100 Years Ago

Years Ago

June 1922

June seems to be a popular time for Sunday School Anniversary services but they didn’t all go smoothly. The United Methodist Sunday School at Hartland celebrated its anniversary on 3 June; it is reported that while the scholars arrived early for the service, the choir was 10 minutes late.

At Appledore, anniversary services in connection with the Congregational Sunday School were held on Whit-Sunday. The day was gloriously fine - and as everybody knows and looks forward to these gatherings there was consequently a large congregation at each service. Sermons wer preached morning and evening by Rev R J Tippett, of Torrington, and in the afternoon there was a Choral service at which the Misses Boyle and Meredith and Mr Roy Ellis, of Bideford, and Mrs Carter and Miss Cobbledick, of Appledore, took part. The scholars and friends who helped in the singing are to be congratulated on the excellent results brought about by the careful training of Mr T Parsons. The collections were over £17. It had been hoped to have had the interior of the church redecorated before the anniversary but that was found impossible. It will, however, be commenced forthwith. Mr J H Lang presided at the afternoon service and the Vicar, Rev H C Muller, also spoke a few words of cheer. Unfortunately the organist, Miss Beara, was taken ill a few days before the anniversary but her place was ably taken by Miss Hettie Batho.

Langtree held its first annual sports and school treat. Courtesy of Mr John Ford who loaned a field, the arrangements were carried out by Mr Westcott, Rev B Hallowes and Messrs W H Hackwill, W H Short, S W Cole, P B Jones and S J Sanders. Prizewinners included G Bond, T Bond, W H Hackwill, A Burrows, A Jones, and P Jones.

Revd E P Groom has been appointed minister to the Frithelstock group of churches – does anyone know if this was an Anglican or Non-conformist appointment? Another appointment was Rev Lane, as the Bishop's domestic chaplain and spiritual guide to the Island of Lundy:

Weddings taking place included one at St Andrew's Church in Alwington, between Mr George Hill and Miss Ada Daniel, and at Alverdiscott Church, with Mr William Hill marrying Miss Sophie Maria Joslin.

The Strand Collar Works factory in Bideford is to close on instruction from the owners, Frederick Cooper and Co. Ltd:

Following up on some of last month’s stories:

It is computed that Mr John Quick, postman at Langtree, has walked 170,000 miles during his 36 years of service. Mr Finch, the Stationmaster at Instow, is retiring at the end of the month and will be greatly missed by visitors:

Owing to a flaw in one of the wheels of the Motor Lifeboat trolley on the Appledore station, the trials due to be undertaken by the chief inspector of the RNLI have had to be abandoned. A replacement wheel is being sought and the presentation ceremony has been postponed until further notice. The lifeboat is to be named VCS - her name formed from the amalgamated initials of her benefactors: Mr. Vagg of London, Cecelia, the daughter of Mrs. Marshall of Sussex, and Mr. Sleemin of Plymouth.

The Minister of Transport has been informed by promoters of the Torrington to Halwill railway that the contract has been signed. Work will start immediately and when in full swing will employ 800 – 900 men. The Mayor, Mr H W Huxham and Alderman J M Metherell will be present at the cutting of the first sod.

T.H.W expresses their delight at walking the old Bideford to Appledore railway line:

And on the transport theme, traffic through Instow is a problem and it's not thought a speed limit will be granted (unlike at Combe Martin):

Holiday stories are plentiful this month.

On Whit Monday a row of big charabancs was seen along Bideford Quay; they had brought touring parties from South, Mid and East Devon. Smaller cars then took people to Westward Ho! Bucks and Clovelly which were all crowded with visitors.

Also on Whit Monday, the potwallopers of Northam assisted in throwing back pebbles onto the ridge. It is reported that the ridge has considerably changed over recent years, beaten back well-defined distances and a good deal flatter than formerly. The story is told that a few years ago when the Crediton boot trade was flourishing, a day excursion was run to Westward Ho! On the return trip the train had difficulty pulling out of Bideford station. It seems that every one of the cobblers had picked up a pebble to take home to hammer the leather on!

The Motor Boat “Ena” is now running on the Torridge and may be booked by private parties for harbour and river trips by applying to A J Budd, 6 River View Terrace. In an advert headed “Motoring-de-luxe”, E W Nicholson of Tanton’s Hotel says “You would greatly enjoy touring in the famous Buick Six, perfect comfort and attention guaranteed.”

If you fancy taking a picnic, Tattersill’s Stores, which at this time had 4 shops in Bideford, offers a wide selection of tinned delicacies including salmon, sardines, pilchards and smoked haddock. And you can buy holiday clothes from H F Elliott in the High Street.

After buying your camera and film from R J Arnold in Allhalland Street, in a paragraph advert, Mr Friendship of Hillside, Northam, offers developing and printing services; films of 6 exposures cost 3d – 6d per spool.

The weather and its effects feature several times this month.

Bideford Council decided at its monthly meeting to conserve water supply by turning off the cocks at night. The weather continues to be dry and the levels are dropping. However, following a very hot day, there was a sharp frost on the morning of 5 June in the Bideford area. Late potatoes planted in Parkham are rotting and prospects for the crop is rather poor. (This sounds more as if the ground is wet?) The hay harvest at Langtree is in full swing but crops are light.

Ratepayers in Instow will be pleased that overseers have set the poor rate at 8d in the pound less than the last half year. It is calculated that 100 years ago (1822) there were 50 more houses in Little Torrington than there are today. Foxes have done “great havoc” among poultry on a farm near Torrington, 25 head having been lost in one morning.

