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.

“A bit of work does nobody any harm”

says Mr William Beer, of Crosslands, Clovelly, and he ought to know for at more than 80 he and his wife, who celebrated their diamond wedding on Monday, still do quite a lot.

Mr Beer was still at school when he began to work for the Hamlyn family – then owners of Clovelly Court – bird scaring. His father was keeper. Young Billy went to work in the gardens and in time the girl who was to be his bride came down from Derbyshire to work in the household laundry.

On the death of Mr Hamlyn, Mr Beer senior, suffering from rheumatism, moved to Crosslands to farm. Ultimately his son took over, 35 years ago.

When they lived at Dyke Green and Mr Beer was in charge of the glasshouses at the Court he frequently walked from his home to the Court to attend to ventilation as many as fives times a Sunday.

Mr and Mrs Beer have one daughter – Mrs Kathleen Stoneman, of Home Farm, Bucks Cross – two grandchildren, Mrs Vera Glover of Merton, and Mr Vivian Stoneman, of Dyke Green, and a great-granddaughter, 13 year old Rita Glover.

Mrs Beer has one sister – she baked the cake seen in the picture.

Gazette article dated 24 January 1964

Mr and Mrs Arthur Griffey

Most of their 54 descendants at ‘diamond’ party

“We shall just have a family party” said Mr and Mrs Arthur Griffey, of Midways, Long Lane, Northam, who celebrated their diamond wedding.

But that was a masterpiece of understatement, for they have seven daughters, one son, 22 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, most of whom were expected.

Both Mr Griffey, who will be 84 this month, and his wife (82 in September) were born in Northam and it was in the Parish Church that they were married on April 2nd 1904, by then then Vicar, the Rev J Dimond Churchward.

For some time Mr and Mrs Griffey ran a dairy business in Northam, but the call of the land was not to be denied and in 1919 they removed to West Farm at Appledore. In 1940 they retired – that is they left the farm to occupy their present house, built on 10 acres of their own land. Their only son, Mr Reginald Griffey, carried on the farm for 10 years until, in 1951, he removed to Meadowview, Diddywell, which he still farms.

Looking back to their wedding day they said “We have had no regrets: we have travelled 60 years together without a fight.”

For the record their other children are Mrs Alice Heal, of Bideford; Mrs Viola Evans, of Appledore; Mrs Stella Gigg, of Norwich; Mrs Arthur Withecombe, of Northam; Mrs Reg Hopkins, of Raleigh; and Mrs Marjorie Ford and Miss Annie Griffey who live with their parents.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1964

Surfers’ Guard of Honour at Bideford Wedding

Members of the newly-formed Westward Surf Club formed a guard of honour of malibu surf boards at a wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford

The bridegroom was Mr Terence John Lloyd, only son of Mrs B Lloyd, of Rossholme, 9 The Strand, Bideford, and Mr E Lloyd of Portsmouth, and his bride Miss Jennifer Mary Lock, youngest daughter of Mr J H Lock, 17 Bull Hill, and the late Mrs Lock.

The Rector, Preb T Derwent Davies, officiated. The organist was Mr J R Trigger.

She was attended by four bridesmaids – the bridegroom’s sister Anita, and her nieces Misses Lynda Gerry, Susan and Carol Lock. Best man was Mr E Newcombe, and the ushers were the bride’s brother Peter, Mr John Breslain, David Lock and Terry Newcombe.

Following a reception at the Church Institute, Mr and Mrs Lloyd left for a honeymoon in Winchester.

Among presents received were a cheque from friends and colleagues, and an electric heater from the manager of North Devon Meat Ltd where the bridegroom is employed, and a cheque from Mr John W Ward, the bride’s employer.

The wedding cake which the bride had made, had been decorated by her friend Mrs Godfrey. Brides’ and the chief bridesmaid’s dresses were made by Mrs Mugford, of Bickington, and the other dresses by the bride’s sister, Mrs V Gerry. Flowers were supplied by Mrs K Blackmore.

Gazette article dated 5 December 1969