December 1921
Christmas is coming, so we thought we would start by looking at some of the seasonal adverts for food, drink and gifts.
Does anyone remember Bromley’s cafes and their wonderful meringues? In 1921 they were called Brooks, with one in Bideford and one in Barnstaple. They made their own rich almond iced Christmas cakes, as well as Dundee cakes, plum puddings and mince pies. Mincemeat could be bought for 1/3 per pound. Brooks proudly announce that one of their puddings is currently on board the “Quest” which is part of the Antarctic Expedition.
Reeds of Appledore are making a rich Genoa cake in various sizes. These can be purchased for 1/6 per pound, or 2/- if almond iced. Their mince pies cost 2d each, and orders can be delivered free to all parts of the district. Tattersills’ Market Stores have 600 turkeys available along with unlimited quantities of farm produce. Geese are also reported to be plentiful.
Turning to liquid refreshment, there is a good choice on offer. Talbot’s, at 1 High Street, Bideford, has Scotch and Irish Whiskey at 12/- per bottle, Burgundy wine from 2/6 and Sherry from 3/-. Cognac costs 14/- per bottle, while 1911 and 1914 Champagne is only 8/6.
Bideford shops have plenty to offer in the way of gifts: K Puddicombe of 10 High Street urges readers to look for the Christmas Tree with toys from 1d to 1/-; H F Elliott, 75 High Street, suggests ties from 2/6, with mercerised and silk weave neck wraps being much more expensive and costing from 8/11; Stewart & Co, 52 and 56a Mill Street, suggest gloves for the lady in your life. Their white Castor gloves cost 3/11 with Nappa Kid at 5/11 per pair; other suggestions can be seen in these two adverts from Meredith’s and Harper’s.
Now for some other news:
A chimney fire was discovered at Mr Braund’s home in Mill Street, Bideford, just before 6pm recently. It arose from a fire in the grate in the front room over the boot shop and could be seen from the street. The fire brigade under Captain Morris, aided by several policemen, took water from the well of a house opposite. They then climbed onto the roof and put out the fire by pouring buckets of water down the chimney. Another fire occurred when the steering gear of a car belonging to Claude Wise of Kingsley Terrace, Westward Ho! failed and the car ran into a hedge. Following a back-fire, the car burst into flames and was entirely destroyed.
London & South Western Railway is offering Christmas excursions from Bideford.
The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the Government has made a definite offer of a grant for the construction of the Halwill to Torrington railway line.
Christmas parcels by rail are now cheaper.
The early morning Mail Train will not run on Christmas Day but there will be a general delivery throughout Bideford Postal District; on Christmas Eve the main letter box will be cleared at 5pm instead of 6pm. However, there was a letter at the end of December 1921 to the Editor complaining about postal delays:
The 1923 Devon County Show is likely to be held in Bideford. Colonel H Thompson, president of the Bideford Bowling Club, has laid the first turf on the new green at the Strand. Colonel James of Stevenstone has presented the Mayor of Torrington, Mr M Chapple, with 180 rabbits for distribution to the poor and unemployed. PC Ley of Northam is retiring on pension after 27 years; he was presented with a silver tea pot.
Bideford Wesleyan Church is performing Handel’s Messiah, with Miss Nellie Keene, Mrs Shute, Mr Tom Allen and Mr F E Routley as soloists. An extended dancing licence has been granted to Mr W Lister, licensee of the Royal Hotel, from 11pm to 1am for fourteen days from 26 December. Mr Charles Linton will present the pantomime “Sinbad the Sailor” at the Palace Theatre, Bideford.
Miss Gertrude May Start of Bryants Cottage, Weare Giffard, and Mr Albert William Charles Curtis of Torrington were married at Holy Trinity Church. Miss Start was giving away by her brother-in-law, Mr Porter. At Frithelstock, the Rev. Passmore conducted the wedding of Miss Maud Mary Routley, of Holwill Farm, Buckland Brewer, and Mr Wilfred George Hoyle, of Hunnacott Farm, Landkey. Miss Ivy Hearn was bridesmaid and Mr John May, best man.
Lundy's outgoing mail could not be removed from the Island by the Lerina. The boat 'Robert Brown', a momento from the war which was purchased by Mr Christie, was washed away.
