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 - October 1915

The Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway Co. advised that the Sunday train service would be discontinuec from October 10th 1915 until May 7th 1916. It was also announced that from November 1915 the down night mail train would not arrive in Bideford until 8:09am and deliveries would not commence until 9:30am. This was due tc the release of men for enlistment and to provide for better disposal of military traffic. The up night mail train would also be affected. The Southern Railway thought it could safely promise the arrival of a new train called the 'Devor Belle' to the West for summer 1916.

A very interesting service was held in the Primary department of the Bideford Wesleyan Sunday School on October —10th. Tokens of remembrance were sent to the lads and fathers who had gone from the school to the scene of battle. ne little folks were able to purchase a folding pocket book for every one of the men from the School and included ir it a prayer for the lad's protection and safe return, a hymn, a letter from a little one and a beautiful view of dear olc Bideford.

Reported in a Council Sub-Committee Report in October 1915 was the fact that there were 113 Belgian refugees billeted in 38 Bideford homes costing, on average, €50 3s 9d per week. The billeting householders were being paid by the Refugee Committee in London.

The Bideford ketch, Trio, with the Captain's wife on board and laden with scrap iron sprang a leak off Trevose Head and was in a perilous condition. Crew from the steam lifeboat, Helen Peele, which also towed the lifeboat, Edmund Harvey, assisted with manning the Trio's pumps. Helen Peele towed the ketch into Padstow.

A very pretty wedding took place at St Mary's Church, Bideford, between Emma Sluman of 64 Honestreet, Bideford and John Bryant of Twinington. The bride was attended by Maude, Gertrude, May, Florrie and Gwennie Sluman. After a reception at the home of the bride's mother, the happy couple left by motor, amid showers of confetti, for Alcombe, Taunton, their future home.

100 Years Ago - September 1915

When the Bideford Workhouse Guardians held their monthly meeting it was reported there was little change in the numbers seeking help and support. On the 8th September there were 84 people housed indoors at Meddon Street, 9 casuals had been accommodated overnight and 318 people, mostly children, were out relieved. This means they were placed with families across the town and a small subsistence paid. The cost was E38:16:10d this week. These Igures vary for a multitude of reasons. For example the following week casuals increased to 12 whereas those out in ne town fell a little. The workhouse was also seeking tenders for the supply of materials that could be made into clothing. Items of drapery sought include Saxony Flannel, Real Welsh Flannel, White Barras, Russian Crash and Blue striped print. Ready-made mens' hand-knit grey stockings and women's black-knit stockings were required. Footwear included Boys Cued and Nailed boots for 8 -16 year olds.

The Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway track is in need of some urgent repair. A letter from Mr Sowden, the manager, is printed in response to a request from the Bideford Town Council. The repairs to the track curve outside the Art School at the far end of the Quay will take place at the earliest possible moment. There has been difficulty with the wood blocks at the corner which was caused by the constant shrinkage of the made up ground over the Pill. The repairs were also delayed by the difficulty in getting steel rails in consequence of the war.

Each week the Situations Vacant column saw a constant demand for workers in the town and locality. There were two agencies specialising in domestic and ladies employment - Mrs Shutts Ladies Agency and Miss Birds Select Registry, both to be found in Bridgeland Street. Apprentice carpenters, dispensing chemists, butchers, cabinet makers are some trades that are always advertising. Domestic help, maids, strong boys and gardeners are needed. Trade continues despite the war but replacing the tradesmen is proving difficult.

The Public Rooms are showing, for one night only, the latest musical comedy "The Girl in a Taxi"

100 Years Ago - August 1915

From August 16th there will be a reduction in Mail deliveries due to a shortage of staff, many men having enlisted. There will be only 3 deliveries per day rather than the usual 5, at 7am, 1.50pm and 6pm.

Recognising that ladies clothing is becoming more practical the Gazette newspaper publishes a pattern for a skirt with pockets.

The estimated cost of extending the Isolation Hospital is now £8,200, almost double the original projection in 1913.

Three girls from Edgehill College, Beryl Adams, Phyllis Culverwell and Dorothy Randle, have passed the Matriculation xamination of the University of London.

The continuing wet weather is badly affecting Bideford farmers as the corn is beginning to grow out.

An appeal is launched to raise £50 to buy a sterilizer which will provide 700 front line troops with pure water. The appeal is led by S R Chope the town mayor.

A E Tupper of Market Place advertises the sale of double knitting wool in regulation khaki, navy, steel grey and natural for making winter comforts for the Army and Navy.

Bideford Rural District Council has been advised that from the end of August it is compulsory to notify births to the Medical Officer of Health within 36 hours. This rule had previously been waived for rural areas.

On the 15th July the National Registration Act was passed and on the 15th of this month everyone between 15 and 65 years old as to register at their residential location. Enumerators are being recruited in the Bideford area for this task. Once registered, an Identity card will be issued.