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.

Jack and Marie

The first couple to marry from Torridge View Welfare Home, Torrington, Mr Jack Johns and the former Miss Marie Braund, after their wedding at Northam Register Office on Saturday.

The bridegroom is 78 and a widower: his bride still refuses to reveal her age, but the couple were at school together.

Mr Johns formerly lived at Dyke Green, Higher Clovelly, and has been at the old people’s home since last April. His wife, who it has been said, will be the last of the famous Braunds of Bucks Mills ever to marry from the village, left her Corner Cottage there to enter the home the following month to the great regret of villagers with whom she was highly popular. All shared her happiness on Saturday.

The bride, wearing the customary rose in her hair, was given away by the Superintendent of the home, Mr Matt Robinson. Care assistant Mr Reg Baker was best man.

A reception at the home for family and friends was attended by 28 guests. But all residents shared the wedding breakfast.

There was no honeymoon, but the couple were immediately transferred to married quarters – a move made possible by a recent remodelling of the building. And there they found a double bed – ‘very unusual in an old people’s home’ – the matron, Mrs Joan Robinson, told the Gazette.

Article dated 4 March 1977

Births, Engagements and Marriages

4 February 1977

Granger – On January 29 1977 at the GP Unit, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, to Dee and Jim, a son Robin. Brother for Jamie.
Pengilly – On January 29 to Jennie (nee Parkhouse) and Keith, a son, Jason Keith.
Poole – On January 25 to Raymond and Mary (nee Marshall), a son Patrick Alan.
Potts – On February 1 at the NDDHMU to Barbara (nee Lang) and Terry, a daughter, Dawn Ruth. Sister for Rebecca.

Brinton-Martin – Mr and Mrs J Martin of Orchard Farm, Monkleigh, Bideford have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter Ann to David, son of Mr and Mrs C Brinton, 46 Bradley Avenue, Winterbourne, Bristol.
Hooper-Hood – The parents of both families have the pleasure of announcing the engagement between Susan Hood of 178 Stucley Road, Bideford, and Royston Hooper of 5 Churchill Road, Bideford.
Screech-Coulson – Both families have pleasure in announcing the engagement of Tony, only son of Mr and Mrs J Screech, 11 Barton Tors, Bideford, to Susan (nee Cowd), second daughter of Mr and Mrs E G Cowd, 12 Silver Street, Bideford.

Backway-Dearlove – On Saturday January 29 1977 at Harrow, Middlesex, Roger to Paulette.

Webb-Rivers – On February 4 1952 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, by The Rev M G Ball, Henry to Val. Present address: 37 Osborne Road.

Births, Engagements and Marriages

4 October 1968

Hawkins – Wednesday, October 2nd 1968, to Mary and Ron, a daughter, Lynn Marie, a sister for Michael, Stephen and Angela.
Weeks – August 29th at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, to Ann (nee Blackmore) and Alan Weeks, a son, Philip Robert MacDonald.

Burrage-Symonds – Mr and Mrs E F Symonds, Lawnfield, Limers Lane, Northam, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter, Rosemary, to Colin, eldest son of Mr and Mrs C H Burrage, 2 Montague Place, Bideford.
Mellors-Carey – Mr and Mrs A J Carey have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their elder daughter, Melanie Jane, to William Charles, elder son of Major and Mrs W Mellors, of Nottingham.
Orman-Whewell – Mr and Mrs G H Orman, of Torrington, Devon, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only son, John, to Pamela, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Whewell, East Ayton, Yorkshire.
Penn-Dossetter – The engagement is announcing between Linda, second daughter of Mr and Mrs J W Dossetter, Buckleigh Lodge, Westward Ho! and Michael, younger son of Mr and Mrs J P Penn, Honestone Street, Bideford.
Sainsbury-Stacey – Mr and Mr W H Stacey, Town Park, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter, Sylvia, to Roger, only son of Mr and Mrs Sainsbury, Moreton Park, Bideford.
Williams-Popham – Mr and Mrs A Popham, 21 Town Park, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only daughter, Dianne, to Edward, youngest son of Mr and Mrs I Williams, Canoe Cae, Penrhyndeudraeth, N Wales.

Babb-Stevens – September 28th at the Methodist Church, Bideford, by the Rev Denman K Martin, BD, Norman John Babb, of 114 Clovelly Road, Bideford, to Susan Jayne, only daughter of Mr and Mrs C Stevens, Chagford, 21 Royston Road, Bideford. Future address: 1 Brecon Close, Bideford.
Johns-Hooper – September 28th at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, Trevor, eldest son of Mr and Mrs C Johns, of 111 Well Street, Torrington, to Judith, only daughter of Mr and Mrs W Hooper, of 21 Bude Street, Appledore.
Morris-Beer - Saturday September 28th at St Nectan’s Church, Hartland, Susan Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs T Beer, of Cullen, Harton Cross, Hartland, to Geoffrey Christopher Morris, son of Mrs M Barter, Woking, Surrey.