100 Years Ago - July 1921
Lundy Island – The Cambria landed 350 passengers near the Cove Hotel and contributing to an evening’s entertainment were Messrs Lang, C Davey, S Davies, J Branch and others. Mr S Davies, the coast guard, has been appointed to Port Looe.
In spite of the challenges, the New Inn at Clovelly has been almost entirely reconstructed with adjoining houses rebuilt or remodelled. The work commenced by Mrs Hamlyn in 1914, recommenced in 1920 and is nearing completion.
Torrington - For the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of an artificial leg for Miss G Fursemen - the limb having been recently amputated - a dance was held in the Town Hall on Saturday last. Mr Barnwell expressed gratitude to all who supported and announced that £9 had been raised that evening but a large number of tickets had been sold beforehand and the receipts had yet to be collected.
Mrs Baker, the wife of the landlord of the Black Swan slipped as she was descending the stairs and sustained a fractured collar bone.
A well patronised Jumble sale held on the Rectory Lawn at Little Torrington. Many stalls were presided over by local ladies and refreshments were also served. Total receipts were £10, which sum is to be devoted to the annual outings of the choir, ringers and the Sunday School.
The Halwill Torrington Railway is regarded as the only scheme which could alleviate unemployment in North Devon, and is of great importance to help develop agriculture. Read more about this Railway using this Link
Sadly, two local boys lost their lives whilst bathing at Westward Ho! in heavy seas. Three lads – Warren Smith, Oscar Gard and Goodwin – were bathing off the Pebble Ridge, opposite Eastbourne Terrace, and having left the water, Goodwin lost sight of his friends. Coastguard Mortimer and PC Uglow were unable to assist despite quickly being on the scene. A body was found washed ashore.
Hartland Estate for Sale. Messrs Kivell & Harris have been favoured with the instruction from the representative of the late Mr W Hopwood to offer for sale by Public Auction on a Saturday in August all the freehold estate known as Forcewell.
Motor Ketch for Sale - Alfred Perrin & Son will Offer for Sale by Public Auction at the Champion of Wales Inn, Appledore at 3 o’clock in the Afternoon the Motor Ketch “Mary Grace”.
Bideford & Westward Ho! Freehold & Leasehold Premises - R Blackmore & Sons have received instructions from the Exors of R.T.Hookway deceased and Mr T Hookway deceased to offer for sale by Auction:-
Ropewalk; 30 Bridgeland Street; 31 Bridgeland Street; 32 Bridgeland Street; Stable and Store with Lofts in Queen Street; Freehold Building sites at Twinaways, Clovelly Road; Freehold Houses in Florence Terrace; Leasehold Houses, 22 and 23 The Quay; Leasehold Cottages, 50, 51, 52 and 53 Old Town; “Sea Vista”, Westward Ho!
Bideford School of Science and Art examination results – T Andrew, B I Day, J Allin, Winifred D Goaman, W S Darch, A R G Symons, W R Paddon, W Steer, R C Moase, W H Adams, C Bird, B I Day, F E Champion, C R Pearson, E C Moase, W H Adams, K Moulton, F W Burnard, Winifride E James, Irene M Short, H Harraway, Marian Jewell, A Baglow, Mary A Courtney, Kathleen S Shaxton, Edith M Backway, Doris M Cole, Irene M Highman, Evelyn M Rycroft, T Bond, Elsie M Nicholls, W E James, Amy L Pickard, W H Paddon and Ronald Couch
A red-letter day for Edgehill College, after the fire last June (see the Archive's June 1920 article), when memorial stones are laid on Wednesday, July 27th. Due to changes in accommodating boarders – an extension fo the hostel system - there will be an additional 75 pupils. More about Edgehill College can be found HERE
A Ministry of Health inquiry was held in Bideford Town Hall regarding the application to borrow £41,308 for the scheme known as Jennett’s Stream Scheme. Also discussed were the applications to borrow money for the extension of the cattle market and a house for the park keeper.
