Commemorative

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.

In this Coronation photograph taken at Buckingham Palace,

are (left to right): Princess Alexandra of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent, The Duchess of Kent, Princess Margaret, Her Majesty The Queen, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; (behind) – The Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Kent; The Princess Royal, The Duchess of Gloucester, Prince William and Prince Richard of Gloucester
Gazette dated 5 June 1953

Rejoicing Continues Until Midnight

Bonfires and Fireworks Light up the Skies

Services, television, decorations, sports, dancing
The blazing Coronation night bonfires that could be seen lighting up the skies all around the district were symbols of the warm-hearted loyalty and affection of the large crowds which kept up the day’s celebrations until midnight.
Bideford greeted Coronation day with the full ceremonial of colour hoisting. Following in the namesake of the first Elizabethan era, TS Revenge took pride of place in the ceremony and from her company of Sea Cadets came the colour parties which did duty at the official flagstaffs on the Quay and in the Victoria Park. The Mayor of Bideford, Cllr C A Grant, and Harbour Master, Capt P Brennan, were at the Town Hall flag staff, the Mayoress, Mrs C A Grant on board TS Revenge, and a party of the Army Cadet Force at Chudleigh Fort.
With the dressing lines up, Bideford Town Silver Band, under Bandmaster A J Headon, played the National Anthem.
The telegram sent on behalf of Bideford for delivery to Her Majesty on Tuesday was as follows: ‘The historic Borough, Manor and Port of Bideford in Devon offer warmest loyal greetings to Your Gracious Majesty and to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and to your Royal children and we humbly but fervently extend to you and to them our loving thoughts and congratulations on this great day in the history of our beloved county. May God bless and keep you all’ Signed Charles Grant, Mayor’.
Wards were decorated and there were special menus in the three Bideford hospitals, and many of the patients watched the Coronation proceedings on television sets installed in the wards. At the Torridge Hospital, Mrs Jane Anstey, who is 101, was among those watching the broadcast. Coronation iced cakes specially prepared for each ward by hospital chef Mr R Jury were cut by the Matron, Mrs Morris.
The comic ‘rug-ball’ match between Bideford Association Football Club and Bideford Rugby Club nearly did not take place for, with the players line up on the field, it was found the Press had ‘borrowed’ the rugger ball. Perhaps it was because the soccer men were hampered by their long women’s underwear and the rugby players had to hold up pyjama trousers and remove their headgear or false noses to head the ball that there was no score at half-time. The game was refereed by Mr R Ellis and players were: E R Harris, G Cork, M C Bird, C T Mill, R Colwill, M Sawtell, T N Trickey, C Davis, B J Cording, T Fogaty, L Tithecott, K Harris, R Anstis, C Higgins, P Williams, M Green, D Bromell, M Drew, P Adams, D Bale, K Hearn and P Rivers.
Bideford Youth Club presented an hour of ‘music and fun’. Those taking part were: Eric Littlejohn, Maureen and Sylvia Powe, Bob Tithecott, Alan Curtis, Malcolm Low and the Youth Club Singers.
Hundreds of excited children, parents and friends witnessed the lighting of the bonfire at Pollyfield by the Mayoress. The bonfire, which was erected by the 2nd Bideford Boy Scouts, included three tons of wood in its construction. The Mayoress was accompanied by the Mayor, the Town Clerk (Mr F C Backway), and the secretary of the Coronation Committee, Miss M Mercer. Scouts formed the Guard of Honour.
Around the distant horizon the bonfires could still be seen and at the back of the Royal Hotel there was a gay and bright unofficial bonfire.
After being towed down to Tanton’s Hotel side of the Long Bridge earlier in the evening, the fireship, which was provided by Messrs M W Blackmore and Sons, had a minor difficulty reaching the Quay.
Bunting fluttered in the wind from the tiny huddle of stone buildings at the top of Lundy cliff path. Near the tavern, the Union Flag flew from the masthead. Lundy North and Lundy South lighthouse staffs also hoisted the Union Flag. A party was held at the Marisco Tavern. There were songs and dances and the resident agent, Mr F W Gade, proposed the Loyal Toast – ‘The Queen, God bless her’.
The full Gazette article is dated 5 June 1953

Old People And Children Entertained At Northam

Special provision was made at Northam and Orchard Hill for the old people of the two wards.

The television programme of the Coronation was relayed for them in the Congregational Hall from 10 o’clock in the morning until 4.30 in the afternoon with a break for lunch which was also taken in the Hall.
Councillors of the two wards and members of the Coronation Committee assembled at the Council Chambers at 8.45 to witness the hoisting of the flag by Mr John Heywood. Then followed the parade to the united service at St Margaret’s Parish Church.
Sports for all the children of all ages took place in the field adjoining the Church Hall. Tea was served in the Church Hall for children up to seven years and later there was tea for those over seven and under 15.
In the early evening a children’s tableaux and concert was presented. They were Rita Bishop (May Queen), Heather Eastman, Jill Prouse, Carol Short, Carol Badcock (Rose Queen), Judith Harris, Elizabeth Corke, Janet Pierce, Janet Taylor, John Gorrell, Michael Franks, Margaret Wilcox, Sandra Taylor, June Jones, Jennifer Williams, Ann Harman, Nancy Gorrell, Janet Keen, Mary Franks, Stephen Parkhouse, Tony Bishop, Pat Withecombe, Billy Franks and Terry Prouse. Swords were made by Mr S Harman and flowers by Mrs Cross. The arrangements were by Mrs G L Crombie.
Judging the fancy dress was Dr and Mrs C J Carey. To round off the celebrations a bonfire was lit in Humpty Dumpty Field by Mr Heywood.
The winners of the best shop window competition were: I W Watts; G Colwill and Mrs Hutchings. The judges were Mr W J A Corke and Mrs Cameron.
The telegram to the Queen from the Chairman of the Council read: “Congratulations and loyal greetings from the Northam Urban District, Devon” – Heywood (Chairman).

5.6.1953 Northam2