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.

Jobs for the girls

are being found in Bideford by local artist John Mills. Mr Mills from Hunter’s Lodge, Monkleigh is responsible for the painting club spot in Associated Rediffusion television children’s programme ‘Tuesday Rendezvous’ and each month he sets a nation-wide competition. Entries can sometimes be more than 10,000. In order to cope with the flood of entries a special post office box number was registered at Barnstaple. From there the entries are brought to Bideford and the Guides set about the task of opening them and sorting them into the four age groups. Last month 32 Guides were occupied for six or seven hours unwrapping 9,000 entries. This month they have to tackle more than 15,000.

Entries are received not only from all parts of this country and Eire, but even from France, but Mr Mills cannot recollect having seen a painting from Bideford, although there have been some from Hartland. Mr Mills has always felt it was a pity they could not be seen in their true colours so when it was suggested that a travelling exhibition should be arranged, he grabbed the opportunity. It is now in London and will eventually be sent round the world.

Gazette article 18 January 1963

Liked holidays here – so starts business

For years a London suburban businessman

brought his family to this district regularly for their holidays and each visit strengthened the ties of affection and widened the circle of friends. Gradually he came to look upon Bideford district as a place in which to live and work throughout the year. At last came the chance to purchase a home and there followed the opportunity of starting a business as well. Last week Mr Leslie Bosher opened the doors of No. 18 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, as an estate agents’ office. Mr H.G. Shute, a well-known Bidefordian has joined his staff.

Gazette article 14 December 1962

Entente Cordiale in Bideford

First Charolais to be born in North Devon

An eagerly awaited event in North Devon was the arrival in the early hours of Sunday of the first Charolais calf to be born in the area. It was born to a Shorthorn cow in the herd of Mr James Pickard of Oldiscleave Farm, Bideford. This, the cow’s fifth calf, was got by artificial insemination and no trouble was experienced. Mr Pickard found the calf, a heifer, only a few hours after it had been born, jumping around and apparently very strong on its feet. It weighed 105lb. Mr Pickard intends to rear the calf for experimental purposes with a view possibly of breeding from it dependent upon its progress and general conformation.

Gazette article 14 December 1962