100 Years Ago

Years Ago - June

June 1923

Beauty hints for early spring.

Births, marriages and deaths – Elizabeth Colwell Cox at 18 Myrtle Street, Appledore; Miss Anne Monkley, at Belvoir Road, Bideford; at The Barton, Bideford, to Mr and Mrs C Cleave, a son; at Lyndale, Lime Grove, a son to Mr and Mrs C H Worth; Renouf-Lawrence; Walter John Beer at 9 High Street, Bideford, aged 68 years; at Swan Inn, Alfred James Dark, aged 58 years; John Henry Elliott at 23 Higher Gunstone, aged 46 years; Samuel Seaton at Old Town, aged 73 years; Archibald W Verren, New Street, aged 63 years; at 17 Richmond Terrace, Bideford, a son to Mr and Mrs E Violet; Goss-Lawrence; Husband-Tucker; Edward Bale, aged 33; at 4 Higher Gunstone, Walter B Chubb, aged 19; Frederick Hearn at Castle Street, Northam, aged 62 years.

Devon teachers’ salaries settlement hopes.

Later in the month it is reported that the issue has been resolved when agreement was reached to reduce salaries by 3¼% instead of 5%. The reduction takes place from July 1, and operates until 1925

The rain gauge at the Appledore Council School has shown the following readings for the current year: January, 2.2 inches; February, 6.7 inches; March, 1.3 inches; April, 1.4 inches; May, 1.1 inches.

By special arrangement and through the kindness of friends, a party consisting of sixty senior scholars from Appledore, supervised by their teachers, were enabled to visit the Devon County Show at Bideford. Under ideal weather conditions and generosity of friends, a most delightful afternoon was spent, which will live long in the memories of the scholars of the senior school.

A very satisfactory sale on behalf of the executors of Mrs Moody, deceased, of The Rising Sun, Appledore, was held by Mr W Cock, FAI. There was a crowded attendance. The sales included:

On the application of Mr T Oerton, jnr, Bideford County Magistrates granted the transfer of the cinematograph license of the Gaiety Hall from Mr George Hawkins to Mr Samuel Hawkins, of the Bungalow, Appledore.

At Appledore, Messrs R and J Cock’s upper yard ‘launched’ Rev Hugh C A S Muller and Miss Annie Bilton.

Before his Honour Judge Lindley at Bideford, William Robert Bennett, ship’s cook and steward, of One-End Street, Appledore, sued the owners of the steamship Pass of Brander, under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Buy a Guy Char-A-Bang from Walter J Pitt, Bideford Motor Works.

Visit H F Elliott, 75 High Street, Bideford and buy the kiddie a Flannel Suit.

The Great Circus, Mammoth Hippodrome, and Animal Combine will visit Bideford on Tuesday June 26th and Torrington, June 27th. Two performances will be given daily. It is claimed that this is the most up to date circus travelling, the aim of the proprietors being to give an entertainment of a high standard. In an exceptionally varied programme, one of the most interesting items is ‘Turpin’s Ride to York’ which has been produced at great expense.

Permission has been given for the use of the Bideford bandstand in the park two nights a week for variety entertainment by four professionals, all ex-servicemen. This is for a month on a trial basis. Collections may be made but there could be no charge for admission to the park. The flagpole in the park has become dangerous owing to decay and will have to be removed.

Bideford fishermen’s – Messrs Giddy and Pile - good luck with fifteen fish caught in bridge pools.

The opening of the County Show at Bideford performed by the Mayor of Bideford (Cllr H Willett Huxham) at the request of Earl Fortescue, Lord Lieutenant of the County and President of the Devon County Agricultural Association was attended by the chief of Magistrates of North Devon, who marched in procession, and included the Mayors of Barnstaple, Southmolton and Torrington, the Chairman of Ilfracombe Urban District Council, the Chairman of Northam Urban District Council (Mr W J Pursey), and the Chairman of Bideford Rural District Council (Mr W Harris).

Upwards of 150 motor cars were parked along the Quay. One of the competitors in the under 18 butter making class was a little girl in white socks, who turned her churn in a most workmanlike manner. There came to Bideford by rail about 6,000 for the three days. After detraining the heavy stallions at the railway goods yard, it seemed like a joke to the railwaymen to find a little Shetland pony all by itself in a truck awaiting their attention. It was the smallest pony exhibited at the Show. The dairy section was specially housed, and in the centre stage fountains of water were arranged in a setting of grass giving to the whole a delightfully clean and attractive appearance. Bideford’s ancient bridge was dressed from end to end with evergreen and bunting, which gave a gala like approach from the railway station, while the quay was gay with flags, an din the streets the shopkeepers loyally took up the invitation of the local committees to decorate their premises. Away back high over Chudleigh Fort, where the town’s war memorial is situated, a flag pole had been erected, by the Mayor, and the flags could be seen from every part of the town. The Town Season Band under the able conductorship of Mr A W Dunn, gave an excellent programme at a concert held in the Market. Messrs Wickham, Hooper, Parkhouse and Street carried out the arrangements. There was a fair attendance at a ball held in the Market, those carrying through the arrangements being Messrs Hopson, Sanders, Street, Parkhouse and Lee. Mr Lake gave useful assistance to the Committee on both occasions.

In the photograph are Messrs T A Goaman, J U Fulford, The Mayor of Bideford, Messrs O W Ward, P Whtton and Earl Fortescue

Chin Woo tea from Charles P Ashton, Trafalgar House, Old Town, Bideford

Small holdings and a farm at Bideford are for sale – Gammaton, Woodville and Stone

It is reported that there are now more motor taxis licensed in the town than in Exeter. Are there too many Bideford motor busses?

Satisfactory arrangement with the Ministry for the reconstruction of Bideford’s historic bridge.

The first – Wheatblade - of four cargo steamers being built by the Hansen Shipbuilding and Shiprepairing Company at their Bideford yard to the order of Messrs Spillers and Baker, the well known milling firm of Cardiff was successfully launched, the ceremony being performed by Mrs Mills. The gathering included Capt J H Reed, one of the directors of the Shipbuilding Company, Capt Hall of Messrs John Hall and Co, J G B Watson, T E Allen, W G Morris, Mr Pearce, the Rev Hugh C A S Muller and Mr W Ferris (Dawlish). Sir Sven Hansen was unavoidably prevented from attending through pressure of business.

At Bradworthy, there is a great deal of sickness in the parish, many of the school children being victims to the various maladies prevalent.

A large concourse of people paid their respects to Mr W Everson, of Littleford, Bradworthy, who passed away after a short illness.

At Bucks Mills, the anniversary of the Wesleyan Church was held on Whit Sunday and Monday, the preacher on the Sunday being Mr J H G Lang, of Appledore, who rendered good service to the church. The very good tea on Monday, provided for by Mrs Braund, Mrs Wilcox, Mrs Harding snr, Mrs J Braund, and Miss Olive Braund was partaken of by a very large number. The public meeting in the evening was presided over by Mr E Luxton. A large number was present. The report, given by Mr Vanstone, showed a small adverse balance, which it was hoped would be made up. Other speakers were the Rev C M Ashdown, BD, and Mr Elliott.

Master John Cruse, son of Mr and Mrs W Cruse, Red Lion Hotel, Clovelly, a scholar at the Council School, has been successful in obtaining a boarding school scholarship tenable at the Barnstaple Grammar School.

At Hartland, Mr J S Wickett was the preacher at Harbour Cross School Anniversary.

With kind permission of Mr and Mrs A T Pennington, St Nectan’s Picnic and the Sunday School treat was again held at the Quay. The party was in time to see Hartland Quay Life Saving Brigade practise and Captain Dainty make his annual inspection. Tables, laid outside the hotel, were in charge of Mesdames Avery, Britton, M M Cann, Fisher, M Prust, assisted by Mesdames F Fulford, A Johns, W J Redclift, H Williams, Miss D Prust, and Nurse Flatt. Cutters-up were Mesdames W Colwill, Hoare, W J Pennington, W J Pillman, R Walter, Misses Baker, E Cann, McCarthy. Over 200 tickets were sold by Mr W J Pennington and collected by Mr H Haynes.

The funeral of Miss Emily Pidler Shackson took place at St John the Baptist Church, Instow.

At Langtree, the Sunday School anniversary in connection with the United Methodist Church was held with two excellent sermons preached by the Rev R J Harris from Holsworthy, to large congregations.

Mr Westcott has his dismissal withdrawn, and married women will not be appointed at Langtree Day School.

Household furniture from The Cottage at Monkleigh is for sale.

Mr F Elton, Watchmaker and Jeweller, has removed to more commodious premises in Cross Street, Northam (2 doors from N.P. Bank), where he is showing articles of very special value. He hopes to be favoured with a continuance of the support accorded him at his previous address. Also in Northam, E G & F Fieldhouse, confectioners, will open for business on 18 June on the Square and they will be selling pork pies, cakes, pastries, chocolates and afternoon teas.

Miss Rose Gale has an accident at Northam. The newspaper reported in a later edition “We are asked to state that the cycling accident on Bone Hill reported last week was in no way caused by any fault of the bicycle which was in perfect order at the time.”

Mr Hammond Wells, of Marshford House, Northam, is fined 9s.

His many friends will regret to hear of the death under sad and somewhat sudden circumstances, of Mr Victor Kelly, son of Mr and Mrs Tom Kelly, of Cross Street, Northam.

At Parkham, a blue tit has built a nest and reared a brood of young birds in the letter box at Melbury Waterworks again this year. This is the fifth year in succession that this has been done. Surely this must be a record. The periodical visits of the postman does not appear to interfere with the bird in the least.

