What was being reported in May 1921

Alwington – The grant from the United Service Fund, amounting to £9 for the ex-service men of the parish, has been received, and is to be used toward the purchase of a skittle alley.

United Services Fund - The Government established the United Services Fund in 1919 with the aim of caring for the interests of ex-Service people and their dependents. It was funded by the sale of overseas canteens during the war. 

Appledore – Empire Day was celebrated in an unique manner. A special service was arranged at 3 o’clock at the monument in Chapel’s field. Over 300 scholars, including the infants, made a detour of the monument and deposited flowers on the steps. The monument presented a most impressive sight for it was literally covered with beautiful floral tokens in memory of Appledore heroes who fell in the struggle to maintain the Empire.

More information abut Empire Day can be found at THIS LINK

Bideford – the Hospital acknowledges with thanks, gifts of vegetables from Col. Mascot, Mr Duncan and Rev E J Fyffe and games from A Waldren. Owing to the greatly reduced train facilities Bideford motor wagonette proprietors are running services to and from Barnstaple. Butchers of the town allege that notwithstanding the regulation of the Council that not more than 28lbs of pork should be sold by a stall-holder in the Pannier Market, people were evading the rules and selling whole carcases of pork.

Although a small shipload of coal has recently been discharged at Bideford, stocks in the district are running out and the public are appealed to be as economical as they possibly can.

Bradworthy – Tilling over, the farmers are delighted to experience the beautiful spring showers. Mr Elliott, keeps two cows, and within a few weeks of each other they have each given birth to twins. Richard Oke won a 40 guinea American organ offered as a prize at the Southern Counties Eisteddfod at Exeter in a grand pianoforte solo contest.

Bucks Mills – Mr F Coles organised a very successful entertainment – a concert and dance. The proceeds were handed to the Vicar for the Churchyard Wall Fund. The old and fascinating customs connected with May Day were successfully revived by the new headmistress, and Miss Kelly and her sister are to be thoroughly congratulated on the performance. Winnie Prouse was elected ‘Queen’, being crowned by Mrs Elwes.

Hartland – the farm known as Hescott is to be let by tender.

Mr T Bailey, Harbour, has had the misfortune to lose another useful horse. Mr R Pengilly, Summerwell, also lost a valuable colt, whilst Mr Oliver (late of Hennaford) suffered similar misfortune. Ill-luck fell upon Mr Philip Burrow, Bursdon, by the death of a very valuable dairy cow. Prizes were won at the clay pigeon shooting at West Country Inn by Messrs Tom Colwill, F Shaddick and E Colwill.

Instow – Owners of huts at Instow received unpleasant news in the form of demand notes for rates. The owners declined to pay until the validity of the claim had been tested. Their appeal to the Assessment Committee was not successful.

A memorial to Instow’s fallen, an imposing Devon cross of granite, was unveiled by Mr John Barrett, an ex-soldier.

Landcross – The Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary Services were held and a real good tea was provided by Mrs J Colwill, Mrs E R Colwill, Mrs Oliver, Mrs Warmsley, Miss Andrew and Miss L Colwill.

Langtree – A meeting of the ex-Service men of the Parish has been held in the Club Room to consider what should be done with the grant from the United Services Fund. After a short discussion it was decided to put it to a football club.

Littleham – Two very successful entertainments – whist and a concert - have been held in the Parish Room, in aid of the fund for the new church heating apparatus.

Northam – At the monthly meeting of the Northam Urban District Council, the Medical Officer, Dr E J Toye, reported 8 deaths, 11 births, and that the general health of the district remained satisfactory. In regard to the Coal Emergency Orders, etc. Mr E J Labbett was appointed Coal Officer and he would be able to issue permits to the relevant persons. The Melbury reservoir contains 29 million gallons and, with an indication of dry weather setting in, the public will be asked to be as careful as possible with water supply. Empire Day was celebrated with a service at Northam Cross, the site of the Northam war memorial. At the King’s Head Hotel, a bay horse by Cyllene-Cockeye, ‘Cyclops Too’ will be auctioned.

On Bone Hill an open air service was held instead of the usual Rogationtide procession through the lanes and fields of the parish in order to supplicate the blessings of God upon the seeds sown in the earth. The service conducted by the Vicar, Rev G Payne Cook, RD, assisted by Revs Oak Rhind and Guy H Bridges.

Parkham – At the annual meeting of the Parish Council, Mr F Harding was re-appointed chairman, and Mr J Heal vice-chairman. Messrs W Lang, C Hedden and E George were elected Overseers and Mr A Ley was appointed School Manager to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Cook leaving the neighbourhood. A blue tit is hatching her young for the third year in succession in a letter box at Melbury Waterworks.

The Hon. Secretary, Mr F Harding, has received a cheque to the value of £13 5s from the United Services Fund. It is proposed to establish a portable skittle alley which will be the property of ex-soldiers.

Torrington – The master and matron, Mr and Mrs Waspe, of the Workhouse have resigned as they were appointed out of nearly 100 applicants master and matron of Loddon and Clavering. Later that month, Mr and Mrs G Harrison of Norwich, are appointed as replacements. Mr William Squire (Torrington), president of Swansea Devonians’ Society, unveiled at the United Methodist Church, Swansea, a war memorial bearing the names of 25 members of the society who fell in the war. The two female officers, Capt Watkins and Lieut Stenner, who have been in charge of the Salvation Army work at Torrington for 12 months, have had a farewell on leaving for Mousehole, Cornwall. They are succeeded by two male officers, Capt Glightly and Lieut Boyce, from Clapton.

