22nd April 1927 - Buntingford Bowls Club Annual General Meeting

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Annual General Meeting

The annual general meeting of the Buntingford Bowls Club was held at "The Crown" Inn club room, on Tuesday evening of last week, the President, Mr H.C. Marshall, presiding.

The Chairman said he wished to congratulate the Club on winning the Ashton Cup, and he hoped they would have an equally successful season this year.

The Hon. Sex., Mr J. Lawrence, then presented his annual report. During last season, the club played 18 League matches, winning 12 and losing six. The actual number of points scored was 728 against 631.

He (the Secretary) was also pleased to report that they had an increased membership; in 1925 they had 19 members, and in 1926 26 members, and it was hoped to increase this number this year. The Club had 10 Vice-Presidents, who, like their President, had taken an active interest in the welfare of the Club. (Applause).

The Secretary then referred to the financial statement. At the last annual meeting it was thought that the new green would cost about £30, but so far about £200 had been spent and more would have to be spent before the green was ready for use; there was, however, little doubt that when the new green was completed it would be as good as any in East Herts.

With the help of members and friends, they hoped to be able to pay off the loans, and to make the Club self-supporting. (Applause).

The balance sheet was as follows:

Receipts

Loan from H.C. Marshall, Esq. - £100 0s. 0d.

Loan from ten members - £44 0s. 0d.

President's Subscriptions - £2 3s. 0d.

Seven Vice-Presents - £8 8s. 0d.

16 Tournament Entrance Fees 1/- - 16s. 0d.

Fete (as per balance sheet) - £56 13s. 8d.

Jumble Sale - £8 0s. 5d.

Dinner - £11 5s. 0d.

Xmas Draw and Whist Drive - £43 7s. 2d.

15 Hand Books - 3s. 9d.

Mr May (Luton) - 1s. 0d.

26 members subscriptions at 10/6 - £13 13s. 0d.

Total - £268 10s. 0d.

Expenditure

Purchase of ground from Mr Poulton - £50 0s. 0d.

Labour on New Green - £123 7s. 7d.

Tools - £2 16s. 9d.

Creosote Oil - £3 15s. 0d.

Mr Crane (carting) - 12s. 6d.

Printing - £3 8s. 6d.

Mr J. Holmes' account - £16 10s. 0d.

Old Green - £8 16s. 8d.

Sundries - £9 4s. 1d.

Balance at Bank - £49 16s. 2d.

Cash in Hand - 2s. 9d.

Total - £268 10s. 0d.

Mr W.J. May, in moving the adoption of the accounts, said the members had much to thank their Hon. Sec and Treasurer, Mr Lawrence, for, The accounts were quite satisfactory, and he had much pleasure in moving that they be adopted.

Mr F.W. Butler seconded, and the motion was carried.

Election of Officers

Mr F.W. Butler moved the re-election of Mr Marshall as President. They were proud to have him as their President, and they were also grateful to him his very valuable help. Mr E.G. Thody seconded, and the vote was carried with applause.

Mr W.J. May moved the re-election of the Vice-Presidents with the addition of Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, Mr S. Codrington, and Mr Davidson.

Mr J. Lawrence was re-elected Hon. Sec. and Treasurer, and was thanked for his past services.

Mr W.J. May, who has been Captain for the past four seasons, and he thought it would be good to have a change this year, and he proposed Mr F.W. Butler as Captain. Mr Butler, in refusing to accept the position of Captain, said he was sure that every member would wish Mr May to carry on. This was carried with applause.

Mr F.W. Butler was re-elected Vice-Captain, and the following were appointed to serve as a general committee - Messrs. E.J. Totman, J. Pateman, J. Boniwell, F.B. Sharp, J. Cornwell, H.E. Birkett, F. Crouch, H. Clark, E. Brett, and A. Mannox.

Green Committee - Messrs. W.J. May, F.W. Butler, E.R. Brett, J. Cornwell, E.G. Thody, and C.H. Poulton.

Selection committee - re-elected en bloc.

It was decided to make the Club room at "The Crown" Inn the headquarters of the Club. Mr Mannox, the proprietor, said the room would be at the disposal of the Club whenever the members required it, and that he would make no charge. (Applause).

A discussion took place as to competitions &c., and it was agreed to arrange more matches to encourage new members.