Bideford County Magistrates, on the application of Mr R W Young (for Mr T A Goaman) transferred the licence of the Hoops, Horns Cross, from Mrs Warfield to Lieut Donton, one of the new proprietors. A glowing report:

It is with deep feelings of sorrow we have to record the death of Mr Benjamin Stewart, of Northway, Horns Cross, who passed away on June 11. He had not been living in this district very long (coming from Weare Gifford) but he had already gained the goodwill and respect of a very large number of the neighbourhood. He was laid to rest in Parkham Churchyard, the Rev Mr Hensley officiating.

Hay harvest has commenced in Morwenstow, and although the weather has been unfavourable a good return is expected. New potatoes have also been dug.

Quite a gloom was cast over Parkham when it became known that Mr William Joliffe who was greatly respected and will be much missed in the district, had passed away. He had worked for Mr T Arnold for nearly thirty years and in later years had also helped at the smiths’ shops at Ford and Bucks Cross. The funeral took place at Parkham Churchyard amid manifestations of great regret. The body was brought back to the Bell and rested for one night.

To raise funds for Torrington Hospital, a sale of work was held on the vicarage lawn. A street collection was successful, and a dance in the evening concluded the effort, by which over £150 was raised.

Interesting matters came up for discussion at the monthly meeting of Torrington Town Council, the Mayor presiding. A complaint has been made about a man in Mill Street keeping a pig in a pigsty close to houses and fowls which are allowed to roam in the street. The Clerk was instructed to look up the relevant bye-laws. On the motion of Mr R E L Penhale, seconded by Mr Luxton, it was agreed on the ruling of the Town Clerk, to let the matter of the alleged encroachment on the highway at Bulls Lane by Mr Hunkin, drop.

Freehold small farm known as East Ashridge at Westleigh is for sale.

Northam Town Council has recommended carrying out road drainage works at Eastbourne Terrace, Westward Ho! It is a matter of road water and should not be urgent until autumn. Plans have been approved for two cottages at Pitt Hill and a garage in the Square.

Junior School, Westward Ho! annual sports. The Headmaster and Mrs Dyson held the sports at the Junior School, Buckleigh. The weather was favourable in spite of one small shower, and the 150 guests saw some excellent contests. The promptitude of the management, due largely to Mr F H Williams, was much to be commended. At the conclusion, the prizes were given away by Mrs Thomas, the Mayoress of Barnstaple, whose son is at the school.

Bideford County Magistrates approved of plans submitted by Mr J P Hambly for improvements at the Pebble Ridge Hotel, one of which will have the effect of widening the bar by five feet.

Pebbleridge House, or No 6 Pebbleridge Terrace, is for sale by public auction. It includes ‘The Ungalette’ and 3 huts (one in the tenure of Mr H Percy Heard).

Clonmore at Westward Ho!, lately in the occupation of Mrs Bathe, is for sale.

Barbarous sanitary condition of some of the houses at Winkleigh and Iddesleigh.

Bell ringers from All Hallows Church, Woolsery, enjoyed a tour visiting local towers, including those at Bradworthy and Pyworthy. Revd Donaldson, rector of Pyworthy, gave the party lunch in his tythe barn.

June 1973

The grounds of the Portledge Hotel, Alwington, made a delightful setting for the annual garden party of the High Sheriff of Devon, Lieut-Col John Pine-Coffin. He and Mrs Pine-Coffin welcomed a large number of guests including the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Major and Mrs Ted Hill, the Mayor and Mayoress of Exter, Alderman and Mrs E Tozer, the Mayor of Torrington, Mrs E M Pitts, and Mr Pitts, and the chairman of Devon County Council, Col J E Palmer.

The 'Englands Glory' trophy for the pairs champions of Appledore Euchre League went to M Sharrock and P Williams of The Prince of Wales. In a closely contested final they beat K Taylor and B Ford of The Champions of Wales.

Belle Bombers, of the Bell Inn, Appledore, first winners of the silver salver presented for annual competition among teams of women footballers. It is hoped that a new soccer league will be formed on Torridgeside next season – for women! Two teams anxious to see the formation of a league are the Belle Bombers of the Bell Inn, Appledore, and Legs Eleven of Appledore AFC. The sides met in the first of what is to be an annual match for a silver salver to be played each Spring. Presented by husbands and boyfriends, who play for Appledore AFC and Bell Athletic, the salver was won this year by the Bombers. In an exciting match, in which the expertise shown by the women players surprised the large crowd, the Bombers won 2-0 with a goal in each half. Scorers were Berdine Lock and Roslyn Smale. Both teams would welcome matches through the summer to gain experience before forming a league. Their task should be made easier by the arrival in this part of the world of a young lady from Sunderland, Miss Karen Joyce of Barnstaple. She too is anxious to form such a league and knows of existing teams in South Molton and Black Torrington. The Appledore teams are: Legs Eleven – Melanie Dent, Nicola and Margaret Brennan, Bridget Miles, Elizabeth Brennan, Susan Worthington, Helena Cornish, Christine Walters, Jean Langbridge, Christine Barrett, Anne Powe and Janet Pearson. Bell Bombers – Sally Hammett, Betty Richards, Christine Hale, Margaret Smale, Mary Richards, Roslyn Smale, Berdine Lock, Wendy Bennett, Wendy Miller, Janet Richards, Jackie Sharrock, Kathy Richards, Pam Platt and Nicky Herring. One unusual feature of the Legs Eleven side (picture in a chorus line formation above) is that they field a mother and daughter combination in Margaret and Nicola Brennan, and for extra family measure cousin Elizabeth is also in the side.

Complaints of noise at night and dust nuisance from the Appledore mill of Fulford Trumps Ltd are to be investigated by the medical officer and the public health inspector, Northam Urban Council decided, and should it prove necessary the public health inspector was authorised to serve abatement notices. Mr J Need told the council that residents had complained for four years. Those in South Road were forced to sleep with their windows closed.

Appledore lifeboat was launched after a woman and two children were seen being cut off by the tide in the estuary. The rescue was called off after the group managed to reach safety.

The loyalty and outstanding service over many years of four members of Bideford No. 1 branch of the Old Age Pensioners Association was marked at the last meeting of the season by the presentation of framed illuminated certificates. Their combined ages total 328 years. They are Mrs Lily Beer, Mrs Louisa Knight, Mrs Kate Hancock and Mrs Elsie Tucker. The presentations were made by Mr Fred Patt, branch president. He recalled that Mrs Hancock and Mrs Tucker, both 84, had been members of the silver threads choir of the secretay, Mrs D.A. Pascoe, throughout the 10 years of its existence. Mrs Beer and Mrs Knight had been responsible for many acts of kindness during their long membership. The work of the four was also praised by Mrs Pascoe. Members were entertained by the Townswomen’s Guild under the direction of Mrs Bradshaw. Their programme included an amusing sketch and items by the choir. The Guild also gave flowers to be distributed among sick pensioners. Thanks were expressed by the vice-chairman of the Branch, Mr W Tithecott.

Peter Reid's work is on show at the New Gallery, South Street, Torrington.

Laurel Avenue, Moreton Park Road, Bideford - properties for sale.

Alderman Cecil Cann, chairman of Bideford Council's properties committee, tries out the new 'pay and display' parking on Bideford Quay.

Miss Janet Bartlett, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs W E Bartlett, of 8 Meadowville Road, Bideford, was thrilled on visiting the world-famous Smithsonian Institute in Washington, USA, to find that Bideford-made pottery was on display.

Police constables Peter Murphy and John Truelove who saved a youth from drowning in the River Torridge were presented with Royal Humane Society awards on vellum at Bideford Magistrates' Court. Reading the citation Chief Inspector Edwards said that the youth attempted to wade to his father's boat moored near the centre of the river.

It's £1.50 for a meal at Lake Villa, Bradworthy.

A Norwegian pilot ejected and parachuted to safety before his Hunter plane from RAF Chivenor crashed south-west of Bideford - in the Buckland Brewer-Parkham area near Melbury. No one was hurt and there was no other damage. The pilot, Capt Bjorn Hansen, was picked up by helicopter and flown to North Devon Infirmary for a check-up. The plane crashed in a small wood that forms the boundary between Cabbacott Farm owned by Mr G J George and Bowden Farm owned by Messrs G Heywood and Son.

Beauty spot Bucks Mills is to become the first village in the area from which tourist traffic is banned during the holiday season. Soon access will be denied beyond the entrance to the car park, some way out, except to those who have business in the hamlet.

Refusal by the local planning authority of an application by the trustees of the Portledge settled estate for a parking space for five cars and a 10ft wide access bridge over the stream at Bucks Mills has been been upheld by a Department of the Environment inspector. He says that the appeal site is on the farm side of the stream at a point where it and a side valley join the main valley. Notwithstanding any landscaping of the area, the parking of cars here would so detract from the existing scene that there would be an adverse effect on the character of the area and its pleasant appearance. The inspector adds that because of a sharp bend to the southeast, the narrowness of the existing road, and the volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the summer, the access cannot be regarded as satisfactory.

A 15 foot long Clovelly herring boat typical of those in use at the turn of the century has been presented to the Exeter maritime museum. It was handed over by the donor, Mr J.J. Headon, of Ocean View, Clovelly. Built in 1906, the boat – known locally as a picarooner – has been in the same family ever since. Before being given to Mr Headon in 1936 it belonged to his uncle, Mr William Hamblyn, also of Clovelly. Named the Lily, after Mrs Hamblyn, it was last in use as a herring boat some eight years ago. There is already a picarooner in the National Maritime museum at Greenwich but the Lily will be the first at Exeter, which is now firmly established as one of the main nautical tourist attractions in the South West.

