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.

Coronation - Parkham - 11th May 1937

Parkham

Public subscriptions amounting to £40 have been raised at Parkham and a varied programme of events will be enjoyed. Chairman of the Committee is Mr G A Jacob and Messrs H D Dack and G E Honey are the hon. secretary and hon. treasurer respectively.
The programme commences at 3pm with a short service in the Parish Church. At 3.45pm there will be a meat tea for the children in the Rectory room and there will be a similar tea for all other parishioners at 4.30pm. After tea there will be sports for the children and skittles competitions for adults both ladies and gentlemen. Everyone has some ideas for fancy dress and so come along in your costumes to the social evening at the Council School. There will be three classes - ladies, gentlemen and children. Each child will be presented with a Coronation beaker and a Coronation beaker will also be provided for every householder where there are no children of school age. The bonfire on Melbury which is to be lighted at ten o'clock by Mrs A George assisted by Miss M Bryant, should be seen for many miles around. The day will conclude with a dance in the school room from 10pm until midnight.

Coronation - Northam - 1937

Coronation - Northam - 11th May 1937

Northam - Pageant of Empire

The pealing of the Church Bells, at an early hour, will let residents of Northam know that the great day has arrived. From then until late at night a splendid programme of events has been drawn up by the Coronation Celebrations Committee, with Mr C E Palmer as Chairman, Captain F C Barton M.C. Hon. Secretary, and Mr B G Billingham, Hon
Treasurer. Councillors, officials, British Legion and other bodies will march in procession to the Church at 9.45am for a united service at the close of which the Coronation Ceremony will be broadcast.
The special feature of the day, and one which has been cardfully planned, commences at 2pm when over 180 children and adults will take part in a "Pageant of Empire". Rev. A E Green is pageant master and this should prove the event of the day. The procession commences at the Square and marches to the Vicarage Field via North Street, North-East Street, Cross Street, and Fore Street. Tea for adult residents comes at 4pm and while they are having tea the children's sports will take place. At 5pm the children are to have tea. From 6-7pm there be adult sports.
A novelty, and one that promises to be a great success, takes place at 7pm - a free entertainment for residents in the Church Hall. The King's Speech will be broadcast during the entertainment. A fireworks display will be given at 10pm and from then until the "wee small hours" residents only will join in a free dance in the Church Hall. Side shows will be open from 4-7pm.
The Committee were well-equipped with funds for the day's celebrations, thanks especially to the people themselves, who gave generously to a house-to-house collection, and to donations from the Burrows Committee, RN Devon Golf Club, Northam Ladies Golf Club, R.A.O.B, Northam Chamber of Trade, and the Junior Imperial League. The funds were helped by a share, amounting to £39 1s 3d, of the penny rate given by the Northam Urban District Council. The amount from collecting boxes was £2 4s 6d, and from the house-to-house collection £27.

Coronation - Putford - 1937

Coronation - Putford - 11th May 1937

Putford

Putford Church bells will be rung at intervals throughout Coronation day, when all the parishioners will participate with true Coronation spririt in the day's events. A united service in the Parish Church at 2pm will be followed by sports for children and adults which will last throughout the afternoon and early part of the evening, with a break for a free tea for all. At the tea, mugs are to be presented to all children under school leaving age.
The King's speech will be broadcast at Churston Barn at 8pm and from then until 1am on Thursday a social and dance will be held in the school room, where free refreshments will be provided.
The Rev J Williams (Rector) has acted as Chairman of the Celebrations Committee, in the place of Capt. Farewell C.I.E R.I.N who was unable to attend meetings through indisposition. Mrs M G Kingdon (Headteacher at the School) is Hon. Secretary and Mr P J Walter, of Churston Manor, Hon. Treasurer. A house-to-house collection for funds received a generous response, about £17 being raised.