Seventy five inmates of the White House in Bideford had a very happy Christmas. They were visited by the Mayor of Bideford, Councillor H W Huxham and his family, and in the evening the children were invited to a party at Moreton House.
December 1971
The Festival of St Lucia is a major social occasion in Sweden. Fifteen year old Angela Stortridge was chosen to be “Lucia, Queen of Light” and wore a head dress of candles as she walked in procession through the Torrington Glass Factory. She and her 7 attendants sang “Santa Lucia” as they processed and the lights of the factory were extinguished. Susan Jury celebrated the evening of her 15th birthday by being one of the attendants in the celebration. Attendees included the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Harold Pollard, Teresa and Stephanie Bealey, Ellen and Hazel Rash, Jennifer Edwards and Carole Buse. More about the Festival can be read HERE
A very successful silver jubilee dinner and dance was held in the New Inn Hotel, Bideford, by members of Abbotsham WI. The president, Mrs K Vanstone, welcomed a party of 70 members with their husbands and other guests. A celebration cake, made by Mrs H Graham, was ceremonially cut by Miss Annie James, the oldest member. Three past presidents were at the party. Mrs R Beer proposed the toast to the guests, to which Mrs E Hemmel replied. During the evening a bouquet was presented to the president in appreciation of her efforts in arranging the function.
The new Vicar of Shebbear, Rev Nigel Meads, is a man of many interests.
Holsworthy Golf Club members agreed that a plan for a permanent clubhouse should be put forward in the hope of obtaining a grant. The president, Mr T E Dunstan, and the secretary, Mr J Hind, spoke of the outstanding progress made in the past year, during which more than £770 was received in green fees. The president and secretary were re-elected, and among other principal officers elected were Mr A Codd, Mr J V Kelley, Mr W Russell, Mr O B Ward, Mr L Yelland, Mrs H Brown, Mrs M Carse and Mrs K Rowland.
Holloway’s Meadow in Abbotsham becomes St Helens.
Seventy five cars and crew will start from Elliott’s Garage, Bideford for the Ilfracombe Car Rally which is one of the oldest events held by the North Devon Motor Club. The competitors will cover 210 miles of Devon roads finishing at Taw Garage, Barnstaple and special speed competitive sections will test drivers’ skills in Hartland.
Mr Allan Higgins, mine host of the West Country Inn, Hartland, wrote, produced and acted in a pantomime, Cinderella, which was presented at one end of the bar on two evenings over Christmas by an all male cast. The fun was fast and furious and appreciative customers contributed £9 towards the 1972 play scheme which North Devon Volunteers organise annually in the summer holidays. The cast comprised: Allan Higgins, Richard Weeks, Dave Martin, Peter Phillips, Dick Mugford, Marcus Nicholls, Bill Mills and Anne Mugford was stage manager.
There's a ghost at the West Country Inn, although Allan Higgins has never seen it.
Shamwickshire have only to maintain their present playing record in the First Division of the North Devon League to achieve their ambition of gaining promotion to the League’s Premier Division. They are still unbeaten in League matches, with 13 points from seven games. Last season they finished third in the Division 1 table behind Bradworthy and Hartland, who were promoted. Pictured are – Carl Kersey, Brian Somerville, Neil McClaren, Bob Barter, Ken Taylor, David May, Billy Davidson, Tony Beer, Andrew McKenzie, Micky Horrell, Don Pontin, Ernie Dowding, Brian Baker, Frank Kersey.
Miss Brenda Rose Sutton, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs J Sutton, of Hammas, Langtree, and Mr Kenneth Parnell, son of Mr and Mrs E Parnell, of Penglos, Lezant, Cornwall, were wed at Langtree Church. Rev A Wallington officiated, with Miss Boundy at the organ. Mrs Ford decorated the church. The bride was attended by Kathleen and Janet Sutton, and best man was Owen Parnell, with Glyn Sutton and Ashley Bell as ushers. The reception was held the Globe Hotel in Torrington, and the couple left for a honeymoon in London.