In the photograph Mr Headon (left) is handing over the boat to Major David Goddard, who received it on behalf of the maritime museum

Clovelly village and chapels' flower festival is being held this week, organised by Miss S Ellis. Streets have been decorated with hanging baskets of plants and flowers. Floral decorations at St Peter's (C of E) chapel, have the theme of the Church's festivals of the year. At the Methodist chapel there is a children's theme of a model village which the pupils of the local primary school made under the guidance of Mrs J Howarth and Miss U Moore.

Ubiquitus writes "Mr M H Prust, whose home is the interestingly named T Cottage, Hartland, tells me he has been given an old fashioned cloam oven which he plans to give to the new museum project for North Devon. On the oven is the name O K Maxwell, Old Pottery, Bideford. He wonders if any of my readers can give him any information about this firm, and some idea of the date when these ovens were made."

Hartland tennis court funds committee held a donkey derby at Hartland playing fields and raised over £100. This will go towards the money already collected for the provision of tennis courts at Hartland. A large crowd enjoyed the event. Over £65 was raised at a dance held recently. Committee chairman Mr Houchin has announced that towards the original target of £1,000 the committee had to date raised over £700.

Landcross woodland is threatened.

Weather permitting, at least eight salmon boats from Appledore will be leaving Lundy for a 21-mile race back to the North Devon mainland. The race for two-man crews will be the first of its kind. A new trophy has been put up for the occasion by Appledore businessman Mr Ernie Bignell. The event, which has been talked about for some time, is certain to provide a tough test of stamina. Competing boats will be towed out to the island at 4 o'clock in the morning ready for the race back. Appledore lifeboat is likely to provide an escort service.

Focal point of a project on trees undertaken by the children of Monkleigh school was the presentation of "The Tree" (by Ian Kendell) in the parish church. With the permission of the Rev L Budge, who took part in the proceedings, the church was transformed into a wood. In words, music and mime the children told the story of life in a wood through the passing seasons. After the performance parents and friends returned to the school for refreshments and a closer lok at the attractive animal masks and other project work.

Mrs Florrie Thompson, who emigrated to Australia with her family 14 years ago, is on her first return visit to Bideford district. Accompanied by a woman friend who lives near the family in Frankstown, Victoria, she is staying with her mother, Mrs A Gilbert, of 10 Saltrens Cottages, Monkleigh.

Tenants of Northam Urban Council will not, after all, be able to buy the houses they occupy. The council, in secret session, adopted a recommendation of a sub-committee of the housing committee, that they reconsider their policy.

Twenty four young adventurers from St Margaret's School, Northam, set off to explore the island of Lundy. They were led by Mr Malcolm Hassam and Mr Sam Doncaster, assisted by three students from Rolle College, Exmouth.

A regular visitor to the home of Mr J W Jennings at 23 Clevelands Park, Northam, is a young female blackbird. The bird is apparently quite unafraid of humans and sits 'talking' to Mr Jennings as he feeds her in the garden. He believes that the bird may have been handreared because it has a ring on its leg and because of its friendly nature.

A start will be made next month, it is hoped, on Northam Urban Council’s biggest single housing development. It will cost around £250,000 and will comprise homes for old people, houses and flats. In a sense this will be a historic development because for part of it the Council has had to buy land from the Melhuish estate. Money has been paid to the trustees for a site bounded by Castle and Fore Streets, Burrough Road and the Square. There are to be built about 30 bungalows for old people and a warden’s house in what will be known as Griggs Close. The second part of the scheme, the whole of which is designed for completion in just under two years, is at Cow Park. It comprises 45 flats and houses with garages. Because the site slopes the blocks of flats will be four stores high on one side and three on the other. This scheme will extend still further the council’s Morwenna Estate, already the biggest in the Northam area. The council already has more than 400 dwellings. The additions will not, of course, be completed within the lifetime of the council. Theoretically that could mean that the new homes will be available to people living within the area of the new Torridge authority. It is more than likely, however, that they will be allocated to people living and working in the area, which could mean Bideford. The contract has gone to R. Harris and Son (Builders) Ltd. of Barnstaple, and brings the value of work done by this firm for the council to more than £1 million.

At Parkham parish church the Rector, the Rev Trevor Nichols, presented 18 candidates from that parish and Alwington for confirmation by the Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev Richard Cartwright. The Rev M F Glare acted as Bishop's chaplain. Those confirmed were: Arthur Bailey, Thomas Jeffery, Raymond Mather, Alan Hockin, Guy Richards, Richard Wing, Stephen Wing, Catherine Chappell, Diane Metherell, Charlotte Ramm, Tamsin Ramm, Imogen Ramm, Iris Huxtable, Shelagh Mather, Christine Metherell, Lilian Metherall, syliva Smythe and Anne Wills.

Torrington county primary school in Whites Lane - known as the board school still to many of the older generation - reaches its centenary on July 2.

Did you visit Cranford Farm Restaurant at Torrington?

Why has Torrington lost its own ambulance? This question is to be asked by Torrington Town Council after it had been raised at Monday’s council meeting. Councillor Michael Street said they had six volunteers who, day and night, had been ready with their services. The ambulance had been well used, there being an average of about 800 calls a year. Torrington was the centre of a considerable agricultural area and a busy little town in its way. The medical officer of health, Dr C.F.R. Briggs, said it was nice when they had their own ambulance but there was no problem at the moment. Calls were made through the ambulance control at Barnstaple and they were always very promptly and efficiently answered by the Barnstaple or Bideford ambulances. He did not know why Torrington ambulance was taken away. Councillor Street: I should have thought a borough of this size warranted a full-time ambulance. I want to know the reason why we have lost ours. Councillor W. Cockram said nothing had been said to the council about the ambulance going – “they did not have the decency to say it was happening.” Describing the present as the age of the civil servant, he deplored what had happened. It was, he said, a typical example of someone somewhere making a decision without regard to what local people might think or want. “We get it with post office hours, bus services and now we have it with the ambulance,” he added. Councillor Dr H.E. Cramp pointed out that the 800 calls mentioned were not all Torrington people as the ambulance was used elsewhere in North Devon. He believed staffing difficulty had led to the change, but he would certainly like to encourage the authority concerned “to give us our ambulance back.”

Ubiquitus writes 'Last year Mr Frank Thrower was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's design prize for his designs of a range of kitchen and table glass for Dartington Glass Ltd, of Torrington. Mr Thrower was then invited to design his own award and it was presented to him by the Duke of Edinburgh at a special ceremony at Sunderland's new civic centre. Mr Thrower, in conjunction with Mr Geoffrey Kroll, of the specialist luggage manufacturers, Tanner and Kroll, of London, designed a military travelling chest or wardrobe.'

Weare Giffard Hall realised £106,000 at auction. It previously sold in 1967, before it became a hotel, for something over £11,000. The new owner is Mr M E Wingrove of Oxford.

The owners of Kipling Terrace, Westward Ho! towards the preservation of which Northam Urban Council had agreed to give improvement grants, are now to sell.

Four young people were rescued at Westward Ho! by Surf Life Saving Club members on patrol for the first time in specially designed rescue canoes. About 4pm on Saturday two boy holidaymakers in a rubber dinghy were being carried out to sea by the ebb tide and an offshore breeze. Their plight was seen by Nigel Johnson who brought them safely to shore. Around the same time on Sunday, boys aged 8 and 10 were in dinghies secured by a line to the shore being held by their mother. The line snapped. One dinghy overturned and the occupant was unable to scramble into that of his brother. One canoe went to the rescue, but had to enlist the support of the second. The rescuers were Nigel Johnson and Michael Cooper. Instructors at the club are local policemen John Truelove and Danny Bryant.

After lapsing for some years Westward Ho! carnival is being revived this summer. Organisers will be the Westward Ho! committee of the Cancer Research Fund whose chairman, Mrs May Hilder, told the Gazette that they had a very encouraging response to letters appealing for support and interest. The carnival will be held at the height of the holiday season. Choosing of a bathing belle Carnival queen and two attendants will take place at the Patio pool. There will be no entrance fees for the carnival.

The Atlanta Hotel at Westward Ho! which was seriously damaged by fire some years ago is being demolished. The demolition follows the granting of outline planning permission to Messrs. R. Harris and Son, the North Devon building firm, to use the site for the erection of a public house and restaurant plus 20 holiday bungalows. Detailed plans will now be submitted and it is hoped that work can start before the end of this year. Total cost of the project is likely to be over £150,000. The scheme is being undertaken as part of a move by Messrs. Harris to acquire a direct interest in the holiday business. Mr Tom Bonetta, the firm’s managing director, said yesterday: “We feel that with the Westcountry holiday industry due to receive a boost with the arrival of the M5, we must have a personal stake. “In recent years we have had quite a considerable indirect interest in the holiday industry, building new hotels and swimming pools for customers – now we think it is time we had a stake ourselves.”

Beryl and Harold Webster take over from Joan and Grenville Hamlyn at the Pebbleridge Cafe at Westward Ho!

