Mr and Mrs Alfred Lake

At Huxhill Farm, Weare Giffard, to which he and his wife came fifty years ago as a young married couple just setting out in life, Mr and Mrs Alfred Lake celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding on Tuesday.

In those days when Mrs Lake sold butter in Torrington Pannier Market at 10d and 11d a pound, eggs at 24 for a shilling, and chicken at half a crown each, Mr Lake was a tenant farmer. Later he had the opportunity of buying Huxhill and when he retired, three years ago, he was succeeded by his only son, Mr Bruce Lake.

Mr Lake served on Weare Giffard Parish Council for many years and on the School Board and was a trustee of the Lovering Charity which provided secondary school places for village children. Every since coming to Huxhill, after their marriage at Torrington Baptish Church, Mr and Mrs Lake have been regular supporters of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Gammaton.

Mr Lake served with the Stevenstone Troop of the Royal North Devon Hussars for several years, the officers of which were Major Drummond and Capt Scott-Browne.

Mr Lake was a son of Mr and Mrs W Lake, Beam Farm, Torrington, and his wife, formerly Miss Lily Moase, lived at Priestacott, Frithelstock, is which parish Mr and Mrs Lake’s daughter, Mrs W G A Hunkin, now lives at West Ash Farm.

There are three grandchildren, David Lake, who is making a name for himself as a sheep shearer and is a member of the very successful Alverdiscott YFC public speaking team, and Roger and Audrey Hunkin.

Mr Lake is a brother of Miss Florence Lake, Mayor-elect of Torrington.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 April 1955