27th August 1926 - Horticultural Society Open-Air Whist Drive and Dance

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Horticultural Society

Open-Air Whist Drive and Dance

Fairyland Scene at West View

The spell which has cast itself on any garden function arranged at West View during recent years has at last been broken, and for a pleasant change fine weather prevailed for a Whist Drive and Dance held in the pretty grounds, by kind permission of Mrs Wyman, on Wednesday evening last.

Early in the afternoon there was a slight shower, but the weather turned out fine later.

There was not such a large company present as was expected, due perhaps to the harvest operations; sixteen tables were occupied for whist, and several persons came in later for the dancing.

The Illuminations

By the time the whist had finished, the grounds had quite a fairyland resemblance; some 600-700 fairy lights and Chinese lanterns of various colours casting a beautiful glow over the lawns and the flower-beds. It was a charming sight.

The Standon Orchestra provided an excellent programme of dance music, and Mr Little (who presided at the piano) won admiration for the way he filled the post of pianist. The other members of the orchestra were Mr A.H. Hedges, Mr Hunter and Mr G. Wilmont, who also acted very efficiently.

Thanks

The Committee desire (through the medium of the Buntingford "Gazette") to thank Mrs Wyman for so kindly placing her grounds at the disposal of the Society.

Best thanks are also due to Capt. and Mrs Denny, of Little Court, and Miss Lushington, for prizes; to Mrs E.G. Thody and Miss Thody for managing the refreshments; to Mr H. Clarke, who was a very efficient M.C.; Mr C. Miles and Mr E.C. Clarke, gate stewards; Mrs Stapley for the use of piano; Mr A.G. Day and Mr B.E. Thody for arrangements; Mr E.J. Crane, carting; Mr J. Holmes and the Ex-Service Men's Club, use of tables and chairs; Mrs Coates, gift of cakes; and to the Hon. Sec. (Mr E.G. Thody) for the illuminators. Mr A. Coxall also lent valuable assitance.

The Prizes

Prizes for whist were won by the following:

Ladies - 1 Miss Cornwell 160, 2 Miss Lushington 157, 3 Mrs Day 156.

Gents - 1 Mr Nash 165, 2 Mr S. Howlett 162, 3 Mr H. Cutts 157.

27th August 1926 - Congregational Church Garden Fete

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Congregational Church Garden Fete

On Wednesday, August 18th, a Garden Fete was held in the grounds of Layston Cottage, Buntingford, by the kind permission of Mrs H.S. Ashford, and was opened by Mrs H.H. Williams, of Aspenden House.

The morning weather had been a little unsettled, though not such as to make necessary a revision of arrangements, but about 2 p.m. there began a steady rain, giving not a little anxiety to those more immediately concerned, and damping the ground but not their ardour.

However, the inclement weather conditions cleared, and at 3 p.m. - the time fixed for opening the Fete - the sun began to shine and hopes to rise, and everything was proceeded with as was previously intentioned.

At the commencement of the opening ceremony on the lawn, the Minister offered a brief prayer, and in a few remarks said how grateful they all were to Mrs Ashford for her kindness in placing the grounds at the disposal of the Church for the purposes of the Fete; and that it was very kind also of Mrs Williams to respond so readily when approached to be present.

Mrs Williams, in a very pleasing little speech, said how glad she was to come; hers was a real interest in the Congregational Church at Buntingford, and some of her best friends were associated with it.

A happy allusion to the many willing helpers, and Mrs Williams then declared the Fete open. Before the assembly dispersed to the various attractions, Miss Barbara Aylott presented Mrs Williams with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, which was graciously acknowledged. She was then warmly thanked for her presence and her kindly words.

The following is the list of stalls, together with the names of those in charge:

Plain and fancy articles and white elephant, Mrs J.L. Cornwell, Mrs Feasey, the Misses Dodd, Miss Dorothy Saunders;

pound, Mrs Blaxill, Mrs Benstead;

fruit and vegetable, Miss Eileen Cutts;

jumble, Mrs Baker, Mrs Ward, Mrs Haley;

sweets, Miss Dolly Halls, Miss Chrissie Norris;

gingerbeer, Mrs J.W. Sutterby, Miss Alice Franklin, Misses Minnie and Nellie Harradence.

During the afternoon teas and refreshments were attractively served on the lawn by Mrs C.L. Tutty and Miss Blanche Langham, assisted by Mrs Halls, Mrs Hills, Mrs Langham, Mrs Scott, the Misses Annie Quick, Doris Camp, Mabel Cornwell, Marjory Cornwell, Kathleen Anderson, Alice Franklin, Georgina Hills, Marjory Howard, Freda Rayment, Grace Roblett, Dorothy Saunders.

