Monkleigh

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.

Rodeo included in fete for Village Hall

A flavour of the old ‘wild west’ came to Monkleigh. One of the attractions of a programme in aid of village hall funds was a rodeo. Despite the drizzly weather there was an enthusiastic gathering of about 400 from the village and several miles around to watch equally enthusiastic would-be cowboys ride bareback and without reins 15 unbroken ponies brought from the Cornish moors. Brian Gilbert, of Monkleigh, held the saddle on the ‘bucking bronco’ for the longest period and gained the subsequent first prize. Second was Keith Moore, and third, R Jasper.

The fete was opened by TV announcer, Mr Stuart Hutchinson. Light rain fell frequently during the afternoon and evening but did not prove to be a major problem as a good crowd still braved the unpleasant weather to wander around the field purchasing goods on the stalls.

Other competitions including darts, fancy dress, baby show, pillow fight and sheep weight judging.

The secretary of the fete, Mrs E A Sanders, commented “It was most successful, especially considering it was raining. If it had not been raining then it would have been extra special.” A buttonhole was presented to Mr Hutchinson by Miss Mary Hodorowski.

Stallholders included: Rosalyn Clements, Ann Martin, Mrs A Beer, Ella Beer, Mesdames A and E Tallin, L Grigg, J Gilbert, Misses I and D Downs, Mrs E Wicks, Mr H Staddon and Messrs T and K Staddon. Tea helpers were Mesdames C Beer, C Mann, Lawrence, L Grigg, Wainwright and Miss Ella Beer. Judge at a baby show was Mrs B Butcher and of the children’s competitions Mrs N Brooks.

Children’s competitions were won by David Down, Richard Daniel, Barry Wood, Rita Daniel, Gordon Squires, Marian Glover, Graham Palmer, Linda Gilbert, Sandra Daniel, Brian Clements, Rosemary Jewell, Loon May, Marian Glover, Janet Lawrence, Mary Hodorowski, Linda Parr, Andrew Clements, Trevor Woodguard, Leslie Martin, James Mann, Rosalyn Clements, Barbara Mann, Leslie Martin, Pamela Down, Ann Martin and James Mann.

Altogether the day made a profit of £120.

11 June 1965

Margaret Gilbert

Shebbear Harvest Queen

Margaret Gilbert, of Knowle Farm, Monkleigh, was chosen Harvest Queen at a harvest ball organised by Shebbear Church repair committee and held in the village hall there.

Former Monkleigh Man’s 50 Years in Canada

Still thinks our pace ‘too slow'

A man who emigrated to Canada 50 years ago because ‘everything around here was too slow’ is at present holidaying in North Devon visiting friends and relatives.

He is Monkleigh born and bred Mr J E Prouse. It was in 1911 that he first obeyed the wanderlust and went to Alberta. In world war one he found himself back in England and when he was discharged in 1920 he came back to Monkleigh with every intention of settling down. Six months later he was back in Canada.

In Vancouver, where he now lives, Mr Prouse has been a representative for a food products firm, retiring in May this year. He decided to make the trip to England for three months’ holiday. His wife, three sons and daughter remain in Canada.

Mr Prouse is staying with his sister, Mrs J Harris, at Instow, and has been visiting his two other sisters, Mrs Mitchell, of 70 Clovelly Road, Mrs W Luxton, of Tithe Ford, and his brother, Mr W Prouse, of Annery Kiln.

Gazette article dated 4 August 1961