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.
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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buckland
Women's Institute
The monthly meeting was again held in the school on Wednesday, May 12th, at 6.30 p.m. The members again made a good attendance, this time to enjoy the bountiful tea given by Mrs E.T. Morris, of the Bury. The hostess, with Miss P. Morris, made all feel thoroughly at home, and a very happy time was spent.
Business being over, Mrs Stapley, of Buntingford, gave a really useful demonstration in the cutting out and putting together of a dress. Mrs J. Hurry made a very good model, and it proved a very happy, yet useful, time.
Both ladies were thanked for their services, as was also Mrs G. Turney, who so kindly judged the bun competition. This proved a rather difficult task, as the judge herself said, but to everyone's satisfaction, Mrs Young, Mrs Jarman, and Mrs A. Jackson came out on top.
Voting for the summer outing took place, and "Felixstowe" won.
Whist was played, and Mrs Morris kindly acted as M.C. It was found Miss E. Coxall had gained highest number; Mrs H. Geaves lowest. Prizes were generously given by Mrs Morris.
Before closing the meeting, Mrs T. Hurry heartily thanked Mrs and Miss Morris for so kindly giving such a splendid tea, and this was carried with applause. The meeting ended by all joining in singing God Save the King.
Buckland
Fancy Dress Dance
A Successful Event
The fancy dress dance, held at the School on Friday evening last, was quite a success, and the organisers and workers are to be congratulated on the financial result, i.e., £8.
The event was in aid of the Women's Institute Funds, and there was a croweded attendance, a large number being attired in fancy dresses. The judges were Mr and Mrs F.B. Cannon, of Hyde Hall, and they had a difficult task to fulfil.
After much deliberation the judges awarded prizes to the following: Miss L. Hurry (Indian Prince), Mrs F. Pigg (Hawker), Mrs R. Stoten (Japanese Costume), Miss R. Beale (Uncle Sam), Miss ____ (Welsh Girl), Miss M. Pigg (Chrysanthemum), Miss E. Whitby (Cigar), Mrs S. Jarman (Ryder's Seeds), and Mr R. Jackson (Tramp).
The prizes were won in the various classes. Miss P. Morris, who very effectively represented a Post Office clearing box, passed on her prize.
The fancy and other dresses mingling for the dancing which followed presented a very striking scene. The Standon Orchestra provided an excellent programme of music, and when the party dispersed it was unanimously agreed that the event was one of the best of its kind held in Buckland.
Mention should be made of the Institute Committee, who were in charge of the refreshments, which gave satisfaction. As stated, the proceeds exceeded £8.