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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.

Appledore shipyard on schedule

New covered shipyard being built for Appledore Shipbuilders

Right on schedule is work on the £150,000 covered shipyard being built at Bidna Marsh for Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. It began 6 months ago and it is hoped that the dock will be in operation by the end of this year. Ships up to 400 feet in length will be constructed under cover. The first, says the managing director, Mr Jim Venus, will be a 3,000 ton dredger for Amey Marine Ltd. Orders for nine other vessels won by the firm take the order book up to 1971. All of the vessels listed are too large to have been built in the existing Richmond Dock.

Gazette article 26 September 1969

Largest bottled ship in world

Appledore carpenter claims world record

A self-employed Appledore carpenter claimed a world record this week. Mr Colin Cleaver contends that he has made the world’s largest ship in a bottle. His magnificent 16½ inch long scale replica of a triple-masted 16th century “Barbary Coast Pirate” is built inside a 10 gallon carboy that has a mouth only 2½ in. in diameter.

The method is that all the rigging on the vessel is completed before introduction into the bottle. The masts are “hinged” to the deck, holes are drilled through the bowsprit and thread passed through them enables the rigging to be pulled upright.

The model represents 350 hours of work and is valued at around £70.

Gazette article 3 October 1969

Devil gets marching orders

Devil sent packing from Shebbear

With a huge heave and a roar of relief the Devil was sent packing for a further year at Shebbear last night. In a ceremony dating back hundreds of years the village bellringers rolled over the famous half-ton Shebbear Stone to ward off evil spirits.

Only once in living memory has the stone not been turned on November 5. That was because Shebbear’s able-bodied men were all away at the war. But such was the concern over the omission that enough helpers were found to rectify matters the following night.

Postmaster Mr Michael Mill was in charge of last night’s ceremony, following a family tradition that has gone on for generations. He said: “It is not that anyone seriously believes this Devil business. In fact, we get a little upset that so many people these days refer to the Shebbear stone as the Devil Stone. It is, however, an ancient country custom unique to Shebbear and one which we thoroughly enjoy observing. Mind you, I would not say everyone would feel at ease if the stone were not turned. A lot of people not at the ceremony will be asking ‘Did you turn the stone? That’s all right, then!’ They like to be reassured you see.”

The stone itself is thought to have been held in ceremonial regard in Shebbear since Pagan times. When the parish council ordered a sample from it to be analysed experts could not place its origin. A theory that it could have been a chunk of metal from outer space has not been completely discounted. The tampering appears not to have brought any harm upon Shebbear as an isolated but thriving and friendly community. But to make doubly sure, the bellringers clanged their peal in Devil-defying discord last night before the annual turning of the stone.

Western Morning News article 6 November 1975