Lavendon in the News – Edited extracts from local newspapers of the past

180 Years Ago in 1836:

SUICIDE: On Sunday last an inquest was held at Lavendon, Bucks, before J. Burnham, Esq. Coroner, on view of the body of Phoebe Capp, only daughter of Mr. Capp, a farmer of that place, who poisoned herself under very distressing circumstances. She had for a considerable time been in the habit receiving visits from a young man, by whom she became pregnant. He had of late discontinued his visits; and on Friday she took a quantity of arsenic. She lingered till a late hour the same night, and then expired. The poor young creature was about 18 years of age, and is supposed to have taken the arsenic to procure abortion, as she was heard to say, “I have taken too much.” She was sensible to the last, but died before medical assistance could be procured. Verdict— “Temporary Derangement.”

130 Years Ago in 1886:

NEWPORT PAGNELL Petty Sessions, Wednesday April 14.
GAME OFFENCE.—Joseph Knight, Walter Denton, George Dilley, and Thomas Knight were charged under the Poaching Prevention Act with being in unlawful possession of game at Lavendon, on March 26. – Thomas Knight did not appear; the other defendants stating that he was ill. —P.C. James Kennington deposed that he was on duty at Lavendon, at about four o’clock in the afternoon, when he saw the defendants driving in a pony trap. From information he had received, he had cause to suspect that they had been in pursuit of game, and called upon them to stop. This they refused to do, and a young man named Frost stopped the trap. Witness said he should search them, and found a powder flask and a shot flask upon Joseph Knight and the barrel of a gun, which was loaded. The stock was hidden between the legs of one of the prisoners. Witness tried to get it twice, but it was wrested from him by the prisoners, and finally thrown into the road.—William Frost deposed that at about a quarter to four he saw four men driving in a trap near Lavendon; they turned the pony round, and Thomas Knight and Joseph Knight got out and went in a field in the occupation of Mr. Robert Battams. Joseph Knight then shot at a hare, but missed it. They got up in the trap and drove towards Harrold, and, as they were followed, they turned and drove towards Lavendon. Witness gave information to the police; he also confirmed the constable’s evidence.—Defendants were fined 30s. and 10s. 2d. costs, each, or one month in default.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. William Steff, an elderly man, was charged with attempting to commit suicide, at Lavendon, on the 24th March.—Mr. Morris Fisher, surgeon, of Turvey, deposed that he was called in to see the defendant on the 24th March, at about eight o’clock in the morning. He was lying on a bed with a jagged cut in his throat about three inches long and half-an-inch deep. Witness was afterwards shown a razor (like the one produced) with some blood upon it. The cut did not injure him much, as it was not deep, and was in the front of the throat. He had known prisoner before the act, and he always seemed sensible. He had suffered great pain from rheumatism, which, in all probability, would affect his senses at times. He was 78 years old. —The defendant’s wife said that he was very often nearly beside himself with pain, and seemed quite so on the 24th. They lived together, she being also 78 years of age, in a house by themselves, and were dependent upon their children. Defendant, who was exceedingly deaf, said he had suffered great pain throughout the winter, but he hoped he should never again so lose his senses as to commit a similar act.—The Bench allowed the defendant to go home with his wife, upon her promising to take great care of him, and to keep careful watch over his actions.

120 Years Ago in 1896:

BLETCHLEY AND FENNY STRATFORD WOMEN’S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.
The winter season of the above was brought to a close, on Friday evening, April 17th, by a social evening, which was held in the Co-operative Assembly Room, Albert Street. There was a good response to the invitations sent out, the hall being well filled. The chair was taken at 7.30 by Mrs. Soames, who in a few well-chosen remarks showed the necessity of women taking an active part in political and social work. The principal feature of the evening was an address by Mr. Soames, the Radical parson of Lavendon. He spoke of the benefit derived from women taking an active part in political work, as the ability of a woman to intelligently discuss political questions with her husband would be the means of keeping men away from the public house. He said that the cry of the election had been “Carlisle and better times.” But had they got them? He asked what benefit the workers would derive from it. He also adversely criticised the Education Bill of Sir John Gorst. He was listened to throughout in a very attentive manner, and frequently applauded.
As their train went 9.15, Mr. and Mrs. Soames had to leave about nine, whereupon, on the proposition of Mr. Whitney, seconded by Mrs. Keable, a vote of thanks was accorded them for their kind assistance. —In returning thanks for his wife and himself, Mr. Soames said that the vote of thanks was quite unnecessary, as he always experienced the greatest pleasure in helping the Liberal cause.—At the close of the programme, light refreshments were provided at moderate prices.

