10th December 1926 - Correspondence - Mrs Merryweather

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Correspondence

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.

Dear Sir,

I was deeply moved by the letter from Mrs Merryweather appearing in your columns last week, and I herewith enclose a small donation wherewith to buy here a pair of stockings, as I understand this is what the good lady was sadly in need of when paying her last visit, and it certainly must have been very distressing to her friends when they became away of the fact that she was short of this necessity in a civilised country.

I trust my small donation may be the nucleus of a fund to be raised for the purpose of providing a good friend, whose services have been much appreciated in the past, with the necessities of life in order that she may still continue to be of service to the community.

From the letter it is assumed that the house in which the good lady resides is her own property, but is badly in need of repair, and if such is the case, I am of opinion that if the various builders in the town could see their way to execute such repairs as are necessary, the cost of such to rank as a contribution to the fund, it would be greately appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

"A Mother's Son."

Buntingford, Dec. 7th, 1926.

Evidently the pair of stockings mentioned above means two feet of hose, and we have handed over the donation to the Captain - [Ed.]

10th December 1926 - Correspondence - Buntingford Fire Brigade

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To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Buntingford Fire Brigade

Sir,

From the letter appearing in your columns of the last week by "Mrs Merryweather," it is evident that others beside the Brigade are interested in the "Lady," who although of the Victorian age and born in the 60's, is yet good for a real hard day's work, provided that she has her whack of water and is provided with fairly decent lodgings.

A few pounds would improve her lodging accommodation, would secure the necessary operation being perfom upon her lungs, and would provide her with a further supply of hose.

A gentleman resident of the town has kindly forwarded a cheque for the sum of £3, and suggests that a fund be raised to improve the Engine and Equipment, further particulars of which we hope to publish shortly together with a brief history of the Engine and the work that it has accomplished.

Meanwhile donations to the fund would be thankfully received, and should be made payable to Messrs. Barclays Bank, Buntingford Branch, a/c Buntingford Fire Brigade.

Yours faithfully,

Ernest G. Thody

Captain of the Buntingford Fire Brigade.

Buntingford.

10th December, 1926.

3rd December 1926 - Correspondence

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Correspondence

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Dear Sir,

At this time of the year there is always a number of residents of the town of Buntingford who think they are forgotten.

The distribution of Charity coals and bread is the signal for many outbursts of dissatisfaction, and if I may be allowed to voice my little trouble now, I know that on Christmas Day I shall not have been forgotten again.

I have lived by myself for many years, and it is only on rare occasions that I have met my own kith and kin, and even at such meetings there has been little time for discussion between us, as immediately my work is finished I have been rushed back to my home.

It is some years now since I was last in the High Street, and it is through overhearing the conversation of persons passing my house, that I learn of the changes that have taken place in our old town.

When I first came to Buntingford - some 30 years ago - I was the talk of the town; persons from the district would call at my house to see and admire me. In those days I was able to work well, and when my services were required I set an example of thoroughness and reliability.

My family of eight grew older and some left the town, leaving me to share my modest home alone. My eldest son, a Captain, is the only one of my family who ever calls upon me, and as he leaves the house I can see that he views my position with regret, and thinks of the times when I was "one of best."

Little boys stoned my windows early last year, and the broken windows and rotten door post have all helped the weather to enter my house and make me look a wreck.

I think I could work now, except that my lungs are a bit congested, and perhaps this letter will be the means of my receiving a little attention from those who remember me in the past, and of those, who although they have never seen me, may be glad to call upon my services in the future.

Yours faithfully,

(Mrs.) Merryweather

Fire Engine House, Buntingford

29th Nov. 1926

20th May 1927 - Mrs Merryweather - Buntingford Fire Engine

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In a certain quarter of the town there is so much reference to the Buntingford Fire Engine that a few remarks here may satisfy a number of persons that Mrs Merryweather, as the engine has come to be affectionately known, is very well indeed.

The old lady looks quite smart in her freshly varnished coat, which has been edged with jet black. (Not a sign of mourning; oh, no).

A recent test showed that the pump was in good working order, and that everything was as good in many respects as it was in the day when the old engine was doing duty in London for the London Fire Brigade.

A new concrete floor has been put down in the engine house, and everything is now spick and span.

There is one eyesore. On the freshly-painted door the unguided hand of some mischievous schoolboy has written "B.F.B." - Buntingford Froth Blowers.

It is understood that an official denial of this accusation is to be issued by the Brigade.

At any rate, Mrs Merryweather says she has not blown much froth lately.