Fifty-seven acres, about half a mile out of Winkleigh Village and known as Roamses sold for £510 an acre at a public auction. With the land went planning permission for an agricultural dwelling. Bidding opened at £20,000 and rose to £29,000 at which the land was acquired by Mr R G Trenamen, of Towns

June 1998

Veteran bikes and veteran bikers from North Devon are preparing for an 1,800-mile ride in aid of a special charity. Eight members of the North Devon British Bike Owners’ Club will set off from Bideford on June 21 for a trip which will take them to Land’s End then the length of the UK to John-o-Groats – and back again! They will be rising money through sponsorship for Bloodrunners, the voluntary group of bikers who operate the Medical Emergency Dispatch Service. The 17-strong Bloodrunners operate on a rota basis, ready at the drop of a hat to rush urgently needed medical supplies, blood and body organs around the country. Youngest of the bikers is 48-year-old grandmother Yvonne Coleman of Torrington, who will be riding her 1958 350cc Triumph 21. Husband Dave is also making the trip on his 1990 650cc Rotary Norton. Northam couple Chris and Avril Bonner will travel together on their 1970s 750cc Norton Commando. Other riders include local ambulancemen Mervin Glass of Fremington on his 1981, 750cc Triumph Bonneville and John Stanley of Barnstaple on his 1963, 650cc. Triumph Bonneville T120. The North Devon club currently has a membership of 110 people devoted to owning and riding British motorcycles and has an active social calendar with events every week.

The picture shows Yvonne, Mervin and David

Shipmates who had not seen each other since a harrowing wartime experience have met again in Appledore. Memories and tears flowed as Tom Tudor of Western Avenue welcomed George Smith, who has lived for the past 42 years in Australia. They are two of only five remaining survivors from the 520 crew members of the wartime cruiser HMS Arethusa when she was torpedoed in the Mediterranean in 1942.

Art on a grand scale came to Appledore at the end of last week. Sea creatures and mermaids, murals and music, decorated doorways and artistic demonstrations of all kinds made its first summer arts festival a feast of colour and entertainment. The riverside village drew on its rich artistic community to present four days of activities which saw its buildings decorated and artists, sculptors, potters and craftspeople display their skills on a maritime theme in their studios in the streets and on the beach. An estimated 4,000 visitors followed the art trail through the streets as they viewed more than 200 entries in the village’s decorated door knocker competition and called at exhibitions in the many art galleries. The competition is believed to be a world first. Its main winners were: best street, Odun Terrace; most outrageous mermaid at the Odun Road home of Dixie Appleton-Wall; best dressed door, Captain Greysands by Penny Stott and Chris Middle of Irsha Street.

The festival started with everyone being invited to contribute to a near 40-ft attempt at “the longest painting in the west” on the quayside. Appledore’s sister community of Instow across the estuary was drawn into the proceedings with the opening ceremony of a rope decorated by schoolchildren and stretched across the dividing waters to link the two villages. Artist Ken Sprague encouraged visitors to decorate the quayside with chalk drawings. Potter Sandy Brown impressed with a large and colourful abstract and led the creation of the Great Appledore Community Painting. Heather Jansch transformed driftwood, metal and junk from the local shipyard into beach sculptures, John Butler chipped comic characters from large chunks of wood on the quayside and Ian Hodgett invited onlookers to join him on the beach for sand sculptures. Model Rachel Jackson donned pink swimsuit and pink feathers to pose on the quayside as a colourful subject for painters.

Detached property in Atherington for sale.

Edgehill College, Bideford, is to build a £1 million theatre which will be available for use by the community. The new 400-seat complex is due for completion by autumn next year. Headmistress Elizabeth Burton said Edgehill had a fine tradition in music and dance.

The picture shows Mrs Burton, Allin Bewes and Bideford Mayor, Cllr Noel Deakes

Bideford’s super new £6 million Safeway superstore officially opens its doors. Among the first inside will be 11 lucky youngsters who have all won prizes in a children’s art competition “My Favourite Food”. Matthew Carr won first prize of a bicycle which he will receive from store manager Colin Rudlof. At the opening, Colin Rudlof presented cheques to Torridge District Council chairman Cllr Frank Howard, who received it on behalf of Devon Air Ambulance and to the Mayor for his charity fund.

Former practice administrator Janet Moore was invited back to the Wooda Surgery at Bideford to open a major extension in which she played a special part. The idea for the £100,000 investment by the practice partners originated from a building extension project which Jan undertook as part of a business management course. “It looked great, so we adopted it” said senior partner Dr Peter Brummit. It serves some 7,500 patients and full time staff Drs John Wilson, Steve Chavasse and Peter Brummit are assisted by Dr Gillian Daly, Drs Dave Milburn and Sarah Herriott, and practice nurses Alison White, Margaret Cracknell, Gill Simmonds and Mary McKean, plus an administration team led by practice manager Jane Clarke.

A memorial rose garden has been set up at the entrance of Bideford’s Victoria Park in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. The tablet has been inscribed by Bideford monumental mason John Short.

The picture shows Mr Bradford, Dave Fursman and Talia Sulman

Wisps of smoke filtering through the trees in a wooded Torridge valley give away the presence of a man who has turned his back on modern ways to go back to nature for his living. Ben May of Buckland Brewer is The Charcoal Man. Now 31 and in his third year as The Charcoal Man, he has come a long way towards achieving the aim of this unusual venture. Ben’s work includes clearing fallen trees, thinning of woodland and cutting of glades to let in light and allow new growth, and coppicing which both encourages new growth and creates wildlife habitats. The thinning and clearing provides the larger wood to be burned for charcoal on site in special metal kilns. It is through their chimneys that the tell-tale smoke gives away Ben’s whereabouts.

Bucks Cliff, Bucks Mills, for sale by public auction.

A house and adjoining premises in Northam are for sale. Situated in North Street, it is about 75 years old. To the side is a single storey commercial premises which is currently used as Glover’s Family Bakery. The entire property is available at £125,500.

The Royal Horticultural Society garden at Rosemoor, Torrington, reached another milestone at the weekend with the opening of its first “model garden”. Designed by Lisa Camps the West Country Town Garden is the first of three planned model gardens to be designed by members of the Society of Garden Designers in a size and style appropriate to domestic gardens. The flowing West Country Town Garden features paths and terraces of dark grey slate and pale, sea-washed pebbles offsetting the blue, grey, and purple foliage of much of the structural planting. Planting includes flowers, structural shrubs and grasses chosen to provide a particularly long season of display. The garden was opened by Michael Stone, chairman of the Devon branch of the National Gardens Scheme. It is hoped Rosemmor’s new addition will provide ideas and inspiration which will be taken back to the gardens of its 120,000-plus annual visitors.

Torrington’s pannier market is set to start a new chapter in its history when a £650,000 restoration project gets under way in September. The listed building will have five retail units and seven craft workshops. The town’s old library above the market is being refurbished.

Offers in the region of £65,000 are being sought for this terraced house within level walking distance of Torrington town centre.

Villagers of Woolsery learned that their ambitious £855,000 plan for a ‘green’ sports and community centre will go ahead this year. The scheme has gained the support of a £740,000 grant from the National Lottery sports fund. With other contributions, villagers are within £10,000 of the total cost.

News from May 1962

May 1962

Births announced – at 7 Marland Terrace, Bideford, to Bill and Barbara (nee Piper), a daughter, Susan Caroline, sister for Colin; at Gammaton Barton, to Rosemary and Tom, a daughter, a sister for John and Michael; a son, Paul Charles, for Thomas and Hilary (nee Piper) Headon; at Muddix Farm, Northam, a son, Andrew Robert Darrell, for Mary (nee Braund) and Geoffrey, brother for Jayne; to Mary and Eric Mugford, a son, Dennis John; to Kathleen (nee Elliott) and Derek Pimble, a daughter, Kate Samena; at Northam, to Terry and Jean (nee New) Curtis, a son, Andrew George; to Ivor and Jean (nee Dymond) Hughes, a daughter, Amanda Jane; a daughter, Belinda Anne, a sister for Gregory, for Peter and Margaret (nee Copping) Short; to Albert and Mary (nee Hammett) Collings, a daughter, Tina Elizabeth; to Phyliss (nee Prouse) and Aubrey Philps, a daughter, Susan Loraine, a sister for Angela; to Joyce (nee Johns) and David Seaman, a son, Peter Anthony.

At Abbotsham WI, Mrs Courtney welcomed a new member, Mrs Smith. Appreciation was expressed of the good response to the hospital egg and pound collection organised by Mrs Winter and Miss Phillips.

The funeral has taken place at Alverdiscott Parish Church of Mrs Mabel Glass, widow of Mr T Glass, of East Woodlands. The Rev B Tinsley officiated and Mr S Hill was the organist. The bearers were Messrs T Bolt, E Bolt, T Wicketts and N Jeffery.

Home from Canada, Mrs Bessie Digby is spending a month with relatives at Alverdiscott.

Appledore Congregational Church will be reopened after extensive redecoration costing in the region of £350. The scheme is part of celebrations to mark the church’s tercentenary this year. The reopening will be performed by the senior member, Mrs Bertha Goodwin, of 8 One End Street, who has been associated with the church for 50 years. A feature of the ceremony will be the dedication of a 5 foot high cross of olive wood, from Palestine. Dr R Hunt, of Northam, choirmaster at the church, has recently spent some time in a Nazareth hospital and while there arranged for the cross to be made. Dr Hunt’s friend, Dr Tester, was able it to Appledore personally.

Hope for the future smooth running of the Blue Lights Hall at Appledore was expressed by Mr G A Jacob, chairman of Northam Urban Council, att he first annual meeting. The meeting appointed a management committee on which the public are represented by Mr and Mrs O Reveley, Mesdames Ommanney, O Powe, S Eastman and W Fisher, and Council representatives are Messrs A C Saunders and S Eastman, Mr Henry Bennett reported that during the two-and-a-half years that the hall had operated unofficially takings had exceeded £359.

