Names

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.

The wedding took place quietly at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, on Saturday, the Rev J C Lasham officiating, of Mr Frank E Whiting, of Littlecroft, Bideford, and Dr Florence M Rhodes of The Rookery, Braunton.

Mr F G Kerry (brother-in-law of the bridegroom) was 'best man'. The bride was given away by her brother, Dr R Rhodes, of Grange-over-Sands, Lancs. A reception was held at the Savoy Hotel. Mr and Mrs Frank E Whiting will be leaving Bideford in a few days on a honeymoon trip to Capri. Among many telegrams was one with all good wishes from 'The Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Bideford', a tribute to Mr Whiting's various civic associations with Bideford, of which he is a councillor and an ex-Mayor.

Election surprises in 1937

Among the surprises of Westcountry Urban and Rural District Council elections last week was the fact that no less than four chairmen of councils lost their seats.

A possible explanation is that many former supporters felt so sure their men would be returned that they did not trouble to vote for them, and then when the results were declared were so disappointed that they felt like kicking themselves. Among those who failed to get returned were the Chairman of Totnes Rural Council, who had been a member of the Council for thirty years and chairman for about twenty, and the chairman of Watchet Urban Council, with a service of 25 years, while to come nearer home, Mr F Wilkey, a member of Northam Council for 27 years, and for three years past its chairman, lost his seat – in the Westward Ho! Ward. There was only a difference of seven votes between four of the five candidates for three seats.

In Mr Wilkey the Council is losing a late chairman with an exceptional experience of public service even apart from his work on the council. His zeal in the common weal found recognition, it may be remembered, by the bestowal of the Royal Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935. A past president of Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of Commerce, and some 24 years secretary of Northam Burrows Committee, in addition to filling numerous other offices, there is no member of the Urban Council who has devoted so much time to public work. Among Mr Wilkey’s activities which come to mind in addition to those already mentioned, are a twelve years’ membership of the old Board of Guardians, and subsequent membership of the Bideford-Torrington Guardians Committee of Devon Public Assistance Committee; a Land Tax commissioner; chairman of Northam Rating Committee, of the District Old-Age Pensions Sub-Committee, of Northam and Westward Ho! Jubilee Celebrations Committee, of the Coronation Celebrations Committee for Westward Ho! Ward, of the local Conservative Association, Westward Ho!, was vice-chairman of Northam War Tribunal, and a member of Bideford and Northam Joint Isolation Hospital Committee and of Bideford and District (North Devon) Joint Isolation Hospital, of Barnstaple Port Sanitary Authority, and of Northam Church Council. A record, surely, to be proud of.

Ex-President Appointed Honorary Life Member in 1962 - Camera Club tribute

Mr F E Whiting, who at the last annual general meeting of Bideford Camera Club was persuaded to continue as its President for one more year, relinquished that office at this year’s annual meeting and, in recognition of his services to the club, was elected an honorary life member.

Mr J D Philipp, chairman, presided at the meeting. The hon. Secretary reported a successful year, with an increase in membership, a very friendly spirit and a keen interest among members, and an increased number of monochrome prints entered in the competitions. He mentioned the club’s pleasure at the return of Miss Tuck to active membership after her long and serious illness in the previous season. There had been memorable evenings during the session, and in inter-club competitions, the Bideford club had held its own against Barnstaple Camera Club, and in the triangular contest with Minehead and Taunton, had led in both sections. Mr Badcock (hon. treasurer0 and Mr Adams (exhibition secretary) also reported a satisfactory year, the 1961 exhibition having done particularly well.

After the reports the chairman returned to Mr Whiting’s opening remarks and reminded the meeting that on the formation of the club in 1947 Mr Whiting was invited to become President, and that although heavily laden with public and other duties he had accepted, and had held the office ever since. Mr Philipp spoke of the club’s gratitude for the services Mr Whiting had rendered, and its sorrow that the time had come for him to retire. He also mentioned Mr Whiting’s achievements as a photographer over a period which began long before almost all the present members were born. In the knowledge that the club would wish its gratitude to be expressed in some way, the committee had authorised him to propose that honorary life membership of the club should be bestowed on Mr Whiting at this meeting. Seconded by Mr Beadle, the proposal was carried enthusiastically. In thanking Mr Philipp and the members for this honour, Mr Whiting assured them that although he was no longer President, his interest in the club was as strong as ever and he would still share in its activities whenever possible.

The following were elected for the forthcoming year: chairman, Mr E C Beadle; vice-chairman, Miss M J Tuck; hon. secretary, Mr H F Chadbourne; hon. treasurer, Mr F J Badcock; hon. exhibition secretary, Mr S G Adams; committee, Mr J D Philipp (ex officio), Miss C Welsh, Messrs A Chantler, J E Reynolds, G N Staniforth. At the same meeting the awards for ‘Print of the year’ and ‘Slide of the year’ were gained by two local studies – R Petherick’s ‘View of the Torridge at Bideford’ and H F Chadbourne’s slide of Appledore Pool in story. The Jolliffe Cup for the year’s work was won by J A Jeffery.