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The week in history
1906 100 years ago
A CASE for obstructing the police and using abusive language was brought against a Walter Tipping of Hemel Hempstead at Watford magistrates this week.
A Mr Boydell represented the defence and the defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegations in front of the magistrates.
A PC Allen stated that the defendant approached him and asked what time the next bus was coming. Allen replied: ”About 9.15.” The defendant then was reported to reply: ”You are a liar. I don't believe you. I'll have your clothes taken off.” Allen then tried to walk away, but the defendant followed him and continued to use abusive language.
The evidence continued to mount against the defendant and Mr Boydell, in defence of Mr Tipping, said: ”It was a storm in a teapot.” With this, Supt. Wood, who was commenting on what he saw at the crime scene, said: ”Very strong tea.” This was met with laughter throughout the court and with this the magistrates were ready to give the sentence. Mr Tipping was fined a total of £2 and seven days were allowed for payment.
AN ADVERT titled “HOW TO KEEP COOL” stated that “Condy's Fluid” imparts a delightful sensation of Coolness, Freshness and Purity if added to your daily bath. This ‘simply magical' fluid “invigorates the body and braces the nerves.” It was also written that it not only cools you down, but it dispels all odours from the body within 24 hours, especially from the feet. The last two sentences of the piece avoids all subtleties: “All substitutes are inferior. Buy “Condy's Fluid.”
1956 50 years ago
A DYING man was ‘miraculously cured' this week, The Gazette reported.
An article read: “Three weeks ago a Hemel Hempstead man was dying in West Herts Hospital. His pain was relieved by morphia every four hours. Last Tuesday he walked from his Adeyfield home to the ‘New Venture' for his morning drink.”
The patient, 47-year-old John de Borse, believed his miraculous recovery was due to a trip to Lourdes, France. He was taken ill October 1955, and it was thought that nothing could be done for him. However, after his visit to the French city in June 1956 he was able to walk again, puzzling medical authorities. The report concluded “Now Mr de Borse can eat, drink, smoke - anything he wants to do.”
AROUND 1,000 people attended a Roman Catholic fête to raise money for the church. The report read: “For four and a half hours on Saturday afternoon residents from all over the district flocked to the Dominican Convent in Boxmoor. The occasion was the annual fête of Boxmoor Roman Catholic Church.” With various stalls and shows on display around £240 was raised. The report added: “The proceedings will help to pay for the extension built to the Catholic Church five years ago. It cost £10,000, of which before Saturday £6,000 was still owing.”
HEMEL Hempstead Cricket team were defeated by Aylesbury. The Gazette reported: “Beaten by nine wickets at Aylesbury on Saturday, the Hemel Hempstead side must show a great deal of improvement before they can expect to record their next victory.” The visiting side had to face the accurate bowling of Aylesbury's D. Thrower and C. Smith, who caught out two of Hemel's players. The report added “the visitors' field was extremely weak and showed very little enthusiasm for the task with which they were confronted.”
1981 25 years ago
A FORMER Hemel Hempstead school boy returned to Dacorum this week from New Zealand on a quest to find his twin brother.
The Gazette reported: “Now 22, Roy Wells was parted from his twin, Paul Ashley Wells , when they were one year old and he is prepared to spend months looking for him.
“Roy has lived in New Zealand since he was 15. His father re-married in 1973 and the new family decided to emigrate.”
Roy said: “I've come here specially to find Paul and I don't want to go home without contacting him. If I do have to go back without doing that, it won't be for lack of trying.”
The twins were born in Liverpool and moved to Ealing when their parents separated a year later.
Roy stayed with his father, who moved to Hemel Hempstead, while Paul stayed in Ealing.
Roy added that there was a chance his mother had remarried and Paul had changed his name , making his search even harder.
NORTHCHURCH Parish Council was looking for volunteers to act as community advisors in time of war.
Dacorum District Council had asked the parish to provide nominations for the role.
A report read: “Damage, particularly in the case of a nuclear attack, would include disruption of all forms of communication, making decisions at local levels necessary, Councillor Fantham explained.”
Advisors were required to be fit and capable of working under stress, have a good knowledge of the local community, good leadership skills, be respected in the community and be prepared to do 16 hours of training. PARENTS of children at Berkhamsted Baptist Playgroup took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for equipment. Eleven parents completed the walk raising around £150 in sponsorship. |
