A Fog Mishap
During the fog on Monday afternoon last, a Morris Cowley car collided with a traction engine on the road near Westmill.
The car was badly damaged, but the driver escaped injury.
The tractor, which was owned by Mr Macarthur of Stonebury, stood the shock well, showing no signs of the mishap.
----
[Note from Alison: The driver was not named but we know Miss Lushington owned a Morris Cowley, and she was a notoriously crazy driver...]
Westmill
Annual Vestry Meeting
The Annual Vestry Meeting, postponed from January 17th, was held at the Village Hall on Monday evening last. There was a scarce attendance owing to the prevalence of influenza.
The chair was taken by the Rector, the Rev. A.G. King, who proposed a vote of thanks to both the Churchwardens for their work during the past year. This was seconded by Mr F. Harvey.
Mr Laird was re-elected People's Warden, on the proposition of Mrs Coutts-Deacon, seconded by Mr Harvey. The Rectory nominated Mrs Greg as Rector's Warden.
Parochial Church Council
The first meeting of the newly elected Council was held on Monday evening last, the Rector, the Rev. A.G. King presiding. Mr Harvey was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman.
Mrs Coutts-Deacon's resignation as Hon. Secretary was received with regret, and after expressions of thanks to her, Mrs Bright was unanimously elected in her stead.
Mr J. Laird was elected Hon. Treasurer and Mrs Coutts-Deacon, Mr Harvey and Mr Laird as representatives to the Ruri-Decanal Conference.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Westmill
Women's Institute
On Wednesday, January 26th, the Women's Institute held their monthly gathering as usual in the Village Hall. Mrs Guiness was in the chair, as President for the first time.
The subject of interest was a concert given by Miss Bonus, of Hadham, and her two helpers. It was a most enjoyable entertainment.
The door at the side of the stage opened, and three most graceful ladies stepped in, and from that moment until they left, an hour later, the audience was delighted and charmed.
The concert began with a duet for violins, then following some Elizabethan songs, recitations, acting of old folk songs &c. The performers were often singing and acting at the same time, as for instance in the folk songs, "Mowing the Barley" and "I'm seventeen come Sunday."
The audience was never kept waiting, and one wondered how the transformations could come about so quickly. Limping off the stage as an old woman, the same lady would come back the next moment as a young girl to take her part in a rowing song.
The only thing to be regretted was that owing to illness so few of the members of the Institute were present.
The performers had to leave early to catch a train, so after having thanked them and applauded them loudly, the members of the Institute spent the rest of the evening in very jolly games, until it was time to sing God Save the King and say goodbye.
Rural District Council
A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding. The officers present were - the Medical Officer of Health (Dr R.A. Dunn), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).
The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital remained closed. During the month the consumption of water had been 999,000 gallons, and the water level had risen another 3ft.
Application was made for the renewal of petroleum licenses, and plans were submitted in respect of a bungalow, for which an application for a subsidy had been submitted.
The Chairman said he understood that as the bungalow had been commenced, it could not rank for a subsidy.
The Surveyor again reported the cases in which tenants of the Council's houses were in arrears with rent, and instructions to serve notices to quit were given.
Electric Light
Plans were submitted by the North Metropolitan Electric Light Company showing the proposed route of their underground cable in Aspenden, Layston and Westmill.
A discussion arose as to the adoption of bye-laws for building, and it was decided to hold the matter over until it had been ascertained what bye-laws were in force in other Rural Council areas.
The Chairman, who spoke in favour of the adoptions of such bye-laws, said it was important to protect the amenities of the countryside, and so far this part of the County was unspoiled.
A communication was received to the effect that a conference for the purpose of considering certain matters in connection with the Rating and Valuation Act, would be held at the Law Society's Hall on Monday, and the Council were asked to nominate two members to attend.
The names of the Chairman and Mr W.J. May were submitted.