Landcross

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.

Formerly of Landcross

Many friends will remember the kindly, cheery Mrs Edith B. Taylor-Shepherd, who for well over 30 years lived in Lime Kiln Cottage, Landcross, and who has celebrated her 100th birthday.

In 1952, she left Bideford district to stay with her nephew and niece, Mr and Mrs Frank C. Maeve, who run The Buck Hotel, Bangor-on-Dee. A native of Kent, Mrs Taylor-Shepherd has been confined to bed for the past 18 months, but was in fine form to receive her birthday presents and a host of friends and relatives who called on her.

One of the gifts that touched her most was a simple bunch of mixed flowers from local schoolchildren; and among many greetings received was a message from The Queen. “I feel so thrilled, everyone has been so generous,” said Mrs Taylor-Shepherd.

Gazette article dated 12 March 1965

Uniforms at Landcross Wedding

Flight-Mech J Jones RAF and Nurse J R Clarke

There was much local interest and a large attendance of friends at the wedding on May 19th at Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard, of Flight-Mechanic Jesse Jones, RAF, and Nurse Joyce Rosa Clarke, fourth daughter of Mr and Mrs Frank Clarke, Hillsboro’, Landcross.
The services were well represented at the wedding; the bride’s father, brother-in-law and other friends came in the uniform of the Home Guard; another friend was in uniform at a member of the Civil Defence Services; the bride’s sister, Pelina, wore the uniform of a State Registered Nurse and her brother was in army uniform. The bridegroom wore his RAF uniform.
The Rev G K Walton officiated and the organist was Mr Desmond Glover. The chief bridesmaid was Nurse Dora......two other bridesmaids were Miss Connie Clarke and Miss Betty Jones. Miss June Pidler acted as train bearer.L/Bomber Leonard Clarke carried out the duties of best man and Mr Leonard Kinsman acted as usher. The bride was presented with a silver horse shoe by her niece, Dawn Glover.
At the reception held at the bride’s home at Landcross, there were about 60 guests. L/Bomber proposed the toast to the King, the Rev G K Walton proposed that to the bride and bridegroom, Mr Stewart Ellis to the bridesmaids and Major A W Cudmore to the parents.

Weston-Super-Mare was chosen for the honeymoon.

Gazette article dated 1 June 1943

World War 1

Landcross

The Wesleyan Methodist Sunday school anniversary services were held on Sunday July 14th, when sermons were preached afternoon and evening by Rev E B Crocker to large congregations.
On the Wednesday following a public tea was provided, of which about 120 partook.
A public meeting was held in the evening when both the church and schoolroom were well filled. Mr E Luxton presided, and the speakers were Rev E B Crocker, Mr A E Green and Mr A Taylor (Superintendent of the Sunday School). Mr A Taylor was specially thanked for providing such an excellent tea, as was also Mr Shortridge, Mrs Oliver, Mrs J Colwill and Mrs E Colwill, for presiding at the tables. Thanks were also accorded Mr Rayman, who provided sports for the children, and to Miss Hetty Pickard for presiding at the organ, and to the choir who had so loyally rallied round her.
The little chapel at Landcross, which has been closed for some time, has undergone renovation, and it is hoped that a service now and then will be held there in order to cheer those who are working the Sunday school so willingly to keep it going.
The financial result of the services were very gratifying.
Gazette article dated 23 July 1918.