Clovelly News

From RAF Chivenor

5 July 1957

Fancy something else to try

27 June 1965

The Village Hall

2 May 1958

Butter or herrings

20 November 1906

Additional facilities needed

20 October 1950

Village Hall is needed

10 May 1963

A film star

25 May 1973

Bishop Celebrates Communion at Clovelly

Bishop of Exeter (Dr R C Mortimer) celebrated Holy Communion at Clovelly Parish Church on Sunday morning he was the first Bishop to do so there within living memory

Fears For Clovelly Harbour's Future

The future of Clovelly's picture postcard harbour and the safety of its beachside cottages could be

No Mechanised Transport Vote

By seven votes to five the annual parish meeting at Clovelly rejected a move to inquire into the possible provision

Funeral Of Mr Steve Headon

Many friends attended the funeral at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, of Mr Francis Stephen Headon, 64 The Quay

Raised £3,406 for the RNLI

1972

Clovelly Conservatives organise entertainment

2 November 1962

Mr Stoneman wins gold - literally

3 November 1964

Were they repaid?

17 January 1958

Pebbles are a problem in Clovelly

28 February 1958

Mr Stanbury and 'Dairy Maid' are successful

12 November 1954

16 March 1973

World War 1

26 March 1918

Lots of winners!

2 April 1971

From RAF Chivenor
5 July 1957

New Service Demonstrated

Already a familiar sight along the North Devon coast, RAF Chivenor’s rescue helicopter was the subject of many inquiring glances as it sped across Bideford Bay but this time she was on no mercy mission.

In the Yellary at Clovelly, the site of the parish’s proposed new hall and playing fields, a landing strip had been marked out with long streamers of paper in the shape of a letter H ready for the helicopter to drop in and exchange greetings with members of Clovelly lifeboat crew with which the RAF rescue section may one day find itself working.

Right on time the helicopter came in from the sea, over the landing strip and then, circling out over the car park to lose height, came dropping in over the trees for all the world like some huge yellow duck, side-slipping in to land.

There to guide the helicopter in was Junior Technician Carey, who had travelled from RAF Chivenor by car, and under his guidance the pilot, Flight-Lieut. Carroll, brought his craft gently to

...

Uncertainty about the future of the County Primary School in Clovelly,

a village that he does not wish to leave, is one reason that prompted headmaster, Mr John Lees, to resign to become sub-postmaster there. Another reason was that ‘I just had a fancy to try something else after having been a teacher for 20 years.’

Devon County Education Committee was told that following the resignation of the headmasters of Clovelly and Westleigh Schools the North Devon Divisional Executive had met the managers in each case to discuss the possibility of area reorganisation. It had now been recommended that no action should be taken at present and that the posts of head teacher be advertised.

At the moment there are 39 children on the roll at Clovelly. Mr Lees said it was his hope that the school would be there for a long time, but the pressure to close rural schools was always present. It was a matter of considerable doubt whether the County Council would save money by transferring Clovelly

...

New possibilities for Parish Hall Scheme

New possibilities are believed to opened up for Clovelly’s Parish Hall and playing fields (war memorial) scheme as a result of the meeting which took place on Wednesday between the Hon. Mrs B C Asquith, of Clovelly Court, and representatives of the Parish Council.

During the meeting the Hon. Mrs Asquith made an offer involving the Rectory site, which adjoins the main road and has essential services close at hand and which the Parish Council originally selected as the most desirable site for the new Parish Hall.

The Chairman, Mr J C Hilton, said that the offer ‘holds great possibilities’.

The full Gazette article is dated 2 May 1958

Referring to Clovelly brings to mind that the fishermen have been experiencing a hard time of it.

Clovelly herrings – pride of the sea – have been very scarce, the fishermen have had poor earnings, and the price of butter in the Bideford market is going up smartly. The stranger is always at a loss to understand the connection between herrings and the price of butter, but the explanation volunteered is that a good supply of nutritious and savoury herrings keeps down the demand for butter for home consumption at a time when it is generally getting scarce, whilst if there is a shortness of herrings the demand and meagre supply coming together send the price of the produce of the cow up with a bound.

