100 Years Ago

The News in February 1966

February 1966

Births and anniversaries – Langdon-Westcott – February 18th 1941, Leslie John to Margaret Daisy; Mr and Mrs Douglas Payne; Jill and Malcolm Hurrell, a son, Jeremy Charles, brother for Dale; Eileen and Roy Perryman, a son, Neil; Jennifer and Keith Seymour, a daughter, Jane Louise, a sister for Amanda, Mark and Paul; Pamela and David Whiteland, a brother for Neil; Vera and Kenneth Williams, Susan May and Alan Glyn, a brother and sister for Barbara; Christine and Arthur Harris, a son, brother for Andrew; Rosemary and Jeremy Hodgson, a son, James Llewellyn, brother for Virginia; Marilyn and Mike Bennett, a son, Michael James; Margaret and Terry Glover, twin girls, Amanda and Michelle; Ann and Ashley Martin, a son, Andrew Paul, brother for Bruce; Freda and Robert, a daughter, Teresa Lorraine, sister for Andrew; Pam and Mike Soady, a daughter, Louise Helen; Barbara and Victor Bartlett, a son, Ian Robert; Joan and John Feltham, a son, Kevin; Gina and Robert Frayne, a daughter, Juliet Susan, a sister for Marcus; Elizabeth and Christopher Hewetson, a son, James Edward Christopher; Ann and John Heywood, a daughter, Wendy Jane, a sister for Susan Mary; Rene and Walter Husband, a son, a brother for Brian, Anne and Jeffrey; Ann and David Poole, a daughter, sister for Jeanette;

School lavatories at Abbotsham ‘scandal’ says Mr Lacey.

A 17-year old weighlifter from Appledore set two records and equalled another in the Devon and Somerset boys’ championships. In winning the under-11 stone title, Arthur Fisher lifted more in the snatch and jerk than anyone before, and then equalled the best for the jerk. His snatch brought cries of ‘no lift’ but the referee explained that the Appledore boy’s difficult technique was legitimate. Arthur travelled alone to Taunton to compete as an individual entry. His overnight stay meant him missing his usual job of keeping goal for Appledore Football Club first team.

Bideford will be playing floodlit football at the Sports Ground by next season. The Supporters’ Club Committee took their boldest step when they decided to go ahead with a £10,000 floodlighting scheme.

Successes with new-style oars; Bideford Reds report at annual dinner.

Mr Howard receives the tankard from Mr Way. On the right is the Mayor

Last year’s experiment of allowing public houses in the Bideford division to be opened from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Christmas Day had ‘probably resulted in furthering domestic peace’ said Police Supt. W T G Pill at Bideford Brewster Sessions. He said that the police offered no objection to an application by Mr C M B Sessions to vary the hours to 11am to 1pm.

The proprietor of the New Inn, Bideford, has no printable comment!

Miss E R (Daisy) Sing, who for over 50 years has been employed in the shop stationery department (Coles and Lee) of the Bideford Gazette Ltd, retires. Miss Sing whose home is 49 Lime Grove, is a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Stafford R Sing. Her brother, Mr R W Sing, a director of Devon Trading Co. lives at Teignmouth, and there are two sisters, Mrs O Waldon and Mrs J Jennings.

The 12th birthday party of East-the-Water Darby and Joan Club took place at the Community Centre. The Mayor, Mrs E J Brown, and the Mayoress, Mrs P Galliford, and over 80 members, helpers and friends attended. Among the guests were organisers of other Clubs and other WVS workers concerned with the work of founding and fostering such clubs in the district including Mrs Keen, Mrs Buckingham, Mr Morgan, Miss J Phillips, Mr Langdon, Miss A Lee and Mr Wright. Mrs Pridham welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress.

Frogmen went into the Torridge to survey for recovery purposes the tail of the RAF rescue helicopter which crashed in the river over four months ago after hitting a power cable. The tail was spotted by a man who began work at Instow Army camp. It is believed to have drifted about 100 yards towards Bideford bridge where the ‘copter went down near Forest Hill. The main fuselage was recovered after the crash from which the four-man crew escaped. The RAF are keen to recover the tail, about seven feet in length, which could otherwise be carried on to the salmon beds and damage nets, of, if it went through the bridge, become a navigational hazard.

A wide circle of friends heard with regret of the death of Mr Eric Arundell Bramwell, of Strand House, Bideford, a popular estuary sportsman. He met his wife, the younger daughter of the late Dr and Mrs Ellis Pearson while sailing with the North Devon Yacht Club at Instow, and she went out to India to marry him before the war. They returned to Bideford and for some they ran an antiques’ prams’ and children’s toys business in Mill Street. Mr Bramwell was a member of Abbotsham parish church choir, an instructor in the local Civil Defence, and a member of a bridge team playing in the current competition at the Royal North Devon Golf Club. His sailing boat was always a strong interest with him.

The funeral has taken place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, of Mr Herbert Charles Symons, whose death occurred at his home, 31 Moreton Park. Mr Symons emigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand where he lived for many years. The Rev Ernest Adley officiated at the service and Mr J R Trigger accompanied the hymn.

Mr Arthur E Battrick, licensee of the Strand Cinema, Bideford, seeks the removal of a condition regarding the screening of X rated films.

Effects from The Buttery, 10 Mill Street, Bideford, are for sale.

In the basement room of a closed Bideford church was built a Dalek, dreaded machine of menace of TV’s Dr Who series. Its creator is Mr Michael Muggridge, 64 Clovelly Road and it was made for £6.

Mr M K O Crosley presented Bideford County Secondary School and the 4th year Special Groups (Newsom Groups) with a car. The boys in the group will do the maintenance and use the car in their general study of engines, whilst both boys and girls will learn the fundamentals of car control and car and general road safety. The girls will also have to keep the car clean inside and out.

Mr H W and Mrs M L James are selling a highly desirable and well equipped freehold roadside attested dairy and stock-rearing farm with a detached bungalow residence – Braddon’s Farm at Buckland Brewer.

A Buckland Brewer man, Mr Raymond Prance, has been appointed player-coach of Awaba Football Club in Western Australia. Mr Prance, 25, went to Australia as a physical education instructor at Loughborough, one of the country’s top sports colleges. As a teenager Mr Prance had a trial with Chelsea, and made his debut in Bideford’s Western League side when only 17 and still at Bideford Grammar School. Mr Prance is also an accomplished cricketer and opened the batting for Bideford Cricket Club on a number of occasions last summer. Son of Mr and Mrs W Prance, he and his wife emigrated soon after their marriage and he became a teacher in the Australian Newcastle.

Three new members had been welcomed during the year it was reported at the annual meeting of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club. The girl member with the most points in the year’s competitions was Miss S Hillman and the boy member, Mr R Hunkin.

In reply to a letter from Mr Trevor Davey, of Bucks Cross, Bideford Rural Council said that the information contained in it regarding the back road down to Clovelly had been passed to the highway authority. Assurance was given that the Rural Council do not propose to close the road.

