100 Years Ago

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

100 Years Ago - September 1919

Bideford Borough Food Control Committee announces on the 2nd September that a special retail market for the sale of fruit, vegetables, fish and any kind of produce that may be available at reasonable prices will be held in the Pannier Market every Friday evening from 5 o'clock till 7 pm, commencing Friday October 3rd until further notice. Applications for a stall or from others wishing to send produce for sale should be made as early as possible to the Market Controller, Mr Stoneman.
The Ministry of Food state that the prices of bananas should not exceed 3d each and this fruit is not at present under any official control. However ration books are still in use and Farleigh’s Stores and others have large adverts entreating their customers to bring in their new books for registration to ensure a ready supply of Sugar and butter.

Devon County Council has been recommended to advance £40,000 towards the construction of the railway line from Torrington to Halwill Junction. Since 1847 the lack of railway services in the district has been noticeable. In 1888, 1895, 1898, and 1901 applications have been made to Parliament but each scheme fell through due to the problem of raising the necessary capital. There would be considerable passenger traffic due to the linking of Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and Bideford in the north to Launceston, Wadebridge and Padstow further west.

A film company engaged on a representation of “Westward Ho!” proposes to take scenes by the sea and at Bideford. For ship scenes and fights with the Spaniards they have acquired the replica of Sir Richard Grenville’s ship “Revenge” which was made for a Shakespearean exhibition at Earls Court. It will be taken down and brought to Bideford in pieces by rail and then put together and launched.

Police pay has been reviewed and the new rates are shown. We have tried to establish how the rank of Sergeant Major fits without any success. If you can help please get in touch.

Towards the end of September a story about the controversy regarding the Bideford War Memorial and the Chudleigh Fort area of East–the-Water is given four complete columns of the six on the page. Remarks like “this site 300 years ago was where men fought for truth and righteousness” added to a very contentious situation. If you are curious about the outcome please visit us and we will show you the newspapers.

Also at the end of September the railway strike nationally is gaining momentum however we can inform you that trains from Exeter continue to run to North Devon stations to move goods and important perishable commodities. Trains were met with desultory sympathy from local railwaymen.

The property market is still very active and we are showing part of the page which has some well-known homes for Sale.

100 Years Ago – August 1919

The first thing we noticed when we opened the Gazette this month is that the format has changed. The heading is the same but from issue 3514 the paper is about 2 inches shorter. It reverts to its original size for the last issue of the year, number 3532, but the quality of newsprint is much improved. The price remains the same at 1d per issue.

There has been a fire at Broomhayes, which is owned by Brigadier General and Mrs Southey. Damage is estimated at between £300 and £500. A letter to the Editor in the same edition states that “The fire at Northam on Sunday should bring the need of fire appliances before the members of Northam Urban District Council. It seems out of place for a large rate-paying district such as Northam, blessed with a splendid supply of water, to be without suitable appliances to cope with the fire”. History repeats itself?

The Food Controller has revoked some of the wartime bread orders. From 1st August the sale of new bread can resume. There will be no more restrictions on the shape of loaves, but the sale of bread other than by weight is still forbidden. Loaves must be 1lb or an even number of pounds and rolls not more than 2oz. The weekly butter ration has been reduced by ½ oz, due to a partial failure of supplies of imported butter.

Large quantities of Wortleberries are being picked locally and sent north by train for use in the dyeing industry. Most of the picking is done by schoolchildren in the North Molton district.

A plucky rescue took place at Appledore. The son of Mr John Lamey of Meeting Street fell off Bethel Slip and was in danger of drowning. Captain William Cox of 28 Market Street, standing some distance away, ran to the spot and sprang into the water fully dressed. He swam to the little fellow and brought him safely back to shore. This is the latest of several occasions on which Captain Cox has saved children from drowning.

There was a record attendance at Bideford Horse Show, the first since the outbreak of war, which was held at Moreton Park. The address was given as “Hartland Road”, which we now know as Abbotsham Road. Pony races were a new feature. The show was officially opened by the Mayor, Mr A R Adams, supported by members of the council. The local MP, Mr Tudor Rees, was also present. Prizes amounting to £120 were awarded. Admission was 2/- and the band of Devon and Dorset Sailors and Soldiers provided entertainment.

Northam Manor Court would like to see the Burrows driven as soon as convenient, as it is believed that many unauthorised cattle are being grazed there.

The death has occurred of Mr William Hutchings, one of the last of the hand wool combers. Mr Hutchings, who was in his 80th year, had farmed in Hartland for the last 40 years. He was in partnership with his brother John as wool, grain and corn merchants based in Bideford. He learned the trade of wool combing from his father and preserved the looms on which the last work of its kind was done in the town.

Among the recipes given in this month’s papers is the following, for Duchess Buns:

“Take the weight of one egg in caster sugar, butter and flour. Beat the butter and sugar together for five minutes, add the egg and by degrees the flour. Add one packet of blancmange powder, cherry flavour, then stir in sufficient milk to make it a nice consistency. Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of baking powder and 2oz of dried cherries. Put the mixture in well-greased patty tins and bake for 10 minutes.”

A “motor mishap” occurred in Bridgeland Street, Bideford. About 6.30pm one evening, Rear Admiral G H Hewitt of Westward Ho! was driving a motor car up Bridgeland Street. Going to the right to avoid a railway delivery waggon on his left, owing to the glare of the sun in his eyes he did not notice a pony and trap facing him and standing outside the Congregational Church (Lavington). Mr F Light of Newton St Petrock, the owner, was sitting in the trap awaiting the arrival of his wife, who was shopping. The car struck the trap, knocking it onto the pathway clean away from the pony, which walked off down the street. The trap was badly damaged and knocked down Mr Chas Sampson of Clifton Street, who was on the path. Dr Ellis Pearson attended to those involved but there were no serious injuries.

The Hansen Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Company is established near Bideford by Sven Wohlford Hansen, a Norwegian shipbuilder with a previous successful history of shipbuilding in Cardiff. Their first steam coaster ‘Hubbastone', 873 ton was launched in 1921, followed by ten more vessels until 1924 when the yard closed due to lack of orders. North Devon Record Office hold the winding up Notice & Order.

100 Years Ago - July 1919

The main focus this month is on the Peace celebrations and we are including two posters that appeared several times in the paper during July.

In London a wood and plaster War memorial is unveiled in Whitehall for the parade on 19th July. The Portland stone Cenotaph was built a year later.

Peace celebrations were taking place in every town and village around the area and all were faithfully reported in the Gazette.

The General Early Closing Order was suspended for Friday 18 July, allowing shops to stay open for as long as they wished to, offsetting the losses due to the closures on the Saturday.

Northam Council had decided to provide tea for children aged 3 – 14 and will also write a letter to each of those who suffered bereavement due to the War. The former Bideford to Bude stagecoach, pulled by four horses and driven by Mr Parsons, fetched children from Westward Ho! to Northam Square to join the party. It is reported that “the sound of the horn and the get-up made a fine show”.

In Appledore, the day began with a peal on the bells, conducted by the Captain, Mr W Down. At 11am, the adults attended a service at the Parish Church whilst the children had their own service in the Congregational Church. After lunch a procession of children and demobilised soldiers and sailors will pass through the village, where many houses had been decorated in their honour. A prize was given for the best decorated house. Dancing in the evening rounded off the celebrations, the cost of which would be met by voluntary contributions.

If you would like to find out how your community marked this special day, come and visit us at the Archive.

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