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.

Entrenching Operations Begun

Black Shirts Lend A Hand

The tithe ‘war’ in North Devon was taken a further stage at Buckland Brewer where a County Court Bailiff is in possession of three ricks at Holwill Farm, occupied by Mr Brown. Willing hands assisted in the digging of a trench across a private road and a barricade has also been erected. It is evident that a determined resistance will meet any attempt to remove the ricks, one consisting of hay and two of oats. Tenders for the ricks were recently invited ‘under distress of tithe, by order of the County Court.’ Half a dozen black shirted British Fascists are assisting in the farmer’s cause, which has the sympathy of neighbouring farms.

It is understood that a well-known North Devon auctioneer was approached regarding the selling of the ricks by public auction and that he declined the sale. Mr R A Plathen, the leader of the Fascists, stated that there was a rumour that two of the ricks had been sold, but this was unconfirmed.

North Devon Tithe ‘War’ - All Quiet on Buckland Front

Sunday ‘Black Shirt’ Rally

Affairs on Holwill farm, Buckland Brewer, where three of Mr L W Brown’s ricks have been distrained upon for unpaid tithe, have remained during the week in status quo. The bailiff is still there, and so are about half a dozen of the British Union of Fascists, in their black shirt uniforms, but no attempt has been made to remove the ricks.

Mr Richard Acland and Case for Reduction

At a Barnstaple Liberal Divisional Organisation Committee meeting at Barnstaple, Mr Richard Dyke Acland was asked his views with regard to the payment of tithes. He expressed the opinion that an overwhelming case had been made out for a very substantial reduction, so as to bring tithes in relation to agricultural prices, as they were when first fixed.

In the course of a speech at a supper arranged by Barnstaple Branch of the National League of Young Liberals, Mr Acland said at the time when tithes were fixed nobody contemplated for a moment the stupendous fall in prices which we had witnessed in recent years. If anyone had thought such a thing possible, the tithe would have been fixed much lower. Therefore, the case for a substantial reduction of tithe today was irresistible. If after they had made a reduction they desired to make some arrangement to take advantage of present low rates of interest to buy out tithes that was a matter that could and ought to be arranged.

Articles dated 10 and 17 July 1933

New Torrington Church Is Consecrated

After nearly 40 years of worshipping in adapted buildings and halls,

Roman Catholics of Torrington district have a new church - here is a link to Holy family Church

The church, which will serve some 70 people, in on a site in Gas Lane. Solidly built, its design is on simple and traditional lines.

Named the Church of the Holy Family, it was consecrated last Thursday evening, being blessed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Right Rev Cyril Resieaux.

Most of its cost of £9,000 is being met by an anonymous donor, and various money-raising efforts are being arranged to complete payment for the fittings.

The altar is of Portland stone, and two Italian-carved wooden statues have been give by Lady Lacey of Instow.

Rev Father J R Day, RC. parish priest at Bideford, will be in charge of the new church, in which there will be regular Sunday services.

Among guests at the service of dedication were the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington, Ald. And Mrs R H Cotton, the Vicar of Torrington, Rev R C Dixon, whose church gave the bell for this new Torrington church.

Architects of the church were Messrs Evans, Powell and Powell, of Torquay.

Gazette article dated 26 March 1965

Alverdiscott Methodist Rejoice

Gift Sale Raises £238 For Chapel Redecoration

A gift sale of sheep, conducted by Messrs Kivell and Sons at Bideford Market, realised £238 towards the cost of redecorating Alverdiscott Methodist Chapel and the adjoining schoolrooms.

With a further £74 in donations from members and friends, the trustees needed only £20 more to meet their expenses, and this they soon had when the chapel was officially reopened.

Introduced by the Rev J R Legg, Mrs Annie Friend – a former member of the chapel who now lives at Dawlish – unlocked the door with the key handed to her by Mr Frank Ford. A bouquet was presented by Thelma Ford.

Members of several other places of worship were among the large congregation for a service conducted by the Rev Wilfred J Tyrer, of Salcombe, a former minister of the Bideford Methodist Circuit and of the Alverdiscott Chapel.

Mr Tyrer addressed a capacity congregation at a thanksgiving meeting under the chairmanship of the Rev J Owen Clutterbuck. Miss Betty Thomas of Braunton was the soloist, and Mrs Robinson, who formerly lived at Alscott Barton, gave a recitation.

Past and present women members served tea in the schoolroom. Before the evening meeting Mr David Reed led the congregation in community singing. Mrs G Ford and Mrs R Moore provided organ accompaniment.