The following were the competitions, together with the names of those in charge:

Bowls, Mr J.L. Cornwell;

clock golf, Mrs W.J. May, Mr Bert Dowler;

mystery parcel, contents of, Miss Winifred Ward, Miss Dorothy Saunders;

iced cake, weight of, Miss Freda Rayment, Miss Ada Wallace;

stop-watch, Mr Henry Clark, Mr Bert Dowler;

duck, weight of, Mr William Howard;

sweets, number in bottle, Misses Gertrude and Nellie Howard;

pins, number in cushion, Misses Barbara Aylott and May Ansell;

jelly-eating, Miss Chrissie Norris;

basket of fruit, weight off, Mr H. Cutts, Misses F. and D. Harradence;

balloon race, Mr Herbert Cutts, Mr Henry Clark.

At the spinning jenny, business was brisk, Mr C.L. Tutty, Mr Leonard Smith, Mr Harold Starr and Mr Sidney Saunders superintending, while the Misses Frances and Daphne Harradence soon sold their basket of sweet peas. Mr F.W. Butler and Mr W. Budd rendered steady service in exacting toll of all comers at the gate.

For the musical part of the proceedings, gramophone selections were played during the afternoon, Mr Arthur Dray having kindly loaned his instrument, and Miss Emily Benstead and Miss Nellie Howard doing duty in extracting the music, while in the evening the members of the Standon String Band, under the able direction of Mr A. Hedges, played admirably for the dancing which took place on the tennis lawn and in which many took part, Mr Leslie Smith acting as M.C.

In addition to those in charge of stalls, &c., mentioned above, who gave further help in many other ways on the grounds, great assistance was given also by Mr Bert Thody, Mr A. Clark, and Mr Pledger, and by many others. Everybody worked with a will and with keen interest, and to all these helpers and to the many both directly and indirectly associated with the Buntingford Congregational Church, who contributed their time, service, gifts, the best thanks are due; also to Messrs' Moss's Ltd. (Mr S. Daniels) for motor conveyance, and to the Buntingford Working Men's Club for tables to augment school furniture.

Towards the close interest ran high, caused by the assembling for the announcements by the Minister of the prize-winners, the names of the latter being:

Mr W. Budd (weight of the duck), Mr Herbert Cutts (weight of fruit), Miss Nellie Howard (weight of cake, winning the draw), Mrs Charles (number of sweets), Miss Emily Benstead (stop-watch), Mrs Peacock (number of pins), Mr Stanley Smith (clock golf), Mr Sutterby (jelly-eating), Mr Herbert Howard and Mr Stanley Warren (bowls).

The mystery parcel was proof against all guesses, and was no one thought of the correct contents the dozen eggs were sold for the funds. The result of the balloon race will be made public later.

Three cheers were given for Mrs Ashford, there was a last waltz, an announcement of the approximate financial results, a word of thanks to all who had assisted, and "The King." Thus concluded a Fete thoroughly enjoyed by all. "So," as friend Pepys would say, "to bed."

There was a very good attendance, some 200 passing through the gates. The financial realisations were also very satisfactory, the gross receipts amounting to (approx.) £40, and the nett proceeds to (approx.) £31.

John Cole.

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Transcriber note - Balloon race results were published in September.

13th August 1926 - Buntingford Bowls Club Fete

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Garden Fete at the Red House

By the kind permission of Mr and Mrs Claud Fraser, a Garden Fete was held at the Red House, Buntingford, on Bank Holiday, in aid of the Buntingford Bowls Club.

It was organised by the committee, the hon. sec. (Mr J. Lawrence) being ably assisted by Mr H. Clarke. Favoured with a brilliant summer's day, the 600 people who attended the Fete entered with zest into the pleasures, and spent indeed a very happy time.

At the opening ceremony of the Fete, Mr W.J. May, the Chairman of the Committee, said Mr Marshall, the President of the Club, who was to open the Fete, was so well known that he needed no introduction.

The Club especially wished to thank Mr and Mrs Fraser for the kindness in placing their beautiful gardens at the disposal of the committee. The Club had hitherto been somewhat handicapped by the use of a green that was slightly below the ordinary standard size, and this had affected their play. The opportunity had arisen of acquiring a suitable piece of land in Wyddiall Road, which was in course of construction as a bowling green.

Mr H.C. Marshall endorsed the remarks of Mr May, and in declaring the Fete open said the Bowls Club had every cause to be grateful to Mr and Mrs Fraser (Applause).

There was a very big choice of attractions, and all were fairly well patronised.

Messrs. Barratt's Jazz Band and Concert Party from Bedford besides playing selections and for dancing on the lawn up to 10 o'clock in th evening, gave two excellent concerts that were greatly appreciated. The humourous items on the programme deserve special mention.

