Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: September 7th, 1918.

In last week's issue of the Saturday Telegraph we reported that Marie Edwards, 42, hawker, of no fixed abode, was sent to prison for a week on a charge of being drunk and incapable in Luton as the result of drinking methylated spirits.

She came out of prison on Thursday morning, returned to Luton, and at once obtained a supply of the spirit. The sequel was her appearance at the Court yesterday on a charge of bring drunk and incapable in Ash Road.

Defendant pleaded guilty and, in a very agitated condition, pleaded for another chance, stating that if bound over she would sign the pledge.

Special Sgt Jarvis said he was called to Ash Road at 9.35pm on Thursday, and there found defendant helplessly drunk, the result of taking methylated spirits. He administered an emetic [to cause vomiting] and defendant was removed on the police ambulance.

Chief Constable Griffin reminded the Bench that the defendant was before the Court for a similar offence a week previously. He said that, despite her dejected attitude in the dock, she had been singing light-heartedly in the cells, and was a splendid actress.

A fortnight ago she was sent to gaol at Northampton for a similar offence to that with which she was now charged. Defendant denied this, and repeated her appeal for a further chance.

She was warned by the Chairman that a repetition of the offence would mean that she would be sent to an institution, and she was fined 10 shillings (in default seven days). Time for payment was refused.

• On Wednesday evening there was great warmth in the welcome which the members of the Waller Street Wesleyan Circuit offered to the incoming ministers, the Rev Graham Payn (pictured right) and the Rev R. Routledge (who takes charge of the Central Mission). In his reply, the Rev Payn expressed hearty thanks for the welcome, and for the beautiful home provided for his wife and himself.

• Mrs W. Harold Cox, of Beechcroft, Beech Hill, Luton, passed away yesterday after a painful illness, borne with the greatest fortitude. She was loved by a large circle of friends, whose sympathy will be given to the husband and little boy who have sustained an irreparable loss. The interment will take place at the General Cemetery, Rothesay Road, on Wednesday next at 2.30. [Husband William Harold Cox was a leading photographer in Luton who had married Florence Lane at Dagnall Street Baptist Church, St Albans, on July 18th, 1908. She died at the age of 41.]

• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Sir, May I be allowed a small space in your widely-read paper to call attention to the tactless manner in which some Specials carry out their duties. Passing the junction of a couple of streets last evening at 9.45 the audience of a picture place appeared to have just left. A group of young ladies stayed a moment to wish each other goodnight and were at once ordered by an official Special to move on. His manner was most objectionable, and I could quite understand there is occasional clashing between these officers and the public after witnessing this exhibition against defenceless females. There is plenty of scope in dealing with the throngs of filthy-mouthed youths that make our streets impassable for our wives and daughters, without the latter having to put up with the bullying of so-called keepers of the peace in uniform, whose tactless handling of the public tends to make trouble rather than prevent it – FAIR PLAY.”

• Luton Town opened the football season today and a delightful afternoon brought a fair number of enthusiasts together on the Town Ground. But there was nothing to grow wildly enthusiastic about in the opening game, for it was a walk over rather than a preliminary canter. The result was 9-1 in favour of the Blues against the R.A.M.C. Shafford Military Hospital, near St Albans. The Town scorers were George Butcher (5), 'Bullet' Jones (2) and Lawson (2).