80 Years Ago in 1936:

FINED BY NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE – For failing to play Newport Athletic Reserves at Newport on March 7th, Lavendon United were fined 2/6 and ordered to pay expenses of 7/6 claimed by the Newport Club. It was decided that all phone messages must be confirmed by letter the same day.

THE RECREATION GROUND QUESTION
A meeting of the Playing Fields Committee was held in the Schools on Monday to consider replies from various landowners about the possibility of purchasing land for a recreation ground. Only one definite offer was received, from Major D. H. Farrer, of Brayfield House, who offered four or five acres of his land on the outskirts of the village either on a lease for twenty-one years renewable at the end of that time or he would be prepared to sell it at about £20 per acre. It was unanimously decided to recommend the Council to purchase it at such a reasonable price. A vote of thanks was accorded Major Farrer for his most generous offer. The Committee then considered ways to raise the necessary funds, and it was decided to make an appeal to the village during the summer.

70 Years Ago in 1946:

LAVENDON OLD PEOPLE – An old-time dance was held on Saturday in aid of the Old People’s Annual Holiday Fund, which has been revived. Mr. Frank Kitchener was M.C. The profits amounted to £12.

LAVENDON CRICKET CLUB – There was a good attendance at a dance held in the Ambulance Hall on Saturday. Competitions were won by Mrs. J. Kitchener and Sergt. Gardiner. The sum of £5 15s. was raised for the Cricket Club.

National Registration Identity Cards

NEWPORT PAGNELL MAGISTRATES’ COURT – Maxwell Rainbow, agricultural worker, Lavendon, was summoned for riding a bicycle without lights and for failing to sign his identity card. P.C. Cooke said that defendant told him that he had not bothered to sign his card; the war was over and they were no good now. With regard to the lights, he said he was not going to get a battery. It was cheaper, he said, to get “pinched.” Defendant, who did not appear, was fined 10s. in each case.
Donald Ingram, agricultural worker, Lavendon, was fined 10s. for riding a bicycle without a rear light.

REUNION DINNER – Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade (Lavendon Division) were joined by members of the Turvey Section at a reunion dinner held at the Ambulance Hall on 5th April. Among those present were County Surgeon H. W. Round, Corps Superintendent Parsons and Mrs. Parsons (Bedford Division), Supt. S. C. Holmes and Cadet Supt. E. A. Millward. The Hon. Secretary (Sergt. F. Tompkins) welcomed 12 members who have been released after active service in the Royal Navy Sick Berth Service. They were Supt. S. C. Holmes, Cadet Supt. E. A. Millward, Sergt. F. Odell, Corpl. F. Freeman, and Ptes. R Cooper, P. Spriggs, J. Sharp, G. Clarke, D. Parker, F. Horn, H. Chapman, and W. Knight. Ptes. F. Knight and A. Tolly are still serving with the Royal Navy.

PARISH ACTIVITY AT LAVENDON – First Meeting of the New Parish Council
When the newly-elected Parish Council of Lavendon met for the first time, on Monday, at the Rectory, Messrs. A. E. C. Willey and F. Ingram were unanimously re-elected chairman and vice-chairman, respectively. Two sub-committees, one to deal with improvements in street lighting, and the other to make recommendations on the Cemetery enclosure, were formed.
A letter was read from the Post Master of Bedford stating that the request for the erection of a post box and telephone kiosk in the Council Houses neighbourhood could not be met, as those at present in the village were only half a mile from the Council Houses.
The Rector submitted a request from the Parochial Church Council for the Parish Council’s co-operation to facilitate the re-building of the Church wall, which had fallen down in many places, and was dangerous to pedestrians. After discussion, the Clerk (Mr. J. H. Green) was instructed to seek the co-operation the County Council.

FARM AND GARDEN – Cow Cabbage Plants, 17/- per 1,000, Castle Farm, Lavendon, near Olney.