100 Years Ago

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).

News from April 1962

April 1962

It was reported to the North Devon Hospital Management Committee’s annual meeting that just over 1,000 people are waiting to enter hospitals in the area controlled by the committee. On the North Devon Infirmary’s waiting list there are 747 people and on the Bideford and District Hospital’s list there are 165. The remainder are waiting to enter other hospitals in the area.

A record number of Swiss rolls were entered for the competition at the monthly meeting of Alwington WI. Miss Bird, of the SW Electricity Board was the judge and the prizewinners were: Miss S Hillman, Mrs H Williams, Mrs I Walter. The judge was thanked by Mrs R Daniel.

Appledore’s new lifeboat, which has undergone engine trials, will, it is hoped, be ready to leave the yards of her Isle of Wight builders next month. Provision date for delivery in May 15th. Travelling to fetch her will probably be Coxswain Sydney Cann, the mechanic, Mr Leon Richards and Capt Pat Brennan. Provisional date for the naming ceremony is June 27th.

For the next few months the Sunday silence of Appledore will probably be broken only by the tinkling of a single bell instead of being melodiously penetrated by a full peal. Last week the eight bells were taken down for removal to a foundry where they are to be recast. Parishioners will be able to welcome back the peal with light hears for the cost of recasting, something over £1,300, had virtually been met before the bells were removed. In fact only about £50 is outstanding.

The photograph shows children from the nearby Church Infants’ School looking with great interest at the bells lowered from the tower.

Five minutes after four local salmon netmen – Messrs Fred Lamey, Ernie Bignell, Dennis Bevan and Paddy Ryan – were rescued by the Appledore lifeboat, after their fishing boat had been swamped and sunk by heavy seas in the Torridge estuary, the rising tide covered the sandbank upon which they had been standing. The gale-like conditions limited the help other fishermen could give but Mr Tommy Cox’s boat retrieved Mr Lamey’s net.

Between 200-300 people, including Army teams with DUKWs, will be on duty and major local scenes of ‘incidents’ will be Appledore and Bideford. The timing is so arranged that the Manor Court parade to service at Bideford in the morning will not be ‘swamped’ by the operations. Emergency meals will be prepared and people rescued from ‘floods’ and the proceedings will last about eight hours from 10am including a break for lunch. Volunteer casualties are asked to write to Mr Moore, C.D. Officer, Bridge Buildings, Bideford.

Cllr A C Hooper, a member of Bideford Town Council for the past eight years, chairman of the Finance Committee, and Mayor in 1958-59, has definitely decided not to seek re-election next month. That means there will be at least two newcomers to the Council.

Hint of a scheme to widen High Street and Mill Street was given at Monday’s meeting of Bideford Town Council. The Highways Committee reported that they had instructed the Borough Surveyor to produce plans showing suggested improvement lines for both streets. The matter has arisen over a plan for the demolition of 62 Mill Street, and the erection on the site of a retail food store.

When a letter bearing a Baltic postmark recently came through a Bideford letterbox a 33 year old local man found himself, for the first time since the war, directly in touch with his father and sister whom he last saw in the hazardous days of war when the Russian armies were advancing on German-occupied Latvia. He is Mr Janis Vikmanis, of 26 Newton Road, a welder with P K Harris and Sons Ltd, Appledore. Born in Riga, where his father was foreman in a small distillery, Mr Vikmanis was forced to leave home in 1944. In 1947 he accepted the opportunity of coming to England and spent three years in agricultural work.

Tonight’s the night for the skittlers of Bideford and district, for the annual dinner of the local league is being held at the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre. Among those to receive trophies will be the Appledore WMC, a team who won the President’s Cup in a closely contested final. The team – Messrs P Reed, G Bignell, W Hutchings, H Morse, D Curtis, H Ranson. Losing finalists were Maltscoop A – E Edworthy, T Gubb, W Harris, I Gifford, J Williams and C H Tanton.

A couple who began their married life on 11s 6d a week and who recall difficult times without regret celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Bideford. They are Mr and Mrs Fred Squire, of 6 Avon Road, East-the-Water. Mr Squire, who is 70, told the Gazette that before he was married his pay was 5s a week and that he got married with £7. He met his wife when she worked on a farm at Weare Giffard, earning 3s a week, and three years later, in 1912, they were married at Bideford. They had four children, three boys and one girl. One son, Mr A Squire, was killed while serving on HMS Glorious during the war. The others are Mrs D Ford, of Knowle Farm, Holmacott, Mr C Squire of Tawstock, and Mr J Squire, of 10 Chudleigh Terrace. All joined in the celebrations.

The death has occurred at the Torridge Hospital, Bideford, at the age of 94, of Mrs Blackmore, widow of Mr Robert Blackmore, the Bideford auctioneer, and mother of Mr W R Blackmore, of Sunningdale, Abbotsham Road. Mrs Blackmore, had always taken a very active interest in the High Street Methodist Church. She was the daughter of the late Mr W B Reed, a former President of the Bible Christian Conference and a founder governor of Edgehill College. Mrs Blackmore being one of the first five pupils at the College. Longevity runs in the family, for Mrs Blackmore’s father was in his nineties, and of her brother and sister, who survive her, the Rev J Ford Reed, for 14 years bursar of Shebbear College, and a former President of the United Methodist Conference, now living in Croydon, and who preached at Bideford a week or so back, is 92, and Mrs W J Redmore, who lives at Chelmondiston, is 82. Mrs Blackmore’s only daughter, Miss Louie Blackmore, predeceased her.

Buy a Trimph Herald 1200 with 2 driving seat positions from Hopkins Garage, Meddon Street, Bideford

Some of the new bus shelters which have just been erected on Bideford Quay by the Town Council, the bus company meeting half the cost.

The Mail goes through at the double! Introducing the ‘Royal Mail’ Bideford, Ladies’ Darts team runners-up to the Fox Hunters, Braunton, in the North Devon Ladies’ darts competition sponsored in aid of the Devon blind. This team beat teams from the Ship and Tradesman’s and Torrington to reach the final. The team – Mrs D Violet, Mrs F Giddy, Mrs B Elson, Mrs R Spry, Mrs F Cook, Mrs M Barnes, Mrs D Cousins, Miss J Vaughan, Mrs P Alford.

