NOTES ON PUBLIC HALLS

1. The parish hall consists of a hall 45ft by 27ft with stage and a committee room and kitchen at the rear.  It is brick built, lighted by electricity and heated by a stove.  

Uses – Scouts, youth club and guides meetings.  Evening classes, concerts, Socials, public meetings, Films, Wedding receptions, Dances, Whist Drives, for school physical training and canteen.

Seating - about 200.

2. The Village Club, High Street consists of a hall 80ft by 25 ft with stage, two committee rooms, Bar and games room.  It is within built lighted by electricity and heated by a stove.  

Uses – Whist Drives , dances, concerts occasionally .

See also under list of clubs etc.

Seating about 250.

3.  Congregational Chapel room – a room 30 ft by 18ft with a low stage.  Brick built, heated by a stove and lighted by electricity.  Used by cubs and Sunday school and for small meetings.  Seating about 80 .

4.  the upper and lower parish rooms – attached to the school – are used as committee rooms and at present hired by Herts CC as school classrooms.

Congregations at Saint Andrews averaged 30 at 11:00 AM and 45 to 50 at 6:30 PM.  While the chapel has about 20 at each service.

Notes of interest on Saint James church.

This is one of the finest examples of a very the old church in England, the box pews being especially rare .

The old bible has been in use for over 200 years .  The pulpit, a three decker is also very old.  The font is thought to be the only one still retaining both pins used to padlock the cover in the days when witches were suspected and holy water was used to cure warts etc.

CLUBS SOCIETIES ETC. ORGANIZED IN THE VILLAGE

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE         

President Miss Paine.  Secretary Mrs. Morris .  Treasurer Mrs. Hall.  Members 80 .  Subscription 3/6 per year .Meetings 3rd Tuesday afternoon parish hall.  Activities – Lectures, classes, socials whist drives etc.

BRITISH LEGION  

Chairman Mr. Lyons, Secretary Mr. SC Harrison, Members over 100, Subscription 2/6 per year, meetings in Stanstead Abbotts village club, was started in 1930.  Activities – Members help to run poppy day and send representatives to the United Services fund.  Socials , Dart Matches, Dances Etc.  Help any ex Service men when need arises.  Have county, area and group meetings and rally.

VILLAGE CLUB  

President Mr. H Spicer, Secretary Mr. FH Coles Treasurer Mr EFW Damen.  Members 180 .Subscription 7/6 per annum or 2/- per quarter.  The club provides Billiards, table tennis, darts, dominoes, chess, draughts and cards, and has a bar, it is open.

A whist drive is run every Tuesday evening, and Littlewoods films provide a show every Wednesday.

MOTHERS UNION

Enrolling members - Mrs. Woodhouse.  Secretary Mrs. EE Pearce.  Treasurer Mrs. Hilton.  Members about 60 . Subscription 2/6.  Meetings 3rd Thursday each month in the parish hall .Activities communion 1st Thurs.Talks on religious subjects, specially trying to help members to bring up their children in Christian homes.

FOOTBALL CLUB

Probably started about 1880.  President Mr. H Spicer.  Secretary and treasurer Mr. D Balderstone.  Members about 40.  Subscription 3/-.  Leagues: 1st XI Herts county league Div 1, 2nd Hertford & district league Div1 : Field: Mill Field.

FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS CLUB

The chairman Mr. A Surridge.Secretary Mrs. PA Emery.  Treasurer Mr. E Salmon.  This club only formed in August 1949 already has approximately 175 members paying an annual subscription of 1/-.  Meetings are held weekly at the Crown Inn, St Margaret’s.  Coach trips are organized for away matches and it is hoped to help the football club by supplying equipment etc.

CRICKET CLUB  

Probably started about 1880.  President Mr. H Spicer.  Secretary Mr. A. Mead.  Treasurer Mr. EFW Damen.  Members 37 . Subscription 7/6. Field St Margaretsbury.  Two elevens played Saturday and Sunday matches.

YOUTH CLUB  

Leaders Mr. Williams and Mrs. Oxley.  Members 80 .Subscription 2d per evening.  Meetings Tuesday evening for indoor games,,Socials  etc. and Sunday morning for outdoor games.

SCOUTS

Started in 1919.  SM Mr. CJ Hitch, two assistants 17 senior scouts and 18 scouts .Meeting Mondays in the parish hall.Subscription 2d per week.Chairman of committee Mr. FW Vyse.

GUIDES AND BROWNIES   

Started about 1923.  Captain Nurse R. Edwards. Members: 24 guides, 12 Brownies.  Meetings Friday evenings in the parish hall.

THE LIBRARY    

Open on Thursdays 2 – 4.30 pm in upper parish room.  Librarians – Miss M Lyndsell, Mrs. Clift , Mrs. EE Pearce.  No of books 2000 belonging to the library; 350 county books.  Charge 1d per book.  Members 120, borrowing about 80 books per week from each section.

EVENING INSTITUTE

Responsible teacher Mr. E E Pearce.  The following classes are at present held – singing, shorthand, typing , light crafts, embroidery , PT for boys, and dramatics 15 men or boys and 47 women or girls have joined.

CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL   

The 45 members meet in the parish hall on Sundays at 2:30 PM.  Superintendent  - The Vicar.  Senior girls meet at the Vicarage.

CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL

The 30 members meet at the chapel room on Sundays at 2:30 PM.  Superintendent Mr. Dawes.  A film show is given on one Sunday in each month.

BAESH CHARITY  

Chairman Mr. JF Buxton. Sec Mr. EFW Damen.  The six trustees administer the funds and care for the Almshouse occupants.

WELFARE     

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month in the parish hall. 2 – 4.30pm.  Mrs. Woodhouse and Mrs. Hilton help the Nurse, and an average of 15 babies are brought for weighing etc.

THE ABBOTT’S ANGLING SOCIETY

President Mr. JF Buxton Chairman Mr. RG Chaplin, Hon Sec Mr H. Grunsell, Treasurer Mister J. Dixon.  Membership 100.  Meetings Monday evenings at the Pied Bull, competitions held frequently.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION

Chairman; the Head Teacher, Secretary Mrs. Wren, Treasurer Mr V. Roblett.  Members 78, Subscription 2d for membership card .  Meetings 4 times per term in the parish hall .Activities Talks, Brains Trust etc.Sales, whist drives etc. to raise money for school uses.

GARDEN AND ALLOTMENT SOCIETY

Secretary Mr. H Fowler, Members 110, Subscription 2/6 per annum.  Holds two annual shows in July and October and monthly meetings for films, lectures etc.

CONSERVATIVE PARTY

Chairman Mr. J F Buxton, Secretary Mrs. M J Evans, Treasurer : Mr D Cockman.  Members 63.Subscription voluntary.

LIBERAL PARTY    

Chairman Mr. H Spicer, Secretary Mrs. Measday, Treasurer Mr. Blake.  Members approximately 50.Subscriptions 1/6 per annum.  Committee meets once a month to arrange activities, vizSocials,Whist drives etc. to make funds also help at Headquarters.

LABOUR PARTY   

Chairman Mr. Spencer , Secretary Mr. Bullymore, Assistant secretary Mrs. Cracknell, Treasurer Mr. G Hart.  Members 107 subscription 6d per month .

ROYAL ANTEDILUVIAN ORDER OF BUFFALOES

Members 100.  Meetings weekly at various Lodges with occasionally special rallies, Church parades etc.  Object, to help others who are in need.

AGRICULTURAL UNION   

Branch opened here with 8 members in 1942.  Present membership 85, meeting fortnightly at the “Oak”.  Contribution 6d per week,secretary Mr. EG Perry.