Cambridge Independent Press 14 May 1909: Cambridge Foresters road accident

CAMBRIDGE FORESTRY

The D.C.R.’s Visit Ends With a Sad Accident.

The District Chief Ranger, Bro. Joe Mercer, visited Court “Foresters’ Hope,” at Great Shelford, on Tuesday evening, a large number of Foresters accompanying him on the “wheel” and by conveyance. Amongst the District Officers present were — Bros. W. P. Littlechild (District Secretary), F. H. Lucchesi (D.S.C.R.), W. C. Horspool, and F. B. Shepherd (trustees), J. H. Robinson, J. W. Cooke, G. J. Golding, and F. H. Papworth (Committee of Management), and H. J. Mason. The Secretary of the Court (Bro. F. Bunsett, District Auditor), in opening the proceedings, remarked that Court “Foresters’ Hope” was opened 26 years ago, Bro. Shepherd being its first Chief Ranger, and he therefore proposed that Bro. Shepherd should take the chair. This proposition was seconded and carried with musical honours, to which Bro. Shepherd responded, on taking the chair. The District Chief Ranger addressed the meeting at some length, speaking on the flourishing condition of the Cambridge District, and complimented the Court on its healthy character. During the whole of its existence, he said, there had never been a single death claim. Bro. Littlechild gave a graphic description of the opening of the Court, and told how, previous to the opening, eight young men walked from Shelford to Cambridge in the snow, to be initiated at one of the Cambridge Courts. Bros. Lucchesi, Golding, and Mason also spoke. Bro. Papworth enlivened the proceedings with selections on the gramophone. On the party returning to Cambridge a sad accident happened. It seems that part of the road leading out of Trumpington to Cambridge is undergoing repair. For some little distance the road is covered half-way across with granite, leaving a small space on one side for conveyances to pass. While the cycle section of the party were passing this place two motor cars overtook them, and on Bro. Leonard Sparkes trying to get clear of the motor car he stumbled, and fell to the ground, cutting his knee very severely. Bro. G. J. Golding, who was close behind, fell over Sparkes, and was rendered unconscious for some minutes. The first car pulled up within half-a-dozen yards of the two cyclists, but rode off at once without inquiring if anything serious had occurred. With the assistance of the parish constable and Sergt. Pallant, Bro. Golding was brought round, and Dr. Guillemard, of Trumpington, who happened to pass at the time, kindly placed his conveyance at the disposal of the two injured cyclists, who were at once conveyed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. It was found that Bro. Golding has sustained severe injury to the muscles of the right arm, which will keep him from business for some few weeks. After being treated both the injured men were able to walk home.