Years Ago - Utilities and Public Amenities
100 years ago
100 years Ago
October 1913
100 years AgoNovember 1913
100 years AgoDecember 1913-January 1914
100 years AgoFebruary 1914
100 years AgoMarch 1914
100 years AgoApril 1914
100 years AgoMay 1914
100 years AgoJuly 1914
100 years AgoAugust 1914
100 years AgoSeptember 1914
100 years AgoOctober 1914
100 years AgoNovember 1914
100 years AgoDecember 1914-January 1915
100 years AgoFebruary 1915
Years Ago - Utilities and Public Amenities
For this edition of Years Ago we review Utilities and Public Amenities as a topic and have looked at months April to June of the years 2001, 1951 and 1871.
What is expected today as a common basic commodity, service and facility was not always so.
2001
In the Spring of 2001 the foot and mouth outbreak, which lasted from February to September and resulted in the loss of 2 million cattle and sheep, had Britain in its grip. The paper carries an offer of help to affected farmers by the Samaritans. There is no doubt that the method of dealing with the disease in sheep and cattle by putting them down, then burning the carcasses on huge bonfires was really traumatic for the families involved.
To mitigate some of the disruption, in May the council bought 200 sheep and removed them from the burrows so that the Burrows Park and the Royal North Devon Golf Club could reopen to the public. The public had been banned from walking in the countryside for fear of spreading the disease.
Following a...
100 years ago
Farmers from across North Devon gathered every year end to celebrate what had become known as 'Capt W Ascott's Manure Audit' and Dinner at the New Inn, Bideford. In 1915 Capt Ascott was unable to attend the dinner as he was 'somewhere in France' and 'leave was difficult to obtain, in fact Impossible just now!' He had sent a letter which Acting President Mr C S Carnegie, JP, read to the assembled farmers. At the conclusion of an excellent and well served repast, a toast was submitted to the King and Queen and Royal Family which was heartily honoured.
In a tradition dating back to the 1900s the Town Alderman entertained a number of the aged poor in Bideford to a tea and social evening at the Baptist Schoolroom. In 1901 the Revd H Trotman addressed a few cheery and comforting words to the old folk. The Revd J B Heard, having recently returned to this Borough, expressed as most encouraging the fact that, despite a larger population, there were fewer public houses and licences issued....
100 years AgoOctober 1913
Two Bideford miners had a miraculous escape on the morning of October 14th. The Sluman brothers from Honestone Street were working at the Universal Senghenydd Colliery near CaerphjlJy Glamorgan and had just come up from the night shift. Exploding Firedamp and Methane gas killed everybody underground. In total 439 miners lost their lives and such was the damage underground that some bodies were never recovered. The mine was to close just over thirty years later with the dubious honour of being the site of the largest mining disaster in the history of the British coalfields.
Bideford Mayor, Hugh N G Stuciey, opened a fund for the relief of widows and orphans who had suffered greatly from this disaster. He donated three guineas to start the fund. Collections were made at Gales Bijou Picture Palace, the band of the Devonshire TA gave a concert in the Pannier Market and Bideford Boy Scouts collected E15-8s- 2d. Our postcard photograph shows one of the coffins being removed.
On a lighter note...
100 years AgoNovember 1913
The water supply problems mentioned last month continue to give considerable concern. Abbotsham Road, High Street and all of Old Town are without water whilst "They scrape the pipes" The supply to the workhouse in Meddon Street has been interrupted frequently and the Guardians are considering opening a well on the premises but are hesitant due to the proximity of the old cemetery.
Two shipping stories make the headlines this month. Firstly a fire virtually destroys the trawler Busy Bee moored off Williams's boatyard at Appledore. At 4 am the vessel was alight from stem to stern and to extinguish the fire it was sunk. It is not expected to be salvaged. On a lighter note Coxswain Cann from Appledore was on the beach near the lifeboat station and found a bottle containing a paper stating t*on being found and forwarded to an address given 9C Edwin Hall The Docks Swansea) the finder would be given a box of cigars. The letter and the paper were sent and Mr Cann duly received the cigars...
100 years AgoDecember 1913-January 1914
As Christmas approached the Gazette newspaper was full of adverts by local shops and traders extolling their finest merchandise. On Tuesday 9th December a Prime Christmas Fat Stock show was held when 30 famous fat steers and heifers were sold together with 50 sheep. By early December butchers had already bought, killed and hung their Christmas meat. Messrs S Dennis trading at 51 Mill Street advertised ox & heifer beef, Exmoor Down Wether Mutton and dairy fed pork. Farleigh's Stores in the High Street were offering choice Canadian Hams from 7d to 10d per pound.
To help wash down the traditional Christmas dinner William C Talbot, trading from 1 High Street, advertised bottles of London Gin at 2 shillings a pint bottle, 10 year old Scotch Whisky at 3s 3d pint and Martell Brandy at 4s 4d per pint bottle.