Mr Dick Jenkins, aged 67, of 18 Newton Road, Bideford, will, at the end of this month, meet two of his brothers for the first time. They were born in Bermuda, as were four other brothers and a sister, after Dick’s parents had left this country. Dick was born in Appledore and, soon afterwards, his mother and father moved to Chatham, leaving him with his uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs R Woodcock. Seven years later Mr and Mrs Jenkins snr decided to emigrate to Bermuda and they travelled to Appledore with the intention of taking Dick with them, together with another son and a daughter, who had been born in Chatham. But Dick was just not interested. He was too happy in Appledore to wish to leave, and for one thing his uncle was coxswain of the Appledore No. 2 lifeboat.

There were cheers from the bystanders and blasts from sirens at Appledore as the beflagged new trawler for Milford Haven took to the water. She had been christened by Mrs Bedford, wife of the managing director of the owners, Hector Trawlers Ltd. The new vessel is the Hector Gannet, the second of two new-type stern trawlers, the first being named the Hector Gull.

Appledore’s new lifeboat is to be named Louisa Anne Hawker, and will replace the Violet Armstrong.

Only the crane driver was injured when one of the tall metal cranes at the Appledore shipyard of P K Harris and Sons Ltd toppled over while moving a load on to a partially constructed trawler. Mr Arthur Evans, of 38 Western Avenue, sustained a broken nose a shock. With him in the cabin, which crashed about 50 feet were Mr Keith Foley of 42 Meddon Street, and Mr Ronald Johnson, of 10 Greysands Crescent.

Vital role that Civil Defence can play in peacetime was proved when more than 200 local volunteers took part in an exercise based in Westward Ho! and Bideford. They were called upon to cope with the situation after an imaginary breakthrough of the Pebble Ridge by the sea, with the consequential flooding of parts of Northam and Bideford. Willing hands assist in unloading one of the many ‘casualties’ brought by DUKW upriver from Westward Ho! to Bideford during Sunday’s Civil Defence exercise. From the quay, the children were driven to the local grammar school for a hot meal.

Number of evacuees to be housed in the Bideford rural district in the event of an emergency will be 6,500, the Rural Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee were told. In a letter from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, it was stated that the rural district was regarded as a reception area for evacuees. A total of 12,000 would be housed in the borough of Bideford and 8,000 in the area covered by Northam Urban Council.

Did you visit Bideford’s newest shoe shop, Blakey’s?

Bill and Fred are two common names but at the home of Mrs Bessie Williams, 4 Capern Road, they are the names of two very uncommon pets – three-week-old fox cubs, which were brought home by 16-year-old Terry Williams. When they first arrived their eyes were not open, but with great care and attention the cubs are growing up normally. One of the cubs’ greatest pleasures is riding in the family car. But Bill and Fred will not be able to stay at Mrs Williams’ home for much longer because of the ruling of keeping pets in council houses.

Resignation of Bideford bandmaster, Mr A R Bryant, was received with regret by the Town Council General Purposes Committee. His services were praised by several members.

Total of 1,200 signatures have been obtained by Colin West and Roger Green, Bideford Grammar School boys, to the petition they have organised to the Minister of Education. They are protesting against the decision of the Minister that a new county secondary school shall be built in the grounds of the grammar school.

After 30 years with the Devon Constabulary, Police Constable Arthur J Seldon has retired but is to continue to live at Bideford. North Devonian Mr Seldon has served at various stations including Lynton, Sidmouth, Westward Ho!, and Exmouth. He is married with a son in Devon Constabulary stationed at police headquarters and another serving in the army at Penang.

Bideford firemen had a busy time. They were called to the home of Mr J A Bridgeland at Nutaberry Cottages, East-the-Water, a house in Myrtle Grove, a chimney fire in Stucley Road.

Furniture and effects from No. 2 Greenlands, Buckland Brewer are for sale.

Second prize of £20 in the worldwide “British Seamen’s competition” has been won by Skipper Trevor Davey, of Churchpark, Bucks Cross, master of the Lundy Gannet. He is also second coxswain of the Clovelly lifeboat.

Contribution of £100 with a limit of a 1d rate may be offered by Bideford Rural Council for repairs to the sea wall and slipway at Bucks Mills. It is considered imperative that access to the beach should be taken over as a public right of way and this was agreed by Mr B Clark, owner of the slipway. It was also decided to ask local residents to contribute £50 towards the cost.

Mr Nigel Tritton, of White Cottage, Bucks Mills, has complained to the Council about the state of the dump which was still covered with refuse. A dustbin scheme should be introduced he wrote. The dump was bound to be an eyesore, remarked the Surveyor. It was not really a dump at all, contended Mr Irwin. It was a slide. “Stuff is thrown down and hits people on the beach. ”Now it is securely wired off” added Mr Dunn, “I think we have done all we can and nature will deal with the rest. It will soon be covered by undergrowth.”

Clovelly has had a present from ‘down under’ – from the town of Randwick, New South Wales.

Frithelstock Village Hall Committee are now ‘sitting comfortably’ as far as finance is concerned. Thanks to a highly successful fete to mark the hall’s first anniversary, the committee have been able to pay off all the outstanding amounts and now have a credit balance of nearly £150. The anniversary was opened by Mrs M C Sanders, of Orleigh Mills, and she was presented with a bouquet by Sarah Woolf. Among items of interest were skittling for prizes, pony rides and an auction. Skittles were: 1. Mr Bernard Heal (Langtree); 2. Mr A Adams (Frithelstock); 3. Mr A Hearn (Frithelstock). The local WI served 150 teas. A dance later in the hall raised £31.

Live and dead farm stock from East Yagland Farm, Hartland.

Twenty-four years as a coastguard and 13 of these as district officer has taken Mr William Charles Russell Walker, of Hartland, to practically every corner of the British Isles. He is being succeeded at Hartland by District Officer George Read, at present based in the Shetlands.

The 1st Hartland Brownies held a sale with a difference in the Church Hall under the direction of their leaders, Mrs Doreen Rowe; Mrs Doris Cook and Barbara Conibear.

Efforts of a former clerk to Hartland Parish Council to obtain an additional street light in School Lane have failed. Mr W D Burrow offered to raise the money for the installation of the lamp and to pay the first year’s running charge. But the Council, having learnt that to instal the light would cost £11 10s, plus £4 8s 8d a year to light it, have declined the offer. Mr H M O’Donnell, contending that Hartland was already well served in the matter of street lighting, said the Council were already spending £100 a year on the amenity.

Lundy waters are quiet again – owner, Mr Albion Harman, gives up rights to fishing ‘war’. He stressed that he did not intend to take the matter of the fishing rights to court and added “I should like my many friends in the Westcountry and, of course, the people who love Lundy, to understand why I have taken this step. It seems to me to be a logical one and will, I hope, be of ultimate benefit to the island. But, it must be understood that it is without prejudice to all the other rights and privileges associated with Lundy, which we shall guard most carefully.”

One of North Devon’s most popular soccer players, who has been with the same club for the past 25 years, has announced his retirement. He is David Weeks, whose brothers, Reg and Harold, played for Torrington continually from school leaving age, until retirement in their thirties. Perhaps the Weeks tradition will be carried on by his young son Paul – but at the moment he is a rugger enthusiast.

Young runners from Appledore and Bideford took the first three places in a gruelling cross-country race revived at Torrington May Fair. Starting and finishing at the Town Hall, the 14 runners had to go down the steep slope of the Commons, ford the river, across fields and around a distant tree stump and back. First home and winner of the section for runners aged 16 or over was John ‘Bobbo’ Hocking of Appledore. Second was Ken Taylor, a fellow member of Appledore Boys’ Club. The under-16 section was won by Graham Mountjoy, of Bideford, and second was John Gilbert.

In his last annual report as Regional Librarian at Torrington – he is shortly leaving for Cornwall – Mr Patrick Drake tells a story of continuing success. Mr Drake has obtained an appointment at Newquay where a new library is nearing completion.

At her first election attempt, Mrs Margaret E Pitts, wife of the licensee of the Royal Exchange Inn, New Street, topped the poll at Torrington municipal election, and was over 200 votes ahead of her nearest rival. Mrs Pitts will be the only woman member of the Council and only the second in its history. She was formerly in the Civil Service for 23 years and served as a welfare officer for war orphaned children under the Ministry of Pensions.

There was no doubt that with the added backing of both players and the public Weare Giffard Football Club would continue to function, assured Mr Walter Hedden, a club committee member, at the club’s annual dinner. He pointed out that financially the club was not well off but as long as players were keen there would be no danger to the club’s future. He thanked the trainer, Mr Jack Mitchell for his efforts. Club chairman, the Rev Michael Lucas, proposed a toast and Mr F Wilkey responded. About 45 people attended the dinner and a profit of £10 was made from the dance which followed in the village hall.

Stuck midway up an 80-fott cliff at Westward Ho! on Sunday, Mr E P Bizzell, of the Shrubbery, Westward Ho! was rescued by Mr David Lang and his son, Gregory, of Bideford. Mr Bizzell had been salvaging timber on the beach and was climbing up to the top of the cliff when he got into difficulties. Mr Lang and his son used ropes that were on the spot to lower Mr Bizzell to the beach.

Possibility of redeveloping the Westbourne Terrace area of Westward Ho! is to be investigated by Northam Urban Council. Car parking was not the main concern. The slipway locality was the focal point Westward Ho! and something should be done to draw people there.