National Miners Strike
Following the receipt of a letter from the Miners Executive, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of representatives of the miners and mine owners and much progress was made such that an agreement was entered into on Tuesday under which the miners resumed work immediately. The terms include a profit-sharing scheme which the Prime minister described as a very great and promising scheme. This agreement is dependent on a £10 Million subsidy from the Government which will tide the Miners over until September 30th. During July, 2s a shift extra will be paid to those over 16 years; those under this age will be paid 1s per shift extra; during September 3/0d and 1/6d respectively will be paid. For every £100 which the workmen get in respect of wages the owners will take £17. Miners gave a favourable vote to these terms and many have already returned to work.
Following the engineering and textile industries, the masters and men in the iron and steel industries have concluded an important agreement to present adjustment of wages and future regulation of the industry.
50 Years Ago - July 1971
It was right that Mr G W Barratt wasn’t allowed to keep two bungalows at Waltersmoor Farm in Shebbear without complying with a planning condition. The Secretary of State for the Environment Appeals that the bungalows must stay tied to farming. The Devil’s Stone Inn is open for lunches, dinners and bar snacks.
Frontage to a derelict property near Tinker’s Cross, Winkleigh, is so overgrown that branches of its trees poked through the windows of school buses.
Jacqueline and Josephine Chidley, of Holsworthy, have both achieved the honour of being a Queen’s Guide. Read more about the Queen's Guide Award HERE
At the 56th anniversary celebrations of Hartland Methodist Church over £150 was raised. There was a fete, Hartland Town Band played and a concert was provided by Bradworthy Methodist Concert Party. Hartland pre-school play group held its third annual dolls show and fancy dress parade. Winners were: Andrew Prouse, Tasmin Myers, Rosemary Heard, Alison Heard, Maria Prouse, Karen Crowl, Leslie Heard, Andrew Riddle, Craig Brown, Mark Kelly, Joshua Brewer, Darren Phillips, Mark Kelly. Judges were Mrs M O’Donnell, Mrs E Blaglow and Mrs G Jeffrey. Cake prizes were won by Mrs J Jeffrey and Mrs C Prouse. Summerwell Farm, Hartland, is available to view prior to auction, by applying to Mr or Mrs Ferrett.
The West Country Inn, a 16th century coaching house, is open for meals, snacks and a selection of wines and liqueurs.
Were you entertained by Johnny in the Silhouette Room at Golden Bay Bars, Westward Ho!
The Women’s Missionary Work of the Northam Methodist Church held its annual garden party at the home of Miss O Southerton, Bay View Road. Mrs Maurice Hart, who was presiding, was accompanied by Miss J Laws, Mrs F C Twose, Rev Maurice Hart and Mrs W R Shapland.
Appledore Church Hall raised around £140 at a fete in aid of hall funds. The fete was opened by Mr R H K Evers, accompanied by his wife. Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd is building a swimming pool for use by its employees.
After a 11 year lapse, Roger Davies, of Torrington, is victorious in the Taddiport Revel tub race in his vessel, Morning Cloud. He beat Raymond Hoyle and Laurie Croxford. Other entrants were Maurice Cockwill, Dick Mathews, Gordon Coysh and Geoffrey Oke. Torrington Cavaliers assisted with events, and stallholders were Mrs T Parkyn, Mrs D Hutchings, Messrs H Oswin and D Skinner, Miss F Holland, Mrs P Davies, Miss K Baker, Mrs C Rogers, Mrs Green, Mrs E Crees, Mrs H Oswin, Mrs J Skinner, Mesdames Oswin, R Colegate, W Copp, A Lawrence, N Abbott, V Alexander, Miss Holland, Mr Cliff Rogers, Mr A Copp, Messrs J and B Skinner.
Did you attend the It’s A Knockout in the Bideford Sports Ground? Admission was 10p for adults and 5p for children.
A new factory owned by Anglo-American Vulcanised Fibre Co. of London, started operations and the works director, Mr Peter Biddle, said ‘We are very pleased with the way things have gone…’ Messrs Jim McLeish, Derek Williams, Jack Robertson David Westcott and Les Yalden are pictured.
