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.

At Northam, the story was just the same – streets and the Northam Urban District Council offices decorated, etc.

On VE Day 2 morning, a united service was held at St Margaret’s Church, conducted by the Rev Rev E Basil Bridger (Vicar), assisted by the Rev A E Green (Congregational) and the Rev F E Paod (Methodist), the service being relayed by loudspeaker to the Square. In the evening another thanksgiving service was held at the Congregational Church, conducted by the Pastor (Rev A E Green).

Dances and community singing were held in the square on the eve of VE Day and on VE night and the night after – a dance also taking place at the YMCA – while bonfires proclaimed the good news as in olden times.

The celebration for the children is to be held at some future date.

Members of Northam Urban District Council and staff were among the large and representative congregation attending on Sunday morning at a thanksgiving service at St Margaret’s Church, Northam. The Vicar (Rev E Basil Bridger), conducted the service and gave the address.

Organisations attending included: Detachments of the Regular Forces with the ATS; Home Guards, Civil Defence, WVS, Special Constables, British Legion, and Girl Guides, etc.

The service concluded with singing. Mr H E Champion being the organist.

Gazette article dated

Langtree

Merry peals were rung on the bells at the church throughout the day on Tuesday to celebrate the surrender of Germany.

Mr Charles Walters had the misfortune to break his leg owing to the bell rope breaking. Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.

Thanksgiving services were held in the evening at both the church and chapel. In the evening a grand social was held in the Old Schoolroom where there was a large gathering and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Mrs Barrows, Mrs Madge, Mrs Curtis and Miss Joan Moore supplied the music. Funds were in aid of Welcome Home to the Forces.

Gazette article dated 15 May 1945

Hartland

There were large congregations at the Methodist Sunday School anniversary services on May 6th.

The Rev A Evens Clarke conducted. Special and regular singing was good throughout, Mr Christmas being the organist. Norman Colwill and Arthur Beer read lessons and with other scholars made the collections.

Sports were held on the Tuesday following, the Rev A E Clarke and Messrs Ern Short and Arthur Thorne being in charge. Tea was served by Mesdames Colwill, Headon, E Heard, M Heard, Wesley Heard, H James, H Jeffery, Misses E Colwill, K Colwill, E Heywood, I Jeffery, Johnson, Ruby Rowe. Evening services, recitations, etc. were postponed a week.

VE Day 11am service at the Methodist Church was conducted by Rev A E Clarke. A large and appreciative congregation contributed over £4 to the Methodist Rebuilding Fund for the blitzed areas and Protestant churches on the Continent.

Hartland’s bells rang for two hours on the afternoon of VE Day. At 7pm the Home Guards, Cadets, Air Raid Precautions, Home Guard Women, Women’s Voluntary Service, Women’s Institute, First Aid and public assembled at the school, and led by the band (under Mr Snow) marched the the abundantly beflagged streets to the Square, which had been marked out for respective positions, and kept clear of cars by Special Constables on point duty at cross roads.

The Vicar (Preb I L Gregory) spoke on the greatness of the day and the need of thanksgiving, sobered by the thoughts that victory meant sacrifice of multitudes and that a cruel foe had yet to bite the dust. Rev A Evens Clarke took the prayers and read the lesson.

Fireworks followed for a long time. A dance in the Hall raised £34 for the Parish Council Welcome Home Fund.

Gazette article dated 15 May 1945