Buntingford Gas and Coke Co. LTD
Since the commencement of the Coal Strike the Company have endeavoured to give the best possible service.
Unfortunately, at the moment, they have a particularly bad stock of what the factors describe as "Westphalian best Gasflam."
Despite every effort, a good supply of Gas cannot be maintained, and their customers are advised to have an alternative form of lighting at hand in case of the supply failing.
H. Clarke,
Secretary
Buntingford, 6th August, 1926.
The Price of Gas
In a letter to all consumers, the Secretary of the Buntingford Gas Company states that owing to the Coal Strike the price of gas was increased as from 30th September.
Normal supplies of gas coal cost 33/9, while the present price is 75/9.
The coal merchants are keeping a fairly good supply of household coal which is being retailed at 4/3.
In some quarters it is thought that the price may rise to 4/6 before Christmas.
Buntingford and District Women Conservatives
Garden Meeting at Aspenden House
The members of the Buntingford and District Women Conservative Association, held a Garden Meeting at Aspenden House on Wednesday afternoon, by kind invitation of Captain and Mrs H.H. Williams.
Last year's event was marred by a steady downpour of rain, but on Wednesday the sun shone brilliantly and before and after the meeting, which was held in a beautifully shaded corner of the grounds, the company enjoyed a walk around the well-kept garden, now bright with summer flowers.
Some 200 members were present, and in opening the meeting Mrs H.H. Williams said they were glad to welcome Mrs Heard again. The general strike was over, and everyone was smiling again.
She was sure that everyone present was proud to belong to the Conservative party and proud of Mr Baldwin; even his opponents - she would not say enemies as she thought he had none - admired him. (Applause).
Mrs Heard, who was give [sic] a hearty welcome, said it was just a year since she was at Aspenden. She had come to speak to them about the Empire. Britain and her dominions still stood first.
The women of England were home builders and home keepers and the home life of England stood out as a pattern to the whole world. The Conservative party stood for bringing together the peoples of England and her dominions under the rule of King George V.
The standard of living was higher than it had ever been before, and the Conservative party had been instrumental in making it so. They heard a lot about Free Trade - it was not really Free Trade but free imports. England had to import an enormous amount of food as it was only able to produce enough to feed eleven million of its fourty eight million people.
The Strike
The Socialists were always talking about International Brotherhood, and when the T.U.C. called the general strike, they thought that foreign countries would take action with them. As everyone knew men in other Countries did not strike out of sympathy with the T.U.C. because they knew that while our men were out they were taking our orders. The strike had undone all the good things the Union had done in the past. There was no doubt that some of the unions of this Country had been responsible for better conditions for the workmen, better hours, &c., that was their national work.
The T.U.C. had a surprise when the people rose and said "hands off the constitution of this County."Continuing, Mrs Heard said she liked to feel that the people of England liked fair play, and she had a certain sense of admiration for some of the leaders of the T.U.C. for the manner in which they surrendered to the Government. The strike had certainly cleared the air, and the people of Britain had said "We will be ruled, but only by people who we have put into power." (Applause)
Referring to Mr Baldwin the speaker said that when the history of England was written, his name would be written in letters of gold, for no man could have done more. Our forefathers had made this Country what it was today, and we today are able to say that what they were we are. Let us bring up our children to walk in our footsteps so that England in the future may be as strong as she is today. (Applause).
On the proposition of Mrs H.H. Williams, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Heard for her inspiring address. Mrs Coutts-Deacon moved a hearty vote of thanks to Capt. and Mrs Williams for their hospitality and Colonel Heaton-Ellis associated himself with Mrs Deacon's remarks.
Tea was served on the lawn, and the Buntingford Town Silver Band played selections. Later in the evening there was dancing, the band providing the music.
The Post Office
The grateful thanks of the public are due to several ladies and gentlemen of the town and district who have assisted the postal authorities during the recent strike.
As there were no trains at all from Buntingford, Mr A.C. Bartlett had to make arrangements for the mails to be taken and fetched from Ware twice daily. There was a ready response to the call for assistance, and as a result an excellent service was maintained throughout the strike.
On some occasions there was a rush of business as the mail had to connect with the Ware despatch, but Mr Bartlett and his staff dealt with the despatches in a prompt and efficacious manner, with a result that little inconvenience was caused the public.
Those ladies and gentlemen who conveyed the mails to and from Buntingford were: Col. C.H.B. Heaton-Ellis, Mr H.C. Marshall, Mrs Stubbing, Rev. F.B. Philips, Mr C.H. Poulton Capt. H.H. Williams, Mr Hardy, Miss Lushington, Major Keeble, Mr J. Thwaites and Mr E. Mildren.
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.
**
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.
**
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.
**
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."
**
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.
**
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.
**
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.
**
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.
Correspondence
To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.
