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.

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

The full Gazette article is dated 5 June 1953

No Coronation Day Babies

For mothers-to-be in Bideford, Torrington and the surrounding districts Coronation day was tinged with disappointment for, so far as can be ascertained from exhaustive Bideford and North Devon Gazette inquiries, not a single baby was born in this area on Coronation day.

Several babies were expected to be born at about Coronation day but twins born at Beaford to Mrs Bright, on the Monday, and a boy to Mrs Johns, of St Leonards, Hartland, on the Wednesday were among the nearest to the actual day.
Quite a number of districts had offered silver spoons as souvenirs to Coronation babies and at Westleigh, where the souvenir takes the form of a set of Coronation coins, the offer is open for a week.
The full Gazette article is dated 5 June 1953

West Women Win

Women’s Football At Bideford

In a women’s Coronation soccer match at the King George V Memorial Ground on Coronation Eve, the Bideford West team, by scoring eight goals in the second half, made their total ten goals without reply against their East-the-Water rivals.
Both teams had trained seriously and considerable interest had been aroused by this match. Hard as both teams tried, however, their efforts were generally accompanied by the laughter from the large crowd present.
At regular intervals, a flock of about a dozen sheep galloped playfully across the pitch and the referee, Mr L M J Sharley, had the rather difficult task of trying to control the sheep and ladies ‘trying’ to play football.
Bideford West attacked throughout this 70 minute game so much that their goalkeeper, M Oke, never touched the ball. Without the good work of the Shamwickshire keeper, C Harris, the score might have been doubled.
The teams were – M Oke, M Rowse, B Nichols, M Potter, M Tucker, F Cole, M England, M Joy, K England, A Beer, J Bryant; C Harris, D Tyrell, L Hutchings, R Rendle, G Spry, R Lamey, M Hewins, B Hill,