A whist drive held at Clovelly British Legion headquarters in aid of the men’s section raised £7. Mr H Taylor was door steward and the MC was Mr s Nicholls. There were 12 tables in play and prizes were presented by Mrs Hesketh to Mrs Tridgell, Mrs Smith, Mrs Worthing, Mrs A Lamey, Mrs Goaman, Mr Cottle. Lowest scores – Mrs J Beer and Mrs Andrew; highest half, Mr V Stoneman. The draw was won by Mrs P Littlejohns, Mrs Olney.

A week after he was married at Frithelstock, Reuben Main went to fight in the First World War. Serving with the Devons, he saw France, Italy, Egypt and Palenstine, but only once did he see his wife, Florence, in three years.

While out walking near her home at 4 South Lane, Hartland, at the weekend, Mrs Bessie Colwill saw a 16-inch snake. It was dozing in the winter sunshine on the bank at the side of the road.

‘Operation Toddler’ is a big hit at Hartland. It is a new venture, a kindergarten type school held three times a week at the Church Hall and is organised by Mrs Sheila Wilmouth who runs it with the aid of other public-spirited women on a rota system.

Hartland Youth Club’s membership now totals nearly 100.

A former Metropolitan police officer, Mr Brian Corkery Kelly, was granted a protection order by Bideford justices in respect of the Kings Arms Hotel, Hartland, the licence of which had been held by Mr E Frayne. Mr and Mrs Frayne have been at the Kings Arms, Hartland, for the past 41 years, being the first and only tenants of Wickham and Co. Ltd. of Bideford. In retirement they plan to settle at Holsworthy near their daughter Jill, Mrs Charles Cornish. Ubiquitus writes

A Hartland girl may have returned home as a thief was ransacking her home. Soon after closing a door she found open, Janet Heard saw that it had been opened again. And it was discovered that about £200 in cash and other articles were missing. The house adjoins a garage in Fore Street, owned by Janet’s father, Mr William Heard. It is the second time within three months that Mr Heard has been robbed.

When Joseph Brackstone, of 2 H.M. Coastguard House, Stoke, Hartland, was asked by a police officer why he had left his car in Bridgeland Street from 2.40pm to 3.45pm he replied “I have been waiting for the wife.” He was fined £2 when this was related at Bideford magistrates’ court.

Result of a probe carried out by members of Hartland Parish Council into allegations of truancy by some local children attending Bideford County Secondary School was reported to the Council. But the outcome is still unknown. Rev Andrew Jones and the Council chairman, Mr H O’Donnell, reported that they have met the headmaster Mr Martyn. He had claimed that truancy was a very rare occurrence.

This photograph shows some of the progress being made on the £60,000 widening scheme along the Back Road at Instow, the beneficial effect of which will be appreciated by motorists and pedestrians alike.

When the resignation of Rev H L Hustwayte as Rector of Instow takes effect at Easter the patronage of the living will pass, after 100 years, from the trustees of the Christie Estate to the Bishop of Exeter. He will, therefore, make the new appointment and a new chapter will begin in the history of the Church of St John the Baptist, which stands on the hilltop above the village. But it was with considerable regret that the Parochial Church Council learned that their efforts to persuade the Estate to continue the private patronage had failed. It was 700 years ago – in 1260 – that the first Rector of Instow was appointed. He was Clemence de Lungenford. The names of many of his successors were prefixed by “Sir” but this not necessarily denote a title. It was used as a mark of respect. In 1866 a member of the Christie family, Margaret Caroline Cleveland, of Tapley Park, appointed to the living Henry Nemvhard, who was then 66. Since then there have been 10 incumbents.

The funeral has taken place at the Church of St John the Baptist, Instow, of Mrs Beatric Smale, wife of Mr William Smale, of Brooklyn House, Lane End. Aged 75, she died at the North Devon Infirmary. The Rector, Rev H L Hustwayte, officiated and Mrs Attwood at the organ accompanied the hymn. Immediate mourners attending were: the husband; Messrs Sam and Ernie Pidler and Mrs S Lean, sons and daughter; Mr D Pidler, Roger and Jennifer Lean, grandchildren; Mr D Lean, Mesdames S, J and E Pidler, son-in-law and daughters-in-law; Mr Ashely Martin, representing Mrs Ann Martin, granddaughter; Mr G Noble (London). Unable to attend were: Lieut-Com and Mrs Charles Pidler (Australia), son and daughter-in-law; Mr and Mrs S Waters (London); Mr ‘Pop’ Wakeford, Mrs F Knott and Mrs M Hocking. Bearers were Messrs C Braunton, J Molland, A Pedler and T Johns. Others attending included: Mr and Mrs Scales, Mr and Mrs Pedlar, Mr and Mrs Alison, Mr and Mrs K W Tarn, Messrs B Smallcorn, T Anstey, W Martin, and D Prout, Mesdames J Molland, M Pidler, C Piper, J Hayes, J Boundy.

Mr and Mrs Tom Anstey, 3 Marine Parade, Instow, celebrate their golden wedding. Congratulations from a wide area will be flowing into the village.

Mr Arthur Frederick Miller, who died at his home Westover, 2 Windmill Lane, Northam, at the age of 50, had served 30 years at sea, becoming a Master Mariner in the Merchant Navy. He was with the Ellerman Line and C.P.R. After retiring from the sea he formed the Torridge Driving School. Immediate mourners were: the widow, Richard, Miss F E Parkhouse, Mr and Mrs E C Griffey, Mr and Mrs S Boon, Peter and Pamela Griffey, Mrs A Hedden, Mr and Mrs A Hedden, Mr and Mrs H Fulford, Mr F C Davies, Mrs J Adams, Mrs D Tucker and Mrs W Griffey.

Northam Methodist Church has had a good year revealed the reports at the annual Church meeting. The minister, the Rev Dr W J Mildon, presided. Mr P J Read, trust treasurer, spoke of the improved position of the trust fund. Mr R Babb stated that the Sunday School had grown considerable. Dr Mildon told of advance in Women’s Missionary work and Mrs Boon had good news concerning the missionary general fund. Church membership shows an increase of six on the quarter. Among the elections were Mr J Lyle, Mr R Babb, Mr G Colwill and Mrs H A Jewell. Mrs Bellew and Miss Davis were thanked for their devoted work for Mission over many years.

Television, rather than taking the place of libraries as had been feared, had created a demand, said Mrs B G Lampard-Vachell when she declared open Northam’s new £7,000 County branch library. When people saw something that interested them they wanted to know more about it and took out from their library a book on the subject. But in one respect television as no friend to the libraries. If a novel was mentioned on the radio, or the author appeared on TV, there were immediately several hundred requests for the book. Yet a year later these would probably have fallen to nothing. The Northam branch has been started 37 years ago when the then village school headmaster, Capt F C Barton, and his helpers voluntarily looked after it and issued about 3,000 books a year. Then, in 1947, a part-time branch library, with paid staff, was opened in a room in the infants’ school with Mrs D Bonetta as librarian.

