United Church Service Relayed To Chapel

Official Stand Down Of Civil Defence Units

Impressive indication of the general spirit of thanksgiving and of the combine war effort of the Fighting Services and Civil Defence units (for whom it was the official stand-down parade), was given at Bideford on Sunday when nearly 2,000 accompanied the Mayor (Ald H W Fulford) and Corporation to a united thanksgiving service held at the Parish Church and which was relayed to an overflow congregation at the Bridge Street Methodist Church.

The Rector of Bideford (Preb W N Manning) was assisted in the service by the Rev R E Clarke, the Mayor’s Chaplain, and Rev T R Gibby. Bideford Parish Church was filled to overflowing, and a portion of the parade, together with a large number of the public, filled the Methodist Chapel, while hundreds of people waited on the Quayside for the march past and parade after the service.

At the Parish Church Mr R Harper was at the organ and Mr W Westacott at the tympani.

The collection was for Christian Reconstruction in Europe.

Excellent arrangements had been made for the parade which was formed up in New Road in two sections, fighting service and civil defence units under the direction of the Marshalls, Messrs F A Pearson and P J V Fulford.

The fighting services, led by the combined Home Guard and Town Band, entered by one entrance, and the civic procession and civil defence units by another.

The Mayor of Bideford was accompanied in procession by the Town Clerk (Mr F C Backway), his chaplain, the Rector, Rear-Admiral H G C Franklin, magistrates, aldermen and councillors, together with public officials, including representatives of Ministries of Food, Fuel, and the National Savings Committee, the Police and Special Constables.

The full Gazette article is dated 15 May 1945