100 Years Ago

Years Ago - June

June 1924

Southern Railways advertises its ‘early summer & Whitsun holidays’ from Bideford

The warmer weather which has come for the Whitsun weekend is greatly welcomed in the district. Since the brief fine spell of conditions during the Easter, all North Devon practically has been subjected to a monotony of alternate rainy and suppressed sunshine weather. June, which should be the month of summer, has been with us a week before breaking into the true warmth and sunlight that is hers by right. May Whitsun be the gateway to lazy, woolpack clouds and spotless skies!

A meeting in connection with the great Lifeboat Institution Centenary will be held.

Thefts made the news this month. John Blower, a seaman from Liverpool was working on the ketch Lilla which is lying at Brunswick Wharf. He admitted stealing 32lbs of beef, 14lbs of pork and a pair of boots belonging to the Captain, Richard Jewell. Blower was found asleep in New Road and taken into custody. Questioned by the police he said he had stolen the meat because he was hungry and had sold it in the first pub he came to. The bench did not fully believe this reason and told him he had better sign the pledge and leave off the drink. A fourteen-year-old schoolgirl appeared in the Children’s court in front of three magistrates to answer a charge of stealing a lump of coal worth 4d from the Bideford Gas and Coke company, having been seen leaving the premises with the coal in her hand. She pleaded guilty and was bound over to be of good behaviour for three months on her father’s surety of £5. Another girl, aged 16, was similarly charged but said she had only been holding the coal for the younger girl. She was given the benefit of the doubt. John Moyes Tregaskis, the master of the steamship Avontown which is currently lying in the Torridge, pleaded guilty to concealing 6 bottles of brandy and whisky plus a quantity of tobacco with the intention of avoiding paying duty. He was fined £13 which is roughly three times the duty he would have paid.

Mr Skidmore Ashby, JP., who is at present staying at Bagnoles de l’Orme, Normandy, hoped to be home at Rixdale, Abbotsham in time for the July meeting of the Shebbertown Race Club.

As a result of shortage of freights and a dearth in shipping two large steamers arrived at Appledore to lay up.

We congratulate Mr Kenneth John Hinks, aged 11, eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Hinks, Bude-street, Appledore, on obtaining a scholarship at Bideford Grammar School. He has been attending Appledore Church Schools under Mr Thomas Parsons. Also Matilda Gorrel, daughter of Mr and Mrs Sydney Gorrel, of Alpha Place, granddaughter of Mr John Slader, of the Quay, who has been attending the Devonport School, and latterly the Council School at Appledore, on obtaining a scholarship at Edgehill College.

In delightful weather the Vicar, the President, in introducing Mrs Daw of Yeolden, who had kindly come to open the fete at Appledore Vicarage on behalf of the Nursing Association, reminded the parishioners how she had helped to raise money to build their beautiful Church. Mrs Daw on declaring the fete open…

News has reached Appledore of the death of Mr R Darch, late Stoker Petty Officer of HM Royal Navy. He was a son of the late Mr Darch of Bideford, a successful shoeing smith who had won several competitions in his trade. Mr Darch married Katie, the daughter of the late Captain James Cox, who for many years was in charge of the Trinity Stores in Appledore.

Richard Curtis, Francis Curtis and John Williams, youths, were summoned for playing football on the highway at Appledore on 15th May, to the annoyance of passers by. PC Ridd said there had been numerous complaints, and defendants were each fined 3s.

Springfield Terrace, Bideford, property for sale.

There is a long report about the naming and launch of the Bideford Amateur Rowing Club’s new boat. She was launched from the river bank watched by a crowd of around 1000 people in spite of a steady and persistent downpour. The boat was named Swiftsure by Mr Stucley and the naming ceremony was performed by Miss E F Stucley. Both local clubs then escorted the new boat up the river in a procession of blue and red.

Mr and Mrs J Gregory who left England with their family for New Zealand about 16 years ago are spending a holiday with their daughter in Bideford, their native town.

The shortage of affordable housing made the news in 1924 as it does in 2024. The Mayor of Bideford, Councillor F T Upton, presided over the monthly meeting of Bideford Urban District Council, the other members present being Alderman J Cock, J M Metherell, J U Fulford, and W T Goaman, and Councillors A R Adams, W H Huxham, W Cole, T Cleverdon, J S Dymond, A H Hopson, Dr E J Toye, G Rattenbury, and R Butler. The tender of Mr Branch of Bideford for the erection of four brick houses according to amended plans at £2,090, was accepted, on the motion of Mr A R Adams. This is in line with Government targets to supply houses at a purchase cost of £500 or to let at 9 shillings per week. However, some people are already having to pay rent of 14 shillings a week for suitable accommodation and it is feared that the new houses would actually go at a higher rate than most working folks can afford.

All 390 allotments owned by Bideford council are now let. Six have been let rent free for a year to unemployed men with large families on condition that they are cleared and brought into cultivation. The weather has not been good so far this year for farmers and market gardeners. However, the rain has now stopped and haymaking has started across the region. It is reported that “the shears are heavy”. Tree fruit is disappointing but loganberries and raspberries are cropping well. Strawberries are small in size but the quantity is large.

The Fire Brigade Committee reported on the cost of a motor fire engine in place of the present steamer. A reconditioned engine would cost £675, and, with the housing, the approximate capital expenditure would be £1,200.

The funeral of the late Mr W B Hamm, the young Bideford bank clerk who succumbed to injuries received in an accident through avoiding a girl cyclist riding the wrong side of the road, took place at Exford, and was largely attended. Earlier in the month, it was reported ….

The funeral took place of the late Mrs Maria Abbott, of Mill-street, Bideford, widow of Mr John Abbott. Mr G J D Wheeler officiating. The chief mourners included Mr William Abbott, postmaster, Bourneville; Mrs Hobart Braddick, Mr Ernest Hookway; Mr W Johns (Huish), Mr Hobart Braddick, Mr Leslie Braddick, and Mrs and Miss Boundy.

Work on the reconstruction of Bideford Bridge has been suspended. It is stated that the reason for the cessation has nothing to do with labour conditions but the thinking behind the stoppage is not stated.

A case of sleepy sickness which occurred in a working class district at Bideford was removed to the Isolation Hospital, where the patient, a married woman aged 34, is receiving every attention.

Bideford and District Hospital acknowledge with best thanks gifts of tea, butter, cream and sugar, from Mrs Copp; flowers and vegetables, Mrs Headon; cream, Captain Hope Hall; and bed table, Mr Henderson.

Visit H F Elliott, 75 High Street, Bideford, for Scotch Tweeds and 'clothes that grow old gracefully'

At Bradworthy, the friends of Mr T Gilbert, who has been so seriously ill, will be glad to know that he is continuing to make progress. The wedding has been solemnised of Miss Hilda Dyte and Mr Alfred Slee, of Bradworthy.

The funeral of Mr J P Seldon took place in the Free Church Cemetery. Rev G H Schofield officiated in the Church and at the graveside. The bearers who carried the deceased to his resting place being Messrs W and H Cory, A Petherick, F Gliddon, A Everson, and J L Martin.

A Conservative garden fete held in the grounds of Berridon Hall, Bradworthy, kindly lent for the occasion by Major and Mrs Spread, was a great success. During the afternoon an address was given by Major Kenyon-Slaney. Tea was provided, the visitors numbering about 250 being entertained. The prizes for pigeon shooting were awarded: Mr T Bartlett; Major Kenyon-Slaney. Skittle competition: Mr Boundy; Mr A P Oke; Mr Grant.

A further remand was asked for at Bideford in a case in which 2 labourers, of Buckland Brewer, were charged with stealing from the Post Office. Much attention has been paid to the security of the post office and the ease with which access could have been gained. Supt Shutler said certain very important information had only come to the knowledge of the police that morning, and they were therefore not prepared to go on with the case at once. Mr T Oerton, jnr. for the accused, had no objection provided bail was granted. The men had already been in prison a week. The Bench, Mr H N G Stucley presiding, granted a remand for a week, allowing bail, defendants in £5 each, and their father’s surety in £10 each. The following week, people enduring three hours in a stuffy crowded court heard an amendment to the charges which confirmed the value of the stolen postal orders. Some of the orders had been passed on by one of the accused; one more was found in his lodgings; and another order had been given to his sister. After a further long discussion regarding the security of the post office during which contradictory evidence was given by witnesses, one defendent admitted receiving the postal orders and passing them but denied stealing them. As he had a history of offending, he was jailed for three months. This is a long and convoluted story which is well worth visiting the Archive to read.

The marriage arranged between Sub-Lieut John Hewitt, Royal Navy, his Majesty’s Ship Barham, only son of Mr and Mrs George Hewitt, of Marton, New Zealand, and Esther Graham, elder daughter of the late Mr Graham Stokes and of Mrs Stokes, of Glen Cottage, Buckland Brewer, will take place on Saturday, August 2, in the Parish Church of St Mary and St Benedict, Buckland Brewer.

Lady Baird has announced her intention to erect a hall at the top of Fremington Hill in memory of her late aunt, Miss Arundel Yeo.

Mr R Pearse Chope, JP, writes from Fosfelle, Hartland, to the press:

June 1924 Hartland path Fosfelle

A great rally of the Kilkhampton Circuit was held in the Hartland United Methodist Church. There was a large congregation at the morning service when Rev L H Court was the preacher. Luncheon was laid in the Palladium, decorated with flags kindly lent by the Vicar, who also attended. The carvers were Messrs William H and William James Cory, William and James Cruse, and ladies helping were Mesdames Bennett (Bush), J Bragg, Brimacombe (Kennerland), T and W Bromell, W Carthew, E Chubb, W Cruse, T Elliott, Hambly (Shop), J Heal, Heard (Moore), Heard (Lutsford), Elam and James Hockridge, W Howard (Gooseham), J K and T T Jeffery, Kivell, Page, T H Pomeroy, J Slee, Sleeman (Gooseham), T Stone, T Westaway, E J Wonnacott, G Hawkins, L Short, W H Westlake, and Misses M T S Cruse, Annie Colwill.

At the funeral of Mr John Snow, of Burrans Down, Hartland, whose lamented death was recorded last week, Pastor Hill officiated, Miss Brimacombe being organist. The body of the chapel was nearly full. The bearers were Messrs Prouse and Pillman, John K Jeffery and George L Littlejohn, George Moore and Charles Colwill. The mourners were:

I J L Saltmarsh and K G Symons, of Instow and North Devon Cricket Club, played for the successful Devon team against Surrey 2nd in the minor counties championship match at the County Ground, Exeter.

We regret to record the death of Mrs Sarah Gayton, wife of Mr W Gayton, which took place at Instow at the age of 81 years. The deceased lady had been seriously ill for a few days only. Mr and Mrs Gayton, who celebrated their golden wedding about two years ago, had spent the whole of their married life at Instow.

A pretty wedding was solemnised at Instow Parish Church. The bride was Miss Nora Fry, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs William Fry, of Bar View, Instow, and the bridegroom Mr Albert Hogg, a member of the staff of the income tax office in Barnstaple.

A large number of friends and sympathisers representative of many of the surrounding communities attended the funeral at Littleham Churchyard of Mrs S Vaggers, a well known figure and a prominent Wesleyan. Deceased, who was respected by all in her wide circle of friends, after coming successfully through a serious illness had gone to stay with her uncle, Mr Thomas Goaman, of Buttgarden Street, Bideford, when she suffered a relapse. Deceased leaves behind her husband and a little daughter, Gertrude, to mourn her loss.

The funeral of the late Mrs M E Mill, of Tadworthy, Northam, took place in Northam Churchyard. Th deceased lady was well-known in Northam and the neighbourhood, and the large number present at the interment testified to the respect in which she and her family are held. Rev H J Hutchinson officiated.

We regret to announce that news has been received from Collaroy Beach, New South Wales, of the death at the age of 71 years of Mrs Annie England Pickard (nee Pengelly). Before her marriage she often acted as organist at Northam Parish Church.

In another story which sound very familiar today, Northam Urban District Council has been inundated with complaints over the unreliability of the bus service running from Bideford to Westward Ho! and Appledore, many buses being cancelled at short notice. There have also been complaints about the deplorable state of the roads in the area.

Little Bocombe at Parkham is for sale.