Still working a five-hour, five-day week is 69 year old Mr Stanley Palmer who, with his wife Elizabeth, of Avril, Burrough Road, Northam, celebrated his golden wedding. Their five children, 20 grandchildren and many other relatives and friends converged on Northam Church Hall for a party. It was arranged by their children Ernie, Molly, Charlie, Florrie and Mary, and the hall had been decorated with flowers given by grandchildren. Mr Palmer, a veteran farm worker, has worked at Stibb Cross, where he and his wife were also caretakers of the chapel for eight years, and at Binworthy, Shebbear, where he remained for 21 years. He then moved to East Bridge Farm, Newton St Petrock, before settling at Northam. Mrs Palmer also helped on the farms. Mr Palmer’s hobby has been gardening and one year at Shebbear show, he recalls, he won 35 prizes with 40 entries.

While dismantling an old chest, Mr F Palmer of Shebbear, discovered some fragments of the Western Flying Post and Sherborne Mercury, dated 1830, which had been used as lining paper.

Approaches have been made to Torrington Town Council on behalf of the proposed Swedish glass factory at Winkleigh requesting the Council to supply six bungalows and a hostel for the firm at an economic rent when the Calvesford Road site is developed. The Council have approved the request in principle.

£1 vouchers distributed – new scheme at Torrington.

The funeral of Mrs Olive Barden, of Queen Anne’s, High street, Bideford, took place at Weare Giffard Church. Aged 53, Mrs Barden was the daughter of Mrs L Andrew of Sentry Corner, Bideford. The Rector, Rev Matthew Coyle, conducted the service and Mr D Glover accompanied the hymns. Bearers were Messrs A and J Beer, John and Joseph Squires. J Hearn and J Hocking. Others present included: Mr and Mrs W J Blight, Mr W Coad, Mesdames Hayward, Wright, W Pascoe, Pope, S Hocking, M James, New, Dodd, Netherway, and P Gomer, Miss Gillian New.

Mrs Doris Hudson arranges a party for children of Westward Ho! and there’s a dalek in attendance.

Speaker at this month’s meeting of Woolsery WI was Miss Harding of the Women’s Advisory Council for Solid Fuel. Her talk about various cookers and room heaters was illustrated by coloured slides. Mrs Dicken voiced the institute’s thanks.

At the annual meeting of Woolsery Agricultural Society, Mr W T Seldon and Mr W J Cory did not seek re-election as joint hon. secretaries. Mr W Johns, of Littleham, is the new hon secretary. It was at last year’s show that the photograph was taken and shows all the secretaries for 60 years.

Mr William Furse, Mr Mark Westaway, Mr W T Seldon, Mr W J Cory, Mr George A Jacob

Years Ago - February

February 1923

Births – a son to Mr and Mrs T F Cole at 5 Elmscott Terrace, Bideford; at 9 Elmsleigh Terrace, Clovelly Road, Bideford, a son to Mr and Mrs D J Madge; at Glen Devon, Bideford, a daughter for Mr and Mrs T P Fulford; at Council Cottages, Littleham, to Mr and Mrs H J Moyse, a son.

Marriages – at the Congregational Church, Bideford, Frederick Andrew Tucker to Violet Mary Raffell of Quay House, Instow; at St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham, Arthur Henry Frayne to Mrs B Churchill; at Northam Church, Leopold Webber to Alethea Spry; at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Frank Allin to Winifred Rose Pickard, of High Street Dairy.

Special features for all £1 Treasury notes.

Farm landlords and workers are needed in Canada. Later in the month, lectures were given on ‘Glimpses of Canada from Coast to Coast’ at Bideford Music Hall.

Northam Council held a long discussion on the proposal that buses carrying eight or more passengers between Bideford, Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho! must agree to run to a timetable before a license could be granted. Councillor P K Harris objected and described the proposal as “tyrannous” but when put to a vote it was passed by seven votes to four.

Question of employment of unskilled men – Torrington-Halwill Railway.

A man who threw up his job as a crane driver on the Halwill-Torrington railway because there was no better accommodation than huts for the workers appeared before Exeter magistrates. Named Albert King he was charged with travelling on the railway without having paid his fare.

John Sheppard is injured while engaged on Halwill-Torrington Railway and makes a claim against Messrs Anderson Ltd.

Divorce is becoming more common in this area. At the recent session of Devon Winter Assizes eighteen orders of Decree Nisi were granted, at least three of them being couples in the Northam and Bideford areas.

Mentioned in last month’s Years Ago, an article from ‘Home Feature’ on how to arrange a ‘little house’.

Abbotsham – Before a very full house a most successful concert was given by Mr W J Barry’s Rainbow Party, some of the best local talent took part. The peformers included Misses Langbridge, Barry, Hopson, Meredith, and Mrs Peters, Messrs Barry, Langdon, Ellis and Thomas. The Exhibition Dance given by Miss Langbridge and Mr Langdon deserves special mention while Mr Barry’s humorous recitations brought down the house.

Alverdiscott – The last dance of the season was held at the schoolroom on February 12th. During the interval the Rector called on Capt Channer, chairman of the dance committee, to present a silver rose bowl to Miss Rockey as a token of grateful thanks for presiding and acting as pianist on these occasions. Afterwards a pair of sleeve-links was presented to Mr W Newcombe, the energetic MC.

Alwington – Bideford Fire Brigade was summoned in the early hours to a fire at Natty Corner where, it was found that a large rick of oats, the property of Mr F D Gregory, of Bideford, was well alight. The rick valued at £160 was entirely destroyed. An adjoining and similar rick was saved by the Brigade. The services of the Bideford Fire Brigade in subduing the fire and saving the valuable adjoining rick were especially effective. It was 3.30am when the Brigade was called. The outbreak was about three miles away, on the Hartland Road, but the Brigade with the steam fire engine and Capt Morris in charge reached the scene just before 4am.

Chiddlecombe stock for sale. Later in the month, it was reported that the sale was ‘highly successful’.

Appledore – ‘Iron King’ and ‘Mary’ for sale.

Appledore danger spot after John Richard Berry succumbs to injuries after slipping near the lifeboat station.

On Sunday last at the close of School a very interesting function took place when Mr J N Tuplin (who has relinquished the office of Secretary after holding it for about 27 years) was presented with a silk umbrella, with initials suitably inscribed, as a small token of appreciation of faithful service rendered for so long a time. Rev J J Nelson in a very interesting address, made the presentation. Mr Tuplin suitably replied.

A casual vacancy has been announced for the Appledore ward of Northam Urban District Council. Nomination papers must be received at the offices of the Returning Officer Mr W J Barnes, 24 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, by 12 noon on 14 February.

A heavy ground sea.

On the occasion of the birth of a son to Her Royal Highness Princess Mary, the Vicar of Appledore wired the congratulations of ‘The seafaring and shipbuilding population and the children of Appledore’ to her Royal Highness, which has been graciously acknowledged by the Lady-in-Waiting. The Union Jack was flown on St Mary’s Church in honour of the happy and auspicious event.

Bideford – Buy a ‘City’ Shirt at 5/6 from W J Cording & Son.

T L Hamlyn & Son (Gold & Silver Medallists), 15 Buttgarden Street, Bideford.

A difficult 1922 but hoping for a better 1923 - advert from H F Elliott of 75 High Street, Bideford.

The ‘Old Ring Of Bells’ is for sale.

Obtain the latest works at Harper’s Library, 11 High Street, Bideford, in conjunction with Harrods Library (London).

