Newspapers

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.

Local Villages

Woolsery

The Methodist cause at Woolsery has lost a devoted supporter in the person of Mr James H Wonnacott, of Slade Cottage, Clovelly, whose unexpected death caused deep regret in the district. Mr Wonnacott, aged 62, had lived in the neighbourhood all his life. He served in the Great War of 1914-1918. Before going to live at Slade Cottage, where they have been for over twenty years, Mr and Mrs Wonnacott and their family resided at Woolsery. At the funeral, at Clovelly, where relatives of the deceased are also buried, many local families were represented, and among the numerous floral tributes was a wreath from the Sunday School scholars and friends of Woolsery Methodist Church, where Mr Wonnacott had been a Sunday School teacher for some years, and where he will be greatly missed. He leaves a widow and grown-up family of one daughter and seven sons, also four grandchildren, to whom deep sympathy is extended.

The Institute funds benefited considerably by a whist drive and dance, for which arrangements were made by the hon. treasurer (Mr A Perkins) and Mr Mullard, hon. secretary. Woolsery band provided music, and Messrs Perkins, C J Andrews, J Cardew were at the door. Mr J Short was MC for the whist drive, for which results were: Ladies – Mrs E Johns; Miss Woodcock (WLA). Gents – C B Griffiths; W Prance. Mrs G E Mullard ran a competition for a cake which she had made and given, Mr Ackland being the winner. A competition run by Mr A Perkins for cigarettes resulted in LAC G H Harris (Bradworthy) winning. Refreshments were served by Mrs E Johns and her helpers.

Clovelly

At a whist drive at the Squash Court on December 15th, organised by members, the proceeds, £6 10s 6d, were for wool for navy comforts and Christmas parcels for orphans. Prizes were given by members, also refreshments. Miss B Cruse and M Arnold carried out the duties of MC. Refreshments were in charge of Mrs G Kelly. The Hon. Mrs Asquith presented the prizes, which were won as follows: Ladies – Mrs C Perham; Mrs Asquity. Gents – Mrs W Headon; Mr H Mathews. Lucky numbers: Gent – W Broomfield; lady – Miss E Johns. Competition for eggs, Miss H Colwill.

A fine of 10s was imposed by Bideford County Bench on Tuesday on John Thomas Moore, of The Beeches, Horns Cross, for driving a motor-cycle when not the holder of a licence to do so. Evidence was given by PCs West and Wilson. Defendant’s explanation was that he had overlooked renewing the licence.

Holsworthy Property Sale. Keen competition was evident at the Crown and Sceptre Hotel, Holsworthy, when Messrs Kivell and Sons offered for sale two freehold small holdings at The Beacon, Holsworthy, within three miles of the town. A house and outbuildings, with 14 acres of productive land, occupied by Mr Thomas Yelland, was purchased by Mr W J Watkins, of The Beacon, for £1,600. A dwelling-house with outbuildings and about 23 acres of productive land, occupied by Mr D Heard, was also purchased by Mr Watkins for £1,450. Messrs Peter, Peter and Sons, of Holsworthy, were the solicitors for the vendors.

Kilkhampton – Parents and friends were invited to a concert at the Church of England Junior School. The programme consisted of carols, songs, and recitations by Classes 1 and 2, action songs and recitations by the infants, a solo ‘Away in a manager’ by Joyce Hocken, and each class presented a short play. The Rector (Rev W Greener) on behalf of those present, thanked the teachers and children for an enjoyable afternoon. A collection was taken for the prisoners of war food parcels fund. As a result of this effort, together with a sale of articles made by the children and the collecting of ‘ship’ halfpennies, Miss Baker has forwarded o the Junior Red Cross headquarters the sum of £5 10s.