A concert and dance has been held in the Council School in aid of funds for the band. Those taking part were members of the band, the Rev G L Edwards (Woolsery), Messrs W Parr, A Colwill, S Arnold, F Lines, the Misses H Jewell, Mr Ley and Mr Knowles. Mr C Hill gave a Devonshire reading and Mr Lytton a ventriloquist performance. The accompanists were Miss Slooman, Mrs Honey, Miss H Jewell, Mrs G Jacob, and the Misses D and D Parr. A refreshment stall was managed by Mesdames Jewell, Brend and Ahey. Refreshments were kindly given by parishioners. The sum of £17 was raised.

A friendly challenge football match took place at Parkham, North v South. The South put in a full team, and a keenly contested game ended with their winning by 2-1. After the match the band played some selections on the Village Green to commemorate Empire Day. A dance followed in the Parish Room. A collection was taken in aid of the Club’s funds.

At Shebbear, a cow belonging to Mr A Chapman, dairyman and assistant overseer, gave birth to two fine calves. Both are alive. Next day this was beaten by Mr J H Buse, of West Wootten, one of whose cows gave birth to three calves. Mr A H Curtice, of Adelaide, South Australia, is now on a visit to his sister, Mrs T Martin, of The Village, Shebbear. He is the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs J Curtice, who spent most of the lives in this parish. He has been away 45 years, and can see many changes in his place of birth. On behalf of the vicar, churchwardens, and ringers, a presentation has been made of a handsome case of pipes to Mr Hocking Bridgman on his 70th birthday. Mr Bridgman has been a ringer in the Shebbear belfry for over 50 years. Hearty peals were rung on the bells. It is hoped that Mr Bridgman will be spared to ring for years to come.

At Torrington County Court, Mr Reginald Boase on behalf of Messrs C P Adams and W R Adams, Worden Farm, Shebbear, applied for an ejectment order against Willoughby Horne, represented by Mr B T James, in respect of Worden Cottage and garden occupied by defendant as farm horseman. His Honour held that the cottage and garden were not let to defendant but were occupied by him in virtue of his employment and made the order applied for. At Torrington Borough Police Court before the Mayor and Messrs G Chapple, M Chapple and H Tavener, Thomas Yeo, Hole Farm, Little Torrington was fined 7s 6d for allowing his dog to be at large at night. Frederick and Thomas Blight, brothers, were each fined 7s 6d for riding a cycle without a light.

Mr H Brinsmead Squire of Torrington, on retiring from the hon. treasurership of the London Devonian Association, has been presented with a handsome silver tea and coffee service.

Funerals at Torrington – Mr Augustus Daniel with the Rev Preb F Emlyn Jones officiating. Mr W F Friend, of Dolton. The Rev Clifford Clinton officiated, and a large number of mourners were present. The deceased was the son of the late John Shute Friend and a well-known figure being for many years connected with the firm of Messrs Snow and Co. Many of our readers will learn with regret of the death of Mrs Helena Parkhouse, wife of Mr H Parkhouse, of New Street. Deceased was of the brightest disposition and very highly respected by all. There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral at Torrington of Mr William Copp, fourth son of the late Thomas Copp, of Moortown. The interment took place in the Cemetery, the Rev Preb F Emlyn Jones officiating. The plastered grave was beautifully lined with myrtle and hydrangeas.

At Torrington Town Council, the May, Mr G M Doe, presiding, Dr F Pridham, Medical Officer of Health, reported that during the months there were seven deaths and three births. Of the deaths one was at the age of 85, another 84, another 78, and one an infant of five weeks. Though the weather had been very wet, cold, and unseasonable, the general health of the borough remained satisfactory.

A very pretty wedding was solemnised in St Michael’s Parish Church, Torrington, Rev T Mortimer officiating. The contracting parties were Mr William Braunton of Westleigh and Miss Winifred Davey, of Calf Street, Torrington.

Annery Kiln, Weare Gifford, is for sale.

Visit the Mill House Tea Room at Wear Gifford.

A large number of people were present at St Peter’s Church when a wedding was solemnised between Mr Archibald Vernon Pedlar, only surviving son of Mr W H Pedlar, of Honeysuckle Cottage, and Miss Edith Spindler, only daughter of Mr H Spindler, of Tapley, Westleigh. The Rev C Finzel officiated.

The Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary services were held with Rev J Tyreman preaching two inspiring sermons to large congregations. The children enjoyed their annual tea, after which a large number of friends and visitors partook of the excellent tea provided by Mrs W Joslin, assisted by Mesdames Smith, Sanders, Watts, Mountjoy, Burrell, Hearn, Jenkin and the Misses Beer, Radby, Dallyn.

Looking at the property columns, there are two houses – one vacant – on a main thoroughfare being sold for £900 for the pair. A terraced house in Westward Ho! with five bedrooms is priced at £450 while the seller of an identical house in Northam is asking £950.At public auction at Northam, Messrs R Blackmore and Sons sold Hillside, a detached residence, to Mr Gregory, for Major Wemyss, of Westward Ho! for £650. Attendance was good and bidding starting at £300, proceeded briskly to the final figure. Lower Lodge, Westward Ho! for sale.

A woman of Winkleigh has been missing from her home since 9 o’clock on Thursday morning. She has been suffering from neurasthenia, and her friends think she has wandered off. Anyone seeing her is requested to communicate with the police constable at Winkleigh. Appended is a description of the missing woman – medium height, brown hair, blue eyes, rather hazzard appearance; dressed in light blouse, with pale blue collar, and cuffs, navy blue skirt, light colour stockings. She had no hat or coat, and it is believed no money.

In aid of the Church Renovation Fund, a successful fete was held in the Vicarage Ground, Woolsery West, and in an adjoining field kindly lent by Mrs G Vanstone and Mr O Boundy. Over 500 had tea in the old school, over the Vicarage stables, the catering being efficiently carried out by Messrs Gifford and Sons, of Hartland. Mrs Phillip Elwes, of Walland Carey, who had taken a practical interest in the organisation, kindly opened the fete, and was presented with a bouquet.

The United Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was on Sunday, when Rev F Dennis preached to crowded congregations. On Wednesday, helpers at the tea tables were …

June 1974

Mr Richard Barnett, who in recent years has been a shipwright at the Appledore yard of J Hinks and Son, where the Nonsuch was built, has gone to Canada where he has been engaged to carry out restoration work on the vessel after her extensive tour of that country. The replica, which was built for the Hudson’s Bay Company,

A letter from Appledore branch of the Royal British Legion drawing attention to the state of Appledore war memorial is being passed by Northam Town Council to Torridge District Council. Northam Council were told that while the branch fully appreciate the work of Mr Jack Curtis in cleaning the memorial from time to time it was felt it now needed the attention of a monumental mason.

Members of Bideford Amateur Athletic Club will be fighting against time to complete a near £10,000 extension to their headquarters. A grant from the Devon Playing Fields Association will be forthcoming only if the club finishes work by August 11. Already the band of workers have save the club something like £3,000 by doing all the electrical and plumbing work and they are now busy on the interior decoration.

A planning application for a multi-storey car park in Bridge Street, Bideford, is being resubmitted by Torridge District Council. Cllr Michael Goss recalled that Bideford Borough Council pressed for the development for a long time and it had been favoured by one County department although another was opposed.

Two brothers, sons of Mrs O M Jenn, of The Homelet, Yeo Vale Road, Bideford, are now headmasters in the Torridge area. Mr R A Yeo Jenn has been headmaster of Langtree county primary school for some 12 years and now his younger brother, Mr John Yeo Jenn, has been appointed headmaster of Westcroft county primary school, Bideford.

Persuaded that a sponsored streak might well result in a loss after fines had been paid, girls of Edgehill College’s Lower Fifth crawled around Bideford’s Victoria Park in a sponsored event to raise funds. In all about 2,000m were covered – from the Kingsley statue to the Victoria Park and two circuits there. Sponsorship raised about £25.

Chubb’s Wool Shop in Mill Street, Bideford, will be taken over by Mrs Carole Goss from Hilda Chubb.

Up again in Bideford go the hanging baskets of summer flowers to delight the eyes of residents and holidaymakers alike. Finance, in this year of reorganisation, does not run to more than two dozen but it is hoped to extend the idea in years to come. Some 12 feet from the ground, the baskets are practically vandal proof but pose problems of watering in high summer weather. Vandalism is a headache to parks departments everywhere and that of the Torridge District Council is no exception.

Seen fixing the baskets are Mr Robert Friendship and Mr Edgar Parr

“Left-hand down a bit”… the oft quoted catch phrase hides many a secret dream of steering a giant ship across the ocean. For Miss Mable Smith of Clovelly Road, Bideford, the dream came true when she paid a visit to the bridge of the 45,000-ton P and O liner ‘Canberra’ while on a cruise. “It was a fascinating experience” she said.

A Bideford business dating back to the beginning of the century, and the days of extensive horse transport, is closing following the death of the last principal, Mr W R Blackmore. The firm, R Blackmore and Sons, auctioneers, house and estate agents, and formerly furniture removers, of The Quay, is terminating business on July 5.

Firemen were the bearers at the funeral at Bideford Methodist Church of Mr John Chubb, of 7 Belle View Terrace, Bideford. Mr Chubb had been a member of the fire service for some years.

The death has occurred of Mrs Rosa Hanley, of 24 Cedar Way, High Park, Bideford. She was the wife of Mr Sidney Hanley. Funeral arrangements were by Messrs A Griffey and Son, Northam.

Water authority to look at Bucks Mills sewerage scheme.

Top officials of the South West Water Authority will be at a meeting they have called at Bucks Mills parish hall to hear opinions on the controversial scheme to pour crude sewage into the sea off the local beach.

The funeral has taken place at St Anne’s Church, Bucks Mills, of Mrs Ethel Jane Braund, wife of Mr Joe Braund, of Laburnam Cottage, Bucks Mills. Immediate mourners attending were: the husband; Mrs Stella Powell; Mr Gerald Powell; Mr and Mrs David Powell; Mr and Mrs J Williams; Miss P Dennis. Unable to attend were Mrs F Jenkins and Miss M Braund. Bearers were Messrs C Reynolds, J Walter, D Braund and T Davey.

There were 10½ tables at a whist drive at Clovelly, held in aid of cancer funds. Door steward was Mr C Pengilly and MC Rev R O H Eppingstone. Prizes were presented by Mr C Pengelly – Mesdames F Blight, F Grills, W Pengilly, H Prust, T Squire, R Stoneman, Rev R O H Eppingstone, Messrs T Squire, Griggs, G Moores, A Taylor, G Wilkinson. Draw winners – Miss Wilkinson, Miss D Heard, Mr S Nicholls, Mrs F Blight. Refreshments were served by Mesdames K Westlake and C Pengilly.

Teams from Clovelly, Hartland, Woolsery and Buckland Brewer took part in Clovelly Revels sports day and fete.

To stop motorists driving on the Village Green, Frithelstock Parish Council have decided that large stones should be put around the edge. Estimates for wooden posts were too expensive, the Council were told.

Harton town clock, one of the oldest pendulum clocks in the country, has been silent for more than two years, and, it seems, must remain so for the time being. For although the clock is in the peculiar position of being a charitable trust, it is a trust with no income. The trustees are the Vicar of Hartland, the Rev Harold Lockyear and the churchwardens. The clock, which is set in the wall of the former Chapel of Ease in Hartland Square, was made by John Morcomb, in 1622 at a cost of 33s. Before local funds can be made available for clock repairs, the main roof of St Nectan’s church at Stoke has to be re-nailed at a cost of around £2,000. Without the help of a benefactor it seems that the old clock will be stilled for some time.

A rambling old house, Harton Manor, Hartland, for sale.

Messrs Kivell and Sons, of Bideford, sold by auction at Hartland a freehold, individual building plot with adjoining 4¼ acre field situated near Harton Cross, for £4,000. The buyer was Mr P J Heard of Greenlake, Hartland.

There was a guard of honour representing the Royal British Legion and the local Liberal Association at the funeral at Hartland Methodist Church of Mrs Emma Jane Pengilly, of 46 The Terrace, Hartland. She was the widow of Mr A Pengilly. Messrs W Cook, G Johns, W Toase, D Brown, T Johns and D Bolton were bearers. Those present included members of the Over-60s club and WI. There were many flowers.