Before the conclusion of the meeting, thanks were accorded Mr C.H. Poulton and Mr E.G. Thody for their valuable assistance in connection with the new green, and to the Chairman for presiding.

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The Committee of the above club wish to thank all who have helped and contributed to the Jumble Sale, held at the Foresters' Hall, on April 20th. The sale was a great success.

15th April 1927 - Funeral of Mrs Mottram

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Funeral of Mrs Mottram

Amid signs of general regret, the funeral of Mrs W. Mottram took place at Layston on Wednesday, the 6th inst.

The remains, encassed in a plain oak coffin, were carried to the graveside by members of the Foresters' Friendly Society.

The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A. Howard, and the immediate mourners were Mr W. Mottram (husband), Mr S. Howlett (nephew), Mrs Howlett (sister), Mr W. Norris (brother), Mr Howlett (brother-in-law), Mrs Norris (sister-in-law), Mr Goodchild, Mrs Hants, Mrs Driver, and Miss C. Norris (nieces).

Amongst the townspeople present we observed - Mrs H. Coleman, Mrs C. Miles, Mrs A.G. Day, Miss Marsden, Mrs H. Clark, Mrs Aylott, Miss Aylott, Mrs E.G. Thody, Mrs C. Postle, Mrs Ambrose, Mrs A. Howard, Mrs E. Camp, Mrs A. Clark, Mrs H. Clark, Mr J. Smith, Mr A. Clark, and Mr J. Bishop (the last two representing the Buntingford Football Club) and others.

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Read the death announcement.

8th April 1927 - Buntingford Women's Institute

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Buntingford Women's Institute

Opening of New Hall

The new Hall, erected at an approximate cost of £1,000, for the Buntingford Women's Institute, was formally opened by Mrs Haldane on 30th March.

The hall, which faced the main road at the north end of the High Street, is fitted up with every modern convenience, including central heating and a hot and cold water service. The main hall is 54 ft. long and 24 ft. wide, and at the rear of this are two dressing rooms, each 13 ft. by 12 ft.; folding doors are fixed in order to make one large room.

At the main entrance there is a ticket office and on the right a ladies' cloak room, the gentlemen's cloak room being on the left. There is an imposing front, with red bricked pillars and iron fence and gates.

The hall was crowded for the opening ceremony. The chair was taken by the President (Mrs H.C. Marshall), who was supported by Mrs H.H. Williams, Mrs Fell, Mrs Howard, Mrs Coleman, and the Secretary (Miss Boniwell).

The President, who was greeted with applause, said that day was a very proud one for the Buntingford Women's Institute. The Institute started in November, 1919, and now on March 30th, 1927, they had their own hall. (Applause). They had the hall through the help of many friends, and she hoped that it would be a benefit and pleasure not only to the Women's Institute, but to the whole of Buntingford.

Mrs Martin Smith was unable to be with them that afternoon, but they had Mrs Haldane, a Vice-Chairman of the Herts. Association, who would perform the opening ceremony. (Applause).

Mrs Haldane said it gave her great pleasure to open such a splendid hall. It was a great achievement for an Institute to build its own hall, and it had meant a great deal of hard work and sacrifice. She congratulated the members very heartily, not only for having a hall, but also for doing a great community work; there was great importance in doing things together. (Applause). The work the Buntingford Institute was doing was reflected on the county of Hertfordshire, and on behalf of the county she would like to say "Thank you."

Mrs Haldane then formally declared the hall open, and wished it a long life, a life that would make Institute life better, brighter, and healthier. (Applause).

Miss Sheila Armstrong then handed Mrs Haldane a beautiful bouquet.

Mrs H.H. Williams said it was a proud day for them all, including their gentlemen friends present. They had with them members of all the religious bodies of Buntingford - the Rev. A. Howard, the Rev. John Cole, and Captain Green of the Salvation Army. Father Morgan sent his best wishes, and regretted that owing to a long-standing engagement he was unable to be present. Continuing Mrs Williams said they wished to commend the hall to God's service, and she would ask them all to join in saying the Lord's Prayer.

This was followed by the singing of "Jerusalem," Miss Woods conducting the singing.

Mrs Fell proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Haldane for performing the opening ceremony, and this was carried with acclamation.

