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 - March 1916

The death has occurred in his 90th year of the Reverend Hudson G Heaven, whose family own Lundy Island. He had been parish priest on Lundy for 57 years. The cortege bearing his coffin embarked from Bideford on captain Dark's skiff "The Gannet" for interment in the family vault on the island. He has been succeeded on the island by Mr walter Heaven.

At this time of year the Gazette is full of seed merchant adverts, one local supplier being Messrs. Yeo & Son. Every kind of seed imaginable is on offer. On receipt of a Postal Order for 1/6d, the gardener will receive 10 packets of assorted vegetable seeds and 4 of flower seeds. As a bonus, they will also receive a packet of "Quite Content peas" , whose pods reach an extraordinary 7" in length, and one of "Red Giant Beans" whose pods can be 15-16" long.

At Tanton's Hotel , Mr A W cock auctioned a shop and premises in Bideford High Street, immediately adjoining the Post Office , together with 3 cottages in the rear giving a back entrance from Lower Gunstone. The bidding started at £1000 and the property was withdrawn at £1500.

In financial news, 4 original shares of f10 each for the Bideford Gas company were purchased by Mr J Squire at £24 each. He also purchased 30 £5 shares in the Bideford public Rooms Company Ltd at £2-12-6d each.

At the Bideford Town council meeting, the Lighting Committee reported that they had arranged to turn off a further 34 street lamps. In all, 96 lamps have now been turned off which comprises about half of the public lamps in the town. Most of the grumbling had ceased and it was thought they might be able to put out a few more lamps One local supplier is Yeo & Son. soon.

Mr H R Bazeley questioned why a great deal of waste paper was found in the Scavengers' carts. He felt it would be a benefit to the town if old paper could be repulped. At present much of it is burned on the river bank.

100 Years Ago - February 1916

At a meeting of the War Agricultural Committee to discuss the shortage of labour, Mr W T Braddick, the Honourable Clerk, said "he was confident that despite the prejudice of many farmers, they would have to utilise women's labour to make up for the shortage". Last week the Bideford War Supply Depot sent a bale of 100 pairs of socks, 250 pairs of mittens and 150 mufflers to the Military Forwarding Offices at Le Havre. This week the Depot will be forwarding a bale of felt slippers to St David's Military Hospital in Malta.

William Hatch. a rabbit trapper, was summoned for setting 120 spring traps without the permission of the landowner, Mr Norman. Mr Hatch was fined 15 shillings.

Lionel E Davis, of Mill Street, has joined His Majesty's Forces and has disposed of his dental practice to Mr W G Friendship.

Walter J Slee, auctioneer, reports that at the cattle market monthly auction, 100 choice bullocks were sold at good prices; 120 fat sheep were also snapped up. There was a good attendance of dealers.

Privately run Bideford Hospital, at its 60 Annual General Meeting, has elected retired Brigadier-General Fanshaw as Its new Chairman, to replace Mr F A Searle. Medical reports stated that 272 inpatients had been treated during the last year, 143 outpatients and 197 minor casualties. 288 operations had been carried out. Support for the hospital has continued despite the war and it is seen as an essential service for the Bideford community.

Owing to the recent spell of damp and mild weather, all vegetation is remarkably forward in North Devon. Trees are budding freely and in some cases blossom is appearing on pear trees.

100 Years Ago - November 1915

Messrs I Baker & Son of Brunswick House report that their lime kiln is now in full work. They are currently burning Lime for Agricultural Purposes. Telephone Bideford 85 or send Telegrams to 'Baker & Son'.

Bideford Rural District Council has a vacancy for a steam roller driver. There is a sleeping van conveniently fitted up for the use of the driver. Apply to Mr J Turner, Surveyor.

Private H W Gent, son of Mrs Gent of Mill Street and a former member of the Church Lads' Brigade is serving with the 1 st 6 th Devons at Lahore and has just qualified for his Marksman's badge.

14 Cottages at Hyfield, Bideford and 24 Victoria Grove, which were offered at auction by A W Cock Auctioneers recently and then withdrawn, have been sold privately at an enhanced figure.

G Boyle Outfitters of 4 High Street advertise Kee-Pu-Warm Lambskin waistcoats, with or without sleeves. They also have good stocks of wool sleeping-bags and waterproof valises which can be sent as Comforts for Our Brave Soldiers at the Front.

Mr S R Chope has been unanimously re-elected Mayor for a third term. Mr H N G Stucley is deputy Mayor.

Bideford Hospital appeals for the loan of a gramophone for the use of their patients, the old one which was lent to them being no longer available.

Madame Adele Vilars Hoare holds dancing classes at the Royal Hotel on Thursdays, commencing at 2.15pm. She and her staff of fully qualified assistants also teach deportment, physical education and breathing exercises. Private lessons can be arranged.

The Gazette now publishes a weekly War Diary covering several columns. During November they reported on events from Serbia, Germany, Bulgaria and France.
Lighting up time at the end of the month is 5pm.