Regrettably, no non-committee parishioners attended the annual meeting of Woolsery Parish Hall when a successful year was reported. The treasurer, Mr G Bailey, said that although during the year expenditure had been heavy because interior decoration had been carried out and electric heaters installed, there remained a good credit balance.

Woolsery Methodist Church held Sunday School anniversary services. Preacher was Mr A Luxton. Miss Hillary Johns and Master Adrian Johns sang a duet and Adrian contributed a solo. There was also special singing by the choir.

Years Ago - May

May 1923

Births – at Rohilla, Chapter’s Road, Bideford, to Mr and Mrs F C Backway, a daughter; Mr and Mrs Charles Hart, a son; at San Francisco, the wife of George Pickard, a son, formerly of 5 Kingsley Street, Bideford; to Mr and Mrs G Herniman, 6 Furzbeam Terrace, a son; at Barnstaple Street, Bideford, to Capt. and Mrs J F Evely, a son; at 38 elm Grove, to Mr and Mrs A Pickard, twin daughters; to Mr and Mrs L F Short, of Bridgeland Street, a son; at Wharton, Northam, to Mr and Mrs Ernest Tucker (nee Dorothy Salter), a daughter;

Deaths – at 21 Pitt Lane, Grace, the beloved wife of William Slade; Archibald Ernest Major, Madras Lt Cavalry (retired), son of the late A F and the Hon. Gertrude Arbuthnot; Wilhelmina Fegan, late of Brentwood, Bideford; at 22 Meddon Street, Florence Grace, daughter of Mr Sidney Charles Trick; at 28 Meddon Street, William Jewell Bishop; at 7 Milton Place, Richard Couch; at Locksley House, Northam, John Lock;

Sunday trains, North Devon revival, but still isolated from rest of country.

Halwill-Torrington Railway – must be some end to expense.

A fatal accident occurred on the Light Railway near Torrington, when through the derailment of a truck in which some men were returning from their work to Torrington, Charles Boundy was killed. William Nethercott, of Monkleigh, received injuries and was detained in Torrington Hospital, where he is making good progress, while Charles Glover, of Northam, received minor injuries but was able to proceed to his home.

A big surprise offensive was launched by the police forces within the confines of the County of Devonshire, the objective being to ensure that all motorists are kept up to the mark in respect to both driving and car licenses. Every maid road in the County was embraced in the comprehensive police net, and many of the by-roads also.

Little points to remember about calling cards.

HM Inspector, Mr J J Draper, recently visited the day school at Abbotsham and spent a very pleasant day with the teachers and children. When leaving he expressed his pleasure with the work and tone of the school, The following report, which though short, is highly satisfactory: “This little school is in competent hands, and the children’s work is creditable. The Infants are particularly well trained and taught, and their attainments reach a high level.”

The Girls Friendly Society Van, under the charge of Miss Way, visits Appledore.

William Dymond of Plain Street, Alverdiscott, has his hand shattered. Was it a Mills bomb?

A jumble sale was held at the Downes, by kind permission of Mr D R Cameron, in aid of the church funds, resulting in the realisation of the satisfactory total of £26. Many thanks are due to the energetic stallholders, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Boyd, Mrs OakRhind, Mrs Southcombe, and the other helpers.

On the receipt of a complaint from the Parish Council of Alwington as to the unprotected state of a quarry, it was decided to fix hurdles should be well thorned as they would for colts. That would keep the children out.

Mr John James Hallett, 35 Market Street, Appledore, is removed to Bideford Hospital after sustaining injuries in a fall over the edge of the Quay.

At a meeting of the Bideford and Torridge District Sunday School Union, the following resolution was passed and forwarded to the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor: “In the opinion of this Committee the placing of a tax on betting is highly undesirable.” Here at the Archive we found this rather surprising – can anyone clarify the decision?

Much coverage this month is given to the forthcoming Devon County Show, which is back in Bideford after 16 years. It is to be held from 29 – 31 May on the Hartland road, about one mile out of town. The grandstand which will be 420 feet long is nearing completion and the horse ring measuring 340 feet by 220 feet is already laid out. All show traffic coming from the direction of the Railway Station and the Quay will proceed by way of New Road, Torridge Hill and Meddon Street, returning by way of Old Town and High Street. The Mayor, H Willett Huxham, asks townspeople to display bunting as they did on the show’s previous visit in 1907. A full preview of the show can be found on page 8 of the Gazette for 29 May and under the presidency of Earl Fortescue, it should be a successful three day run.

The Royal Mail, Bridge Street, Bideford, is for sale by public auction.

The Strand Factory, Bideford, recently occupied by Frederick Cooper and Co., collar manufacturers, together with a six-roomed cottage and garage with loft, was sold at auction to Messrs Robert Blackmore and Sons, auctioneers, houseagents, etc. for £2,200. Strand House, adjoining let at £36 per annum, tenant paying outgoings was knocked down to the tenant, Dr Ellis Pearson, at £700.

The Bideford Swimming Club has its opening dip.

Delivery by Whitsun of a new Guy Char-A-Bang from Walter J Pitt, Bideford Motor Works.

As the Kingsley Statue on the bank of the river Torridge is reportedly in danger through subsidence, Bideford Council has instructed the surveyor to take weekly levels and report when necessary. It’s still standing today, so whatever action they took did the trick!

This millinery advert from Mrs W H Short, 50 Mill Street, Bideford, caught our eye:

Another interesting advert, particularly the offer regarding Mourning clothes from T Woodyatt, 42 High Street, Bideford

The deaths of Mr Bert Mitchell and Mrs Dayman, both of Bradworthy, are announced.

Waterland Farm, at Bradworthy is for sale.

As a result of the annual children’s flower service held in St Nectan’s, Hartland, two large boxes of flowers were despatched to St Albans’s East Ham, where they are giving much joy to the poor and sick of that densely populated parish.

Accommodation lands at Hartland are for sale – including Teaky Park and Furse Park Lane. Purchasers included Mr Richard Walter, Mr T K Pillman, Mr William Pomeroy and Mr Rattenbury.

John T Mugford, East Street, Hartland, sues John Beer and is awarded judgement.

PC C Crooke, stationed at Hatherleigh has removed to Hartland. He has been replaced at Hatherleigh by PC Hutchings of Bideford.

Mrs Mary Jane Jeffery has passed away after years of suffering. Her husband died thirty eight years ago, and their eldest son, Frederick, was killed in France. The bearers were Messrs T Beer, T A Bond, J K and T J Jeffery, G L Littlejohn, M E Prust.

In Hartland, Mrs Kay gave a lecture on her 25 years’ experience as a missionary in China. An attractive dialogue composed by Mrs Kay was given by local ladies in Chinese costumes.

There was a large and fashionable congregation at the pretty little parish church of St John, Instow, when the marriage was solemnised of Major Thomas Buckley Timmins, TD, of 24 Green Park, Bath, and Miss Gladys Gwendoline Morgan (daughter of Lady Morgan, 7 Bath Terrace, Instow, and who is greatly respected and esteemed in North Devon, and the late sir Morgan Morgan, Mayor of Cardiff in 1887). The wedding breakfast was served at the Rifle Hall, Instow, which had been decorated in a very pleasing manner.

Charged at Barnstaple with cycling without a light at 9.30pm at Instow, Thomas Cooke, a young man, pleaded “Not guilty to riding on my bike, but guilty to having one foot on my pedal and the other occasionally touching the ground.” “I think that is a guilty” remarked the Chairman, Alderman A J Reavell.

Instow Road Collision – Mr Frederick Heale, motor hackney carriage proprietor of Bideford is awarded damages.

Langtree - At a meeting of the School Managers, a letter was read from Miss Pratt, infant mistress, stating that she is now willing to accept the cut in salary asked for, and requesting the managers withdraw the notice terminating her appointment. The Managers unanimously decided to accede to Miss Pratt’s request.

Littleham Rectory – Garden Fete and a sale of work.

Mr James Ball, of Specot, Barton, Merton, who passed away at the age of 80 years, had been ill for some time, but hopes had been entertained for his recovery almost to the last. Going to Specot Barton some 24 years ago he soon became interested in the then Bible Christian cause at Merton, and it was largely through his efforts and substantial help that the beautiful new edifice that meets the view of the traveller journeying along the main road came into being.

The Cottage at Monkleigh is for sale.

At St Margaret’s Church, Northam, the marriage was solemnised between Louise (Lolo), the youngest daughter of Mr William H Parson, The Orchard, Orchard Hill, and Mr Horace R Haines, of Ingleham, Ely, Cardiff. The Vicar, the Rev G G Payne Cook, RD, MA, officiated at the ceremony. The bride was beautifully gowned in a dress of silver brocade with pearl spray ornament at waist. She also wore a long veil of tulle, trimmed with silver and white heather, with a coronet of orange blossoms, and carried a sheaf of lillies and white heather. The bride’s train was carried by two young attendants, Miss Ina Haines and Miss Muriel Morris, Milverton, Bideford. The duties of best man were ably carried out by Mr W Delahaye Gill of Penarth.

On the recommendation of the Committee, the Chairman of Northam Council has been requested to call a public meeting to consider the question of the provision of a Public Hall.

Buy the new G.N. 9-5 h.p. from F N Blackall & Co, The Square, Northam.

In Parkham, a large proportion of field potatoes have been planted and the sowing of corn is well in hand. Although Melbury has always been a poor sheep farm, the new class of stock introduced by Mr Forster has withstood the winter well and the lambing season appears to have been successful.

Mrs P M Warfield of Hoops Inn, Parkham, has been granted an occasional licence for Shebberton Races on Whit Monday, between 12 noon and 6pm. Luncheons and teas will also be provided.