Clovelly fisherman have had but little luck for some seasons now, and the summer visitors have been more than ever welcome, but they must not give up home. Let them take heart by the experience of the South Cornish fishers. Owing to an inexplicable absence of the usual schools of pilchards,...

Magistrates’ hint to rural council

Need for the local authority to provide lavatory accommodation at the bottom of Clovelly village for the convenience of the hundreds of visitors who flocked down there in the summer was emphasises by the chairman of Bideford County Bench, Lieut-Col J C Bassett, on Tuesday.

Mr M W V Richards was making application to the court for the transfer of the licence of the Red Lion Hotel, Clovelly, from Mr Sidney Henry Gulliver to Mr Reginald Clarence Fry.

The lavatory accommodation at the hotel was quite adequate for the purposes of the licence, said the Chairman, but the point was that in the summer hundreds of visitors made use of that accommodation. If the local authority could take some action it would not only help the hotel but would be of considerable advantage to visitors.

The Magistrates approved the transfer.

Gazette article dated 20 October 1950

'Dilly-dallying'

After having been told by the chairman of the Parish Council, Mr J Prince: ‘Over the years we have been accused of dilly-dallying and it is time we reached a definite decision and acted upon it’, a Clovelly meeting on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for a parish hall.

It is nearly 20 years since the village decided that the hall should be built and playing field provided as a memorial to those who died in the war. But the project has been dogged by controversy about the most suitable site.

The late Hon. Mrs Asquith gave one at Yellary, but some villagers felt that the hall would be better situated at Berry Meadow or the Rectory.

Efforts to obtain these sites failed.

On Tuesday Mr Prince said the parish must make up its mind whether it wanted a hall on the Yellary site or no hall. Mr C Braund declared that everyone felt the whole business had gone on long enough.

Gazette article dated 10 May 1963

Malachi's Cove

Clovelly donkey Alexander has been having time off from normal duties to star in a film being made on location by a London based company. After a fortnight at Trebarwith Strand, Cornwall, the unit moved into Clovelly on Saturday to continue work on ‘Malachi’s Cove’ which deals with a girl’s friendship with a donkey. Alexander is here seen with ‘Bay’, the daughter of his owner, Mrs R Creighton-Balfour, of Clovelly.

The famous village still has about a dozen donkeys, which are more than picturesque. A couple are regularly employed in carrying to the top of the picturesque cobbled main street the empties from the New Inn.

Gazette article dated 25 May 1973.

Bishop celebrates Communion at Clovelly - March 1963

Six confirmed

When the Bishop of Exeter (Dr R C Mortimer) celebrated Holy Communion at Clovelly Parish Church on Sunday morning he was the first Bishop to do so there within living memory. After his address the Bishop confirmed six candidate, all from the parish, and these were among the first to take Communion as the service continued.

This procedure goes back to the very early centuries of the Christian Church. The candidates, ranging in age from 13 to the late 40s, were presented by the Rector (Rev R O H Eppingstone). There were more communicants at the service than even at Easter-tide. Of the congregation of 96, 70 took Communion. The Rural Dean (Rev R C Dixon) was Bishop's chaplain.

Fears For Clovelly Harbour's Future - 11th March 1977

The future of Clovelly's picture postcard harbour and the safety of its beachside cottages could be threatened unless action is taken quickly to repair the breakwater which protects the centuries old harbour wall it was warned yesterday.
A repair scheme could cost upto £30,000 and the problem is who should pay the bill.
The harbour is owned by the Clovelly Estate Company and its managing director, Captain M W B Kerr, told the Gazette this week: "We cannot afford to pay for the work."
Up to now the Department of the Environment have refused to help financially but there were signs this week that Devon County Council may be trying to persuade them to change their minds.
In recent months the situation has worsened to the position where Clovelly residents are seriously worried about the situation. "The last time any major repair work was carried out was 1886" said Capt Kerr. "In the circumstances it has lasted very well indeed but in...