Bideford hospital’s egg and pound week annual appeal met with a very generous response. A stall was organised in the market and Messrs W J Blight and Son kindly lent a caravan which stood in Jubilee Square. Donations, collection boxes and the raffle brought in £95 12s. Over 106 dozen eggs, 115lb sugar, 25lb jam about 30lb of sundries were also collected. The winning tickets in the draw, drawn by Mrs Candler, resulted in the following winners – Mrs Harden (Northam), Mrs Dark (Westleigh), Mrs Wheeler, (Weare Giffard), Mrs Wiltshire (International Stores), Miss Reed (Torrington), Mr Hopkins (Meddon Street), Mrs Babb (16 Union Street), Miss Iscar (Elm Grove), Mr R L Cock, Mr Johnson (Umberleigh). The organiser of the Egg and Pound Week was Mrs M E Turner, of Landcross.

Mr Richard Benjamin Bond, of Bradworthy, who celebrated his 100th birthday has many stirring memories. These include working on the Canadian Pacific Railway in the pioneering days, meeting ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody and watching barefist Jim Corbett in action. Mr Bond, who has 2 surviving brothers – Mr Elijah Bond, of Hatherleigh, and Mr Sid Bond, who also lives at Bradworthy – left for Canada when he was 18. For the past 12 years he has lived with his nephew and niece, Mr and Mrs Gerald Bond, of Slashens. A cake has been baked by his niece Mrs Enid Bond and iced by her daughter, Mrs Betty Philp. Sadly, only four days after his 100th birthday, Mr Bond died.

A Buckland Brewer application for a grant to replace a damaged thatched roof, on a property called Thorne, with a more permanent covering came before the meeting of Bideford Rural Council’s Public Health and Housing Committee, who were reluctant to make a firm decision and recommended that the claim should be referred to the Ministry. The Surveyor, Mr L J Dunn, said they had never dealt with similar case. The Council could give a grant if they want to, up to a maximum of £400.

Last year was one without a wedding at Clovelly Parish Church. But there were eight baptisms, 11 people confirmed, and there were 11 funerals. Most Parochial Church Councils in this vicinity have much to occupy their attention in maintaining the fabric of their churches and Clovelly is no exception. The March issue of the Hartland Deanery Magazine reported that a considerable amount of time, money and effort had gone into the maintenance of church and churchyard, but though both are now in good order there was cause to expect further expensive repairs with the year. Hartland is devising means of meeting a bill of over £1,000 for re-pointing St Nectan’s Church tower, but perhaps the plight of near neighbour Woolsery is even more desperate.

A headmaster, Mr J E Lees, of West Huntspill, Somerset, has been appointed to Clovelly Primary School. He will take the place of Miss A N Blackmore, who relinquished those duties at the end of the spring term.

The Clovelly Estate Company is not to be allowed to establish a caravan site at Clovelly Cross, the Minister of Housing and Local Government has ruled.

Mr T B Slee, of Messrs T N Slee and Sons, Highford Farm, Higher Clovelly, receives from Col H J Wilson, vice-president of the NFU, the Seemeel Silver Challenge Bowl for area No. 14 (Devon) for quality bacon pigs sent most regularly to factories. The presentation was made at a luncheon at the May Fair Hotel, London.

Complaining that paper from the refuse collection vehicle was being blown about Hartland, Mr M H Prust told the Parish Council that in the contract it had been specified that a covered wagon should be used. Wastepaper should not be put with refuse, but should be burnt, said the chairman, Mr A J George. A covered wagon would not prevent it being blown from the dump. “It blows off on the way to the dump” retorted Mr Prust. It was agreed to refer his complaint to the Rural Council.

Saying it with flowers at Hartland.

A week ago the children of Hartland School were having their end-of-term examinations. For most of them these were over by Friday, but not for a number of children who attended the Methodist Sunday School. They were away from school on Friday afternoon to take their annual Sunday School examination, the results of which will be published later.

High tide driven by a north-westerly gale battered the local coasts. Worst hit was Instow where damage was sustained by the Marine Hotel. With the thumping mountainous seas the wall dividing the hotel garden and beach was knocked down allowing the water to sweep into the building, flooding a small dining room. It invaded the kitchens and the cellars, but the staff was equal to the occasion. Breakfast was served right on time. Another casualty was the flagstaff. Tons of seaweed were swept up off Instow front. Westward Ho! was also affected.

Instow worried by removal of sand and gravel taken from the rivers Taw and Torridge.

Members of Langtree Women’s Institute celebrated its 13th birthday with a dinner, an appetising meal comprising ham salad, fruit and cream, and cheese and biscuits being enjoyed. A birthday cake, given by Mrs Scott, was cut by the President, Mrs S Ley.

Mr Alan Richard Atkin, of Rectory Villas, Langtree, is involved in a car blaze at Monkleigh.

About the middle of next week a brighter light than ever before will flash across Bideford Bay from Lundy. The existing equipment at one of the island’s two lighthouses, which have been there since 1897, is now being modernised. It is anticipated that about next Tuesday a new permanent light of considerably greater intensity than the old will begin to operate. It is being installed at Lundy South lighthouse, which since March 23rd has been equipped with a temporary light. That was revealed by a Trinity House official after local watchers from the shore had wondered what had happened. They had been puzzled by a change in the flash periods of the light. Lundy ‘Old light’ was built in 1819. The existing lighthouses which superseded it stand at the north-west and south-east of the island respectively.

Questioned in the Commons about the recent “infringement of fishing rights” (at Lundy) when the fishing vessel Quiet Waters was fired on from Lundy, Mr W M Vane (Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) said that the irregular use of firearms was a matter for the police.

Durrant House opening at Easter as a private hotel.

Northam Coat of Arms criticism.

Criticism was levelled at Devon County Council by Mr Twose for what he described as ‘the complete and utter waste of money’ in its proposal to build a dual carriageway between Northam and Bideford, but it was decided to defer the matter until next month and invite Mr V F Bowyer, a Devon county councillor, who is a member of the Chamber, to give information about the proposed development.

Mr G Weaver, of Parkham, told member of the local WI at their April meeting about a winter sports holiday enjoyed by himself and his family, the talk being illustrated by photographs. Competition – the prettiest cup and saucer – resulted: 1. Mrs L Dunn; 2 Miss P Stoneman; 3. Mrs J Piper; 4, Mrs C Rowe. Mrs S Tucker presided and hostesses were Mrs D Pickard and Miss P Stoneman. Earlier, members had enjoyed a conducted tour of Buckleigh Laundry where they were entertained to tea. Management and staff were thanked by Mrs Tucker.