Bideford Amateur Athletic Club’s new racing boat “Isobel” was christened and launched recently. Following the ceremony, the crew took to the river in a procession of boats to the bridge.

Something that is still pertinent to current times, it's proposed to make 'Summer Time' a permanent institution and the motion for rejection was defeated:

And finally – this advert seems a little familiar with today's advertising slogan "Should have gone to..." a certain optician's chain of shops!

June 1972

Donkeys, once used regularly to carry goods up and down Clovelly's picturesque steep cobbled High Street, have not been much in the public eye in recent years. The Carnival provided these donkeys with the opportunity to show they are not just a picture postcard memory.

A tub race across the harbour proved one of the main attactions of Clovelly's Revel Week, especially as only one competitor managed to stay afloat for the whole of the course. The tubs, with old tyres and oil drums to stabilise them, were difficult to launch and all the competitors got a ducking before they even started to race. Two members of the lifeboat crew and Dr D Mackenzie, of Hartland, ended up swimming most of the course as their craft were difficult to right having once tipped over. First home was Jeremy Mugford, of Hartland, second was Bob Tanner of the Clovelly lifeboat, and third was another lifeboatman, David Tangey. The revel carnival queen was Dorothy Noad.

Hartland's bus service is halved.

A fund has been launched at Hartland to raise money to provide a much needed wheelchair for use in the town and district. The first effort, a Don drive, was held at the Women's Institute room. Winners were Mrs B Jeffery and Mr J Colwill, Mrs J Measures and Mr H Shute, Mr and Mrs W Heard. Draw winners: Mrs S Richards, Mr J Walter and Mr H Shute. The drive was arranged by Mrs E Jeffery. Committee members are Dr Donald and Dr Rachel Mackenzie, Mesdames M Prouse, E Rowe, P Surgeon, F Short and W Shute.

Council house tenants in Northam urban district who have a dog will have to apply for permission if they wish to continue to keep it. And if they own more than one, they will have to get rid of the others 'within a reasonable period.' Northam Urban Council also decided that new tenants will have to seek permission to keep a dog and that it will be a condition of tenancy in future that dogs must be kept under control at all times. If any dog causes a nuisance then permission to keep it will be withdrawn. The Council have been told that a number of complaints had been received concerning 'uncontroleed dogs on the Morwenna Park estate fouling footpaths and spreading disease.' The Council also offer free 'rat and mouse control' for domestic and business premises.

Inspector ends an argument over inches! A Ministry of Environment inspector travelled to Northam and upheld an appeal by Mr M Richards against conditions imposed on the conversion of his supermarket in the Square there. The local planning authority had earlier ruled that the top of a new facia installed at the supermarket should be lowered by one foot to match the retained facia of the adjoining lock-up shop. The main points of Mr Richard's case, said the inspector, Mr J S Cheer, were that the depth of the facia was four inches less than that shown on the submitted plan; that the top of the facia corresponded with the top of the facia on the adjoining higher property to the south; that there was no regular depth of facia to existing properties in the Square; and that the facia provided a satisfactory design solution and the lowering of it by 12 inches would leave the first floor windows without a corresponding balance above. The local planning authority's case was the facia was shown on submitted plans as being 3ft 6in deep and 35ft long whereas the facia to the south was 2ft 6in by 25ft and that to the north was very small and formed part of the general framing around the windows.

The contents of Highways, Churchill Way, Appledore, are for sale:

Farmers take advantage of Board's help. Of the 500 or so farmers in Devon and Cornwall who are currently taking advantage of the Milk Marketing Board's low cost production service for farm costings and farm management advice, 60 live in the Torridgeside area. And this number is expected to rise said the Board's consulting officer, Mr Brian Hopkins, who lives at Hoopers Water, Littleham. He is pictured with Abbotsham farmer Mr Michael Jackman. 'Farmers appreciate someone who knows and understands their farms and the farm systems calling regularly to discuss business and technical problems' said Mr Hopkins.

A number of classes from Bideford Church Infants' School, looking ahead to when they transfer to a new home in Chanters Lane, staged 'The Wizard of Oz' to raise funds for a swimming pool. Parents and children from other schools were among those who enjoyed various performances. The picture show the principals with choir and orchestra.

Audiences are invited to help date historic film of Torrington May Fair ceremonies as films are presesnted by Mr Leonard Jackson and Mr Brian Nash.

Three 'Regulars' Mrs M E Dart, the only woman member of Torrington Rural Council, was one of three councillors who returned 100 per cent attendances at Council meetings during the past 12 months. The others were Mr C R Arnold, the new chairman, and Mr A Q Vanstone, who is the 'father' of the Council. At the other end of the scale, Lord Clinton was able to attend only eight of the 57 full Council and committee meetings possible. In another article - Councillors were not really bothered about what was going on as far as the Road Safety Committee was concerned, complained Rev R A Wallington at Torrington Rural Council meeting. 'The whole thing is collapsing. We feel no one cares what happens.' Yet a lot of very good work was being carried out by the committee and it was national policy that they should haave these road safety committees. 'One day we may be taken over by the County Council and it may be a good thing for Torrington if they have something live to take over at Torrington and not something dead.'

Industrial site still awaits first factory. Provided complete with roads and services some 18 months ago at an estimated cost of £60,000, Torrington's 13 acre industrial estate at Hatchmoor Road still awaits its first factory.

Bideford Fire Service spectacular held in the Sports Ground in aid of the fire service national benevolent fund drew a large crowd. Most successful event was a five-a-side football tournament for which there were 24 entries. Winners were Bideford Tool who beat Northam Lions in the final. An exciting tug-o' war contest resulted in a win for Yarnscombe and the push-ball event was won by Barnstaple Fire Service. There were various stalls and sideshows plus a baby show and children's fancy dress competition. The spectacular was opened by the Mayor of Bideford, Mr James Needs.

