October 1921
The first story that caught our eye this month was that licensees of two Public Houses in Hartland - The King’s Arms and the New Inn - have successfully petitioned magistrates at Bideford County Sessions for an exemption to general closing hours. From now on they may open from 11am until 10pm on Market Days to accommodate those attending the cattle auctions. Mr Thomas Beer , of the Anchor Inn, also successfully applied.
Throughout the month, this relaxation of hours was granted in other towns and villages which had livestock markets, including the the Bell Inn at Parkham
Still on the subject of Public Houses, Mr Chas Leonard Rummens is taking over the licence of the Dock Inn, Appledore, from Mr J K Cobbledick, and Mr George Eastman will succeed Mrs Mary Ann Smith at the Prince of Wales.
A crowded audience at Bideford Town Hall has heard the first in a series of twelve lectures on “Shakespeare’s Interpretation of Life” given by Rev J Ingram Bryan.
At Torrington, Mr W T Luxton is coming to the end of his term of office, a mixed hockey Club has been formed and Torrington October Fair does not bring any attraction to the town in 1921. A new Golf club is to be formed at Torrington near the reservoir.
On the golf theme, the many fine players produced by Westward Ho! - J H and Bob Taylor, George and Harry Cawsey, and the Pursey's - are detailed by William Philpot, sen.
Tetcott Foxhounds met recently at Loadimead near Bradworthy. The Master was Dr A King and it is reported that the field included many ladies.
By a new order issued by the Ministry of Food, the regulations regarding the weighing of bread have been made more stringent. In regard to tea, all packets must contain a net pound of tea exclusive of the packet. Imported bacon, ham, lard and eggs must be labelled “imported” when exposed for sale. Do you remember Reed's Bread from the Bakery at Appledore?
Among reports of harvest services from communities around the region, these two caught our eye: During Harvest Festivities at Langtree, skittling for a live pig proved a great attraction. The animal was finally won by Mr G Bond of Wooda. For the Harvest services at St Nectan’s Church, Welcombe, the ten altar vases were arranged by Miss A Howard who also presided at the organ which had recently been tuned.
The freehold residential property known as 'Durrant' in Northam is for sale.
Having advertised the sale of Ferndale, Westward Ho! in our August edition the furniture is now being sold by Miss Horrell.
Following a service at Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard, a handsome little granite wayside cross was unveiled to the memory of eleven parishioners who fell in the Great War. The service was conducted by the Rev R H Moyse. Information about the Church can be found HERE
It is reported from Parkham that the early potatoes are showing signs of disease. Owing to the unusually warm weather, apple trees are in blossom before the apples are gathered.
Devon Motor Transport Company has reopened their service between Westward Ho! and Exeter. The new green coloured buses are of the finest, being electrically lit and giving every comfort to passengers. Use THIS LINK to find out more about this company started by Lieutenant-Commander Francis Theodore Hare.
In Appledore, fishermen captured a fine large seal which had got ashore on the rocks. Mr Hawkins, the owner of the Gaity Cinema will provide lighting for free if the District Council erect electric lamps on the Quay, and the son of Sydney Moyse has an accident.
As there are only nine voters on Lundy, they will now be attached to Instow polling district.
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Slee and Sons, auctioneers, have been instructed to sell a desirable small farm at Woolsery known as “Pick Park and Neck Park”. The current tenant is Mr A Thorne. Does anyone know the derivation of this unusual name?
There is concern for the schooner “Vision” of Bideford which has not been heard of since leaving Newport for Ballycotton on 27 July.
And one firm of local architects have their name in the papers twice this month - Messrs Orphoot and Whiting, architects of Bideford, designed part of a garden settlement for disabled soldiers in Edinburgh. Her Majesty the Queen has taken a warm interest in the scheme and has asked for photographs to be sent to her. The two hundred year old Preacher’s Hour Glass has been replaced in All Saints’ Church, Clovelly. These glasses were introduced during the reign of James 1, when sermons often lasted more than an hour and a half. The new pedestal was made from a piece of wood washed up on the shore nearby and was designed by Messrs Orphoot and Whiting of Bideford. More information about All Saints' Church can be found at THIS LINK
The Short family participate in the marriage of Miss Winifred A Ellis and Mr Alfred Lewis by providing 2 bridesmaids and the best man.
In Hartland news, Doris Newcombe picked a ripe strawberry; Miss Pinchard is given a cordial vote of thanks for delivering a most interesting lecture; and Mr E Hill provides an excellent paper on the life of John Bunyan. Learn more about him at THIS LINK
There was a unique application at Holsworthy Petty Sessions by Supt. Boutfield:
Mr Alfred Green's new concert party, known as 'The Happy Eight' perform in aid of Northam Football Club and is already booked for another event by the Northam Working Men's Club, as well as at the Night School Recreation Club at Appledore.
Shebbear, Woolsery and Instow villages hold Harvest Festival services and have large attendance numbers. 
In Parkham, a motor car being driven down Lilyford Hill by Foxdown, when the steering gear went wrong and the driver losing control it ran into the hedge and upset, throwing the occupants out. The ex-Service Men's Skittle alley is now complete, and the Trustees have granted them use of the parish Room on Tuesday and Friday evenings, during the winter and the yard for summer playing.
