Religion

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.

Re-opened after renovation

After extensive renovation Appledore Methodist Church was reopened. Miss F E Parkhouse, for many years trust secretary, and senior society steward unlocked the door and led the assembled company into the Church.

The rededication service was conducted by Rev Dr W H Mildon. Rev W E Haggett, minister of Appledore Congregational Church read the lesson. Mr Alan Ford was at the organ. Dr Mildon welcomed the chairman of the Northam Urban District Council, Mr George Northcott, and Mrs Northcott. Dr Mildon expressed thanks to Mr W Mills for his valuable help in connection with the decorations and to Mr K Godfrey, trust secretary, for his efficient services in the refurnishing of the church, and to Mr Alan Ford who had arranged the musical part of the reopening.

The general enhancement of the church was much admired. Gifts had been received towards the amenities of the church and all the members have worked with a real team spirit.

Musical items were contributed by Mrs Dorothy Hill and Mr Westley Hill. Mrs Greta Parsons was the elocutionist. Mr Sidney Hill and Mr Philip Morse played organ solos. Miss Mary Hill was pianist. Refreshments were served in the schoolroom at the close.

Gazette article dated 14 February 1969

High Street Methodists’ Broadcast

At half-past-seven on Sunday evening

the choir and congregation of High Street Methodist Church, Bideford, will make the first broadcast from a place of worship in the town.

Great interest centres around the occasion and it is anticipated there will be a crowded congregation. High Street (United) Methodist have always made a feature of their choir and congregational singing, stretching back to the days of the old Silver Street Church from which a move was made in 1913. The late Mr Robert Blackmore, father of the present choir master, was largely responsible for building up the fine choral tradition with a choir numbering some forty to forty-five voices. It was always his endeavour to encourage congregational singing as much as possible. The traditions of the church and family have been maintained by his son Mr W Reed Blackmore, who will be the conductor at the broadcast. The organist will be Mr F J Hutchings.

The broadcast is in the series entitled ‘Carolare’, a time when all join in the singing of favourite hymns and sacred songs. Preceding the broadcast there will be a short evening service which will be conducted by Mr F A Wilshire who has been associated with many of the broadcasts in the series and who will give comments on the hymns and tunes.

Bideford High Street Methodist Choir rehearsing for the broadcast

Top Row – Messrs T Heale, C Brough, W T Webb, C Harris, F Fulford, F J Hutchings (organist), R B Blackmore, A Kingdom, H Andrew, F Lang, T J Martin, and E J Morrish

Second Row – Mrs A Kingdom, Miss C Parkhouse, Mrs R R Paddon, Miss I Headon, Miss L Bond, Miss L Seldon, Miss O Judd

Third Row – Mrs W R Blackmore, Miss J Ferrett, Miss B Hamlyn, Miss M Jennings, Mrs J Harris, Miss F V Headon, Miss D Shute, Miss P Edwards

Fourth Row – Mrs Lewis, Mrs Lucas, Mrs Kennard, and Miss L Goodman. Choirmaster: Mr W Reed Blackmore

Other members of the choir not included in the above group are: Miss Gwen Sanders, Mrs A Shute, Miss C M Hamlyn, Miss B Harvey, Miss R Babb, Miss M Morris, Mrs W J Couch, Miss L J Blackmore, Miss D M Tyson, Messrs S Kivell, E Wood, S Ferrett and S Morris

Tradition at Hartland

Children carrying foxgloves in procession

to the patronal festival service at St Nectan's Parish Church, Hartland, maintain an old tradition based on the legend that where drops of St Nectan's blood fell foxgloves sprang up.

Prior to this year's patronal festival Evensong, the Bishop of Crediton, Right Rev Wilfred Westall, dedicated the rebuilt Church Cottage in the little tree-lined square before St Nectan's. The Bishop also preached at the service.

Gazette article dated June 25th 1965