19th Nov 1926 - Armistice Day in Buntingford

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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.

23rd April 1926 - Horticultural Society

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Horticultural Society

An Effort to Reduce the Deficit

The old established Buntingford Horticultural Society is faced with a large deficit, and the Committee is hoping to arrange various events to wipe off the adverse balance before the 1926 show is held.

A football match, in aid of the Society's funds, was held on the town ground on Wednesday. The arrangements were made by Mr J. Holmes, who captained the "Black and Whites," and Mr J. Thody, who captained the "Reds." Unfortunately, heavy rain fell just before the match, and this considerably affected the attendance.

The weather cleared before half-time, and, as a number of admission tickets had been previously sold there was a good attendance.

The "Black and Whites" team was chiefly composed of Cheshunt players with W. Hatchett and H. Birkett of the Buntingford Club. After the interval the "Reds" scored four more goals to their opponents' one.

Final score - "Reds" 8, "Black & Whites" 4.

Thanks are due to Mr E.E. Dennis, who officiated as M.C., the Town Football Club, for the use of the ground, to Mr J. Holmes, who entertained the "Black & Whites" and the Town Silver Band, who were in attendance and played selections during the interval.

A very obstinate animal - a cross between a horse and a camel - was led round by Bandmaster E. Smith, and in addition to causing a good deal of fun was the means of collecting £1 for the funds.

Later in the evening, the Silver Cup, presented by Mr C.H. Poulton, was handed to the Captain of the winning team.

9th April 1926 - Easter at St Peter's

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Easter at St Peter's

Bright and hearty services were held on Easter Day in St Peter's, which had been tastefully decorated with spring flowers and plants by Miss F. Feasey, Miss E. and Mr S. Howard, Miss Brodie, Miss M. Macklin, Miss Bell, Mr S. Thody, Miss J. Sayer and Miss E. Winters.

The Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 a.m., mid-day and evening, when there was a large number of communicants.

A children's service was held in the afternoon, followed by baptisms. At the morning and evening service the anthem "He is not here, He is risen" (Caleb Simper) was well rendered.

16th Dec 1927 - Buntingford Xmas Fat Stock Show and Sale

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Buntingford Xmas Fat Stock Show and Sale

A RECORD CATTLE ENTRY

The Annual Christmas Fat Stock Show and Sale was held on Monday last in cold but fine weather. There was a large attendance of people from a very wide area, and the judging, which took a considerable time, was completed under the most agreeable circumstances.

As was to be expected, there was a record entry and the normal standard of merit for the district was credibly maintained. The principle feature of the show was a fine array of bullocks - some 80 beasts forming two long lines on the Market Hill. The sheep and pigs were also penned on the Market Hill, the pig entries being larger than last year, while the sheep classes were well filled. There was a noticeable drop in the number and quality of the poultry entries, which were staged in the old Tanyard.

The premier award again went to Mr E. Mildren, of Buckland, whose 15 cwt. roan shorthorn won five prizes. The champion was purchased by Mr V. Pledger, of Barkway, for £56.

The arrangements for the show were in the hands of a committee, who worked well before and on the day itself. Mr E.G. Thody again carried out the duties of hon. secretary in his usual efficient manner.

The following were the judges: Cattle - Mr J. Treacher (Enfield), sheep - Mr F. Fowler (Bishops Stortford) and Mr G. Ripley (Waltham Cross), pigs - Mr H. Reed (Hertford) and Mr R.E. Clark (Clapton), poultry and eggs - Mr W. Nicholls (Hoddesdon) and Mr E. Hankin (Ware).

The following acted as stewards: Cattles - Messrs V. Pledger, H.E. Dudley, F. Cannon, S. Pigg and R. Pigg; sheep - Messrs. W.N. Sanders and F. Rand; pigs - Messrs S. Lees, W. Kittow, W. Page and B. Thody; poultry - Messrs. F. Butler, E.C. Clarke and W.G. Bonness.

THE AWARDS

The following is a list of awards:

Best beast in the show, entered by a farmer residing within Puckeridge Hunt - E. Mildren.

Best beast (open) - E. Mildren.

Silver cup for pen of fat pigs fed on Messrs. Dixon & Son's pig meal - F. Vigus.

Best bullock or heifer bred by exhibitor - J. May.

Best beast fed on Messrs. J. Bibby's cake - S. Pigg.

Silver plate for best beast fed on "Thorleys" - E. Mildren.

Silver plate for best pen of sheep or lambs fed on "Thorleys" - F. Vigus.

Best beast fed on "Molassine" - S. Pigg.

Best fat pig fed on "Molassine" - W. George.

Largest consignor of stock to Market during 1927 - S. Hoy.

Largest purchaser during 1927 - J. Treacher.

Best bullock - 1 E. Mildren, 2 J.R. Child.

Best heifer - 1 J. May, 2 S. Pigg.

Best bullock not more than two years old - 1 J.R. Child, 2 Messrs J.R. Russell & Son.

Fat cow - 1 Messrs W.H. Kittow and Son, 2 H. Martin.

Best beast in classes 13 to 16 - 1 E. Mildren, 2 J. May.

SHEEP

Five fat tegs - 1 F. Virgus, 2 H.E. Dudley.

Five fat ewes - 1 J.R. Child, 2 G. Brown.

Best pen of sheep, the property of an exhibitor who has sold £500 value of stock in Buntingford Market during 1927 - 1 H.E. Dudley, 2 F. Vigus.

PIGS

Three fat pigs - 1 F. Pearcey, 2 J. May.

Two fat pigs, the property of a tenant farmer - 1 N. Cannon, 2 W.N. Sanders.

Two fat pigs, not exceeding 120 pounds - 1 J.T. White, 2 J. Osborne.

Five fat porkers - 1 T. Virgus, 2 Messrs W.H. Kittow.

Two pigs, most suitable for bacon - 1 T. Virgus, 2 J. May.

Fat pig - 1 J.T. White, 2 E. Mildren, jun.

Fat sow - 1 J.R. Child, 2 G. Aylott.

Fat pig, the property of a smallholder - 1 W. Parker, 2 - Hatchett. 

Best pen of fat pigs, the property of an exhibitor who has sold £300 value of stock in the Market during 1927 - 1 F. Pearcey, 2 J. May.

POULTRY

Three cock turkeys - 1 Mrs J.S. Howe.

Three hen turkeys - 1 Mrs J.S. Howe.

Killing cock turkey - 1 Mrs J.S. Howe.

Killing hen turkey - 1 Mrs J.S. Howe.

Four geese - 1 L. Cannon, 2 J. Chapman.

Four cockerels - 1 J. May, 2 J. May. [transcriber note - I don't know if that's two different men with a shared initial]

Four hens - 1 C. Tottman, 2 E. Martin.

Four ducks - 1 L. Cannon, 2 G. Aylott.

EGGS

Three score, white - 1 E. Mildren, 2 E.H. Tweed.

Three score (brown or tinted) - 1 E. Brett, 2 Mrs J.S. Howe.

THE SALE

The sale of the exhibits was carried out by Mr G. Scarborough Taylor and Mr C.S. Knowles, and particulars of the prices are given in our market report.