25th February 1927 - Correspondence from Miss G. Lushington

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Correspondence

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Dear Sir,

Through the medium of the Buntingford Gazette, I wish to thank all those who so kindly helped to make the Buntingford Nursing Fund whist drive and dance such a success, either by the gift of prizes, money towards expenses, cakes and other refreshments, and last but not least, to those who gave personal service special thanks are due, and to the Band and Mr Bishop who kindly relieved them.

I am pleased to tell you I have handed £8 8s. to the Treasurer as the result, after all expenses have been paid.

I much regretted the absence, through illness, of about 12 regular patrons, wishing them a speedy recovery.

Believe me, yours truly,

G. Lushington.

Absesdene, February 27th, 1927.

25th February 1927 - Correspondence

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To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Dear Sir,

In connection with the advertisement about the "pictures" in the Benson Hall, will you kindly allow me to say that the Management will not be able to continue the Saturday night performances unless there is a full house regularly.

Personally I am not very anxious (and never have been anxious) to have the Hall used as a Cinema, but am quite willing if there is a real demand for pictures in Buntingford.

The pictures shown are of excellent quality and full of interest, so those who wish to have the Cinema open in Buntingford are invited to show that wish by regular patronage.

Yours faithfully,

A.N. Morgan

23rd Feb., 1927.

18th March 1927 - Correspondence - Increase of Vagrants and Tramps to the Buntingford District

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Correspondence

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.

Increase of Vagrants and Tramps to the Buntingford District.

Sir, Many of the townspeople of Buntingford view with concern the report in your last issue of the large number of casuals admitted to the Buntingford Poor Law Institution.

Not content with two meals and a comfortable night's rest at our expense, some of these "Gentlemen of the Road" make a habit of begging at several doors before they leave us in the morning. Recently I have had two tramps call at my house for food or clothing, and I learn that many householders living on the outskirts of the town are troubled every day by tramps.

It is perhaps not realised that good and bad news spread amongest tramps very quickly, and tramps meeting each other on the road will exchange information of the town each are making for, with the result that a household who gives a pair of old boots to a tramp today is almost sure to receive a call from another tramp tomorrow.

I have taken the trouble to ascertain what food the casuals receive on admission to the Buntingford Union, and the following dietary is of interest:

On admission - 8 oz. bread, half an ounce butter, 1 pint tea.

Breakfast - 8 oz bread, half an ounce butter, 1 pint tea, coffee or cocoa.

On leaving - 8 oz bread, 2 oz cheese.

Dinner (for those who are retained) - 8 oz bread, 2 oz cheese, half an ounce butter, 4 oz. potatoes.

In addition to this, each casual is provided with a warm bed, an unlimited supply of hot water for washing and, if the weather is wet, facilities for drying his clothes and boots.

All casuals who are in possession of an army paper or insurance card or anything to show that they are endeavouring to obtain work are allowed to leave the Union without being given any task whatever.

It will be seen by the above that the Buntingford Guardians are dealing with the casuals in a humane manner, and that it is quite unnecessary for any casual to beg for food on leaving the Institution. None of us like to see a fellow countryman down and out, and in these times, when unemployment is so rife, it is a difficult matter to know whether the tramp to whom we gave an old coat is really grateful, or whether he will sell it at the next town.

Since 1st January 1927, nearly 500 casuals have been admitted to the Buntingford Union; the total for the same period last year was less than 60, and while many of the householders continue to encourage tramps the numbers will increase until there is insufficient accommodation at the Union, and the Ministry of Health compel the Guardians to provide additional wards at the ratepayers' expense.

With apologies for taking up so much of your space,

Yours faithfully,

Ratepayer.

Buntingford, Herts, 16th March, 1927.

11th March 1927 - Correspondence

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Correspondence

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.

Incorporated Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmens' Help Society

Dear Sir,

We are anxious to make known in the County, that the Hertfordshire Branch of the Incorporated Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmens' Help Society, is being revived and put in working order.

The existence of the many organizations which the necessities of the war called into being, such as the United Services Fund, British Legion, Red Cross Emergency Fund, &c., might naturally suggest that the activities of the older society were no longer needed.

Careful enquiry, however, shows that this is not so, and those who deal with the applications for help find many cases among

(1) Serving soldiers and sailors in distress,

(2) Ex-Service men who have seen no War Service or who had enlisted since the War,

which do not come under the Rules of these other Funds and cannot be helped by them, and for which the care of the Soldiers and Sailors Help Society is indispensable, if the County organization is to be complete.

This Society aims at having a representative for each town or village to advise these men, to help get them employment or to put them in touch with other agencies which may be able to help them.

The importance of co-operation with the other Ex-service Organizations is fully recognised, and whenever it is possible it is hoped that the local representatives of the other Societies may be willing to represent the Soldiers and Sailors Help Society, also, as to concentrate the work for soldiers under one head, and to prevent any danger of overlapping.

We hope that this short account of the reasons for the revival of the work of the Society may show that experience has proved its necessity, and that the interest and assistance of all those who care for the welfare and comfort of Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen in Hertfordshire may be extended towards making the Society as useful in the future as it was in the past.

All information as to Local Representatives can be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Miss Dorothy Newsam, The Red Cottage, Broxbourne.

Hampden, Alice Salisbury.

March, 1927.