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Aspenden

Consecration of New Burial Ground by Bishop Lander

The beautiful little church of St Mary's, Aspenden, was the scene of an important ceremony on Wednesday of last week, when the consecration of the new burial ground was carried out by Bishop Lander, the Assistant Bishop of St Albans.

The new burial ground is situate on the south side of the old Churchyard, and has been given by Sir Arthur Lushington. One-sixth of the ground has been reserved for Sir Arthur Lushington and members of his family. The cost of enclosing the ground has been defrayed by Mr H.C. Marshall, of "Longmead," Buntingford, and the cost of making the entrance by Miss G. Lushington of "Absesdene," Buntingford, thus the new ground has been opened free of debt.

Bishop Lander was attended by the Rural Dean (the Rev. W.J.L. Dutton), and the following clergy: Rev. H.R. Shepherd (Hormead), Rev. F.R. Williams (Ansty), and the Rev. A.G. King (Westmill).

Amongst the congregation were Mr and Mrs W. Steel, of Aspenden Hall; the Rev. and Mrs L.W. Wright, of Wyddiall; Miss Lushington, Mrs R.W. Fell, Mrs L.C. Croslegh, and Mrs A. Howard. The Rev. A. Howard was unable to be present.

The service in the Church was conducted by the Rector, the Lesson, taken from II St John, being read by the Rev. A.G. King.

In an address from the chancel steps, the Bishop said they were preparing a place, not for those who were dead, but for themselves. Life is short, and though we do not dread death, as Christians we make provisions for the future. When the life goes out of a body we treat that body with respect. A Churchyard should be the best kept garden in any parish; all the flowers should be of the best, and there should be no untidiness, for it was a place of sympathy and unity.

He (the Bishop) had spent many years in China, a country where there was much show at a funeral and very little hope after the grave. In setting aside a burial ground they were asserting their belief that our Lord is Lord of all, and we go forth in faith and confidence and look to our own decease.

As the procession left the Church the choir and congregation sang the hymn "Soldiers who are Christ's below." The Bishop, accompanied by the Churchwarden (Mr E.S. Fletcher), and followed by the clergy, the choir and the congregation, then proceeded to the new burial ground.

At the entrance to the plot, the Rector, addressing the Bishop, said "Reverend Father in God, we beg you to consecrate this ground for the burial of our people."

The Bishop then replied "I am willing to perform the consecration, to which let us proceed in peace."

The procession the perambulated the boundaries of the plot, during which Psalm xci. was said, after which the sentence of consecration was read and signed by the Bishop.

The Bishop then made the following declaration:

"By virtue of our sacred office in the Church of God, we Michael, by Divine Permission Bishop of St Albans, do now consecrate, and for ever set apart from all profane and common uses, this ground, to be the resting-place of the bodies of the dead until the glorious Resurrection of the last day; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

A prayer for all who mourn and the Blessing concluded the ceremony, and the procession returned to the church chanting the Nunc Dimittis.

3rd June 1927 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis (in the chair), H.C. Marshall, William Steel, G.C. Coutts-Deacon, and G.W. Pepper, Esps. The last three named gentlemen took their seats on the Bench for the first time.

No Licence

Charles Clark, of 20, Balmouth Road, Borough, London, was charged with driving a motor lorry without being duly licensed, at Chipping.

P.C. Hill, who proved the case, said that he stopped the defendant, who was driving a six-wheeled vehicle, at 2.30 a.m. The defendant told him that he had lost his licence since last November.

A fine of £2, including costs, was imposed.

A Regrettable Case

What was described by all parties concerned as a very regrettable case, came before the Bench, when Daisy Hilda Page (aged 17), of Rushden, Buntingford, made application for an affiliation order against John Sydney Lyon (aged 15), also of Rushden.

The case lasted nearly two hours, the complainant being in the witness box for an hour.

After a short adjournment, the Chairman said that the Bench had given the case their very deepest and sincerest consideration, and they were of the opinion that there was inssuficient evidence to make an order.

The case would, therefore, be dismissed.

A Rate Summons

Harry D. Piper, of "Wedlands," Hare Street, Buntingford, did not appear to a summons for non-payment of Poor Rate.

Mr W.C. Kitchen, the Assistant Overseer, was granted a distress warrant.

24th Feb 1928 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E. (in the chair), Capt. H.H. Williams, Claud Fraser, William Steel, and G.W. Pepper, Esqs.

NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE

Ernest Newman, of 15, Council Cottages, Cottered, brought a charge of common assault against his neighbour, Jack Gravestock. Gravestock pleaded "not guilty."

The plaintiff said that on Saturday, 7th January, he returned to his home shortly after 9 p.m. After he had been indoors some minutes he heard someone at the front door. He went to the door and the defendant took hold of him and tried to pull him out. Some men were standing at the front gate, and the plaintiff went down the path to enquire what was the matter. Jack Gravestock then took hold of him and pushed him on the village green, and dumped him in the mud two or three times. He afterwards reported the matter to the police.

Edith Newman, wife of the complainant, said she was having a few words with her husband on the night in question when the defendant came to the front door and tried to pull her husband outside. Later her husband went outside and was pushed in some mud by defendant.

Cross-examined, witness stated that her husband was not drunk that night.

The defendant, in giving evidence, said that at about 10.20 p.m. on the Saturday night in question he was indoors with his parents when he heard screams of "murder" and "help." He went to the front door, where he saw Mrs Newman, who asked him to hit her husband.

Newman then came out of the house and witness said to him "I want to see you; come on to the green." Newman walked over to the green and slipped down in the mud, where he laid for some minutes.

Mrs Hearne, of 14, Council Cottages, said that at 10.30 p.m. on the day in question she heard someone screaming. She ran outside, and saw Mrs Newman lying in the path. When Newman came out of the house she asked him to go to his wife's assistance, and he replied "She is only putting it on."

Harry Gravestock, the defendant's father, gave evidence, and said that when he went outside Mrs Newman was shouting "murder" and asking for protection. When Newman came out into the road he walked on to the green, and slipped and fell in the mud.

Harry Hearn and Joseph Pepper said they stood in the road and saw Newman fall down in the mud. The defendant did not push him down.

Mrs Gravestock, the defendant's mother, said there was an awful row outside, and when she went out Mrs Newman told her that Newman would kill her son. The witness went out on to the green where she saw her son (the defendant) standing with another man. She went up to the man, and, thinking he was Newman, smacked his face. She then discovered it was Mr Pepper she had struck. (Laughter). The witness added she helped Newman up and pushed him indoors.

The Chairman said the Bench were of the opinion that the assault had not been proved. The case would be dismissed.

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A CHILD

Mrs K. Goss, a married woman, of Buntingford, was summoned by John E. Gibbs, of Buntingford, for alleged cruelty to his child, Frederick Gibbs, aged three years.

The plaintiff, in a lengthy statement to the Bench, said that while his wife was in hospital his three children were placed in the care of Mrs Goss. He paid her £1 per week for their maintenance.

On Tuesday, 20th December, Mr Goss brought the boy, Frederick, home, stating that the child had misbehaved himself. The complainant found that the child complained, and on examining him it appeared as though the child had been struck. He took the child to the Police Station, where he was examined by Police Officers. He also saw Mrs Goss, who denied thrashing the boy.

Mrs Goss, in giving evidence, said that when she took the children into her care they had chicken-pox. In consequence they had marks on their bodies.

On the morning of December 20th she attended to the boy, Frederick, as usual. When she went to dress him at 7.30 a.m. she found he had misbehaved himself, so she gave him a smacking. She did not smack his head, and the child seemed all right at breakfast. She had three children of her own, and would have treated any of them just the same.

Mr G.H. Maughan, of Messrs Chalmers Hunt & Co., defended, and pointed out that a person who has charge of a child is legally entitled to administer such punishment as is necessary. There were times when corporal punishment was necessary, and this occasion had been one of them.

The complainant then called his daughter (Barbara) to give evidence and further evidence for the defendant was given by her husband and daughter.

The Chairman, in addressing the complainant, said that the Bench had listened with great patience to all the evidence. They were impressed by the fact that the complainant had called no medical evidence to support his case. 

They further noted, from the evidence, that although an officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children had his attention called to the matter, there was some significance in the fact that he did not intervene in the case.

The Bench were of the unanimous opinion that the case must be dismissed.

POSSESSION CASE

The case in which Mrs Page applied for the possession of a cottage in the occupation of Jonah Brown, and which, as reported in our issue of 10th February, was adjourned for the Magistrates to inspect the alternative accommodation offered the tenant, again came before the Bench.

In dismissing the application for possession, the Chairman said that the alternative accommodation offered the tenant was, in the opinion of the Bench, unsuitable.