Tennis Club

The club will continue operations as usual this summer.

Death of Mr Guest Brown

The death is announced of Mr Guest Brown, who was a member of an old Fenny Compton family, and as a corn dealer was well known in Banbury and neighbouring markets, which he had attended for many years. He took much interest in parish affairs, and was a member of the committee of the Horticultural Society. He was at one time in business as a brewer. His death took place on Sunday and the funeral took place at Fenny Compton yesterday (Wednesday).

Cricket Club

At the annual meeting of this club, Mr Dickens, honorary secretary, presented the balance sheet, which showed a balance in hand of £1 thanks to extra subscriptions. As the Club has generally had difficulty in making ends meet, this was considered satisfactory. The committee were elected with the addition of Mr Charles Green and Mr F Moore. Mr Reading asked to be relieved of the office of captain, and Mr Hunt, last year’s vice-captain, was elected to the office. Mr Dickens, who was re-elected honorary secretary, stated that he had not challenged any club and had received no challenges. It was thought advisable to continue cricket for the sake of the ground. In order to keep the ground in good condition, a suggestion that bowls should be played was adopted. It was decided that the subscription for the two games should be the same as last year, and that cricket should be practised on two evenings each week. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies who provided tea last season, and also the officers. It was decided to throw open the position of groundsman to tender.

Banbury Guardian, April 1915

The annual match for the Holbech Cup was held on Saturday at the Forresters’ Hall, Warmington. Three villages only competed and the result was as follows: Warmington, 215; Farnborough, 197; Mollington, 192. Each team consisted of seven men.

Banbury Guardian, April 1915

Mr Crawford Wood, in Saturday’s Field, says:

May I be permitted before the close of the season to refer to a subject not entirely beyond the realms of fox-hunting, one which bears its own tribute to the indefatigable labourers and willing sacrifice made by the hunting ladies of Warwickshire and others, who have established and maintained convalescent homes for wounded soldiers such as had never entered the minds of womanhood or before dawned upon a peaceful land? The chief difficulty in this naturally restricted reference to Good Samaritans lies in the danger of omissions. I fear to err: yet, should default occur, it arises from the difficulty of including all. At the huntingopolis of Kineton a Red Cross Hospital has done noble work in tending the constant stream of wounded, and, under the management of the ladies of the dual mastership, Lady Willoughby de Broke and Mrs. Joshia Fielden, together with the Hon. Mabel Verney, and assisted by Mrs Waldron, Miss Perry, Mrs Harry Lakin, Miss Verney, Misses Carey, the Misses Gaskell, and a trained staff, the work has progressed with such good effort that the very best results have been obtained. At Moreton Paddox, Mrs Emmet has entirely transformed a spacious mansion into the most modernly-equipped hospital, the most replete of hunting boxes lending itself to transformation with an easy adaptation which lacks nothing beyond a residence for its owners, who have practically surrendered all. Under Mrs Emmet’s direction, and with the commissariat department in the hands of Mrs Walter Buckmaster, the Moreton menage provides an Eldorado for suffering humanity.

Banbury Guardian, April 1915

AVON DASSETT

Red Cross Examination

A Red Cross Examination in first aid was held here on Saturday last. All the candidates passed, obtaining 70 marks or more. Dr Tibbets, of Warwick, was the examiner and Dr Elkington, of Fenny Compton, the lecturer for the class.

Leamington Courier April 9th 1915

Sir – My attention has been drawn by several of the residents of Banbury to the fact that one or two persons have been parading Banbury commenting in a very derogatory manner on the fact that our Red Cross nurses, on Thursday last, provided hot coffee for German prisoners. I would like to say at once that this was done entirely with my consent, and I am confident that the general public will agree that this was the right course to pursue, in the face of the fact that a message was sent to us asking if we could provide there with something to drink. It was a great kindness, almost amounted to an act of humanity to do so. No other provisions were given them. I should like the public to know that about three months ago a train of German prisoners arrived at Banbury Station in charge of a Mr Taylor of Manchester. Although the nurses had my instructions not to feed Germans at that time, the officer in charge pleaded so hard, stating it would be an act of humanity to give them even one mouthful only, that after a great deal of persuasion the prisoners were fed, the result being that within two or three days I received a letter from the officer in charge, explaining that the nurses provided refreshments only after a great amount of persuasion from himself, asking me not to censure them for so doing, and also enclosing a postal order (from his own pocket) towards any expenses that might have been incurred. As a result of our action last Thursday I have received between £5 and £6 towards our Station Refreshment Fund. This fact, I submit is the Englishman’s answer to the remarks of those who have been trying to create mischief in this town as to the action of our Red Cross society. If this explanation has the effect of inducing those persons to hand me a small donation to our society, it will be thankfully received and judiciously spent.