The base of the Kingsley statue in Bideford is being cleaned. At a meeting of Bideford Council, the question was raised as to whether the name plate, which simply says “Kingsley” should be amended to have a prefix of either “Charles” or “Canon”. The Town Clerk stated that the present simple inscription was decided on by the donors after considerable discussion and should therefore remain unaltered.

At Bideford Borough Licensing Sessions Supt Shutler reported that the number of licensed houses was 32, the same as last year. No licensed victualler had been proceeded against for offences against the Licensing Acts. Ten persons had been proceeded against for drunkenness, the same number as in the previous year, the convictions being ten against eight. Six licenses had been transferred compared with three in 1921. There are two licensed clubs and one grocer’s license in the borough. The population (1911) was 9078, giving one licensed house to every 283 persons of the population. The conduct of the license holders had been good and he had no objection to the renewal of any of the licenses.

On the letters page, RJ from Bideford writes as follows: “Recently a whist drive was held in this town at which all the cards used were absolutely new. At the conclusion of the drive, members of the committee discovered that four packs had been purloined. Such acts dishearten those who voluntarily strive to give pleasure and amusement. It is however quite open to those who strayed from the path of rectitude to make good by returning the cards without disclosing their identity. If the delinquents like this hint I am sure they will feel much more comfortable when next they attend a whist drive.”

Bradworthy –The funeral took place of Mrs W Walter of Vicarage Terrace who passed away rather suddenly on Monday afternoon last week. The Memorial Institute is being well patronised, over 60 members having already paid their membership fee to Lady-day.

Bucks Cross – The death of Mrs William Davey of West Bucks is announced. The funeral took place at St Anne’s Church, the Rev Guy Whittaker officiating and was very largely attended by people of Bucks and neighbouring parishes. The chief mourners were – Messrs Charles and Frank Davey, Mrs James Trott and Mrs T Davey, Mesdames C Braund and H Davey, C and F Davey, Mr and Mrs R Davey, Mr James Trott (Crediton), Mrs Reuben Braund, Messrs Walter and James Sussex (Gammaton) and Mr Charles Braund. The bearers were Messrs Thomas Crews, James Hockridge, Richard Moore, Reuben Braund, John Bond senr., and John Bond jnr.

Clovelly – Much sympathy has been expressed in the parish with Mr and Mrs John Foley, on the death of their eldest son, George. Of a quiet and obliging nature he was liked by all and he will be sadly missed in the village. The funeral took place at All Saints’ Church with Rev T L V Simkin officiating.

Following up a story from last month’s Years Ago article, an inquest has been held on an unrecognisable body washed up at Mortehoe. The Coroner in the case is Mr G W F Brown. From the clothing found on the body it is apparent that he was a French sailor of around 45-50 years of age and approximately 6’1” tall and there were no identifying marks on the clothing or the body. The presumption is that he was a crew member from the French schooner Perrosien which went aground with no-one on board on rocks off Bucks on 5 January. Photos were taken of another body which washed ashore at Lynmouth a week after the wreck. These were sent to the French Consul and the body has now been identified as Jean Francois Daniel, a cabin boy on the Perrosien; he was 16 years old. There is unlikely to be any explanation of the strange movements of the vessel before it wrecked.

Hartland – A qualifying drive in the St Dunstan’s National Whist Champtionship was held in the Palladium. Prizes were won by – Miss Elsie Heywood, Mrs Clay, Miss Annie Colwill (Clovelly), Mr Cyril Sanders, Mr W Bagilhole, Mr William Babb, Mr Leonard Middle.

Mr T O’Donnell has passed away at his at East Ballhill after a trying illness.

Instow – The wedding has taken place at the Congregational Church, Bideford, of interest to Instow people, the nuptials being those of Miss Violet Mary Raffell, second daughter of Mr and Mrs E Raffell, of Quay House, and Mr Frederick Andrew Tucker, son of Mr and Mrs W Tucker of Lamerton Place, Bideford.

Entertainment at the Rifle Hall, Instow, organised by Mrs E Joslin and Mr W H Yeo.

Northam – Improvements have been carried out at the Mission Church at Higher Cleavehouses which serves the Orchard Hill district of Northam Parish. Do you remember worshipping at this little Church?

The late Mrs Emma Essery of Cross Street, Northam.

A protest meeting has been held at Northam concerning the appointment of an outside headmaster for the National School instead of appointing the assistant master Mr C Hill. John Heywood (Burrough Farm), William Ernest Babb, William James Hocking, Stephen Granville Kelly, Herbert Thomas Hancock, E J Littlejohns, W Littlejohns and W H Friendship are for ‘justice and fair play in Northam.

The Assistant Master at the National School, Northam, Mr C Hill, is appointed Headmaster for the Parkham Council School.

Parkham – The death of Mr Philip Honey of Oliver House is announced.

Mr A George of Cabbacott has met with a bad accident and was attended by Dr Petts.

Shebbear – Mr Isaac Buse and Miss Ada Lewis are married.

Torrington – The conduct of the 17 licensed houses during the year has been remarkably good.

At a meeting of the Torrington Board of Guardians it was reported that the vagrants for the past fortnight number 93, against 52 for the corresponding period of last year. The Master, Mr Harrison, said it was strange they got so many men on Fridays. The numbers on Fridays lately had been 16, 18, and 23 but on other days they averaged four or five.

A Torrington blaze – motor garage and valuable cars destroyed at Mr Heaman’s motor garage in High Street.

The staff at Torrington Station (L and SWR) presented Mr F Avery with a silver-mounted ebony walking stick, on the occasion of his leaving Torrington Station for a post at Exmouth. The Stationmaster made the presentation.

A car travelling from Winkleigh to Halwill attempted to run through flood water at Hatherleigh Bridge and left the road. Several horses had to be obtained to pull it out of the water and the occupants were in danger for some time due to the rushing water.

February 1973

Police Chief Supt A J Lobb talks with local area members of the Special Constabulary who received long service awards. In the picture with him are Messrs F Thomas (Bideford), R Bradford (Northam), J Pearce (Fremington), C Diwell (Westward Ho!) and E Webber (Alverdiscott).

Appledore – Rose Cottage in Myrtle Street is for sale by auction.

At the prizegiving of the building department of the North Devon Technical College of Further Education, David Allan Berry, son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Berry of 35 Western Avenue, Appledore, will receive the McKay Cup and replica as the best painter and decorator apprentice under 18. David is with Messrs Morse and Pitschmann, of Cross Street, Northam.

Northam Urban Council has its youngest member – at least for many years. He is Mr Joseph Thomas Need, aged 29, of 2 Darracotts Court, Appledore, who has been elected to fill the Appledore seat vacated by the former vicar, Rev Royston Dixon. Mr Need is the youngest member of Northam Burrows Committee and of the Northam Residents’ Association. He is also a member of Appledore Preservation and Conservation Society, A joiner, he is social organiser of the Shipyard Angling Club.

Did you see ‘The Great Fumble’ at the Aquarius Club?

