1st – 6th November has been designated as 'National Rat Week'. It is thought to be the most suitable time for a determined onslaught on these pests as they have begun their autumn migration. They cause a heavy annual loss to the food stocks and endanger the health of the community.
In Whitehall, Central London on November 11th, the Cenotaph, which had been unveiled earlier this year, became the national focal point of Remembrance Day services. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens to commemorate the dead of the Great War it remains our national memorial on this day.
Bideford news:
Two maroons were fired on Bideford Quay to mark Armistice Day and all the flags of the town were flown at half-mast. The paper also contains reports of Armistice services from various churches around the area.
Afternoon and evening concerts have been held in the Bideford Music Hall on behalf of the Edgehill College Building Fund. The platform was decorated with palms and flowering plants, and the concerts raised a total of £80. (The Music Hall was in Bridgeland Street.)
A W Cock, auctioneer, is selling Lindisfarne, Abbotsham Road, as its owner Sidney Greenstead is leaving town. The walled fruit and vegetable garden at the rear of the property, currently in the tenure of W C Friendship, will also be sold.
Bideford and District Fanciers Show, which this year was combined with that of the Allotment Holders Society, was deemed a great success; the paper contains more than two columns of results. At the annual Mayor Choosing, Councillor J U Fulford was elected Mayor and chief Magistrate to much applause.
The 11.49am up train from Bideford, which was taken off during the miners’ strike, resumes on 8th November. Bideford Town Council will be reimbursed by the Railway Company for the cost of road making after removal of the rails from the Quay.
In Torrington news:
William Gent of New Street has married Eliza Passmore of Well Street. The bride wore a navy-blue tailor-made costume and the bridesmaids were in dresses of lemon crepe de chine.
Mrs D Horndon has been granted a three-year extension of her lease on the Market Hall for Girl Guide meetings. Six new council houses are to be built.
Mrs J O Clemson has sent the Mayor of Torrington 100 rabbits for distribution among the sick and aged of the town.
In Clovelly - it was an anxious time as one of the herring boats did not return to harbour with the rest. A volunteer crew quickly launched the lifeboat to search. The missing boat then returned loaded with herrings “almost to the level of the sea”. Rockets were sent up to recall the lifeboat.
Clovelly herrings hawked recently were 8 for a shilling, the cheapest price for a long time. However, before the War they could be 24 for a shilling.
It is reported that 230 feet of retaining walls on Clovelly High Street are in urgent need of repair.
In Westward Ho! Messrs R Blackmore & Sons have received instructions to sell portions of the old Pier, including timbers, joists, iron seat ends, bricks and old iron. The sale will take place at Old Kingsley College. The Pier House
The October Monthly Medal competition at the golf club was won by P Furnivall with a handicap of 8, Major Randolph came second with a handicap of 14. In the November competition both the winner, W R N Hinde and the second placed golfer, N Wood, played off handicaps of 10.
Football news - the recent match between Instow and Bideford AAC resulted in a 2-2 draw and was described as of an uninteresting character. Langtree school football team are now able to play in their lunch hour in Mr S J Furse’s field, thanks to his kindness. A friendly match between Alwington and Parkham was won by Parkham 6-1. A football team has been started on Lundy. The team, made up of mostly ex-servicemen, will be known as “The Pirates of Lundy”.
In Parkham, Mr E Braund of Downwater while out fishing hooked a seal. The seal escaped, breaking the line. Parkham Rifle Club has restarted for the winter, meeting in the Parish Room.
Guy Fawkes day celebrations in Bradworthy included a fire on the moor, fireworks and a fancy-dress procession, in the same style as was seen before the War.
Buckland Brewer whist drive and dance also included two competitions to guess the weight of a cake and a fowl.
And finally,
At a meeting of Northam UDC, Mr G W Vincent called attention to the bad state of the road between Bideford and Northam. He said it was dangerous to cyclists and pedestrians were being spattered with dirty water. Labour is readily available as is a steam roller. The whole thing is a disgrace to the council. After some discussion, the subject was dropped!