At the annual meeting of Shebbear Playing Field and Village Hall Committee, presided over by Mr Peter Hearn, Mr W J Larkworthy (Secretary) reported that the hall had been used on more than 80 occasions during the year. He also gave details of a proposed extension to the north side of the hall, to include additional cloakroom space, stores, and possibly a skittle alley. Mr A J Bale (Treasurer) reported cash in hand as £376, and expenses for the past year £256. Nominations of eight members to serve on the committee were: Mrs J Griffin, Miss U Vanstone, Mrs K Sluggett, Mr A Buse, Mr A J Bale, Mr P J Hearn, Mr G Metter and Mr S G Pett.

In the presence of a large congregation the Bishop of Exeter, Dr R C Mortimer, confirmed 35 candidates at Torrington Parish Church. They were drawn from Torrington, Little Torrington, Langtree, Beaford and Westward Ho! Other clergy present were the Revs P G Harrison, P K Challen, H L Neville, R Howlett with lay reader Mr V N ffolliot Powell. Miss M Wright was organist.

A neck-and-neck race from Torrington to Instow ended happily for three people. But this was no ordinary race, for it involved the 10.30am train from Torrington and a car driven by 20 year old university student Mr Roger Blackmore, of Broomhill Farm, Petersmarland.

Torrington Town Council decided to give £100 towards the £1,900 swimming pool now being built at Torrington County Secondary School. A letter was read from the headmaster, Mr J W Bastin, inviting the Council’s assistance.

The name of the new flats built for old people in Calf Street will be Marwood Court, after Mr Marwood John Balsdon, owner of the site, Torrington Town Council have decided.

Two senior musicians resigned at the annual meeting of Torrington Voluntary Silver Band, and the retiring president and founder member, Mr John White, did not seek re-election. Terry Hutchings was elected deputy bandmaster, the youngest ever to hold that post. Others elected include Mr Denis Placknett, Mr Victor Perrior and Mr Tony Edwards.

Cllr J H Long has decided not to seek re-election to Torrington Town Council when his present term of office expires next month. He has been an active member since 1946, was Mayor in 1953-54 and 1954-55 and has served as an alderman. A native of High Bickington, he was in business in Wimbledon, retiring to Torrington in 1939.

Mrs D M Joy, of Westleigh, carried off three of the six major awards at Instow Spring Show, including her own for the best exhibit and that for most points. And this she achieved in the face of strong competition for the show has made tremendous strides since it was instituted by the Instow Flower Arrangement Club four years ago.

Do you remember the Cutty Sark Coffee Bar at Westward Ho!

Northam Urban Council, who want to acquire land near the slipway at Westward Ho! for coast protection purposes were told that it had been learned from the owner that the present tenant has an option to buy, which does not expire until later this year. It was agreed that he be asked to waive the option to permit the Council to negotiate with the owner.

A 10-year old boy on holiday with a school party at Westward Ho! Holiday Centre was rescued by coastguards after he had become trapped two thirds of the way up a 60-foot cliff. The boy, Stephen Crossway, of Audenshaw, became stranded while attempting to climb the cliff from the beach. It was nearly an hour before his plight was noticed. Mr John Forgan, coastguard in charge at Westward Ho! went to the spot with another coastguard, Mr John Miller, and a member of the local Lifesaving Apparatus crew, Mr Roger Wise, also of Westward Ho! Mr Forgan was lowered from the cliff-top to the stranded boy who, after a rope had been secured to him, was pulled up none the worse for his experience.

War Dept proposals indicate that they do not intend to use the beach at Westward Ho! to the south of Sandymere and that the whole area will be used as little as possible during July and August and at weekends. This was reported to Northam Urban Council when it was agreed that the War Dept be asked not to use the estuary during the period two hours before and two hours after low water because of the danger of fouling nets.

Pots of daffodils grown by members for competition brought a welcome breath of spring to the April meeting of Woolsery WI at which Mrs A Dennis presided. Winners were Miss E Perkins, Mrs P Chapple. Another competition – a summer jumper – resulted 1. Miss R Hooper; 2. Mrs Hillyer.

Years Ago - April

April 1923

Births – a daughter to Mr and Mrs Vernon C Boyle; a daughter to Dr and Mrs Cianter (nee Woodyatt); at 8 Cold Harbour, to Mr and Mrs Richard Lang, a son (nee Minnie Folley); at Cross Street, Northam, to Mr and Mrs Edward Littlejohns, a son (nee Hilda Pester); a daughter for Mr and Mrs A K P Woodyatt; at 75 New Street, Torrington, to Mr and Mrs J H Holwill, a daughter; at Kenmare Cottage, Buckleigh, to Mr and Mrs A P Tucker, a daughter;

Marriages – Bealey-Cock; Pett-Squires; Burrow-Woodyatt; Haynes-Buscomb; Piper-Branch; Pickard-Rundle; Searle-Bowdidge; Mitchell-Ackland

Deaths – Frances Cannon; Mary M Pickard; John Bishop; Howard George Brain; John Crealock; Charles Hilgrove Gossett; Robert William Purves; Harry Spry; Alfred John Dark; Laura Rummens; at Sunnyholme, Appledore, Mrs Coombe, widow of the late William Coombe, of Torrington;

For the eyes and eyelashes.

Emergency menus

The Central Wages Board for railways met in London and made its periodical review of the sliding scale wage agreement based on the cost of living. It was decided that, as there had not been a full five-point reduction in the figures published in the ‘Labour Gazette’ for March as compared with those on which the last reduction took place, there would be no alteration in the amount paid over the basic rate for the next three months.

No station for Black Torrington.

Later in the month, Torrington Rural Council received a letter from the Halwill-Torrington Railway Company enclosing a diagram showing the following proposed stopping places: Petersmarland Halt, Huish Station, Meeth Halt, Hatherleigh Station, and Black Torrington Station.

Knocked down by a down train at the limekiln near Bideford Station on the Southern Railway, a cow belonging to Mr Fulford, of Southcott, was killed. The animal lay in the pay of the five o’clock up train, which was stopped, and officials on board removed the cow before the train proceeded.