Torrington - Presentation to Mr Frank Roberts Boatfield, manager of the local Branch of Messrs Fox Fowler and Co’s Bank.

Mr John Leslie Rowe, of Torrington, has been appointed registrar of marriages in the place of the late Mr Tanton.

The funeral of Mr Edward Watkins took place at Torrington. Upwards of 200 of the general public were there.

The grass of Town Park comprising 24½ acres, offered for sale by Public Auction by Messrs Slee and Son, realised £140. The purchasers of the three lots were Messrs H Watkins, T Passmore, and J Martin.

Residents of Weare Giffard are buried – Mrs Florence Martin and Mrs Elizabeth Banbrook, with Rev Moyses officiating at both funerals.

At the Easter Vestry in Welcombe, Mr F Ward was re-elected as Vicar’s Warden and Mr C Wakeley as People’s Warden.

Much local interest was evinced in the wedding at Westleigh Wesleyan Chapel of Mr Walter Yeo, of Instow, and Miss Kathleen Dallyn, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs F Dallyn, of Tray Hill Farm, Westleigh. The ceremony was performed by Rev A W Bunnett of Bideford.

Westward Ho! Art Club is to hold exhibitions. For further details apply to Major T R Morse OBE, honorary secretary and treasurer.

Café Royal, Westward Ho! opens on May 19th and is under the same management as the Royal Hotel, Bideford.

Mr and Mrs William Friend, of Park Place, Winkleigh, celebrated their golden wedding when they received many congratulations from their friends. They formerly lived for many years at Lower Ingley Farm, Winkleigh. They were married at the Baptist Church, Hatherleigh, in 1873.

May 1973

The first longbow tournament in Devon, in which traditional English longbows were used, was staged by Kenwith Castle Archers in Bideford. It is hoped to make it an annual event. The tournament was coupled with the Devon and Cornwall Archery Society shoot for the Ancient Manadon Bowl and the Silver Quiver, this time using modern bows. Lady paramount was Mrs June Hutchings who presented prizes to Dorothea Baker, Dorothy Sadler, Eric Slade, (Kenwith), Arthur Badger (Kenwith), Roy Webber, Doreen Slade (Kenwith), Janet Smith, Barbara Sidebottom, Ken Bellingham, A Lee, Barry Lingley, Tony Pulman, Mrs Sims and Mr McClure.

A record £180 was raised for Alwington church funds by a sale in the village hall. It was opened by the Rector, Rev T Nicholls. Stallholders were: Mesdames E C Pine-Coffin, A Metherell, P Cooke, N Westaway, W Turner, Mrs L Elston, Misses A Lott, M Daniel, Mesdames C Metherell, A Glover, K Poole, C Huxtable, R Smythe, P Taylor, T Nicholls, H Ramm, V Westlake, B Parr, G Lewis, H Hillman, G Boundy, L Smith, H Williams, W Allin, F Adams.

The Seagate Hotel, Appledore, announces the opening of its new restaurant.

Properties for sale in Appledore - the home of the Golden Hinde.

The listed building Odun House, Odun Road, Appledore, is for sale.

A firm decision on whether or not there will be a salmon boat race between Lundy and Appledore this summer has still to be made. Mr and Mrs E Bignell of the Port Quarter, Appledore, have already offered to provide a trophy if the event does take place. “Making definite arrangements is difficult because of the dependence on the weather for such a race,” said Mr Bignell.

Both the coxswain of Appledore lifeboat, Mr Desmond Cox, and his deputy, Mr Richard Cann, are having to make do with party telephone lines in their homes. And that, says Mr Peter Mills, MP for the Torrington division, could cause delay with possible loss of life. He has therefore made representations to the area telephone manager in Taunton that exclusive lines should be installed. Mr Mills has also pointed out that apart from possible delay, confidential matters are frequently passed between the secretary of the Appledore branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the coxswain. The secretary, Mr Ivor Wickersham, has also stressed the

Manor Court: A chapter closes in proud style.

Octogenarian Mr Charles Morris, of Bideford, a member of the local fire-fighting service from 1910-46, shares photo memories with some of the men who served with him at Bideford fire station. Some were with him during his years as chief officer of the Bideford, Northam and district joint fire brigade, and some in the Auxiliary Fire Service (later merged as the National Fire Service) in wartime. The group were photographed at the annual dinner of the North Devon fire service old comrades’ association.

Old Girls of Stella Maris School, Bideford, met again, some of them after a 20 year break, when they attended the school’s third reunion dinner at Tanton’s Hotel. More than 70 Old Girls from as far afield as Kent and Luton were present. Guest speaker was Sister Dominic. Mrs Valerie Adams said the newly-issued school magazine had proved a success and it was hoped to publish annually. A presentation was made to Sister Honoria who is retiring this year. Officers elected were: Mrs J McIntosh, Mrs V Adams, Mrs J Baron. In the picture Sister Dominic is being welcomed by the secretary, Mrs Valerie Adams. In the foreground are Sisters Patricia, Hilary and Eunan.

One of Mr James Needs’ last acts as Mayor of Bideford was to present a telephone trolley to Bideford and District Hospital. An appeal launched by him met a ready response from town and district. Seen in the picture are Matron, Mrs J E Robertson, Mr Needs, Mr I H Hewetson, the first to use the acquisition, patient Mrs M C Fripp, the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington, Mr and Mrs Harold Pollard, and Mr J Morris, hospital secretary.

The finals of the North Devon road safety quiz for schools produced keen competition, especially in the junior section where seven points covered the leading five teams. This section was won by Bideford Church Junior School. It was a particularly satisfying win for Mr F C Smyth who trained the winners, for he is not only a master at the school but is secretary of Bideford Road Safety Committee. The team and reserves with their coach: Sarah Felgate, Jill Blackmore, Julie Somerville, Fiona Mackelden, Roger Warren and Sally Branch.

In a year in which Bideford Rugby Club have set up a new record in points-scoring, six players achieved personal totals of 100 or more. Top of the scoring chart was Richard Evans, only 24 less than Mike Grigg. The club’s try-scoring champion was Steve Evans, brother of Richard, and all-rounder Bert Smale scored 110 points. Other ‘ton up boys’ were wingers Pete Reveley and Mike Tucker. Apart from these six leading point scorers were Chris Jeffery, Keith Moses, Mike Corrick, Ed George, Geoff Giddy and Grenville Heal.

A blaze that caused more than £1000 damage on a Bradworthy farm has been investigated by the police. They are now satisfied it was an accident. Three weeks earlier considerable damage was done by fire on a neighbouring farm. Machinery, including a tractor, 20 tons of hay and a ton of straw were lost at West Stowford Farm, which belongs to Mr and Mrs Stanley may. Three calves and a quantity of fertiliser were saved by Mr Arthur Blight, of the neighbouring farm, Stowford,, who discovered the fire and by Mr Colin Manning. Firemen from Holsworthy, Hartland and Bude fought the outbreak.

Tower House, Buckland Brewer, is for sale.

Clovelly donkey Alexander has been having time off from normal duties to star in a film being made on location by a London-based company. After a fortnight at Trebarwith Strand, Cornwall, the unit moved into Clovelly to continue work on ‘Malachi’s Cove’ which deals with a girl’s friendship with a donkey. Alexander is here seen with ‘Bay’, the daughter of his owner, Mrs R Creighton-Balfour, of Clovelly.

Subject to certain conditions, Torrington Rural Council have approved plans for a hotel annexe at the Royal Oak, Dolton. A revised application has to be made for 16 units only, and the extension will have to be in character with the existing development of Dolton. Plans to convert a farm building to a restaurant and dance hall at Hollamoor, Frithelstock, have been rejected on the grounds that the development would result in increased traffic entering and leaving a class 1 road, with consequent risk of additional danger to, and interference with, the free flow of traffic.

Mr Ernest George Jeffery, whose death has occurred at the age of 72 at his home, Collacott Farm, Fremington, has farmed in that parish for many years. The funeral took place at Fremington Methodist church and was followed by interment at the churchyard at St Peter’s, Fremington. The service was conducted jointly by the Rev P W Hearn, Methodist minister, and the Vicar of Fremington, Rev P Pearson. Mr W Tucker was the organist.

Mrs G Walter who had lived in Hartland for 43 years, returned to declare open the lighter side of the festivities when Bude circuit Methodist rally was held at Hartland. Flowers were presented by Tracey Thorne. Following a service conducted by Rev W Bethel, tea and various competitions were enjoyed and stalls did a good business. Following tea Mrs Ursula Slee showed slides in the schoolroom and community hymn singing was led by the Rev G Beadon. Organist was Mrs Beswetherick. Mr G Lott presided over an evening meeting and various items were contributed by societies of the circuit. The day ended with a supper at which a collection raised £24.

Awards presented at Hartland Air Training Corps annual dinner and dance were to T Winchcombe, B Shute, R Osborne, K Jeffery, B Shute, R Shute, G Squires, R Ball, R Osborne. Promotions – A Cook to Corporal and J Mugford to Flight Sergeant; marksman badge, R Moody and R Ball; cup for best shot, D Cornish.

The donkey gives up and Mrs May O’Donnell returns on foot.

A former war-time evacuee to Hartland has proposed that a plaque should be placed in Hartland parish church in tribute to the way the people of the district opened their homes to evacuees during the blitzes on London, Bristol and elsewhere, from 1940 onwards. The suggestion comes from Mr Gerald M Smith, of 34 Cheriton Place, Henleaze, Bristol who was an evacuee with Mr and Mrs S Jefferies, who now live in a bungalow in Back Lane.

