Bideford

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.

At a ceremony attended by members of the British Naturalists' Association and others,

the president of the local branch, Miss V M C Mackenzie, handed to Bideford's Parks Superintendent, Mr L H Motts, a bird table for erection in the Victoria Park.

Beside fostering bird life it would, they hoped, give pleasureable interest to local bird lovers, said Miss Mackenzie. She asked those who feed the gulls to spare some crumbs for the bird table and so encourage its full use.

Accepting the gift on behalf of Bideford Borough Council, Mr Mott said he and his staff took a great interest in the Park's bird life and were delighted to have such a table. He then hung it from a branch of the Gingko tree, out of the reach of cats.

The table bears the inscription "Presented by Torridge and District Branch, BNA, in memory of Eleanor Blake and Phyllis Parker, who loved birds. May 1966"

Gazette article dated 13 May 1966

Bideford Zoo to open

Opening for Whitsun

Councillor Mrs Vivian Patt, Mayor of Bideford, will open Bideford's first ever zoo at Ford House. The sole owner is Mrs Katherine Tottenham, the only daughter of Gen and Mrs Dreyer of Limers Lane, Bideford.

Gazette article 20 May 1966

‘Jalopy’ Joy For Children Of Shamwickshire

One of the attractions of the experimental holiday playscheme,

organised by the young people of the North Devon Volunteers, for primary school-age children at East-the-Water was the adventure provided by an old car.

The children swarmed over it. The car was provided by Mr Fred Blight, one of a number of individuals and organisations helping with two play-schemes. Friday was, in fact, the last day of the fortnight’s scheme based on Pollyfield, East-the-Water. A previous fortnight had seen a similar scheme provided at Hartland.

The scheme, as did that at Hartland, proved very popular with the children, and their mums – ‘We were very pleased indeed with it’ Mr John Pearce, of the North Devon Volunteers, told the Gazette.

Interesting and instructive sessions were arranged every day, either outdoors or indoors (using the Community Association hall and St Peter’s Church hall locally). Every day, under the supervision of police volunteers, a group went swimming in Edgehilll College pool. Twice a week the Sports Hall in the grounds of the Grammar School was visited for games and sports instruction; three parties were taken to explore Forestry Commission walks at Hartland; there was a visit to Bideford Zoo; but rain cancelled planned trips to Westward Ho! Indoor activities at East-the-Water included painting and drawing, dressing up and impromptu play-acting.

The full article is dated 22 August 1969