4,000 evacuees children expected

11th June 1940

The evacuation of children from greater London is to commence on Thursday and this means that Bideford and Torrington districts can expect, according  to the allocations previously announced, several thousand of these evacuees.

This great London exodus, which involves about 120,000 children, will take six days to complete.  The majority will come to the Westcountry - Cornwall, Devonshire, Somerset and Wales.

Bideford borough was instructed to make arrangements to received 1,500 children; Bideford Rural District, 1,000 children: Torrington Borough 200 children; Torrington Rural District 1,600.

With the arrival of the children and the number

Evacuees' Birthday Celebrations at Hostel

1st April 1941

A group of evacuees at the Queen Street, Hostel, Bideford on the occasion of a recent birthday celebration.  They were dressed in the costumes of many nations, had a special tea, and concluded with games, entertainment and dancing.

The occasion celebrated three birthdays - those of Leslie Crisp and Jack Everard, two evacuees from London, and Nurse K Humphrey, daughter of the Master and Matron (Mr & Mrs F W Humphrey), who came from Bexhill.

Costumes were made by the matron while others were loaned by members of the W V S.

After

Evacuees' gift to Woolsery

26th June 1945

Woolsery has a permanent reminder of the happy friendships arising from the great war-time evacuation of 1940-45 for, at a charming little ceremony on June 13th a handsome new oak seat was presented by the evacuees in appreciation of the kindness and hospitality accorded to them by the village.

In the top photograph the Dean Rural (Preb. I L Gregory, Vicar of Hartland) is seen dedicating the seat after having unveiled it.  Below Mr C B Griffiths (headmaster of Woolsery School and Billeting Officer for the Parish) is addressing the gathering prior to

25 years ago Bideford and Torrington districts received the biggest influx they had ever known.

Six consecutive nights long trains brough hundreds of children and helpers to the locality.  They were the first official evacuees to be received in the area.  Bideford Borough received about 1,100 evacuee schoolchildren in June, Bideford Rural district 750, Torrington Borough 280 and Torrington Rural district 1,220.

Not everyone responded to the voluntary billeting appeal and in a few cases compulsory powers had to be used but, more happily, some people who had at first declined to

Tragedy seems far from these happy groups of toddlers, but it cannot help being in the background.

These pictures may serve as a reminder of the great part Devon and other reception areas are playing in caring for the younger generation from more vulnerable areas and of the fact that the war will leave us for many years to come a legacy of stricken lives in need of our warm and practical sympathy.

Photographs show some of the 30 toddlers at Carleton House War Nursery, Buckleigh, where they are being cared for

3,000 schoolchildren - native and visitors - will have a free Cinema show this Christmas.

Bideford Entertainments Ltd, Strand Cinema and Palace Theatre, Bideford Ltd are repeating their kindness of last year and are giving the whole accommodation of both houses on the morning of December 20th and 24th for this purpose.

The home towns have not forgotten their children evacuated here and to encourage children to remain in reception areas the L.C.C., Metropolitan Boroughs, Croydon, Bristol and Plymouth are all sending financial help for Christmas treats.  The local teachers have generously accepted

Devon 72 Detachment of the British Red Cross Society which is the Instow branch of that organisation, has been busily engaged for some months in assisting with the care of some fifty children whose ages range up to 5 years and whose homes have been bombed in Plymouth.  In the charming settings of Tapely Park, the residence of Mr John Christie, these children are receiving care and attention watched over by a matron and trained sisters.

The Instow Red Cross nurses, under the capable supervision of Miss W Dobbs, Commandant, have given

A mixed atmosphere of happiness excitement, tears and sorrow prevailed on Bideford station when the last big "re-evacuation" this time of "unaccompanied" children returning to their own homes, took place.

The Borough children assembled at the Bethel (by kind permission of the Rev. R H Parsons), where the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford (Ald. and Mrs H W Fulford) addressed them, saying that it was "Au Revoir"  and not necessarily "Goodbye."  The Chief Billeting Officer of the Borough, Mr A R Blackwell, wished them god-speed and then called for three cheers for the Mayor and

From the bombed areas of London and the south-east coast have come in scores of people to seek haven in this part of the Westcountry.

Some have come under the official schemes - such as mothers with young children - others have come because they have relations or friends in these parts, and there are also those who have come quite unofficially.

Offers of shelter should be addressed to the Mayor of Bideford through the Chief Billeting Officer (Mr W J Langford), Town Hall, Bideford.

Mrs R I Smith, of Peckham, has come with her

Mr Clements is the youngest son of Mrs C Clements, 338 Wandsworth Road, Fulham.

The wedding service was conducted by the Rev Dr A G Hawes. The bridesmaid was Miss Claire Baker and Mr L A Clements, brother of the bridegroom, discharged the duties of

Another symbol of the ties uniting the English speaking people of America and those of this country, is the plaque at the Queen Street evacuee hostel, Bideford, commemorating the gifts sent to the children of this country by the youth of America.  The plaque was unveiled by Mayor of Bideford, Mr G H Braddick.

Mr  E Blackwell (Chief Billeting Officer) said the plaque was given by the British War Relief Society of the USA, and commemorated sending £25 worth of toys and gifts from America.

Special praise is due to Mrs Scali for her

"Mens sana in sano corpore" (a sound mind in a sound body) is a motto taken to heart by Peckham Central School, nearly 250 pupils of which were evacuated to Bideford a year ago and have found wartime school premises at Bideford Baptist Schoolrooms.

Photograph above show a practice on the lawn outside the Baptish School buildings, and it will be seen that movement and thrill are inseparable from their exercises.