Ninety-three certificates for first aid, home-nursing and various proficiency subjects ranging from fire-fighting to cookery and nutrition were presented at the annual inspection of the Bideford St John Nursing Cadet Division at their local headquarters. The Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs J W Needs, attended the ceremony. The trophy for the best senior cadet went to Sgt J B Gordon, who also won the special service shield; the best junior cadet cup went to Cadet S Hood; and the uniform cup to Cpl W Smale. Mrs Needs, who received a bouquet from Cadet Julia Hooper, told the cadets of the division that they were impressed with the work they had done and the voluntary hours which were given. Cadet prayers were said after enrolment by Ref F Hewis. Those receiving certificates included: Sgt J B Gordon, Cpls L Bragger, L Joy, S Raymont, W Smale, Cadets S Campbell, S cawsey, P Ellis, J Evans, A Fishleigh, E Gordon, A Hearn, S Hockin, S Hood, W Hood, B Hooper, J Hooper, M Hooper, A Jones, J Kelly, H Lockwood, K Macpherson, S Marshall, P Melhuish, K Mills, J Moore, V Mugford, L Nicholson, R Pope, P Raymont, M Riley, S Stone, M Strong, D Taylor, G Thisby, C Violet, K Vound, M Vound, T Walker and K Wheeler.

Property for sale in Woolsery - The Cottage, The Village:

June 1997

Helen Bligh, business girl, makes finals in the Young Enterprise examination. Helen’s answer to the production question was described as ‘excellent’ by Peter Westgarth, chief executive of the Oxford based Young Enterprise Scheme.

Sculptures ‘beheaded’ at Bideford Railway and John Butler appeals for their return.

‘They were carved with memories of my own childhood holidays when I waited for the train in mind’ said John. Walkers along the Tarka Trail are being asked to look out for the two heads, which are of a woman in a hat and of a man. The artist had to repair his sculpture some time ago after noses of figures had been chiselled off.

Inflatable flood barrier plan for Bideford town.

The upstream section ending at the old bridge maintains much of the original proposals with a sloping quayside providing an extra four feet of height. It would be edged with a dwarf wall and removable handrails to facilitate the needs of working boats. Downstream from the public toilets to the rowing steps a level quayside would be retained, with flood defence provided by a metre-high wall at the back of the quay. This would maintain an outer working area. But the chamber of commerce members fear these proposals will still adversely affect the working of the port and will spoil quayside views. There was also concern that the proposals were inflexible, said chamber spokesman Jeremy Bell.

Celebration of music takes place in Bideford park by featuring Kingsize Blues, Up For Grabs, Double Vision, the Prairie Dogs, Parcels of Rogues, Rug, the Guy Fenton Jazz Band, the Stannery Jazz Band, and representatives of local youth groups.

Continuing with the music theme, there’s a Jazz and Jive Party at Tapeley Park, Instow, with Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, and Jive Aces. Find out more about Tapeley Park at their website - Tapeley Park - Christie Devon Estates

The Commodore Hotel, Instow, has just won the title of “Top Tea Place of the Year” and they were presented with a stained glass window and an award of excellence plaque. Staff celebrate their success with a cup of tea. The Hotel's website is The Commodore Hotel

Marshford organic shop in Northam is still going strong and has the same telephone number - Marshford Organic Foods – Organic Fruits, Vegetables & Meat

Fund raisers for the North Devon Cancer Care Centre are nominating as the meanest thieves of the year whoever stole items left by a well-wisher outside the charity’s shop. Black plastic bags filled with good were taken from outside the shop in Westward Ho! So, on another day, were gifts left outside in a box. “We’re pretty mad about it” said Cancer Care Trust founder Jennifer Bonetta. “We have a marvellous stock of inexpensive things for sale inside. Surely no one needs to steal things from outside?” The store in the main shopping street at Westward Ho! earns £300 plus a week for the community cancer charity. It is staffed by volunteers and open most weekdays.

The Shop still operates under the Over and Above Charity - Over and Above

Dave and Rosemary Kelly, of Torrington, are off to see the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Toyota to market hybrid electric vehicle.

News in June 1968

June 1968

John Wood of Exmouth AC stretches into the tape to win the annual Quay Race at Appledore. Appledore’s Andy Cowlard, in the light strip, struggled neck and neck with Wood over the 265 yards but trailed by a tenth of a second. Third was John Robertson, of the Junior Leaders’ Regt.

Four feet eleven inches of ‘dynamite’ exploded down Appledore Quay evening to win the annual junior round-the-houses race. John Ireland, a 12 year old from Bude, flashed past a bewildered field to finish the two and a half mile hilly course in the mould of a sprinter. Second in the junior race was 15 year old Mike Weaver, of Bideford Methodist Youth Club, and third Ian Williams, of Capstone Hill Boys’ Club, Ilfracombe. Appledore Youth Sports Club dominated the team championship taking first and second places – S Everett, C Brown, R Barrett, K Edwards, E Cunningham and D Short.

Mr Peter Mills, MP, will officially open Appledore Playing Field. The chairman and members of Northam Urban Council and representatives of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd, and local organisations will be among those attending. The two acre playing field is on part of ‘The Holt’ estate and has a parkland setting with a fine view of the river. Present facilities include a small size football pitch, a full size netball pitch, a sand pit, and adventure playground equipment. Other facilities will be added in due course. Provision of the playing field has been sponsored by Northam Urban Council but Appledore is to take over responsibility for it and a trust fund has been formed. Total cost so far has been nearly £4,000, over a quarter of this is being met by the Anderson bequest. Tomorrow’s opening will be followed by an old English fair with stalls, Maypole and country dancing, and ‘weighing the anchor’ among the attractions.

