14th January 1927 - A Birthday Party

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A Birthday Party

A pleasing little event took place at the Poor Law Institution on Monday afternoon last, the occasion being the 93rd anniversary of the birthday of one of the inmates - Miss E. Purkiss.

The birthday was celebrated by tea in the ward, and in addition to the women inmates, the following joined in the celebrations  Mr F.W. Butler (Master), Mr J.W. Sutterby, Mr E.C. Clarke (Clerk to the Guardians) and the Revd. John. Cole, whilst the serving was very kindly carried out by the Matron (Mrs F.W. Butler), assisted by the nurses.

After tea all joined in the hymn "O God our help in ages past," followed by the offering of prayers and the benediction.

Miss Purkiss was overcome by the many congratulations and good wishes which she received. Among the presents was an iced cake, suitably inscribed, from the Buntingford Board of Guardians.

12th Nov 1926 - Funeral of Mr Joseph Chalkley

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Braughing

Funeral of Mr Joseph Chalkley

The funeral of Mr Joseph Chalkley, whose very sudden death we recorded in our last issue, took place on the 29th ult. The coffin containing the remains was removed by motor hearse from Bedford to Braughing Congregational Church, where the first part of the funal service was impressively conducted by the Rev. W.T. Hailstone.

Bearers then carried the coffin to Braughing Churchyard, where the Rev. W.T. Hailstone took the committal portion of the service, the deceased being interred in the same grave as his wife, who died in 1890.

The immediate mourners were: Messrs. Charles, Thomas, Joseph and Francis Chalkley (sons), Mrs L. Collarbone, Mrs W. Mardell and Miss May Chalkley (daughters), Mr Edgar Chalkley (grandson), Chalkley, Mrs C.S. Hollands and Miss Doris Collarbone (granddaughter), Miss Chalkley (niece), Messrs. James and Wildfrid Chalkley (nephews), Mr and Mrs G. Sutterby (London), and Messrs. J. Bird and Mardell, from Ware.

There was a number of old friends present to pay a last tribute of respect to the member of the deceased, and there was also a number of floral wreathes.

When he left home, on what proved to be his last journey, in bidding his daughter a cheery goodbye, he said, knowing her anxiety as to his travelling so far at his great age of 81, "Don't worry about me wherever I am, I am in God's keeping."

In his last sermon preached at Haynes on the Sunday before his death the following day, from the Psalmist's words, "His name shall endure for ever, &c.," he seemed to have a premonition of death, and spoke of the joy of nearing heaven. To have never failed in any of his preaching engagements for the long period of 30 years, established a beautiful and unbroken record of devoted effort in a good cause.

The funeral arrangements at Braughing were carried out by Mr E.J. Marshall, of "The Dells," Braughing.

13th May 1910 - Buntingford, death of King Edward

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Buntingford

As soon as the sad news of the King's death was known at Buntingford it caused the most profound sorrow.

The ancient town bell was tolled. On Sunday, at St Peter's, besides the morning and evening services, there was a children's service, and also one for men. At every service the Vicar, the Rev. A. Howard, feelingly alluded to the passing away of the good King. 

In the morning he preached from the words, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." He showed it was a time of personal trouble, family trouble, trouble for the Church of England which had lost its head, trouble for the Nation, which could ill spare such a wise ruler at the present time, and also trouble to our Empire, States, and people over the seas, which looked to King Edward as their guiding friend.

Of the King's charactertistics he dwelt mainly upon his tender love for the poor and feeble and his consistent endeavours to promote peace within the borders of his dominions and among the great powers of the world. The sorrow of the national was truly genuine and heartfelt for their noble monarch, whose end was peace.

"O God our help in ages past" was fervently sung at the services. The "Dead March" in Saul was played by Miss Woods at the end of each service while the congregation stood, most of whom were in mourning. 

- At both services at the Congregational Church, the Rev G. Fraser Elliott referred sympathetically to the death of the King, and prayers were offered for the bereaved Queen. At each service too Mrs Sutterby played the "Dead March" while the congregation stood.

The School flag was hoisted at half-mast. On Sunday two patrols of the Buntingford and District Boy Scouts, numbering in all 21, and each wearing on the left arm an armlet of crepe, paraded at their headquarters in High Street and marched to St Peter's to attend the morning service. To see these orderly well-behaved lads grieving with their elders was a touch tribute of reverential respect and esteem for the dead King, who took such a warm interest in the Scout movement.