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The Appledore War Memorial, which is an obelisk, has been fixed in Chapels Field and will be publicly dedicated early this month. Sir Douglas Smith an Appledore native now living in Cardiff and a considerable benefactor in helping with the cost, will unveil the memorial. A lengthy report appears in the 13th July edition.

Beekeeping. A conference is held at the Castle, Exeter and is sponsored by Devon County Council and the Devon Beekeeper Association to consider what steps to take to encourage beekeeping in Devon. 75 Italian Queen Bees have been purchased and will be given out as an incentive to promote the hobby. The benefits of reliable pollination were also discussed.

Northam Parish Church has now two extra bells to make a peal of 8. These bells were given in memory of Miss Stella Temple, who was an excellent golfer and sports person who also worked in France in the War where she contracted an illness to which she later succumbed. The other bell was donated by Mr Brayley – Brayley of Wellesbourne in Northam. The 6th July edition of the Gazette reports on the weekend’s proceedings.

The information which follows has been provided by another volunteer: On Saturday July 3rd 1920, the Northam Bells Festival took place on Vicarage Meadow and the Vicarage Lawn. The bells were rung throughout the afternoon until 8pm. Admission to the events on the Meadow was 6d, with schoolchildren being charged 1d. As well as the usual sack races and tug of war, there were to be pillow fights and potato races. A refreshment stall offered ices etc. at reasonable prices. Dancing was to take place on the lawn from 8.30pm-10.30pm at a charge of 6d, fancy dress optional. Due to inclement weather, the outdoor sports had to be postponed; the tea and the dance both took place in the schoolroom.

On Sunday July 4th the bells were dedicated. The service was performed by the Very Revd. Dean of Windsor, Dr C W Baillie, Chaplain to the King. His presence is explained by the fact that the living of Northam is in the gift of the Dean and Canons of Windsor.

The dedications on the two new bells were;

Treble: To the Glory of God, in memory of E Stella Temple 1919 Second: In memory of George Brayley Brayley died 1915

The cost of recasting and rehanging the bells, with repairs to the tower, has cost about £1,100 and by the day of the dedication almost the whole amount had been raised.

Ringers attended from Northam, Barnstaple Parish Church, Pilton, Bideford, Abbotsham, Appledore and Westleigh and the bells were rung continuously from 2.30pm-9.15pm.

Northam Manor Court met for its annual appointment of Officers. At the meeting in the School Room Mr J B Penhorwood was appointed Tything Man. Criers: Northam, J S Hearn; Appledore, J Goodwin. Way Drivers: T Williams, T Dennis, J Moulton, & P Steer. The Pound Keepers were J Hearne & G Cook and Harbour Master J T Slader.

Speeding. An Editorial comment notes that an application to impose a speed limit on the Bideford to Northam & Westward Ho! roads has been submitted. Heavy motor cars and Charabanc vehicles are clogging up the roads. Some now weigh over 3 tons and are 7 feet 6 inches wide and can travel at 12 mph. It was proposed that 8 mph would be suitable for solid tyred vehicles whereas the exponents of the giant air filled tyres, who are probably still in the minority, feel 12mph would not cause any damage to the carriageway. The application was turned down.

Appledore Primary School attendance was reported as “Disgraceful”. Bideford County Magistrates hear that some parents have been summoned 8 times for failing to ensure their children are at school. Generally these defendants never appear in Court but always pay the fines.

Nationally, higher railway fares may come into effect on August 15th. The Rates Advisory Committee meeting in London will consider the deficit in the country’s accounts after the expense of the Great War. An extra £9.9 million pounds for June will bring the estimated deficit in the Government White paper of £52.3 million to well over £60 million. The Government said they have considerable sympathy but “we must harden our hearts”.

Heard Brothers has a large advert for “Nine different Vehicles for Sale”

Hudson Super Six Limousine £1550

Hudson Super Six Tourer £950

Chalmers Semi Sports Touring car £825

Essex Fast Touring car with wire wheels £750

Super Maxwell Touring car £560

Overland Four Touring car £495

Seldon 35cwt chassis £725

Maxwell 27cwt chassis £531

Fordson Tractor £260

Cars

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Property to Let

Burnstone Farm Clovelly 172 acres incl labourers cottage, Arable & Pasture to be let from the Clovelly Estate. Great Pilham Hartland 139 acres incl House, workman’s cottage. In the occupation of the owner Mr Richard Walter. To be let from Lady Day.

Property for sale

Mr R L Ashton offered some 1950 acres of freehold property, portions of the Walland Cary Estate, in the parishes of Woolfardisworthy and Parkham, for sale at Bideford. With few exceptions the properties were sold to the tenants.

Property for sale July 1920 Walland Cary

Gorrell Farm, 136 acres, £1400, Mr R Boase, solicitor, Torrington; Hole Small Farm, £700, Mr J C Bond; Higher Venn Farm, 102 acres, £1450, Mr Chidley; Lower Venn Farm, 44 acres, £925, Mr R Kivell; Stroxworthy Moors, 29½ acres, £415 Mr J Stevens; Hutsford Moor Cottage, 2 acres, £275, Mr Prouse; Four fields, part of Hutsford, 31 acres, £250, Mr J Sanders; Clifford Farm, 354 acres, £2525, Mr Hamlyn; Lane Barton, 169 acres, £3500, Mr E Lott; Cranford Farm, 92 acres, £2500, Mr O Boundy; Cottage and garden at Cranford, £260, Mr O Boundy; Four fields at Cranford, 12 acres, £600 Mr Vanstone; Cranford Water West and Quarry, 17 acres, £650, Mr Moore; Cranford Water East, 6 acres, £210, Mr Moore; Four acre field at Cranford, £212 10s, Mr Fogarty; Two Fields, 10acres, £300, Mr Boundy; South Bitworthy Farm, 108 acres, £2300, Mr T Westaway; Bucks Cross Tenament, 25 acres, £1200, Mr Ross; Watershute Farm, 64 acres, £1650, Mrs Heywood; Walland Cottage West and Walland Cottage East with 19 acres, £800, Mr Harding; Two Limebury fields, 13 acres, £600, Mr Beer; Three fields, part of Bitworthy, 14 acres, £450, Mr T Westaway; Merry Harriers, four cottages and 9 acres, £500, Mr T Westaway; Field at Bucks Cross, 1½ acres, £100, Mr Davey; Two fields at Bucks Cross, 2½ acres, £200, Mr Davey; Two fields at Bucks Cross, 1½ acres, £180, Mr Braund; Undivided third share of Hills Cottage and 2½ acres at Bucks Cross, £120, Mr Jennings; Duerdon Farm, nearly 200 acres, £2500, Mr Chidley; Hutsford Moor farm, 200 acres, No offer was made; Ashcroft, 150 acres, withdrawn at £1600; West Town Farm, 64 acres, withdrawn at £1700. Messrs Pitts Tucker, Barnstaple, were the solicitors for the Vendor, Mr Elwes.

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