More than liquid refreshment can come out of a bottle. At the Union Inn, Stibb Cross, the landlord, Mr Sid Croshaw, and his wife, decided to raise money for a treat for the over-60s of Langtree parish. To help the cause customers were invited to drop spare change into a large bottle. Their generosity was such that a party of over-60s were treated to an outing. First they visited Ilfracombe, and then went on to Combe Martin, and to a sumptuous tea at Brazzacott House.

All the children who had been baptised at Langtree Parish Church in the past five years received an invitation to take their mothers to a service in the church, followed by tea on the Rectory lawn. During the short service the Rector, the Rev R A Wallington, showed the children the font at which they had been christened. This was the first time such a gathering had been held at Langtree. It was organised by Mrs Wallington and the Mothers’ Union.

A request from Littleham Parish Council for street lighting in the village will be considered by North Devon-Torridge highways sub-committee late this year.

The round-the-world yacht Burton Cutter sailed majestically into her home port for her first visit. The yacht’s joint owners, Mr Alan Smith and Mr Leslie Williams, and her crew had brought her round from Poole to honour a promise made before she set out on the Whitbread race. Overnight the yacht had anchored off Clovelly. Over Bideford Bar she was welcomed by a flotilla of craft from the North Devon Yacht Club and her appearance at Westward Ho! and Appledore with Clovelly and Appledore lifeboats as escorts sent holidaymakers dashing for their cars to drive into Bideford. On Bideford Quay a large crowd peered downstream. First they saw a sliver of white sail thrusting into the sky and then, as the yacht rounded the bend, she was revealed as the thing of beauty that she is. On she came tacking up the river under full sail at a spanking pace made possible only by the skills of Trinity House pilot Captain Vernon Harris and skipper Leslie Williams.

Appetising looking cakes tempt custom from four young visitors to Monkleigh fete.

Warm greetings have been exchanged between the parish church of our Northam and that of the ‘sister’ parish of Northam, some 60 miles east of Perth, Western Australia. A letter from the Assistant Bishop of Perty, who is also Rector of Northam there, has been delivered by hand by Dr Geoffrey Reynolds, who been on a month’s visit to his parents at Endycross, Bay View Road. The Vicar of our Northam, the Rev Michael Lucas, has written back.

The Town Mayor of Northam is to receive an allowance of £100 a year, but this is to be subject to review.

When Mrs Anne Mills, of Witten Lodge, Heywood Road, Northam, took up her duties as the town’s first woman traffic warden, more than one motorist could not help but take a second look. Mrs Mills, who recently moved to this area, obviously found this amusing, although somewhat unexpected. “I thought people would be used to seeing women traffic wardens as they are a common sight in many parts of the country,” she said. She had no real ambition to become a traffic warden but applied for the job on impulse.

The appearance of yellow lines in traffic blackspot in Northam brought a bitter reaction from local traders. Mr Martin Richards, owner of the local supermarket, accused the authorities of having ‘ridden roughshod’ over everyone and of having broken faith. When the former County Council advertised their intention to make an Order, he said, all the local people who objected received letters saying that because of the objections the matter had been referred to Northam Urban Council and before any action was taken objectors would be consulted again. “But we have been completely ignored,” Mr Richards declared.

A plan by a private company to purchase Gibsons Field in North Street, Northam, and construct a car park was revealed by supermarket owner Mr Martin Richards at a parish meeting called to deal with protests that have followed the provision of double yellow lines and a virtual ban on parking in the main and some side streets. Mr Richards said the owner had agreed to sell and that a plan had been drawn up by architects.

Glass engraver John Ford, who lives at Diddywell, finds himself back on a nautical theme. He has been commissioned by the Pim’s drink firm, which is sponsoring a points competition at Cowes Week, to engrave four sizeable glass icebergs and eight tankards with yacht-racing scenes. He faces something of a race against time. He has also received a yachting engraving order from Torbay Yacht Club. Demand for the work of this young engraver from Torrington has increased notably since he was commissioned to engrave a wedding present for Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.

Parkham Methodist Church was beautifully decorated with flowers by Mesdames W Colwill and M Hancock for the Sunday School anniversary.

In the past year £1,214.73 was distributed to nearly 20 causes by Torrington Cavaliers. The November bonfire showed a surplus of £423.92 of which £350 was given away as donations.

Revel Day was celebrated by about 120 Brownies from Appledore, Bideford, Hartland, Northam and Torrington in the grounds of the County Secondary School, Torrington. As 1974 is jubilee year for Brownies, each Brownie wore a hand-made golden crown decorated with rosebuds. An impromptu competition was held for the prettiest crown, the winner being Susan Blackmore (1st Northam).

Torrington Bluecoat School – a building described as Dickensian in 1970 – will have to remain in use longer than anticipated. For the second time in two years, the new junior school planned for Torrington, has been slashed from a Devon County Council building programme. The new junior school proposed would have catered for children attending Bluecoat school and the Halsdon Road school. In 1971 when Bluecoat school had 111 children, the Medical Officer of Health, Dr C F R Briggs, referred to considerable overcrowding there. Today there are 160 children.

For the second successive year Torrington senior citizens have enjoyed a week’s holiday at Llandudno arranged at concessionary rates by Mrs G E Moore. This time they returned with three titles from the Ormecliffe Hotel – Mrs L Williams was judged Miss Ormescliffe; Mrs K Vodden, Glorious Grandma; and Mr A Gould, Glorious Grandad. The party was given a send-off by the then Town Mayor, Mrs M E Pitts. Mrs Moore (Trudy) was warmly thanked for the excellence of her arrangements for a memorable package tour.

Weare Giffard Hall sold for £106,000 a year ago was again sold by auction for £80,000. The buyer who is a professor of medicine and has a young family, intends to use it as a holiday home. It is now closed at a hotel. The vendor, Mr M E Wingrove, said that the purchaser would probably only be staying at the Hall twice a year and, as he did not want to leave the house empty between visits, had suggested an arrangement whereby the Wingrove family continued to occupy part of it.

Parishioners of Westleigh have recently launched a campaign to raise £2,000 for restoration work to St Peter’s Church. The project, which they have named FOCUS, aims to provide the money to replace crumbling stonework around the west window and cover other work such as damp proofing and internal decorations. The first money raising event is a flower festival in the church.

Three hundred and twenty nine not out! That is the proud record of these six local cricketers who lined up against each other at Westward Ho!. Probably North Devon’s best known batsman Alfie Robinson squares up at the wicket while fellow North Devon players Derek Blanchard and Nick Madgwick look on with Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! veterans Peter Hawke, Cyril Briscoe and Reg Rawle.

Picture shows P O Hawke, C J Briscoe, N Madgwick, D Blanchard, A Robinson and R Rawle

Silver anniversary for Westward Ho! Follies.

A party of 20 from Westward Ho! Senior Citizens’ Club with their families and friends returned home from an enjoyable week’s holiday in Jersey. They flew to and from Exeter airport and stayed at St Helier. The holiday organiser, Mrs E Pugh, was thanked with a gift.

A quantity of 10p pieces were stolen from a cigarette machine when Westward Ho! Holiday Centre was broken into.

Attention has once again been drawn to the vexed question of Westward Ho! Pebble Ridge and the need for its strengthening in time to face the winter gales. The question overall is clouded by the hard-to-understand situation which leaves the Ridge itself the responsibility of the Torridge District Council – and the Burrows behind it the responsibility of the new owners, the County Council.

Mr P F Morrish, of Bideford, suggests that horses are banned from Westward Ho! beach.

Northam Burrows annual meeting were warned that unless something is done to get horses off the roads at Westward Ho! there will soon be a fatal accident. Mr Ian Davidson, a local horse owner, said at the potwallopers’ annual meeting that a combination of horse manure, cars and people made a glassy surface on some of Westward Ho!’s narrow roads and he predicted that there would be an accident there with a horse slipping and throwing its rider under a car. What were the committee’s views on the formation of a bridle path from Westward Ho! to Pimpley Gate? he asked.

Winkleigh committee of the Cancer Research Campaign have handed over a cheque for £110 and have received from head office of the campaign a certificate of congratulation for having collected £1,000 since the local committee was formed in 1965.

Winkleigh parish church bells pealed for the first time in 15 months. In that time they had been re-cast and re-hung in a new frame at a cost of £4,000 and all the money has been raised. The bill was the greater because the tower clock has Westminster chimes.

Clifford Farm, Woolsery – 50 acres for sale.

Mr W D Burrow, of Hartland, was the preacher for the Sunday morning service at Woolsery Methodist Sunday School anniversary. In the evening the service was conducted by the Rev L A Buttle,

June 1999

Bideford Inner Wheel has chosen farmer’s daughter and farmer’s wife Julie Turner as its new president to take the organisation into the new millennium. Over recent years Julie has been involved not only in agriculture. She has helped develop the family’s Big Sheep tourist attraction on their Abbotsham farm. Another keen interest in the RNLI and she chaired Appledore Lifeboat Guild for 10 years and holds its long-service award. Julie and her husband Mike – a Rotarian for 30 years – have a son, two daughters and three grandchildren.

This splendid sea horse was just one of the decorated door knockers which delighted visitors to the Appledore Arts Festival. There were 200 decorations in all, forming a trail through the village streets for people to follow. Designs ranged from simple pieces of driftwood or flowers to a life-sized King Neptune.

Concerned Appledore residents are planning to set up a village residents’ association to voice their views on local issues. At an informal meeting attending by two dozen villagers strong feelings had been expressed about the enforcement of planning standards, parking, jet skis and rubbish collection, said spokesman Jeremy Bell. Now a second meeting has been arranged. “It is hoped as many villagers as possible will come along and help to elect a committee,” said Mr Bell

Hundreds paid a visit to Appledore’s lifeboat station as its doors were opened for its annual inspection by the public. This year’s even was made even more special as it is the 175th anniversary of the lifeboat service. For lucky girls Marnie Miller of Appledore and Sammy Langdon of Tavistock, there was also the chance to jump into a lifeboatman’s jacket, complete with lifesaving equipment.

‘Appletree Mews’ Marine Parade, Appledore, properties for sale.

Refugee Kids of Kosovo soon to arrive in Plymouth will have a few added extras to their welcome thanks to a charity fashion show in Bideford. Organised by Stallones nightclub and The Studio photography business of Bideford, the fun evening featured fashions from Gems and Convict Clothing, with models from The Studio and volunteers. Around £200 was raised.

Bideford Pannier Market saw its biggest crowds for many years for the re-opening of the Butchers’ Row shopping complex. Television personality Ron Bendell performed the official opening ceremony. The complex comprises 24 small under-cover shops which will be open six days a week. The covered mall has been refurbished by Bideford Town Council at a cost of £370,000 with the aid of Lottery and European cash. The project has already created 17 new jobs and will be a draw for tourists.

Mayor Councillor Chris Leather shakes hands with Ron Bendell, watched by Mayoress Mrs Sandra Leather

Medieval knights and maidens brought colour to Bideford’s historic pannier market as traders celebrated its charter day. To depict the granting of a royal charter in 1272 allowing the town to hold its regular market a copy was delivered to the market hall by a mounted knight and received by the Mayor, Councillor Chris Leather. A guard of honour was provided by other costumed members of the North Devon Jousting Association.

Filming was taking place at the former Bideford Railway Station as two men assembled some of the final pieces of a video which will evoke memories for many who recall with affection the days when trains ran through the valleys of Torridgeside. Ian Pringle and Ian Hayes have joined forces to bring back to life on film the era of the Barnstaple, Torrington and Halwill branch lines. When completed it will take its place alongside more than 20 other productions b Branch Line Videos of Leighton Buzzard. Opened in 1925 the Torrington to Halwill junction railway and its neighbour the Torrington to Barnstaple line carried clay, milk, livestock, coal and agricultural supplies as well as passengers before their closure under the Beeching axe in the mid 1960s.

It was a memorable weekend for Bideford Cricket Club Colt Chris Tanner. On Sunday morning he took four wickets for 9 runs, including a hat-trick in Bideford U15s’ Devon League victory. On Sunday afternoon, Chris played for a Bideford’s men’s side and took 6-22 in seven overs. On Bank Holiday Monday, he opened the batting for Bideford against Claires Court School and top-scored with 28 in his side’s win!

