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.

North Devon Museum Project funding appeal

The first major acquisition by the North Devon Museum Project is the Taw and Torridge lighter JJRP, the last of the local sailing gravel barges. An appeal has been launched for funds to restore and preserve the boat, the Jack and Julie Rapson Pile. ‘It has been lying in the river for ages and it is just on the border line where something can still be done with it,’ said Mr Barry Hughes one of the prime movers in the Project.

Bid to save last sailing barge

It is hoped that the barge can become a floating exhibit. A good deal of voluntary work will be needed. Mr Felton Vowler of Bideford Grammar School is seen in the picture with some of the boys assessing the task ahead.

Gazette article 10 May 1974

Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

Unusual start to May Fair

‘Eyes front’ may or may not have been on the mind of Torrington Cavaliers’ captain Dave Kelly as Bournemouth stripper Honey West waved for the photographer before setting off on her Lady Godiva trip around the streets of Torrington to give the annual May Fair an early and unusual start.

Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

As far as the Cavaliers were concerned it was a gimmick that proved successful. Mr Kelly reported yesterday that there had been no direct complaints to him although in protest one customer had cancelled a standing order with a local businessman with Cavalier associations.

Will Lady Godiva return to Torrington? Barely no chance at all, says Mr Kelly.

Gazette article 10.5.74

Calligrapher extraordinary

Miss Sheila Hutchinson –

calligrapher, artist, naturalist, political worker and occasional journalist, born in Weare Giffard in 1906 and educated at West Bank School, Bideford – now lives in Tower House, Orchard Hill, using as a studio the turret of the fine old home.

Calligrapher extraordinary Miss Hutchinson inherited artistic gifts from both her parents. Her father was a professional soldier and a talented watercolour painter, but expected her to stay at home and be a domesticated daughter of the house. She was eventually allowed to attend classes at Bideford Art School, under the direction of Mr Percy Heard. She subsequently went to London to study at the Hammersmith College of Art and Central School of Arts and Crafts giving her a thorough grounding in the history of art as well as design and lettering.

As well as her calligraphy, Miss Hutchinson is a skilled watercolour painter with a total understanding of the contour and ambience of North Devon. She has actually walked or bicycled the entire course of the River Torridge from source to estuary stopping to paint as the spirit moved her and thus producing a series of pictures.

Miss Hutchinson’s incredible versatility and appetite for life are reflected in her remarkable record of activities including membership of Bideford and Westward Ho! Art society, Bideford Ladies Rowing Club, Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society, Exmore Society, and vice-president of North Devon Division Liberal Association and present of Bideford (town) Liberals.

Gazette article 26 April 1974