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.

Katie Holds Court On Her 100th Birthday

From her bed in the centre of a ward at Bideford’s Torridge Hospital on Wednesday Miss Kate Bayliss held court, surrounded by a company which included the Mayor and Mayoress (Dr and Mrs I J Hewetson). There would have been every excuse for excitement, for this was a celebration to mark the 100th birthday of Katie (as she is known to her friends) but she remained as placid as ever.

It is a long time since Katie left her home in the Malvern Hills to move to North Devon. During the First World War she and her sister kept the ‘Black Horse’ at Torrington and later they ran a guest house at Instow. Among their guests was Mr R Gale and ultimately, when he married, she went as housekeeper to the family at Fremington.

Katie had no relative to greet her on her birthday – there is none left other than Mrs Ethel Sewell, of Newport, a niece, who is in her eighties – but there were many friends including members of the Hospital Advisory Committee, some of whom have known her since she became a patient in 1954.

Her first visitors were the matron, Mrs Mary Morris, and members of the staff including the chef. She sang her favourite song – Grandfather’s Clock – and recited. The melody was heard by guests at the party in the afternoon. It had been played on the radio on Sunday morning by Dudley Savage.

Katie enjoyed the party fare that had been provided. It included a magnificent cake made and given by Mr and Mrs Fred Patt. Mrs R Foster had written a poem in Katie’s honour and this was read by the Rev R Foster. The Mayor was thanked by Mrs Clogg of Fremington.

The full Gazette article is dated 1 February 1963

Their Golden Day Next Week

Celebrating their golden wedding next Wednesday will be Mr and Mrs James Henry Bedler, of 90 Pynes Lane, Bideford.

For 45 years they lived at Bowden Green, moving to their present address last November.
Mr Bedler, who is 74, was formerly a member of Bideford Town Council’s outdoor staff. Although his health is not of the best, he gets about indoors. His wife, who before her marriage, was Miss Lillian Mary Jenkins, is 69 and in active health.
Of the six surviving daughters four live in Bideford. The daughters are: Mrs L W Braund of Stucley Road; Mrs G Lockyer of Launceston; Mrs J West of Grenville estate; Mrs C Shapland of Stucley Road; Mrs W Hopper of Lynton; and Mrs S Prouse of Pynes Lane. There are 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A family party is being held to celebrate the golden day.
The Gazette article is dated 26 January 1973

Breakfast Surprise

2s 6d Label Inside Egg

A surprise awaited Mr Ernest Shutt of 9 Rockmount Terrace, Pitt Lane, Bideford, when he sat down to breakfast. He cracked a boiled farm egg open with a spoon and as he picked off the shell he found a label with the price 2/6d marked on in ink.

'I ate the egg, of course, and enjoyed it, too' said Mr Shutt, who is a tailor

The Gazette article is dated 2 January 1959