International cricket stole the show at Bideford Cricket Club as the club entertained its first visiting team from South Africa. The Bideford Colts under-15s took the crease against a team of 13-15 year olds from Erika School in Mossel Bay who are on a two-week tour to the UK. The teams exchanged commemorative medals and hopes of maintaining their new-found links.

Route 66 is a unique new American café bar and night spot in Bideford that’s set to blast off like a space rocket from Cape Canaveral! Drink there. Dine there. Dance there. That is, after your eyes have stopped popping out at the décor that surrounds you. The free entertainment venue at the top of Bridgeland Street is sponsored by Budweiser and entry is open to over 18’s. In the windows is its logo – the blue and white Route 66 shield that marks the most famous of America’s highways. Look around the walls and you’ll hardly believe what has been hung there. Like the front end section of a Lincoln Continental, a Buick and a Thunderbird! Route 66 will be featuring live bands, karaoke and theme nights. It has big screen TV.

Substantial wing of a mansion in Buckland Brewer for sale.

Death of respected carer, Mr Francis Henry Tristram ‘Frank’ Bosher, of Buckland Brewer.

A Torridge adventure park has been recognised by a national newspaper as one of the top 50 theme parks in the world. The accolade was bestowed on the Milky Way at Clovelly after a panel of experts from The Independent newspaper visited the park secretly to make an assessment. Owner Trevor Stanbury shared the good news with more than 350 representatives who attended a trade open day.

Michael Mant congratulating Trevor Stanbury

Youngsters from the village school at Clovelly chose a special way to pay tribute to the Blue Hooker tragedy. They swam. The children presented the money they had raised from their sponsored marathon, nearly £300, to the seafarers’ charity the missions to Seamen. Said headmaster Chris Nichols: “We have a policy that all charity events must come from the children. I’m delighted when they do something like this because it comes from the heart.” Luke Gist, Emmie and Daisy Perham, Orry Winchcombe, Sophie Evans, Hettie Pearson, Kieran Vanstone and Kirsty Johnson took part.

Thousands are expected to attend a 14-hour Atlantic Highway Rock festival at the Milky Way adventure park near Clovelly. Organisers say the £60,000 festival will cover 50 acres with 20 acres for camping and room for 5,000 fans. Top of the bill will be New Wave punk band The Stranglers. Some of the money raised will go to the Primrose Cancer Appeal and Bude Rugby Club.

Clovelly’s inshore lifeboat was called to the aid of a local boat with 13 people aboard. The Lundy Murrelet, carrying a party of divers back from Lundy Island, suffered engine failure in rough seas. A Sea King helicopter from the RAF Search and Rescue unit at Chivenor circled the boat until the lifeboat arrived.

Young bikers in Fremington are celebrating a first step to success in their campaign for a cycle area of their own. Assisted by community policeman Dave Ringrose and county councillor Reg Cane, the youngsters took their case to the parish council. And they have won agreement in principle for part of the Griggs Field amenity area to be allocated for their use.

A semi-detached house at Baxworthy, Hartland, is for sale. It enjoys a very private rural location surrounded by miles of Forestry Commission land.

A major boost is in prospect for the Torridge tourism industry with news that the International Holiday Inn group has plans for one of the biggest new holiday developments in the district for many years. Planning application has been made for a £4.5 million development comprising a new four-star, 90-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel plus conference and banqueting centres at the Hartland Forest Golf and Leisure Park.

Charming cottage style bungalow in Hartland for sale.

Hartland Primary School open day.

Instow property for sale.

Detached 2 bedroom cottage in Littleham for sale. Later in the month, it was reported that the property sold at auction for £96,500 with nearly 50 viewers.

Puffins and butterflies put on a display for local naturalists when they paid a visit to Lundy Island. Members of the Taw and Exmoor branch of the British Naturalists’ Association spent the day enjoying the island’s flora and fauna. More than a dozen seals were swimming in the clear water or lolling on the rocks at Gannets Bay. The butterflies seen included a Painted Lady. “Some 37 species of birds were noted like sheerwaters and fulmars” said secretary Brian Sims. “But the highlight was Lundy’s symbol, the puffins.”

Four hundred day trippers spent an unexpected night at sea when the historic paddle steamer Waverley developed a fault off the North Devon coast. The 52 year old steamer was on her way home from a trip to Lundy when she was disabled by a fault in a paddle wheel. She was forced to remain at anchor four miles off Foreland Point, to await the arrival of a tug. A lifeboat was called out from Barry to stand by the vessel and other lifeboats at Mumbles, Ilfracombe and Minehead, and the Chivenor RAF Search and Rescue helicopter were held in readiness, although not needed. A spokeswoman for the Waverley said passengers had been kept entertained and provided with refreshments and coaches were awaiting their arrival at Barry to take them back to Penarch and Clevedon.

Monkleigh property for sale. A Grade II listed double-fronted lodge house, situated close to the Tarka Trail, is to be offered for sale by auction. The property, which is in need of modernisation, was once part of the vast Annery Estate and at one time used to be known as the Butler’s Cottage.

Retired Northam butcher Richard Bradford has donned the town’s mayoral chain for a third time. One of the region’s most experienced local councillors, Mr Bradford has sat on Northam Town Council for 20 years and on Torridge District Council for 18 years. Mr Bradford was awarded the MBE in recognition of his services.

External decoration of Allardice Hall, Parkham.

A hand-made and engraved Dartington Crystal vase was auctioned for charity and the Chelsea Flower Show Royal Gala Preview Dinner in London. An anonymous bidder bought the vase for £5,500 which was shared between The Royal Variety Club and the Army Benevolent Fund. The vase was engraved with an interpretation of a new rose especially grown by Harkness for the occasion. Called Variety Club, the rose was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Howzat! Young cricketers in the Torrington area are now able to hone their skills on a purpose-built all weather wicket in the grounds of Great Torrington School. The £5,500 project was instigated by Torrington Rotary Club, drawing grant aid from the Lord’s Taverners and Sports Match and matched funding from local firms W H Tolley builders, and D and I Bridgman and Son, agricultural merchants. With two of the school staff qualified cricket coaches local youngsters are now once again enjoying the crack of leather on willow. Our picture shows mike Bridgman, Richard Beer, Peter Adams, and young players Neil Bettiss, Mark Bettiss and Michael Wigley.

Weare Giffard property for sale.

Westleigh thatched cottage for sale.

England’s oldest seaside golf course – the Royal North Devon at Westward Ho! – is hosting a grand charity golf day packed with prizes. The event will raise funds for the Bideford and Barnstaple Breathe Easy Group support group for the British Lung Foundation. “Already we have more than 50 entries” said organiser Mrs Monica Pennington. The three-ball Stableford team event is open to all. It includes an auction and a raffle with prizes which will be presented by radio personality Ian Brass. Later in the month, it was reported that the golfers raised £2,121 for the charity.

Leasehold lock-up shop at Westward Ho! for sale. Situated in the heart of the village, the property comprises some 300sq ft, plus a toilet. The current occupant is a gentleman’s hairdresser.

A freehold residential development site in Nelson Road, Westward Ho! is being marketed with planning permission for 21 residential flats and associated parking. A spokesman said: “This site is considered a rare opportunity for a quality development in a coastal resort which is going through a transition from a caravan and chalet holiday resort to a self-sufficient coastal town.”

Family photos were probably the last thing wanted by the thief who stole a handbag from a helper at the Cancer Care Trust’s charity shop in Westward Ho! Their owner holds out little hope that her money, credit cards and car keys will be found. Most of all she is upset at losing the pictures. “We hope the thief may have thrown them down and someone will find them, along with the owner’s large black bag” said Jennifer Bonetta of the Trust.

They sang, they danced, they skateboarded and they surfed in the streets of Westward Ho! throughout a bumper Bank Holiday weekend of fun. The Torridge holiday resort’s annual Potwalloping Festival organised by the local chamber of commerce and the Lions’ Club of Bideford was an outstanding success and a major charity fund-raiser. Among the highlights was skateboard and inline skates racing organised by Dave Wenman of the Life on the Burrows surf shop. Nearly 50 competitors took part and more than 1,000 spectators lined the race route. Winners were: Inline skates – Cameron Hinton, Andrew Coley, Lewis Blight; Skateboards – Glen Phil, John Martin, Jake Barry; girls – Ami Berry; crazy luge – Clayton; fancy dress – Asylum nightclub; youngest finisher – Joseph. Weekend coordinator said it had been a wonderful weekend and most of the resort’s businesses were very happy.

Woolsery Show being advertised.

Years Ago - November

November 1925

Births – to Mr and Mrs H W Elliott, a daughter; at 3 Tower Street, a son to the wife of Mr Reginald Lake; to Mr and Mrs Symons, Allhalland Street, a daughter;

Marriages – Thomas Wyndham Lang and Emily Heywood; Frederick Johns and Gertrude French at Bucks Mills;

With profound sorrow the whole nation will learn of the death of Queen Alexandra, who for over 62 years, as Princess, as Queen, and as widowed Queen-Mother, had held a place of peculiar affection in the hearts of the whole British people. It is not too much to say that in the 24 hours that passed between the first news of her critical condition and the end, the thoughts of countless millions, not in this land alone, were with the King as he stood by his mother’s death bed at Sandringham.

Later in the month …

North Devon Fire Brigades – rural councils’ gesture to Bideford.

Train alterations between Barnstaple and Torrington.

The men and women’s section of the British Legion marched to Abbotsham Parish Church, where the Rev W N Manning preached. The service was conducted by Canon Kempe. Special psalms and hymns were rendered and at the close two buglers sounded Last Post. Wreaths were placed at the memorial cross by Mr W James and Mrs Sealy. In the evening Miss Sealy’s concert party gave some choice selections of sacred music.

The funeral of Mrs Becklake, a former resident of Alwington parish, took place, the Rector, Rev H C Spring, officiating. The chief mourners were her son, Mr Elam Becklake and Mrs J Daniel (Torrington), daughter. Many other relatives and friends attended besides several old friends and neighbours of Alwington, Littleham and Parkham.

The death of Lieutenant Henry Johnson Mason, RNVR, of Bramfield House, and formerly of Portledge.

Owing to the tempestuous weather, the United Armistice Service which was to have been held around the Appledore War Memorial had to be held in the parish church of St Mary’s, there being an overflowing congregation.

The Vicar of Appledore, Rev Muller, as chairman of the Appledore Church Mixed and Infants School, presented Mr Oatway, the senior male assistant master, with a beautiful Onoto fountain pen on behalf of Mr Parsons, the Headmaster, the staff, Miss Guy and Miss Rose, and the senior scholars, as a mark of respect and farewell on his leaving the School to take over the Headmastership of the Church of England School at High Bickington.

A new flagstaff given to the Seamen’s Mission, Appledore.

At Bideford County Sessions, Mr Percy Burbridge of West Appledore, was summoned for that he, being the owner of a dangerous dog, failed to keep it under proper control. Inspector Parr said defendant not having seen fit to comply with the request of the police to keep the dog under control, if he refused to do so, he (the Inspector) respectfully submitted that it was a case in which the dog should be destroyed.

Remarking that it was a most extraordinary thing that a cargo of apples should be capable of forming a gas which in a few moments might prove fatal, Mr Ernest Hutchings adjourned for a month the inquest on the body of Mr Thomas Victor Rees of Irsha Street, Appledore, mate of the s.s. Orchiis, whose death occurred under tragic circumstances. Addressing Captain Rees, the Coroner expressed his sincere sympathy with him and other relatives. In the interests of men like himself he would see it was only right that they should inquire very carefully into the cause of this gas in order to prevent happenings of this kind in the future.

The funeral of Miss Belle Bignell took place at St Mary’s Churchyard, Appledore, the Vicar officiating. Miss Bignell was the daughter of the late Captain John Short Bignell, Master Mariner, who was lost with all hands in the Baltic in 1861 whilst in charge of the large schooner Vokett, and with him perished his brother Mr Stephen Bignell, his eldest son, Mr William Short Bignell, and Mr W Marshall, all of Appledore. The deceased was brought up by her widowed mother, and her younger brother, Mr Stephen Bignell is the present vice-coxswain of the motor lifeboat.

Death of Mr William Leverton, JP, CC, at his home Woolleigh Barton, Beaford.