Mr Arthur Boyles explains why Appledore’s Carnival has been cancelled.

Craftsmen working on the Nonsuch, the replica of the vessel on which the fortunes of the Hudson Bay Company were founded, now being built in the Appledore yard of Messrs J Hinks and Son, will shortly receive a memento of their association with it. The managing director of the Company, over here from Canada, visited the yard last week, was extremely happy with what he found, and took away with him the names and addresses of all associated with the vessel. The Canadian Government are issuing a special stamp to commemorate the first voyage of the original Nonsuch to Canada 300 years ago on June 5^th, and first day covers are to be sent to all at the yard. Work on the vessel is well up to schedule – launching date is August 26^th. Mr Jack Whitehead, of the Isle of Wight, who, with an associate, is responsible for the ornate carving, which will be a feature of the vessel, has been at work since the end of October. Both have been at Appledore completing panels and figures and carving timbers already in position, but have now returned home to complete figures of mermaids and fish. The pair will return in July and will remain until the vessel is launched. Three local men whose ages total more than 200 years have come out of retirement to do a less spectacular, but even more important job – caulking. Cotton is commonly used in these days, but their material is white oakum, which calls for more skill. In charge is 75 years old Mr John Hammett, of Appledore. The others are Mr Walter Hamlyn, of Northam, and Mr Richard Montague, now of Fremington. Although no decision has been reached it is hoped that the vessel will be sailed to Canada.

A total of 97 marks out of 100 gained by Robert Lamey, of 7 Tomouth Road, Appledore, helped to win the Appledore Methodist Church the scripture examination shield for which Bideford and Torridge area Sunday Schools compete annually. Robert’s fellow pupils Jacqueline Sanders and Alan Heard had 91 per cent and 95 per cent respectively, and bonus points brought the total of their Sunday School to 97.66 per cent. Second was Alverdiscott Methodist (93.25 per cent) and third Caute Baptist, Shebbear (84.5 per cent).

Bideford’s Trades & Industry Exhibition will take place 17-22 June in the Sports Ground. About 11,500 attended. A light-hearted moment at the Exhibition as 20 year old Miss Barbara Grenney, of Barton Tors, Bideford, wearing a nightdress from a women’s wear stand, ‘caps it’ with a man’s deerstalker hat with the assistance of Mr Roy Dyer, of Bideford.

Did you buy a motor cycle from Godfrey Sampson?

Mr Sluman receives a letter from Mr Kingsley J Ireland in South Australia researching family history for John Cavenett and Eliza Sluman.

Seen before a training session are the swimming team from Bideford’s Stella Maris School. After winning the North Devon area title of the Catholic Schools’ Swimming Federation, they competed at the South West area finals at Charlton Park, Cheltenham. They finished third behind Bristol and Cheltenham. Local results included Elizabeth Adlington, Linda Locke, Helen Cooper, Joanne Payne, Marilyn Cuthill, Karen Locke, Jean Cooper, and Carol Booth.

Pannier Market ‘does not justify expense on rates’ Mr Roger Chope told members of Bideford Chamber of Commerce. He said he was satisfied with the Town Council’s decision to charge £50 a day to people wishing to conduct dispersal sales there, but there was still the question of the Saturday and Tuesday lets. ‘I resent subsidising competitors’ he added. Answering the secretary, Mr Donald Moyse, he agreed that tolls had been increased, but only enough to cover expenses with a little over. Here was a public building in a prime position ‘eating its head off.’ It was a waste of a valuable piece of town property for the market no longer fulfilled its original purpose, which was merely to provide stalls for people who brought in fresh produce from the countryside. Mr R J Cleverdon pointed out that in many towns street markets provided 100 per cent more challenges to traders. And Mr Jeremy Ferguson warned that the Council could sell it to a multiple store. A retailing organisation ‘going full steam’ with people passing up and down the street six days a week would be preferable, said Mr Chope. Agriculture was a tremendous industry, said Mr Cleverdon, and if country people did not come her they would go elsewhere. There had been controversary about the cattle market, he recalled, and asked ‘Does Bideford want to push all this out?’

Did you buy a Wimpey Home at the Meadow Park Estate, Clovelly Road, Bideford?

Household furniture is for sale by public auction – ‘Corners’, 13 Glenfield Road, Bideford.

Mr R D Cooper is to retire as head postmaster in Bideford and the new postmaster will be his deputy, Mr C J King.

Attendance figures for members of Bideford Rural Council show that in the last civic year five members put in 100 per cent attendance at full council meetings. Four more only missed once and four more only twice. Attendance at committee meetings, too, was very good, with one member, Mr Les Elstone, returning a full 100 per cent attendance for all council and committee meetings.

Mr and Mrs Scoynes of 22 Sentry Corner, Bideford, celebrate their golden wedding.

In the printed list at Edgehill College prize day the names of recipients of two awards were not given but were left to be announced at the ceremony. The awards were for deportment, also recognising attention to personal appearance and general smartness. The recipients were Lynda Beer, seen with the Yeo Cup for juniors, and Erica Smith with the Margaret Cup for seniors.

Two more trophies of Bideford Racing Pigeon Club have been won by Appledore schoolboy Ken Lloyd with two other trophies going to Keith Foley.

