Alverdiscott

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.

John Tythcott, the club’s 23 year old chairman, was champion of the club classes at Alverdiscott YFCs annual sheep shearing competitions last week.

More than 100 entries from seven North Devon YFCs competed for the two trophies – the Lister Shield and the Committee Cup – presented by Torrington Agricultural Society because the date of its own show precluded their being offered then.
Maurice Rottenbury, North Molton, won the shield, two seed competitions and the open championship. His brother, Dennis was the under-25s open winner.
Results – P Kelland, P Shapland, G Parsons, S Jewell, H Parsons, R Marles, D Hopkins, W Shambrook, J Tythcott, N May, C Shapland, M Rottenbury, E Squire, D Rottenbury, R Allen, C Hopper, E Smith, P Edwards, W Friend.
The full Gazette article is dated 12 June 1959

Alverdiscott Day of Memories

Methodist Jubilee Cake

Mr and Mrs Joseph Johns, of Sunnydale, Stoney Cross, Alverdiscott, cut an anniversary cake at a public tea on Wednesday and revived memories of 50 years ago. It was then that they both attended Alverdiscott Methodist Church when the building was first opened.

On Wednesday the cutting of the jubilee cake, provided by the church’s trustees, marked the highlight of the day’s 50 year anniversary celebrations. Mr Johns is 87; he and his wife are the oldest living couple who were there when the present building was opened. Visiting speaker at anniversary services on Wednesday was the Rev T J Foinette, minister of Plymouth Central Hall, attending in the unavoidable absence of the chairman of the district, the Rev J K Whitehead. Another visitor was the Bideford Circuit Superintendent, Rev G E Gregory, bringing the best wishes of the other circuit churches.

After services and tea a rally was held in the evening, presided over by Mr H Thorne, of St Giles in the Heath, who also attended the church 50 years ago. Items were presented by Bideford Male Voice Quartet and organists for the day were Miss C Spear and Mrs G F Ford. A supper followed.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1959

Alverdiscott Show To Cease

Alverdiscott Show To Cease - 18th March 1966

Notable Work For Hall Village Fund

At a meeting on Monday night, the committee of Alverdiscott's gymkhana, horse show and flower show, held annually in August, reluctantly decided, on a proposition by Mr Wilfred Johns, seconded by Mr John Lee, and carried unanimously, to cease holding the annual show.
Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood, a former secretary and president, presided at the meeting at which it was pointed out that the show had continued successfully, but with the loss of two of its leading personalities, the late Mr George Ford and the late Mr Victor Bearman, there was now none who would take on the responsibility of president and chairman of the organising committee.
The show was started shortly after the last war with the prime object of raising money for the provision of a village hall for the parish. Mr W J G Coad, of Bideford, who was treasurer of the show from 1947 to 1959 and among whose proud possessions is a garden seat commemorating the fact, told the Gazette of the great part the show had played in raising the funds for the hall. Every householder in the parish and neighbouring farmers had rallied under the late Mr George Ford to make a success both of the show and the village hall it was intended to provide. Prior to this meetings and dances had been held in Webbery Barn, kindly loaned by Mr Ford.
Mr J Nankivell, secretary of the show for the past four years, told the Gazette that last year's show attracted as popular a 'gate' and as many entries as the previous year, but the financial profit and the show was run to make money for the parish hall was only about £16, of which £9 came as the result of the dance at the village hall in the evening. The unanimous opinion was that it was not now worth the effort, especially without the organising force of a good president-chairman as in the past.