At 74 High Street Mr Arthur Clements had just transferred the business to his brother Wilfred and to celebrate had clothing bargains for all of the family. On offer were men's overcoats at...
100 years AgoFebruary 1914
In the Bideford Gazette during February there is a report of the second annual dinner of the Farmers Union which was held in the New Inn Hotel.
The town water supply is still causing problems and Bideford Urban District Council are discussing whether to turn off the water between 10 pm and 6 am in an effort to save a depleted supply reservoir.
On 17thFebruary Charles Williams announced that he had sold his Cycle and Motor business at 1 Allhalland Street to Mr George Boyle, both the name and premises will still be familiar to many of you.
We are all aware of what is about to happen to Britain in the second half of 1914 but the events that led to World War 1 are far from widely understood. In the forthcoming months we will look at local events, places and people who became casualties of the conflict but for now we will try to set out the events which caused the Great War.
Europe and the countries it contained was a seething mass of discontent, each country had struck treaty after...
100 years AgoMarch 1914
Not much seems to have changed with the weather over the past 100 years. On Sunday 15th March 1914 a heavy gale passed over the region. Vessels in both Appledore and Bideford, although double moored, were swamped and one barge had a mast carried away. The Burrows were under water and the river Torridge was a mass of waves and seething foam. The slipway at the Royal George in Appledore was washed away as well as a large portion of the roadway.
The Blacksmith's Arms at East-the-Water was sold for E800 at an auction to Messrs S W Arnold & Sons. Ivydean in Abbotsham Road was for sale and also Roborough House (formerly 1 Westcroft Terrace) — both from Bazeley Barnes and Bazeley.
On the front page of the Gazette were adverts for J Sanguine & Sons in Grenville Street who were holding their annual sale of boots and shoes — strictly cash only. William C Talbot in the High Street recommended Oatmeal stout for invalids and persons of a weak digestion - price 2/6d for twelve one pint bottles. Walter...
100 years AgoApril 1914
This month we have decided to focus on the perennially popular subject of fashion. The Gazette devoted a column each week to ladies clothing illustrated with drawings of the garments, some of which are shown here. Going by these pictures the women of 1914 seem to have had tiny waists and tall statuesque outlines. Note also one very masculine look!
Home dressmaking was in vogue and female readers were encouraged to make their own clothes, buying the recommended patterns and materials from local haberdashery shops, of which Bideford had several. This was more economical than buying ready-made clothing from the shops as you could use the pattern several times and add your own personal touches. Clothing was showing some trends of the belle époque era; ladies spent their afternoons going out to see and be seen. Fans of Downton Abbey may recognise some of these outfits.
In 1914 clothing was moving away from the restrained Edwardian fashions towards more relaxed styles. Previously, women...
100 years AgoMay 1914
This month we are looking at the changes that are coming to transportation.
An April edition of the newspaper contained a report from the Magistrates Court of a man who was charged with "using a broken down horse" and subjecting it to cruelty. In his defence the man said that the owner of the horse was at home ill and in need of an income. To help out, the defendant had taken the horse and wagon out to do some work not realising how out of condition the animal had become. The magistrate fined him a modest amount and was assured the horse had been restored to better health again.
In the classifieds section a local farmer advertised his pony and trap for sale as he had recently acquired a new motor car as his personal transport.
There are a number of advertisements for various forms of personal transport. Ford is advertising a 'universal car' from E125. Triumph Motors are not only manufacturing motor cycles but also bicycles under the slogan 'a quiet spin'. Raleigh bicycles can be...
100 years AgoJuly 1914
This was one of the first photographs to be published in the Bideford Gazette. It was captioned "Elderly Bideford Resident died at 95 years of age". Mrs Elizabeth Colwill, for many years resident in East-the —Water and daughter of William Lake retained all her faculties after a strenuous life. Last yea@she accomplished unaccompanied the railway journey from Bideford to Plymouth to visit her daughter.
Bideford is a healthy place to live. Miss Wakeley of 4 Clarence Terrace Meddon Street offers a furnished apartment in a "high healthy situation" and Mrs J C Clarke of Fernwood Clovelly Road has for rent a private apartment with H&C baths, a bracing air and magnificent views.
At a recent schools inspection absenteeism features in the report. Bideford East-the Water school had 104 present out of 114, Geneva Girls 256 present out of 290 on the register Old Town school 301 from 340 and Gunstone 80 from 95.
100 years AgoAugust 1914
The Motor Omnibus service from Bideford to Clovelly and Hartland has been inaugurated. Mr Henry Sowden is in charge. The cars are 21 feet in length and are coloured green.
The programme of events for the London Bidefordian Society has been published. The subscription is 2s 6d for gentlemen and Is 6d for ladies. Mr R S Chope, Mayor of Bideford, is President.
On 11 August the Government's official Declaration of War was published in the Gazette. The 6thDevon Territorials entrained for Barnstaple to join the war effort, as did the members of the Royal North Devon Hussars. In Bideford Market Square, tradesmen, farmers and owners paraded their horses. The Remount officers who needed horses for their regiments made their selections and a good price was paid for the horses taken.