No Mechanised Transport Vote At Clovelly - 11th March 1977

By seven votes to five the annual parish meeting at Clovelly rejected a move to inquire into the possible provision of light mechanised transport up and down the famous cobbled, stepped High Street.
Putting forward the idea, Mr Stan Nicholls said he thought it to be possible to provide some kind of transport. It would relieve the difficulty over the delivery of items such as coal. Mr J J Headon agreed that the move would solve a lot of problems.
Opposing the plan, Mr E W Johns said the introduction of any kind of transport would spoil the beauty of the Clovelly street. It was noted as a place for walkers only. Miss S Ellis said at the moment the limited amount of transport allowed at certain hours of the day on part of the street was causing damage owing to vibration.
A lot of questions would have to be discussed by any committee set up to look into Mr Nicholl's scheme, said the chairman of the Parish Council, Mr Jack Prince.

Funeral Of Mr Steve Headon - 13th January 1967

Many friends attended the funeral at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, of Mr Francis Stephen Headon, 64 The Quay, whose death at 81 occurred suddenly at the united New Year Watchnight Service at Clovelly Methodist Church.
The Rector, Rev R O H Eppingstone, officiated at the funeral service, with Mr Storey at the organ.
Immediate mourners: Mr and Mrs S A Headon, Miss Pauline Headon, Mr and Mrs J J Headon, Mr and Mrs Greene, Mr and Mrs J Whitefield, Mr and Mrs J Hancock, Mr and Mrs N Carter, Mrs W Pengilly, Mr H Headon, Mr G Jeffery, Nr N Headon, Mrs P O'Donnell, Mrs J Heard, Mr and Mrs L Price. Unavoidably absent: Clive and Richard Headon.
Bearers were Messrs O Abbott, G Lamey, W Braund, G Perham, A Braund, J Foley.
Others attending: Mr and Mrs J Cruse, Mr and Mrs J Jennings, Mr and Mrs Biggs, Capt A G Sowman (also representing Clovelly Estate), Messrs J Jenn, W Trudgeon Davis, F Short, J Johns, T Cruse, Jim Whitefield, J Ellis, M Dickinson,...

Achievement in 1972

Clovelly Ladies Lifeboat Guild have raised £3,406 in the past year for the RNLI reveals the annual statement of accounts. Sale of souvenirs accounted for £1,973.08 of the total.
Whist drives raised £124.95; Christmas cards, £7.38; flag day collection £154.68; boxes £643.10; dance £91.40; subscriptions £7.55; centenary booklets £13.65; donations £21.82; slipway box £67.56; tub in the boathouse £200.40; rocking boat £101.10.
Details of the box collections: Tea room £2.11; Kings Arms £1.74; Hartland Post Office £2.16; Hartland Quay £2.45; Dr Mackenzie £4.04; Mrs Biggs £4.17; Mrs F Shackson £85.50, Mrs Edwards £235.50; Mrs Morris £217.83, Mrs L Rowe £74.90, Red Lion Hotel £12.68

Total of 14 tables were used at a whist drive organised by Clovelly Conservatives at the School Hall.

Mr W Robins was door steward and Mr Nicholls was MC.
Prize winners were: Mrs J Bragg, Mrs A Burrow, Mrs Aust, Mrs Wonnacott, Mr Locket, Mr Whittaker, Mr J Burrow, Mr L May, Mr F May, Miss Turner. Prizes were presented by Miss Mullins. In a draw fruit was won by Mrs Cole, while Mr P Ellis held the lucky number ticket.
Refreshments were served by Mesdames Headon, Dean, Dickenson, Minette Tridgell, Law, Vigars and Miss Self.
A whist drive organised by the British Legion was held at HQ, eight tables being used. Prize winners were: Mrs A Shackson, Miss Pillman, Mrs Tridgell, Mr A Johns, Mr Stoneman, Mr Hesketh,
Mr Hesketh was door steward and MC. A draw was won by Mrs R Johns and Mrs A Johns.
Gazette article dated 2 November 1962

Just 12 months after becoming the owner of Clovelly Cross petrol filling station, Mr Tim Stoneman has learned that it has been judgedNorth Devon winner of the Shell Shine '72 competition.

Mr Stoneman had managed the petrol station for 14 years for the Clovelly Estate Company.
He can choose for his first prize £80 or 10 gold sovereigns. He is taking the gold. He also wins a shield and a place in the area section of the
competition.

