A Grand Climax To Two Happy Days

Never was the River Torridge, in the full beauty of an evening tide and sunshine, seen to better advantage than on Wednesday evening, when, through the kind cooperation of Rear-Admiral H H C Franklin, a striking array of light naval craft came in formation up the river.

There were assault and landing craft of many kinds and they were explained, with some interesting references to the active service they had seen, by a naval officer at the microphone.

The review evoked very great enthusiasm among the large crowd assembled all along the Quayside and on the bridge and it was, indeed, an occasion that will long be remembered.

The May and Mayoress (Ald. And Mrs H W Fulford), with civic party, went aboard the Admiral’s vessel, which had arrived at the head of the miniature fleet and then sailed down between the larger craft which anchored on each side of the river while smaller craft came around them in formation.

‘A grand sight’ was the general verdict.

Shades of Brighton

What will especially impress it upon the minds of the schoolchildren was the fact that they were taken short trips up and down the river – the boys in landing craft and the girls in ‘Ducks’ the last mentioned kindly being made available by the military. When it was announced on the Sports Ground that the vessels would shortly be arriving there was a grand exodus of children. A thousand children with but a single thought – to get down on the Quay and early in the queue. However, order was marshalled out of their enthusiasm by teachers and other helpers and they trooped aboard their respective vessels. The boys had the advantage in that many more could be accommodated in a tank landing craft than could girls in a ‘Duck’ and there was a little heart-burning at first that all would not have an equal chance, but the problem largely solved itself as the evening advanced and in the final trip a tank landing craft was crowded with people, children and adults, and it was as good as a tonic to see it setting off – shades of Brighton and the immortal ‘Nice day for a sail, sir: any more for the Skylark!’ It was a great success, and the length of the trips were not stinted, either.

To conclude the day there was dancing in the Park and at the Market, the ‘SOS’ Group of the Welcome Home Fund Committee organised a very successful dance.

The dance not only met a need for such entertainment but raised a most useful sum for the Bideford Welcome Home Fund. The Mayor thanked all associated with the effort. Music was provided by the Arcadians dance band.

There was some dancing in the streets and singing, also fireworks, but it was quieter than the previous night.

A number of street teas for the children have been arranged.

Gazette article dated 15 May 1945