Entertainment

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.

Torridge Vale Social Club’s Annual Party

Some sixty children, who either have a parent working at the Torridge Vale Dairy Co. Ltd, or have a bachelor ‘uncle’ working there, were guests of the social club at a grand annual party held in the factory canteen.

This was no ordinary ‘do’. First buses collected the guests from their homes. When they arrived they found smiling hosts wearing amazing paper hats, ushering them into a magnificent ‘party tea.’ Perhaps the gayest of the hosts was Mr T R Sandford, a senior director of the firm, who as President of the Social Club, amid great excitement, cut the party cake. Beautifully iced and decorated, this was a ‘work of love’ by Mr Aubrey Hancock, an expert baker and confectioner.

There followed a cinema show, a variety of games, then another film show. Another round of games followed, under the direction of the MCs, Mr Jeff Skinner, the Club Secretary, and Mr Lou Baker, the Club vice-chairman. Finally, there came the parting buffet, and all too soon, the motor-coaches were there to take the young guests home, each radiant with ‘goodbye’ gifts of a bag of sweets, orange and a balloon. What a glorious evening…

Other officials included Mr K P Dowling and Mr R G Williams.

Gazette article dated 28 January 1955

Young Dancer’s Tour of Scandinavia

Seventeen year old Anne Pooley,

daughter of Mr and Mrs Moore, of 5 Eastbourne Terrace, Westward Ho! is to travel to Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, with a revue company as a solo ballet dancer.

‘There was a last minutes rush to get a special licence because she is under 18 but it is all settled now, and Anne will be leaving on Boxing Day’ said Anne’s step-father, bandleader Mr Leon Moore, who is a member of Northam Council. Asked if he thought Anne a little young to travel abroad by herself, Mr Moore said ‘No, I think it is a wonderful opportunity for her.’

Last Christmas Anne took part in a Bristol pantomime.

The tour will take at least three months to complete. Three other British girls are taking part.

Gazette article dated 5 December 1958

Boy with 'Rockin' Beat' In His Voice

Blond-haired schoolboy Warren Golder

is a “pint-sized” youngster with what is described in the current trend as a “big rockin’ beat in his voice.”

Fourteen-year old Warren has created quite an impression with dancers, particularly ‘teenagers, since he first began playing his guitar and singing “pop” numbers in dance halls in the Torridge district a few months ago. Warren’s first fans were his fellow pupils of Torrington Secondary Modern School. From odd pieces of wood and strings he constructed his own guitar. Last Christmas his parents gave him a full-size guitar.

Earlier this year Mr Albert Darch, who leads the Torridge Dance Band heard Warren sing and at once invited him to appear with the band. Warren did so and was an immediate success. Since then he has been appearing on an average once a week with the band.

When our cameraman pictured Warren in action he was singing at the Carnival queen choosing dance at Appledore on Friday evening.

“Young Warren makes a good impression everywhere,” Mr Darch told a Bideford Gazette reporter. “Young people especially like his singing, and quite often stop dancing to listen to him.”

When he is not appearing on the stage Warren is usually practising his singing at home – 2 Hatchmoor Estate, Torrington. Said his mother, Mrs C. Golder: “Warren is not at all nervous. He practices his singing around the house and out in the garden.

“My husband and I don’t mind and the neighbours don’t seem to mind either. Quite often they will stop to listen to him. Said Warren: “Singing to hundreds of people doesn’t worry me at all. I love it.” His favourite “pop” singer is Tommy Steele.

For two years Warren has been a member of the junior section of Torrington Voluntary Silver Band. He plays the cornet.

Gazette article dated 4 July 1958