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.

That Contented Feeling At Torrington

The above picture shows nearly 140 people sitting back and experiencing that contented feeling that comes after an enjoyable meal. They are Torrington old age pensioners and the occasion was the annual party of Torrington branch of the Old-Age Pensions Association, held at Torrington Town Hall on Wednesday of last week.

This year, as was reported in our last issue, for the first time the meal took the form of a ‘knife and fork’ dinner. ‘I took the idea from a similar party held recently at Bideford for Bideford pensioners’ Mr J H Long, secretary of the Torrington branch of the Old-age Pensions Association, told a Bideford Gazette representative afterwards.

‘What we want is 50s a week for the old age pensioners and the abolition of the law that penalises men between the ages of 65 and 70 from earning more than two pounds a week, said Mr E G Bevington, chairman of the Torrington branch of the OAP Association.

Thanking all who had helped to make the event a success, the Mayor of Torrington, Miss F L Lake, recalled memories of when she had met many of those present years ago when she used to call at their homes collecting for charities.

Entertainment after dinner was provided by members of Torrington Youth Club Concert party, under the leadership of Mr A Robertson, and the evening ended with community singing.

Transport by bus for the old people from various parts of the town was provided by Mr H Beer, of Heards Garage, Torrington.

The full article is dated 17 February 1956

With The Women’s Institutes

A round up

Clovelly

At Clovelly WI Mrs Blackmore gave a very interesting talk and demonstration on make-up. She was thanked by Mrs W Goaman.
Mrs B Slee reported on the AGM in London. Competition results: Mrs F Robins, Mrs L may, Mrs J Burrow.
Mrs K Braund was in charge of the raffle which was won by Mrs F Gregory, Mrs W Pengilly and Mrs R Dean.
Hostesses were Mesdames S Nicholls and W Pengelly.

Parkham

At Parkham WI, held in the new extension of the Allardice Hall, the president, Mrs George, reported on her trip to London for the AGM at the Albert Hall and the diamond jubilee dinner at the Café Royal.
The guest speaker was Mr Taylor.
The hostesses were Mrs Pickard and Mrs Daniel. The lucky bag, run by Mrs Smith, was won by Mrs Tucker and the winners of the competitions were: Mrs B Heywood, Mrs Rowe and Mrs Piper; Mrs Walker and Mrs Hicks.

Thornbury

At the June meeting of Thornbury WI the speaker was Mr James Rowland, of Holsworthy. He was thanked by Mrs Slee. Mrs Bond won the limerick competition. The monthly raffle was won by Mrs Bond and Mrs Tapper and the supper was served by Mrs Tapper and Mrs Wooldridge.

Langridge

A talk on pot plants and cuttings was given to Langtree WI by Mrs Barrow of Frithelstock. She was thanked by Mrs K Moore.
A draw by Mrs I Andrew was won by Mrs F Johns and competition by Mrs K Moore, Mrs J Ley, Mrs A Hearn. Tea hostesses were Mrs V Harris, Mr F Johns and Mrs Jelley.
Mrs Bale reported on the resolutions passed at the London meeting and she was thanked by Mrs J Folland.

The full Gazette article is dated 12 September 1975

Donkeys Reluctant To Hurry

But £450 is raised for charities

Rain held off just long enough for Bideford Round Table’s second annual donkey derby meeting on a course off Sandymere Road, Westward Ho! on Wednesday of last week and the event attracted the support of a large attendance.

As a result £450 was raised for local charities.

Speed seemed the last thing the donkeys were interested in. Some of the young riders were a bit shaken by their untimely descent, but there was nothing serious.

Added attractions included a sulky race between the chairmen of Bideford and Tavistock Round Tables, mice racing, skittling for a pig, golf, a balloon race and may other sideshows.

Results: T and J Derrigan Steaks – Margaret Wickham. The Woolaway Chase – Mr M Turner & Kevin Bright. John Lewington Property Stakes – Mr Dobson & Francine Witt; Chief Officers and staff of Bideford Borough Council & Sheila Lewington; Lock’s Butchers, & Teresa Warner. Bayly Bartle Guineas – Elliott Bros & P Slattery; The Supreme Magic Co. Ltd & Michael Hooper; Braddicks Elizabethan Steaks – Devon Concrete Works & Vivienne Wright; Symons Groceries & Susan Calderwell; Mrs E M V Patt & George Bailey. Appledore Shipbuilders’ Stakes – B Trickey & Linda Trickey; B A-Court & Dennis Job; C G Bradford and Sons & Dennis Short. Chico’s Cooked Steaks – Charles Morris and Sons & Alan Green.

Sideshows were; Mrs M Williams, Mr D Hickmott, Messrs J W Burnell and D Colwill, Mr P Reveley, Mr T C Malone, Mr R Heal, Mr M Parry, Mr R J Gale, Mr and Mrs M R Bird, Mr A J Stephens, Mr K Symons.

Principal officials were: Mr W J Elliott, Mr B D Hall-Tomkin, Mr G B Armstrong, Mr R J Hopkins, Mr D H A Peacock, Mr S R Copp.

Full Gazette article dated 11 August 1967