In a follow-up to one of last month’s stories, Devon Elementary School teachers who have not accepted the 5% salary cut decided on by Devon County Council have been served by registered post with three months’ notice to terminate their agreements.

Fourteen teams competed in a North Devon ringing festival held at Bishopstawton Parish Church – Atherington, Bratton Fleming, Loxhore, Langtree, Torrington, Mortehoe, Marwood, Littleham and Iddesleigh being represented.

Summer time, which is now fixed by the Summer Time Act, will begin this year at 2 o’clock Greenwich Mean Time on the morning of Sunday April 22nd and will continue until 2 o’clock Greenwich Mean Time on the morning of Sunday September 16th.

An excellent entertainment took place in the Abbotsham Schoolroom, promoted and arranged by Mrs F B Kempe and Miss A F Turner, who are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts. The first part of the programme consisted of selections from HMS Pinafore followed by an amusing sketch entitled ‘A Quiet Cup of Tea’. The entertainment was followed by a dance which was kept up until 12 o’clock, music being very kindly provided by Miss N Bluett at the piano and Messrs T and C Easton, who played the accordian and violin. Refreshments were provided by members of Mrs F B Kempe’s Working Party who, as usual, were most helpful.

The death has occurred at No. 1210 Grape Street, New York, USA, of Mrs Ann Keen Land, a native of Appledore, who was the oldest person in New York State, and with one exception the oldest ever to live in Onondaga county. She was 104 years of age. Mrs Land, whose maiden name was Keen, was a member of a well known Appledore family. Members of the family still reside in North Devon. Mrs Land, with her husband, Mr John Land, went to Syracuse from England 70 years ago, and since that time she had resided in the same house. Her husband lost his life in the Civil War, after having been several months in the active fighting line.

In Cardiff, a special presentation was made on behalf of the Portuguese Government to Capt A E Tamlyn, of the steamship Cardiff City, owned by Sir W Reardon Smith and Sons. The presentation was for the gallant conduct of the master and crew in effecting the rescue of the aviators, Commander Secadura Cabral, and Pilot Gago Continno, and their seaplane. Capt Tamlyn is a native of Appledore and is the nephew of Mr E J Tamlyn.

The Vicar of Appledore presented Mrs F C Huxtable with a gift.

Mrs Elizabeth Oatway, of the Grand Hotel, Appledore, pleaded guilty to a summons for selling spirit without a license, thereby rendering herself liable to a penalty of £50. Mr W Park, Surveyor of Customs and Excise, appeared to prosecute for the Commissioners. The Bench imposed a fine of £3 3s.

At Bideford County Sessions, Bertram Hancock for riding a bicycle at night without a light, on the Northam-Appledore road on March 20th, was fined 3s. PC Martin stated the facts.

Aldermen Thomas Goaman, John Cock, J M Metherell, Messrs Thomas Pollard and A G Duncan are to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Bideford.

Frank Prust is summoned for failing to have his name and address on a vehicle used for delivering milk. He is fined 3s.

S Metherell, Market Place, Bideford, uses 'local labour' for his ladies’ tailoring and we wondered why it was this was highlighted. It may be linked to the stories about large numbers of men from other areas arriving in the locality, as reported by the workhouses. The vagrants are complaining that they were promised work on the Torrington to Halwill railway construction, but the Labour exchange would not issue tickets to strangers until all local men were used up. Sadly it seems many of the local men who presented themselves at the railway were incapable of carrying out the hard manual work required.

Bideford Farmers Union is calling for the urgent enlargement of Bideford Cattle Market, for which the necessary ground has been purchased but there have been repeated delays in implementing the improvements. Further discussions on this matter continue in the paper throughout the month.

Another story earning a lot of coverage is the ongoing competition between Bideford and Barnstaple as to which is the busier port. Barnstaple’s claim is reported in the Western Morning News and the Mercury. Mr W T Goaman has asked the Town Council for an analysis; Mr J M Metherell had been told by an Appledore skipper that for every one ship going to Barnstaple, two or three went to Bideford.

Successful whist drive and dance in the Drill Hall, Bideford.

A very pretty wedding was solemnised at Bideford Baptist Church by the Rev H Trotman, the contracting parties being Mr Cecil T Burrow, Place Court, Colaton Raleigh, and Margaretta E P Woodyatt, daughter of Mr and Mrs Woodyatt, Roysen, Westward Ho! Mr Stanley Burrow attended to the duties of best man, while Mr H P Woodyatt carried out the duties of groomsman in an efficient manner.

What’s showing at the Palladium in Mill Street?

Road traffic over the Easter holiday is described as having been “excessive”. Rarely has there been such an abundance of motor traffic on the Bideford to Barnstaple road, much of it going to the Point-to-Point races at Melbury. Heavier than usual traffic was also reported at Westward Ho!

Widening of Bideford Bridge.

Planting season has arrived, and the first paper of the month carries several adverts for vegetable seeds and seed potatoes.

Here are some of the other small ads:

Lost, one black brocaded dance shoe.

For hire, vacuum cleaner, 2/6d per day.

Wanted – young dog, over distemper, house trained, not too big, Schipperke liked, mongrel might do.

Milk has reduced to 6d per quart.

Countess Fortescue is now lady-in-waiting to the Queen.

Wyatt’s Stores in Westward Ho! (telephone 20) is well known for Coffee, free delivery within a 4 mile radius.

A blind man wants orders for re-caning chairs. Mr Sam Baker, Torridge Street, East-the-Water.

The wedding took place at the Parish Church, Buckland Brewer, on Easter Monday, of Ethel Branch, daughter of Mr and Mrs H Branch, Ashton Cottages, and John Piper, son of the late Mr and Mrs Piper, Monkleigh.

An exceedingly pretty wedding in which much interest was evinced was solemnized in the Wesleyan Church, Buckland Brewer, the contracting parties being Mr G H Bealey, younger son of Mr Bealey, East Hele, and Miss Cock, elder daughter of Mr J Cock, Gorwood. Mr Frances Allen, cousin of the bridegroom, proved an efficient best man, while the Rev A W Bunnett, MA, Supt Wesleyan Minister, officiated at the interesting ceremony.

