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.

Freemasons Guard of Honour - Funeral of Mr E G Laycock

Members of Lodge of Benevolence No. 489 (Bideford) of Freemasons, of which he was a Past Master and had been secretary for many years, were bearers and formed a guard of honour at the funeral at Bridge Street Methodist Church, Bideford, on Monday, of Mr Ezra George Laycock.
Mr Laycock, who was principal of the Bideford School of Music, Shorthand and Typewriting, at 25 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, died on January 5th, at the age of 78. For twenty years, until his retirement in 1946, he was secretary to Bideford and District Hospital. He was a trustee of the Bridge Street Church and for many years was church organist.
The funeral service, which was followed by a cremation at Plymouth, was conducted by Rev Isaac Bond. The organist was Mr R J Baker. Family mourners attending the service were Mrs E G Laycock, widow, and Miss Hilda Laycock, daughter. Because of another family bereavement at Sheffield, many relatives were unable to attend.
Members of the Lodge of Benevolence No. 489 of Freemasons attending included: W Bro. A C Fulford (W.M), W Bros. Col F C Molesworth, A R L Adams, D J Reed, F C BAckway, C A Whitaker (also representing National Provincial Bank, Bideford), W J Oxenham, R L Cock, P J V Fulford, F C Midlen, , C E Tucker,
F E Routley; Bros S Elliott, G Kelly (also representing Mrs Lee), L Cording, J R Seward, P Heale, W J Ward, A Pickard, C G Hurman, J H Williams, J Mitchell, M Honey, S G Heywood, W Simmonds, A Glover, D Friendship.
The bearers were Bros. C T Braddick, H A Littlejohns, A J Balsdon and K F Sollis. Others attending included Mr E H Gaud (representing Bideford and District Hospital), Miss C Harris (representing Bridge Street Sunday School),
Mr H Thorne (representing Messrs O Nicklin and Son) , Mr C T Copp (secretary, Church trustees, also representing Mrs Copp and Miss V A Copp); Church trustees attending were Messres T Burton, N Beer, N Sanders and L J Copp (also representing Mrs Copp); Mr E J Scott (Society Steward).
Members of the church choir present were Mrs E Heard, Miss W Jewell (also representing Mr and Mrs A Headen), Miss Hickford (also representing Miss Vincent), Miss J Braddick and Miss Hooper.Messrs J E Ash, E H Bond, A J Joslin, W Joslin, F Sanders, C V Harvey, G E Danbury, A K Chope, H W Fulford, M W V Richards,
G H Braddick (also representing Mr Leslie Braddick), R J Allin, C Grout, A Jackman, Vernon Cock, W H Copp, P H Morrrish, W Badcock, J Steer (also representing Mrs Steer and Rosemary), P H Joselin, E O Hannaford, F W Greenslade, Mr and Mrs E Shackson; Mr and Mrs S F Glover, Mr and Mrs L C Warmington, Mr and Mrs J Sanders, Mesdames L M Kennard, J Ackland, M Davey, D G Bennett, G Brown, W Pickard, Dockett, F Routley, Dunn, Adams, Lang (also representing Mr and Mrs A R Jenn), W Taylor, Jewell, Gerry, I Bond, Moon, Prince, Facey (also representing Mr J T Hearn), F Lucas, Misses M Pound, K Foden (also representing Miss E Kingsbury), O Moore, B West, M Jennings, Hooper and D Cox.
Funeral arrangements were by Messrs H W A Glover and Son, Market Place, Bideford.

Triplets Are Two 1965

The Waldon triplets of Bideford were two years old on Monday. A tea party was held and Jackie, Donna and Tracie posed for a celebration picture (contact us for that picture). The girls are the children of Mr and Mrs Brian Waldon of East the Water. The triplets are the first born at Bideford for 12 years.Their sister Patra is 3 months old.

Gazette article dated 26 November 1965