Pursuit of Duke of Edinburgh gold awards will take a party of Bideford Grenville College boys to Iceland for a fortnight’s camping. But there will be no lazing in the sun. The campsite will be a lava field alongside a small icefield. And when Mr E J Watkins, one of the two experienced leaders of the expedition, was last there in 1970, the August temperature was minus three degrees Centigrade.

Bonus offer for men working at Bideford Shipyard Ltd.

£1,795 overhaul and silver plating for Bideford Town Band’s instruments.

A golden wedding day for Mr and Mrs James Henry Bedler, of 90 Pynes Lane, Bideford. Of their six surviving daughters, four live in Bideford. The other two live in Launceston and Lynton. There are 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. There was a family to mark the anniversary.

Seven boys from Bideford have been included in the squad named after two trials from which the North Devon Schools FA will select the area team to play West Cornwall at Penzance in the first round of the South Western Counties under-14s competition. They are – Denis Ford, David Dark, Brian Cox, Jimmy Jefferies, Steven Bromelow, Jeffery Brown and Barry Robinson.

Miss Brenda Brown, Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club member has been awarded a national federation scholarship, which, in April, will take her to Canada. For four months she will live with families of the Four H Club, the Canadian equivalent of the YFC. Her parents, Mr and Mrs T H Brown, own the village store and she is an assistant at the Bideford branch of Holman, Ham and Co. the chemists.

Clovelly oaks at Deer Park to be felled.

Hartland Coastguards and Hartland Cliff Rescue Team are alerted and rescue a student from Leeds University.

Flt Lieut ‘Wally’ Walder leaves RAF Hartland Point.

RAF Hartland Point is to be maintained after the Tactical Weapons Unit is transferred from RAF Chivenor to Brawdy. This was announced in a letter to Mr Peter Mills, MP for the Torrington division, and the industrial civilian staff at Hartland Point were also informed.

Mr Tim Gale, of Marine Cottage, Instow, is the new president of the North Devon Manufacturers’ Association.

An individual building site in Langtree, with outline planning permission, offered at public auction on behalf of Mr and Mrs Sutton, fetched £3,300. Bidding had commenced at £2,500. The purchaser was Mr Dean, of Bradworthy.

Featured in an issue of a leading American magazine devoted to the art, is the work of Torridgeside potter Harry Juniper, who lives at Monkleigh. He first came to North Devon as a young schoolboy evacuee in the Second World War, chance taking him to a billet at Torrington which he afterwards discovered was the home of his second cousins. He has been here almost all the time since.

Bidding for Monkleigh Lodge, a three-bedroomed detached lodge, offered by public auction, opened at £6,000. The property was withdrawn at £8,750 but it was sold by the auctioneers at a better price by private treaty.

Monkleigh plans extension of village hall.

The support of local doctors and their medical officer is being sought by Northam Urban Council in their efforts to obtain visits to the district of the chest radiography service.

Bonehill Farm and lands in Northam is for sale.

Building plots for sale at Northam.

The Ridgeway, Orchard Hill, for sale.

Tammy Fashions is to open in Fore Street.

Many staff of the light engineering firm John Leete and Co. attended the funeral of Mr Tom Francis Lombard who lived at 17 Fairlea Crescent, Northam.

Torrington – It was a case of coats on at the meeting of Torrington Town Council’s general purposes committee for the central heating in the council chamber was not on. The only immediate warmth came from one electric fire. The Mayor, Councillor Harold Pollard, apologised for the lack of heating and promised to look into the matter.

Old Barn, Kingscott, Torrington, a thatched two-bedroomed cottage, with a let cottage adjoining it, and with outline planning permission for the erection of two dwellings in a block of land in the grounds, was offered by public auction. Bidding opened at £10,000 and was bought by a Mr Evans, of Birmingham, at £16,000.

The owner of the main part of land at Sandymere Road, Westward Ho! on which Northam Urban Council wish to establish a tented camping site being unprepared to sell, the Council are to make a compulsory purchase order for the whole site.

34 Beach Road, Westward Ho! for sale.

Flt Sgt Keith Munday (left in the picture), whose mother lives at Cairncross, Cleveland Terrace, Westward Ho! has helped rescue a youth who fell down a cliff in Hong Kong’s New Territories. He has been in the RAF for 15 years and his wife, Christine, and two children, Ian and Yvonne, are with him in Hong Kong.

Woolsery – Walnut Cottage with adjoining Old Smithy is for sale.

Building plots at Ferndown, Woolsery, for sale.

February 1998

Early 16th Century 4 bedroom detached resident at Alverdiscott for sale.

Appledore Town Band was hitting the high notes in celebration of its Lottery success and a royal performance to come! With the aid of a £37,000 Lottery grant, the band has been able to buy a complete new set of instruments. Since last autumn the new cornets, horns, baritones, basses, trombones and a full percussion set have been arriving at the bandroom. A glockenspiel, xylophone and two pedal timpanis which previously had to be hired have also been included. Musical director Geoff Abbot has written a special piece of music for the band and xylophone. And it is proudly looking forward to playing in front of the Princess Royal on March 27 when she performs a ship naming ceremony at Appledore Shipbuilders.

Young Devon student Anna Day has won a place at one of Britain’s top universities – a year ahead of her peers! She has been offered a place at St Hilda’s, Oxford, to read medicine. The Appledore teenager had to undergo a gruelling four-day interview before getting the good news that she had been accepted.

A period cottage in Appledore is available to buy. The property is situated just off the Quay and was probably connected with the old shipbuilding industry, possibly rope-making for sailing ships. It was converted at some time in the last 100 years to form a four-bedroomed cottage. A price guide in excess of £45k has been set.

Long service awards were presented to stalwarts of the Bideford and District Poppy Appeal who have between them given more than 150 years of service. At a ceremony at Bideford Royal British Legion Club the county coordinator, Keith Grout, handed certificates to Gerald and Phil Beer, Arthur Blame, Eris Gist, Alan Kerslake and Fernley Wade. There were brooches for Grace Bush, Mary George and Pat Hutt. In addition there was a certificate for Arthur Bailey, a brooch for Catherine Raffe and a merit badge for May Hearn, who were unable to attend the ceremony. Local poppy appeal organiser Peggy Ditton reported a record collection last year of £6,400.

Bideford’s lady rugby players now have outfits to match their unbeaten status this season. They have just been sponsored with all new kit by Tanton’s Hotel. Although they have been going for a couple of years now the ladies have really started to get off the ground this season and have won all eight matches so far. The picture shows the team with coach Mike Blong and Geoff Boundy of Tanton’s Hotel.

Bideford Bridge will close to traffic for repairs to be carried out to coping stones on its parapets which are becoming dislodged and dangerous. The job could take up to 12 days and vehicular traffic will be diverted across the much more modern Torridge Bridge. Walkers and cyclists will be allowed to use the old bridge while the job is being carried out. It is costing £10k to re-bed the coping stones. The last time the bridge – built of stone in the late 1400s to replace a much older wooden one – had to be closed completely to traffic was 30 years ago when in January 1968 two of the 24 arches were found to be collapsing into the river below. The resulting chaos was described as ‘the greatest local calamity since the plague of 1646’.

