Buckland Brewer News

A Postman's Pilgrimage

All along the route of his pilgrimage to Buckland Brewer on Tuesday in the steps of Bideford's

Five New Members For Buckland WI

Five new membes, Mesdames J Hockin, L Blight, S Burt, and Misses M Sines and M Mantell, were

Chosen For Great Britain

Sarah Woolf of Goutisland, Buckland Brewer, has been chosen to ride for Great Britain at the European

Eighty Eight Years

Two Buckland Brewer brothers, Messrs Roy and Leonard Blight, are to receive long service agricultural

Celebrating A Teaching Centenary

Pupils of Buckland Brewer School turned back the clock by wearing Victorian style clothes to mark the day

Rings The Bells That His Great Grandfather Cast

Mr Paul Taylor of the famous firm of Loughborough bellfounders joined the ringers in the tower

Non-stop programme

28 January 1955

Organised by the village Boys' Club

Held in Mr Percy Heal's field

Thespians

17 January 1958

David, John, Michael and Norman are successful

6 November 1959

Mr and Mrs Slee celebrate their golden wedding anniversary

" February 1973

World War 1

19 March 1918

Young Farmers' Club

2 March 1973

A busy weekend!

9 March 1962

11 March 1955

An April Fool's Joke in June?

28 June 1963

Buckland Brewer WI

Miss D Barron gave members of Buckland Brewer W.I. an enjoyable evening showing interesting

Max Factor demonstration

1 August 1958

11 May 1918

A Postman's Pilgrimage
All along the route of his pilgrimage to Buckland Brewer on Tuesday in the steps of Bideford's

A Postman's Pilgrimage - 1975

All along the route of his pilgrimage to Buckland Brewer on Tuesday in the steps of Bideford's 19th century postman-poet Edward Capern, postman Fred Fuzzens, of Windsor, was greeted by people coming out of their homes to shake his hand and wish him well. At Buckland, children from the village school specially assembled to greet him. Mr Fuzzens, who was wearing a postman's town uniform of the 1860s, read to them Capern's poem "The Rural Postman" and commented on some of the local references in it. Mr and Mrs Tom Boullier, of the sub-post office, entertained him to lunch.

The journey to Buckland did not trouble him for he often walks up to 20 miles a day. It made him appreciate all the more, however, Capern's 13-mile stint which was not along roads as he himself had done it, but across fields, streams and stiles and carrying a heavy bag. Mr Fuzzens was seen off from Bideford Head Post office by the Postmaster Mr Bert Inglis and bu the Mayor of Bideford, Mr...

Five New Members For Buckland WI - 3rd March 1967

Five new membes, Mesdames J Hockin, L Blight, S Burt, and Misses M Sines and M Mantell, were welcomed at the monthly meeting of Buckland Brewer W.I.
Mr and Mrs Kemp showed slides on Europe and organised a quiz. They were thanked by Mrs Simpson.
Mrs W Lawrence won the penny bag competition.
Tea hostesses were Mesdames M Blight, W Stoneman, K Cornish, B Brown and C Ashton.

Chosen For Great Britain - 5th August 1977

Sarah Woolf of Goutisland, Buckland Brewer, has been chosen to ride for Great Britain at the European junior three-day event championships to be held at Fontainbleu in France.
Sarah, the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Gerald Woolf with be riding Mrs Heather Holgate's 'Dubonnet' which has already won when ridden by Mrs Holgate's daughter Virginia three years ago.
Sarah is an Old Girl of Edgehill College.

Eighty Eight Years - 6th May 1977

Two Buckland Brewer brothers, Messrs Roy and Leonard Blight, are to receive long service agricultural certificates and tankards at Devon County Show.
Both are ringers at Buckland Parish Church, Roy being the Captain, and both play skittles. Roy, who is 60, lives at 1 Rolles Terrace, employed by Messrs F J Babb and Son, he has worked at Batsons for 47 years. Brother Leonard, two years's older, lives at Tower Hill and has worked for 41 years at Barton Farm where he is employed by Messrs G Heywood and Sons.
A certificate and tankard will also go to Mr Louis Oke of Worden Farm, Milton Damerel, employed by Mr W B Harris he has worked at Bountisthorne, East Putford, for 40 years. Another recipient is forestry worker Mr Terence Knight of 11 Forestry Houses, Holsworthy.

Celebrating A Teaching Centenary - 7th April 1977

Pupils of Buckland Brewer School turned back the clock by wearing Victorian style clothes to mark the day, exactly 100 years ago, when their school opened. Helen and Alison Wood were among the children who dressed up.
A centenary exhibition was opened by Mr Michael Tunnicliffe and Mr Tom Cock presented the school with a special silver cup. In the evening the children entertained parents and other friends. Speakers were the Vicar, Rev Raymond Lucas, and the Methodist Minister, Rev P J Collingwood. Mrs E M Simpson has written an interesting booklet detailing records and personal memories, the history of the school, and an ex pupil, Mr Lloyd Prance, has written a centenary song set to music by Mrs Withecombe.

