25th February 1927 - Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society Annual Meeting

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Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the members of the Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society was held at the Society's Hall on Monday evening.

The Chief Ranger, Bro. J.B. Cutts, presided, other members of the Court present being: Brother E. Saunders (Sub-Chief Ranger), Bro. E. Bolton (Senior Woodward), Bro. A. Coxall (Junior Woodward), Bro. D. Wallis (Senior Beadle), Bro. W. Budd (Junior Beadle), and Bro. B.E. Thody (Assistant Secretary).

The Court was opened with the usual formalities, after which the Assistant Secretary stated that the sickness benefit paid during the past month amounted to £21 3s. 10d., and funeral benefit £14.

Applications were received for assistance from the Subsidiary Benefit Fund, and these were favourably considered by the Court.

Balance Sheet

The Secretary submitted the books and accounts of the society for the year ending 31st December 1926.

On the sickness fund there was a balance of £2554 5s. to the good. The amount paid in sickness benefit during the year was £269 4s. 4d.

The funeral fund showed a satisfactory balance of £1209 15s. 1d. In the subsidiary benefit fund there was a balance of £118 15s. 2d.

Members had been assisted from this fund during the year, and the Society had also made the usual donations of £2 2s. to the Hertford County Hospital and the Buntingford Nursing Fund.

The management and medical expenses amounted to £71 19s. 4d., the receipts being £90 11s. 8d., leaving a balance in hand of £18 12s. 4d.

The statement of funds, which totals £3901 7s. 7d., was shown as follows: War Loan £3205 5s., Hertfordshire Housing Bonds £100, Freehold Property £100. Post Office Savings' Bank £462 6s. 4d. Cash in hand at end of the year £23 16s. 3d. There was a membership of over 200.

The Chairman said he thought the accounts were entirely satisfactory; the Society was on a sound financial footing, and the various funds each showed an increase on the previous year's workings.

The Sub-Chief Ranger then proposed, and Bro. E. Bolton seconded, that the accounts be submitted to the Auditors.

The whole of the Officers were re-elected en-bloc and thanked for their past services.

The minutes of the meeting were then read, and the Court formally closed by the Chief Ranger.

It is pleasing to record that the Society, which commenced its activities as far back as 1874, is in such a satisfactory position, and it is hoped that many young men who are not members, will come forward and join in its activities.

The Secretary, who is Mr Ernest G. Thody, has held that office since 1896.

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[Note from Alison - The amount of total funds available is equivalent to approximately £225,000 in today's money.]

18th February 1927 - Buntingford Nursing Fund Whist Drive and Dance

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Buntingford Nursing Fund

Whist Drive and Dance

Miss Lushington and her willing helpers are to be heartily congratulated upon the complete success of her annual whist drive and dance held on Wednesday evening in the Benson Hall.

There was a large gathering, especially for the dancing.

The evening commenced with a whist drive, prizes for which had been kindly given by Lady Heaton-Ellis, Mrs H.C. Marshall, Mrs H.H. Williams, Mrs Mevett, Mrs Wyman, Miss Lushington, Dr and Mrs R.W. Fell, and Rev. A.L. Panchaud.

Twenty-five tables were occupied, and the prizes were presented by Miss Lushington to the following:

Ladies - 1, Mrs A. Clark (biscuit barrel); 2, Miss W. Walsingham (half tea service); 3, Mrs Wallis (tea cosy); lowest score - Mrs Geaves.

Gents - 1, Mr H. Hatchett (mirror); 2, Mr Coxall (shaving mirror); 3, Mr Mannox (pictures); lowest score - Mr Bishop.

A lucky chair prize went to Mrs Bennett, and the lucky ticket prize to Mr J. Bishop.

The Buntingford Town Band was in attendance, and dancing was indulged in until midnight, the excellent programme being enjoyed to the full.

Mr A.C. Bartlett for whist, and Mr L. Smith for dancing, were the two efficient M.C's.

4th February 1927 - Whist (again)

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Whist

In response to several requests, the Town Silver Band held another Whist Drive at the George Hotel on Saturday evening.

There was a good company present and prizes, which were vouchers for goods to be purchased in the town, were won by the following:

Ladies - 1, Miss Marshall; 2, Miss E. Cutts.

Gents - 1, Mr H. Pledger; 2, Mr S. Pledger.

A Waltz competition was won by Mr A.B. Wallis and Miss G. Mean, while a Fox-trot competition was won by Mr J. Bishop and partner.

An excellent programme of music was provided by the Band, assisted by Mr J. Bishop (piano).

Mr Henry Clark for whist and Mr A.B. Wallis for dancing were the two efficient M.C.'s.

The judging of the dancing competitions was kindly undertaken by Mr H.M. Blakiston.

