Shebbear

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.

As at Northam show,

Sweet peas won the blue ribbon for the best exhibit at Shebbear’s annual flower and vegetable show, held in the Village Hall. The sweet peas were exhibited by Mr E P Trible.

Prizes for the best cultivated productive garden in Shebbear and Buckland Filleigh were won by Messrs J T Mitchells, E G Moor and W J Baker.

Entries totalled 960.

The show was officially opened by Mrs R Fortescue Foulkes, who was introduced by Rev Alfred Olds, chairman and general secretary of the show.

Special prizes were won by: Anthony Blight, Mr E G Moore, A Ackland, R Pratley, Mr R S Luxton, Mr F Millman, Mr W J Pengelly, Mrs C Horne, Mr K Worth, Mr T Broad, Mrs C Griffin, Miss M Allin, Mrs Olds, Mr W R Newcombe, Mr D Davey, Mr Michael Spencer, Mrs Dymond, Mrs M E Harris, Mrs G Sluggett, Valerie Curtis. Special prizes in the children’s classes were won by Rosina Luxton, Elizabeth Buse, A Trenaman, G Knapman, Timothy Vanstone, W Weeks, Syliva Davey, Christine Adams and Bridget Thurley.

Principle winners were: Mr A Ackland, Mr R Pratley, E G Moore, J H Jones, R Luxton, W R Newcombe, T Broad, J T Mitchell, W R Prouse, F Blight, Master Anthony Blight, W J Baker, J Metter, Master Trevor Chamberlain, J Boundy, Peter Sluggett, E P Trible, F Millman, O J Fulford, S C Morris, C G Bailey, N M Southcott, Miss M Badcock, E Blight, R Luxton, R K Fortescue Foulkes, N Knight and Mrs R A Wallington. Fruit, flowers and arrangements: W J Pengelly, J T Mitchell, E G Moore, W R Newcombe, Mrs G Worth, Mr F Blight, Mr F Millman, Mrs W Ackland, Mr W J Baker, Mrs C Horne, Mrs K Worth, Mrs R A Wallington, Mrs R Luxton, Mrs Heard, Mrs R Ackland, Mrs Olds, Mr T Broad, Mr E P Trible, Mr C G Bailey, Mr C S Morris, Miss M Hooper, Mrs E G Ley, Mrs F Foulkes, Mrs R F Foulkes, Mrs B L Vanstone, Mrs C Griffin, Mrs G Sluggett, Miss C Quance, Mrs M Trible and Mrs J Trible.

Cookery, eggs, handicraft, honey, etc: Miss J Griffin, Miss N Allin, Mrs J Trible, Miss Tidball, Miss I N Andrew, Mrs Dymond, Mrs M Mill, Mrs Tidball, Miss I M Tucker, Mrs Olds, Mrs K Chamberlain, Miss M E Harris, Mrs G Sluggett, Mrs WJ Pengelly, Mrs I N Andrew, Mrs V L Vanstone, Miss J Thompson, Mr W R Newcombe, Mrs Fortescue Foulkes, Mrs E M Penna, Miss M L Ellis, Miss B Ching, Mrs A Ching, Mrs Johnstone and Mrs R Luxton.

Teenagers’ and children’s classes: Valerie Curtis, Pat Cork, Miss M Badcock, Monica Newcombe, Alan Andrew, D Johnstone, Michael Spencer, Sylvia Davey, Rosina Luxton, Elizabeth Buse, Christine Adams, Angela Balkwill, Geraldine Gerry, Thirza Hare, Daphne Moore, Helen Glass, Hazel Wheeler, Pamela Jeffery, Trevor Chamberlain, Nicholas Hammett, Richard Blackmore, M Kelly, Billy Buscombe, C Balkwill, Shirley Phillips, Janet Heard, W Weeks, Diane Nancekivell, M Robinson, A Trenaman, Colin Valanker, R Tuach, Timothy Vanstone, Penelope Ward, Dulcie Curtis, R Daniel, W Davies, M Wheeler, Peter Sluggett, Bridget Thurley, Pat Pratley, G Knapman, Michael Curtis, Rita Davey, Philip Sluggett, Susan Chard and Betty Cork.

Gazette article dated 28 July 1961

Shebbear's New Village Hall Opened

Celebration pageant beneath the great oak

Standing “as a real monument of what can be accomplished by the co-operation and loyal working together of a few ordinary village folk” – in the words of the Vicar, the Rev. H.A. Robins – Shebbear’s new £2,500 village hall was officially opened on Saturday.

Work on the erection of the hall started fourteen months ago and the money has been raised by the villagers organising various social events supplemented by a grant of over £900 from the Ministry of Education and a number of interest-free loans from local well-wishers. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. J.C. Hilton of Clovelly, who is President of the Devon Association of Parish Councils.