£30 outstanding for shelter

That the Parish Council should form themselves into a skiffle group or should have their photographs taken for sale to summer visitors were two light hearted suggestions made at Monday’s meeting of Clovelly Parish Council during a long discussion on ways and means of meeting the outstanding balance of just over £40 on the Turnpike bus shelter.
The money is owed to two members of the Council – Mr J C Hilton an account for £52 0s 7d for supplying materials and to Mr J Cruse who, in his capacity as treasurer, paid a balance of £8 7s 5d owing to the builder out of his own pocket.
The Chairman told the Council he would make a gift of £10 from the money owing to him and would buy a pig to be given in prizes for pork whist drives if the Council members would like to run such events.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 January 1958.

Clovelly Problem

Recent gales have built up a high, wide, bank of pebbles at Clovelly which has now crept around the end of the pier and is extending in the direction of Bucks Mills.
Anxious watch is being kept on this new ridge of pebbles because further movement in the direction of Bucks Mills will make it extremely difficult to launch Clovelly lifeboat especially at low water.
Coxswain William Braund said on Wednesday that the gales had built up a heap of small pebbles and shingle seven or eight feet high and extending in width from the end of the pier right out to low water mark. ‘It could make it awkward if we have to launch the lifeboat and we may have to get to work to shift some of it when the weather fines away, although the top of the ridge is flattening out a little now’ he said.
Mr J C Hilton, secretary of the Clovelly branch RNLI , said he did not think the present position of the new bank of pebbles would interfere unduly with the launching of the lifeboat but if the...

Supreme champion and winner of three other challenge cups at Barnstaple and District’s Dairy Show last week was the four year old Ayrshire cow ‘Dairy Maid’ owned and bred by Mr K F Stanbury, of Downland Farm, Higher Clovelly.

The photograph shows Mr Stanbury with the champion while his father holds the trophies. ‘Diary Maid’ was one of the team of Ayrshires which won the breed championship at the show. She gave 11, 240lb of milk as a heifer and his now yielding 7½lb of milk a day in her second lactation.
At last year’s show she won a cup as the best dairy heifer in local classes.
Mr A A Copland, of Ilminster, a New Zealander, who supervises Lord Beaverbrook’s 14 farms in this country, judged the championship classes. He said afterwards that there was extremely little difference between the champion and the runner-up, another Ayrshire cow, exhibited by Mr A Shapcott, of Cross Farm, Bishopsnympton.
‘These Ayrshires would take a whole lot of beating at the Dairy Show at Olympia’ said Mr...

Very noisy!

Children from Clovelly Primary School observing the village’s traditional Shrove Tuesday ‘land-sherd’ custom of dragging tin cans on string down the cobbled High Street.
The custom, long held in the village but of uncertain origin, aims at driving the devil away from the village for another 12 months with its boisterous noise.
Gazette article dated 16 March 1973

Sir – Rumour having been circulated that only certain wholesale buyers are able to obtain supplies from there, and if they were stopped the fish industry of Clovelly, Bideford and District would suffer, allow me to say that for the last 48 years I have travelled from Clovelly and Bucks to Bideford daily, that being my only source of income.

Since my husband died 16 years ago I have managed to keep my little business together, thereby being the means of supplying fish, etc. to the home of hundreds of working people. Two years ago my only assistance (an adopted son) was called to the Colours, since when I have struggled to keep going. Today, for certain reasons, others are offering much more than fish is worth at Clovelly, even higher prices offered at Bideford Quay. It is needless to add that with every hawker given a fair chance, giving a fair price at Clovelly and retailing same at a reasonable price at Bideford, it would be greatly to the advantage of local consumers instead of, as...

There were 17 tables in play at a whist drive, plus a dance, held at Clovelly Parish Hall in aid of the hall’s funds.

Mr G Smith was the MC and Mr J J Headon the door steward. Mr Headon also presented the prizes, winners being: Mrs E Olde; Mrs Beard; Mrs Wonnacott; Mesdames J Shackson and A M Jones; Mrs T Squire; Mr J Scott; Mr D Bradford; Mr Mountjoy; Mrs L Rowe and Mr J Withecombe; Mr Heard.Draw winners were Messrs N Headon and S Nichols and Mesdames A Shackson and Howell. At the dance draw winners were Messrs Walter Goaman, F Grills and G Braund jnr. Refreshments were served by women members of the Parish Hall committee.

Gazette article dated 2 April 1971

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