Melhuish Estate

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 shy four who may soon be rich August 1971

Thomas Melhuish signed away his family's inheritance for 200 years. Now the time is up and four people wait anxiously for the result of their claim to the estate, worth nearly £300,000.

The four claim to be the sole survivors of about 400 claimants to the Melhuish estate in North Devon. Three live in Britain and one in Australia, but solcitor Mr Claude Richardson who is representing them says he is 'under strict instructions' not to reveal their identity.

Thomas Melhuish was a trustee in 1770 when the Melhuish 700 acreas were leased - for 200 years - to obtain ready cash. Today the estate includes more than 100 leasehold houses at Northam and Appledore, part of a golf course and Northam Burrows, a local beauty spot.

Mr Andrew Gardner, clerk to Northam Council said: 'This latest news from the solicitors acting for the four claimants could change everything.

Golf club to negotiate 26th August 1960

At the annual meeting of the Royal North Devon Golf Club the following resolution was unanimously passed with regard to its lease, as Lords of the Manor of Northam Burrows.

Northam Council first enquired of the Lords of the Manor (appointed by the Golf Club) in July 1959 whether the Club was interested in assigning the residue of its lease to the Council to enable them to exercise some measure of control over the Northam Burrows. The lease has 10 years to run to complete its 200 years' term. Mr John Phillips, is one of the Lords of the Manor.

Still no grants for Melhuish property 13th August 1971

An attempt to obtain improvement grants for a number of Appledore properties under the Government's extended scheme has failed. Now the matter may be taken up by Mr Peter Mills, M.P.

Mr Alan Gardner (Clerk of Northam Urban Council said that when the Government announced the higher grants that could be given in development areas the Minister for Housing and Construction, Mr Julian Amery, sent personal letters to the heads of all local authorities in such areas impressing upon them the need to encourage people to apply for grants and so make extra work for people in their districts. Chairman of Northam Council (Mr R Evers) took up with the Minister the problem in this area of the Melhuish property for which grants could not be paid because the occupiers had not adequate title.