At the monthly meeting of the Torrington Town Council, the Town Clerk demanded an apology from Councillor Barnwell in respect of a statement made by him at a previous meeting. Mr Barnwell said that not for one moment did he dispute the honesty of the Town Clerk but the line of action he took was a protest at the way in which an account was passed around the table to be initialled.

Westleigh – A handsome wayside cross just in front of the lych-gate has been erected by the parishioners of Westleigh, to the memory of the men of the parish who died in the war, and the 58 others who served. It was unveiled by the Earl of Portsmouth. The whole of the names are inscribed on brass tablets on the base of the cross.

A very pretty wedding took place at the Wesleyan Church, Bideford, the bride being Miss F W Watts, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs G Watts, Candile House, Westleigh. The groom was Mr A G C Hearn, only son of Mr and Mrs Hearn, of Castle Street, Northam.

Westward Ho! – the sands are in good condition and bathing was started by two ladies.

Shipping – The s.s. Enid Mary, a vessel recently built at the Taw Shipyard, made her first trip to and from Cardiff, and was Bideford Quay with her speed, 12.6 knots, proudly chalked on her funnel. This is equivalent to 14.499mph. 

Sport – The first final for the splendid (Capt J H) Reed Cup was played on the ground of the Hansen Recreation Club between Bideford Juniors and Hartland. Goals were scored by Symons, Green and Vodden, with the result Bideford 3, Hartland 0. In the match between Bideford and Barum Town, the home team was unable to field a complete team of its own players and filled their eleven with members of the Athletic Club, and winning by four goals to two.

Later that month, the Kingsley League and Reed Cups were presented to the Bideford Junior Football team after a very successful high tea at the Royal Hotel.

On behalf of the members of the Northam Football Club, the President, Mr J Jeffery, presented to Mr H A Littlejohns a silver-plated shaving set with the best wishes of the Club of which he is a member, on the occasion of his marriage.

In golf, J H Taylor was beaten by Abe Mitchell at a professional tournament in Lancashire.

At a well attended meeting of the General Committee of the Bideford Amateur Athletic Club, with Capt W H Merefield in the chair, the arrangements for the coming rowing season were discussed.

Legal – Summoned for playing football in New Street, two boys were ordered by Bideford Magistrates to pay 1/- each towards costs, and were cautioned as to their future conduct. At Torrington County Petty Sessions, Charles Trigger and John Briglit, both of Dolton, were charged and found guilty of taking certain unseasonable salmon at Brightley Marsh on the river Torridge. They were fined 5s and 10s 6d advocate’s fee. Mr Walter Withecombe, of Apps Farm, Littleham, brought a claim for £10 damages against his neighbour, Mr Wm Jas. Huxtable, of Heale Farm, in respect of a bite by the latter’s black and tan cross-bred sheep dog. In ordinary circumstances the case would be dismissed but the defendant was entitled to his costs. The dog was destroyed, a summons was issued and there would be a judgement for the defendant, with costs. William Brend pleaded guilty to a charge of plying for hire in the Strand with a motor hackney carriage without being licensed for the borough; he was fined 2s 6d.

Schools – Annual reports from the headteachers, now required under the new regulations, were presented for the first time to Bideford Council School Managers. Old Town Boys’ School commenced the new school year on April 12 with 62 children admitted from Gunstone School (it would appear that the two schools combined). This brought its numbers to 343 which necessitated the organisation of another class and teacher. Each boy is placed in one of four houses viz. Drake, Grenville, Kingsley and Raleigh, each having a distinctive colour. The teacher in charge of Geneva Girls’ School reported that the year ended with 252 girls on the register. In spite of the absence of teachers and the headmistress through illness (there was a severe epidemic of influenza during February and March), the discipline of the school had been well maintained and the work of the various classes quite satisfactory. Mrs Wilson, Geneva Infants, reported that the school started the year with 212 names on the books, and at the close, 237.

Owing to the satisfactory manner in which the ringworm epidemic was handled by the School Medical Authority this disease was practically eradicated by the end of July.

Property for sale – 30 Wimbourne Terrace; 11 Providence Row; 48 High Street; 46, 47 and 48 Honestone Street; and three shops with dwelling houses in Allhalland Street (owned by Mrs Short and Mr Rice). 

National news – The figures of unemployment continue to show an increase and approximately 1,744,000 are registered. It was reported that when the extended unemployment insurance scheme under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, came into operation, the fund stood at about £22,000,000. The amount paid out of the fund by way of unemployment benefit and other charges between November 8 1920 and April 23 1921, was about £14,500,000. Owing to the coal stoppage, the fund’s depletion is rapidly increasing.

At the annual meeting of the Cunard Steamship Company, Sir Thomas Royden said that owing to the fact that the first cost of vessels had been enormously enhanced, shipowners had at last called a halt. A large number of contracts had been cancelled outright and in other cases, further work had been suspended until the cost of wages and materials came down. 

Members of Parliament will not pay income tax on their £400 a year salary and are to be granted first-class railway travel between London and their constituencies and their homes.

It is anticipated that the Prime Minister intends to call both parties to the coal dispute together again in conference, with preliminary conversations taking place at Chequers in the next few days. So far the embargo of the railwaymen and transport workers on the handling of imported coal has not prevented the removal of supplies to centres where the fuel is needed for public utility services. A general railway strike is thought to be a remote contingency.