1920 July

Ashwell War Memorial

Feast Forgotten

The annual Feast did not warrant a line in the newspaper which is surprising as it was one of the biggest events in the social calendar with the schools shut for three days. However other anniversary celebrations, special services, Sunday School treats and teas for the Wesleyan Church, St Mary’s Church and the Mothers Union did get a mention.

In sport the cricket team were very busy over although the weather stopped two matches. Ashwell beat Kneesworth Street but lost to Biggleswade, Henlow and to Letchworth’s Kryn & Lahy team by only six runs, 99-105.

The death was reported of Mr George White, 40, 4th son of Mr Thomas White and brother-in-law of Mr F Rand, West End, at Highgate Infirmary. An official of the L.C.C. tramway. Service. Died from internal growth

The Ashwell & District Ex-Services Associations AGM was postponed.

Towards the end of the month many column inches were allotted to two important events.

The funeral of Mr Thomas Lee was attended by many ex-service men. His coffin was covered with the Union Jack. Thomas enlisted in 1916 he was then 36 and as such one of the older soldiers although he was still living with his parents and worked as a farm labourer. He joined the Bedfordshire Regiment and was transferred to the Army Service Corps. He served on the Western Front and at some point was wounded. He never recovered and after the war spent a long time in Ware Priory Hospital where he died. It was considered that his death was caused by the war and he is honoured on the Ashwell War Memorial.

Instead of their usual meeting the Women’s Institute organised a picnic at Odsey. Over 88 members gathered at the ‘Post Office’ which at that time was in Kirby Manor on the High Street. They clambered into a flotilla of be-flagged vehicles and waggons and set off towards the station.  Tea was provided in the Odsey Mill Room by Mr Chas Day – of a well-known bakery. Following speeches the vice-president, Mr Joshua Page the brewer gave an invitation for the group to hold the August meeting in the gardens of Westbury House. The party then decamped to Cheyneys Lodge for games. If this was not enough for the W.I. on the 29th June they organised a grand Garden Fete at the Bury.

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