Although they were conscious of great social changes taking place in the countryside, the inadequacy of recreational and social facilities was still apparent in many villages today, said Mr Hilton. “I hope the low tide of rural apathy is at last on the turn,” he continued, “but the number of villages without a parish hall is still far too great”. It augured well for the future, said the Vicar, who is Chairman of the Parish Hall Committee, that, from the inception of the work, there had never been a cross word or disagreement between any of those engaged on it. Mr Robins thanked the local tradesmen for the expert craftmanship put into the building, the large number of villagers for giving a tremendous amount of time and energy, and women helpers for the encouragement of tea and sandwiches. He made particular reference to the work of the hon. secretary, Mr. A Buse, and of a helper from the neighbouring parish of Black Torrington, Mr. F. Shaddick, who had carried out a lot of the masonry work. Others helping behind the scenes, he said, had been the technical advisers connected with the National Council of Social Service. Votes of thanks were voiced by Dr. P.R. Green and the Rev. A. Olds, Methodist Minister, both of Shebbear. He hoped the new building would help young people to develop the kind of personality the country needed at present, said Mr. Olds.

After a united service in the village hall, conducted by the Vicar and Mr. Olds, the remainder of the day was given over to celebration and it is hoped that proceeds from the events, which included a whist drive, dance and garden fete will largely defray the outstanding debt on the new building.

PAGEANT TELLS VILLAGE’S STORY

Highlight of the day was the pageant, presented in the Village Square beneath the Great Oak of Shebbear at dusk. By the light of flaming torches the players unfolded the story of the indestructability of Shebbear. The pageant’s message of the inherent greatness of even the smallest English village was echoed by the Vicar when he addressed the audience of several hundred at the conclusion. “If this is the sort of thing country people can do, then you have nothing to learn from the towns,” he said. “Do not ape town people; keep to your traditions and customs. You see town dwellers aimlessly rushing hither and thither. Do not copy them.”

The pageant was specially written for the occasion by Mr. E.W. Martin of Black Torrington, the author and broadcaster, and the joint producers were Mr. Bickford Dickinson and Mrs. Margretta Bridgman.

THOSE TAKING PART

The cast in order of appearance was: Prologue, Mrs. E.W. Martin; Narrator, Victor Bonham-Carter; Priest, Mr. J. Quance; Woman, Mrs. M. Curtis; Earl Harold, Mr B. Ham; William the Norman, Mr. R. Shaddick; Richard Coeur de Lion, Mr. T. Brummitt; Edmund of Woodstock, Mr. Tucker; King Edward II, Mr. C. Gilbert; Joan de Holland, Mrs. Down; Mistress of Ceremonies, Miss R. Mill; Man, Mr. G. Blight; Crusaders, Shebbear College Boys; First Woman, Una Vanstone; Second Man, Mr. J. Quance; Second Woman, Miss M. Moore; Carter, Mr. O. Hearn; Thos. Cromwell, Mr. M. Mills; Anne Boleyn, Mrs. G. Hare; Ladies in Waiting, Misses Y. Balsdon, M. Brimacombe, C. Leach, M. Newcombe; Sir William Kingston, Mr. C. Dart; Headsman, Mr. K. Chamberlain; Soldier, Mr. P. Hearn; Ignorance, Mrs. W. Horne; Hatred, Mrs. J. Moast; Envy, Mrs. V. Tucker; Gossip, Mrs. J. Osborne; Accused Woman, Mrs. D. Bridgman; Carpenter, Mr. O. Hearn; Churchwarden, Mr. M. Adams; Parson, Mr. T. Lott; Pauper Woman, Miss E. Rickard; Overseer of the Poor, Mr. G. Blight; O’Bryan, Mr. D. Davey; First Voice, Miss A. Arnold; Second Voice, Miss D. Winser; James Thorne, Mr. D. Bridgman; Mary O’Bryan, Miss J. Mitchell. Sir Samuel Way, Mr. T. Lott; The President, Rev. A. Olds; Craftsman, Mr. K. Chamberlain; Voice, Mr. B.H.C. Dickinson; Children, Gordon Slade, Monica Newcombe, Claude Moore, Carole Leach, Derek Slade, Yvonne Balsdon. Crowd scenes, Miss B. Chapman, Miss A. Vanstone, Mrs. J. Osborne, Mrs. J. Moast, Miss A. Arnold, Mr. D. Davey, Mr. G. Blight, Mrs. W. Horne, Mrs. V. Tucker, Miss M. Moore.

The epilogue was spoken by Mr. G.D.C. Tudor, resident tutor for West Devon of the University College of the South-West, Exeter. Wardrobe mistress was Mrs. J.B. Morris and stage effects were by Mr. E.G.E. Locker; lighting and amplification by Mr. Denys-Bridgman.

