Alverdiscott Show To Cease - 18th March 1966

Notable Work For Hall Village Fund

At a meeting on Monday night, the committee of Alverdiscott's gymkhana, horse show and flower show, held annually in August, reluctantly decided, on a proposition by Mr Wilfred Johns, seconded by Mr John Lee, and carried unanimously, to cease holding the annual show.
Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood, a former secretary and president, presided at the meeting at which it was pointed out that the show had continued successfully, but with the loss of two of its leading personalities, the late Mr George Ford and the late Mr Victor Bearman, there was now none who would take on the responsibility of president and chairman of the organising committee.
The show was started shortly after the last war with the prime object of raising money for the provision of a village hall for the parish. Mr W J G Coad, of Bideford, who was treasurer of the show from 1947 to 1959 and among whose proud possessions is a garden seat commemorating the fact, told the Gazette of the great part the show had played in raising the funds for the hall. Every householder in the parish and neighbouring farmers had rallied under the late Mr George Ford to make a success both of the show and the village hall it was intended to provide. Prior to this meetings and dances had been held in Webbery Barn, kindly loaned by Mr Ford.
Mr J Nankivell, secretary of the show for the past four years, told the Gazette that last year's show attracted as popular a 'gate' and as many entries as the previous year, but the financial profit and the show was run to make  money for the parish hall was only about £16, of which £9 came as the result of the dance at the village hall in the evening. The unanimous opinion was that it was not now worth the effort, especially without the organising force of a good president-chairman as in the past.