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.

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, the wedding has taken place of Mr Joseph Hoyle Pilling, son of Mr and Mrs Pilling, Bacup, Lancashire, and Miss Constance Joan Short, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A E Short, 6 Montague Place, Clovelly Road, Bideford.

The Rector of Bideford (Rev J A Durling) officiated.
The bride was attended by two friends as bridesmaids – Misses June Lewis and Shirley Clarke. The bridegroom’s brother, Mr Leslie Pilling, discharged the duties of best man. Mr Eric Whittaker and Master John Short were ushers.
At the reception, which was held at Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, guests expressed their good wishes to bride and bridegroom and many congratulatory telegrams and messages were read. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Pilling left for Lewisham for the honeymoon.
The full Gazette article is dated 23 December 1947.

Appledore-Bideford Wedding

The wedding took place at Appledore Congregational Church on November 25 of Mr John Henry Rendle , eldest son of Mr and Mrs W Rendle, 32 Market Street, Appledore, to Miss Vera Ann Cummings, only daughter of Mr and Mrs G H Cummings, 14 Glendale Terrace, Bideford.

The service was conducted by Rev J W Edge and the organist was Mr J Beara.
Given away by her uncle, Mr L Randall, the bride wore a full length gown of white figured brocade and a veil held in place with a headdress of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations and work and silver locket and chain given to her by the bridegroom.
The bride was attended by a chief bridesmaid, Miss Lillian Rendle, and two small bridesmaids, Misses Anne Rendle and Hazel Olde. Duties of best man were carried out by Mr W A Rendle and the ushers were Marine R Fry and Mr G Fowler.
The bride was presented with lucky horseshoe tokens by Misses Susan Hooper and Judith Hooper, and Miss Sheila Cranleigh. Numerous other presents were received including a bedside lamp from the mothers of the children at the Kingsley Road Day Nursery and cutlery from the workmates of the bridegroom at HM Dockyard, Devonport.
After a reception held in the Boys’ Brigade Room, Mr and Mrs Rendle left for their honeymoon in Bristol.

The Gazette article is dated 15 December 1950

Bideford Bride

Mr J H Mayne and Miss M Hooper

The wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Saturday of Miss Margaret Hooper, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs K Hooper, 31 Clifton Street, Bideford East, to Mr John Henry Mayne, eldest son of Mrs and the late Mr Mayne, of Grimsby.
The bridegroom is a lance-corporal in the RASC.
The Rector of Bideford, Preb J A Durling, officiated at the wedding ceremony, assisted by Rev A Watson. Mr J R Trigger was at the organ. Miss Vivienne Gutsell was bridesmaid. Best man was Sgt Cliff Cooper, RASC, friend of the bridegroom.
A reception was held at Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford after which Mr and Mrs Mayne left for their honeymoon which is being spent at London.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 December 1954