Mr W J Slee offered for sale at the Globe Hotel, several fields situated in the parish of Beaford. Lot 1, a meadow was sold for £185 to Mr A Squire; Lot 2, four fields went to Mr W E Heard.

E H Hopcraft, 1 Mill Street, Bideford – addition of Ladies’ Saloon.

G Hopson & Son, 24 Mill Street, Bideford – the Nersag Mattress Support.

Posting Stables, Orchard Hill, near Bideford – horses, carriages, carts, harness, implements for sale by auction.

A Christmas treat for the children of Bideford.

Mr H W Huxham, of Bideford, has been appointed specialist judge of Scandaroon pigeons at the Palace.

Bideford Baptists at the conclusion of their bazaar had the satisfaction of learning that the debt of £142 3s 3d on the Hillgarden property had been completely wiped out with about £10 over. The success was due to the loyal cooperation of Church workers, who prepared an attractive array of stalls and tastefully decorated the Assembly Hall, where the sale of work was held. The opening ceremony, performed by Mr and Mrs R M Rowe of Ilfracombe, was presided over by Mr F T Upton, JP.

At the close of Bideford Borough Sessions, the Mayor, Dr E J Toye, mentioned that as that was the last occasion he should be presiding as chief magistrate, he wished to express his thanks to the Clerk, Mr T A Goaman, and all the officials concerned, for their assistance in the conduct of the business of the court, and which had perhaps given him sometimes the appearance of greater legal erudition than he could claim.

Alderman W T Goaman expressed the pleasure and honour it gave him to propose the election of Alderman Metherell, and mentioned that it was only after some amount of pressure by his colleagues that their good friend was prevailed upon to allow his name to be submitted to the full Council. They realized that although he had filled the office with dignity on two occasions some nineteen or twenty years ago, yet he had done so much public work and had made such sacrifices, material and physical, for the sake of the borough and the district and the county that they felt they would be doing the town an honour and Mr Metherell an honour if they made him Mayor for the third time of this historic town.

Bideford’s new Mayor, Alderman J M Metherell, JP, CA.

A few members of Bideford Swimming Club visited Mr and Mrs Jack Bale, in their new home, and Dr M W Littlewood (captain) in a few well chosen words asked them to accept a small oak table from the members of the Club as a wedding gift.

Mr John Duxbury, a clever elocutionist, gave two recitals in the Bideford Assembly under the auspices of the Bideford and Wesleyan and Baptist Recreation Club. Both recitals were particularly well attended, and Mr Duxbury was given a great ovation. The chair was occupied in the afternoon by Alderman John Cock.

Bideford Borough Magistrates on the application of Mr O W Ward granted Mr J T Miller, of the New Inn Hotel, an extension until 11pm on the occasion of the Mayor’s banquet on November 11^th.

Considerable interest was taken in an alleged poaching prosecution which came before Bideford Borough Magistrates and was dismissed after a hearing extending to nearly two hours, though the Bench expressed the opinion that the police were perfectly justified in bringing the case forward. Frederick Charles Nicholls, tailor, of Honestone Street, was summoned to put it briefly, for having been found in possession of rabbits which it was alleged he had poached.

The marriage was solemnized at the United Methodist Church, Bideford, of Miss Annie Cleave, daughter of Mr and Mrs Cleave, of Sunningdale, Abbotsham Road, Bideford, and Mr Alec James Luxton.

Her many friends will learn with great regret of the death in Guy’s Hospital, of Miss Mabel Wheeler, elder daughter of Mr G J D Wheeler, of Victoria House, Clovelly-road, Bideford. Much sympathy was felt for the bereaved relatives of Mr Fred Squire when news reached Beaford of his death at the Devon and Exeter Hospital after a long illness. Mr Squire had lived in the parish for several years and was held in highest respect by all who knew him. The funeral was solemnized, Rev H Hannam officiating in the absence of Rev A Goldring. Death of Mr H Deighton Pearson, brother of Dr Ellis Pearson, of the Strand, Bideford.

The funeral took place, the Rev W G Eeles, of Mrs Margaret Verren, of the old King of Prussia house, New-street, Bideford. Mrs Verren was landlady for 45 years prior to its closing about twelve years ago. A licence for selling beer had been held for 300 years previous. The bearers were six nephews and great nephews, Messrs John Verren, J Verren jnr, William Verren, Albert Verren, Fred Verren and Bert Verren.

The late Mr T Andrew, Devonia, Clovelly Road, Bideford.

One of Bideford’s oldest and most respected inhabitants passed peacefully away at 6 New Street, Bideford, in the person of Nurse Rounsfille at the age of 89. Of a most kindly disposition, she was greatly beloved by a very wide circle of friends. She leaves two sons, Messrs W Davis and J Davis, JP, and a daughter, Mrs J Brayley, to mourn their loss.

The Bradworthy Parish Church harvest festival proved highly successful. In the week the preacher was the Rev Buncombe, whilst the services were conducted by Rev A E Dobson, Vicar, and Rev C D Jenkins (Putford). There were large congregations at the services.

Bradworthy news.

The death of Mr John Harding, an old and respected parishioner, took place at Kilkhampton. He was greatly interested in the local United Methodist Church, holding some of the offices connected with it for nearly fifty years. The interment took place in the Free Church Cemetery.

At Bradworthy, the temperance section of the Young People’s Guild were responsible for the programme in the Wesleyan Church, the organisers being Messrs F Chubb, B Wade and G Martin. Mr A W Everson presided. Recitations were given by J Cann, P Petherick, J Gorrell, V Ham, M Cornish, M Dunstan and J Butler. Miss Brown also gave a recitation and Miss Mitchell a solo. A lantern lecture ‘Water the Wonderful’ illustrated by lantern slides terminated in a successful session, Mr Dunstan presided at the organ.

An unusual question arose at the meeting of the Devon Education Committee, Mr J S C Davis presiding, relative to an application from Bradworthy School managers that the children attending that school should be permitted to attend a united service at the memorial on Armistice Day. There was a general feeling that the application should be granted.

Mr Higgs: Is this an instruction that they are to be allowed to go? Yes.

The opening meeting of the Young People’s Guild was held in the Bradworthy Wesleyan Church. Mr T Burrow presiding over a large congregation. Solos were rendered by Miss E Butler and Mr H J Wickett, the accompanists being Miss F Martin and Mr S Wickett. On Oct 15^th, the Bradworthy branch of the British Legion invited the Hartland Branch to a dinner and social evening. Between 30 and 40 members availed themselves of the opportunity being conveyed there by the local buses. A very enjoyable evening was spent. A party from Holsworthy provided the programme of songs, etc.

A splendid evidence of the interest taken in Temperance work was shown by a large attendance at a meeting of the Temperance Society held in the Buckland Brewer United Methodist Chapel. Mr A Galsworthy, of Appledore, presided.

Little Collins Down and part of South Collins Down, Buckland Brewer, for sale by auction.

Buckland Brewer properties for sale including Veilstone and Horestone,

Messrs W J Slee and Son sold the freehold farm, Veilston, Buckland Brewer, to Mr Poole of Alwington for £3,000 for Mr Westaway. Included in the sale was a smallholding Horestone which sold to M F Osborn, Lower Colley, Frithelstock, three fields purchased by Mr Poole, and pasture and marsh land was withdrawn.

Bucks Mills news.

Clovelly Armistice.

Widespread sympathy has been extended to Mr Eli Whitlock and family on the death of Mrs Ann Whitlock, after a long and painful illness. Deceased, by her kindly sympathetic manner, had endeared herself to the whole parish. The funeral took place at the new cemetery, preceded by a service at the Baptist Church conducted by Rev E P Groom.

At Frithelstock, the work of widening the road from the school to Horwood Barton is now well in hand.

A successful whist drive and dance at Frithelstock.

Mrs J Hearn, Huskill House, Frithelstock, gets help with her lumbago.

Great interest was taken in the marriage solemnized at Hartland United Methodist Church of Mr Charles Jeffery, of Gorvin, Hartland, and Margaret, eldest daughter of Mr Thomas Bromell, of Trew, Hartland. The Revs F Dennis and Trudgeon were the officiating ministers. Miss E Hearn was the organ accompanist.

Nurse Maynard has been succeeded by Nurse Gribble from the Training Centre. PC Arthur Tonkin arrived from Ashburton to succeed PC Charles Crook, who removed to Dunkerswell. An unfortunate accident befell the two year old son of Mr Richard Johns, of Mill Hill, when he fell on a nail piercing his chin. Mr Charles Colwill, of Welsford, broke his leg below the knee, through a mishap to the barn machinery belting. Dr Kay, who was soon in attendance, found it was a clean fracture and an early recovery is expected.

The men’s club at the Hartland Church Room held its first whist drive for the season. Mr J A Burrow acted as MC when the winners were: Mr Edward Heard, Mr John Prouse of Abbey Stables, Mr Charles William Nichol, Messrs Fred Pyne, Stanley Walter and Ambrose Walter. Mr John Colwill presented the prizes. Mr Ernest Rowe was MC for the dance for which Mrs T Prouse and Miss B Pillman were the pianists. Refreshments were served by Misses Lottie Burrow, E Heywood and F Colwill.

During the high tides the waves broke over the sea wall at Instow.

The marriage of Mr George Redvers Gear and Miss Florence Emily Huxtable, of Lower Huish Farm, Instow.

We regret to announce the death, which took place suddenly at Instow, of Mrs Mary Stuart Brodie, widow of the late Dr Ewan Brodie, of Glasgow and mother of Nina Critchley-Salmonson. The funeral took place in Scotland but there will be a memorial service in Instow Parish Church.

At the weekly muster of the British Red Cross Society at Instow, the Assistant County Director presented certificates to the members who passed their examinations in First Aid. Mrs Harvey was the happy recipient of a war service medal.

Littleham properties for sale – Mount Pleasant.

Littleham whist drive and dance.

Mr Andrew Harman, a brother of Mr Martin Coles Harman, the new owner of Lundy Island, has been killed in a motor car accident in Southern India. Lieut A Sleep RN, in charge of the Admiralty Detachment doing Lloyds Signal work on Lundy Island, has received his full commission as Lieut in His Majesty’s Royal Navy and has been congratulated by all on his well deserved promotion. He is a native of Saltash and has worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder after many years of faithful service.

The Vicar of Appledore held a couple of services in St Helena’s Church, Lundy.

An exciting time in landing s.s. Lerina at Lundy Island.

Merton news.

Household furniture to be sold by Mr Reuben Arnold at Monkleigh.

During an interval in the Liberal whist drive and dance held at the Schoolrooms, Northam, Mrs Keene of Westward Ho! on behalf of the Liberal Club presented Miss B M Barrow, of Bideford, with a black patent leather handbag and a gold brooch, in appreciation of her services as president of the Club for three years.

Northam remembers.

The new Telephone Exchange at Northam was visited by Major General Sir Murray Irwin and several members of the Northam Urban District Council. The new apparatus and methods of operating were explained to the Council by the Chief Traffic Superintendent, Telephones, Exeters, and the Chief Inspector of the North Devon area. At their subsequent Council meeting the Council thanked Mr J D Herridge, the Bideford Postmaster, for inviting them to the inspection, which had been most interesting.

What might have proved a serious fire, if it had occurred later in the evening, broke out in the nursery of Chircombe House, Northam. The Captain of the Bideford Fire Brigade received a call about 8pm and went to Northam with another fireman, where they extinguished the fire with buckets of water. The outbreak originated in the joist underneath the hearth.

Bideford County Magistrates granted the licensee of the Kings Head Hotel an extension from 10 to 11pm on Friday, Nov, 27^th, the occasion of Northam Golf Club Supper.

On behalf of the funds of Bideford and District Hospital a very successful ‘pound’ effort is being made at Northam. Through the kindness of Mr Kingsley Wood and Miss Warrant the schools contributed 240 pounds of groceries, vegetables, etc. The general public has responded generously to the appeal, and further contributions would be gratefully received and forwarded to the Hospital by Miss Davis, the Post Office, Northam.

Death of Major-General Bunbury, Chope Barton, Northam.

