News from February 1962
Two hundred children enjoyed themselves at the tea and party organised by Bideford Liberal Association at the Church Institute, attended by Mr Mark Bonham Carter, prospective Liberal candidate for the Torrington Division. Bideford Women’s Liberal Association were responsible for the catering and Mrs Trevor Slade organised the games which included a talent contest. Mrs Shortridge was at the piano. Each child was presented with a balloon and bag of sweets. There followed a social evening.
Bathrooms are to be provided for each of the eight flats at the almshouses of the Town and Alms Lands Charity, in New Street, Torrington. The Surveyor, Mr Peter Symons, of Town Council said the bathrooms could be assimilated in the quite large larder and kitchen space of each flat. The trustees would in due course be asking for improvement grants for the work. And mentioning bathrooms, Mr W R Britton of Biteford in Woolsery has a hard time getting a grant.
Protests were made at Torrington Town Council meeting when it was reported that refusal had been recommended by the planning authority to two local applications – one for a pedestrian access and the other for the building of 20 houses on a site stated to be 600 yards from Stevenstone. The Surveyor, Mr Peter Symons, said the planning people argued that this last-mentioned proposal, by Messrs Alexander Brothers, represented the building up of a hamlet away from the village, in between St Giles and Torrington. The question of essential services was involved and there was also refusal on agricultural grounds. On the other hand it was pointed out that a lot of people preferred to live away from villages or towns. Ald H H Wightman, who said Mr Alexander was his stepson, complained that the planning authority was retarding Torrington’s advance. Here was a chance, no matter who built there, of bringing assets to Torrington. It seemed to him that the planning people obstructed instead of promoting improvements. The necessary facilities could be brought to the site or provided there. In his opinion it was ‘altogether wrong’ that the planning committee should do as they were doing. In earlier discussion Cllr E T Roach said the planning people were becoming negative in their approach. The town must expand on the east side Replying to further points in the discussion the Surveyor said the planning authority issued far more approvals than refusals. ‘Where can we develop elsewhere?’ asked Ald C Quick. It was decided to ask the representatives of the planning authority to meet the Council on the site to discuss the application further. The Surveyor told the Council the Planning Officer hoped to come along and discuss development with them before the next monthly open meeting with particular reference to the south east corner of the borough.
It is expected that the whole of the north side of Bideford Bridge will soon be electrically lit. The Bridge Warden, Mr Frank E Whiting, commenting on the many favourable reports he had received on the two new lamps that were put up in time for Christmas, said one person, however, had told him that he thought the design was too modern for such an ancient bridge. On this question of the lighting being in character with the bridge, one had to remember that the bridge is functional. That is its reason for existence and from time to time it has to be brought up to date to meet changing conditions. The design of the new lamps might be reminiscent of the Olympian torch.
While out pigeon shooting, Mr W J Dark, of Primrose Cottage, Instow, saw a very unusual phenomenon in the sky. He thinks it must have been some form of meteorite and he is convinced it was nothing to do with aircraft from Chivenor or a flare.
Shipyards P K Harris and Sons Ltd, and M W Blackmore and Sons Ltd were affected by a one-day national strike.
A radar station is to be built at Butchers Moor, Winkleigh.
The sea wall at Bucks Mills is a worry, and it is unknown if it is a public right of way as it is not marked on the map.
Alcoholic drinks can now be bought in Weare Giffard as there was no opposition when Mr Alan Waterhouse of Hillside applied for an off-licence.
Singers from Bideford and Hartland were among entertainers auditioned by TWW, the independent television company. In the picture are Mr Wesley Hill of 22 Fort Terrace, Bideford, with Mrs Margerie Johns of 100 West Street, Hartland.
From 85 applicants, Mr E H Cross has been selected to be headmaster of Hartland (Junior) School. Since the retirement of Mr H Ensoll, Mr J Harrison has been a supply headmaster. Limited waiting time will be allowed in Fore Street, Hartland’s main street. The annual self-denial appeal for Methodist Missions resulted in over £6 being sent from the Hartland Church.
A painting worth about £500 and other articles are reported missing from Hartland Abbey which is the home Sir Dennis and Lady Stucley.
People living alongside some of Hartland’s streets have been up in arms about the state of their houses which keep getting spattered with mud. Later that week, workmen arrived and re-surfaced a length of the street in question and removed the more urgent source of complaint. Said one resident: ‘This temporary measure has eased the situation. We must give them full marks for doing something.’
A fine looking sheldrake has taken up residence with Mr and Mrs Leon Richards at 8 Hillcliff Terrace, Appledore.
Westward Ho! Old Time Dance Club under the leadership of Mr and Mrs G H Taylor, is celebrating 13 years of its existence.
What will happen to the Bailey bridge on Northam Burrows? The issue was discussed in the House of Commons - Hansard
There is some concern that the building of a Church of England School in Chanters Lane, Northam and at Sentry Corner in Bideford might affect the building of a new school in Northam.
Tony John Homewood, of 4 Coastguard Cottages, Hartland was fined £2 and £1 for riding a motorcycle that was not equipped with an efficient horn. On duty at Goldworthy Cross, Parkham, PC Anderson noticed that a motorcyclist had no rear light on his machine. Clifford Robin Dark, of the Post Office, Abbotsham, pleaded guilty and was fined £3.
