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.

Four sisters reunite in Bideford

Four sisters, average age 73, are staying together under one roof for the first time since girlhood. Mrs Alice Billings (78) now of Toronto, Canada, returned to North Devon last month which she first left in 1913, to be reunited with her sisters and brother.

Mrs Nellie Harris (70) of 17 Fore Street, Langree, and Mrs Edith Gerry (81) of Sutcombe, have temporarily moved in with Mrs Dora Hutchings (64) who lives at St Elvis, Northdown Road, Bideford. Their brother, Mr George Beal, lives at 2 Hillside Terrace, Pitt Lane, Bideford.

Born in Frithelstock, Mrs Billings emigrated to Canada 12 months after her fiancé and they were married. She returned home for a period during World War I in which her husband was fatally wounded and subsequently re-married. She last visited her family in 1951.

Bideford four sisters reunited

Left to right in photograph are: Mrs N. Harris, Mrs A. Billings, Mrs D. Hutchings, Mrs E. Gerry and Mr Beal.

Gazette article dated 20 June 1969

Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

Crane escapes from Bideford Zoo

After exploring Bideford for some 24 hours after his escape from Bideford Zoo, Kiki, a large West African crowned crane took up residence in the Kenwith Valley meadows. Over four feet high and with a wing span of well over six feet, Kiki has evaded all attempts by the zoo’s owner, Mrs Katherine Tottenham, to recapture him. A tape recording of his female mate, reported to be missing him, failed to lure him back. The bird could survive the summer months quite happily, says Mrs Tottenham, but with the arrival of the winter frosts would almost certainly die.

Our photograph was taken early during his escape when he was exploring town vantage points. Cressy, the chimp, is blamed for having made a hole in the roof of the cage from which Kiki escaped.

Gazette article dated 11 July 1969

Computer stars at Bideford Grammar School

Computer receives finishing touches at Bideford Grammar School

“Baserc,”, or to give it its full title “Bideford’s Adding and Subtracting Electronic Research Computer,” receives some finishing touches before taking pride of place at an open evening at Bideford Grammar School.

Bideford computer stars

The computer began as a sixth-form project three years ago when four sixth-formers each donated five pounds for the purchase of electronic components. Recently the computer was completed, most of the work being done by Michael Fleetwood (Sixth Lower) of Bideford, seen in photograph.

The computer has the ability to remember information and numbers fed into it. Further numbers can be fed in with instructions to add or subtract and the result is shown in lights at the bottom. Additional units may be fitted to allow the computer to multiply and divide.

Gazette article dated 18 July 1969