At Hartland, the Providence Chapel Anniversary was celebrated on Good Friday. The public tea was well attended. Ladies helping were Mesdames Allin, Andrew, Beer, Goaman, Johns, Prouse, Slee, Misses M Cruse, Goaman, and Slee. The Church was crowded for the evening meeting presided over by the Pastor, E Hill. Mrs J Cruse presided at the organ. At the supper which followed Mr Hill presented an oak salad bowl and silver ash tray to Mr and Mrs Cleave as an appreciation of the valued services faithfully and lovingly rendered.

Second annual flower show held in the Rifle Hall, Instow, and organised by Miss Hinchliff of Worlington House.

During the interval of the Pilton v Instow football match a pleasing little ceremony took place, when Mr Ernest Snell, the popular centre-half of the Instow team, was presented on behalf of the Club with a handsome silver fruit basket as a mark of esteem on the occasion of his marriage. Mr Snell heartily thanked the Club for the beautiful gift, which he should greatly treasure, on behalf of his wife and himself, and mentioned that he hoped to play football for a few more seasons yet, and his remarks were greeted with a cheer.

At the United Methodist Chapel in Langtree, the wedding was solemnised by Rev R W Luxton of Miss Edith Palmer, second daughter of Mr John Palmer, and Mr Charles Bale, second son of Mr and Mrs J Bale of Frithelstock. Suitable hymns were rendered, led by Mr Francis Moore on the organ.

The death of Mr John Walters of Langtree casts a gloom.

At Langtree, the School Managers, Messrs Short, Hackwill, Cole and Sanders, with the Rector, Rev B Hallowes, met and decided to carry out the instructions of the Devon Education Committee by giving all teachers three months’ notice to cancel their engagements.

A wedding took place at the Wesleyan Church, Littleham, the contracting parties being Mr Frank Cleverdon, sixth son of the late Mr W Cleverdon and Mrs Cleverdon, of Milford, Buckland Brewer, and Miss Bessie Vaggers, of Nethercleave, only daughter of Mr and Mrs W Vaggers, Littleham.

The funeral of Mr John Crealock, who died at Higher Cleave House, Bideford, took place at Littleham, his native home, the Rev F Kerrich officiating.

Lundy Island’s vestry meeting was interesting from many points, for it was the first held for many years, and Rev Henry H Lane, who presided, is the first Rector since 1355. Ladies were appointed to both wardenships, Mrs Lane being appointed by the Rector, and Miss Sage being elected people’s warden.

At Monkleigh, the Village Club and Skittle Club finished the winter session by a supper in the Club room. The supper was excellently served by Mr and Mrs Henry Redcliffe, of the Bell Inn. Lieut-Col Parsons presided over a good number of members, and, after toasting “The King” proposed “Continued prosperity and success to the Monkleigh Village and Skittle Club.” They brought people together and promoted good fellowship and enjoyment.

Apply to Walter J Barnes, Clerk to the Council, Northam Urban District Council for the post of Working Foreman.

Charles Hodgkins, 19, George Hodgkins, 18, Frederick Jewell, 16, Stanley Curtis, 16 and Bertie Jewell, 16, all at Northam, were are Bideford County Sessions fined 1s each for playing football in the road between Westward Ho! and Northam on Sunday evening. PC Uglow proved the case, and although the defendants denied playing ‘football’ one of them admitted that the ball was ‘headed’ into a field. The chairman, Mr Stucley, hoped the penalty would prevent others committing similar offences to the annoyance of passers-by.

At Bideford County Sessions, Col F W Bennet in the chair, Charles Moore, 46, farmer, of Dyers’ Moor Farm, Parkham, who did not appear, was summoned for being the owner of two colts found straying on the highway known as Melbury Road.

At Parkham, Mr F Harding presided over the Parish Council meeting. It was decided to call the Surveyor’s attention to the very blind corners at Kilvenstool and Foxdown. A fatal accident has happened at the former, whilst a motorcycle and car had a narrow escape at the latter.

Mr and Mrs T Arnold, of the Bell Inn, Parkham, celebrated their golden wedding.

The death has occurred of Mrs A Baglehole, an old and respected parishioner of Parkham, who had reached the age of 87 years. She leaves a grown up family to mourn their loss, her husband having pre-deceased her about 17 years ago. The funeral took place in the parish churchyard amid many tokens of sympathy and respect.

The death of Mr Henry Mullins, in his 71st year, is announced. Deceased, who had just retired from the position of rural postman, was a prominent figure on the bowling green, and took a very keen interest in the game. Rev P Luxton officiated at the funeral, the immediate mourners being

A music and dancing licence has been granted to the lounge at the Golden Bay Hotel, Westward Ho!, at the request of the landlord Lt-Col Maskell.

The wedding took place at Woolsery Church, Rev L R Lewis officiating, of Mr Fred E Salter to Miss Ina Florence Japp.

And finally:

Broncho Bill’s Circus is visiting the Pill, Bideford, and then going on to Torrington. The two elephants, Salt and Saucy are twenty-eight years old. Saucy is the only elephant in the world who can stand on her head and it took three years to teach her the stunt. The elephants have their toe-nails manicured and polished every three weeks.

April 1973

Bideford and district has shared this week in the nationwide rush to get smallpox vaccinations following the London outbreak. Both Bideford and Northam health centres reported a big run on supplies and at Northam this week the centre was temporarily out of stock of vaccine as a result of the demand from local people planning holidays abroad.

Peace such as it had not known for 12 months or more returned to the Watertown shipyard of Messrs J. Hinks and Son at Appledore on Friday morning. The lofty building that had become a Mecca for thousands, and out of which the Golden Hinde replica had slid so sweetly the night before, seemed strangely empty. A sense of achievement and satisfaction had been left, but it could not wholly dispel a sense of anti-climax. Principal of the firm, Mr Alan Hinks, agreed to its presence, “But we have a small trawler and other boats to carry on with. There is no danger of our becoming a specialist firm. I do not think that by building the Golden Hinde we lost any particular contracts.”

Additional enjoyment was provided at the launching of the Golden Hinde by an Elizabethan fayre presented by Appledore youths sports and social club. A colourful procession by members had as its climax the knighting of Francis Drake by Queen Elizabeth. A fencing display by Mr Wyngrave Payne and company provided a touch of drama and there was background music by the recorder group of Appledore country primary school led by the headmaster, Mr R. Curtis. In addition to Morris dancing, the ribbon dance was performed with charm by members of Barnstaple Operatic Society. Colour as well as practical help was provided by Torrington Cavaliers who also contested a tug-o’war with men from the shipyard.