Upwards of a hundred persons tried their skill at the treasure hunt, the treasure being won by Mr H.C. Marshall, whose success highly pleased the visitors. In guessing the weight of a lump of coal, actually weighing 89lbs. 6ozs., Mr E.J. Totman was the winner, his estimate being 90lbs.

Two, Miss Bartrop and Mr C. Fraser, guessed the weight of a cake (4lbs. 3 and three quarts ozs.), and the latter resigned his right, and the cake was handed to Miss Bartrop.

For the bowls competition, Mr F. Boniwell won premier honours with a score of 25, and in clock golf Mr C. Fraser with a score of 23. No less than six tied in hitting the target for a prime ham, which was eventually won by Mr Howard. This was superintended by Mr W.J. May.

The greatest novelty was the pig in a poke, the pig being presented by Mr Mannox, who managed this competition. There were numerous entries, and five tied, the winner being Mr Skipper.

For the stop-watch competition, Mr J.P. Hill, of the Bengeo Club, Hertford, was the winner with only a minute out. He gave the time 3.27, but it actually stopped a minute earlier, 3.26.

The flying arrow pastime in charge of Messrs. E.J. Totman and A. Mayes proved very popular, as also did Mr F.W. Butler's offer of 2s. for a penny, but the anticipations of those who participated in this feat were not altogether realised. A good prize was set apart for the lucky ticket. It turned out to be 126, and the possessor of this ticket has not yet claimed the prize.

It was just the evening for an open air whist drive, and the prizes were won as follows:

Ladies - 1 Miss Boniwell, 2 Mrs Stepley, lowest score Miss Wilds.

Gents - 1 Mr Walsingham, 2 Mr Watson, lowest score Mr Ward.

Teas and refreshments were in great request, and this part of the Fete arrangements was in the capable hands of a ladies' committee, which won high praise for the dainty way the teas were served on the lawn.

At the gate Mr J.L. Cornwell and Mr J. Boniwell, two of the oldest members of the Bowls Club, had charge.

For such a well-arranged Fete, to uphold a good old sport reaching back centuries, the promoters certainly deserved every success, and it is pleasing to record that the proceeds amounted to about £60.

6th August 1926 - Buntingford Horticultural Society

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Buntingford Horticultural Society

Annual Show

The Buntingford Flower Show was held in Corney Bury Park yesterday (Thursday) and was a pronounced success.

The quality of the exhibits were exceptionally fine, and we believe the number of entries constituted a record for the Society.

For the first time since 1914, the Buntingford Horticultural Society staged its Annual Show entirely on its own.

Since 1920, the Society has held its shows in conjunction with the Agricultural Society, but as this Society held its Show at Hertford this year, the Horticultural Society reverted to is old date in August.

All roads led to Corney Bury Park, where, by kind permission of Mr W.J. Wedd, the show was staged. It is estimated that there were quite 3,000-4,000 people present.

The show as a whole was a distinct advance on last year, and approximated to the old-time shows which made Buntingford famous for its flower shows. The entries totalled just over 762. The quality of the exhibits was also of a fine standard.

The trade exhibits were very fine, the displays of roses by Messrs. Chaplin's (Waltham Cross), Messrs. Harkness (Hitchin), Mr J. Pigg (Royston) and Mr C. Bolton (Wyddiall) being exceptionally fine. Mr H.A. Thody had a fine show of fruit.

Other Attractions

The Buntingford Town Silver Band, under Mr E. Smith, were present, and their selections during the day were greatly enjoyed.

Among the various other attractions was a demonstration with live bees by Mr Herrod-Hempstall, F.E.S., expert to the Ministry of Agriculture, and entertainments, side-shows, &c.

In the evening dancing to the band took place. At dusk a magnificent firework display was given by Messrs. J. Wells, of London. W. Thurston's up-to-date amusements were well patronised.

The Management

An immense amount of organising work had been put in by the Hon. Secretary, Mr E.G. Thody, and by the General Committee.

Mr Thody has held the post of Secretary and Joint Secretary for 40 years and his experience and worth is beyond computation. In addition he was a most successful exhibitor.

The Officers were:

President - H.C. Marshall, Esq.

Committee - Messrs. A.C. Bartlett, C. Bolton, G. Budd, H. Clarke, J. Cornwell, E. Crane, J. Dean, E.E. Dennis, T. Dibbin, H. Fry, W.G. Jones, J. May, H. Money, T. Rolfe, G. Scarborough Taylor, F. Sharp, W. Nichols, B.E. Thody, J. Totman, C. Walters, T. Hummerstone, W. Watkins, B. Rustead, and A. Warner.