Miss Boniwell (Hon. Sec.) gave the financial statement. After a lot of work in connection with fetes, &c., they had at last got their hall, but they had not quite paid for it. The amount collected by the Institute by means of fetes, &c, was £460. Members' loans amounted to £280, and a kind friend had loans them £300, bringing the total amount to £1040. They had now to set to work to pay off the loans, and they were starting straight away. (Applause).

Mrs A. Howard said that thanks were due to one who had not asked for it. The success of the Buntingford Institute was due to its President (Mrs Marshall.) (Applause). But for her and Mr Marshall they would not be in the position they were today. The members rejoiced to have their own hall, and when they looked back and saw what had been done in past they knew they could look forward to what would be done in the future. (Applause).

Mrs J. Warren seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried with applause.

The President, in replying, said they had to thank Mr E.G. Thody for a good deal. He had been the father, mother, godfather and brother of the hall, and had been perfectly marvellous. But for him they would not have had such a fine building.

Thanks were also due to Mr Claud Fraser, who had purchased the ground and had been most kind throughout. (Applause).

Then came a programme of music, &c., Mrs Scarborough Taylor sang "Down Vauxhall Way" and Mrs G. Armstrong sang by request "The Second Minuet." Miss A.V. Bartlett made a welcome return to the concert platform, and sang two songs, "The Gleaner's Slumber Song" and "Just for a While." Mrs G. Saggers gave one of her amusing recitations, and Mrs Haldane and Miss Woods told some amusing stories. For the men folk, Mr W.J. May replied with a funny tale.

Tea was then served to all present, after which the Committee prepared the room in readiness for the whist drive and dance held during the evening, when there was a crowded attendance, many being unable to take part in the whist drive. Mr H. Clarke performed the duties of M.C. and it was through his excellent management that the 41 tables were arranged.

Dancing followed, the music being supplied by the popular Standon Orchestra, with Mr Ivan Sharp as M.C. 

The whist winners were: Ladies - 1 Miss E. Cutts, 2 Mrs Handy, 3 Miss L. Sartin. Gents - 1 Mr H. Shepherd, 2 Mr W. Watson, 3 Mr W. Gilbey. Highest score first half, Mrs Case. Highest score second half, Mrs Case. Highest score second half, Mrs L. King. Longest stay at one table, Miss R. Cannon. Lowest score, Mr T. Wornham. Lucky ticket, Miss E. Winters.

The festivities went on merrily till 1 a.m. on Thursday morning, everything from the opening ceremony in the afternoon to the last waltz passing off without a hitch.

20th May 1927 - Death and Funeral of Mr W.A. Gilbert

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Death and Funeral of Mr W.A. Gilbert

The death took place at Herne Bay, on Saturday, May 14th, of Mr W.A. Gilbert, who, for a number of years carried on the watchmaker's and jeweller's business in High Street, Buntingford (now carried on by Mr Lawrence).

On leaving Buntingford Mr Gilbert went to reside at Finchley Road, Hampstead, where he carried on business for a number of years.

The deceased, who had been in failing health for about two years, retired from business about three years ago, and after a few days' illness passed away at his residence at Herne Bay. He leaves a widow and one daughter, to whom much sympathy is extended.

The Funeral

The funeral took place at Herne Bay on Wednesday last. The remains were conveyed to the cemetery by Washington car, and followed by five mourning coaches.

The coffin was of waxed oak, and bore the inscription:

William Adam Gilbert, Died May 14th, 1927, Aged 54 years.

The immediate mourners were: Mrs W.A. Gilbert (widow), Miss M. Gilbert (daughter), Mr H. Gilbert (brother), Mr and Mrs E. Gilbert (brother and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs J. Wilson, Mr and Mrs C. Pearman, Mr and Mrs A.W. Wilson, Mr and Mrs P. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Sydney Constable, Mrs Hobrough, Mr and Mrs Hurst, Mrs Gordon, Mrs Ross and Nurse Griffiths.

There was also many others present, and the beautiful and numerous floral tributes were conveyed to the cemetery by a special coach.

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Mrs Gilbert and Muriel desire to acknowledge gratefully the kind expressions of sympathy, which have been a consolation to them in their great sorrow.

3, The Myrtles, Sea Street, Herne Bay.