The funeral of Mrs Catherine Ann Hearn, wife of Charles Hearn, of Cross Street, Northam, took place at the Northam Churchyard, Mr A Green officiating. The first portion of the service was held at the Congregational Chapel. Miss D Hearn was the organist. We regret to announce the death, which took place suddenly, at Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, of Mrs Katherine Gleadell the wife of Capt W Gleadell, of Commons, Northam. The funeral took place at Northam Churchyard of Mrs Eliza Littlejohns, of Cross-street, Northam, widow of the late Mr John Littlejohns. Deceased was held in great respect as we shown by the attendance at the funeral, close on 100 attending. Mrs Ashplant was the organist.

On Armistice Sunday the ex-Service men met at the Old Manor Gate and formed in procession under the command of Admiral Wilson and Commander Douton. Led by the Parkham Band, they marched to the Parish Church for divine service, which was taken by the Rector. Admiral Wilson gave a brief address and the Last Post and Reveille were given by C Harding and M Honey. Reforming up on the green, the ex-Service men marched to Culver Park where they were dismissed. Two wreaths were placed on the memorial by Mr F Ley and Mr C James.

At Bideford County Sessions, Mr Bryan Bromhead, farm baliff, of Lower Melbury Farm, Parkham, pleaded guilty to an offence under the sheep Dipping Regulations by failing to notify the arrival of sheep or producing a certificate of double-dipping. Inspector Parr …

Lower Dundridge, Parkham, for sale by auction.

At Parkham, the Rector and Mrs Hensley very kindly entertained the children and staff of the Council School to tea at the Rectory on Armistice Day.

At Shebbear, road-users express great satisfaction that the dangerous corner at Lower Allacott Gate, near Dipper Mill, is being taken off.

Shebbear news.

Mr Harry Vaggers, of Littleham, and Miss Esther Hunkin, of Coombe Farm, Torrington, are married.

Election of new Torrington Mayor.

The new Mayor of Torrington, Councillor C Popham, JP

Mr Robert Sandford, of South Street, Torrington, writes to a contemporary: “In your report of the conference on land policy in Exeter one paragraph reads:-

At Torrington Police Court, a man was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment for neglecting to pay towards the maintenance of his wife, under an order made in December 1924. The arrears amounted to £9 15s. At a juvenile sitting of Torrington Borough Magistrates, three boys were summoned for damaging a shed in Rack Park, the property of the Town Trust.

Torrington Hospital dance was largely attended. The result of the prize ballot was: Bromell, sewing machine; Parker, camera; Mitchell, cycle; Brooks, costume. Other prizes went to Miss B Lake, Mrs E Quick, Mrs C Vodden, Mr G Gilbert, Mrs Turvey and Mrs Bridgman.

Mr Charles Hutchings of Well Street, Torrington, who passed away at the age of 75 years, was a man held in high respect. He was a staunch Churchman, a member of the Church choir for 45 years, a ringer and sidesman of the Church for many years, a prominent member of the Bowling Club, and a very active participant in all kinds of sport. For twenty five years he was a colour sergeant in the old Volunteer Regiment.

Cross House, Little Torrington – household furniture and other effects for sale by auction.

Change of name for Weare Gifford.

The Weare Gifford road.

The will of Dr Joseph Bower Siddall, of Oriel House, Malvern, late president of the Royal North Devon Golf Club and founder of the Union Club, Westward Ho!

The Still Cup won by Westward Ho! Ladies.

In the Royal North Devon Golf Monthly competition at Westward Ho!, Lieut Colonel Lord Seymour won in the senior class and Brigadier General R C Boyle in the junior class.

It was reported that Lieut Montague Prior, son of Mr R C Prior, of Westward Ho! had been mentioned in despatches for distinguished services in South Africa.

The public examination in bankruptcy was concluded before the registrar, Mr C E Roberts, of a guest house proprietress, of Ward House, Winkleigh, whose deficiency was £165 on liabilities expected to rank £198.

At Winkleigh, the wife of Mr J Crocker, of a son, and the wife of Mr H Ware, of a daughter.

A very successful whist drive and dance was held in the Woolsery Vicarage schoolroom.

To mark their appreciation of the services of the Rev G L Edwards, who has been vicar of Woolsery for the past three years and is now leaving to take over the living of Lamerton, South Devon. Miss Mabel Short, the organist, on behalf of the parishioners, presented Mr Edwards with a handsome Westminster Chimes clock, a cheque, a framed list of subscribers. Mr Edwards suitably acknowledged the gifts. Mr F W Ridd, parish warden, wishes to thank all those who subscribed to the presentation.

Later in the month - Rev G L Edwards, who succeeded Rev A C Evans, as vicar of Lamerton, has been instituted by the Bishop of Exeter and inducted into that living by the Archdeacon, Ven W F Sturtees, in the parish church of St Peter.

November 1975

A new standard for the Torrington branch of the Royal British Legion was dedicated when United Remembrance services were held in Torridgeside towns and villages.

Mr G Winter of Abbotsham takes top placings.

Mrs Audrey Colwill, of 2 Victoria Crescent, Appledore, will be seen as a contestant on Westward TV’s Treasure Hunt. The programme was pre-recorded but Mrs Colwill is keeping secret how she fared.

Miss Margaret Russell, of Appledore, is still active at 102!

Appledore inshore rescue boat was alerted when red flares were seen off Braunton Hill. But the call was listed as a false alarm with good intent after it was discovered that a farmer at West Down had been enjoying a preliminary celebration of November 5 by discharging some old flares.

The link that has been forged between a Royal Air Force station in Germany and the Appledore branch of the RNLI will be strengthened with the presentation of the station’s plaque which the RAF personnel hope will be hung in the lifeboat house at Appledore. It was with money raised by men and women at RAF Wildenrath that the RNLI purchased the Atlantic-type inshore rescue boat that has done such valuable work since being stationed at Appledore. The plaque was brought back to this country by Mr Phil Day, Editor of the Bideford Gazette, following a visit to RAF Headquarters in Germany and to Wildenrath. The six members of the Appledore lifeboat crew who operate the IRB are Messrs Eric Wartnaby, Brian Williams, Roger Risher, Jack Wills, Cliff Edwards and Ray Harkness, who all work at Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. The craft is nicknamed ‘Wizzer’.

Sqn Ldr Roger Adams and Mr Phil Day

The men who crew Appledore’s IRB

‘No’ to Western Avenue, Appledore, phone kiosk request.

Sunday School children of St Mary’s Church, Appledore, were given sunflower seeds to plant in spring. As the plants grew they were sponsored by the foot in aid of The Children’s Society and altogether £32.40 was raised. The tallest sunflower was grown by Paul Blackmore and Julie White’s £13 was the most collected from sponsors.

Idea for walk and picnic area at Appledore outlined.

What is described as a festival of old Appledore is being centred on Appledore Church Hall, with the help of Beaford Centre, next month. The Vicar, Rev Donald Peyton Jones, says that photographs, pictures, craftwork and models will be on display from December 2. He hopes local people will loan any interesting material they have about the life and work of the township past and present.

A strong denial that there was any trouble between netsmen and anglers in the Taw and Torridge estuary came from Mr Des Cox, who is coxswain of Appledore lifeboat. And in doing so he accused certain members of Northam Urban Council of ‘talking through their hats.’ He commented; ‘instead of talking nonsense they should talk common sense, but really it is nothing at all to do with Northam Council. The netsmen and anglers have generally got along very well together and if things are left to us it will stay that way.’

Horses being ridden in Anchor Park, Appledore, were a danger to children claimed Appledore Conservation Committee in a report to Northam Council. When it was reported that little jumps had apparently been put up by pony riders, the Mayor, Mrs Galliford, commented “I think it is very dangerous.” It was not the purpose for which the park was intended, said Mr R Evers. At the request of the Conservation Committee the complaint is being referred to Torridge District Council.

An oak tree donated by farmer Mr T Bellew was felled and cut into logs by members of East-the-Water Community Action Group, who them distributed them to old age pensioners with open fires.

Bideford police are investigating the desecration of the war memorial at Chudleigh Fort, East-the-Water. It was discovered that, as one Legion member described it, “a gang of hooligans had gone through the place like a swarm of locusts. It really was a shambles. Poppies had been pulled from wreaths and thrown all over the place.” To the best of their ability members remade the wreaths and put them back on the memorial.

Incentive offered by Braddicks.

For a second time in 12 years and against worldwide competition, Bideford magician Ian Adair has won the major international award for inventing the best trick of the year. Mr Adair, author of over 55 books on conjuring, said he was most surprised, on returning home from a birthday party engagement, to find a large insured parcel awaiting him. It contained a silver statue depicting an old time magician holding a wand, with a bag of tricks strapped around his waist. “I had no prior knowledge of having won the award … there it was, on my doorstep,” said Mr Adair.

Mr Edwin Hooper, managing director of The Supreme Magic Co Ltd solves it.

‘Cabbages ahoy!’ is not the nautical shout normally heard on board ship but the youngsters at the wheel could well have been forgiven for an imaginative call of this kind when Bideford unit of the Sea Cadet Corps held a sale at their headquarters to raise funds. The event was organised by the Parents and Supporters Association, and raised £70.

After months of having to travel to Barnstaple for their weekly parade nights, members of the Bideford detachment of the Devon Army Cadet Force were back on home ground. Their new headquarters in the grounds of Bideford School were officially opened by the Mayor of Bideford, Mr Stan Short, who referred to the part the unit could play in the community life of the town. The new headquarters, a modified mobile classroom provided by Devon County Council, replaces the two old buildings housing the unit which were removed in the school extension plans.

Toy Works of Bideford are to begin operations in Ilfracombe, North Devon’s employment blackspot, in the New Year. To begin with 43 to 45 people will be making miniature billiard tables at the factory formerly occupied by Bonas Tapes Ltd, and it is planned to increase the labour force to 150 in three years. Later in the month …

$Nov 1975 Bideford Toy Works Ilfracombe$

A bridge, built by Laminated Wood Ltd, of Bideford, is towed to Tintagel.

Time continues to stand still on the face of the large iron clock suspended from the old post office building, now the Co-op in Bideford’s High Street. A request that it should be restored to working order, made at the annual parish meeting at Bideford, has founded on the rocks of cost.

Conservationists are to make a last ditch stand at the next meeting of Torridge District Council in their battle to preserve Bull Hill, Bideford. Before the council will be a recommendation of their Policy and Resources Committee that a £153,000 redevelopment scheme be adopted for the area. On behalf of 1,219 people who signed a ‘save Bull Hill’ petition, Mr Michael Omejer has lobbied every member of the council. Later in the month,

New almshouses planned at Bideford.

Another £1,500 given away by Bideford Bridge Trust.

For a second successive year Bideford Town Band won promotion at the annual competitions of the South West Brass Band Association, held at Paignton. A record entry of 45 bands from four counties competed. Bideford’s triumph in the third section – they were one point ahead of Totnes – means that next year they will compete in section two and will also be eligible for the championship section. Mr Mervyn Sweet, their musical director, received the award for the conductor of the winning band in their section.

Colleagues admire the gold watch presented to Miss Gwen Braunton on completion of 25 years’ service with Pickfords

After 338 first team games extending over six and a half years, Bideford FC manager Graham Bond was sacked. He was given the news minutes after the end of the Western League match – ironically enough one that the Robins won 3-0 to halt a run of eight league games without a win. Bond was on contract until the end of this season and he is to receive a lump sum payment to honour this.

Jungle pair Tarzan and Jane swung to their fourth victory in a row at North Devon carnivals this year when they took first prize for the most original tableau at Dolton and Dowland torchlight carnival to add to their wins at Bideford, Barnstaple and South Molton. The tableau, entered by the Holland and Humphries families of Moreton Park, Bideford, depicts the pair in a typical jungle setting. Dolton Cubs took the special award for the best local entry with ‘Soccer special’.

Bideford Town Council want to revive the town’s ancient Manor Court ceremony.

A fine of £75 was imposed on a Bradworthy farmer for allowing an 11 year old boy to ride in what the prosecution described as an extremely dangerous position when a baler was being powered from a tractor. He had not realized how young the boy was, said the farmer of Honnacott, Bradworthy.

Mr Trevor Stanbury, of Downland, Clovelly, is a champion.

A bingo session in aid of Clovelly branch of the Royal British Legion was held at the parish hall. Callers were Messrs A Aust and S Nicholls, and Mr P Thompkins was the door steward. Refreshments were served by Mrs R Bailey, Messrs Gillett and Freeman.

Bingo session at Clovelly Parish Hall.

