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.

Congratulations were extended by Mrs R Rawle, presiding over the monthly meeting of Littleham Women’s Institute in the Parish Hall to Mrs E Hemmel on being chairman of the Education and Public Questions sub-committee of the Devon Federation.

It was decided to hold the Institute’s ‘Austrian’ meeting early in October. Mesdames I Olins and W Johns discussed arrangements with the members. The secretary, Mrs D Hill, organised the annual outing which was spent at Lyme Regis and a tour of the South coast.

The speaker was Miss Ruby and her subject was smocking. She demonstrated many stitches and brought many examples for exhibition. She was thanked by Mrs W Johns.

The competition – ‘a hat made of material’ – resulted: Mrs A Woodyatt; Miss G Beer; Miss L Colwill and Mrs W Johns. Refreshments were served by Mesdames C Headon and E Nicholls.

Gazette article dated 1 August 1958

Westward Ho! Stage Autumn Fayre

The Autumn Fayre organised by Westward Ho! W.I. at the Kingsley Hall on Wednesday of last week, proved a most successful occasion, proceeds amounting to £83.

It was opened by Mrs. M.P. Ansell, of Bideford, who was introduced by the President, Mrs. Hilder. On behalf of all the Institute members, Mrs Joan Moore, W. I. Secretary, presented Mrs. Ansell with a bouquet.

Mrs. Robson, with willing helpers, was in charge of the Handicrafts stall, on which was displayed some very beautiful work. Mrs. Babb and her helpers dispensed the teas, Mrs. Lake ran the draws, the Cake and Produce Stall was in the hands of Mrs. P Stevens, and the bottle and competitions stall was run by Mrs. H. Stephens.

Always a success was the Fortune Teller (Mrs. Vaggers).

Thanks were extended to all those who so willingly gave of their time to help on these stalls and to all who gave in any make the effort such a success.

Draw prizewinners were: Doll, Mrs. Hopkins (Clifton Street); Fruit, Mrs. Groves; Cigarettes, Mrs Goodall; Chicken, Miss Pennington; Chocolates, Mrs. Morgan; Perm, Mrs. K. Littlejohns.

There were several guessing competitions during the afternoon.

Gazette article dated 7 November 1958

Round Table’s £500 Gift

A cheque for £500 was presented by Bideford Round Table, at their meeting at Tanton’s Hotel on Thursday week, to the new ambulance fund of Bideford and district St John Ambulance Association.

The money was raised by the tablers over the past 12 months, and includes proceeds from their Christmas carol float and the donkey derby at Westward Ho! which have become regular features of local community life.
Handing the cheque to Major E Hill, chairman of the St John Ambulance Association, the chairman of the Round Table, Mr Martin Burdick said how much they had enjoyed raising the money and how pleased they were that it was going to be put to such good use.
Mr R E Taylor, St John secretary, explained that their present ambulance had only a limited life.
The full Gazette article is dated 16 February 1973