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.

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

Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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