Lundy’s own journal, the Illustrated Lundy News, goes from strength to strength in its features, illustrations and general coverage of events of interest to all who fall under the spell of the island. Steeped in history,

Tenants of Northam Urban Council will not, after all, be able to buy the houses they occupy. The council, in secret session, adopted a recommendation of a sub-committee of the housing committee, that they reconsider their policy. The council was told that there was an ever growing need for houses and therefore it would be wrong to sell.

Winners of the junior road safety quiz contest at Northam were a team from St Margaret’s School. This success was a repeat of that last year. Seen with Mr Peter Hall, chairman of Northam road safety committee, are Stefan Miller, Ian Mansfield, Simon Worley and Elizabeth Ruddock. All are aged 11.

By cutting with scissors 63lb of grass in an hour Parkham young people repelled a determined effort by their counterparts in Buckland Brewer to wrest from them the Slee trophy. Grass cutters were Philip and Barry Edwards, Rodney Glover, Howard Hancock, Michael Slee, Stephen Metherell, Michael Davies, Graham Babb, Martin Hockin, Jeffery Cole, Philip Blight and Lyn Dziurzynska.

Jobs at Unigate Foods Ltd, Torrington.

After hearing of Woolsery Parish Council’s ‘grave concern’ at the proposed future development of the village, Bideford Rural Council decided to slow the development down.

May 1998

Appledore Shipbuilders Limited need you.

Festival’s Euro cash and Appledore Village gets ready for arts spectacular.

Bideford’s number has come up on the National Lottery, unlocking nearly £300,000 in grant aid which will enable the town council to complete its refurbishment of the Victorian pannier market. Delighted council members learned on Tuesday that the Lottery Heritage Fund is to contribute £190,000 and that another £104,000 will be forthcoming from the Government Office South West. This will enable the long awaited refurbishment of the market’s Butcher’s Row aisle and shops to go ahead. It is the last major piece in a jigsaw aimed at revitalising the rundown market area of the town. Amid local fears that the ancient market would be sold off to a commercial operator the town council took over the building seven years ago and in 1993 undertook the re-roofing and refurbishment of the main market hall at a cost approaching £200,000.

When pupils at Westcroft School in Bideford invited a special guest to talk to them about India, they got a cricket lesson too. The visitor was Shome Kapoor from Calcutta who is Bideford Cricket Club’s overseas player this season. He went to speak to Class 51 whose teacher Janet Bizeray has planned a project on India as part of the national curriculum.

The latest Safeway store, which opens in Bideford on Monday June 15, has created 130 new jobs. A further 170 staff will transfer across from the old store on the adjoining site in Kingsley Road, which stops trading on June 14. The new store will be managed by Colin Rudlof, who has more than 14 years’ experience with Safeway, and staff have been recruited through the local Job Centre and have been given full training with the help of a new human resources manager, John Adendorff. The new store has a sales area of 28,700 square feet and a car park with 400 spaces, some reserved for the disabled and parents with babies. There are 18 checkouts, all extra wide to allow easy access for wheelchairs and children’s double buggies.

More than 50 years of service to her local community comes to an end this week with the retirement of Bideford sub-postmistress Jean Hannaford. Generations of schoolchildren have bought their sweets over the counter, workmen have called for their papers and senior citizens for their pensions at “Miss Hannaford’s” Barnstaple Street sub-Post Office. Unique for its still-used gas light, the shop with its tiny counter was converted from the living room of a roadside cottage and has become part of the fabric of Shamwickshire – the community on the eastern riverbank of Bideford. Miss Hannaford, 73, arrived there in 1941 when her father was appointed postmaster. As he also had to do wartime police duties the Edgehill College schoolgirl was needed to help her mother in the shop. On her father’s retirement in 1962 Miss Hannaford took over the business herself and has continued to run it ever since – for the past 30 years helped by assistant Beryl Blight. Working in the post office she had made many friends and would miss the contact with the public, she said. Miss Hannaford will be a special guest at the civic occasion of Bideford’s annual mayoral election ceremony. Although she will no longer be at her familiar place behind the counter Miss Hannaford will continue to live in Barnstaple Street and the post office will live on there too. The business is being taken on by another familiar East-the-Water face, Graham Beer, who ran a corner shop for many years.

More than half-a-century of dedicated service on a Torridge farm – including 14 years of unpaid work – is being recognised with the presentation of a long service award at the Devon County Show. It goes to 70-year-old George Lewis, who first began to helping out at Thornwidger Farm, Buckland Brewer, when he was just eight years’ old. When he left school at 16 George went to work full time at the 155-acre cattle and sheep farm and clocked up 40 years’ service before ill health forced him to retire at the age of 56. But the call of the farm was too much and with his doctor’s blessing George returned in a voluntary capacity for another 14 years. The association only ended when his long-time employer, Thomas Gilbert, died earlier this year. George will travel to the county showground with his wife, Joan, to receive a specially engraved glass tankard and certificate from the Devon County Agricultural Association. Also being honoured for his long service is 56-year-old Michael Toze, who has been employed by the Fortescue Estate for 40 years. He is now the head gardener at Castle Hill, Filleigh.

Thornwidger at Buckland Brewer is sold in five lots.

Ten years after withdrawing its lifeboat from Clovelly, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is back. The RNLI has restored its link with the fishing village with delivery of a modern inflatable rescue craft, to write a new chapter in a proud tradition stretching back nearly 130 years. It is an acknowledgement of changing times around the coast and the success of the village’s independent lifeboat service during the intervening years. In 1988, the 70-ft. ocean going lifeboat stationed at Clovelly to cover the Bristol Channel was removed during an update of the RNLI fleet. This was a painful decision for a village with a lifeboat tradition stretching back to 1869. The fiercely independent community steadfastly maintained the need for a rescue vessel along its dangerous coastline and within 18 months raised £60,000 to buy its own inshore rescue boat. Over the past eight years the small rigid-hulled inflatable Pride of Clovelly manned by an all-local crew has assisted more than 80 people. Onshore, mammoth fund-raising efforts have provided the £17,500 a year needed to keep her afloat. Having proved the success of the vessel in the area Clovelly has now been provided with a bigger and faster version under the official auspices of the RNLI. This, too, will be manned by local people, with a squad of 11 trained volunteers providing the crews of three. The Atlantic 21 from the RNLI reserve fleet is backed up with a special tractor/bulldozer and purpose-built trailer to help launch her and to keep the harbour launch area clear from drifting stones and pebbles. Clovelly’s lifeboat house is also being enlarged as part of a RNLI commitment estimated at some £380,000. The new service will be on trial for the next 12 months. But already there are hopes of a long-term future and the provision of an even newer, state-of-the-art, insure rescue boat. “We are hoping that when the extension to the lifeboat house is complete Clovelly can use the money remaining in its lifeboat fund to help finance provision of the latest Atlantic 75 inflatable to take us into the next millennium,” said Clovelly lifeboat spokesman Dan Garnett. Clovelly lifeboat secretary Dick Needham said the return of the RNLI and all the resulting support was “absolutely magic.”

Instow’s former railway signal box will be back in action for a day this weekend as part of celebrations to mark its 125th anniversary. Restored by the Bideford and Instow Railway Group the redundant box became the first in the UK to be Grade II listed and now has a reinstated signal and even a short length of re-laid track. On Sunday group members will be operating the box for a 12-hour working shift based on a timetable from 1964. It will send and receive codes from imaginary signal boxes at Fremington and Bideford as it would have done in the days when trains were still passing through. Members of the public are also invited to pull the levers and send bell codes. During the evening the box will be illuminated with oil lamps and its rejuvenated coal stove will be back in operation to keep the “signalmen” warm. Pieces of a special birthday cake and signal box mugs will be on sale to help raise funds to maintain it. Also launched on the day will be an illustrated history of the Instow box.

Young newshounds from Hartland have themselves made headlines with success in a nationwide schools newspaper competition. Hartland Primary School newspaper Primetime has gained third place in the Daily Telegraph School Newspaper Awards 11 years and under category.

Did you buy a Wimpey Homes property in Chapel View, Landkey?

A cottage in Church Lane, Langtree, is for sale.

Queen of the May and star of Northam’s annual spring celebrations this year is Samantha Heap. She is pictured with her prince James Dennis and princess Jodie Hamilton.

A two-bedroomed top floor apartment in Chapel House, Northam, is for sale.

Torrington Silver Band marched in triumph into a new home which will be the envy of band members throughout the West Country. The band took up residence in its new bandroom at the former Howe Congregational Church. Torrington Silver Band is also celebrating the recent arrival as musical director of Lt Col James Ross, former principal director of music for the Army, who ran Kneller Hall music school prior to his retirement.

Plans are being made to raise awareness of a remarkable but little acclaimed Torrington man whose calculating machine of 160 years ago was a forerunner of modern computing. Through a £2,000 research project Great Torrington and District Community Development Trust is hoping to learn more about and highlight the inventions of Thomas Fowler. It is hoped the research will either find the plans for Fowler’s calculating machine or sufficient description of the mathematical processes to enable its re-creation. If successful, it could impact upon every history book on computing worldwide, Torridge District Council has been told. Fowler, born in Torrington in 1777 established himself as a printer and bookmaker and becomes sole manager and partner of the town’s only bank. Results of the survey will be displayed at Castle Hill in Torrington in association with the Fowler Centre, a telematics facility being developed as part of the town’s Genesis Project.

A Guide to Devon Dialect by John Downes from Woolsery (or Woolfardisworthy).