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.

The wedding has taken place at Lavington Congregational Church, Bideford, of Mr Paul Francis Morrish, only son of Mr and Mrs E Morrish, 3 Rockmount Terrace, Bideford, and Miss Valerie Joyce Steer, only daughter of Mr and Mrs L Steer, Holmfield, Torrington Street, Bideford.

The Rev Gladys Smith officiated and the organist, Mr D Whittington, accompanied the hymns. Bridesmaids were the bride’s cousins, Misses Susan and Carolyn Davis and Michelle Jeffery. Best man was Mr Dennis Waters and the ushers were Messrs Albert Harris, bride’s cousin, and John Hare. Horseshoe good luck tokens were presented to the bride by Michelle Jeffery and Mark Stevens.

Following a reception at the Royal Hotel, Mr and Mrs Morrish left for a honeymoon in London. Among the presents were a cheque and clock from the directors and staff of the Western Counties and Barnstaple Building Society where the bride is employed, a copper companion set from the staff at Heard Bros, where the bridegroom is employed and a New English Bible from the Rev Gladys Smith. Flowers were supplied by Messrs Braund Bros and the wedding cake by Richards’ Bakeries, Northam.

The full Gazette article is dated 11 April 1968

Mr A P Mitchell and Miss P A Haywood

The wedding has taken place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, of Mr Andrew Paul Mitchell, only son of Mr and Mrs J H Mitchell, of 119 Clovelly Road, Bideford, and Miss Patricia Ann Haywood, only daughter of Mr and Mrs T L Haywood, 92 Clovelly Road, Bideford.

The bridegroom is a member of the Swan B skittles team and of the Bideford Blues football team. The Rector, Rev T Derwent Davies, officiated at the service. The trumpet voluntary was played. Organist was Mr J R Trigger. Chief bridesmaid was the bride’s cousin, Miss Janet Haywood, and the other bridesmaid, the bridegroom’s niece, Miss Jaqueline Clements. Best man was Mr Colin Mower.

Following a reception at the New Inn Hotel, Bideford, Mr and Mrs Mitchell left for a honeymoon in Weston-super-Mare and Bournemouth.

Among the many presents received were a teak edged mirror and a drying cabinet from the bride and bridegroom’s colleagues at SWEB. The bridesmaids dresses were made by the bride’s mother and aunt, and the flowers were supplied by Messrs Braund’s, Handy Cross, Bideford.

Full Gazette article is dated 11 April 1968

Vintage Rolls Her Bridal Carriage

A vintage 1922 Rolls driven by her uncle, Mr D Johns, of Instow, carried Miss Gillian Elizabeth Westacott to her wedding at Bideford Baptist Church and, afterwards, took bride and bridegroom to a reception at Instow.

Miss Westacott, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Ronald Westacott, 2 Lansdowne Terrace, Bideford, married Mr David John Hall, only son of Mr and Mrs Donald Hall, 52 Newnham Avenue, Eastcote, Middlesex. The Minister of the Baptist Church, where the bride is a Sunday School teacher, Rev Alan Fleetwood, officiated, assisted by a former minister, Rev Eric F Knight. Mr A Moorefield accompanied the hymns. Bridesmaids were the Misses Jill Cleverdon and Susan Jones, and Patricia Allard. Mr James Kent was best man and ushers were Messrs Graham Westacott and Christopher Johns.

Following a reception at the Marine Hotel, Mr and Mrs Hall left for a honeymoon.

Full Gazette article is dated 11 April 1968