Motor trials experts beware – a promising newcomer from Bideford has appeared on the scene. At the wheel of his standard Hillman Imp, and taking part in his first trials event, 18 year old Geoff Giddy gave the aces a jolt at the recent Holsworthy and District Motor Club trials. Geoff, son of Mr and Mrs Ivor Giddy, of Bideford Carpet Service, High Street, had John Holcombe, of 80 Abbotsham Road, as his compulsory passenger.

By direction of Mr H T J Gill, The Beeches, Buckland Brewer, is for sale. In a later article, the property was sold by private treaty at a higher figure than £10,500.

The funeral of retired headmaster and ex-Grenadier Guardsman Mr Reginald Kearsley Hesketh, aged 75, of 87 High Street, Clovelly, took place at Clovelly Parish Church.

A copy of the by-laws on street trading in Clovelly is to be posted on the Parish Council’s notice board. The decision to publicise the by-laws in this way was taken at a public meeting called to sound local opinion about the presence of street photographers who use tame monkeys to attract custom. Three local members of the County Council – Sir Dennis Stucley, Mr Stanley Brimacombe and Mr Paul Minet – all told the parish councillors and members of the public attending that they could prosecute the photographers if they infringed either of two by-laws. The meeting was told that Clovelly could not reasonably expect any new by-laws to be passed to deal solely with street photographers. Mr C H England pointed out that the maximum penalty had now risen from £5 to £20. A large number of people were strongly opposed to street photographers, claimed the Rector of Clovelly, Rev R O H Eppingstone.

Sunday School anniversary at Frithelstock.

Mr Arthur George, chairman of Hartland Parish Council, attacked Bideford Rural Council for what he alleged was their failure to ensure the establishment of light industry in Hartland and to provide the locality with more council houses.

Summerwell Farm, Hartland, is for sale.

Mrs Gwenda Prichard, wife of a lighthouse keeper at Hartland Point, gives birth to twins.

Instow’s ‘chaotic’ traffic.

The cremation service of Mr Albion Harman, the joint owner of Lundy, was held at the North Devon Crematorium, Barnstaple. Rev R C Dixon officiated. The ashes were taken to Lundy on the P and A Campbell steamer Westward Ho! for interment.

Miss Margaret Gilbert, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Gilbert, of Knowle, Monkleigh, has satisfied her yearning to visit America by taking a job with a Long Island family, She will fly out next month to look after their three children. “I could never afford to go for a holiday and this is the next best thing,” she told the Gazette. At Monkleigh she has been involved in all worth while activities and has been a prominent member of the Buckland Brewer YFC. She hopes to contact clubs in the States, but holiday travel could be a little confined.

Court Line Ltd of which Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd is a subsidiary, is proposing to purchase on a share exchange basis 36,000 £1 Ordinary shares of Durrant House Hotel Ltd, Northam. This is revealed by the chairman, the Hon W S Philipps, in the annual report. These shares, together with 10,000 already held by a subsidiary, represent the entire issued share capital of Durrant House. That company and its wholly-owned subsidiary own the freeholds of two hotels, Durrant House, Northam, and the Seagate Hotel at Appledore. Durrant House Hotel, opened in 1966, had subsequently been enlarged and improved, while the Seagate Hotel was only opened for accommodation at the end of June 1967. The shareholders of Durrant House include: Mr James Venus, Mrs Venus, Mr J W Chapman, Mr John Young, Mrs Young, Mr Victor Malcolm, Mrs Brenda Ball, Vice-Admiral Sir Peveril William-Powlett, and Lady Barbara William-Powlett.

Nineteen year old Jim Long, of Northam, a member of the Royal North Devon Golf Club finished in second place two strokes behind the winner, in the amateur golf championship of the South-West Counties.

Shebbear’ CP School’s swimming pool was opened by Mr J B Morris.

On Tuesday night, “Time, gentlemen, please” the call that has rung through the Buckingham Arms at Taddiport for considerably more than 100 years, was heard for the last time. Owners of the inn, Whitbreads, have sold it and the licence is to be surrendered. But the purchaser is no stranger. He is Mr Jim Horrell, landlord of the Buckingham Arms for the past 12 years. And the pub will be the farmhouse for the smallholding on which it is situated. Mr and Mrs Horrell, however, are to continue in the licensing trade. Last January they moved into Torrington to take over the Hunters Inn. For them life should be less complicated. While they were at the Buckingham Arms rarely did a year pass when they did not fight a losing battle with flood waters of the Torridge, which flows past the door. But they were never daunted and almost as soon as the river retreated the house was spick and span and it was ‘business as usual’.

Torrington is on the point of losing what is probably a unique distinction – its police station in the churchyard.

Priestacott Farm, Torrington, is for sale.

Torritonians Mr and Mrs Percy Copp, who celebrated their diamond wedding last week, have spent all their lives in the town except for the period that Mr Copp was away during World War 1. Their active minds and bodies are a first-class advertisement for the healthiness of the locality. The couple, whose home is at 76 Calf Street, Torrington, were married at St Michael’s Church in 1908. Mr Copp, now 83, left the local school when he was 11 to work on a farm. On the outbreak of war he joined the Dorset Regiment. Following Armistice he returned to work with the Rural Council as a contractor. Officially he retired at the age of 66, but he still devotes a great deal of time to pig farming. This necessitates cycling to his fields several times a day. Mrs Copp, now 79, is equally active. She was Miss Mary Jones and after leaving school worked in a local glove factory. All six of their family – Messrs Harold, George and Reg Copp and Mrs Marjorie Popham, Olivia Newcombe and Winnie Oke, continue to live in Torrington. There are 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Visitors on the great day, which was celebrated by a family party, included the Mayor and Mayoress – Mr and Mrs W S Hutchings – and the Vicar, Rev P G Harrison, and Mrs Harrison.

