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 - December 1917/January 1918

Christmas is coming and is spite of the War, Bideford plans to celebrate the season.

Christmas Market will take place on Friday 21 st December. Coles and Lee, trading from the Gazette Office, suggest that handbags make excellent presents, as do wallets, photo cases and pocket books. Prices range from 1/3d to 38/6d, (which would be about E130 today.) Mrs Karslake of London House offers picture books "for the little ones, who must be remembered" and mufflers for soldiers and sailors.
On the food front, Bideford Guardians will increase out-relief for Christmas week; adults will receive 1/6d instead of 1/- and children 1/- instead of the usual 6d. Extra Christmas fare will be provided for the residents, but due to Food Control regulations they would have to do without the usual puddings. Farleigh's Stores has received a "very choice" parcel of Government flour, priced at 1/4d for a 71b bag. They also advertise tinned salmon, which at 1/2d a tin is equal in nutrition to 2/6d worth of meat. The retail price of butter is fixed at 2/4d (weight not specified) and sugar is still strictly rationed.

At Lavington Chapel's Sale of Work, War Ration Tea will be served at 6d each. The opening ceremony will be performed by the Mayor, Councillor A R Adams.

In other news, Mr Kelly, headmaster of Langtree School, would like to set up a library and appeals for books suitable for juvenile reading. Gifts to the various local hospitals in December include some unusual items — a football, hot-water bottles, pillows with cases and brawn.

On the farming front, Army horses are now in the district and available for ploughing — the ground is very wet and tractors are struggling.

January begins with a screening of Charlie Chaplin's new film "The Immigrant" at the Palace Cinema.

Bideford Municipal Science, Art and Technical College offers a wide range of courses for the new term including pottery, chemistry, magnetism and electricity. A class for embroidery will be opened if sufficient numbers join. Bideford Grammar School's next term will begin on 10th January, with Edgehill following on the 1 5th . Mrs Frank Braund's elocution classes recommence on 25 th January at Friendship's Hotel.

Stewart & Co. 52 & 56a Mill Street are holding a remnant sale over two days.

Mr J Woolf of Barnstaple Street, who attends the Pannier Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, advertises for 1000 rabbits, any number of new laid eggs — and moleskins. We believe the moleskins were used inside shoes to prevent blisters and also by plumbers. Does anyone know of other uses?

100 Years Ago - March 1917

There has been no break in the wintry conditions across the region. The seasonal rise in temperature usually seen during this month was only very slight. Frost and fog have been persistent and snow has fallen on several days. Over an inch was recorded nearby at Cullompton and more was seen in South Devon. It has been the coldest and wettest March since 1888.

A Mr Prothero has written to the Archbishop of Canterbury seeking guidance on the question of Sunday working, especially on farms and in the fields because the expected poor harvest. In his reply from Lambeth Palace Archbishop Randall says that as long as there is no compulsion to work, men and women may, with a clear conscience, work on a Sunday. Despite the cold an adder was killed in Parkham at Powlers Piece and another at the waterworks at Meddon.

Bideford Guardians now meet monthly because farming members who are short of labour cannot attend the original fortnightly meetings. During the meeting this month the Board decided to change to margarine instead of the usual butter. At a similar meeting of the Torrington Guardians a review of the weekly allowance for inmates was lidered. Currently this comprises 6lb 14ozs bread, 9ozs cake, 6ozs flour, and 1lb 11ozs meat per week. The Guardians suggest that in view of the recent Food Rations Directive this consumption will have to be cut down. Addressing the shortage of labour the Board of Agriculture is releasing nearly 1000 men for service on the land in Devon. Many of these are Army reservists. No German prisoners are available. Local Farmers requiring help should apply to the clerk to the War Agriculture Committee, Mr W T Braddick, at 25 High Street Bideford.

Bideford Chamber of Trade hosted an interesting lecture on "The Metric System of Weights and Measures" given by Mr Cecil J Smith. At the closure the Mayor, Mr Chope, proposed a resolution in favour which was defeated amidst laughter , much reluctance and outright hostility.

Property for Sale this month: The Oak in Fore Street Northam, currently occupied by James Chapple and a field also in Northam known as Lords Meadow in the tenancy of John Penhorwood.

100 Years Ago - December 1916

The first three issues of the Gazette in December 1916 are full of seasonal cheer of all varieties.

W J Ridge, Wine merchant of 70 High Street, has two adverts — one for Old Scotch Whiskies including "Dew off the Highlands", the other for "Anglo" ales and Oatmeal Stout. Charles Ashton, family grocer trading at Trafalgar House, is the sole agent for W & A Gilbey's wines and spirits. For the home baker, Tattersill's Stores boast that they have the largest stock, the best of everything at the lowest prices. Among the items for sale are loose Muscatels for cooking at 8d per pound; Chinese figs and finest Tunis dates are 9d per pound. Tattersill's also offer "Evaporated fruits — apricots, peaches and pears" as well as a wide variety of nuts.

Suggestions for Christmas presents are plentiful. A M Morrish at the Quay Cafe is showing a good selection of chocolates, confectionery and season's novelties.
F Karslake, draper of London House, heads his advert with the words "Christmas should be enjoyed in a reasonable manner. Our old-fashioned custom of giving and receiving presents must not be allowed to pass. It is the glad time of friendship and goodwill of the year. If you are looking for practical presents, Heywood & Heywood of Grenville Street offer serviettes, 5 0'clock tea cloths and tea cosies as well as handkerchiefs and Antimony trays. Steward & Co's Bazaar at 56a Mill Street has a splendid selection of British-made toys. W Wood of 10-11 Meddon Street reminds readers that Christmas is the children's festival and offers toys, dolls, games and tea sets. For the ladies, Robert Yeo at Manchester House (in an advert illustrated with line drawings) suggests that "suitable and acceptable" presents include aprons and pinafores, while Sanguine & Son's Boot stores in Grenville Street promote their pretty slippers, house shoes and ladies' gaiters.
For the man in your life you could visit H I Meredith of 18 High Street, to buy vacuum flasks, shaving requisites and electric pocket lamps, while Coles & Lee at the Gazette Offices offer useful leather goods.

The troops have not been forgotten and suggestions include "Swan" fountain pens with ink tablets in tubes, metal cigarette cases and photo cases.

The more extravagant could buy an American Organ from J T White of 77-8 High Street, a piano from Nicklin's at 14 Bridgeland Street, watches and jewellery from E Northwood at 69 Meddon Street or furs from Burrows at 17 High Street.

To decorate your home, Perkins and Son, florists on The Quay, offer ferns and palms in pots as well as cut flowers supplied fresh daily.

If you were unfortunate enough to be unwell, Gerrish's Speedy Cure for coughs and colds can be bought for 1/3d a bottle at E Gerrish, dispensing chemist on The Quay. We are also assured that Mother Seigel's syrup banishes indigestion.