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.

Wins national dressmaking competition

When Miss Brenda Brown learned that she had won a national dressmaking competition with the trouser suit she is here seen modelling, she fainted.

Miss Brown (20) of The Store, Buckland Brewer, a member of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club was a Devon representative in the contest organised by the National Federation in Malvern. The 41 qualifiers had to model their creations so that the judges could assess the fit. The subject was a travel outfit to cost not more than £8 and Miss Brown was awarded 98½ per cent marks. She won not only a challenge cup but an electric sewing machine. When her name was announced she sank back in her chair, was urged forward to receive the cup – and passed out.

Gazette article dated 9 May 1969

Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

Equine pub crawl in Torrington

Two horses and a donkey caused quite a stir in Torrington on Saturday night. Led by Mr Laurie Alexander (seen in photograph) they visited the public bars of several local hostelries for a May Fair drink.

They had just trotted around the streets of Torrington in pouring rain as part of the gipsy camp tableaux entered for the Carnival by Mr Alexander and friends. “The evening began with just one donkey, but we ended up with a donkey and two horses. We didn’t have any trouble getting the horses to go in the pubs but it was quite a job trying to get them to turn round and go out again. They certainly seemed to enjoy their beer!”

Gazette article dated 9 May 1969

Thought of winning slogan in bath

Bideford mother wins 10,000 Green Shield Stamps

A bright idea that came to her as she was having a bath resulted in Mrs Barbara Purnell of Tonara, Rectory Park, Bideford, winning 10,000 Green Shield Stamps in the competition in the Gazette a fortnight ago.

She had answered the questions correctly but was then stuck for a slogan. But in the bath several hours later it came to her – “I can save for luxuries whilst buying necessities.” With the stamps, Mrs Purnell plans to buy a tri-pendant ceiling light, a wind-break for the beach and something for her two children Paul (3) and Claire (18 months). Her husband Tony is a chemist at Yelland Power Station where they met when she was employed there as a receptionist.