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.

11 April 1963

Cole – April 4th to Anne (nee Parks) and Frank, a son, Andrew Neil.
Jones – Tuesday April 9th at Penlea, North View Avenue, Bideford, to Maureen, wife of Rev D Raymond Jones, a son, Andrew William, brother for Christopher.
Lee – April 7th to Sheila (nee Swiffen) and Derrick, a son, Stephen Richard.
Slade – To Ann and Brian, a daughter, Deborah Ann, a sister for Martyn
Westaway – April 3rd at the Grenville Nursing Home to Joyce (nee Ley) and John, a daughter, Susan Mary.

Deakins-Hornabrook – April 6th at St Mary’s, Appledore, Peter Deakins, 26 Merton Crescent , Portchester, to Maureen Hornabrook, daughter of Mr and Mrs C T Hornabrook, 16 Western Avenue, Appledore.
Hallett-Ford – March 27th at the Methodist Church, Appledore, by Pastor J Evison, assisted by Rev D Cox, James Gordon, son of Mr and Mrs G Hallett, Rosedale Cottage, Vernons Lane, to Eileen May, daughter of Mrs and the late Mr F J Ford, 19 One End Street.

Mr F W Titcomb and Miss M A Bright

Affection and esteem

The affection and esteem in which the bride and bridegroom are held was shown by the large congregation at the Baptist Church, Bideford, on Easter Monday for the wedding of Mr Francis William Titcomb, only son of Mr F P Titcomb and the late Mrs Titcomb, of Portledge, Queen’s Road, Newbury, and Miss Margaret Ann Bright, only daughter of Mrs Charles Bright and the late Mr C Bright, of Llandaff House, Clovelly Road, Bideford.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev E F H Knight with Mrs Dorothy Westacott at the organ.
The bride was given away by her uncle Mr J T M Mitchell. Her veil was kindly lent by Mr E F H Knight. She was attended by Miss Anne Lucas, the best man was Mr Carl Long and the bride’s brothers, Messrs Ingram and Christopher Bright, acted as ushers.
They will reside at Newbury, where the bridegroom is Master at Shaw House School. The bride, who received her training in nursing at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, has been acting as staff nurse at the Bideford and District Hospital.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1951

Bells Greeting At Appledore

Mr P G Blackmore and Miss D Eastman

Peals on the bells of St Mary’s Church, Appledore, greeted the wedding of Miss Diane Eastman, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W Eastman, ‘Out-along’, Torridge Road, Appledore, and Mr Philip G Blackmore, only son of Mr and Mrs E Blackmore, 34 Lime Grove, Bideford.
The Rev R C Dixon officiated and Mrs Parks at the organ accompanied the hymns. There were two attendants. Chief bridesmaid was Miss Denise Eastman and the small bridesmaid was Miss Susan Wren. Best man was Mr B Vincent and ushers were Messrs J Harris and D Morrish.
After a reception at the Rose of Torridge Café, Mr and Mrs Blackmore left for a honeymoon at the Isle of Man.
Full Gazette article dated 5 April 1963