Members publicly elected to the Parish Hall Committee are: Mrs D Bridgman, Mrs C Griffin, Mr D Bridgman, Mr A Buse (secretary), Mr A Bale (treasurer), Mr E Moore, Mr J Jones, Mr S Blight and Mr G Metter; and in addition representatives of other associations serving on the committee are: Rev H A Robins (chairman), Church Council and Parish Church; Mrs T Vanstone, Women's Institute; Mr W Ackland, British Legion; Mr S G Pett, Shebbear AFC; Mr E Locker, Shebbear College; Mr P Hearn, Shebbear Youth Club; Mr S F Buse, Parish Council; Mr H Wonnacott, Young Farmers' Club.

Gazette article dated 8 October 1954

Tomorrow Shebbear Opens Its New Village Hall

Pageant of rural history to be presented

Towards dusk tomorrow (Saturday) evening in Shebbear Square, almost under the Great Tree itself, scenes from the rural life and history of the parish will be told in pageant form as the culminating feature of celebrations associated with the opening of the new village hall.

With years of endeavour behind them, the villagers are celebrating a notable achievement in having themselves built the new hall which will meet a long-felt want.

As long ago as 1937 the site for the hall was purchased but then came the war and the need to concentrate on more immediate matters. In 1949 the Parish Hall Committee was re-formed and enthusiasm for the project was kindled anew. Gradually the money needed began to come in from whist drives, dances and other social functions and in the form of interest-free loans from the parishioners themselves and then thoughts began to turn to the building itself. A grant was also received from the Ministry of Education.

VOLUNTARY LABOUR

There was no shortage of voluntary labour and, using pre-cast sections, within little more than a month of the foundations being laid, the roofing and flooring stage was reached. Much of the building work was supervised by Mr. S.G. Pett and Mr. F. Shaddick. Brought from his home in the neighbouring parish of Black Torrington, Mr. Shaddick, a mason by trade, gave freely of time and labour. Carpentry and joinery were the special province of Mr. J. Jones who, in addition to evening work at the hall, spent every day and evening of his holiday there this year putting the finishing touches to the interior fitting. The electrical side of things was entrusted to Mr. Denys Bridgman and his mother , Mrs. Bridgman, senr., recently collected £17 among the women of the parish to provide curtains from the windows and drapes for the stage. Building of the hall has been a real communal effort and while it is impossible to mention all who have helped, none has worked harder than M. A. Buse who has been secretary of the Parish Hall Committee for the past five years.

COST £2,500

The building, which has cost about £2,500, measures 80 feet by 33 feet and has a central hall with a stage and additional rooms on either side of and at the rear of the stage which can be used as dressing rooms, committee rooms or kitchen.

Following the opening ceremony to be performed by Mr J.C. Hilton of Clovelly, who is President of Devon Parish Councils’ Association, a united service will be held in the new hall conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. H.A. Robins) and the Rev. A. Olds (Superintendent Methodist minister).

A fete with amusements and stalls is being staged in the grounds of the village hall during the afternoon and a display of physical training will be given by pupils of Shebbear College. A public tea and a concert by Stratton Silver Band are also included in the programme of celebrations.

The pageant itself is in the nature of a triumph for, with the late harvest this year, getting all the characters together for rehearsal has presented a problem.

SPECIALLY WRITTEN

Written specially for the occasion by a notable son of Shebbear, Mr. E.A. Martin, the writer, broadcaster and critic, the pageant is entitled “We will remember…” It is a completely local production, in fact the only “furriner,” to use a West Country phrase, will be another writer, Mr. Victor Bonham-Carter as narrator. The joint producers are Mrs. Margretta Bridgman, who runs the Village Youth Club and is secretary of Shebbear A.F.C. and still finds time to satisfy a keen interest in amateur dramatics, and Mr. Bickford Dickinson, a justice of the peace, who is a master at Shebbear College and a grandson of the great local writer, Sabine Baring-Gould.

With the bells of Shebbear Parish Church ringing out in the background, the pageant opens on the prologue spoken by Mrs. E.W. Martin: “Many people were born, cast their shadows, and died upon these acres. But they do not stand alone. They stand with the great minority, the country people in all the parishes throughout England, where the imprint of man is deeply scored into the soil.” The first scene will be in the nature of a dress rehearsal for the turning of the Devil’s Boulder which will take place on November 5th as it has done down through the centuries, and then the scene changes to the time of the Black Death, moving on to the confused days of the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549. The legend that Anne Boleyn was descended from a Shebbear family is linked in the story and other scenes include references to apprenticeships at the time of the Industrial Revolution and the founding of the Bible Christian movement at Shebbear. One of the final scenes shows the presentation of the deeds of Lake Farm, Shebbear, the cradle of the Bible Christian denomination, to the President of the Conference in 1891 by Sir Samuel J. Way, an Old Shebbearian who became Chief Justice of Australia.

To conclude the day there will be a dance in the village hall and a whist drive in the Council Schoolroom.

Gazette article dated 1 October 1954