People

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.

Mr James Michael Walsh, only son of Mr and Mrs J Walsh, 9 Greysands Crescent, Appledore, and Miss Marilyn Rose Jewell, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J Jewell, 25 Tomouth Road, Appledore, were married at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, on Saturday.

The Vicar, Rev R C Dixon, officiated at the service and the organist Mrs Parks accompanied the hymns. The matron of honour was the bride’s sister, Mrs Jennifer White, and the senior bridesmaid, Miss Sonia Miles, a friend. Best man was Mr Leslie Pike. Following a reception at the Rose of Torridge Cafe, Bideford, Mr and Mrs Walsh left for a honeymoon in Torquay.

The full Gazette article is dated 5 April 1968

From one centenarian to another

Mrs Annie McCubbine

“From one centenarian to another” read a telegram sent to Mrs Annie McCubbine, of Northam, last week when she celebrated her 100th birthday.

The telegram was from Mrs McCubbine’s home town newspaper The Croydon Advertiser which is also celebrating its centenary. Sitting in an armchair, as alert and witty as a woman years her junior, Mrs McCubbine chatted to a Bideford Gazette reporter and proudly displayed other telegrams from the Queen, Gracie Fields and Mr Richard Crossman, Secretary of State for Social Security. Congratulations also came from singer Cilla Black during her TV show last week. Earlier the same day the chairman of Northam Council, Mr George Northcott, and his wife paid a visit, bringing the congratulations and good wishes of the Urban District.

To celebrate her birthday Mrs McCubbine as entertained to dinner by 15 of her family at Yeoldon Hotel, Northam, where another present awaited her from Mr and Mrs Mansell of Yeolden. It was the first 100th birthday party at the hotel.

Of her six children, four survive – Frank, Lilian, Charles and Anne. There are six grandchildren – Sylvia, Malcolm, Janet, Delphine, Warwick and Julian; and eight great-grandchildren – Alison, Michael, Christine, Alan, Colin, Ian, Adrian and Delia. Delphine was expected to present her ninth great-grandchild any day. Mrs McCubbine lives with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs L F West, with whom she lives at 29 Cleveland Park.

Gazette article dated 14 February 1969

Drove million miles without accident

In the 30 years that he was employed at the Torridge Vale factory (now Unigate)

at Torrington, Mr Fred Piper drove lorries a million miles – more than twice the distance to the moon and back – and never had an accident. During that time, said Mr Allin Stacey, the factory manager, at a ceremony at which safe-driving awards were presented to the firm’s drivers, Mr Piper had carried eight million gallons of milk, mostly on the Hartland run. And to do it he had used only six wagons.

Mr Piper, who has now retired, and Mr William Harris, were both presented by Police Inspector C J Edwards with stars to add to their 20-year safe-driving brooches.

Awards were presented to: W Harris, F Piper, W Hearn, J Sheppard, K Smale, S Parker, A Ayre, K Gibbs, S Short, G Elston, R Parker, E Underhill, J Davies, E Lewis, E Cockwill, T Parkyn, A Braunton, W Clarke, I Goodman, C Johns, T Slade, O Stacey, H Harris, L Harris, A Hutchings, K Jury.

Diplomas were issued to: K Harrild, A Davey, B Couch, A Baker, B Davies, D Hutchings, W Leverton, A Watts, D Courtney, M Davies, R Popham, J Sutton, B Jury, T Larkworthy, R Piper, M Squire and B Weeks.

In the photograph – Mr Allin Stacey, Police Sergt G S Priddle, Police Inspector C J Edwards, Mr Fred Fishlock, Mr E Lewis, Mr Fred Piper, Mr J Davies, Mr John Gerry, Messrs Lewis and Davies

Gazette article dated 24 January 1969