Featured Articles

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Hinks' shipyard hoping to move

It is not only the larger shipyards on the River Torridge that are booming. The oldest on the river, that of Messrs. J. Hinks and Son of Appledore which has been in Irsha Street since the business was founded more than a century ago, hopes to move to a site near the old gas works.

23 June 1967 Move for oldest boatyard on the Torridge

It will now be possible to build larger craft but there will not be the problems of getting them away. Now they have to be partially dismantled. One of the yard’s latest products is seen in the picture, photographed as it travelled through Bideford en route to Bournemouth. A 32 ft. fishing boat it has been fitted out mostly for crabbing purposes.

Gazette article 23 June 1967

All for the love of a lady!

Sea captain stakes almost everything to save schooner

23 June 1967 All for the love of a lady

Ship’s captain 45 year old William P. Davis of Llanmaes, Glamorgan is now considering giving up his job and risking everything to save his love from the graveyard. She is the three-masted schooner the Kathleen and May back again in Appledore where for years she was one of the most picturesque visitors on the waterfront. She has the distinction of being the last Welsh-built trading vessel afloat and the last three-masted wooden trading schooner.

She was launched as the Lizzie May at Connah’s Quay in 1900 and for years sailed from Appledore under the ownership and command of Capt. Tommy Jewell. Capt. Jewell sold her six years ago because of lack of coasting cargoes, and she was apparently destined to become a luxury yacht for South Seas cruising. However Capt. Davis saw her in Southampton last year and made an offer which to his surprise was accepted. Last July Capt. Davis moved the Kathleen and May to Barry and last week with the help of friends he brought the vessel into Appledore.

He would like to preserve her for coasting purposes but to equip the vessel with sails will cost about £1,000, at least eight being needed.

Gazette article 23 June 1967

Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

Swedish craftsmen teach their skills to local people

County Council chairman Mr Gerald Whitmarsh officially opened the new glass factory built by Dartington Glass Ltd. on behalf of the Dartington Hall Trustees and which will run side by side with the Beaford Centre. Profits from the factory will support the Centre.

16 June 1967 Factory opens at Torrington

About 20 Swedish craftsmen are now at work, passing on their skills to local young people. In the autumn a training scheme will be inaugurated. Eight school leavers will be instructed by a master teacher and three other skilled glass-workers. To become master blowers will take them eight or nine years.

Gazette article 16 June 1967