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.

Thunderbirds are not the only ones who are ‘Go’ ing places – so is 21 year old Terry Curtis of Instow!

As was mentioned in a recent issue of the ‘Gazette’, most of the models in the £350,000 film ‘Thunderbirds are go’ based on the ITV series ‘Thunderbirds’ are made by him.

Son of Mr and Mrs E J Curtis, of Clay Banks, Instow, formerly of Bideford, Terry attended Bideford School of Art and the North Devon Technical College. About three years ago he took samples of his work to the AP Film Company, of Slough, and landed a job on the spot.

The head on the left, wearing spectacles, is that of Hank Marvin, of ‘Shadows’ fame, made for the ‘Swinging Star’ night club scene in the film in which models of ‘Cliff and the Shadows’ appear.

Next to Hank is Paul Travers, captain of spacecraft ‘Zero X’, and on the right Co-Pilot Greg Martin.

The full Gazette article is dated 23 June 1967

Gymkhana Rodeo Aids Abbotsham Hall

Wild West Rodeo

Whip-cracking, steer roping, side shows and skittling for a pig, were the attractions offered to visitors at Coombe, Abbotsham, on Saturday, in an attempt by the Parish Hall Committee to raise £150. The money is needed for repairs to Abbotsham Parish Hall.

Good weather favoured the gymkhana, held in the grounds belonging to Mrs Richards, one of the chief organisers.

Great attraction of the afternoon was a Wild West Rodeo display given by Dick Brooks, a farmer, of Down Farm, Dolton.

There were 26 entries in the gymkhana. Results – Jane Hartnoll, Anthony Brogan, Tessa Stokes, Helen Brooks, Caroline Rous, Dianna Herrick, Bridget Oke, Virginia Richards, Victor Evans, Patricia Ker, Simon Tomlinson, Rosalind Tucker, Peter Herrick. Most ribbons in the afternoon were won by Helen Brooks and Caroline Rous jointly, followed by Virginia Richards, Jane Hartnoll and Tessa Stokes.

The full Gazette article is dated 22 August 1958

Baby Show

Babies From Strawberry Village

Whatever their diet – it can hardly be strawberries and cream at their tender age – these three bonny babies from Weare Giffard seen at the Baby Show at Alverdiscott Gymkhana last week certainly make a charming trio.

At the top is Malcolm Moore who won first prize in the under one year class and below are Rachel Stedwell and Hazel Congaran who were placed second and third respectively.

Gazette article dated 20 August 1954