Whilst on this matter, I should like to say that we have provided refreshments to upwards of 180,000 troops passing through Banbury station, and in addition to this, between 3,000 and 4,000 wounded on hospital trains. I have received donations to the fund not only from people of Banbury and district, but even from Morocco and Ceylon, and from many officers who have passed through in charge of troops. I believe I am right in stating that until very recently, Banbury was pre-eminent in this work, which has recently been started at Victoria Station, where I notice that a surprise visit was paid by Her Majesty the Queen on Saturday last, showing the appreciation our Royal Family has for this work, of providing comfort for those troops who are offering their lives for their King and Country in this terrible crisis. It has been reported to me that a short time ago our King visited one of the hospitals where some wounded Germans were, and he made it known to those in charge that it was his wish that the German soldiers should be treated in the same manner as our own soldiers.

Should space permit, I should very much like you to give the public your opinion on this matter. One can only hope that a good example set on our part is more likely to have a good effect in kinder treatment of those Englishmen who are prisoners in Germany than otherwise.

Believe me, yours truly

SYD. J. MAWLE

Assistant County District Director, British Red Cross Society (Oxfordshire)

[In response to Mr Mawle’s request for our opinion, we can only say that it seems unfortunate that any apology should be found necessary for the fulfilment of the injunction to give food and drink to a hungry and thirsty enemy, and peculiarly so, considering its Source, at this particular moment in the Christian year – Editor, Banbury Guardian]

Banbury Guardian, April 1915

• The number of eggs sent to the Banbury depot during March has been:
• Farnborough – 330
• Wardington – 248
• Chpping Norton and Edgecote – 148
• Warkworth and Overthorpe – 144
• Cropredy – 137
• Fenny Compton – 123
• Marston – 120
• King’s Sutton – 119
• Culworth School – 103
• Bodicote – 91
• Milton – 88
• Thorpe Mandeville – 86
• Avon Dassett – 72
• Mollington – 72
• Middleton Cheney – 47
• Twyford Gardens – 30
• North Newington – 28
• Williamscote – 21
• Aynho – 17
• Arlescote – 14
• ‘A Friend’ – 12
• Bloxham – 3

Total – 2,912

Of these eggs, eight dozen have been sent each week to the Third General Southern Hospital at Oxford, the rest to London. In future the War Office has directed that 250 egges shall be sent each week to the Second General Hospital at Bristol. H. Loveday, Depot Manager.

Banbury Guardian, April 1915

The Leamington and Warwick master bakers have decided not to make or deliver hot cross buns on Good Friday.

Banbury Guardian, April 1915

Mr W. J. Weld presided at the meeting on Thursday, and there were present Messrs R. H. A. Holbech, W. H. Jarvis, Ridley Brown, A. Spencer, A. Fairfax (clerk), and G. Elkington (surveyor).

Dr Johns’ Illness

The Chairman suggested they should send a letter of sympathy to Dr Johns on account of his illness.

The Clerk said that he had heard from Dr Prichard that Dr Johns was getting on well.

Mr Holbech said he was very pleased to hear it. The Chairman’s suggestion was agreed to.

The Late Mr John Smith

The Clerk read a letter from Mrs Mander, daughter of the late Mr John Smith, thanking the Council for the letter of sympathy which had been sent to the family on the death of her father.

Farnborough Water and Avon Carrow Drainage

The Clerk said he understood from Mr Elkington that the well at Farnborough had been cleaned out now.

Mr Holbech remarked that it had, and he asked the surveyor if he had taken a sample.

The surveyor replied that he had not taken a sample, but he had been told that the water was now in a better condition that it was a month ago.

