This month sees the onset of autumn, with the leaves turning all different colours, falling from the trees and the nights drawing in. However, it is also a good time to reflect on what has been a glorious summer with record temperatures.

The Buntingford in Bloom Competition, in its 2nd year, was a great success and it was my pleasure to represent BCS Chairman Graham Bonner at the prize-giving in September. The gardens were impressive but I think everyone agreed that by the time the judging came round, due the extremely hot weather and lack of rain, they were not at their best - although judging by the photographs they looked fantastic. The general consensus is that next year the judging should take place about 2 weeks earlier. It is hoped that even more people will enter next year, especially those residents new to the town.

As many of you have noticed, the Town Sign, located outside Lloyd's Chemist, has disappeared. It has not been stolen, it has been sent away for refurbishment, courtesy of the Civic Society, and it is hoped that it will be returned to us sometime in late September, early October.

The Classic Car Show was again a tremendous success, with more vehicles than ever. This event, now an annual fixture on the town's calendar, attracts a large number of visitors to the town. It helps to showcase the variety of independent retailers that choose to be on our High Street. I was honoured to be asked to present the prizes to the winning entries this year - for details of the winners see page 12 in the October issue of the Buntingford Journal. The event would not be such a triumph without all the hard work put in by the volunteers - months of planning, marshalling on the day, clearing away afterwards, and much more. Our thanks to them all, too numerous to mention, you did a fantastic job!

You may have been involved with or attended some of the activities during the long summer school holidays aimed at keeping the children entertained during their time away from school. This would not have happened without the unbounded enthusiasm of Alex Zetter and her eager band of volunteer helpers from Freman College. The activities were too many and varied to list in this article, but there was something for every age group. Alex's report on all the action is on pages 24-25 in the October issue of the Buntingford Journal.

To commemorate the centenary of the signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918 there will be a WW1 exhibition at The Manor House from the 9th to 12th November, in addition to the annual remembrance service which fittingly falls on the actual centenary, Sunday 11th November. For those readers who don't know, the roads on the new housing developments are named after the soldiers from the Town who fought and died in WW1 and are commemorated on the War Memorial.

Work to clear the Churchyards at Layston has nearly been completed and for those of you who have not been to see it lately, I recommend you take a look as the change is remarkable. Many more gravestones and memorials have been exposed which represent the history of the Town. I must make special mention of the four CWGC graves and the memorial to Claud Lovat Fraser who is buried along with his mother and father, their memorial now clear for everyone to see.

Graham Waite, Deputy 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.

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