Rings The Bells That His Great Grandfather Re-Cast - 15th July 1977

Mr Paul Taylor of the famous firm of Loughborough bellfounders joined the ringers in the tower to ring the bells that were re-cast in the village foundry in 1825 by John Taylor, his great-grandfather. During the eight years he lived in Buckland, John Taylor cast over 100 bells at the Southwood Farm foundry.

A very successful New Year’s social, organised by the Buckland Brewer branch of the British Legion, was held on Saturday when members, their families and friends enjoyed a varied non-stop programme of games and dancing.

At the invitation of the branch, the evening’s entertainment was in the hands of Mr C C Prust, ably backed up by Mr and Mrs C Stone, of Appledore.
Refreshments were in the capable hands of the Ladies’ Committee who also found time to enter into the party events.
Those present included Mrs Eric Flint and the Rev H Allmark.
Mr Harris (Chairman, Buckland Brewer Branch of the British Legion) responded and thanked all who had helped in any way to make the evening such a success.
The full Gazette article is dated 28 January 1955

Most of the villagers of Buckland Brewer turned out on Friday night to see a bonfire and fireworks display organised by the village Boys’ Club.

The display, the first of its kind held there, heralded Buckland Brewer’s celebration of National Boys’ Club Week.
A part of the funds raised by clubs all over the country during the week goes to the Boys’ Club General Headquarters, the remainder going to the individual clubs.
Friday’s gathering was held in Mr Percy Heal’s field. A 10 foot bonfire was lit. Members of the Buckland Club gathered material for the bonfire, some given by local farmers and took two afternoons to build it.
At the fireworks display, organised by Rear-Admiral G H Stokes, leader of the Buckland Boys’ Club. members collected among the crown for funds.
A social was held on Saturday night in Buckland Brewer Parish Room and a whist drive was organised at The Glen, home of Rear-Admiral Stokes, on Wednesday. A dance at the Parish Room, tonight will end this year’s boys’ club week...

A scene from 'Christmas Coconut' one of the three one-act plays presented under the auspices of the Boys' Club at Buckland Brewer last week.

In the photograph are: Ann Wilson, Michael Rowland, Frederick Babb, Marion Andrew and John Prance
The full Gazette article is dated 17 January 1958

All members of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club, the four brothers Poole between them took six awards at the Torridge Group of YFC’s annual ploughing match at Hankford, Bulkworthy, on Friday.

David, who lives at Moorpark, Alwington, took first prize in the junior spar-making competition and third in the junior hydraulic ploughing.
John, who lives with Michael and Norman, at Stretchacott Frithelstock, recorded a double first in the senior hydraulic ploughing and senior spar-making events. Michael and Norman took second places in the senior hydraulic ploughing and junior spar-making competitions respectively.
Group members – Trailer ploughs – C Johns, Shebbear; C Bellew, Bradworthy; D Adams, Little Torrington; V Quance, Bradworthy; D Poole, Buckland Brewer; J Poole, Buckland Brewer; M Poole, Buckland Brewer; B Stevens, Buckland Brewer.
Open – Hydraulic ploughing – H A Geatches, Crediton, R J Bulled, Cheriton Fitzpaine; R Taylor, Putford. General purpose ploughing – J H Nott,...

When Mr and Mrs John Slee, of Highbury, Buckland Brewer, celebrated with a family gathering their golden wedding anniversary last week there were also present the two bridesmaids and the best man.

The bridesmaids were Mr Slee’s sister, Mrs Ivy Brimacombe, of Putford, and the bride’s cousin, Mrs Edna Sawle, of Westward Ho! The best man was Mr Slee’s brother Leslie, who farms Sedborough, Parkham.
The wedding was at Kilkhampton, the bride being Miss Emily Elliott, who was born at Woolsery. Mr Slee was born at Bitworthy but grew up at Sedborough which his father farmed. On their wedding they took over Halsbury, near Buckland. Halsbury has a centuries old history. At one window place there is the date 1659 but parts of the building are thought to be even older.
Mr Slee, whose activity nowadays is largely limited to the house in winter, is 77 and his wife is 74.
During his active farming days Mr Slee built up the family interest in Devon cattle and a flock of Devon longwools, and years ago...

The second social evening in aid of the Buckland Brewer Nursing Association was again on Wednesday last an unqualified success, the parish room, as on the first occasion, being crowded.

Highly diverting round games, songs, duets, etc. occupied the first part of the evening, the efficient vocalists being Mrs Rogers, Mrs Heale, Miss Fulford, Miss Steer, Miss Heale, Miss Yeo, Miss Smale, Capt Figgens, Mr C Hookway, Mr Tucker (Post Office), and Mr Ede. In her inimitable manner Miss Tucker gave an irresistible reading entitled ‘The Three Sillies’. After an interval for refreshments dancing was indulged in, the able pianists being Miss Clements and Miss Tucker. The whole proceedings were marked with much enthusiasm and vigour, due to the assiduous and painstaking Committee, of which the esteemed and genial squire, Mr Rogers, Orleigh Court, is the Chairman. As a result of these record gatherings the Association will be materially benefited as the whole of the provisions were kindly given by...