Sir,
I would like to add to the list of those mentioned by G. Scarborough Taylor in his letter of last week the splendid fellows who manned the lorries (of my firm and other firms) up and down the country and collected the goods from London warehouses, docks and wharves, under most trying conditions and at considerable risk of injury.
It was the courageous efforts of these men which saved us all from what might have been a very unpleasant experience.
Thanks to them there was no shortage of any essential food supplies, and, speaking for myself and the business I manage, supplies from Hitchen headquarters came along with amazing regularity, although, of course, one only lived from day to day, not knowing what the morrow might bring forth.
I beg to remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
S. Daniels
High Street, Buntingford, May 20th, 1926.
Correspondence
We have received the following letter from Mr G. Scarborough Taylor, who has been acting as Transport Officer to the Buntingford district on behalf of the Ministry of Transport Committee for Hertfordshire:
To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.
Dear Sir,
I trust you will permit me to thank the following for their very ready and willing assistance they gave in help me carry out duties in connection with haulage of food supplies during the recent strike:
Mr Bayman, of Forrest Stores, who obtained food supplies from Bishops Stortford on behalf of the district, and for seeing the various grocers so as to ensure no shortage;
Messrs F.W. Butler, S.G. Lees, B. Kennedy and H. Feasey, for their time and use of motor cycles and bicycles in going round the district;
Mr Frank Fraser and Mrs Scarborough Taylor for their clerical assistance and tabulating records of food supplies;
and last, but certainly not least, to Mr B.E. Thody for the almost continual and numerous ways he has readily assisted.
Yours faithfully,
G. Scarborough Taylor
Buntingford, May 13th, 1926.
The Great Strike - And After
How Buntingford Fared
At Buntingford
A word remains to be said of the strike as it affected Buntingford and the district.
In a neighbourhood such as this its outward signs were almost imperceptible. No trains were running; the purchase of coal, save in minute quantities, was prohibited and still is; an unusual number of lorries, many of them, apparently, dating from periods of immense antiquity, rumbled and thundered through the street; special constables were busily enrolled; our ordinary newspapers failed to arrive; and our letters were uncertain.
But, generally speaking, the ordinary life of the community was scarcely touched. Had the strike lasted longer some inconveniences might have become more noticeable. In the background, however, preparations had been made to meet any difficulties likely to arise. The regulation and supply of food, for example, had been adequately considered. The Rural District Council, acting under the authority of the Ministry of Health, had resolved itself into an Emergency Committee, and a complete review of food stocks throughout the district had been made. These were amply sufficient for some time to come, and immediate renewal in most commodities was not a pressing problem; but the Committee was fully prepared to deal promptly with any shortages which might have arisen.
Since the strike has been called off no meeting of the Emergency Committee has taken place; but we are empowered by the Rural District Council to state that they are sincerely appreciative of the help which has been afforded them by volunteers who have compiled data and given generous assistance in clerical and other work.
In addition they owe a debt of gratitude to a committee of traders for their ready response to requests for information and advice. The officers of the Council have moreover admirably carried through the duties which fell to them during this crisis.
To one and all the Council tender their sincere thanks.
The Great Strike
The General Strike was called off by the Council of The Trades' Union Congress at 1.15 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister had made it quite clear that the Strike had to be called off without conditions being entered into by the Government.
It is the view of many that the steadfastness displayed by the people as a whole really brought about the decision to abandon the General Strike. The Trade Union leaders, it is thought, must have seen that this weapon was, in the long run, bound to tell. If the Strike had not been called off by the T.U.C. there would, in a few days time, have been no strike to call off, so numerous were men returning to work.
As Mr Baldwin said, it was a victory for the common sense of the best part of the people of the United Kingdom.
BUNTINgFORD EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
During the recent crisis, the Buntingford Rural District Council formed themselves into a District Emergency Committee, and meetings were held on Thursday, Saturday, and Tuesday.
It was stated that under the Emergency Act of 1926 the Council had been vested with various powers.
Captain E.T. Morris stated that the ratepayers of the district should know that their representatives on the Council were watching matters on their behalf.
The question of food supplies was discussed at the meeting on Thursday, and returns called for from local traders.
The Chairman (Captain H.H. Williams) and Mr Scarborough Taylor undertook the work of securing returns from the Buntingford tradesmen, and these were carefully tabulated by Mrs Scarborough Taylor, Mr Claud Fraser, and helpers.
At the meeting of the Emergency Committee, held at the Board Room on Saturday, Mr Scarborough Taylor was co-opted on the Committee. He reported that with the assistance of Mr F.W. Butler, Mr B.E. Thody, and Mr B. Kennedy, he had made a survey of the whole of the Buntingford district, and that foodstuffs appeared sufficient to meet the normal demands of the public for some time.