The Torrington depot of Unigate Ltd is creating new records for milk production.

Torrington’s first donkey derby.

Mrs May Vanstone and Mrs Nella Smale share a prize at bingo at the Torrington Cinema Social and Bingo Club.

Following a short service at St Michael’s Parish Church, a new town hall clock, presented in memory of the late Mr Robert Maxwell Boyer, was dedicated at Torrington by the Vicar, Rev P G Harrison. The clock has been given to the town by Mrs Boyer, whose husband was a former Mayor of Torrington and served on the Town Council and other local bodies for many years. Representatives of the Council including the Mayor, Cllr W S Hutchings, and representatives of many local organisations attended the service and dedication ceremony in Torrington Square. Torrington Voluntary Silver Band were also present.

On behalf of Mrs D M Blackmore (deceased), no. 7 Eastbourne Terrace, Westward Ho! is for sale.

The annual Summer Fair of Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho! got the better of the lashing rain that prevented it from being held in the Church grounds. The stalls were moved indoors, to the adjoining Church Room, and from then on it was the money that rained. A record £102 5s was raised – and with a good humour that provided its own sunshine as the photograph shows. The fair was followed in the evening by a thanksgiving service at which the preacher was the Archdeacon of Barnstaple, Ven. A F Ward.

Cutting the cake on Friday evening as part of the celebrations by members of the Royal North Devon Golf Club ladies’ section and their guests of the 100^th anniversary of the founding at Westward Ho! of a golf club for women. In the photograph are: Miss W M Fulford, Mrs H N Fulford, Miss B S Martin, Miss J Bruce, Mrs R Yewdall, Mrs S Creasy, Miss O Williams, Mrs J Mason, Mrs A A Smalley, Mrs M Sillem, Mrs P S Sparling, and Miss J Taylor. On Saturday prizes were presented by Miss Olwyn Williams, former president of the Ladies’ Golf Association and on Sunday by Mrs A A Smalley, president of the Royal North Devon ladies’ section. Owing to illness Mrs D McBeth, former England international, was unable to attend and present prizes.

Mrs Harriett Snell, Higher Venn Farm, Woolsery, was moved to Honee Bun rabbit farm for safety when a fire broke out. Higher Venn is farmed by Mr Brian Crocker, and his brother-in-law saw smoke coming from an outbuilding. Mr Dick Dunn works at Honee Bun farm.

News from July 1972

July 1972

Part of the famous Sleights sword dance by boys of Abbotsham County Primary School was a highlight of the annual parish fete held, as the Vicar, Rev R A Ford, described it, on ‘the one and only day of summer.’ Some of the boys learned the dance at a children’s house party at the Folk and Music Centre at Crocombe, near Taunton, at Easter and, with the aid of the headmistress, taught the others. The fete realised a profit of £245 for parish needs. The hall, the church, the school and the chapel will benefit. Mrs R O H Eppingstone, wife of the Rural Dean, opened the fete.

Appledore TV documentary lacking in depth and superficial?

Hopes that the former Seamen’s Mission at Appledore, acquired privately for housing development, could be bought back for community use were raised by Mr J C Seward at Tuesday’s meeting of Northam Urban Council. The General Purposes Committee had reported that a local committee had been formed with a view to buying part of the mission, reopening the chapel and providing a club. The County Council had said they would be interested in renting ground floor premises for the library and the GP Committee were asked whether they would be prepared to buy part for the purpose. The County Librarian had been asked to meet the sub-committee at Appledore to discuss the matter. It had also been agreed to ask the former owners of the mission about the use of the proceeds from the sale. Mr Seward said the proposition had arisen through the Christian Brethren carrying on chapel services in other premises in Appledore. They had managed to raise £8,000. Among the donors were Sir John Lang and the daughters of the late Sir William Reardon Smith. The Brethren had offered £8,000 for the chapel and the room over with a view to continuing the club. A reply was awaited. The County Librarian had been cooperative and wished to fall in with what Appledore required. The site was ideal for the library. “If the £8,000 could be added to what the County offer we might get within shooting distance of being able to take over the whole premises,” Mr Seward declared. “They could also possibly incorporate a museum. This really is the traditional centre of old Appledore.”

Mr D Williams of 2 Tomouth Square, Appledore, is ‘home from home in Norway’.

“Cheer Up Dear” says Braddicks.

A well known former local policeman and his wife have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and received many congratulations and good wishes. It was at Newton Abbot that Mr Alfred Richard Mugridge, now 84, married Miss Ann Maria North (90). The couple have lived at 6 Chingswell Street, Bideford, for nearly 30 years. Born in Ivybridge, Mr Mugridge was in the Devon Constabulary for 26 years. During his service nine members of his family were in the Force together, including his two brothers. After their marriage the couple lived at New Abbot, Membury, Branscombe, Torquay, Bideford and Bradworthy. It was from Bradworthy that Mr Mugridge retired from the Force in 1935. Since then he has worked for various periods with several local businesses. A first class shot, Mr Mugridge was a member of the Devon team for eight years and gained many prizes for his skill. There is one son, Mr Alfred William John Mugridge, of Roystone Road, Bideford,a railway maintenance engineer. One of the two grandchildren lives in America and there are seven great-grandchildren. Mrs Mugridge, who was born near Nottingtham, realised that there was only one job open to women in her younger years – to be ‘in service’ to one of the local big houses. For many years she worked for Lord and Lady Belper of Nottingham. Among the many congratulations received was a telegram from the Queen.