Mr Holbech said the surveyor had better take a sample for analysis; which was agreed to.

The Chairman said that the drainage at Avon Carrow was now being proceeded with.

A Radway Labour Difficulty

The Clerk asked the surveyor if he had obtained a roadman for Radway.

The Surveyor said that he had not. He had not received any applications. A man had applied for an application form but he had not sent it in, and he did not think he would.

Agricultural Wages in the District

The Clerk said he had received from the Board of Agriculture the usual forms to fill up with regard to agricultural wages in the district, and asking whether any changes had taken place. He remarked that last year they had put carters at 14s.

Mr Holbech said that had been put too low.

The Chairman observed that wages, on the average had been raised 2s. a week.

Mr Brown said that he thought they, in making the return last year, had put the wages too low.

Mr Jarvis said that carters at Warmington were receiving 17s.

It was agreed that the Clerk should make the following return: Cowmen, 16s. a week; shepherds and carters, 17s.; and ordinary farm labourers, 15s.

The Estimates – Reduction of the Rate

The Clerk said that the balance in hand was £221 4s. 7d. but there were some accounts to be paid out of it. In presenting the estimates for the half-year, he said that the salaries would be £58 9s. 9d., and the surveyors estimate for the repair of the highways was £318 3s. 3d., , which was a little higher than last year. They generally provided for two-thirds of that sum which was £212 2s. 2d. The stationery, election expenses, and sundries he put at £30, which gave them an expenditure of £300 11s. 11d. They would receive from Warwickshire County Council £11, and from the local taxation account £102 13s. 9d., and he proposed to take from the bank balance £50, so that the Council had to provide for £136 18s. 2d. He suggested there should be a rate of 3d. in the pound, which would be a penny less than last half-year. A rate of 3d. would produce £140 8s. 3d. They had not spent so much on sundries and elections as they had estimated. The calls would be as follows: Avon Dassett,£21 3s.; Farnborough, £48 4s. 9d.; Radway, £18 3s.; Ratley, £18 11s. 6d.; Shottesewell, £13 17s. 3d.; and Warmington, £20 8s. 9d.

Mr Spencer said he though the estimate was quite satisfactory.

The Chairman observed that the reduction of the rate by a penny was very acceptable that the amount of the county rate that they had to pay now.

The motion was carried.

The Appointment of a Sanitary Inspector

The Clerk said there were two applications for the appointment of sanitary inspector, and perhaps the Council would like to take that matter in committee; which was agreed to.

A Dangerous Cottage at Radway

The surveyor said there was a cottage at Radway in such a condition as not to be safe.

The Clerk said that Dr Johns would have to inspect it.

The surveyor – I do not think he need. It is so evident.

Mr Jarvis also remarked that the house was not safe.

The surveyor said it was not occupied, but it was a danger to the public.

The Clerk said that if the Council gave him instructions he would serve notice on the owner of the house.

It was agreed to do so, the owner being it was said, Mrs Haynes, of Fullready, Stratford-on-Avon.

The Radway Drainage Scheme

A letter was read from Messrs Aplin, Hunt, and Co. with reference to some drainage alterations it was proposed to make on farms on the Radway Grange estate, and which it was said would be all that was necessary to be done in that part of the village.

Mr Brown said he thought he had better postpone the motion of which he had given notice a month ago – that they appoint someone to carry out the Radway drainage scheme. It might be that the person they appointed as sanitary inspector would be competent to carry out the scheme.

Votes of Thanks

Mr Holbech said that being the last meeting of the Council, he had much pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr Weld, for the able manner in which he had carried out the business of the chair during the year for which they were very much indebted to him.

Mr Spencer seconded the motion; which was carried.

The Chairman, in reply, said he was very much obliged to them. He had done the best he could in the office and he thanked the members of the Council for the manner in which they had supported him. He proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Brown, the vice chairman, which was seconded by Mr Jarvis and carried.

Appointment of Mr N. H. Dawson as Sanitary Inspector

The Council sat in committee and considered the appointment of a sanitary inspector in room of the late Mr John Smith, the result being that Mr N. H. Dawson, the late surveyor for Banbury, was appointed to the office.

Banbury Guardian, April 1915