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.

29 April 1966

Bennett – On April 26th 1966 to Mary (nee Branch) and Ian, God’s gift of a daughter, Amanda Jane. First grandchild to Mr and Mrs Bennett, Eastleigh Village.

Braddick – On April 26th 1966 at the North Devon Infirmary, to Dorothy and Graham, a daughter (stillborn).

Morris – On April 23rd 1966 at the North Devon Infirmary, to Sheila (nee Waldon) and David, a son, Richard Stanley.

Jones-Stanbury – the engagement is announced between Alan, only son of Mr and Mrs Victor Jones, Avondale, Abbotsham Road, Bideford, and Marcia, only daughter of Dr and Mrs W Stanbury, Stewardstone, Folly Gate, Okehampton.

Berry-Lewarne – the marriage took place on April 23rd by special licence, between Reginald Derek, only son of Mr and Mrs B Berry, 2 Model Terrace, Bideford, and Violet Lewarne, 30 Mill Street.

Braund-Borton – on April 9th 1966 at St Gabriel’s Church, London, Ralph, eldest son of Mr and Mrs R A Braund, of London, to Sandra, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Borton.

Patt-Friendship – on April 23rd 1966 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Derek, son of Mr and Mrs A Patt, Meddon Street, Bideford, to Glenda Mary, daughter of Mr and Mrs J Friendship, Tanorth Road, Whitchurch, Bristol

Greeted by Guard of Honour

Mr F A S Hoare and Miss J N Rudkin

Fellow members of Bideford Rugby Club formed a guard of honour with an archway of corner flags at the Church porch to greet Mr Fred Alan S Hoare and his bride, Miss Jean Nelson Rudkin, after their wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on March 23rd. The bridegroom, known to most of his friends as ‘Curly’ is a member of Bideford Rugby Club Chiefs and is also a well known local cricketer. He is the only son of Mr and Mrs Hoare, of 107 Lime Grove, Bideford. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J N Rudkin, 3 Coldharbour, Bideford.

The Rector of Bideford, Preb J A Durling, officiated at the ceremony and Mr P Medley was at the organ. There were two bridesmaids – Misses Gail Rudkin, youngest sister of the bride, and Sally Bond, cousin of the bridegroom. Mr Brian Cording, friend of the bridegroom, undertook duties of best man and the ushers were Mr R Halbert and Mr Ian Rudkin.

Following a reception at Tanton’s Hotel, at which a toast to the happy couple was proposed by Mr S Webber, Mr and Mrs Hoare left for their honeymoon in London. Over 100 presents were received. From the staff of SW Electricity Board, by whom the bridegroom is employed, there was the gift of an electric fire. Flowers were by Messrs Perkins, Mill Street, Bideford.

The full Gazette article is dated 1 April 1955

Mr D N Cotterell and Miss S M Seward

There was much interest in a double wedding at St Catharine’s Church, Chipping Camden, Glos, on Easter Monday, at which one of the brides was Miss Sheila Mary Seward, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J R Seward, of Tor-Croft, Raleigh, Bideford.

She was the bride of Mr David Noel Cotterell, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Cotterell of Gypsy Spring, Broadway, Worcs. The wedding of his brother, Mr Paul Cotterell, to Miss Hazel Longmore, took place at the same time.

David, who is employed in the Midland Bank, was for a time stationed at Appledore during his service in the Royal Navy. Miss S M Seward was formerly on the staff of the Inland Revenue at Bideford and was subsequently transferred to Evesham Tax Office. She was attended by her elder sister, Mrs M V Sharp, and by her friend, Miss Mary Featherstone. The page boy, a nephew of the bridegroom, wore red velvet trousers and a white silk blouse. Mr M V Sharp carried out the duties of best man. A reception, at which 75 guests were entertained, was held at the Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Camden.

The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1951