Father Christmas will be relying a great deal on toys made at a Bideford factory, Toy Works Ltd, to ensure that youngsters all over the country will be waking up with joyful anticipation. Since the factory started at Bowden Green six-and-a-half years ago with a staff of 10, production has steadily increased, and today there are over 230 men and women on the payroll. Mr Aubrey Loze is the divisional director and Mr Gerald Thorne, the factory manager. In the pictures are Mr K Hoskins, Mrs J Metherall, Mrs J Hoskins, Mrs D Turner and Miss Catherine Vanstone. The history of Toy Works Ltd can be found HERE
Buckland Brewer YFC held its annual meeting at Monkleigh Village Hall with the following being elected – Mr W Turner, Mr H George, Mr I Allin, Mrs Janet Brown, Mrs Jennifer Brown, Mr J Tucker, Miss E Heywood, Mr P Turner, Mr A Tucker, Mr P Martin, Mr G Heywood, Mr R Mills, Misses B Brown, D Harvey, J Brown and Messrs M Poole, D Harris and H Tucker. Misses S Martin and J Brown, and Messrs D Harris and P Pennington were congratulated for their win.
23 Old Town, Bideford, is for sale by auction at the New Inn; Harton Cross, Hartland, is selling its dairy herd; and Higher Fordland, Heywood Road, Northam, is for sale by auction.
Farmer Mr Norman T Westaway was given permission to demolish historic Yeo Vale House, Alwington, a ruin. The house was scheduled as a grade 2 listed building of architectural or historic interest but was in such a porr state of repair that parets were dangerous. Inquiries had been made as to the ownership of the house, but neither the reputed owner, a Mr Berrold, nor his successors could be traced. The Surveyor, Mr L J Dunn, said that Mr Westaway owned the land up to within 3ft of the external walls, and he could knock it down at his expense. More about Yeo Vale House can be read HERE
When the M5 motorway reaches Exeter in 1975 it is estimated that the number of day trippers to the North Devon coast will treble and an extra 20 million people will be brought within four hours’ travelling time of Devon. A Report ‘Challenge – the Motorway into Devon’ prepared by an “intelligence unit” identifies attitudes that facts can engender and suggests that the North Devon Golden Coast should cater for campers, caravanners and fresh air seekers. It should be possible for the area to return to the “wild” during the off season meaning that amusement arcade type development should be prevented.
Hartland is not going to lose its bus service and the question of a subsidy is under review, and the ownership of the 17th Century clock in the Square is in doubt.
Following what has become a traditional pattern, the Christmas festival began in Langtree with a carol service and nativity play presented by children of the village school. Then came the school party and finally, the Langtree Church Players, directed by St Claire Wallington, provide drama in the Parish Church. Carols at the service in the Church Hall were accompanied by Jean Kellaway and glockenspiels were played by Stephanie Langmead, Katherine Bale, Robert Soby and Carol Tucker. Every member of the school too part and children provided their own interpretation of the Christmas story. The cast was: Julia Langmead, Alison Vanstone; Andrew Nicholls; Stephen Pearce; Theresa Fargher; Alicia Ash; Jeanette Langmead; Louise Heard; Deborah Lakeman; Tracey Lakeman; Edward Bewes; Nicola Ley; Susan Barber; Shirley Knapman; Rico Sergeant; Mervyn Davey; Stuart Fishleigh; Stephen Smith; Billy Carden; Neil Folland; Martin Soby; Diane Johns; David Daniel; Kevin Fishleigh; Alexander Duncan and Vanessa Leverton. Production was by mrs D Metherell, make-up by Nan and Steve Fovargue and lighting by John Allison.
You can buy all manner of golfing accoutrements through Stanley Taggart at the Royal North Devon Golf Club
Torrington Town Council is not in favour of the local Drill Hall being used at discotheque on Sunday evenings and Mr M Stainer's application was refused.
Mr J Eddleston, Head Postmaster at Barnstaple, wrote to Torrington Town Council about the decision to close the office at lunchtime and said that the clerks did receive some comment during the first week after the change but there have been no complaints. But had he been at the last Council meeting he would have been in little doubt about the local criticism of the service. Ald Mrs M E Pitts complained that on Saturday mornings there was just one clerk dealing with a full office, and that the clerk was not allowed to leave the counter to fetch the postmaster. Cllr Bill Cockram supplied his own story of how, after more than 24 hours, he was still waiting to post a letter, with the Mayor, Cllr Harold Pollard, saying that it seemed like a full-time occupation to post a letter.
