In the first issue of the month, the Gazette reports that Foot and Mouth Disease had been confirmed at a farm in Buckfastleigh. Although this is outside the immediate area, local farmers would have been watching the situation with concern. All the livestock on the affected farm were destroyed and a fifteen mile exclusion zone imposed. One week later, another case was reported in Bow, but nothing more is reported for the rest of the month.

Proceeds from the next London Bidefordian Society meeting will be given to the Bideford War Memorial Fund. The meeting will take place in Fleet Street, London, and full details may be had from the Honorary Secretary, Mr R E Collacott.

At Devon Assizes, a young woman from Torrington who was employed as a glover pleaded not guilty to demanding money with menaces from the Mayor of Torrington, William Luxton, on 29 December last year. The jury found her guilty but questioned her mental condition. Sentence was delayed pending an appeal, which ultimately failed.

At the Bideford Annual Licensing Sessions, Police Superintendent Shutler reported that Licensed Houses in the borough now numbered thirty three. This means that there is one pub for every two hundred and seventy five people. No house had been proceeded against in the past year. There had been ten prosecutions for drunkenness and seven licence transfers. All cinematographic and dancing licences had been renewed, covering the period from 12 noon to 1am.

Bideford Architects Messrs Orphoot and Whiting have been appointed to design two War Memorials, one in North London at Mill Hill and another in Peebles, Lancashire. Both commissions were won in open competition, the assessor being Gilbert Scott. (An obituary for Mr Whiting can be seen on the Archive website)

Peggy Murray of Kingsley College, Westward Ho was summoned by PC Uglow for riding her bicycle without lights one hour and five minutes after lighting up time in Buckleigh. When he asked her why she was riding without lights, the court was told that she replied “I’m sure I don’t know, what are you going to do about it? I have been to Bideford and I have never met a policeman at this place before.” This occasioned much laughter in the court. She was fined six shillings. Eric R Gunner of the Bungalow, Westward Ho! was summoned by PC Ley for riding a motor cycle without lights in Northam Square at 10.30pm on 31 January. In his defence Mr Gunner said that he had a piece of lighted candle in the headlamp but it blew out. PC Ley stated that there was no rear light either, and Mr Gunner was fined one guinea.

Cooper’s Collar Works in the Strand, Bideford, are advertising for young women for Patent Turning. Good wages will be paid whilst learning. Experienced turners are also needed to work at home. Research has shown that “turning” was one of the most important stages in collar making.

Finally this month, we hear that Northam Council workmen have gone on strike, claiming that their wage of thirty two shillings a week is insufficient. There are nine workers in total, including some elderly men who have been many years in the Council’s employ. A committee meeting is to be held to discuss the matter, and arrangements have been made to exercise the horses.