Progress in disabled men's training scheme

Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: March 9th, 1918.

Training for disabled advert

On Wednesday evening gratifying progress in connection with the scheme for the training of discharged disabled men in the straw trade was reported at a meeting of the committee of management of the scheme at Mr Keens' office.

The report was presented concerning the renting of other premises which had been found necessary owing to the difficulty of fitting the factory already secured. The Chairman (Mr P. Currant) explained that a sub-committee several times visited Mr Farrow's factory in Langley Road which had been offered. They found it was far more convenient for their purpose, as all the work of training could be done on the ground floor, whilst the whole of the machinery required was installed ready for working.

There were two French blocking machines and four ordinary blocking machines, and the former would give an opportunity for the men being taught the best possible work. There were eigh Wiseman box sewing machines and eight Dresdensia, and all requirements and accessories were there.

They had hoped to be able to rent the machinery in the same way as the premises, but that was found impossible. In order to obtain the necessary amount for capital expenditure they had verbal negotiations with the Pensions Ministry representative. Unfortunately, the Ministry would not provide the amount, as it would create a precedent all over the country.

The Chamber of Commerce then came to the committee's rescue and guaranteed the amount for starting straight away. The committee had purchased the machinery at a very favourable figure, and would rent the premises, which included a dwelling house. They hoped to be able to enter into occupation on March 28th. The Ministry's representative was delighted with the amended scheme, and there was nothing to prevent them beginning.

It was decided to offer a two-year lease on the factory with the option of continuing on a yearly tenancy for a further five years.

  • After nearly 30 years of police work in the borough of Luton, Det-Insp Joseph H. Attwood has retired, having for some time past been in very indifferent health. Yesterday, on the occasion of his formal farewell, his police comrades gathered and presented him with a handsome clock, suitably inscribed, and his wife with an umbrella. Mr Attwood came to Luton from Hemel Hempstead at the age of eight years. He joined the force on December 8th, 1888, and had lively reminiscences of the riot in Luton after the 1895 election.

  • A bad accident occurred on Wednesday at the works of Messrs Carruthers Bros, George Street West, Luton. It appears that a boy named Bracey, aged 15, of Crawley Green Road, employed in the factory was in the basement near the lift, which caught his head and inflicted a severe scalp wound and bruised his neck. He was quickly conveyed to the Bute Hospital on the police ambulance, and stitches were placed in the wound. He is going on well under the care of Dr Lloyd.

  • At the annual meeting of the Beds United Temperance Council at Union Chapel Lecture Hall on Thursday, Mr T. G. Hobbs was elected President for the year.

  • At the close of the quarterly meeting of the Luton II Primitive Methodist Circuit on Wednesday, a public meeting was held and an illuminated address presented to Mr Samuel Burnage on the completion of 50 years as a Primitive Methodist local preacher. He commenced his career as a preacher in the Bedford Circuit in January 1867, shortly afterwards coming to Luton.

  • Thursday night was one of alarm for the people of High Town. Just before midnight dense clouds of smoke filled the streets around the corner of High Town Road and Havelock Road when it was found that the bacon curing department behind the Messrs Oakley Bros provision stores was ablaze. The contents of two of the three curing stoves, covering a space of 30ft by 12ft, were destroyed, but the damage to the building was slight. It will cost £500 to £600 to put the place in its former condition and replace the bacon, if that is possible. After an hour's hard work, firemen were able to leave the scene of a fire that it seems was caused by some smouldering sawdust.

  • The No 6 Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, have presented Mrs Jeffs, mother of the late Gunner Edwin Ernest Jeffs, with a little memento of her son's voluntary services when he was stationed at Biscot. It took the form of an illuminated address in gilt frame with the badge of the R.F.A. at the top. The decorative work on the scroll was aptly designed, consisting of musical instruments and musical characters.

  • A big muster of the 2nd Battalion Beds Volunteer Regiment is anticipated tomorrow when the men will visit the county town for inspection by Field Marshal Lord French. The Luton companies parade at 8.15 am and it is anticipated they will reach home about three o'clock.

  • On the Town ground this afternoon the Camp 11 from Biscot R.F.A. were the visitors, having proved successful in all their games with local teams. A goal by R. Jones gave the Town a lead that was cancelled out by half time, but second half goals from 'Bullet' Jones (2), Hawkes and Twemlow gave the Blue a comfortable 5-2 victory.