Wallace and Gromit have fallen into ‘the wrong hands’ in Bideford. The famous pair are featured on charity enamelled badges being sold at Bideford Medical Centre in aid of the Grand Appeal to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Children in Bristol. “We are really cross that someone should have pinched them” said medical centre spokeswoman Susan Davis.

Drawing colourful attention to the forthcoming Torridgeside Schools Art Exhibition is a poster by Instow six-year-old Nichola Bellew. Her painting on the theme Winter Sunshine was the winner of a pre-exhibition poster competition at The Burton Art Gallery in Bideford and is now in use to promote the main event. It won Nichola, a first year pupil at Instow Primary School, a voucher to be spent at the gallery shop.

International umpire David Shepherd was on home ground when North Devon Cricket Club celebrated a big grant from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. David was delighted to be on hand for the presentation as he started his cricketing career as a young man at the club at Instow. The award will go towards rethatching the club house roof which was severely damaged in the New Year storms. In the picture are David with club chairman Bryan Palmer and Danny Cullington.

The Old Barn, Stowford, Langtree, is for sale.

Tree Tops, situated off Durrant Lane, between Bideford and Northam, is for sale by public auction.

Beechwood, 17 Sandymere Road, Northam, is for sale by public auction.

Fish in many guises was on the menu when students at Great Torrington School took part in a competition as part of their CSE course work. Watched by head of food technology Anita Hardy, they had to cook a fresh dish using their own recipes. Their efforts were judged by Dan Garnett, of the Clovelly Fish shop. He chose Amanda Holloway as the winner and the runner-up was Vicky Cook.

Sounds of music fill the Withey family home at Torrington as Ashley gets in some practice on the keyboard. Or the trumpet. Or the sax. Or the cornet. Or the drums. Like as not, he will be joined by his brother Wesley – also a drummer – while sister Jessica tries out a tap routine. Music runs through the veins of most of the Withey’s family. One of their older sons, Andrew, is a drummer with the rock band Rug and daughter, Emma, teaches dancing.

All systems are now ‘go’ for Torrington’s £2 million Genesis Project. Planning permission has been granted for its centrepiece, the redevelopment of the former Castle Hill Hotel as a heritage centre tourist attraction. And the Government Office for the South West has approved the restoration of the Pannier Market to provide a new market hall and business opportunity units. Project chairman Steven Pearson said “We can now move ahead at full steam and look forward to completing both projects in 1999.” There was a live preview of the ‘Torrington 1646’ heritage centre when the town re-lived the most famous moment in its history, the Civil War Battle of Torrington. Roundheads and Cavaliers again marched the streets when the anniversary of the 1646 conflict was commemorated with a torchlight procession. The picture shows Dave Marker and Mike Palmer.

Torrington Grade II town house for sale.

It was party time at the Bideford Blind Club as clubmates joined with its senior member Clara Dipple to celebrate her 100th birthday. Bornin Aston, she left school at 14 and became a wages clerk. She and husband George moved to Bideford on retirement. For the past 15 years Mrs Dipple has been a resident at The Chalet residential home in Westward Ho! where she received a birthday bouquet from manager Valerie Pierce.

Nineteen people were arrested following a Valentine’s night drugs operation in Westward Ho! Police set up road blocks and stopped vehicles they believed to be en route to a ‘rave-type disco’ in the resort. Forty officers and police dogs were involved in the 3-hour operation during which £7k worth of drugs were seized. Five people have been charged with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and six with the possession of controlled drugs.

The Big Freeze 1963

Sixty years on, and we review the 'Big Freeze'

"The winter to end all winters" and "the worst winter for 200 years"

A wintry outbreak brought snow to the country on 12–13 December 1962, and a cold easterly set in on 22 December as an anticyclone formed over Scandinavia, drawing cold continental winds from Russia. Throughout the Christmas period, the Scandinavian high collapsed, but a new high formed near Iceland, bringing northerly winds. Significant snowfall occurred as the air mass moved south, and parts of Southern England had heavy snow late on 26–27 December. The cold air became firmly established.

On 29 and 30 December 1962 a blizzard swept across South West England and Wales with snow drifting to more than 20 feet (6.1 m) deep in places, driven by gale force easterly winds, The snow stranded villagers and brought down power lines with the near-freezing temperatures meaning that the snow cover lasted months in some areas. How was North Devon affected?

4 January 1963

Milk supplied by Bideford Dairies has been flown by the rescue helicopters of RAF Chivenor to snowbound Lynton district. Bideford Sports Ground, adjacent to the dairy company’s premises, proved a convenient landing ground.

On Saturday morning Hartland had its daily papers brought in by improvised sledge. Early buses from Bideford were unable to reach Hartland owing to icy conditions on steep hills on the last stretch of the journey. On being informed of this, local newsagent Mr Henry Mitchell went out to bring in the papers. Using a tea chest as a sledge he dragged them 1½ miles to his shop.

Arctic weather beats football and the local derby between Bideford and Barnstaple was ‘blanketed out’.

Whatever inconvenience the hard weather has caused, the snow has been put to good use by these youngsters of Torrington district where the steep slopes have seen the appearance of many an improvised sledge.

Westward Ho! Holiday Centre ‘go Scottish’ for the annual Hogmanay Ball of the North Devon Caledonian Society.

11 January 1963

All hands to the shovel! A family snow clearance combined operation at Bideford.

Cattle centre men win battle with the snow.

No matches were played in the Torrington and District Darts League last week owing to the weather. Clubs in outlying districts were unable to travel owing to the treacherous road conditions and the same applied to Torrington clubs who had away fixtures. The committee will have a difficult task in rearranging fixtures.

At Torrington Town Council’s meeting, Ald C Quick thinks there is justification for the complaints received. Cllr F J Gent compares Town Park to Siberia; Cllr R M Boyer thinks more should have been done; Cllr G Copp asks why the Town Council’s men couldn’t clear the Square; and Col J E Palmer suggests that a policy of priority action is formulated. The Surveyor, Mr P Symons says that in his view, he had done what was best.

18 January 1963

At the Seamen's Mission at Appledore some un-nautical water flowed down through the premises as a result of the hard frost. First intimation that there had been a burst came when the missioner, the Rev Donald Cox, was sharing in a game at the billiard table and drops of water began to descend on them from the ceiling. Prompt attention helped to limit the damage but is is feared the billiard table will need expert attention.

Frozen lavatories have brought about the closing of many schools in the district for longer or shorter periods. A spokesman at the North Devon Education office at Barnstaple said that the picture changed almost from half day to half day. Among schools that have been affected are Bideford Church of England and East-the-Water; Northam; Hartland; Torrington County Secondary and Blue Coat; and Clovelly. In some cases where schools could open only local children had been able to attend because of transport difficulties, the spokesman added. “Until we get a long spell of fairly high temperatures there cannot be much improvement.” But at the moment hope for relief does not appear to be in the offing. Except in the sun temperatures have rarely been above freezing point. Yesterday the freezing east wind returned.

Clovelly as the holiday maker does not see it, but looking as picturesque as ever in a rare mantle of snow.