Seen at a training session, under the watchful eye of their coach, Mr Peter Griffey, of Northam, are Bideford Swimming Club’s under-16 water polo team who are bidding strongly for North Devon honours. Their first match was a good augury for they beat Barnstaple Dolphins. This year the team have matured to mainly 15 and 16-year-olds, with the benefit of a year’s experience in the league. Of the 60 members of Bideford Swimming Club the under-16 team is chosen from about 15. Each Wednesday they practise at the Patio pool, Westward Ho! the club’s home pool.

A profit of £93 made at Bideford Guides’ and Brownies’ annual barbecue was even more welcome than usual. It has to be spent on re-roofing the Guide hut in the Sports Ground – for the second time in two years. There was a five-year guarantee on the work but the firm responsible went out of business. The barbecue was opened by the Mayoress, Mrs J Needs, who was welcomed by the Divisional Commissioner, Mrs E Booth, and thanked by the president, Miss Ada Lee. Draw inners included: Mrs Booth, Alison Baker, Mrs Horne, Curtis, Davey, Ford, Miss Durant, H Hallett, Mr Quick and Deborah Slade.

Bideford Association Football Club hold a Foot-a-Fete at the Sports Ground in Bideford.

Women employees of the Toy Works, Bideford, pause for a photograph before setting off on a day’s outing to Torquay as guests of the management.

The H V Bearman cup for most points and the certificate for the best laid out plat both went to the same allotment holder at the annual prizegiving of Bideford Allotments Association. Mr G E England took the awards plus two first prizes, one second, four thirds, a fourth and a fifth. Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Bideford, Mr J W Needs, and Mr D French, chairman, presided. Winners: potatoes - Mr F West, Mr D French, Mr G England. Peas – Mr A Keen, Mr E Cloke, Mr C Pennington. Broad beans – Mr W J Piper, Mr J Braunton, Mr P Walters. Runner beans – Mr W J Piper, Mr C D New, Mr G England. Root crops – Mr G England, Mr F West, Mr R Nicholls. Onions and shallots – Mr G England, Mr C D New, Mr R Nicholls. Brassicas – Mr J H Potter, Mr G R Braunton, Mr G England. Flowers – Mr W J Piper, Mr G R Braunton, Mr J Gordon. Fruit – Mr W J Piper, Mr G R Braunton, Mr G England. Salad crops – Mr F J West, Mr G England, Mr G R Braunton. Certificate for the most outstanding exhibit – Mr W J Piper.

Two patrons of the Appledore Inn, Bideford, indulged in lighthearted fun and also raised £60 for a good cause. Prompted by the landlady of the inn, Mrs Sheila Dinner, Mr Keith Eldridge, dressed up and pushed his companion, Mr Tom Lobbett, who was disguised as a baby, through the streets of Bideford in a pram. The money will be used to take a party of local old-age pensioners on an outing in September.

Mr and Mrs Sidney Alfred Luxton, 7 Ashley Terrace, Bideford, celebrate fifty years of marriage in the same house. Before her marriage, Mrs Luxton was Miss Alice Penelope Lott.

A £4,500 sun lounge at the Torridge Hospital in Bideford will be officially opened by Dr William Ruddock, of Bideford. The new addition, which has been provided by the South Western Regional Hospital Board, is to be called the Muller Ward lounge. This ward was named in memory of the late Rev H C A S Muller, Vicar of Appledore and a well known local personality who was closely identified with the hospital. Spacious, and with a fine view of East-the-Water, the lounge has been furnished with help of the Hartland Lift Fund, which totalled in the region of £1,300 when it was passed over to the Torridge Hospital to use two years ago after the hospital authorities themselves supplied a much needed lift. The provision of the lounge also meets a long-felt need. “We have been waiting for 25 years for this” commented Mr J Morris, the hospital secretary. The Exeter Hospital Aid Society are also presenting a television set for the lounge.

Buckland Brewer Fete takes place on Saturday 15 July and will be opened by Drs D and R Mackenzie.

It was fun in the sun at Buckland Brewer when a full and lively programme of events was organised by the combined churches. There was a large attendance and the effort raised approximately £230 which will be equally divided between the two churches and the churchyard fund. The programme included a fete, dancing by local schoolchildren, competitions, teas, football (in which the married and single men’s team drew 3-3), fancy dress competition, whist, films and a dance. On the previous evening Buckland youths beat Bideford youths 13-4 at football, and a Buckland tug-o-war team triumphed over a Bideford team by two pulls to one.

A 14-year old American boy on holiday with his aunt was lifted to safety by helicopter from cliffs at Bucks Mills. Mark der Manouelian, of 13 Dartmouth Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island, became frightened and stuck when descending the cliffs. Hartland cliff rescue team and RAF Chivenor were alerted and the helicopter crew lifted him clear and landed him uninjured on the beach.

Hillside (formerly known as ‘The Retreat’) in Dolton is for sale.

Meddon Farmhouse and Chapel in Hartland are for sale.

July 1972 Hartland Meddon Chapel

A fete marking the 57th chapel anniversary of Hartland Methodist Church had to be held indoors because of unsettled weather. Despite this £160 was raised as a result of the weekend. The event was officially opened by Mrs Julie Goaman, of Shebbear, who was presented with a bouquet by Lisa Manley. Hartland Town Band gave an enjoyable concert in the evening, guest artists including Mrs Boundy, of Shebbear, and Mrs Colin Priest and friends of Parkham. Chairman was the Rev F G Thomas. Preacher on Sunday was Mr E Short, of Whitstone, anthems were sung by the choir and the organist was Mr J W Heard.

