Because of their road sense

Russell (6) finds his way home

Police were called in and Bideford streets searched this week when six years old Russell Yelland, staying on holiday with his grandparents at Westward Ho! became separated from his parents while they were shopping.

Just over an hour later the search was called off when Russell walked calmly into the Beach Road home of his surprised grandparents, Mr and Mrs Arthur Davies, and explained “They left me in town”.

During his three-mile walk from Bideford to Westward Ho! he had negotiated 11 busy road junctions but Russell told his parents Mr and Mrs David Yelland, on holiday from Germany where Mr Yelland is stationed with the Army: “It was all right – I learned my highway code at school.”

And he added: “I didn’t cry, people might have laughed at me.”

The only previous occasion he had travelled the route was by car.

Andrew (10) is reported by police

A policeman on patrol car duty watched carefully as a young Bideford schoolboy rode his bicycle through the town.

As a result of what he saw, he stopped the youngster, took his name and address, and reported him.

But it was a report with a difference.

Ten year old Andrew Butler, of 26 Bull Hill, Bideford, had his name taken not for any traffic transgression but for the impressive way he rode his machine.

His use of signals and his general road sense was reported to Bideford and District Road Safety Committee by Police Sergt S A Bennett, North Devon’s accident prevention officer, and it resulted in a surprised Andrew being presented with £1 in a ceremony at his school, Bideford Church Junior.

The note was handed to him by Ald Mrs E J Brown, the Bideford Road Safety Committee chairman.

Article dated 4 May 1973