October 1971
A 56 year old Appledore man and his wife set sail from Plymouth on an 8,500 mile voyage which they estimate will take them two years. Mr Jeffery Clarkson and his wife, Frances, are sailing Pile Cap to Seattle in America where they hope to visit cousins, Mr and Mrs Alec Duff. Mr and Mrs Clarkson have lived in Appledore for about 14 years and both are members of the NORTH DEVON YACHT CLUB. The couple did get to Seattle as THIS STORY details.
Mrs Ivy Andersen and Mrs Marilyn Morris are appearing on Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game.
Workmen at the Appledore yard of Messrs J Hinks and Sons are busy preparing the 65ft long keel of the sailing ship "Golden Hind" which was officially laid yesterday by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, president of the Friends of Buckland Abbey.
Do you remember Ray's Snacks on The Quay in Bideford?
A tourist invastion sets a poser for Torrington Council. The thousands of people who were visiting Torrington each year to see the Dartington Glass factory should encourage the Town Council more than ever to get out a really attractive guide book, Cllr James Martin told Torrington Town Council's Finance Committee.
Just 32 years ago a young teach newly out of training college received a telegram at Bristol asking her to report as a supply teacher to the county primary school at Northam. "I had never heard of the place and I had to look at an ordnance survey map to find it" Miss Molly Batts, deputy head at the Northam school, recalled. Miss Batts, now 52, stayed just one term at Northam, but she returned to the school to teach again later and the completion of her 21 years' teaching at Northam has been recognised with the gift from her colleagues of three pieces of Dartington Glass and a celebration wine and cheese party. One of the children she taught during a spell of teaching at Appledore is Mrs Pat Slade, who is now a colleague on the Northam school's staff. Others are Mr Michael Hutchings, Mrs Shirley Simms and Mrs Eileen Crake. After the one term at the Northam school when she first arrived in North Devon, Miss Batts went to teach at the Appledore National School for one term and spent one year at Torrington. Then came nine years on the staff of the Appledore county primary where Mr Sidney Ford was headmaster, before she went back to teach at Northam. Miss Batts lives at Seafield, Lakenham, Northam.
The picture that won a mini-car. Mr John Jeffrey, of Hartland, the well-known photographer, enlisted the aid of his wife to obtain this striking photograph of their son Richard and take the prize in a competition sponsored by the Texeco oil firm.
Were you poised to take part in the Torrington October Fair pram race?
Mr Edwin Hooper and Mr Ian Adair, partners of The Supreme Magic Company of Bideford, returned from the Llandudno Internation Brotherhood of Magicians, British Ring, annual convention, having been awarded for the seventh time the trophy for the best, most novel and original dealers' display. Well over 1,000 magicians from all over the world attended the four-day convention. One of the highlights of the convention was the act presented by Mr Hooper and Mr Adair - an on-stage demonstration at the Pavilion Theatre of the new releases which embraced magical tricks of all kinds.
There was capacity attendances at two fashion display evenings organised by Bideford Ladies' Circle (wives of members of Bideford Round Table) at Durrant House Hotel. As a result over £70 was raised towards the £20,000 target of Exeter Round Table for the provision of a holiday home at Exmouth for sufferers of multiple sclerosis. Joint organisers were Mrs Pauline Grant and Mrs Barbara Jaquiss, and most of the models displaying clothes by 'Elegance' of Bideford were Ladies' Circle members. There are some 20 members who meet twice monthly, and Mrs Heather Hall-Tomkins is chair.
Over 50 years in gloving ends for Miss Gladys Harvey when she retires at manageress of the Appledore factory of Sudburys Gloves Ltd of Bideford - a position she has held for the last 24 years. Tomorrow week she gets married - to retired smallholder Mr Leonard Nancekivell.
Littleham celebrates its harvest festival supper in the Village Hall.
October 1996
Do you remember six grades of Esso petrol and getting green shield stamps from Elliotts of Bideford, and what you could get from the catalogue?
Torrington's infamous stink is to be aired in the High Court. Torridge District Council is seeking a judicial review of the decision by Environment Minister John Gummer to uphold an appeal against its refusal to authorise the operation of the Penisula Proteins meat rendering plant on the outskirts of town. As they met to consider the High Court move councillors were encouraged to take the step by a lobby of placard waving Torrington residents dressed in 17th century costume and declaring their intention to rekindle the town's war with Parliament. "Torrington has been at war with Parliament once before and we want to let them know that we are going to carry on the fight".
Do you remember The Wool and Needlecraft Shop at 49 Mill Street, Bideford? It was owned by Michael Hacker and the manageress was Marjorie Onion.
Property for sale include a detached chalet style bungalow within Beach Road, Westward Ho!; individually designed accommodation at Appledore; and 2 homes at Shebbear including Way House:
There is controversy over Bideford's riverside Coast Centre tourism plan and The Council for the Protection of Rural England has stepped in because of its reservations. The old wharf building nearest the bridge should not be demolished in order to serve as a reminder of the former industrial activity on the site.
Guy and Clive Parsons had 'eggstraordinary' on the bowling green and won a fitting array of trophies. As well known local egg sellers they played a 'yoke' on their colleagues at the Victoria Park Bowling Club when they turned up at the annual end of season tea with a wheelbarrow to collect their prizes. Their cracking haul included the player-of-the-year trophy for Guy for the third time. Clive has previously won it twice. Back home at the Eastridge poultry farm at Bideford East, they posed for their picture in which they wear their signature trademark chicken tea cosies and have filled their cups with eggs.
Bideford College has a full programme on at its theatre and cinema:
