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.

No Mechanised Transport Vote At Clovelly - 11th March 1977

By seven votes to five the annual parish meeting at Clovelly rejected a move to inquire into the possible provision of light mechanised transport up and down the famous cobbled, stepped High Street.
Putting forward the idea, Mr Stan Nicholls said he thought it to be possible to provide some kind of transport. It would relieve the difficulty over the delivery of items such as coal. Mr J J Headon agreed that the move would solve a lot of problems.
Opposing the plan, Mr E W Johns said the introduction of any kind of transport would spoil the beauty of the Clovelly street. It was noted as a place for walkers only. Miss S Ellis said at the moment the limited amount of transport allowed at certain hours of the day on part of the street was causing damage owing to vibration.
A lot of questions would have to be discussed by any committee set up to look into Mr Nicholl's scheme, said the chairman of the Parish Council, Mr Jack Prince.

Fears For Clovelly Harbour's Future

Fears For Clovelly Harbour's Future - 11th March 1977

The future of Clovelly's picture postcard harbour and the safety of its beachside cottages could be threatened unless action is taken quickly to repair the breakwater which protects the centuries old harbour wall it was warned yesterday.
A repair scheme could cost upto £30,000 and the problem is who should pay the bill.
The harbour is owned by the Clovelly Estate Company and its managing director, Captain M W B Kerr, told the Gazette this week: "We cannot afford to pay for the work."
Up to now the Department of the Environment have refused to help financially but there were signs this week that Devon County Council may be trying to persuade them to change their minds.
In recent months the situation has worsened to the position where Clovelly residents are seriously worried about the situation. "The last time any major repair work was carried out was 1886" said Capt Kerr. "In the circumstances it has lasted very well indeed but in recent years more and more of the breakwater has been washed away in the winter gales and the swell into the harbour is likely to damage boats and the walls of the houses which rest right on the foreshore."
He explained that major contract work was essential if the deterioration was not to continue. "We are not dealing with bricks and mortar but with huge concrete slabs weighing several tons" he pointed out.
There were fears that if the breakwater was destroyed it would only be a matter of time before the harbour wall was breached and the harbour - a listed national heritage, said Capt Kerr - left at the mercy of the sea. "It is an open-ended situation" he said. "One thing can lead to another. We don't know what would happen but it is a risk we don't want to take. The position is acute and it can only get worse. People are worried - they are bound to be."
The situation was highlighted on Wednesday when Mr Ted Pinne, chairman of the County Council's Amenities and Countryside Committee, visited Clovelly to judge for himself the extent of the villager's concern.
Eighteen months ago it was reported that general deterioration of the breakwater had speeded up considerably but efforts made them to obtain financial grants for reinforcement work were unsuccesfful. Torridge District Council were unable to help and the Department of the Environment found that Clovelly harbour did not meet the criteria necessary to qualify for aid under the Coast Protection Act.

Funeral Of Mr Steve Headon

Funeral Of Mr Steve Headon - 13th January 1967

Many friends attended the funeral at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, of Mr Francis Stephen Headon, 64 The Quay, whose death at 81 occurred suddenly at the united New Year Watchnight Service at Clovelly Methodist Church.
The Rector, Rev R O H Eppingstone, officiated at the funeral service, with Mr Storey at the organ.
Immediate mourners: Mr and Mrs S A Headon, Miss Pauline Headon, Mr and Mrs J J Headon, Mr and Mrs Greene, Mr and Mrs J Whitefield, Mr and Mrs J Hancock, Mr and Mrs N Carter, Mrs W Pengilly, Mr H Headon, Mr G Jeffery, Nr N Headon, Mrs P O'Donnell, Mrs J Heard, Mr and Mrs L Price. Unavoidably absent: Clive and Richard Headon.
Bearers were Messrs O Abbott, G Lamey, W Braund, G Perham, A Braund, J Foley.
Others attending: Mr and Mrs J Cruse, Mr and Mrs J Jennings, Mr and Mrs Biggs, Capt A G Sowman (also representing Clovelly Estate), Messrs J Jenn, W Trudgeon Davis, F Short, J Johns, T Cruse, Jim Whitefield, J Ellis, M Dickinson, A and C Shackson, W Badcock, Mesdames F Robins, T Stoneman, T Squire, F Robins, J Searles, M Morris, B Pope, L Le'comber, A Burrows, I Rowe, Misses F Spanswick, H Braund, P Braund, S Ellis.