Hartland

Mr William Avery, 80, who died at 2 Fair View, Bradworthy, on December 7th, had farmed many years at Sandy Moor, Ashwater. He was taken ill while on a visit to his only daughter, Mrs Staddon. The eldest of three sons of John and Catherine Avery, of Fattacott, he and Richard were baptised at our Parish Church November 3rd 1863. Richard died July 1935, aged 71, and the youngest, Lewis, February 1936, aged 70. An older step-brother, John, lived at Bucks Cross. William married at Stoke in November 1899, Ellen, daughter of thatcher John Colwill, of Harton Close. She was unable to attend the funeral at Bradworthy through illness.

Methodist collection for Bideford Hospital on Sunday, December 12th, amounted to £2 14s. and was made up to £3.

Further details of the Red Cross sale, etc. on market day show total increased to £524 16s 1d. Collectors’ books brought Hartland: £108 6s 1d, Welcombe £14 6s 6d, part Clovelly £19 10s, later donations £2 16s.

Methodist Sunday School made a collection for Dr Barnardo’s Homes on Sunday, December 19th, raising 12s.

Parkham Christmas Fund For The Prisoners of War.

The following subscribers to the above fund won the prizes given below. The names of the donors are given in parenthesis: Goose (Mrs G A Jacob), Mr Marshall, Bude; duck (Mrs Slee, Halsbury), R Yarde, Parkham; fowl (Mr Jenkins, Horns Cross), Mr Petherick, East Putford; fowl (Mrs E George, Cabbacott), Miss Snape, Hoops; brace of rabbits (Mrs Daniels, Bocombe), T T Garnett, Bideford; bottle of whiskey (Mr Snape, Hoops), G E Slee, Nutaberry, Bideford E; bottle of whiskey (Mr F C Stillman, Horns Cross), Mr Cording, Bideford; bottle of gin (Mr S Arnold, Parkham), H S Turner, Bideford; cigarettes (Mrs Allardice, Mrs Slee and Mrs G A Jacob, Parkham), Mrs Keeley, Parkham, Mrs Bichop, Parkham, and Ronald Crisp, Bideford; chocolates (Mrs G A Jacob, Mrs Souch, Parkham, and Mr Morris, Bideford), Mrs Daniel, Horns Cross, Mrs Reeves, Parkham, and E Beer, Hallsannery; basket of apples (Mr W George, Cabbacott), Mr Pett, Shebbear.

The committee wish to express their grateful thanks to the donors and all those who subscribed to the fund. The total amount subscribed was approximately £50.

Milton Damerel – A very enjoyable was spent at the Church Hall at a social organised by members of the Milton Damerel First Aid Party for Christmas gifts to local men and women serving in HM Forces.

‘Ulster the British Bridgehead’ – is the title to the attractive illustrated pamphlet just issued by the Government of Northern Ireland. Mr Churchill, whose visits to Ulster in the past have not been without their excitement, writes in a foreword “But for the loyalty of Northern Ireland… we should have been confronted with slavery and death.”

Alwington – The death has occurred of Mr A J Bale, aged 66, whose funeral took place at Alwington Church. He had been in failing health for some time. His wife died twelve months ago. Rev R W Groom conducted the service, and Miss P Beer was at the organ. The immediate mourners were Mrs J Bailey and Mrs Smith, daughters; Arthur and Carrie, grandchildren; Mr J Bailey and Mrs W Bale, son-in-law and daughter-in-law; Mr and Mrs F Sines, Mr and Mrs H Smith, friends. Mr and Mrs H Smith, friends. Mr W Bale (son) and Mr C Smith (son-in-law) were unable to attend owing to serving with HM Forces, Middle East. Bearers were Messrs. A G F Bailey, G Beer, F Squires and W Becklake. Among sympathisers present were Messrs J Wickett, J Kievill, C Parsons, A Sergent, H Squire, E T Lott and L Lott, Mesdames Jenkins, Colwill, Beer, Westaway, Bailey, Daniel and Miss E Squire and others. There were many floral tributes, including one from the villagers at Woodtown.