Shipping

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.

The Torridge has seen many strange craft come and go but none more unique than the children’s Noah’s Ark pictured above on her Board of Trade trials on the river on Friday.

Painted in bright colours, the Noah’s Ark was built by Messrs M W Blackmore and Sons, of New Road, Bideford, to the orders of Weston-super-Mare Corporation for use on the town’s Marine Pleasure Lake.
The cartoon figures seen in nautical garb are the work of Mr Charles King, the Bucks Mills artist.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 August 1951

Younger members not coming forward to help lifeboat cause 19.11.1954

Concern over the fact that younger people were not coming forward to play their parts in voluntary organisations was expressed at the annual meeting of the Appledore branch of the RNLI held at Bideford Town Hall.

Comments on the point came from the hon. treasurer, Mr W J G Coad and Captain H L Morgan in the course of tributes to the work of the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild. Although younger members were not coming forward to take their share, the older members of the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild were carrying on their work most ably, said Mr Coad.

16 years as president: When the election of officers was considered, Rear Admiral H G C Franklin recalled that last year their President, Captain the Hon. Denys Scott, had intimated that he wished to resign but had agreed to carry on in the office for another year. Captain Scott had been a member of the Appledore Lifeboat Committee for 37 years - something of a record.

Putting forward the name of Dr. D Valentine as the new President of the branch, Rear Admiral Franklin said Dr Valentine and his late father had been associated with the lifeboat for a very long time. Proposal was seconded by Mr C H Ash.

Captain H L Morgan proposed a vote of thanks to the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild, which was seconded by Mr C H Ash and on behalf of the members of the Guild. Mrs Buckeley thanks Mrs Williams for her leadership.

Crew of Appledore's inshore rescue boat 21.10.1977

The crew of Appledore's inshore rescue boat "Wildenwrath Whizzer" can look forward to a restful winter after a hectic summer in which they made 24 rescues.

The "Whizzer" will be taken to Poole at the end of the month for annual servicing ready to resume her duties next March. (sorry article does not include crew names).