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

Joining Brother in Canada

Miss Anne Hopper,

only daughter of Mr and Mrs W A Hopper, of Hammetts, Woolsery, left for Toronto, Canada, just after Christmas, to join her brother (who has an appointment with Toronto Dominion Bank) and to seek a job as a dental nurse and receptionist.

Her brother, Richard, who was formerly with Bideford branch of Lloyds Bank Ltd emigrated three years ago. About two years ago he experienced a bank hold-up in course of which three customers were shot, one fatally. He promptly flung himself on the alarm bell.

Miss Hopper, who has been employed by Bideford dentist, Mr J G Cross, was formerly with Bideford branch of the Midland Bank, and with the Gazette office.

An Old Girl of Edgehill College, 27 year old Miss Hopper told the Gazette she had been thinking of emigrating for some time, especially since her brother had gone to Toronto.

Gazette article dated 3 January 1964

Wedding Peals At Bideford

Mr B P Hopkins and Miss J A Braund

Peals on the bells of St Mary’s Church, Bideford, where they had just been married, on Saturday greeted an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, Mr Brian Philip Hopkins, B.Sc, and his bride, Miss Juliet Anne Braund, SRN, an Old Girl of the Stella Maris Convent School.

The bridegroom, elder son of Mrs M Hopkins and the late Mr P H Hopkins, 52 Royston Road, Bideford, obtained his B.Sc in agriculture at Reading University and is now a consulting officer with the Milk Marketing Board in Hampshire where the couple are to make their home.

Only daughter of Mr and Mrs W Braund, ‘St Davids’, New Road, Bideford, the bride trained and obtained her State registration as a nurse at the Torbay Hospital, Torquay. She has recently been a staff nurse on the children’s ward at Bideford Hospital.

The Rector, Rev T Derwent Davies, officiated at the service. The chief bridesmaid was Miss Ann Dolton, the younger was Miss Patricia Law. The page was Ian Withecombe. Mr Norman Hopkins, brother of the bridegroom, was best man, and ushers were Messrs C Nicholls, A Braund and R Hopkins.

After a reception at the Royal Hotel, Mr and Mrs Hopkins left for a honeymoon in London.

The full Gazette article is dated 1 March 1963