Parkham

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.

Miss Lorna Hancock,

of Kerwell Farm, Parkham, receives the challenge cup and replica for her prizewinning hors d'oeuvre at the 11th International Gastronomic Festival at Torquay, from the Mayor of Torbay, Ald A L Goodrich.

Lorna is a student at the North Devon Technical College.

The college's department of catering were awarded the Prix d'honneur of the festival for the second time in three years - for their exhibit a 'pate de becassine aux truffles' which also won for them the challenge trophy and gold medal.

Runners-up in this section came from the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. Other local winners were Irene Lewis of Bideford and Marilyn Skinner, Holsworthy.

Gazette article dated 16 May 1969

Chicken And Homemade Wine At Barbecue

Wine Circle

The lighter side of winemaking was the theme for more than 90 Torridge Valley Wine Circle members and friends at Cross Park, Parkham on Friday, the occasion of the annual barbecue. Mr and Mrs Ray Holland who placed their home and garden at the disposal of fellow circle members were thanked by Mr Peter Williams (Bradworthy).

Messrs Colin W Wadey, P Williams, K Burge, S Stone, Mrs W Travis and Miss W Mercer organised the barbecue which attracted a record crowd. Music was provided by Mr R Budd, of Bideford, on a locally made Wyvern electronic organ.

Circle members assisted in the preparation of chicken, baked potatoes, hog dogs and sponge flans were accompanied by a wide selection of homemade wines.

Gazette article dated 26 May 1972

Dark Ages Tradition

Some of the children of Parkham County Primary School at work on their entries for a competition based on an Easter tradition that dates back to the Dark Ages.

The tradition is that of decorating hard-boiled or blown eggs as symbols of re-birth and the National Farmers’ Union has organised the competition to revive interest in the art.
The entries from something like 7,000 children from 60 schools in the West country are to be judged on the quality of workmanship and originality of the design. The prizes at school level are being sponsored by individual egg producers, in the case of Parkham Mr Paul Cooper, of Littleham, the regional poultry secretary.
Judging at Parkham will be on February 24 and the winners go through to regional finals in early March. The national finals will be staged in London in Easter week.
Gazette article dated 17 February 1978