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.

Her Majesty’s ‘Invitation to Youth’ broadcast from Capetown in 1947 on the occasion of her 21st birthday, has been printed on a card together with a reproduction of a photograph of the Queen seated at the microphone before making that famous speech and copies will be distributed as a Coronation memento to all children at Westward Ho!

29.5.1953 WHo

The day’s celebrations commence with a united service at Holy Trinity Church at 9.15am. To conclude the day a gala evening, which will include olde-time and modern dancing, games and a fancy dress parade, commences in the Kingsley Hall at 8pm.

The old people of Westward Ho! have not been forgotten. A coach outing has been arranged for them for the Thursday after the Coronation and Mrs M D Rowe and Miss V Lewis, of Lewis’s Café will be carrying out the invitation extended by their late mother, Mrs H Lewis, for the party to take tea at the café at the conclusion of the tour. To commemorate the Coronation, Westward Ho! Women’s Institute are planning to plant two flowering trees in the autumn.

To help raise funds, a large cake was given for competition by Mrs W Powell. Bideford and District Cricket Club, whose playing pitch is at Westward Ho! made a donation.

Chairman of the Coronation Committee is Mr J Wickham and Mrs N M Gibbs is secretary.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

Bidefordian Among Mounted Escort

He is Trooper J Bright, of the Household Cavalry (The Life Guards), grandson of the late Ald. J H Bright (a former Mayor of Bideford).

29.5.1953 Trooper Bright

Born in 1934, he left with his parents to live at Stockport in 1939 but has since spent several holidays at Bideford. He will be recalled in particular by members of the BARC. After the Coronation Trooper Bright will be going to Scotland for escort duties during the Queen's visit there.

The Gazette article is dated 19 May 1953

East and West Putford

East and West Putford are combining to celebrate the Coronation and some £62 for this purpose was raised from a house to house collection and donations.

29.5.1953 Putford

Mr J Walter, chairman of the organising committee, has lent a field for the afternoon children’s sports which follow the combined service in the Parish Church to be conducted by the Vicar, assisted by Mr Walling (Methodist). Putford’s Women’s Institute have taken over the arrangements for the parish tea in the Methodist Schoolroom and the children will be presented with their souvenir mugs as they leave. Sports for the grown-ups take place in the evening and a social and dance in the Council schoolroom ends the day.

At various times during the day the bells of the Parish Church will be adding their contribution to the celebrations.

Full Gazette article dated 29 May 1953