A Liberal sale held at Clovelly Parish Hall raised over £113. The event opened by Mrs Parsons, of Ilfracombe, wife of the divisional chairman, who was introduced by Mr G Smith, branch chairman.

A Sankey evening was held at Frithelstock Baptist Church and friends from Parkham, Westward Ho! Bradworthy, Caute and Newton St Petrock took part. The chairman was Mr John Copson of Northam and organist was Mrs K Reynolds. Supper followed and 317.76 was raised for church funds.

A Rutland man plans to convert the former rocket house almost on the cliff edge at Hartland Quay into a holiday home. Mr D Player is seeking …

The Commodore Hotel, Instow, is open all year.

Mr Peter Martin, of Furlong, Littleham, and former president of Buckland Brewer YFC, has the surprise of his life.

Two new iron flower pedestals and a new electric light for the organ, bought from the legacy of the late Miss Phillis Mary Beer, have been dedicated at St Swithin’s Church by the Rev L Budge.

Unlucky Kriter, better known as the Burton Cutter owned by Mr Alan Smith, is beaten into second place.

Littleham Hall gets a face lift.

At Littleham, the Earl Haig door-to-door collection amounted to £15.50.

Bouncells House and Cottage, Merton, for sale.

At the annual meeting of Monkleigh Village Hall, officers elected were: Mr R W Jarvis, Mr D Sanders, Mr T Gribble and Mr M Davies.

Forty acres of agricultural and accommodation land with outbuildings at Knapp, Northam, were sold at a public auction for £30,750, equivalent to about £775 an acre. The auction was held at the Durrant House Hotel on behalf of the Withecombe trustees and a local businessman was the purchaser.

Northam is to get a car park with space for 102 vehicles. The Development Committee of Torridge District Council accepted an offer by Bideford businessman Mr Alan Smith to give a site at Bone Hill Farm.

Mr and Mrs Alex Goodman of Northam will be among guests meeting the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a special gathering at The Guildhall, London, to mark the 200^th anniversary of the building society movement.

As a result of a jumble sale Northam committee for cancer research raised £70.

An application from Mr K Redford for permission to build 50 homes on land between Durrant Lane and Limers Lane, Northam, had been made with the proposed new bridge across the River Torridge in view, suggested Cllr Lt-Cdr Michael Sumner.

The armament of a Northam country house mounted to repel the Napoleonic hordes should they reach the River Torridge has just turned up. Mrs J Murray-Palmer of Boathyde, discovered a cannon when she was gardening. “I thought it was a milk churn and began to dig around it,” Mrs Murray-Palmer said. Further examination revealed it was a cannon dated 1813. Subsequently a second similar cannon was discovered.

Devon Education Committee have deferred a decision on future relationships with Shebbear College pending the outcome of discussions between their chairman and the college governors. But the schools sub-committee told the committee that they had informed the board of management for Methodist Residential Schools that the committee did not wish to maintain Edgehill College, Bideford.

Shebbear will be independent.

20 Castle Street, Torrington, for sale.

Beginning specialist training at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Navy’s supply and secretariat school, is Sonia Martin, daughter of Mrs Valerie Martin, of New Street, Torrington. An Old Girl of Edgehill College, Sonia joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a writer (pay) and has just completed initial training at HMS Dauntless.

Mr J C R Trounson, who is retiring as manager of the Torrington branch of the Midland Bank following many years’ bank service, is to be succeeded by Mr Graham Peters, who started his bank career at Truro.

At a November Fayre at The Plough, Torrington, the local Red Cross Detachment raised £176.38. The fayre was opened by Miss U Parsons, area director of Social Services, who spoke of the help given by the Red Cross.

All ready to go – members of Torrington Girl Guides went ‘wombling’ on the Commons to help clear some of the rubbish left by spectators at Torrington Cavaliers’ bonfire spectacular

Double glazing of Torrington’s swimming pool is likely to cost over £1,000 according to the only quotation received so far, Torrington Town Council were told. Income from the pool exceeded expenditure by £802 in the three months May-August. Apart from the financial side the pool had been an enormous success as an amenity.

Members of Westward Ho! And Bideford Art Society are mourning the loss of their president, Lt-Col Biss, who died at Weybridge. Col Biss was educated at Blundell’s School and was the stepson of the society’s founder, first secretary and latter-day president, the late Major T R Morse, of Pimpley, Westward Ho!

Rev Alfred C Sutton is the new pastor of Westward Ho! Baptist Church.

A motor mower is the latest gift from members of Westward Ho! Women’s Institute to The Chalet old people’s home at Westward Ho! Over many years the WI have taken a neighbourly interest in the home and its residents and have made various gifts and donations.

Mrs Owen, Mrs Congdon, Mrs E M Hilder, Mrs Old

Ancient burial complex found at Westward Ho! by Major Bernard Haswell and Christopher Coles.

Bideford magistrates have made an order that a Woolsery dog owner, Cyril Piper, must keep the animal under proper control. Mr Piper was ordered to pay £7.06 witnesses’ expenses.

The plan to get rid of North Devon’s rubbish by using it to generate electricity at East Yelland Power Station seems to be dead. The North Devon/Torridge Highways Sub-Committee have decided to recommend Devon County Council not pursue the idea at this stage. They did so after hearing from the Central Electricity Generating Board that with the falling off in the national demand for current the requirement to generate at East Yelland would be small in the foreseeable future, and that considerable cost would be involved.

November 2000

Little railway mystery – the Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore line.

Planned expansion at Appledore Shipbuilders has been put on hold and with it the prospect of 250 new jobs.

Centenarian Mrs Ada Squires had an ‘arresting’ day when police from Bideford Station went along to wish her many happy returns. The Queen did, too, with a telegram. Her late husband Frank was Appledore’s bobby on the beat around the 1950s – a familiar figure and a friend to the people of the area. Ada still lives at Appledore Rest Home.

Sgt Penny Clarke, PC Mike Tricker, Mrs Ada Squires, Inspector Geoff Woodley

Plans for the four-town Tree of Light celebration services are beginning to get under way at the region’s two major hospices – the Children’s Hospice South West and North Devon Hospice. Barnstaple, Bideford, South Molton and Torrington will all be holding special candlelight services in December which hundreds are expected to attend. Many people add an extra tribute to the memory of loved ones by dedicating lights which are entered in a Book of Remembrance.

Bideford is to get its parish poll on the town’s new flood defence scheme. Following consultation with Torridge District Council a ruling has been given that the call for a poll made at a public meeting was in order. Doubts were raised whether the proper procedures had been followed.

Storms declared the worst in a decade brought chaos and misery to people in North Devon with winds gusting up to 80mph, torrential rain and floods.

High and dry. The East-the-Water relief road stands above the flood water after a storm.

Bideford and Borneo are to be linked with a unique ‘tree twinning’ project as part of National Tree Planting Week. A tree is to be planted in Victoria Park bearing an inscribed plaque from Borneo while funding through TAG 21 and the International Tree Foundation will pay for more trees to be planted on an orangutan reserve in the rain forest of Borneo.

Children at Grenville College in Bideford have been hard at work gathering toys, books, games and other presents for less fortunate youngsters in Kosovo, Serbia, Romania, and other Eastern European countries. They have decorated and filled shoeboxes with Christmas gifts, adding notes and photographs. Their gifts are part of Operation Christmas Child, a project run by the charity Samaritan’s Purse.

Sarah Maitland, George Morris, Rebecca Ferguson, Luke Cann, George Lundy

Artistic talent has shone through at an early age for Lucy Mead and Joanna Luck of Grenville College Junior School. Lucy from Bideford won her group in the Independent Schools Association SW Art Competition, Joanna from Merton was highly commended in her section.

The new Matt Fiddes Black Belt Academy for residents of the Bideford area has received a warm welcome. “I could not believe the response when I advertised” said Matt, who already has an established academy in Barnstaple. Instructors are Jason Sollis and Peter Choules who were fully trained by Matt (who recently became nationally known following the release of his video made with Uri Geller).

Sixty years of scouting in Bideford was celebrated with a weekend get-together of scouts and cubs old and new, a social evening and a special church service. Adding to the celebration was the welcome news that the 2^nd Bideford Scout Troop, which has been in abeyance for 16 months because of a lack of leaders, is to be re-started.

Bideford’s corps of town guides have had such a good season they want more volunteers to swell their ranks for next year. The guides who show off the heritage of the historic Little White Town to visitors and locals hope to expand the service. “We don’t need experts, just people with enthusiasm, a pride in Bideford and time to spare,” said spokesman Mike Davy.

Joy Kirby, Eleanor Rogers, Di Warmington, Marilyn Northcott, Mike Davy, Victor Castagnola, Mike Bradshaw, Bob Barton, Mike Hudson, Neville Jackson

Character cottage at Fairy Cross, Bideford, for sale.

The Mayor of Bideford, Councillor Noel Deakes, was among the guests of the town’s Lions’ Club which celebrated its 25^th anniversary at the Royal Hotel. Other special guests included John Cook, the District Governor, and Tony Webb, the Charter District Governor in 1975. The two remaining charter members from 1975 played active parts in the proceedings. Ray Twose was toastmaster and Colin Rickard, the present Zone Chairman, welcomed ladies and guests. In its first quarter of a century, the Lions’ Club has raised more than £100,000 for local charitable causes. President David Page expressed thanks to those who had donated money, gifts and time over the years.

Buckland Brewer house for sale.

The Friends of Buckland Brewer Primary School celebrated their tenth anniversary by planting a flowering cherry tree in the school garden. Over the years, the organization has raised around £14,000 to buy extras for the 37-pupil school. Members have painted classrooms, bought computers and paid for the upkeep of the swimming pool.

Jenny Vanstone, Jade Walter, Alice Birch and other youngsters

Beth Shelvah, Higher Clovelly, for sale.

The earth moved for proprietors of a shellfish business in Clovelly when a landslip literally buried their lock-up premises. Sue and Barry Perham’s ‘Shell Fish Shop’ on the quay was covered in tons of earth and stones when the landslip occurred in the early hours of the morning. Fortunately the couple do not live over the shop they have run for 20 years in the fishing village, but the building and all its contents have been lost. Barry has no idea when or if they will be able to resurrect the business which has provided a living for more than two decades.

Toddlers now have their own attraction on Fremington village green with the installation of new swings. Councillor Rodney Cann said “The popularity of the green has grown since we provided a picnic table and additional seats. It has become quite a favoured spot for mums and dads and often grandparents with their children.

Mr Cann, Dave Harris, Mary Barrell, Stephen Price, Josh Hooper, Chloe Hooper

The RAF pulled out all the stops when ex-WAAF Ella Webbe, from Fremington, asked to visit her wartime base at St Mawgan. This was where she met husband-to-be, Bob. She is pictured being presented with mementoes of her visit by Wind Cdr Keith Maxwell and Flying Officer Danni Spiridigliezzio.

Japan and North Devon have got together to present a puppet opera which will have its world premiere in Hartland Parish Hall. The She-Fox of Shinoda will be performed by a Japanese pupped troupe with music composed by Colin Hodgetts and played by Hartland Chamber Orchestra.

Police are investigating a burglary which occurred at a house in Anstey Way, Instow. Among items stolen was an Olympus camera. The victim is keen to have this returned because it contains holiday snaps.

A purge on motorists speeding through Landkey has resulted in 22 people being prosecuted. Following concern by local residents over speeding in the village Devon County Council undertook a number of speed surveys at various locations suggested by the parish council. The results indicated an abuse of the 30mph speed limit and brought prosecutions by the policy.

Lundy is in the export business! The popular holiday island off the North Devon coast has for the first time started to export one of its unique products. The distinctive taste of Lundy lamb is now available to UK mainland customers. “The lambs in our managed flock are born and reared on the island without the pressures of modern intensive methods, on a diet …”

An imposing Grade II listed thatched cottage in Monkleigh is for sale. There is a detached stable block or workshop with potential for conversion to a one or two-bedroomed bungalow suitable for a granny annexe subject to planning permission.

Memories, in Northam, is under the new ownership of Brett and Naomi.

Detached house in Northam for sale.

It was taken from half-a-mile away but you could almost feel the heat from this picture of Torrington’s ‘Streets of London’ charity bonfire which took first prize in Torrington Cavaliers’ amateur photographic competition. His reward for a unique Dartington Crystal bowl, suitably inscribed by their craftsmen.