The Westcountry’s representatives in the last 32 of the Sunday People pub sports quiz will be the Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Cricket Club. They won their way into the third round of this national tournament by beating the Victoria Sports Club, of Street, 26-22 in a nail-biting finish. And no one was more delighted with the Bideford side’s win than David Cox, the 29-year-old precision engineer who in the previous round scored more than half his side’s points. Against the Street team he was again one of the mainstays of his side and he, team secretary Phil Lucock and team-mate Dick Churchill combined forces to answer the vital last questions successfully.

But it was the usually so reliable defence that contributed most to the downfall. Two unfortunate mistakes in the opening half were seized by Bognor to give them two goals in a 10-minute spell. Steve Snell cancelled out the first with an equaliser within a minute but their second marked the beginning of the end. Despite this Bideford still had more scoring chances, especially in the first half and the latter part of the second. A reflection of this was that Bideford had 10 corners awarded to them and Bognor only one. Against the run of play Bognor netted a third just before the final whistle.

At 7 a.m. tomorrow, nine Bideford students will finish a game of badminton which started at 7 p.m. last Friday night. It won’t be the longest game on record, but it will have lasted 180 hours and resulted in about £200 being raised for Shelter. Yesterday the students, who are being sponsored collectively at the rate of a little over £1 an hour, decided to abandon their original plan to attack the world record which would have meant them playing on until Sunday. Janet Hore, Betty Maynard, Barbara Mitchell and Elaine Withey are pupils at Edgehill College and Andrew Shepherd, Jeremy Hodge, Jamie Slee, Robert Dunsford and Christopher Allin attend Bideford Grammar School, where the marathon game is being staged.

Did you go to Dolly’s Salon?

All the children of Buckland Brewer country primary school took part in an Easter concert that drew a capacity audience to the village hall. Wesley Hill was a guest soloist. Appreciation of Mrs Pat Withecombe, accompanist, was expressed by the headmaster, Mr Andrew Rood.

To mark its silver jubilee, Hartland branch of the Royal British Legion has opened extensions to its buildings. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr B C Kelly, president of the branch.

For the third successive year Hartland children carried off the shield at the Bude Methodist circuit youth council's seventh youth eisteddfod. A total of 21 Hartland children were responsible for 123 entries and achieved the massive total of 1,744 points. Hartland results: Jennifer Allin, one thirdl Hazel Bragg, one first; Martin Colwill, one second; Dwayne Heard, two firsts, two seconds and a third; Wendy Heard, three firsts, two seconds, two thirds; Alison Manley, two seconds; Lisa Manley, two firsts; Patrick O'Donnell, a first, second and third; Sandra O'Donnell, a second and two thirds; Andrew Prouse, one first; Denise Short, three firsts, two seconds; Kenneth Sluggett, two firsts, a second and two thirds; Jennifer Thorne, one first and one third; Tracy Thorne, one third.

Of aluminium it will be as big as any in the race – at 80 ft. precisely is the maximum length possible. It is being constructed at Poole and is due to be completed in June. After trials Mr Smith will be bringing it to Bideford. But he cheerfully admits that although a former sailor, he will be in the race “just for the ride.” Mr Williams has all the experience. He won the round Britain race and the Cape Town to Rio race with Robin Knox Johnson and was fourth in the single-handed trans-Atlantic race. As an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School – his father was youth employment officer here – Mr Smith left to go to sea. But after four years he decided that property had better prospects and sailing became merely a hobby. About a year ago he took up flying which has become more or less essential for his business, and tomorrow at Chivenor he will take delivery of what will be the first privately-owned Japanese aircraft in England. Regulations will not permit him to operate from Chivenor and the search is on for a suitable piece of land. Mr Smith hopes to keep the plan, a four-seater, at Winkleigh. Mr and Mrs Smith are expecting their first child this week. Another competitor in the round-the-world race, which is for crewed yachts and which starts on September 8, will be Chay Blyth, a frequent visitor to Heale House. He is being backed by millionaire philanthropist Mr Jack Hayward, who bought Lundy for the nation in 1968 and who, because of his strong patriotism is known as “Union Jack.” He lives in the Bahamas. Mr Blyth who in 1971 completed the first ever non-stop solo sail around the world from east to west, said this week that Mr Hayward had offered to provide the bulk of the finance. His only conditions are that the yacht shall be built in Britain and the crew shall be all-British.

Torridgeside potter Harry Juniper, who lives at Monkleigh, has just scored another success with his work which reflects the centuries-old North Devon fashioning of clay, and its decoration, brought up-to-date and bearing the stamp of his individual style. Prompted by Mr James Paterson, head of Bideford School of Art, he submitted an entry to this year’s Topham Trophy competition.

Northam Urban Council have received approval for a £4,000 project to provide four more groynes on the Pebble Ridge at Westward Ho! The work which it is hoped will start early this summer, will bring the total number of groynes there to 10.

Northam has a youth club again. Membership is around 30 and increasing weekly despite difficulties engendered by lack of funds. But with affiliation to the Devon Association now under way it is hoped soon to provide equipment. Donations and gfits from a number of local traders have helped the monthly bingo sessions. Secretary of the club, which meets Tuesday evenings, is S Harding.

A building plot with planning permission for the erection of a pair of semi-detached bungalows was sold for what is believed to be a local record figure of £10,150 at an auction conducted by Braddicks Estate Agency Ltd, at the New Inn Hotel, Bideford. The plots, at Jackets Lane (Sandymere Road), Northam, were purchased by a local builder, Mr R M Quance, of Merley Road, Westward Ho!

Mrs Mandy Alvarez, of the Durrant House Hotel, Northam, has reached the last 20 in the Daily Mirror’s Barmaid of the Year contest. She travels to London for the contest. Mandy has been working at Durrant for the last 19 months. Her husband, Pepe, who comes from Las Palmas, is the head waiter at the hotel. Mandy came from Nottingham, where she worked formerly as a hairdresser.

Councillor Michael Street said that Torrington council must get the maximum price for this property, which belonged to ratepayers. In such a case, he contended, it would be better not to employ the district valuer, who might be “out of touch,” and to use the services of valuers from different firms. He was told by the Town Clerk, Mr Alan Fitt: “I am doubtful if you would find two firms prepared to do the same work.” When the council agreed to accept the committee’s report “subject to further discussion,” the clerk pointed out that only one firm had come forward although admittedly they had taken the initiative. Other firms with other proposals for the property might be found.

