Westward Ho!

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.

Latest addition to the night life of Westward Ho! is the Sandpiper discotheque, opening on Saturda and featuring disc jockey Mr Kazoon, back from Expo 68.

In the future top ten groups will be booked as well as local talent.

Open every night of the week throughout the summer in the old Station Hall, which has been transformed at a cost of £1,500, it will cater for 200-250 people. Man behind the scheme is Mr Geoff Thompson of Barnstaple.

Gazette article dated 24 May 1968

Two Storey Limit At Westward Ho!

A ban on buildings in Westward Ho! of more than two storeys was agreed by Torridge District Council development and leisure services committee on Monday.

10.5.1974 WHo limit3

Before them was an application by Mr F J Wilkey for 10 bungalows and five three-storey blocks of flats on the northern side of Golf Links Road, near the cricket ground. Cllr Mrs E M Hilder considered the council should try to buy the site, and Cllr J C Seward contended that no such development should be considered until a study had been made of the whole area.

Replying to a comment by the chairman, Cllr W J Cann, Cllr Mrs Hilder said that flats now erected at Link House looked shocking – “like a prison”. The chief technical officer, Mr Clive Barber, recalled that the Link House development had gone to appeal and the Minister upheld flats of 25ft to 30ft in height. The flats now being erected were abysmal and it would be terrible to have more towards the Burrows declared Cllr Michael Goss. They were not wholly out of keeping with the area, suggested Cllr Joe Need, quoting Eastbourne Terrace.Some people had already been deprived of their view, said Cllr F J G Dell.

Full Gazette article dated 10 May 1974

Gay Hours at Westward Ho!

Follies’ American Supper

There could not be gayer evidence of a need for a fully equipped community centre at Westward Ho! than the scene at the American Supper staged at the Kingsley Hall by Westward Ho! Follies on Saturday evening. As to be expected from a seaside town, there was the radiance of feminine charm, and high spirits from the men folk, and dances and competitions followed gaily on from the supper kindly provided by members for their guests, until the last beat of Leon Moore’s dance band.

A fancy dress competition, produced some attractive ideas, and the judges were Mr M F Lee and Miss A E Lee, of Bideford. Winner was Miss Pat Baker, a young former policewoman in Kenya, who has returned home to join the Wrens. Second prize went jointly to two sisters, Mrs Littlejohns and Miss C Reed. Among those present were Mr F C Twose, Mrs C F Stephens and Mrs Munro, Mr A Feron and Mrs J Moore. Mr Leonard Moore made a capital MC for the evening.

Six years ago, when Westward Ho! Community Centre began, the Centre Committee were committed to an immediate expenditure of £1,400, but since then all but £400 has been raised. Running costs total £500 per year and each of the four main sections – olde tyme dancing, badminton, Follies and youth – stage one special event per year to assist the central funds. Saturday’s event was the successful effort of the Follies’ section.

At the annual meeting of the Follies’ section on Tuesday evening, Mr D Pill was elected the new chairman, with Miss S Hockings as treasurer and Mrs J Moore as hon. secretary.

The full Gazette article is dated 1 April 1955