For the first time we have a banner advert going right across the top of a page. This is for Tuck’s Zag-Zaw Picture Puzzles, which cost from 2/3d and are available from Coles and Lee at the Gazette offices. These were an early version of jigsaw puzzles, a craze which seems to have started in the early years of the 20th century.

Dr Littlewood, captain of the Bideford Swimming Club, has suggested to the Council that a public swimming baths should be constructed near the present Pontoon at River Bank End. This suggestion has been passed to the River Bank and Parks Committee for consideration.

Two local farmers, one from Westleigh and one from Horwood, had rights of access over each other’s land. Due to a dispute over the sale of a rick of oats, a violent assault took place as one walked across his access to Bideford. Police became involved and charged both men with common assault. When the evidence was heard at Bideford County Sessions, one farmer was found guilty and fined two guineas. The case against the other was dismissed. Full details of this case with names and locations are available at the Archive on page 2 of the Gazette

The Profiteering Act 1919: A local committee has been established which has powers to investigate complaints regarding the pricing and distribution of goods. The act covers the following categories:

• Wearing apparel
• Household items
• Articles for mending and knitting
• Furniture
• Articles of food which are not controlled

Complaints must be made to the Clerk to the Council at the Town Hall, Bideford, within four days of the date of the transaction and must contain full particulars.

At the Children’s Court, two thirteen year old boys were summoned for stealing a quantity of lemonade powder valued at 7/- from a shed at the London and South West Railway goods yard. It was said that one of the boys crawled through a hole only 14” by 6” in size. The powder was on consignment to local grocers. Both boys were fined 3/- for trespass and the actual thief was bound over in the sum of £5 with twelve months’ probation.

Armistice Day: The paper publishes a letter from the King, which is reproduced below. All school pupils are to be assembled just before 11am for a two minute silence. In Appledore the period of silence and remembrance was observed at schools, shipyards and places of business, the signal being given by a rocket fired on Western Hill.

Although we are commemorating the first anniversary of the end of the War, in the Gazette edition of 11th November we learn that there are still soldiers on active service in Mesopotamia and India. Concerns have been expressed about the delays in getting them home, which are caused by shipping problems. The following week on 18th November, the paper announces that about half the territorials still serving in Bombay and Bazra will return by the end of the month; eight vessels have just sailed carrying over eight thousand soldiers.

A tank has been presented to Bideford Urban District Council in recognition of their achievements in War Savings. It is to be delivered on 19th December. As the tank weights over 30 tons it is not possible for it to cross the bridge, so it was proposed to site it at Chudleigh Fort. An alternative location was the garden at the Barnstaple end of the bridge, where it would be seen by more people, but this area is liable to subsidence. Permission would also need to be sought from the Bridge Trust.
Does anyone know whether this tank was ever delivered?