Historic Weare Giffard Hall, with its three and a half acres of private gardens and a mile of salmon and trout fishing in the Torridge, is to be offered for sale by auction. The 15th-century manor house was one of the last Royalist strongholds in the Westcountry and for several centuries was owned by the Fortescue family. It is at present in the ownership of Miss E M Mullins, Mrs M Minet and Mrs B P Dickson.

Silhouette Room, Golden Bay Bars, Westward Ho!

The Moorings, 45 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! for sale.

When Peter Francis White, of White’s Bakery, Nelson Road, Westward Ho! was charged with selling a loaf of bread unfit for human consumption, his solicitor, Mr Jeremy Ferguson, entered the witness box and swore information alleging that Associated Family Bakers (Devon and Cornwall) Ltd, had supplied that loaf. A summons was then issued against that firm. The magistrates found Mr White not guilty but fine Associated Family Bakers.

April 1998

These five daring “Full Monty” lads topped the bill at the spring charity fund-raiser organised by neighbouring Appledore pubs the Beaver and the Royal George. Twins Mike and James Walsh, Neil Hotchkiss, Rob Waters and Jules Brummitt stole the limelight with their Saturday night performance at the Beaver Inn and there was standing room only as the lads went through their well-practiced routine, which had been choreographed with the help of local girls Sue Harries and Angelique Craner. A range of events along West Quay on Easter Monday included a dog show, cake competition, arm wrestling, barbecue, face painting, band music and raffles also drew a good crowd despite the unseasonal weather. The end result was the collection of more than £700 to be shared between the Children’s Hospice South West, the RSPCA and the Winslade Wildlife Sanctuary.

Salar the Salmon was immortalised by famous North Devon author Henry Williamson. Now two Appledore co-authors have followed another aspect of the local story with a history of the pursuit of the silver fishes in the estuary of the twin rivers Taw and Torridge. 'Salmon netting in North Devon' by Dr Alison Grant and Mayor of Northam Philip Waters details what was once a way of life for many North Devon families but is now in danger of dying out. The book has been published by the North Devon Maritime Museum to capture the knowledge before it is lost and to complement the history, a 1950s salmon boat donated to the museum by local fisherman Sid Eastman is being restored for exhibition by Mr Waters and hs cousin, Tom, whose family one ran a boatbuilding firm. The book is being launched at the museum in Odun Road, Appledore.

Our picture shows Dr Grant and Mr Waters with the restored salmon boat

Appledore lifeboat station celebrated the naming of a unique new inshore rescue boat which has been purpose made to help overcome the difficulties of Bideford Bar. The 24 ft. Atlantic 75 is the RNLI’s top-of-the-range inflatable lifeboat; Appledore’s version also incorporates ballast tanks which can be quickly filled and emptied to give increased stability when negotiating the treacherous estuary bar. The Appledore crew members had themselves helped to develop the ballast system after previous inshore boats had had their engines swamped while crossing the bar, said coxswain Mike Bowden. The inflatable rescue boat, which complements the station’s main seagoing vessel, the George Gibson, was officially named Douglas Paley by the benefactor who paid for the £66,000 boat; Mrs Evelyn Paley, from Sussex, gave the gift to the RNLI in memory of her late husband, Air Commodore Douglas Paley. A service of dedication was conducted by the Vicar of Appledore, the Ref. John Ewington.

Victims of crime will benefit from the marathon efforts of Bideford runner Thor Beverley. When he takes part in the London Marathon at the end of the month he will also be raising sponsorship cash for North Devon Victim Support. Thor, who works for the Youth Justice Team in North Devon, said; “I am very pleased to be raising money for those who work with victims of crime, especially as my job involves helping to reduce crime by working with young offenders.”

The youngsters from Westcroft Junior and Pynes Infants’ Schools will be helped in their endeavours by the SWEB Tree Scheme under which the electricity company, working in partnership with the Silvanus Trust, is sponsoring tree planning in schools. Head teachers Liz Noble and Alan Junkison have both welcomed the chance to introduce their pupils to the important challenge of woodland stewardship.

One of Bideford’s favourite venues for local celebrations is planning a special occasion of its own this weekend. Celebrations at the First In Last Out in Clovelly Road will mark the 10th anniversary there of this landlady, Janet Allen. In addition to the usual Saturday night live music entertainment there will be a free buffet and “other surprises.” The name has changed from the former Sir Richard Grenville to the First Inn Last Out to reflect its place as the last pub on the route out of Bideford – or the first to be encountered on the way In! It has also been expanded to incorporate a next-door cottage into a larger bar with cosy and secluded seating areas and a 60-seat restaurant has been developed in its former skittle alley. Jan runs the busy pub and restaurant with the aid of daughter Kelly and an all-female staff. Even the friendly pub Doberman is a female! The all-women system works well, says Jan. “It is putting the skills of a housewife into practice – cooking, cleaning, decorating, gardening, running the business, unblocking the drains…….” When not engaged in these day to day activities grandmother Jan still finds time to create decorative sugarcraft, including the making of wedding cakes, and is currently taking a computer course.

Out of Africa has come a new piece of band music dedicated to Bideford. Retirement has brought veteran musician George Crowther to Torridgeside after nearly half-a-century in the former Rhodesia and South Africa. With him has come a special gift – a brass band march which he has written and entitled Bideford and which will be performed for the first time by Bideford Town Band at its spring concert. On Saturday, 83 year old George gave a talk about his life and some examples of his music at the town’s Methodist Church hall. The evening was a fund-raiser for the Methodist Church and for the Royal British Legion, both of which have played important roles in George’s life.

Our picture shows George in familiar pose at the keyboard with Bideford Methodist Church Minister, the Rev. Peter nock and Bideford RBL secretary Jim Reynolds

Torridgeside is facing a crisis of major proportions with the prospect of additional housing development equivalent to a new town the combined size of Bideford and Torrington, it was claimed this week. The warning came from local Council for the Protection of Rural England spokesman Jeremy Bell, who said that both Torridge and North Devon are at the crossroads under the last Government’s housing allocation proposals.

