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.

Warm tributes were paid to Ald Frank E Whiting’s unbroken period of 31 years service on Bideford Town Council, when, at Monday’s meeting of the Council, he announced his decision to retire.

Members of the Council and official stood and enthusiastically applauded Ald Whiting, who is 74, as he left the Council Chamber on tendering his resignation. Announcing his decision Ald Whiting commented: ‘I do want to make it perfectly clear that my resignation has in no way come as a result of disagreement or difference of opinion with the Council’. The sole reason, he emphasised, was his age, ‘I realise that my reactions are slowing down; he said. After stating that he thought Council work in the future would be more difficult and strenuous, Ald Whiting said the lack of interest shown by electors at local government elections was deplorable. He felt there was room on the Council for another woman member. Paying a tribute to Ald Whiting, the Mayor (Mr E D Williams) said he had served the town ‘faithfully and well’. He added ‘The advice had has been able to give to the Council on various matters had been invaluable’. Ald Whiting, said the Mayor, had done his utmost to serve his fellow citizens to the best of his ability.

Further tributes were paid by Alds W H Chubb and T A Goaman, Cllr Mrs E M Cox and the Town Clerk, Mr F C Backway. The meeting decided to place on record the Council’s appreciated of Ald Whiting’s services.

Two Famous Bridges 1952

Bideford and Barnstaple bridges were both threatened with annexation under the provisions of the Trunk Roads Bill early in 1946.

When Mr J B Cruse, who is so well known to many of us in the Torridge district and carries with him our best wishes in his year of high civic office, was elected Mayor of Barnstaple reference was made to the part played in the life of that town by its Long Bridge, of which Mr Cruse is Clerk to the Trustees. From Bideford we emphasise the spirit of unity – ranking far above friendly verbal interchanges of bridge fame and rivalry – that exists between the Bridge Trustees of both towns in the honest-to-goodness jealous preservation of their rights as trustees of ancient monuments. The discharge of these duties reflects credit on the civic mindedness of North Devonians for between 600 and 700 years.

Bideford and Barnstaple bridges were both threatened with annexation under the provisions of the Trunk Roads Bill early in 1946. There was inter-town concern at the time and the prompt and painstaking action of Bideford’s Bridge Warden (Mr F E Whiting), who burnt the midnight oil in producing facts and figures and conveying the vital flame of the Bridge Trust, strengthened the arguments Brig C H M Pete, MP, and others brought to bear so effectively in the House to preserve the independent trusts of both the North Devon bridges and of the Rochester bridge. As a result all three bridges were excluded from the provisions of the Bill.

Bideford has always been an intimate concern of Ald F E Whiting, and the fact that the town has honoured him by making an Honorary Freeman, and by electing him Mayor of the Borough in 1930, is evidence of the highest local appreciation of his public services. Bideford’s Long Bridge, in particular, has been the object of devoted attention by him. The interesting fact that he has now completed 21 years’ service as Warden of the Bridge is an occasion for personal notice. When he built his house, he erected it on an exclusive bend in the river valley giving a continuous view of the Bridge he has so loyally served. During the last war many hours of concentrated relaxation went to producing his model of the bridge, showing its development from timber to stone down the centuries. This is but one indication of the interest he has shown in the welfare to the minutest detail of a national monument, an interest that has far exceeded any claims the limited consideration of salary might impose upon him.

Mr C T Wesley honoured by colleagues

Presentation at Bideford Station 1938 - In connection with his retirement as senior Goods Clerk at Bideford Station, a presentation was made to Mr C T Wesley in the Waiting Room of the Station on Friday evening.

On behalf of the staff and friends, Mr R J Trigger, the recently appointed Stationmaster, presented a handsome oak pendulum timepiece to Mr Wesley and mentioned that he had not known Mr Wesley very long but had already been impressed with his work and ability. Inscribed on a silver plate on the clock was the following: “Presented to C T Wesley by the Railway Staff and friends at Bideford on his retirement. April 30th 1938”. Some of Mr Wesley’s old colleagues also spoke. Mr J Sharley, speaking for the Goods Department, wished him a long, happy and prosperous retirement. Messrs F Holwill (Passenger Station), A E Easterbrook (Outside Staff), F Ebsworthy (Bideford Clay workers) and T Keen (Chaplins Ltd) expressed their regret that Mr Wesley was leaving them, for they all had known him for several years and he had been as much a friends as a ‘chief’. Mr Wesley replying, said that he was glad he was remaining in Bideford in his retirement, and he thanked those friends outside the Railway Staff who had remembered his retirement, in so kind a fashion.