Rev F C Diffey chaired the annual meeting in connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society in Woolsery Methodist Church. Mrs Bray was the organist and Revs P F H How and Andrew Jones were warmly welcomed.
In response to the award of an ice-cream licence for Northam Burrows to Mr D Hocking jnr, Mr D A Dymond voiced his objection in a letter to the editor. ‘It would appear rather odd that Northam Burrows Committee first approved Mr Hocking’s application to sell ice cream and only after this decided to read applications from others. In answer to Mr D Hocking jnr, it is correct that I have connections with, in fact, four Bideford firms and would also add that as well as trading in ice cream in Westward Ho! I have relatives in various parts of the country. I would also remind Mr D Hocking jnr, son of the successful applicant, that the successful applicant sells ice cream on Bideford Quay rate free thanks to the assistance of Bideford Town Council. He also sells ice cream in Barnstaple, Torrington, etc.’
For sale – Powlers Piece Filling Station, dwelling house and pasture land for sale - midway between Bideford and Bradworthy. Furniture and effects from The Stores, The Square, Shebbear, are for sale, and a property in the Square at Hartland can be bought for around £2,900.
Buy a Morris Minor at Elliotts of Bideford or a Morris Oxford from Heard Brothers.
Football – Appledore run riot then flop; Clovelly leave it too late; and Hartland’s Allin breaks his leg.
The gate money taken by Bideford AFC only meets but a quarter of Robins’ cost and is supported financially by the Supporters’ Club. At the annual meeting were members Mr Bill Finn, Gordon Harris, Graham Moore, Mike Harris, Jimmy Harris, Len Daniel, Billy Evans and Roy Drew.
PC Peter Plant explained that there are plans for a gymnasium to be built at Appledore’s Boys’ Sports Club.
The death of Britain’s oldest ex-professional golfer, Mr John Rowe in his 92nd year, is announced. He was a native of Northam and used to stay with his sister, Mrs Moore, at Wooda in Appledore. He was school mates with Mr J H Taylor and was probably the oldest living Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School. Read more about Mr Rowe HERE
Rear Admiral G H Stokes of The Glen, Buckland Brewer, who is President of Bideford Sea Cadet Corps, has an additional job. He was decorated for his part in sinking the Bismark. The history of the Bismarck can be read HERE
The lifeboat Violet Armstrong is to be replaced by a new vessel, a modern Watson cabin type, which has been given to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution by an anonymous donor. The new boat will be the sixth based at Appledore. Read about the 1959 rescue of the Polish vessel, Gliwice, by Violet Armstrong and the bravery of its crew - Coxswain Cann, William Cann, Leon Richards, Gordon Judd, Frederick Cane, Basil Marshall, Percival Eastman and Thomas Jewell HERE
Woolsery Cricket Club Committee organised a successful whist drive in the Parish Hall. The door steward was Mr J Vanstone and Mr J J Jenn was MC. Prizewinners were Mrs M Dicken, Mrs Martin, Mrs Luckett, Mrs L C Mizen, Mr C Jennings, Mr J Vanstone, Mr R Chapple, and Mr D Woonacott. Refreshments were served by Miss M Yeo and Mesdames P Chapple, C Piper and H S Thomas with surplus refreshments sold in aid of club funds.
Interesting accounts of holiday adventures were given by Miss E Mitchell and Mrs J Thurley at Shebbear WI. The result of the competition – a headdress representing a song title – was 1. Mrs C Dart; 2. Mrs J Dart; 3. Mrs J Quance. Brisk business was done on the trade stall by Mrs E Lott and Mrs Sutton, and the tea hostesses were Mrs H Nethercott, Mrs R Luxton and Mrs D Nethercott. The meeting, presided over by Mrs Green, ended with a beetle drive organised by Mrs Quance and won by Miss J Heard.
The men of Monkleigh were encouraged to bake for its WI meeting, presided over by Mrs Grigg. Miss Ellis demonstrated yeast cooking and judged the competition won by Mrs Lea-Wilson, Mrs Matthews and Miss Gilbert.
At Buckland Brewer WI, sisters Misses K and E Cornish won the competition.
At Clovelly WI, Miss P Ashton joins as a junior member and Mrs Aust presides over the meeting.
At Parkham WI, the meeting was presided over by Mrs Tucker and Mrs Hemmel have a talk illustrated by colour slides of her holiday in New Zealand. She was thanked by Mrs Dack. The competition – an article made from a face cloth – resulted: 1. Miss Margaret Hockin; 2. Mrs J Piper; 3. Mrs Crowe. Tea hostesses were Mesdames J Piper and C Rowe. At Northam WI, Mrs Diwell won the competition with Mrs Reed and Mrs Beadle as runners-up. Tea hostesses were Mesdames Buse, Blackmore, Buchanan and Colwill.
The Woolsery WI was given an instructive talk by PC Cole of Buckland Brewer and he judged the competition. Attendees included Mrs J Withecombe, Mrs A Hill, Mrs J Cardew, Mrs H S Thomas, Mrs C B Griffiths, Mrs Thomas, Mrs W A Raffe, Mrs J Burrow, Miss Sylvia Braund, Mrs J Gilbert, Mrs B Bowles and Mrs a Dennis.