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.

Lifeboat christening: council's 'dismay' 22nd June 1962

'Dismay' of Northam Urban Council has been expressed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution following the decision to christen the new Appledore lifeboat at Bideford.

Appledore Station Committee felt that Bideford was a more convenient location. Mr L Moore asked about a newspaper report that the secretary of the Lifeboat Committee had been in touch with the Council and they were satisfied with the decision. The Clerk Mr A Gardner said that he had written to the secretary saying that the Council were not protesting about the ceremony being held in another area, but pointing out that they supported any efforts made on behalf of the institution.

Mr Moore moved that the Council continue to press that the ceremony should be held at Appledore. Appledore was the home of the lifeboat and it was manned and maintained by Appledorians agreed Mr V F Bowyer. It is ridiculous to say that there were not the facilities there. Facilities at Appledore were better said Mr A C Saunders and there was far more room. Mr G W G Hutchings asked if it was too late to do anything, the Clerk replied that it was unlikely that arrangements could be altered now.

On the motion of Mr Powell it was decided to write to the R.N.L.I. that the Council too 'a dim view' of their decision.

Lifeboat crew are given awards at supper party 19th July 1963

lifeboat crew

lifeboat crew 2

At a supper party at Appledore Hall on Friday night when Mr Sidney Cann, the coxswain of the Appledore lifeboat, and his crew were presented with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's certificates of merit on vellum.

The awards recognised the part they played in going to the assistance of the crew of the Admiralty tanker Green Ranger which went aground at Hartland last November.

Among the attendance of 128 at Friday's gathering was the Inspector of Lifeboats in the South West (Cmdr. H H Harvey), who had flown from the Scilly Isles.

There was, too, almost a full gathering of members of the local committee and their wives, and a good representation of members of the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild. Arrangements were made by the hon. secretary of the branch (Captain P Brennan) and a committee of ladies representing each of the Appledore Churches. Mrs J T Payne was convenor.

The president of the Appledore branch, Dr D D Valentine, presented the certificates of merit to Mr Cann and members of the crew - Messrs. J Bowden (second coxswain), W G Cann, bowman, C E Cox and W J Evans, crew.

Appledore's new lifeboat arrives home 23rd November 1962

With veteran coxswain Mr Syndey Cann at the helm, Appledore's new lifeboat crossed Bideford bar on Tuesday at the end of her journey from the builder's yard in the Isle of Wight. She was christened 'Louisa Anne Hawker' at Bideford.

Commander H H Harvey, district inspector of the RNLI, who was in charge of delivery, went out with a full crew to acquaint them with the layout.

On board in addition to the Commander and Mr Cann were mechanic Mr Leon Richards, signalman Mr Basil Marshall, Mr Bill Bowden, Captain Pat Brennan (Bideford Harbourmaster and secretary of the local lifeboat committee) and district engineer Mr R Scott.