A very large gathering assembled on Bideford riverbank, near the Kingsley Statue, at high tide on Wednesday evening to witness the interesting ceremony of christening and launching the new racing gig, purchased with the proceeds of a Carnival collection and presented to the Bideford Amateur Rowing Club. The photograph shows the gig resting on trestles with the magnificent silver Bideford Challenge Bowl which the clubs senior crew won in 1920 standing in the bow. The handsome new 36 feet four oared centre seated gig has brass fittings and was built by G Sims and Sons of Putney. Dipping a shell full of Torridge water from the silver challenge bowl Mrs Butler gracefully performed the christening ceremony amid hearty cheers. “I have great pleasure in christening this boat with the name Carnival wishing her every success and good luck”. The boat and carriage cost £110 7s 10d. The new boat was then launched and crewed by last year’s winning crew, Messrs. W.Mitchell at stroke, J. Bale, W Johns, H Johns and P. Oke (cox). Both Bideford Amateur Athletic Rowing Club and Hansen Recreation Rowing Club put boats in the water in honour of the occasion.
Public Notices. Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway Company (despite being closed for several years and no trains running).
Notice is hereby given that an Ordinary General Meeting will be held at the offices of the Electrical Federation Office at 88 Kingsway London W.C.2 to receive the report and Statement of Accounts.
Regular readers will recall that in last month’s edition 100 Years Ago - March 1921 a sale is being held this month of the railway carriages. Further information and detail can be found at this link - Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway
Property for Sale
Messrs. A W Cock offer for Auction No 3 Fosketh Terrace, Westward Ho! and No.21 Victoria Grove, Bideford.
For auction during next month are six lots as follows:
• Lot 1- All that Corner Dwelling house and premises known as 14 The Quay, Bideford, as now in the tenancy of Dr Marshall which expires on 17th May 1921.
• Lot 2 - All that 3-storied Dwelling House and gardens known as 8 Lower Meddon Street
• Lots 3, 4,5,and 6 - Four Cottages being Nos. 6, 7, 8, and 9 on The Strand, Bideford.
R Blackmore & Sons have received instructions to sell Ways Motor Garage & Stable at Westward Ho! comprising of a substantial stone built and slate covered building and yard with gardens extending to half an acre, large garage 37ft x 19ft, another garage 30ft x 17ft, office workshop, loose box and lofty rooms over, a four horse stable and loose box, an Oil store with large ashphalt yard with gardens. Vacant Possession upon completion.
At Gammaton Cross, 2¾ miles from Bideford, adjoining the highway is a Freehold Small Holding consisting of a commodious dwelling house, smithy and stable, coach house and cottage being used as a store, Poultry House , Piggery, Meadow and grass land 12 acres in total also an orchard and two kitchen gardens. All facing south and having commanding views.
Freehold dwelling known as 12 Sunnyside, East the Water, Bideford is offered for sale by public auction.
Coal seems to be at the core of several disputes and industrial unrest. The Gazette reports that the outlook is grave as railwaymen pledge support to the coal miners, and London transport workers have reached a similar decision:
Under the Emergency Powers Act, the Government has taken steps to ration coal and economise on gas and electricity. One hundredweight a week is the home limit. Train services will be reduced this month, some from Bideford onwards to Barnstaple and beyond have been cut altogether.
However, on Friday 15th April 1921, the transport and rail unions vote not to support the Miners and the strike was called off. In British labour history, it has been known as Black Friday henceforth. Here is a link to the history of Black Friday (1921)
Further signs of the depression in shipping have been seen in Falmouth. The ex-German liner Bremen, brought from Southampton which had been working under the flag of the P&O Company; the Roda; Pancras; and Meckenburg, are berthed in the Fal. In Bideford, three cargo vessels belonging to Messrs Cory Bros of Cardiff were piloted up the river and laid up just below Cross Park on the east bank of the river. The steamers were the Hillhouse, 6000 tons, the Rhio and the Relillio, both of about 4000 tons. At present there are two other vessels of about 6000 tons at the Bideford and Appledore wharves for repair. Messrs Cory Bros have intentions to lay up three other boats on the next spring tide.
Brewers of Great Britain have petitioned the Chancellor of the Exchequer to effect a substantial reduction in the beer duty in the Budget next Monday.
A new bus service between Bideford and Exeter is advertised by Messrs Walter J Pitt. Scheduled to take 3 hours and 30 minutes, this is only an hour longer than today's scheduled bus service. If one takes into account the advances 100 years have made in vehicle technology this was a very quick journey time and the internet tells us that the fare would now equate to over £10.00.
Broncho Bill's Great Wild West Exhibition and Mammoth Circus is coming to town!
The Editorial comment mirrors the anticipated excitement - 'Life on the prairies is represented with striking realism, cowboys, cowgirls, Indians and fiery prairie mustangs taking part. The scenes will leave vivid impressions in the mind of the visitor.' The Editor goes on to write 'But, the greatest spectacle of all is the attack on the Deadwood Coach. It is well conceived and as sensational as it is real....To the individual who wants to see the 'real thing' a visit to this performance will be enlightening.' Check out the following link about Buffalo Bill