The Council thought this was most re-assuring.
TRANSPORT
On Monday, Mr Scarborough Taylor, who was appointed Transport Officer for the Buntingford district, made a complete list of all the motor transport which could be called upon for the conveyance of foodstuffs to the district.
FREE CANTEEN
Matters became so well organised that by Wednesday morning it was found practicable to establish a free canteen for all lorry drives passing through the town. The canteen was opened at Mr Maughan's office in the High Street, and a large notice was posted up to the effect that drivers of lorries and special constables on duty could obtain free refreshments between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
There was a general rush of volunteers to assist with the scheme, and four shifts were arranged: Mr H.C. Marshall and Mr F.W. Butler taking the first turn from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mr G.H. Maughan and Mr G. Scarborough Taylor from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., Mr C.S. Knowles, Mr S. Lees and Mr H.A. Thody from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., and Mr H. Clarke and Mr B.E. Thody from 5 a.m to 8 a.m.
During Wednesday night, 87 drivers of lorries were entertained at the Canteen, and all were very grateful for the hospitality shown. A large number of the men were on long-distance trips, and as some were on their journey to London from the North it was decided to run the canteen on Thursday night also. Again many drivers took advantage of the opportunity for a rest and refreshment.
Thanks are due to the ladies' committee, who were responsible for the provisions. The committee were Mrs H.C. Marshall, Mrs G. Scarborough Taylor, Mrs Amstrong, Mrs G.H. Maughan and Mrs E.G. Thody.
TRAMS AND BUSES
Although there were no trains on the Buntingford Branch a service of buses was started on Monday morning, the Buntingford driver taking the 8.10 bus to Ware as usual.
THE NEWS
The welcome news that the strike was to be called off, was made known by wireless shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The announcer said further announcements would be held over for a few minutes as some important news was expected.
After a few minutes wait, he read a message from No. 10, Downing Street, to the effect that the Trades' Union Congress had decided to call off the strike. Within a few minutes flags were flying from many windows in the High Street.
NEWSPAPERS AND THE STRIKE
As was generally expected no papers reached Buntingford during the first two or three days of the strike. A British Gazette was posted up at the Police Station on Thursday, and two strike specials were issued in the district. This paper and the Hertfordshire Mercury published their usual editions on Friday.
On Sunday evening a supply of Continental Daily Mails, brought from France by aeroplane, were delivered in the town, and there was a ready sale for the paper, which contained photographs of strike scenes in London.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the British Gazette was freely sold in the district, and gave confidence.
The Great Strike
Nation Calm and Confident
Gradual Re-Commencement of Railway Services.
The Prime Minister's Messages.
A comprehensive survey of the strike shows the following salient features:
An important part of the business of the Country is held up.
The services of power and light are adequately maintained.
The supplies of food and fuel are sufficient to maintain the life of the Country for several weeks.
The distribution of milk is being regularly carried forward.
The Nation remains calm and confident.
The great strike, which commenced on Monday night, has affected the whole country, and in many parts buiness is at a standstill.
As far as Buntingford and district is concerned inconvenience has been caused to those whose employment is in the city. A large number of food lorries have passed through the town. There are no trains or busses, and the only mails are as follows:
Delivery - 7am.
Delivery - 11am.
Depatch - 10.15 a.m.
Despatch - 4.45 p.m.
A number of men of the Herts. and Beds. Regt., who have recently returned from India, were re-called to Bedford on Tuesday, and were conveyed in cars by Captain H.H. Williams and Mr J. Thwaites of Aspenden. The outgoing mails are being conveyed daily to Ware by Mr H.C. Marshall.
PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGES
The Prime Minister's messages to the nation are as follows:
"Keep steady. Remember that peace on earth comes to men of good-will."
In yesterday's issue of the British Gazette the Prime Minister's message was:
"Constitutional Government is being attacked. Let all good citizens, whose livelihood and labour have thus been put in peril, bear with fortitude and patience the hardships with which they have been so suddenly confronted.
Stand behind the Government who are doing their part, confident that you will co-operate in the measure they have undertaken to preserve the liberites and privileges of the people of these Islands. The Laws of England are the people's birthright. The Laws are in your keeping. You have made Parliament their guardian. The General Strike is a challenge to Parliament, and is the road to anarchy and ruin."
STRIKE ITEMS
Milk was conveyed to Buntingford Station from the various farms, and later taken by motor lorry to London.
Large consignments of vegetables for the London Markets passed through Buntingford on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
A ford van, loaded with bacon, passed through Buntingford yesterday. So loaded was the van, that two sides of bacon were laid across the bonnet.
Owners of wireless sets have shown hospitality to persons wishing to hear the news. Mr F. White has installed a loud speaker in his shop, and Mr H. Clarke has opened his office a to [sic] number who have heard the news bulletins at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.