There is some consolation in that.

Think of the waste!!!

16th July 1926 - Fire at Cumberlow Green

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Fire at Cumberlow Green

A fire broke out at Cumberlow Green Farm on Thursday morning in last week.

Shortly before 6 a.m. a man noticed flames coming from a large thatched barn. The Baldock Fire Brigade was summoned, and were soon pumping water from a pond opposite.

The Brigade saved the barn, but "stood by" until late in the afternoon.

Mr Borlase, the owner, was away from home.

[Note from Alison - This is one of the farmers involved in the court case reported in this issue.]

30th November 1923 - Fire Protection

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To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Fire Protection

Sir,

The outbreak of fire at Hare Street, an account of which appeared in your last issue, has aroused interest on the question of fire protection in Buntingford and district.

Before the war, the Buntingford Fire Brigade were an efficient and well-equipped body. The Brigade, however, was a voluntary one, and any renewels and repairs were, I understand, borne by the Brigade itself.

Today, voluntary service is a different matter, in which the cost of accoutrements, &c., and the loss of renumerative time play a large part. It is also doubtful whether at any during the day, horses could be obtained to draw the engine to the scene of a fire out of Buntingford itself.

Fortunately, in Buntingford, a good supply of water is available from the town mains, but a body of men is necessary to deal with any outbreak of fire, and to know the exact position of any of the various fire hydrants.

It is argued that the Ware or Hertford engines could be summoned, but should a fire break out in the town considerable damage might be caused before any outlying brigade arrived.

It is thought that steps should be taken to ensure that, in the event of a fire in Buntingford or district, the outbreak could be dealt with at once. Perhaps this important matter will come before the Buntingford and District Improvement Society.

Yours faithfully,

Tradesman, High Street, Buntingford.

------

Transcriber note - There isn't a copy of the report of the Hare Street fire referred to at the beginning of this article.

19th Nov 1926 - Disastrous Fire at Little Court

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Disastrous Fire at Little Court

A disastrous fire broke out at Little Court, Buntingford, the residence of Captain J.A. Denny, in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday) morning. The buildings involved were a few yards from the house and comprised stables, garage, engine room and store.

Shortly after 3 a.m. Major Keeble, who is staying at the house, heard a crash and looking out of his window saw that the garage was in flames. He gave the alarm, but by the time any helpers were on the scene the flames were spreading with alarming speed.

A call was sent to the Ware Fire Brigade, but by the time they arrived the roof had collapsed. Mr G.E. Thody and other members of the Buntingford Fire Brigade were also informed and using every length of hose available - 200 yards - soon had a jet of water playing on the wood shed which was saved.

The damage is extensive. Two motor cars - a 10 h.p. Humber and a 14 h.p. Armstrong Siddley - besides a motor lawn mower and a practically new Petter Electric Lighting Set, being totally destroyed. The lofts were stacked with garden produce and utensils, all of which were destroyed. Two ferrets in a locker were burned to death.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

19th Nov 1926 - Correspondence part 3

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To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Buntingford Fire Brigade

Sir,

May I crave the courtesy of your columns to once again call the attention of the inhabitants of Buntingford to the present day inadequate appliances of the Fire Brigade.

As far back as 1917 a report was submitted to the inhabitants, upon behalf of the Brigade, suggesting the acquisition of a new Motor Fire Engine and a considerable quantity of hose to enable the Brigade to cope with any possible outbreak within the Buntingford district, but unfortunately nothing since has been heard of the matter.

Our present Manual Engine was purchased second-hand in the year 1896, and is still in fairly good condition, but there is now-a-days no horses available for its transport to fires, whilst thirty men are needed for working the pumps.

Fortunately, the inhabitants of Buntingford have the advantage of a fairly good water pressure from the water mains, but the Brigade is handicapped by reason that they have insufficient hose to reach many of the properties.

At the outbreak in the early hours of Thursday last, only 360 feet of hose was available, whereas 560 feet was necessary to reach from the nearest standpipe to the seat of the fire. Surely sir, this state of affairs ought to be remedied without delay, as it is obvious that without sufficient hose the Brigade are powerless to attack the fire.

In conclusion we may state that although the Brigade was formed and the Appliances purchased as far back as 1896, not one halfpenny expenses has ever fallen upon the inhabitants during is 30 years' existence, but the expenses entailed in the upkeep of the Engine and Appliances has always been undertaken by Yours faithfully,

Ernest George Thody (Captain) and the Members of the Buntingford Fire Brigade.

Buntingford, 19th Nov., 1926.