Buckland Brewer

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.

Saturday night and Sunday morning really meant something for farmer Mr S J Brown, of East Hele, Buckland Brewer, and his family

During the night three of his ewes produced quads, but since they had been tied in with two lambs this was not discovered until the morning. That meant a busy day for Mrs Brown who spent much of the time wielding feeding bottles.
Afterwards a neighbour took two of the lambs and two others were passed to foster parents, making their twins triplets.
The flock is proving remarkably prolific, at least a dozen sets of triplets having been produced. On Tuesday were born a set of triplets and seven sets of twins.
Gazette article is dated 9 March 1962

Proud display at Buckland

Members of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club with the impressive array of trophies they have won.

Sitting at the table is club chairman Mrs Janet Brown and club secretary Mr Maurice Poole.
The trophies are Kellog shield for most proficiency tests won in the Torridge groups; Viscount Amory cup for most silver and gold proficiency badges in the county; group cups for skittles, debating and the SWEB quiz; and individual cups for the members gaining most points in the group throughout the year – won by Miss Margaret Heywood and Mr Donald Harris.
Gazette article dated 2 March 1973

Together As They Were 50 Years Ago

When Mr and Mrs John Slee, of Highbury, Buckland Brewer, celebrated with a family gathering their golden wedding anniversary last week there were also present the two bridesmaids and the best man.

The bridesmaids were Mr Slee’s sister, Mrs Ivy Brimacombe, of Putford, and the bride’s cousin, Mrs Edna Sawle, of Westward Ho! The best man was Mr Slee’s brother Leslie, who farms Sedborough, Parkham.
The wedding was at Kilkhampton, the bride being Miss Emily Elliott, who was born at Woolsery. Mr Slee was born at Bitworthy but grew up at Sedborough which his father farmed. On their wedding they took over Halsbury, near Buckland. Halsbury has a centuries old history. At one window place there is the date 1659 but parts of the building are thought to be even older.
Mr Slee, whose activity nowadays is largely limited to the house in winter, is 77 and his wife is 74.
During his active farming days Mr Slee built up the family interest in Devon cattle and a flock of Devon longwools, and years ago also took a pride in his shire horses. Over the years his stock won many prizes particularly at Woolsery Show. Mr Slee has served on the committee of that show for over 50 years.
Retiring 10 years ago to their bungalow home, Mr and Mrs Slee were followed at Halsbury by their sons, Andrew and Bryant, farming in partnership.
It was at Halsbury that the celebration gathering was held.
Gazette article dated 2 February 1973