The Mayor took out an advert reassuring Bideford people that food supplies are sufficient for ordinary demands. He encouraged frugality and requested that townsfolk did not draw more cash from the banks than was...
100 years AgoSeptember 1914
Captain T S Wickham DSO of the 2nd Manchester Regiment who was the youngest son of T. T. Wickham JP and former mayor of Bideford was one of the first deaths of the First World War to be reported in the 1st September 1914 edition of the Bideford Gazette. The circumstances and the whereabouts of his death are unknown at this time.
There were public Meetings across North Devon to raise money for the Devon Patriotic Fund and to encourage men to volunteer for military service. The first was held at Clovelly Court at the end of August and a considerable sum of money was pledged. Bideford held its mass meeting in the Market Hall which was "packed with every class and section of the communitV'
The Devonshire Patriotic Fund was swelled by E715:2:3d. this week from collections across the area and as a result of a benefit night sponsored by Hancock's Steam Circus E3:4:10d was added to the fund.
Owners of Homing pigeons have been advised by Bideford Police to keep their birds in as they run a...
100 years AgoOctober 1914
War News
One hundred and twenty recruits from Bideford have joined the 6thDevon Territorials since the outbreak of war. Those leaving recently include H Woodyatt, E Taylor, R Stoneman, E W Kelway, E Bray, H J Harding, E Symons and J and W Woodland. Steps have been taken to furnish Bath House,* Bideford, for the reception of twenty five Belgian refugees. Weekly fund raising concerts are being held, at which patriotic songs are to be sung. One such concert given by the West Buckland School Nursery Boarders raised 10s 6d.
Other news.
Councillor S R Chope has been nominated for a further term as Mayor.
A cart belonging to Mr Baglow of Old Town was upset due to the horse shying. The accident happened near The Downes, Alverdiscott Road, the home of Rev. C H G Vivian JP. Fortunately Mr Vivian's daughters have received practical Red Cross training. After first aid had been administered, Mr Vivian took the injured to Bideford Hospital in his motor car. All are expected to make a good...
100 years AgoNovember 1914
The town is beginning to receive civilian and military casualties from the war across the channel. Six Belgian refugees have arrived in Bideford and will be looked after by Dr Goddard in his Bridgeland Street house. A total of 21 are staying at the Bath House and another group are in a cottage at Westward Ho! One has served in the Belgian army and has been wounded twice.
The death is announced of Major Humphrey St Leger Stucley of the Grenadier Guards who died from his injuries received at the Front. He was 38 years old and the youngest son of Sir George & Lady Stucley of Moreton Park, Bideford.
The newly formed Royal North Devon Hussars enrolled Herbert Baglow, F Heath, J H Palmer, W E Galliford, J H Parsons and C E Linceey . All these men are from the town of Bideford.
Bideford Rural District Council sent a Vote of Condolence to the widow of Mr J Pennington, the town Sanitary Inspector, who has recently died. At a council meeting it was decided to advertise for another Inspector of...
100 years AgoDecember 1914-January 1915
In early December the well-known local song "The Lads that are away" is published by Vernon Boyle and Keal Parkhouse as a tribute to all who have volunteered for the war effort and are now spread as far as India and around the world. Copies were available at 7d from Mr Parkhouse at his home in Lime Grove and the newspaper suggests that it will make a "timely and seasonal gift".
We had been warned last month to expect shortages of goods that have to be imported and the traditional plum puddings and Christmas cakes might have been in jeopardy. However, Farleighs Stores in Old Town are now advertising fresh stocks of: Stoneless Raisins 6%d per pound; Currants from 3% to 5d per pound; Sultanas from 6d to 7d depending on quality; Candied Peel, orange, lemon and citron from 3d per pound; Barbados sugar at 3d per pound. If you are unable to make your own cake, Mr J Madge of 40 High Street Bideford (29 years in business) will make and decorate it for you at his new Hygienic Machine Bakery.
The...
100 years AgoFebruary 1915
2nd February 1915 The Union of London and Smiths Bank, who have an agency here in Bideford, have appointed girl clerks in one of their offices for the first time. This is seen as a radical step, as banking has always been seen a male prerogative
Nowadays we are used to paying a pound for a wide variety of goods, but it seems this practice is nothing new. On 9thFebruary 1915 Messrs Stewart & Co who have a shop at 52 Mill Street were holding a 1/- (one shilling) sale. On offer amongst other things, were: 2 Large Brown Towels; 2 Large White Towels; Large Rush Mats 21/2 feet x 5 feet; 4 yards of Check pattern Glass cloth; Lots of complete sets of Ladies and gents underwear and many more items all at 1/-.
Farleigh's Stores, High Street, are advertising Pancake Flour, which — they say — makes delicious pancakes without the need for eggs or sugar.
At the annual meeting of the Bideford and District Tradesman's Association, Mr H Brain reviewed the progress of his earlier proposal that all...