28th May 1926 - Sudden Death of Mr James Stoten

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Westmill

Sudden Death of Mr James Stoten

The Coroner's Verdict

We regret to announce that Mr James Stoten, of Cherry Green, met with a sudden death on Thursday in last week. The deceased, who was 82 years of age, was found dead in a pig-sty near his house. He had been in ill health for some time.

A post-mortem examination was made the following day, and the facts reported to the District Coroner (Mr H.F.J. Banham), who held an enquiry at Cherry Green on Friday evening.

After hearing the evidence of Dr Dixon and other witnesses, the Coroner said he would return a verdict of "Death from natural causes."

The funeral of the deceased took place at Westmill Church on Tuesday afternoon last. There were many expressions of sympathy, the deceased being well known and respected in the village.

21st May 1926 - Westmill Women's Institute

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Westmill

Women's Institute

The April monthly meeting was a great success. There was a good attendance to hear a talk on gardens by Mrs Martin, of Hunsdon, which was thoroughly instructive and amusing.

It was followed by a most successful exchange of bedding and pot plants; and an egg collection for Royston Hospital amounted to 156 in number.

Mrs Deacon (the President) was in the chair. Hostesses were Mrs Pratt, Mrs J. Rayment, Miss F. Rayment, Mrs Read, Miss Read and Mrs T. Russell.

21st May 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Buntingford and the Strike - T.U.C. and N.U.R. - This Weather - A Strange Gathering - Food Only

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Well done! The thanks of the public are due to those ladies and gentlemen of Buntingford and district who gave their services in various ways during the strike.

There were many things which had to be dealt with, and the spirit in which all volunteers gave their services was much admired.

**

The Mails - Throughout the ten days of the strike, the mails for Buntingford and district were conveyed to and from Ware by local car owners.

An official of the Post Office accompanied the mails on each occasion, and there is no doubt that some speed records were put up on the Ware road - Express delivery with a vengeance.

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A Police Speed Up - The writer of these notes recollects an incident which occurred during a Parliamentary Election some years before the war. 

A motor car had been sent out to a distant part to bring in three Police Constables to poll at Buntingford. The poll closed at 7 p.m., and at two minutes to that the car had not returned.

At 6.59 a droning noise was heard and a crowd of persons near the Conservative and Liberal Committee Rooms in the High Street knew that the car was coming down the hill from Hillside. It was a race against the clock, and as the car tore up the High Street to the cheers of the waiting crowd the town clock struck the hour; the constables were just in time to record their votes.

**

Food Only - Reference was made in this Paper last week to a Ford van which carried a side of bacon on the bonnet.

Last Friday a lorry passing through the town had chalked on the back "Milk for Baby," "Beer for Dad."

**

The Canteen - The all-night canteen for lorry drivers was a boon to several tired and cold men who were engaged in transporting food-stuff to London from the market gardens of Cambridge and Lincolnshire.

On Monday morning four persons of very different callings met in the canteen. One was the driver of a lorry loaded with cabbages, another a member of the Editorial Staff of The Daily Telegraph, one a petrol distributing agent, and one a gipsy in a pair of very worn boots and a ragged coat, whose horse had strayed from Westmill where a "pull up" had been made for the night. Incidentally he was a Yorkshireman, and came from the same town as the same volunteer who served him with a cup of hot coffee.

**

T.U.C. and N.U.R - Much has been said and written of the Policy of the T.U.C. and N.U.R. To save a long debate it is quite easy to find their policy.

Simply turn the letters around, you then have - CUT and RUN.

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Congratulations - Congratualtions to the Buntingford Musical Society on their success at the Herts. Musical Festival at Letchworth on Saturday.

The adjudicator, Dr Whitaker, spoke highly of the Buntingford Choir. The choir passed on the compliments to their able conductor, Mr E.E. Dennis, to whom the efficiency of the choir is undoubtedly due.

**

Whitsun Weather - Unless there is a considerable change in the weather this weekend there is little prospect of a sunshine Whitsun, such as we have experienced for the past seven years.

Our gardens and farm crops are sadly in need of the warm sun. In many gardens early potatoes have suffered from frost, which has occurred on several nights recently.

**

The Women's Institute Fete - Given a fine day, the Fete, to be held at Layston Court on Monday, should be a great success.

There are many novel events including a parade of children in fancy dress. From latest reports there will be several well-filled stalls.

7th May 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Lieut-Col C.H. Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., Mrs Dimsdale, and Capt. H.H. Williams.

POOR RATES

Poor rates for the following parishes were presented by the Overseers and signed by the Justices.

It was stated that with the exception of Layston parish there were no arrears: Layston Poor Rate 5/-, lighting 3d.; Aspenden Poor Rate 5/-, lighting 6d.; Wyddiall Poor Rate 5/-; Buckland 4/8; Throcking 6/-; Little Hormead 5/-; Braughing 4/8.

AN ARREARS CASE

Jack Cecil Cook, of Hay Street, was summoned by Mr H.J. Andrews who stated that money due under an affiliation order had not been paid. The defendant did not appear, and the Chairman signed a warrant for his arrest. The police left immediately, and brought defendant to the Court within a few minutes.

P.C. Gillett then gave formal evidence of arrest. He stated that he had just arrested the defendant in Harestreet.

Asked by the Chairman why he had paid no money under the order made in November last, the defendant said his wages were only 25/- per week; his father was ill, and there were two children at home.

The Chairman said the defendant would have to pay or go to prison. He had not attempted to pay anything. Defendant would be committed to prison for one month, but the order would be suspended until Friday, May 7th, to enable the defendant to pay.

CHAIRMAN'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG LAD

A Buntingford lad was summoned by his late employer for stealing a shilling. The defendant's late employer stated that he did not wish to press the case as he had had no previous trouble with the lad.

The Chairman, who said he knew the lad's parents were very respectable, gave the defendant some good advice, and bound him over for two years.

NO LIGHT

Gladys Cook, of Hay Street, Braughing, was summoned for riding a cycle without a light at Westmill, Buntingford.

P.C. Williams said he was on duty at Westmill on 12th April at 8.40 p.m., when he saw a cyclist approach. He signalled to her to stop as he noticed there was no lamp on the machine. He asked her for an explanation and the defendant replied "I have been to the hairdressers; I did not think I should be there so long."

The Chairman read a letter from the defendant, who did not appear.

Supt. Wright stated that the defendant was a sister of the defendant Cook who had been brought up on arrest.

The Chairman, in imposing a fine of 10/-, said the family seemed to have no respect for the Court. He also instructed the superintendant to see that the girl was informed that had she been present the magistrates might have taken a more lenient view of the matter. She had not appeared and would therefore be fined.