Dr Donald Mackenzie gets his reserved parking space and the Rev Harold Lockear describes it as ‘The great mystery of Hartland’.

School sports at Hartland. On behalf of Fraser House, of which they are captains, Julian Stowell and Ann Ferguson, received the house championship cup from Mr A George, chairman of the school managers at Hartland School sports.

Hartland is attempting to raise money to provide two tennis courts behind the children’s play area and adjoining the playing field pavilion. A sub-committee of the Playing Fields Association was elected at a meeting attended by more than 30 people and there have been other offers of help. The fund was helped to the extent of £7.48 by a whist drive in the WI Hall. Prizewinners were Mesdames J Hobbs, A Short, E Bolton, Measures, S Richards, T Noble, Colwill and D Heard. Draw winners were Mesdames W Burrow, A Short, S Richards.

Mr K Davey, of The Bungalow, working in a field at Horwood Barton, Monkleigh, catches an eel.

Vehicles going through water with the drivers submerged up to their necks will be one of the attractions of an Open Day to be held at a unique Army establishment in North Devon. For the first time, the Fording Trials Branch of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Instow is opening its doors to the public, and a variety of demonstrations will be given. Divers, of which the Fording Trials Branch has seven, will give demonstrations in portable tanks and will show their skill by recovering pennies thrown by spectators.

Mr Roy Stanbury, an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, has passed his final examinations of the Institute of Taxation. He is the only son of Mr and Mrs Gordon Stanbury, of Bar View House, Instow, and is a chartered accountant on the staff of Messrs Edgcumbe, Whitmarch and Preedy, of Plymouth.

Mr Mike T Burrows, of 2 Cross Street, Northam told the Gazette that half a dozen or so racing pigeons, wet through and very exhauster, probably came down on Lundy.

Nos 1 and 5 Honey Street in Northam are for sale.

A clergyman’s wife who is strictly a once-a-week painter at the Beaford Centre carried off the best in show award at Shebbear and Buckland Filleigh flower and vegetable show. Mrs R A Wallington, wife of the Rector of Langtree, won the award. Last year over a thousand entries were received for the show. This year entries were down a little and Mrs M E Dart blamed both the earlier bad weather and the hay harvest which had now started for the drop. Two cups were won outright - the Millman Cup for most points in the onion and shallots classes by Mr Edgar Moore of Shebbear, and the Committee Cup for most points in the open vegetable classes by Mr Fred Millman, of Petrockstowe. The event was opened by the Rev Nigel Mead, Vicar of Shebbear.

Mr D J Cobbledick is refused permission to establish a corn merchant’s business and corn mill in buildings at the rear of 12 and 14 Potacre Street, Torrington.

Who owns Torrington Town Hall pictures?

When Mr J W Bastin retires from the headship of Torrington County Secondary School he will leave a much larger establishment than that he took over in January 1956. Then there were 309 pupils. After the summer holiday there will be 500. But greater changes are ahead. He estimates that in the next decade school numbers will rise to 750, partly as a result of the introduction of comprehensive education and the raising of the school leaving age. Mr Bastin is to remain in Torrington – his home town. He began his education at the County Primary School, his father, a police sergeant, being stationed at Torrington. In the picture he is seen with the head boy and head girl of the school. Robert Heaman and Sandra Daniel. Mr Bastin is being succeeded by Mr Don Howard.

“It is an absolute disgrace” said Westward Ho! business man Mr Peter Wise as contractors are scheduled to work on re-strengthening the sea wall during July.

Mr and Mrs A C Lavers, of Ellwood, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! were among the guests at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Mrs Lavers is the County Staff Officer (Nursing Cadets) St John Ambulance.

There’s a Grand Fete in aid of Westward Ho! Branch of Cancer Research Campaign at The Octagon, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Crossley.

No ‘cash and carry’ at Winkleigh says Torrington Rural Council.

Mr Trevor George, headmaster of Winkleigh village school praised the efforts of County Fire Brigade units.

With some 65 years of teaching at Woolsery County Primary School between them, Mr and Mrs Cyril B Griffiths are retiring at the end of this term. Mr Griffiths has been headmaster there for 34 years, and his wife Marjorie has taught at the school for 31 years. A native of South Wales, he went to Leeds to qualify as a teacher and then ‘emigrated’ to Devon in 1930. He taught in Plympton, Kingsteignton, Paignton, Dartmouth and Bideford before being appointed headmaster at Woolsery in 1938. When war broke out he became a man of many parts in Woolsery, being billeting officer, salvage officer, air raid warden, a member of the Home Guard, and a member of the first aid post. He was organist at Bucks Mills Church and later at Woolsery Church for many years. Woolsery Youth Club, which he founded in 1944, soon became renowned for its concerts. It was in that same year that Mr Griffiths first joined Woolsery Parish Council, and he has been its chairman for the past 20 years. “If these wall could only speak” an illustrated history of Woolsery School, written by Mr Griffiths was published two years ago and attracted interest far beyond the parish. Mrs Marjorie Griffiths, a native of Sheffield, came to live in South Devon at an early age and attended Newton Abbot Grammar School. Qualifying as a teacher at the College of St Matthias, Bristol, she taught in Plympton, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple prior to her 31 years at Woolsery School. On coming to Woolsery she was instrumental in inaugurating the Women’s Institute there. During the war she was head of the Woolsery Section of the WVS and chief of the first aid post, and also assisted her husband with billeting duties. A staunch member of the parish church, Mrs Griffiths has long been a member of the Parochial Church Council. Mr and Mrs Griffiths have a married daughter, Lorna, who is also a teacher and lives in Saltash. Retirement gifts included a cheque for £62.50 and an oil painting.