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 now, when the greater bulk of the fish is sent upwards. Again the exporters even offer to buy up stocks of smaller hawkers for that purpose.
I may also add that the number of boats controlled by any one party is not all, as there are others who control as many and buy from the fishermen the whole year round, not winter only.
The injustice to both retailer and consumer is the excess prices offered for exportation, and to secure a monopoly for obvious reasons.
I remain, yours respectfully,
Mary Jewell
West Bucks
Gazette article dated 26 March 1918