Continuing the story of the big freeze-up – a serial story of which all have grown weary except possibly some of those children whose schools are closed. Throughout the week people in Bideford and district have continued to shiver, and not merely because of the sub-zero temperature. Many dread the situation with which they will be confronted when a real thaw arrives. In Bideford the situation is fast becoming serious and the frost is tending to aggravate a problem that had its beginnings in 1962, when rainfall was 10 inches below average. At this time of year Gammaton reservoirs, with a capacity of between 32 and 33 million gallons, should be overflowing. In fact they contain something like 5 million gallons. Demand for gas was unprecedented, said Mr W Verity, South Western Gas Board district manager.

Mr L J Dunn, the Surveyor, reports that damage to pipes in council houses has been slight.

Icefloes on the Torridge! In its slower meadow stretches, particularly near Furzebeam hill, the river was frozen from bank to bank with the stream continuing underneath the ice which was of considerable thickness in many places. Indeed, it looked as if one could walk across, but discretion prevailed. In the higher tidal stretches by Halfpenny bridge, Weare Giffard, the effects of layers of ice along the banks, built up over the days, was brilliantly eye-catching in the sun. A number of people were out at the weekend exploring such unusual sights provided in the river valley by the hard weather.

Mr Mark Finn, a member of Bideford Road Safety Committee declares that ‘As a Bideford ratepayer I am entitled to walk on a pathway…in security.’

It now seems certain that there will be the worst pile up ever known of North Devon soccer fixtures at the end of this season. Last Saturday was the third successive week that all matches in this area had to be postponed, including rugby. After inspection on Friday the Sports Ground was ruled unfit for the Robins’ home Western League encounter with Torquay United Reserves.

A party of nine men and three boys spent an exhausting three hours at Mr Andrew Goaman’s Ford Farm, Hartland, rescuing a cow that had gone through a frozen brook and was unable to extricate herself. The animal is due to calve in a month’s time. To make the rescue it was necessary to drive a tractor several hundred yards down the frozen brook to the cow which apparently had completely lost the use of its legs. She was rolled on to a gate and towed up a field and it was necessary to take the end out of a deep litter house and manhandle her into that to give protection.

This photograph, taken at Stevenstone, Torrington, shows skaters on the pool and young skiers on the slopes above. The skiers, the daughters of Capt Knight, who is stationed near Paris with SHAPE, are pupils of Stella Maris Convent School, Bideford, and have just returned from a holiday in Switzerland.

It was pick and shovel work with a vengeance removing frozen ridges of hard packed snow from the roads at Torrington. This photograph was taken in South Street but the temperature had no southern balm! Clearance had to be done manually without the help of more salt which failed to arrive.

At Westward Ho! the receding tides left long lines of ice and frozen foam, two or three feet high, along the beach, and the west sand became frozen as it was uncovered.

The recent intense cold was indirectly responsible for an outbreak of fire that caused several hundred pounds worth of damage at the English timber yard of the Devon Trading Company at Torridge Hill, Bideford. A workman was attempting a thawing operation with cotton waste when the flames spread rapidly to involve a largely-wooden building. When the alarm was given Bideford firemen had just returned to the station from another incident and within a few minutes were tackling the outbreak. Two appliances from Bideford were soon reinforced by others from Appledore and Torrington and in less than an hour the blaze was under control. A quantity of cut timber was destroyed and sawing machinery was severely damaged. In the early stages the task of the firemen was grim for so cold was it that the water began to freeze as it left the hoses. Mr R Swain, manager of the Bideford branch of the Devon Trading Co., said that the good work of the firemen undoubtedly prevented the blaze from involving other properties. Drums of creosote were stored in an adjoining store but these were rolled out of the way.

High Street premises of Trapnells Ltd of Bideford were rocked early on Monday when a high pressure boiler blew up shortly after it had been lit. Damage was confined but an employee, Mr J H Beer, had a lucky escape.

The refuse collectors and tip man were praised by the Surveyor, Mr H J Bishop, at the meeting of Northam Urban Council. They had continued to work throughout the difficult conditions that had been experienced "and I take off my hat to them" he said.

25 January 1963

Bad for drivers but better for railways.

Clovelly is still badly hit by the hard weather. Slerra Hill is so treacherous with ice that even farmers have been unable to negotiate it with their tractors to take the milk churns to the depot. Mr J J Headon and his son Norman have been able to help with their Land Rover.

Hartland awoke to find streets, roofs and walls covered with ice. It rained heavily between 4 and 5am and this froze as it fell. Conditions were appalling and vehicular traffic was at a standstill. Pedestrians had to proceed with extreme caution clutching walls, railings, window sills, etc. Socks worn over shoes were the mode. These conditions were apparently confined to the NW top of Devon. Bus services and supplies from outside the parish were held up. Milk has been delivered on everything from a builder's lorry to sledges improvised from sheets of corrugated iron. The 'favourite' topic of conversation is burst pipes.

Hartland School, which managed to reopen last week, had to be closed once again. The bitter weather of the weekend froze the water mains underground and these cannot be thawed by artificial means. During the time the school was open last week approximately 90 pupils attended each day. The distant ones could not attend as the buses could not reach them.

There has been a rare occurrence at Spekes Valley, Hartland, where the stream takes a spectacular plunge over the cliff to find its way in stages to the beach. With rainfall reduced, the stream has been running lower than usual at this time of the year and the bitter weather caused it to freeze, giving the impression of a giant icicle. The photograph, taken in summer, shows the first breath taking plunge of the stream as it leaves the valley.

A robin is grounded at Hartland, and a snipe dies.

Mr C R Rowe, mine host of the Black Horse Hotel in Torrington is able to get water from a stand-point.

Parts of the river Torridge down to the estuary froze in the bitter wind and these sheets of ice coming upstream on the tide, and meeting ice that had been brought downstream on the ebb, presented a remarkable sight around the arches of Bideford’s 600-year-old Long Bridge. Nothing on this scale has been seen this century. A leading fisherman said he had never seen so much ice there or down river frozen to such an extent. Large sections of ice, some several feet thick, piled up against the arches of the bridge and upstream the frozen river at one time presented an almost continuous stretch of ice. Below the bridge huge chunks of ice were scattered on the sands at low tide.

Mr J Horrell, Buckingham Arms, Taddiport, helps out queues of people by providing water.

1 February 1963

After weeks of freeze-up thaw brings flooding fear. Massive ice-floes in swollen river.

A sequel to the front page picture last week of the amazing build up of ice above Bideford bridge. Early last weekend a group of unemployed men were engaged by the Bridge Trust to break up the larger floes and so ease dispersal down river and protect the arches from damage.

On Monday, a loudspeaker van announcement warned the people of Bideford that the town’s water supply was to be off from 10pm to 6am from the following day. The Borough Surveyor, Mr H J Denne, said the decision was necessary because of the abnormally heavy demand for water through burst pipes and the supply position. Gammaton reservoir has a capacity of 32 million gallons but early this week contained only 2 million gallons.

Skipper Reg Hopkins, 15 Fordlands Crescent, Bideford, and the 180-ton collier Carita clear the way.