11th March 1927 - Football - Greg Cup Semi-Final

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Football

Greg Cup Semi-Final

Buntingford 4. Stevenage 2.

Considering the weather and the treacherous state of the ground, the match between Buntingford and Stevenage, played on the town ground on Saturday, was quite a good one.

There was a moderate attendance when the teams lined up several minutes later than the advertised time of starting.

Stevenage, who kicked down the slope for the first-half, were soon away, but were repelled by Thorogood, whose long kick sent H. May away on the left wing; after beating the visitors right back, May sent in a fine shot which went over the bar.

The visitors' quintette then got away, and through a misunderstanding between the home backs, the ball came across the mouth of the home goal with six or seven players after it; a melee followed, and from this Leech pushed the ball into the corner of the net to give Stevenage the lead. A few minutes later further pressure on the visitors' left wing caused the home defence a good deal of trouble, one shot skimming the goal-post.

Following a run by Wallis and Birkett, the latter shot at goal, and the ball, striking the visitors' left back, turned into the net.

In the second-half E. Moule put in some excellent work, one of his efforts being remarkably good. E. Hatchett and Rayment were also in the picture with some fine passes, which were turned to good account.

By this time the rain, which continued to fall heavily, had made the ground in a treacherous state, the players finding it very difficult to keep their feet. A break through by Stevenage resulted in Leech scoring with a fine shot. The next goal came from Wallis, who scored for the town from close range.

During the ensuing exchanges, the Stevenage defence was seen to advantage, but their goalkeeper was eventually beaten by W. May, who sent in a beautiful shot from 20 yards out. There was considerable excitement when the visitors were pulled up for an infringement on the touch line, but the resultant free kick, taken by E. Hatchett, went wide. A few minutes from the end, Birkett added another goal for the Fords by driving the ball through a crowd of players and into the corner of the net.

The two teams kept their tempers better than their feet, and it was noted that the only free kicks were for offside or an infringement on the touch line. As the ground was in such a bad state, it would be unfair to comment on the play of the individual members of the town team, but one word of praise must be voiced by E. Moule, who again proved himself a fearless, clever and speedy winger.

As Hitchin Imps won their match on Saturday they meet Buntingford in the final on Easter Monday. It is unlikely that the match will be played at Hitchin.

30th November 1923 - Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society

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Buntingford Independent Foresters' Friendly Society

Special Meeting of Members

Important Business Transacted

A special general meeting of the members of this Society was held at the Foresters' Hall on Monday last.

The Chief Ranger, Bro. J. Cutts, presided, and was supported by the Sub-Chief Ranger, Bro. E. Saunders; the Secretary, Bro. Ernest G. Thody; the Asst. Secretary, Bro. B.E. Thody; Bro. J. Cornwell, Trustee; the Woodwards, Bros. E. Bolton and G. Wallis; and the Beadles, Bros. D. Wallis and W. Budd.

There was a good attendance of members.

The Secretary stated that the Committee had been requested by the Ministry of Health to consider the advisability of amalgamating with some parent Society, in order that the assets and liabilities might be consolidated.

The Committee had carefully investigated the matter, and had approached the Cambridge General Benefit Society, who were willing to take over the management and liabilities of such Club matters that related to the National Health Insurance.

The Secretary said he wished it to be clearly understood that only such matters as related to the National Health Insurance would be dealt with by the Cambridge Society, and that the Buntingford Independent Foresters' Society would continue to exist in its entirety, just as it was before the National Health Insurance Act came into force.

The following resolution was then put to the meeting, and was voted on by ballot, the result of which was as follows:

For the resolution - 136

Against - 13

The Cambridge General Benefit Society covers a wide area in Herts., Cambs., and Essex, and amongst other Society's amalgamated are the Buntingford Union Association, and the Bishops Stortford Foresters' Friendly Society.

The Buntingford Independent Foresters' Society is open to membership to all between the age of 10 and 40 years. There is a Section for juveniles, and the sick and disablement benefits compare favourably with any other Society in the country.

9th April 1926 - Tennis Club Annual Whist Drive

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Tennis Club

Annual Whist Drive

The annual whist drive and and dance, in aid of the Buntingford Tennis Club, was held at the Benson Hall on Easter Monday. Owing to other whist drives in the neighbouring villages there was not such a large gathering as last year.

Twelve tables were in use for whist, and Mr H. Clarke kindly acted M.C. The prize winners were:

Ladies - 1, Miss Morley, 184 (case of pastry forks); 2, Mrs Wallis, 170 (fruit dish); 3, Mrs H. Handy, 170 (box of handkerchiefs).

Gents - 1, Mr W. Watson, 177 (clock); 2, Mr T. Wornham, 171 (pair of etchings); 3, Mr E. Moule, 169 (pair of socks), Lowest score - Mrs Large (Easter egg).

