Associations

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.

Eight new members were welcomed

by the President (Mrs. Hilder) at this month’s meeting of Westward Ho! W.I., held in the Kingsley Hall. They were Mesdames Blackburn, Eatwell, Hopper, senr., Hopper junr., Langley, Peace, Smith and Miss A. Hopper.

It was reported that the jumble sale held on November 22nd had realised £16 8s. 9d., and that two parcels had been sent to the Institute’s D.P.s. Toys were collected for Broomhayes Nursery.

Mrs. J. Hopper was nominated as Group Secretary.

The challenge cup, given by Mrs. Hilder, for the member gaining the highest number of marks in competitions during the year, was won by Mrs. Wilkey. Miss E. V. Hearn was second, and Miss A. Hearn third. The monthly competition for a hand-made Christmas card, was judged by Miss Anne Pooley and resulted: 1, Miss E. V. Hearn; 2, Miss Pennington; 3, Mrs. Wilkey.

Mrs. Tomlinson, W.V.S, gave a short talk on Civil Defence and also thanked the Drama Group and choir, in advance, for the entertainment they are giving on December 15th for The Chalet.

PANTOMIME

A large audience of members and friends enjoyed hearing the choir, conducted by Mrs. Trapnell junr., with Mrs Trapnell, senr., at the piano. Tea was served by Mrs. Babb and helpers, and then the Drama Group gave a pantomime called “Cinderella, 20 years on.” Produced by Mrs. M. Munro, it was enthusiastically received, and great credit is due to all concerned. Mrs. E. Hemmell thanked all who had helped to put on such a good show.

The trading stall was kept busy.

Officers and Committee for the ensuing year are: President, Mrs. Hilder; secretary, Mrs. Joan Moore; treasurer, Mrs. Robson; assistant treasurer, Mrs. I. McHale; vice-presidents, Mrs. Polly Babb and Mrs F. Jarratt; competitions, Mrs. P. Stevens; activities, Mrs. H. Stephens, Mrs Lake; trading stall, Mrs. Parker, Mrs Squire, Mrs White; teas, Mrs. Babb; press and social time, Mrs. Jarratt; registrars, Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Jarratt.

Gazette newspaper dated 19 December 1958

Mrs Ruth Courtney

First WI Chairman From North Devon

Mrs Ruth Courtney, who lives in Bay View Road, Northam, has become the first WI member from North Devon to be elected chairman of the 15,000 strong County WI Federation.

She is a former president of the Abbotsham institute, which she joined 22 years ago, and for seven years was secretary of the Bideford group of WIs.
Mrs Courtney, born and brought up in Dartmouth, holds an honours degree in French and Latin and spent some earlier years teaching. She is the wife of Mr Gerald Courtney who before retirement taught at Bideford Grammar School for many years.

The full Gazette article is dated 13 May 1977

Sea Cadet Corps Awarded Honour

Bideford Sea Cadets’ award stimulates recruiting week

Another honour has been gained for Torridge-side.

An efficiency pendant for units in the Sea Cadet Corps has been awarded to the Bideford unit whose headquarters are on board the Training Ship Revenge alongside Bideford Quay. The Mayor of Bideford is to show his appreciation of the award by presenting it publicly to the cadets at the Strand Cinema, Bideford, on Saturday evening, April 24th.

All have become used to seeing the Revenge alongside the Quay, always well-kept and properly “dressed” on the appropriate occasions, and to accepting the discipline of its cadets as a matter of fact. But it is well for Bideford district parents, and the community generally, to appreciate the work put in by officers and cadets in the excellent training that has achieved this new award. It implies that a Staff Officer of the Admiral Commanding Reserves on his recent official yearly inspection found everything at Bideford at the top level to be expected of any Sea Cadet unit in the land.

Coinciding with the presentation will be the start of a special recruiting drive for the Sea Cadets. This includes a church parade to Manor Court service at Bideford Parish Church on Sunday morning, April 25th, when it is hoped that Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and Bideford cadets will be accompanied by the Blue-jacket band of H.M.S. Drake, Plymouth. Various other items are on the week’s programme and members of the public and would-be recruits are invited to pay their own “visit of inspection.” They are assured of a courteous naval welcome. On Monday, May 3rd, comes the proud moment of the ceremony of Hoisting the Pendant on board T.S. Revenge in the presence of the Commandant of the Amphibious Warfare Centre.

Lieut. T.N. Rowe is commanding officer of the unit, and is assisted by Lieut. R.O. Bridger and Sub-Lieuts. W.J. Chubb, W.E. Stocker and F. Jeffries. They have the support of a local committee of which Rear Admiral H.G.C. Franklin is chairman and Miss G. Luxton hon. secretary. This committee is responsible for the general administration of the unit and for raising the necessary funds for its maintenance.

The above happy picture of some of the members of the unit was taken on board the Revenge last week-end. Back row (left to right) standing are: Leading Seaman A. Davies, Sea cadet Petty Officer B. Walters (who recently achieved the distinction of passing his entrance examination R.N.V.R. List II as naval seaman second class), Able Seaman B. Pedlar, Cadet Petty Officer G. Eastman. Second row: Able Seaman K. Pedlar, Leading Seaman P. Hurrell, Leading Seaman K. Blight, Ordinary Seamen Davis, Stevens senr., Jacobs, A. Bloyce, Stevens junr. Front row sitting: Ist Lt. W.J. Chubb, Lt. T.N. Rowe (C.O.), Lt. R.O. Bridger (training officer).

Gazette article dated 9 April 1964