In the Children’s Court in Bideford, before Mayor Mr S R Chope and other magistrates is a 13 year-old boy charged under the Children’s Act with stealing 5 savoy cabbages and 18 broccolis. He was caught red handed with a sack, a table knife and a perambulator in which he was going to carry the vegetable away. Found guilty as proved, his father was ordered to pay 9/- which equates to £46 in today’s values.
Owing to the number of Bideford constables who have joined HM Forces, Devon Constabulary has published a list of 33 men who are doing duty as unpaid special constables. Each street and its constable are named and there are 5 in the High Street alone.
The paper is full of Christmas advertising, local stores are suggesting to readers that an early purchase would ensure goods because some items are in short supply. W T Ridge, 70 High Street has various whiskies at 3/6d a bottle, equivalent to £18 today. S Dennis of Mill Street advertises prime Ox beef, fed by Mr Curtis of Abbotsham which will be slaughtered by humane killer(?) as supplied by the RSPCA. He also has rendered lard at 8d per pound, while pickled silversides and briskets are always ready.
Messrs WH Short, 10 Allhalland St., advertises Ladies Parcels:
No1 at 10/- contains 1 cream jap silk blouse of the newest style, 1 silk lace collar, 6 dainty embroidered lawn handkerchiefs and 1 crepe de chine bow.
Less expensive is parcel No 2 at 5/- containing 1 flannelette blouse, 1 useful overall, 3 hemstitched handkerchiefs and a bottle of Eau de cologne.
For the girls, 1 cream wool turban, 1 dainty pinafore, 1 smart hair ribbon and 2 pretty hankies costs 2/6d.
The men seem to be catered for by H Meredith in the High Street, offering Vacuum flasks, shaving requisites, Tommy Cookers and electro pocket lamps in a great variety. We would be interested to learn about the Tommy Cooker?
On 21st December an article in the paper states “present giving seems to be on the increase, although perhaps owing to the lessons of the War they are of a more practical nature and it is a delightful reminder of human affection. Considering the value of the articles offered as Christmas presents the prices in the present circumstances are extraordinarily low.”
There is less poaching at the moment, although a large number of salmon which have been in the fresh water have now swum into the small rivers.
The Ford Motor Co has published a reply to allegations made in the national press that Mr Henry Ford is pro German. The company states that these statements are malicious slander. Included in the advertisement by the Bideford Motor Works who are the agents for Ford Motors are price reductions in all of their model range with the claim that they are now better value than ever. Interestingly other manufacturers have increased their prices!
In the Workhouse, known locally as The White house, Bideford Guardians at their fortnightly meeting have read an amusing postcard from a former inmate. Postmarked Liverpool December 1915 it reads “I am writing to say I am sorry I had to leave the school but I am trying to pass into the Army and I have had a lot of teeth out by order of the Drs and my sight is a lot better. I am glad to say I can write this card myself I have passed the Doctors for Home service subject to getting my glasses I have been going to the Eye hospital twice a week for some months now. I will write to you again. Yours respectfully.” Name given. The clerk to the workhouse commented, amid laughter, that he seemed to have made a rapid recovery.
And finally, In the 21st December edition we find - A Notice to Tradesmen; A number of Bideford Boy scouts are offering their services to the local tradesmen in order to facilitate the delivery of parcels etc. in the town during the next few days. Any money earned by the Scouts in this way will be paid into the Boy Scouts Ambulance Fund which is keeping a number of Motor Ambulances at the Front. A tradition continuing till today.