A number came in for dancing after the whist, and the Town Band provided an excellent programme of music. Mr L. Smith was M.C.

27th Jan 1928 - Foresters' Friendly Society

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Foresters' Friendly Society

A Court Meeting was held at the Society's Hall on Monday evening last, the Chief Ranger, Bro. J.B. Cutts, presiding. The Secretary, Bro. E.G. Thody, submitted the accounts for the year 1927. The sickness benefit paid amounted to £347 17s. 4d., and funeral benefit £98. Both these are record amounts for the society.

The management expenses, which include salaries, printing and stationery, surgeon's fees, repairs, valuation expenses, installment of electric light, &c., amount to £89 16s. 5d. The statement of funds shows that the Society is on a sound financial footing. War Loan investments total £3205, Hertfordshire Housing Bonds £100, Freehold Property £100, and money at Post Office Savings Bank £380. At 31st December there was a membership of 203, on the private side. State member are not included in the totals.

In moving the adoption of the accounts, the Chairman side the past year had been an abnormal one as far as sickness was concerned. Early in the year the Society paid out as much as £40 in sick benefit one week. The accounts were duly passed.

It was decided to send the usual subscription of £2 2s. to the Buntingford Nursing Fund and the Hertford County Hospital.

The following officers were elected for 1928: Chief Ranger, Bro. J.B. Cutts; Sub-Chief Rangers, Bro. E. Sanders; Woodwards. Bros. E. Bolton and A. Coxall. Senior Beadle, Bro. D. Wallis; Junior Beadles, Bro W. Budd; Trustrees, Bros. J.L. Cornwell, G. Wallis, and J.T. May.

13th May 1910 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford

Petty Sessions

Friday Last - Before Sir R. Romer (in the chair), Major Heaton Ellis, H. Shepherd Cross, E Pigg, S.P. Woollatt, and F.C. Porter, Esqs.

John Geo[rge] Skipp, labourer, Buntingford (against whom there are 53 previous convictions), was brought up in custody on a charge of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting P.C. Bell while in the execution of his duty on April 23rd, 1910, at 3.30p.m. [??]  on Layston Bridge, Buntingford.

P.C. Bell gave evidence, and stated that at 3am on Saturday morning, April 23rd, he with P.C.'s Gravestock and Hunt was on duty on Layston Bridge, when the defendent came over and went in the direction of the Railway Station, and when he came to the Adam and Eve public house, he began knocking at the door until he awoke the inmates. The landlady looking out of the upstairs window, asked what he wanted, Skipp replied "I want to come in," and the landlady replied "You will not come in here." Skipp then began to pull down a barber's pole that was over one of the windows.

He was told to let it alone and replied "Shan't." He then came back to the bridge and began to abuse witness, who advised him to clear off, and walked towards him, when he struck witness on the chest, and kicked him on the leg, and in the struggle grazed some skin off his right thumb. Seeing he was drunk and would not go away, witness then took him in to custody, and with the assitance to P.C. Gravestock took him to the Police Station, where he was charged and detained. He was the same day brought before F.C. Porter, Esq. at 6.30 p.m., and remanded to the cells until Monday the 25th, when he was brought before Sir R. Romer and remanded to St Albans Gaol until next Bench day, Friday 6th May.

P.C. Gravestock, Cottered, gave corroborative evidence.

The Bench convicted on both charges, and for drunk and disorderly he was sentenced to one calendar month hard labour, and for assulted P.C. Bell to two calendar months hard labour, the sentences to run consecutively.

Wm [William] Edward Manning, labourer, High Street, Buntingford, appeared to bail to answer a charge of being drunk and disorderl on the public highway at Bunctingford on April 22nd.

P.C. Hunt, Hare Street, proved the case, the defendant being fined 6s. 6d. including costs.

Geo[rge] Wallis, bricklayer, Baldock Lane, Buntingford, appeared to bail charged with stealing 8 hen's eggs, value 1s, the property of Harry [Dalzell?] Piper, at Judge Farm, Great Hormead, on April 27th.

P.C. Hunt, Hare Street, proved the case.

The defendant against whom there was nothing known, and who felt his position keenly, was spoken to by the Chairman, who said it was a despicable thing to do, but the Bench did not want to make a criminal of him, and would deal with him leniently. They would deal with him under the First Offender's Act, and would bing him over in the sum of £5 for 6 months to come up for judgement if called upon.

Mrs Lucy Kingsley, Cottered, applied for a new off licence (through the death of her husband) at Cottered.

The Bench could not grant it as she could produce Probate of the Will, nor Letters of Administration, but granted a Protection Order until next transfer day, 17th June, 1910.