A Generous Helper of the Church
A former Mayoress of Higham Ferrers died on Monday in the person of Mrs. Spong, widow of the late Ald. Spong. Over 80 years of age, Mrs. Spong was greatly respected in the borough. Her husband, who died under tragic circumstances a few years before the war, was Mayor of Higham on several occasions and a farmer in business at Walnut Tree Farm, now occupied by Mr. H. Eady Robinson.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Spong took up residence at Church House, on the Square, where her death took place. She was very devoted to the Parish Church and gave a litany desk and brass processional cross in memory of her husband. There were no children.
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Mrs L O Spong
We regret to report the death, which occurred on Monday, of Mrs Louisa O Spong, widow of the late Alderman Walter Spong, and a former Mayoress of the Borough. Mrs Spong, who was over 80 years of age, resided at the Church House, on the Square, where she had lived since the tragic death of her husband in 1913. She was very devoted to the Parish Church (to which she gave a Litany desk and brass processional cross in memory of her late husband). Mrs Spong was, before her marriage, a Miss Robinson, of Irthlingborough. The late Alderman Spong passed away at the age of 66 in tragic circumstances in May 1913, when he was accidently shot whilst carrying a gun near King’s Meadow Lane. He was several times Mayor of the Borough, the last time being 1903-4, and the first occasion nearly 40 years previously. A member of the Corporation before its reconstitution, he disagreed with the provisions of the new Charter of incorporation, and was absent from the Council for several years, but later was re-elected and became an Alderman.
Holding many public offices, Alderman Spong was greatly respected in the borough. A School Manager and Charity trustee, a member of the Old Age Pensions Committee, a director of the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Gas Co., and member of the Board of Guardians, he was prominent in the public life of the district. For 25 years he had been a sidesman at the Parish Church and for half a century a Sunday School teacher, and, in the later years of his life, superintendent. He was an accomplished musician, and presided at the Parish Church organ on the first Sunday after its completion in 1877. Since the year 1808 there had always been a Mr Walter Spong a member of the Higham Ferrers Association for the Apprehension and Prosecution of Felons, and the deceased gentleman was the last of that name. Ald. Spong was a farmer a Walnut Tree Farm, now occupied by Mr H Eady Robinson.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, when a service was held at the Parish Church, conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. B E Owen, who afterwards officiated at the graveside. The mourners were Mr and Mrs Cross, Nottingham (nephew and niece), Miss M Cross and Miss L A Cross, Harrow (nieces), Mr and Mrs George Mason, Rushden, Miss Mary Robinson (cousin), Miss Higgins, Mr Bland, Wellingborough, Mr H Robinson and Mr W Slater, Caldecott. The grave was lined with ivy, but there were no flowers by request.
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