Diary: Power to aeroplane factory

 

Stories from the Luton News: Thursday, January 6th, 1916.

Hewlett & Blondeau aeroplane factory in 1918

One of the most important matters in connection with the electricity supply which may have come before Luton Town Council for some time was discussed on Tuesday evening when, after a long debate, it was decided by a majority to apply for a Board of Trade electricity order to supply current to Messrs Hewlett and Blondeau, Omnia Works, Leagrave, a factory outside the borough.

A strong point was made of the fact that of late the Electricity Committee have been unable to supply the demands made by people within the borough. No attempt would be made to supply tyhe aeroplane manufacturer until additional new plant on order for the Electricity Works was installed and all applications from within the borough had been adequately met.

A 2,300-yard main would be laid from the Dunstable Road sub-station in Luton to the Oak Road [now Oakley Road] works with the cost covered by the company over seven years.

  • Miss Bessie Bunyan, a local Red Cross nurse who has endured untold hardships in the retreat across the mountains in Serbia, was present at the Sunday evening service at Ebenezer Chapel, Luton. Said to be a descendant of John Bunyan, she was the sister of Mrs Burgoyne, wife of the licensee of the Wellington Arms, Wellington Street. Luton. She had arrived back in Luton just before Christmas, possessing only the clothes in which she stood.

  • Gunner Arthur Best, 37371, Royal Garrison Artillery, and formerly of 61 Ivy Road, Luton, has died in Keppel Place Hospital, Devonport, from haemorrhage following consumption. He had previously suffered two attacks of pleurisy while serving in Gibraltar.

  • News was received in Luton on Monday of the death in France of Pte Frank Gilder, third son of Mr and Mrs William Gilder, 35 Moor Street, Luton. The sad report was conveyed in a letter sent by Pte Bat Woods, another Lutonian serving with the 24th County of London Regiment with Pte Gilder.

  • Christmas Day at Wardown was full of enjoyment. The hospital was beautifully decorated by the help of the Red Cross No. 1 Section and the staff. Eighteen patients were in at the time and commenced the day at 6 am by opening bags containing good and amusing things provided by Mrs Arthur Harden. At noon, Dr Lloyd arrived to carved the turkey. and during the afternoon games and songs filled up a pleasant hour or two, and at four o'clock a concert was appreciated by all.

  • Convalescing after an attack of enteric fever contracted in Gallipoli, Cpl H. H. Foster. of the 1/2nd Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers, has come home to 30 Vicarage Street on about six weeks' leave. He is the son of Mr Thomas Foster, manufacturer, and has been in Gallipoli for about five months.

  • Lady Wernher had come to the rescue of the Luton Red Cross Band in helping to clear a £140 3s 6d debt owed for new instruments purchased in July 1914. Because of the war it had been impossible to maintain "band season" to raise funds. The band had boosted funds to £50 through a private appeal, Luton Town Council agreed to send £50 to the band and, unsolicited, Lady Wernher had agreed to the remaining £40 after learning of the band's financial difficulties.

  • The Luton sale on behalf of the British Farmers' Red Cross Fund in to be held on Wednesday next in Messrs J. Cumberland and Sons cattle market, New Bedford Road. Already there are some excellent entries and it is hoped that a substantial sum will be realised.

  • After being closed for some time, the Church Army Luton Hut, adjoining the Gasworks, is again doing very useful service, and efforts are being made to cope with the increased requirements owing to another influx of troops into the town. The hut is now in charge of Mr E. H. Shaw, a Luton man who has been doing lay chaplaincy duty at Alexandria, and has been invalided home.

  • The local manager of Luton's tramways was asked to attend the next meeting of the Electricity and Tramways Committee to answer further complaints about the service, especially the frequency of trams. A councillor living on the Wardown-London Road route said it was supposed to offer an 18-minute service. That evening a car passed his home at two minutes to five but the next did not arrive until 17 minutes to six.

  • Among the plans passed at the meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday evening were the following: Factory, New Bedford Road, British Gelatine Co Ltd; additions Biscot Road, George Kent Ltd; additions Old Bedford Road, T. Lye and Sons.

  • The Societe Belge de Luton had another special gathering at the Catholic Hall, Castle Street, on Sunday afternoon. A Christmas tree and decorations were provided by Beech Hill Unionist Club so that the money the Belgians would have spent on the tree could be used instead to provide presents for the children.

  • Mr Francis Laidman's company, who are producing the pantomime Robinson Crusoe at the Grand Theatre this week, came to Luton from the Theatre Royal, Windsor, where they had the honour of being twice patronised by Royalty. The up-to-date version now being presented by the company at Luton is the best thing in pantomime that has been seen at Luton for some years, and one or two of the scenes have never been equalled on the stage of the Grand.