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 and Mrs Wilfred (Pip) Walter’s dearest wish was that their second baby should be a boy – a brother for their three-years-old daughter, Marilyn.

That wish came true.

It was a boy – Mark Anthony. But it was Mark Anthony’s arrival into the world which makes the headlines. Scene was 3 Barton Cottages, Abbotsham. Time was the early hours of the morning. Storyteller is Mr Wilfred Walter, 28-years-old farm worker. In an interview with a Bideford Gazette reporter, he said: ‘My wife Pat told me it was time I got her to the hospital so I dressed and went to fetch the car in the village, leaving her alone. ‘I was only away about twenty minutes but when I got back I received the shock of my life. The baby had arrived and Pat had done everything herself. I telephoned for a doctor and an ambulance because as you can well imagine I was running around in circles. Then Pat and the baby were taken in to a Bideford nursing home. Pat and the boy are doing very well and all being well, I am expecting them home again at the end of this week.’Concluded Wilfred with a smile: ‘We certainly got our wish but we never dreamt that it would happen like it did.’

Of course, the centre of attraction in the nursing home was Pat, aged 28, and her son.

Gazette article dated 2 May 1958

41 Years A Teacher At School She Attended As Pupil

Retirement of Miss I P Bow of East-the-Water

A family association with East-the-Water Primary School extending back some 70 years enters on a new phase when Miss Ida Phoebe Bow, of Newland, Mines Road, Bideford, retires on April 29th after 41 years as reception teacher at the School.

One of a family of seven children, all of whom were taught there, Miss Bow subsequently returned to it as a teacher and now the association is being continued by her niece, Miss Christine Bow, who has been appointed to succeed her. A Bideford Gazette reported, who interviewed Miss Bow at the school, also spoke to the school headmaster, Mr H V Lucas, who said ‘As reception teacher, Miss Bow has had a great influence on the attitude of children both towards school and life in general, and she has been the guiding hand to a large number of children’.

Miss Bow has seen many changes during her long service. When she came to the school it was for infants only. Miss Annie Davis, now Mrs Tretheway and living at Brockhurst, was headmistress. She was followed by Miss R S Morris and Mrs A E Anderton was appointed head of a newly-formed junior section at the school.

7.4.1955 Ida Bow1

The full Gazette article is dated 7 April 1955.

Births, Engagements and Marriages

Announced in the Gazette on 1 April 1966

Jones – On March 22nd 1966, to Geraldine (nee Prouse) and David, of Elmslea, Pitt Hill, Appledore, the gift of a son (Simon Gerald David), a brother for Michelle.

Potter – On March 22nd 1966, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi, to Jean (nee Palmer) and David, a daughter (Ruth), a sister for Anne, Keith and Ian.

Stevens - On March 27th 1966, at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Julie (nee Beck) and Brian, a daughter (Zoe), a sister for Mark.

Vanstone – On March 25th 1966, at Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Jean (nee Stevens) and Bryan, a daughter (Caryn Frances).

Shore-Windsor – The engagement is announced between Howard, second son of Mr and Mrs F M Shore, Treeside, Durrant Lane, Northam, and Jennifer, only daughter of Mr and Mrs C R Windsor, 50 Warberry Road West, Torquay.

Down-Tritton – On March 24th 1966, John Down of Frizenham, Torrington, to Joanna Tritton, of Putridge, Buckland Brewer.

Andrews – Congratulations Mum and Dad, on your Silver Wedding Anniversary – Gill, Judith and Barry.