Clovelly

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.

Over five-hundred mile have been covered by Clovelly Concert Party in their successful season which has just ended.

The high standard of their performances has won much praise from large audiences. Over 20 villages have been visited. Altogether the party raised £358 for various local organisations and they have given shows in an area roughtly bounded by Hartland, Welcombe, Bradworthy, Shebbear, Dolton, Ashreigney, Alverdiscott, Bideford, Abbotsham, Bucks Cross and Clovelly. Highest amount raised at any one parish was £39 16s 1d at Alverdiscott.
Gazette article dated 10 June 1947

Marriage Without Frills – Fifty Years Ago

Clovelly Couple’s Anniversary

It was a marriage without frills when 23 year old Mr Arthur Beer walked down the aisle and out of Clovelly Parish Church with his bride, Miss Ellen Grace Jewell.
The very next day Mr Beer was back at work again because, as he explained to a Bideford Gazette reporter: ‘We just couldn’t afford a honeymoon in those days’.
The couple were married on May 20 1908, by the then Rector, the late Rev Mr Simkins, and on Tuesday, which marked their golden wedding anniversary, they received numerous messages of congratulations.
Mr Beer was one of a family of 13. He was the third son of the late Mr and Mrs John Beer, Lower Garage, Clovelly, and his wife was the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs John Jewell, Slerra, Higher Clovelly.
Except for two years spent at Wrinkleberry, when Mrs Beer looked after the school, they have lived all their married lives in their pleasant cottage home at 115 Slerra, Higher Clovelly.
During the First World War Mr Beer served with the 4th Devons in India, Egypt and Lebanon. Recalled Mr Beer; ‘While I was in Egypt I met my brother, Fred, who now lives at Hartland. He was serving with the Hussars at the time and he was the only local person I bumped into abroad.’
After returning to Clovelly he spent over twenty years working at East Dyke, the farm of Mr J C Hilton, agent to the Clovelly Estate Company. He retired when he was 65. Then he promptly accepted a seasonal job he was offered – that of attendant at the entrance to the Hobby Drive – and that work he is still doing today. For fifty years Mr Beer was a ringer at Clovelly Parish Church.
Mrs Beer shares her husband’s interest in the church and is a founder member of the Clovelly branch of the Mothers’ Union. She is a former member of the local Women’s Institute.
The full Gazette article is dated 16 May 1958

Whist And Dance At Clovelly

There were 17 tables in play at a whist drive, plus a dance, held at Clovelly Parish Hall in aid of the hall’s funds.

Mr G Smith was the MC and Mr J J Headon the door steward. Mr Headon also presented the prizes, winners being: Mrs E Olde; Mrs Beard; Mrs Wonnacott; Mesdames J Shackson and A M Jones; Mrs T Squire; Mr J Scott; Mr D Bradford; Mr Mountjoy; Mrs L Rowe and Mr J Withecombe; Mr Heard.Draw winners were Messrs N Headon and S Nichols and Mesdames A Shackson and Howell. At the dance draw winners were Messrs Walter Goaman, F Grills and G Braund jnr. Refreshments were served by women members of the Parish Hall committee.

Gazette article dated 2 April 1971