1913 February

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The Clubroom now restaurant at the Bushel and Strike where the dances were held

The many Clubs and Societies were again very active this month. The Nursing and Coal Clubs held concerts in the County Council schoolrooms that raised £8.77. Although this seemed an innocent fund-raising event it incurred the wrath of Mr John Delver who wrote a letter protesting about a ‘smoking concert’ in the Public Schoolroom.  Interestingly for such an early date he objected to the use of the room for smoking and also non-educational matter calling it ‘poisonous political Jesuitism’. Less controversially the Ashwell Accidental Club annual share-out was held at the Bushel & Strike. Members received 48p each.

There was a sale at Redlands Poultry Farm on the instruction of Mr P.F. Plowman ‘whose business necessitates being away from home’ Amongst the lots offered were 100 White Wyandettes, 73 White Leghorns, 6 Buff Orpington pullets and a cockerel, with all equipment: houses, coops, wire netting, etc.

The correspondence on the Dixie’s Stone continued with a letter from Mr E. Snow Fordham thanking Mr Bowman for giving him a name for his ‘old friend’ the stone he had often sat on. Another letter stated that the stone really belonged to Mr Ball, who used it as a mounting block. Mr Bowman, the arbiter on matters of Ashwell history disagreed he thought that Mr Chapman, a surveyor of Roads had some 30 years after death of his uncle, Mr Ball, removed the stone, which was a hazard after dark on the road, to his own property.

In sport the hockey team were active beating two Cambridge Colleges: Clare 7-1 and St Johns 2-1.

St Mary’s was as usual grappling with funding.  A meeting was held at Elbrook House to discuss heating when a representative from Messrs Haden & Sons of London who were responsible for St Paul’s, presented outline plans at a cost of £200.

Meanwhile in the outside world reports of Captain Scots Polar exploration were arriving.