Buntingford Civic Society

Following the official business at the Society's AGM on 15th April, the attendees were treated to a very informative talk by Heather Falvey entitled "Jottings of two Buntingford vicars - the Layston Parish Memorandum book". The talk was centred around two vicars of "Layston Parish", Alexander Strange, incumbent, 1604 - 1650 and Thomas Heton, incumbent, 1704 - 1748. These vicars kept a memorandum book that detailed records of payments to the poor of the parish and the people that supported these charitable contributions. They also made observations about the residents, some of which are still relevant today. All those that attended agreed that the talk showed that even in the 17th and 18th centuries the elderly and poor residents of Buntingford were supported by the community around them.

Buntingford In Bloom Competition

All residents of Buntingford are invited to take part in Buntingford Civic Society's garden competition. The competition is open to all gardens in Buntingford, with prizes for Best Front Garden, Best Rear Garden and Best Containers (including Hanging Baskets).

We have now set dates for the reintroduction of "Buntingford in Bloom" competition. Entry forms for the competition will be available in May with judging planned to take place over the weekend of the 28th and 29th June. There will be 3 categories, Containers, Rear Gardens and Front Gardens. The competition is free to enter and there will be prizes, I each for the 3 categories. More details of the scoring system will be in the May issue of the Journal.

How to enter:

BCS members will have received an entry form with May's copy of the Journal. Entry forms for non-members are available to collect from the Manor House or are downloadable from the Civic Society website here. Simply complete the form and return it to Graham Waite, c/o The Manor House, 21 High Street, Buntingford. Entry forms must be received no later than Monday 9th June.

Judging will take place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June 2025 and the judging panel will be looking for:

Overall design and appearance
Choice and quality of plants
Health of plants
Cleanliness and tidiness of garden
Lack of weeds
Plants that attract birds and insects
Evidence of water conservation
Evidence of environmentally friendly gardening techniques

Winners will be notified by the end of July, and the date and venue of the prize giving will be announced in the July issue of the Buntingford Journal. The judging panel's decision will be final.

Graham Waite, Chairman, Buntingford Civic Society

If you have any queries about Buntingford Civic Society or issues you would like to raise, you can email the Chairman direct at chairman@buntingfordcivic.org.uk.

The May issue of the Buntingford Journal will be available from the usual retailers from 25th April.

More information about the Buntingford Civic Society can be found here and membership forms can be found here.