Young Farmers' Club
2 March 1973

Members of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club with the impressive array of trophies they have won.

Sitting at the table is club chairman Mrs Janet Brown and club secretary Mr Maurice Poole.
The trophies are Kellog shield for most proficiency tests won in the Torridge groups; Viscount Amory cup for most silver and gold proficiency badges in the county; group cups for skittles, debating and the SWEB quiz; and individual cups for the members gaining most points in the group throughout the year – won by Miss Margaret Heywood and Mr Donald Harris.
Gazette article dated 2 March 1973

Saturday night and Sunday morning really meant something for farmer Mr S J Brown, of East Hele, Buckland Brewer, and his family

During the night three of his ewes produced quads, but since they had been tied in with two lambs this was not discovered until the morning. That meant a busy day for Mrs Brown who spent much of the time wielding feeding bottles.
Afterwards a neighbour took two of the lambs and two others were passed to foster parents, making their twins triplets.
The flock is proving remarkably prolific, at least a dozen sets of triplets having been produced. On Tuesday were born a set of triplets and seven sets of twins.
Gazette article is dated 9 March 1962

First quads the flock has produced

These quadruplet lambs pictured with their Devon Closewool mother were born last week on the farm of Mr Reggie Poole, of Veilstone, Buckland Brewer, and none are more proud than Mr and Mrs Poole’s five children, who are only too eager to help with the bottle feeding of the lambs. The eldest of them, eight-years-old Frederick, is seen with his father.
Despite the snow and bitter cold on this farm situated at the edge of Thornhillhead Moor, Mr Poole has had a very good lambing season and the quads are the first his flock has produced.
Gazette article dated 11 March 1955

When Pansy, a three year old Fresian heifer owned by Mr Tom Gill, of the Beeches, Buckland Brewer, showed a tendency to develop somewhat unladylike habits and failed to show, as she should have done, signs of approaching motherhood, Mr Gill consulted a veterinary surgeon.

His diagnosis: she is changing her sex.
Pansy still gives three gallons of milk daily, but her ‘moo’ is changing to a bellow and she tends to show more than a passing interest in the other members of the dairy herd.
An AI heifer, she produced her first calf, a bull, normally.
Says 50 year old Mr Gill: “I have never before known anything like this and no farmer to whom I have mentioned it has known a similar case”.
Gazette article dated 28 June 1963

Buckland Brewer WI - 10th December 1971

Miss D Barron gave members of Buckland Brewer W.I. an enjoyable evening showing interesting slides from Devon to Scotland. She was thanked by Mrs K Mitchell.
The competition - photo of a pet - was judged by members of placing a coin on the photo of their choice. The results: 1. Mrs Fulford; 2, Mrs T Brown.
A draw was held and the proceeds from the competition and the draw are being sent to the St John Ambulance Brigade, Bideford.
A Christmas card was received from former member Mrs Kemp and her husband, who have now moved from this area.
Mrs Holman was welcomed as a new member.
Tea hostesses were Mesdames K Mitchell, J Cleverdon and Miss G Yeo. The trading stall was supervised by Mrs I Fulford.
Singing Christmas carols occupied the social half-hour.

Buckland Brewer Women’s Institute had a very pleasant evening last week, being entertained by Miss Parker, of the Max Factor Co,. of London, who gave a demonstration on make-up.

Mrs Burt acted as model.
Miss Parker also gave each member a chart with the description of make-up each should use. A vote of thanks was expressed by Mrs Brimacombe.
In the competition – the best arrangement of flowers in a kitchen utensil – Mrs Harris and Miss S Adams, won the garden flowers section and Mesdames Mills and Stokes that for Wild Flowers.
Mrs Allan was the tea hostess, assisted by Mrs Zelly.
For the social time country dancing was organised by Mrs Mills. Music was supplied by Mrs S Brown, president.
Gazette article dated 1 August 1958

Max Factor

Buckland Brewer

A very pretty wedding took place at the Wesleyan Church, Bideford, on April 25th, between Pte Thomas Moore of Looe, Cornwall, and Miss Florence Elsie Gay, of Buckland Brewer.

The Rev E B Crocker officiated.

The bridegroom is one of four sons who are all doing their bit for their country, two in France and one in Mesopotamia. The bridegroom himself is convalescent in England suffering from gas wounds received in France. Mr W Pearce acted as best man. The bride, who was given away by her father, was dressed in white silk, with pearl necklace, white silk hat and veil, and carried a lovely bouquet composed chiefly of large white lilies, white lilac and maidenhair fern. The bridesmaids were Miss Rose Hamlyn, who was dressed in strawberry with large silk hat to match, also carried a lovely bouquet of white flowers and maidenhair fern, and three small nieces, Ileen Thomas, Lizzie Glidden and Muriel Glidden, who looked very dainty and charming in white dresses, white silk...

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