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.

Two ceremonies recognised bravery

Two ceremonies recognised the bravery of Richard Thornley (13) of Ennerdale, The Square, Shebbear when a bull attacked and fatally injured his father, Mr Samuel Thornley. At the first ceremony, held at Torrington Magistrates’ Court, Richard was presented with the Royal Humane Society's testimonial on vellum. Also receiving a society award, a testimonial on parchment, for the part he played in trying to drive off the bull, was Mr Charles Haste, of North Galmington Farm, Shebbear. Later in the day, at Shebbear College, of which he is a pupil, Richard received the Queen’s Award for Bravery from the Lord Lieutenant of Devon (Lord Roborough).

Shebbear bravery against bull

The action which led to the awards began as Mr Thornley was trying to get a bull into a cattle lorry. The bull knocked Mr Thornley to the ground and started pawing and butting him. Richard ran to help his father and started hitting and shouting at the bull in an effort to drive it away, but the animal turned and knocked him to the ground and started pawing him. Mr Haste also tried to distract the bull by hitting it with a stick, but then want for help. When he returned with two other men, the bull had quietened down. Richard and his father were rushed to hospital in Barnstaple where Mr Thornley later died.

Gazette article dated 22 August 1969

Modern living at Bideford

High Park Estate, Bideford opens

On Wednesday at High Park, Clovelly Road, Bideford, Mr Alec Goodman, a member of the Building Societies’ Association Council, opened the South Western Electricity Board’s showhouse.

Bideford High Park Estate opens

High Park development’s location was carefully selected to add character and charm to the estate. It stands against a background of woods and meadowland giving a delightful countryside setting, yet all the amenities of town life are just around the corner.

High Park consists of craftsman-built all-electric bungalow homes offering a choice of one or two bedrooms in a variation of terraced and semi-detached dwellings with garage.

Gazette article dated 25 July 1969

Delivered the mail for 50 years

Hartland postman retires after 50 years service

Hartland postman retires after 50 years

“I don’t know how many thousands of miles I have walked delivering letters in the past 50 years,” said Mr Alfonso Dayman at a ceremony in his Hartland home to mark his completion of nearly half a century’s service with the Post Office. He began work in September 1919 at Hartland Post Office as a telegram messenger boy. In those days this service was much more used as there were so few telephones and he often worked a 12-hour-day, his journeys taking him to all parts of the parish. Mr Dayman delivered letters on foot, by cycle and latterly in a mail van in this area. Unfortunately ill-health has terminated Mr Dayman’s service.

Gazette article dated 25 July 1969