The plan would involve a new bridge to replace the old Nutaberry Hill railway bridge which now carries the Tarka Trial footway and cyclepath and realignment of the roadway beneath to improve visibility. Last year councillors refused a similar application on the grounds that the proposal would result in unacceptable conflict of residential and commercial/industrial uses, and that Torrington Street was considered incapable of accommodating the traffic that would result. Loss of the railway bridge with rolling stock carrying capacity was also considered detrimental to the future tourism development of this part of the Tarka Trail. A local railway group has been hoping to re-open a short section of railway utilising the bridge. Again recommending acceptance of the plan officers point out that the majority of the site is allocated for housing in the Local Plan and that residential development there would replace the heavy traffic associated with current commercial use by lighter vehicles. They also do not consider refusal on the grounds of loss of a railway bridge with rolling stock carrying capacity to be sustainable, given that there is uncertainty about whether the local railway group proposals can proceed. And they say the present route of the Tarka Trail and its tourism use would be unaffected by the proposed development. Officers recommendation for approval is subject to submission of more details, provision of a new visitors car park for the Tarka Trail, landscaping, provision for open space, tidal defence measures, traffic calming and highway realignment and an investigation to assess the extent of any contaminated land. They are also recommending that development by delayed until 1999 to coincide with provision of the new Cornborough Sewage treatment scheme for the area.

This monster from the deep turned a few heads when displayed in the window of the Clovelly Fish shop in Bideford. The 18lb. 8oz. monkfish is characterised by its huge jaws and big teeth. Displayed here by shop assistant Tommy Perham, left, and owner Dan Garnett, the monkfish is one of a variety of unusual fish which appear in the shop window – all of which have been caught by local trawlers. Among them are lumpfish – providers of “poor man’s caviar” – hake, John Dory and red mullet. “Many people seem to think that fish means cod. We like to show what a wide variety there are, even in our own bay,” said Tommy.

Sand and mud paintings are included alongside photography and watercolours in an exhibition at the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington by Instow artist Ian Hodgetts. He uses the media to explore the natural enviornment both within and around us. A recent graduate, Ian studied visual arts and culture. His sand and mud paintings are influenced by the attitudes and insights of the indigenous American Indian and Zen Buddhist cultures.

A helicopter flight to Lundy Island for lunch was the prize for two lucky couples in a competition run at the new Knapp Homes development at Highcliffe Park in Cornborough Road, Westward Ho! It was a fitting prize for winners Rex and Ros Clarke and Alan and Pauline Phelps after viewing homes at the new development which enjoys a lovely position overlooking Bideford Bay. Highcliffe offers two and three-bedroomed detached bungalows which sales manager Sharon Holder says are already attracting a high level of interest.

Our picture shows the lucky couples taking off, with lucky Sharon too!

Prince Andrew showed how much he knew about golf when he came to North Devon last week. The Duke of York was visiting the Wrafton Laboratories at Braunton and the Royal North Devon Golf Club of which he is Millennium president-elect. Seven-handicap golfer Prince Andrew was immediately at home and showed interest in the array of golfing memorabilia in the clubhouse of the Royal North Devon Golf Club, which has the oldest links course in Britain. It was an invitation he accepted last year following an approach from present club president Charles Cope. The RND has a long association with the Royal family, dating back to 1867 when the Royal Charter was bestowed upon it. He received a copy of the book Golf: History and Tradition, the latest of seven written by retired Barnstaple surgeon David Stirk, a club member for 50 years. At the club shop Prince Andrew met professional Iain Higgins and assistants Dan Frost and Ian Johnston. Meeting with ladies’ captain Heather Gale the Prince commented on the weather and how it blows at Westward Ho! He was told by Mrs Gale: “We don’t hold with fair weather golfers here.” During an hour-long lunch at the club Prince Andrew sat next to 17-year-old junior captain Lucy Powell. “I told him I was thinking of going to the USA on a golf scholarship,” she said. “Prince Andrew said it was a good idea, but that I should be careful not to lose my touch on the links courses. He told me where he has played around the world, including at Augusta, and that he may come down to Westward Ho! to play in the summer. He asked about our fairways and had a very good knowledge of golf. He was very polite and friendly and very easy to talk to,” she said.

Music will play a bigger role than ever in the annual May Fair celebrations at Torrington this year. As the town heralds in the spring in its own traditional way there will be special musical additions to the programme. These will include a concert by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Band, a marching display by the band’s Corps of Drums and a musical spectacular at the Parish Church featuring Julian Rhodes, the Father Willis organ and a wide ranging repertoire. The appearance of the police band will be specially satisfying for town Mayor John Kelly, himself a former policeman. During the May Fair weak the band will officially open its new band room, created at the former Howe Methodist Church with the aid of a Lottery grant. It will be opened by former Howe Church Minister, the Rev. Cecil Jones. Country dancing, floral dancing, May Pole and Morris dancing and the entertainments musical and otherwise by Torrington Cavaliers will all add to the May Fair fun. But as always it is the young people of Torrington who will be top the bill with the traditional ceremony of the crowning of the May Queen on the first Thursday of May. This year’s queen Sophie Ferguson will be accompanied by her crowner Andrea Reed, heralds Matthew Joy and Daniel Hayler and eight attendants Laura Bennett, Kristy Palmer, Francesca Taffs, Joanna Heddon, Laura Truepenny, Justine Evans-Loude, Millie Hoare and Lucy Davis. Events fill a full week, ending on Saturday, May 9, with the town carnival, which will be led by Carnival Queen Claire Sussex and her attendants Emma Petherbridge and Alicia Threadgould. Carnival night will also have its share of music, provided by Torrington Silver Band, Bideford Town Band, Appledore Band and Bideford Youth Pipe Band, who will all join the parade and play in the town square afterwards.

The picture shows May Queen, Sophie Ferguson, with her entourage

Pam Satterthwaite, from Westward Ho! has celebrated 25 years’ service with Swallowfield Consumer Products of Bideford. She received a long service gift from the company to the value of £500. Pam works at Swallowfield’s Bideford cosmetics manufacturing site as dispatch supervisor. She was one of the first employees of the company – then called Atlas pencils – when she joined in 1973. She has seen the workforce grow from 30 in the early days to the present 400. Group managing director Tony Wardell and development director Colin Jenner presented Pam with a gold watch and bouquet. Mr Wardell said: “Pam’s loyal service and wealth of experience has played an important part in the growth of this company. We look forward to Pam’s continued input for many more years”.