Tanton’s Hotel officially opened its’ Bier Keller, the first in the area.
Showing at the Strand is ‘Up Pompei’ and ‘Get Carter’.
The 10th St Peter’s Fayre, held at East-the-Water Community Centre, raised over £115. Janette Nicholas presented a bouquet (given by Mrs J Trigger) and Robert Ryan, buttonholes. Stallholders and helpers were Mr A H Turner, Mr S W Mills, Mr A L Arnold, Mesdames L Hillman, W Tilke, J Tuer, A Carpenter, A Luxton, C Featherstone, H Mather, M Rendle, M Finn, A Copp, F Page, G Douglas, J Spurway, E Pritchard, L Greenslade, W Butler, S Symes, M Olver, J Parsons, F Scott, A H Turner, F Rickard, A N Eastmond, J Brock, G Balsdon, J Pym, C Lott, A McGrory, D Berriman, Gipson, F Baker, W Petherick, J Crocker, L Perry, F Bright, Ahrens, A Hogg, Mr J Cooper and Misses I P Bow, E Oliver, Poter and E Osburn.
The Hot Pants women’s football team, who train at Pollyfield, make their debut on Bideford Sports Ground on 31 July. They play a team from Mount Batten, also called the Hot Pants.
Did you help cook hot dogs at the Bideford District Girl Guides and Brownies barbecue-fete in the grounds of the headquarters at Kingsley Road?
Abbotsham’s WI members welcomed Miss Graham from Westward Ho! and were fascinated by Mr Cory’s talk on driftwood.
Property and land for sale at Part Annery, Monkleigh, and The Mews, Landcross. The land was sold later that month for £10,000 and was bought by Mr and Mrs H JD Martin and Son, of Monkleigh.
Did you eat at Southcott House in Weare Giffard? Champagne lobster for 375p.
The Torrington Cavaliers made their first visit ‘overseas’ and played a big part in a gala day programme on Lundy. The Cavaliers’ former Captain, Mr Laurie Alexander, is working on the island for the Landmark Trust. As a result of an increasing population, Lundy now has two churchwardens – Mr John Dyke and Mr Ian Grainger.
Did you book to go on a demonstration flight of a Jumbo Jet – Boeing 747?
25 Years Ago - July 1996
Fremington is making a bid for floral glory with its first entry into the Britain-in-Bloom competition. The village is being backed by the parish council, local organisations and firms and by the Army camp which is in its midst. In the picture from the Fremington-in-Flower committee are Joan Lavis, Reg Broad, Mary Barrell, Iris McLennan and Mike Woodman.
Properties for sale include those in Bideford, Northam, Woolsery, Stibb Cross and Westward Ho!
Nelson Garage, Westward Ho! require an experienced mechanic. Lots of entertainment is being put on by The Anchor Inn, including Shaggy Walker, Diane Marie and Chris Stevenson.
Torrington Mayor, Bill Brook, opened the Torrington Civil War Trail. It links points of interest in the town associated with the 1646 Battle of Torrington and has been created with the cooperation of local property and landowners incorporating a series of 12 wall plaques at historic sites within the town.
Mary Hobbs, who is the supervisor of the reception desk at Clovelly Visitors Centre, is the oldest person in North Devon to gain a National Vocational Qualification Level 3. Mary left school at 16 without formal qualifications and went into service at Hartland Abbey, married at 18 and had five children.
At a charity fun day in Appledore, six inns were the stopping off points for teams taking part in not a three-legged but a four-legged race. The fun began at 4pm and was based in Irsha Street between The Beaver Inn and The Royal George. The proceeds from the day went towards buying a sand yacht for the Sea Scouts, a computer for Appledore School and a donation to the Holiday of a Lifetime charity.
Did you attend any children's craft workshops run by artist Sally Stone at her shop next to Bideford Pannier Market? Five intrepid members of Bideford Canoe Club were attempting to row from Lundy Island to Appledore Quay - the five canoeists are Brian Eastman, Tom Knight, Ian Rowland, Ian Bowler and Paul Davison.