This shot was by Wreford Leverton of Taddiport

Representatives of good causes gathered at Torrington School for a massive handout of cash by the Torrington Cavaliers charity. Donations totalling £40,000 from the proceeds of the Cavaliers’ Bonfire 2000 spectacular made it the biggest single charity event North Devon has ever seen. The millennium blaze drew some 20,000 people to Torrington on August Bank Holiday.

Charity cheques galore are displayed by Cavaliers’ chairman Dave Kelly and bonfire queen Susan Street with the help of Cavalier mascots Devon Brown, Freddy Palmer and Archie Smithson

The first of a series of sports forums will be held at Torrington Sports Hall.

The Old Union Inn at Stibb Cross, near Torrington, has won the 2000 Best Pub Food Award.

Nigel Smith, John Dennis, Carol McKay, John McKay, Anita Durford

What better way to tell diners that you cook traditionally with local produce than to give your Westward Ho! restaurant the traditional local name of Potwallopers? Locally reared meat, locally caught fish and locally grown vegetables are the basis of a wide a la carte menu in Russell and Sara Vincent’s dining-out venue. The Vincents came to Westward Ho! after a long search for a restaurant which was the right size and in the right place.

There were celebrations all round at Kingsley Indoor Bowling Club in Westward Ho! when members marked the acquisition of the freehold of their premises. A limited company was formed and members issed with £1 shares. Two members, Peter Wade and Brian Slee provided funds to be repaid by a mortgage over 15 years.

Photo includes Denis Bamford, Tony Stephens, Alan Fitzjohn, Den Ward

The village of Winkleigh has its own Christmas lights switch-on ceremony. This year, Father Christmas will do the honours on December 11. A Christmas tree and lights are put up around the village by the Fair Committee. Hatherleigh Silver Band will play seasonal music under the tree. Hot punch and mince pies will be served.

Yelland property for sale.

Years Ago - August 1949

August 1949

With special thanks to Catherine for her many years of voluntary work for the Bideford and District Community Archive.

Friday, August 5, 1949

Births – Braund – to Kathleen (nee Dymond) wife of Kenneth, a son, John, brother for Kenneth and Judith; to Gwendolyn and Douglas Briant (nee Barund), a son, Simon Jocelyn, a brother for Angela; to Eleanor Mary Chamberlain (nee Byers) and Major Trevor Chamberlain, a daughter; to Gwen and Eric Clegg, a son, David George; to Elizabeth and Daniel Cook, a son, a brother for Terry; to Barbara, wife of Sir Frederick Fowke, a daughter; to Gwynneth, wife of Major J R M Gray, RASC, a daughter, Elizabeth Moulton; to Mercy and Sam Luxton, a son; to Phyllis and Roy Parsons, a daughter, Josephine Molly;

Engagements – Major T H N Keene and Evelyn Meriel Kitcat; Henry Miles and Muriel Matthews;

Marriages – Betty Roberts and Harold Hargreaves; Ernest Kent and Jean Palmer; Ronald Martin and Edith Jenkins;

Mr Thomas Frederick Friendship, of Cross House, Abbotsham, had been a member of the choir at Abbotsham Church and a bellringer there for over sixty years. He was a member of the Parochial Church Council and had been verger for the past five years.

The funeral of Captain Thomas Hutchings, of Sundale, Odun Road, Appledore, took place at St Mary’s Church. Capt Hutchings had been associated with the sea from an early age, an din his early twenties was chief officer of the Ulidia, one of the largest sailing ships out of Liverpool, and of which he was for a short time in command. He had also been chief officer on the four-masted ships Talavera and Doverly. Capt Hutchings later became master and owner of several ketches and schooners, including the Bonito, Renown, Isabelle, Leader, Susannah and Brockenholm. During his retirement Capt Hutchings was for some years hon. harbourmaster at Appledore, and a sub-commissioner of the Taw-Torridge Pilotage Board. He was well known for his ability in recalling and singing some of the real old sea shanties and took part in a broadcast from Appledore some years ago. Rev A J R Liddon officiated in the absence of the Vicar of Appledore.

Constable E J T Harris, son of ex-PC Harris of Appledore, is successful at sports.

Garden party at Appledore for the Congregationalists.

Appledore and Instow Regatta is advertised.

Miss Margaret Webber, Appledore’s Carnival Queen, with her attendants Misses Margaret Taylor, Selina Fishwick, Hazel Hutchings and Barbara Eastman

Mitchell’s Café Services, Bideford

A Frigidaire frozen food cabinet has been installed at R Steele’ shop in Mill Street, Bideford.

Presentations were made to Rev R Pyke and to Mrs and Miss Pyke at Edgehill Girls’ College, Bideford, on the occasion of Mr Pyke’s retirement from the Bursarship of the College.

Northam Golf Club. The J H Taylor Cup

At St Margaret’s Church, Northam, the funeral took place of Capt George Ross, Master Mariner, whose death occurred at 5 North Street, Northam.

Clearance of war-time wire and other obstructions on Northam Burrows and Westward Ho! sands because of danger to cattle, pedestrians and particularly children was urged at Northam Manor Court.

In an interview, Mr A Brewer (Surveyor and Water Engineer to Northam Urban District Council) confirmed that Northam’s water supply help to Bideford had had to be discontinued owing to the demands of Northam’s own district and that the mains were being used over-capacity. At one time in recent days more water had been used than ever before – 420,000 gallons in one day, including 72,000 supplied to Bideford. The capacity of the Northam mains was 375,000 gallons per day, so it had been necessary to stop supplying Bideford.

Westward Ho! Carnival Week, August 7^th-13^th, is advertised.

Mr Philip Popham, whose parents reside at Westward Ho! is to be congratulated upon having obtained the full diploma of associateship of the Royal College of Art, London, and has been awarded the Silver Medal for special distinction in the School of Silversmithing and Jewellery Design. The College authorities have given him a post-graduate scholarship.

Dinner dances at Golden Bay Hotel, Westward Ho!

Friday, August 12, 1949

Births – to Camilla, wife of Major Cope, a daughter, Georgina Frances Mary; to Kathleen and Major R C Dixon, a daughter; a daughter, Kathryn Jean, for Nancy and Derrick Harris; to Pamela, wife of the late Edward B King, a son; to Martha, wife of C C Prust, a daughter; to Joan and Tony Webb, a daughter, Felicity Jane

Engagements - Albert Derek Beer and Edna Johns; Ralph Collins and June Adams of Westward Ho!

Marriages – at Torrington, Ernest Balkwill to Valerie Rendle.

A rip roaring gale

Bradbourne House, Marine Parade, Appledore – just opened.

A very successful fete was held in the beautiful setting of the Holt grounds at Appledore by kind permission of Capt and Mrs Denys Scott. The fete was held to raise money to convert premises, acquired on behalf of the Appledore Branch British Legion, into a public hall for the use of the inhabitants of Appledore. Mr W Pitcher presided at the opening ceremony, which was performed by Mrs Tamworth.

Because of the boisterous weather of the previous evening and on Wednesday of last week, West Appledore regatta had to be postponed until the following day. On the Thursday a fresh wind made the sailing races especially good to see and the presence of several newly-built boats racing for the first time in a regatta against the tried veterans added interest. The London Cup was the principal race of the day. Mr F Blackmore, in the Betty, had only to win the trophy this year to win the cup outright. Competition, therefore, was extra keen. A new boat, Doris Rosetta, sailed by P Waters snr, beat the Betty by a two-minute margin. The Mammy Hal (P Ford) took off the Jack Cox Cup, but the Betty came into her own again when she beat Mr P Water’s Mahala for the Harding Cup.

Six cousins were the bearers at the funeral at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, of Mr Leonard Jewell, of Market Street, husband of Mrs Kitty Jewell and son of the late Capt W Jewell. Mr Jewell has served in both 1914-18 war and that of 1939-45. In the former he served with the Merchant Navy and in the recent was with the Royal Navy. The bearers were Messrs I and H Jewell, T Pyke, B Ross, G Fowler and A Harvey.

This is carnival week at Westward Ho! and visitors and residents have joined in the very comprehensive programme of events arranged. Held under the auspices of the Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of Commerce, the effort is to raise funds for the Westward Ho! Memorial Hall, formerly the Kingsley Gymnasium.

Friday, August 19, 1949

Births – to Ivy and J Banks, a son, Geoffry; to Phyllis and Wilfred Heal, a daughter, Christine May; to Doris, wife of Charles Marshall, of Appledore, a son; to Gladys and Frank Pickett, a daughter, Susan, a sister for John, Michael and Mary.

Engagements – William Milton Chapple and Sheila Ralph, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ralph, Pen Craig, Westward Ho!

Marriages – Charles Edwards and Madge Shortridge; Peter Rees Lewis and Heather Mary McMaster; Bernard Medley and Edith Organ

Radio Times

Because of the outbreak of infantile paralysis in North Devon some local Sunday Schools are being temporarily closed. The Bideford and North Devon Gazette understands that such action is being taken by Bideford Methodist, Baptist and Bethel Sunday Schools. Laving Congregational Sunday School will meet, if fine, in the garden of Mr L D Knight’s house, Northdown Road, but if wet will report to the Sunday School hall for their mark and then return home. The Rector of Bideford, Rev J A Durling, said that Church of England Sunday Schools were closed during August, and the question of extra precautions did not arise. It is understood that the same applies to Instow Parish Church, Appledore Parish Church and Appledore Congregational Sunday School among others.

Northam Urban District Council were now prepared to afford a supply of water to houses in Abbotsham, each application to be treated on its merits, it was reported at a meeting of Bideford Rural District Council. Water would be supplied to houses up to a maximum of thirty over the next five years, it was understood that Northam Council would not be required to jeopardise the supply of their own district.

Appledore bathing pool to be destroyed – ‘potential source of illness’ says doctor.

The possibility that Appledore might have two appeals for two halls going on at the same time came to light at a meeting of Northam Urban District Council.

Steele’s in Bideford thanks the public.

Playing at the Palace, Bideford – Love in Idleness.

And at the Strand – The Story of Shirley York and Tarzan and the Mermaids.

Householders were advised to boil all water from wells for drinking for at least two minutes, by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr E H Walker, at the meeting of Torrington Rural District Council. A communal well at Petrockstow, from which about thirty people drew water, was mentioned by Mr W H Fishleigh. All wells were getting low and with continuous pumping a little sediment must appear but a glass of water from the well at Petrockstow was ‘very dirty.’ It was unlikely that any well water was sound at this time of year said Dr Walker.

Fear that when water-supply help to Bideford was recommenced the pressure needed might damage Northam’s main was expressed by Mr J E Boyles at Northam Urban District Council’s meeting. The matter arose when the Surveyor, Mr A Brewer, reported that he had traced what he thought was the source of the big draw which had been affecting the Council’s water supply. It had been a cracked main.

Royal National Lifeboat Flag Day collections.

Reed’s Taxis of Northam.

The final of Westward Ho! Carnival Week bathing beauty contest watched by a large crowd of spectators, took place in the delightful setting of Ennisfarne Tea Gardens.

Finalists in the bathing beauty contest held during Westward Ho! Carnival Week. The winner, Miss Pat Cutts, is seated in the centre. Seated on her left is the second prizewinner, Mlle Elaine Fradisse, and on her right, Miss Doris Clements, who came third.

The Summer Meeting of the Westward Ho! Ladies’ Golf Club was held. Results:

Congratulations to Messrs J H Yatman and R O Bridger, and others for organising the first National Sand-Yacht Racing contest, held with success in glorious sailing weather. Inquiries had failed to elicit any previous similar event and that no doubt explained the appearance of the BBC, the television people, and representatives of daily newspapers from London, including a photographer from the Daily Mirror who made a special trip by ‘plane.

A deputation from Northam Urban District Council is to visit the Ministry of Health to discuss the coast erosion scheme at Westward Ho!

Friday, August 26, 1949

Births – to Mary and Frederik Bierbum, a son; to Eileen and Frederick Downer, a daughter; to Sylvia (nee Poole), wife of Kenneth Ellis, a son, Peter Howard; on August 18^th, 1949, at 7a The Square, Northam, to Mr and Mrs Eric Shutt, a daughter, Catherine.