Were you a member of The Elizabethan Club in Westward Ho! or maybe you rented a party from The Aquarius Club based in Bideford?
School staff were surprised at Woolsery School as presentations were made at the concert and Mr C B Griffiths welcomed the new Vicar, Rev L Buttle. Participants in the programme were Tessa Harding, Deborah Cleave, Andrew Balsdon, Paul Smythe, Robert Harding, Anna Lamas, Julie Burrow, John Andrew, Caroline Sanders, Michael Robertson, Alex Lamas, Kenneth Piper, Kaye Braund, Lorraine Braund, Jennifer Andrew, Sandra Burrow, Christine Mumford, Janet Allin and Melita Colwill. Mr and Mrs Griffiths, Mrs Elston and Mrs Trudgeon received surprise presentations from the children.
December 1996
Two Bideford schools paid a special tribute to the 16 children and one teacher who died in the Dunblane tragedy with the planting of memorial trees. Grenville College and East-the-Water Primary School each took advantage of an initiative by the International Tree Foundation to plant 17 different English hardwood trees in their grounds. At Grenville sixth form, biology students planted the trees, and staff and pupils from the senior and junior schools stood in a minute's silence. At East-the-Water members of the Parent Teacher Association carried out the planting and the whole school took part in a short service and minute's silence. The picture shows the ceremony at East-the-Water Primary School.
Carols with a difference are being 'sung' by a very special choir at East-the-Water Primary School as 25 youngsters perform in sign language. The school is home to the official Hearing Support Centre for North Devon's hearing impaired junior school children. Keen to learn signing and communicate with their hearing impaired friends, 10 youngsters have joined special classes in sign language. Keen to learn, youngsters regularly attend a lunchtime class said the centre's coordinator, Fiona Elsworth. "We love signing songs. It is very expressive" she said, and along with the special classroom assistant, Sue Bond, she is pictured with the young choir.
Christmas carnival lifted spirits in Bideford and raised around £100 for North Devon Cancer Care Centre Trust. The all-waling parade led by the Bideford Youth Pipes and Drums and flanked by the Energia Samba Band provided a colourful and musical festive attraction for shoppers. Although there could have been more entries, organiser Mike Humphries said he was pleased by the amount of young people who took part. Prizes were sponsored by Bideford Town Council and top of the winners was the Griffin family of Bideford East. Marissa Griffin's jolly snowman was judged the best overall entry and with her sister, Ayesha, as the little boy friend from the children's story The Snowman, they also carried off the top prize in the section for children's groups. Youngest family member, Crystal, was also a star - in her decorated pushchair the two-year-old's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star gained first prize. Other winners included Bella Aircliffe and Daniel Braund.
Johns Supermarket at Instow is open 7 days a week and provides free local delivery service. The award winning Café & Deli is still going strong.
PC Dick Rowland has been appointed as community constable for Bideford town centre and surrounding residential areas. He has been in the police force for nine years and spent the last seven in Bideford. Dick will be in the front line of increased patrols in the town centre to deal with Christmas shoplifters. Dick is pictured chatting to shop worker Violet Mason on Mill Street.
Officials from marine parks such as Australia's Barrier Reef have shown interest in the waters of Lundy which were designated as Britain's first Marine Nature Reserve ten years ago. More about the history of this can be read using this link
Dartington Glass in Torrington produced a crystal iceberg engraved with scenes from the life of Christ to be presented to the Pope on the 50th Anniversary of his ordination by the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.
Torrington celebrates a £1million award from the Government’s Rural Challenge Scheme to improve country areas. In announcing the award from Whitehall, Minister for the South West, David Curry, said the judging panel had been impressed with the environmental improvement in the Genesis Project and the plans to bring listed buildings back into use. In the picture are Rachel Thomas, Dr Harry Cramp, Steven Pearson and Andrew Lightfoot.
What did you watch on television on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Wikipedia states that Christmas Eve highlights on BBC1 include the network television premieres of Super Mario Brothers and Cliffhanger, and on Christmas Day, the highlights include the British television premiere of Jurassic Park, Only Fools and Horses returns with a new episode afer three years, and Top of the Pops is presented by the Spice Girls who themselves feature with three performances.