The intense arctic spell from Christamas to last weekend was a most trying experience and, what is more, we cannot be sure that it will not be followed by others before the winter is out. The prospect is not pleasing. But when summer comes and the years roll on, our 'ice age' will probably be recalled with rueful humour, easing the edge off the grim reality. Like wartime trials, the severe weather has encouraged neighbourliness. Getting water from a tap two or three doors away, gathering in shivering sympathy around a standpipe supply in the street, or sharing a cup of tea when heating facilities were restricted served as a reminder that we are members of a community and not islands unto ourselves.

Fears that the rapid thaw following the blizzard – the worst for many years in this area – would cause widespread flooding had not materialised. ‘The only thing to do is to watch and pray’ said Mr A Waterhouse, sub-postmaster at Weare Giffard, where flooding of the road occurs most winters. The River Torridge was then contained within its banks but was flowing fast and rising. Local people were forecasting that there would be flooding, but were hoping that houses would not be penetrated. Dock Cottages, always the first to be invaded, had now been abandoned. Further up the river at Taddiport, Mr and Mrs J Horrell, of the Buckingham Arms, received a flood warning and had taken the usual precautions to try to keep the water out. Fortunately massive icefloes, which caused the bridge to vibrate when they struck it, did not build up. At Bideford they did, thousands of tons of packed ice presenting a remarkable sight. Periodically masses freed themselves to grind through the arches and float out to sea. Great chunks littered the banks as the tide went out and on the east side above the bridge a high build-up was left. In contrast to the scene a fortnight or so ago this was not one of glistening white but earth stained, drab colour.

A change from the weekend walk along the river at Torrington - a walk ON the river. Something to remember for years.

Three school buses are ditched but none hurt.

‘Mains supply’ with a difference. Residents in the vicinity of Torrington Square assemble at a stand-pipe for water, their domestic supplies being the victims of the severe frost.

8 February 1963

It all sounds so familiar! Torrington's plight in 'Crimean winter' 1854-5.

15 February 1963

Mr E C Beadle, of Luneray, Windmill Lane, Northam, has a lucky escape when his car skidded. He is assisted by Mr Michael Hutchings.

Suggestion that Bideford Town Council should consider making a byelaw requiring frontagers to clear snow from footpaths outside their property was rejected by the Council. Opposition to the Highways Committee recommendation came from Cllr F Patt who said that people had done a grand job. The Council should consider their own responsibility. Cllr A A Beer said it was not fair that one householder should clear the pavement and the person next door should not. For the Council to clear the snow would be a colossal task, Such a byelaw would prevent anyone bringing a case against the Council. Cllr Patt said people of 80 and 90 years of age should not be required to clear snow. The Council had done a very good job declared Cllr W J Blight. The minute was deleted.

The first Western League game to be played at Bideford since the big freeze-up resulting in the Robins triumphing over Yeovil Town Reserves 1-0, a penalty being the deciding factor.

Golfers are asked not play at the Royal North Devon Golf Club.

Mr W H Walter, of Country View, Woolsery, describes Saturday business as ‘not too bad’ but at Bideford Pannier Market, cream froze in bowls.

22 February 1963

The thaw brings flooding fears as the River Torridge rises and packed ice frees itself to float out to see. A vast quantity of water had banked up in the Kenwith Valley meadows which was of concern for residents in Chanters Lane.

There was praise from the Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mervyn Thomas, at Northam Urban Council meeting for Mrs E M Hilder and her W.V.S colleagues for having operated the ‘Meals on wheels’ scheme without a break, so relieving the hardship endured by several elderly people due to the severe weather. Mrs Hilder, thanking the M.O. and her helpers, said that 21 meals are now being provided, indicating that the scheme had been much needed. The old people greatly appreciate the service.

After being planned to take place a week earlier but having to be postponed because the severe weather made travelling conditions virtually impossible, the wedding of a Clovelly bride took place at High Street Methodist Church, Bideford. The bride was Miss Stella Ann Stanbury, only daughter of Mr and Mrs K F Stanbury, of Downland Farm, and the bridegroom Mr Leonard John Tucker, elder son of Mr and Mrs L J Tucker, of Westacott Farm, Barnstaple. The bride was attended by four bridesmaids – Misses Eileen Stanbury, Norma Govier, Marion Tucker and Pamela Warren. Duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Dennis Cockram and the ushers were Messrs Trevor Stanbury, Gordon Stanbury, Norman Tucker and Donald Harmer. A reception was held at Tanton’s Hotel and Mr and Mrs L J Tucker left for their honeymoon, spent at Bournemouth and Jersey.

8 March 1963

Seven ships loaded with coal were anchored in Bideford Bay waiting their turn to unload their cargoes at East Yelland power station whose stocks had been well dug into during the recent exceptionally cold spell.

22 March 1963

Richard John Cleverdon, of Great Gorwood, Buckland Brewer, and William James Prouse, of 13 Pitt Avenue, Appledore, are fined for traffic misdemeanours.

Reminiscences from Archive volunteers

"I was at Edgehill College, living at Northam, and and a group of pupils walked to and from school on a daily basis for about 5 weeks. Uniform rules were relaxed and we were allowed to wear wellingtons (as long we changed into shoes on arrival); arriving at school we were given towels and hot soup; and we were allowed to leave school after lunch to return home in daylight."

"In Leicester, I can recall the water pipes in the road froze, therefore there was no water or heating in my Hall of residence. I walked everyday to university."

"The memories that I recall from the 1963 winter freeze whilst living on the outskirts of Reading include sleeping under several blankets and waking to find ice nearly an inch thick on the inside of the bedroom window. My father would rise early each morning to light our living room fire to try and warm the house as this was before double glazing and central heating. Once the house was warmed sufficiently my brother and I would get up, dress and get ready for school. School was some 2 - 3 miles across fields and usually on our way we would meet up with other children from the nearby estate. As kids we would have snowball fights and play on the ice and on one occasion I actually fell through the ice, so spent most of the day with wet socks and shoes. Thankfully we had coke fires situated in the middle of each classroom to heat the school. I do remember the crates of milk for us children left out in the snow which had frozen and so expanded, so had to be thawed, some days the birds had pecked the silver tops off and sipped the milk."

"I remember the river being frozen and the ice floes being piled up against the arches on the ebb tide. I think that was the year we had standpipes and we had to walk from Strawberry Cottages in Meddon Street to get water because the pipes were frozen."

"I remember in late December snow swept into both Devon and Cornwall. Serious events were unfolding across the counties but it was the school holidays so every hill and slope was in use. Freezing conditions had made the ground rock hard. Soon the word was that on the Burrows Goosey pool had frozen over, a group of us headed down from Northam. We found the pool and Burn (The Pill) was well frozen, there were people skating, others searched for any bits of stick that could be used for ice hockey and at one stage the Wise brothers had their Cortina dancing and pirouetting on the ice. This was a very different school holiday. The ice on the Burn was a good six inches thick, we had brought a wooden sledge and tied two ropes to the front bar, with one person on each bank ready to pull, the ride of a lifetime would begin. Staying on was the first test as the runners pulled the sedge as fast as they could. It would career down the track bouncing off the banks at breakneck speed from Goosey pool to the golf club bridge. Run after run we had, then went home cold and wet but ready for more. What a week it was, a real school holiday not to be forgotten."