The news in January 1960
Mr John Dickinson Eccles has been appointed Bideford Borough Librarian and museum curator. Miss Jenkinson will continue to serve until March 31st.
M W Blackmore and Sons Ltd, of Bideford, exhibited for the first time at the National Boat Show at Earl’s Court, London. “We are very well satisfied” added Mr Blackmore.
Miss J B Andrew of Normanhurst, Orchard Hill, Bideford, won a fourteen guinea prize in a competition sponsored by the Nestle’s Ideal Milk.
The death of Mr Frederick William Hockaday, 84, of Kenvale, North View Avenue, Bideford, was announced. He had spent over 50 years associated with the administration of Northam Urban Council.
Hot pasties and other refreshments helped to make an enjoyable evening when women employees of Sudbury’s Gloves Ltd held their skittles competition at the Swan Inn, Bideford East. Miss Sylvia Down and Mrs M Savory contested the final.
Mr and Mrs Steer designed, worked and presented a banner to Weare Giffard Mothers’ Union which was dedicated by the Rector, the Rev J M Lucas.
Boxing and physical training under a qualified instructor, table tennis, darts and recorded music are among the activities of a Youth Club recently formed at Weare Giffard to serve the interests of the village and neighbouring parishes. Soon boating and canoeing activities are to be added to the list and the necessary equipment is ready and waiting. Little wonder that the Club, which meets on Tuesday evenings at Weare Giffard Village Hall, already has a membership of about 25. Mr E H Abraham, hon. secretary of the Village Hall, told the Gazette that all between the ages of 14 and 21 who wish to join will be welcome. Applications should be made to the Club secretary, Miss M Rookes, of 6 Church View, Weare Giffard. The youth leader is Mr John Pollit, of Huntshaw, who is well versed in this type of work, having given good service with the Young Farmers’ Club movement. Prospective members and parents of teenagers are invited to a meeting in the Village Hall when an address will be given by Mr D R Hook; County Youth Organiser, and films will be screened showing such County Youth activities as camping and boating.
Seen enjoying themselves at a New Year’s Day party are husbands and wives of Weare Giffard. This, one of the few joint outings that many of them have during the year, is organised by the Mothers’ Union, members of which become or find baby sitters. There are no ‘wallflowers’ for everyone has a partner and all join in. At this year’s party, held in the Village Hall, Mr Desmond Glover (Church organist) was MC and kept things going with a swing. Excellent refreshments were provided by the Mothers’ Union.
On his retirement after nearly 23 years’ service, Torrington Rural Council presented the rate collector, Mr F R Hodge, with a bowls case and a cheque. Mr Hodge, who a former England bowls champion and former Mayor of Torrington, was due to retire last month but his successor has fallen ill so his service has been extended by a month. Tributes to Mr Hodge’s services were voiced. “We are saying farewell to an esteemed officer” said Mr A Q Vanstone, the chairman. “There can be no doubt that the retires with the good wishes of members” said Mr R Hookway. Mr Hodge thanked all members and officials.
Mr and Mrs B Pedley, superintendent and matron of Torridge View Welfare Home, Torrington, are to move to Ivy House, Cannock, Staffordshire.
Several new members, including four juvenile members, were welcomed at Woolsery WI’s first meeting of 1960 over which Mrs W A Raffle presided. The sympathy of the meeting was expressed to Mrs A Vanstone on the death of her father, Mr F Johns, and to Miss M Wade, in the death of her grandmother and uncle. A letter was read from the oldest member, Mrs E Hooper, in thanks and appreciation for the gift and congratulations on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Mr and Mrs C B Griffiths gave a most interesting account of the holiday they spent in Rome and Capri. Some slides of local interest, brought by Mrs W T Lott, were also shown. They were heartily thanked for an entertaining evening by Mrs K Allin. Hostesses were Mrs P Bridgman and Mrs A Hill. The penny bag contest was run by Mrs J Withecombe and won by Mrs T Braund. Competition subjects for January were ‘a perfect husband (described in 12 words)’ and a decorated waste paper bin. Mr Griffiths judged the entries and read out the ‘descriptive words’ awarding the first prize to Mrs H J Gilbert and second to Miss Hooper. Mrs Chapple was awarded prizes for both her excellent entries in the bins competition but passed on one prize to Mrs Cardew. The social time competition, arranged by Miss Hooper, consisted of making up Christmas names from the letters of Woolfardisworthy. Prizes were won by Mrs A C Perkins and Miss L Griffiths.
A special appeal raised over £500 for the purchase of a car to assist the Missionary in charge of Appledore and District Sailors’ Rest and Mission in his duties, which have been increased by the new wharves at Yelland. When the car was delivered it was formally handed over by Sir Basil Nicolls, chairman of the special appeal committee, to the Rev Donald Cox, the present Seamen’s missionary at Appledore. “This gift will make my visiting much easier and will also help me tremendously in carrying out my other duties” said the Rev Cox.
Appledore hall is re-opened. Once a mission chapel, and then successively a venue for whist drives and wedding receptions, a NAAFI canteen that served many allied troops stationed in the locality and, after the war, a grocery store, Blue Lights Hall, in Vernons Lane, Appledore, is once again a social centre. It was officially opened as such by the Vicar of Appledore, the Rev R C Dixon, who appealed to local people to support the hall. The building was bequeathed ‘for the benefit of the people of Appledore’ by the late Mr W Anderson, of Wooda, who also left £200 to further the object. Following a public meeting called by Northam Urban Council, a hall management committee was formed with Mr J E Harris as chairman, Mr C Ommanney as secretary, and Mr H Bennett as treasurer. The committee have spent about £150 on redecoration, repairs to the roof and the installation of electricity. They have also bought an adjoining cottage, the intention being eventually to convert this into cloakrooms. Those present at the official opening included Mrs Tim Chivers whose wedding reception was held in the hall 25 years ago last month.
Northam Council to build more houses on the site of the Burrows Way bungalows? Mr J C Dobbs said it would be logical to complete the Morwenna Park estate.
Seen is the seal which 22 years old Mr Robert Hearn has been nursing at his home at 60 Cross Street, Northam. When an injured seal was found at Lee, near Ilfracombe, it was not surprising that Inspector G Houghton, the RSPCA official for the area, chose Robert to help him by taking care of it. With Mr Chapple, sports and physical training master at Bideford Grammar School, Robert went to fetch the seal which was suffering from gunshot wounds.Robert, now an automobile electrical mechanic at Messrs Heard Bros. Garage, Bideford, hopes to join the RSPCA staff in the future.
All the children in the parish of Monkleigh, together with their mothers, were invited to a party in the Village Hall. Among those helping in the kitchen were Mesdames Sanders, W Gilbert, F Tallin, C Burridge, A Tallin and Ridgeman. Those in charge of the tea-tables were Mesdames A Smith, E Wicks, P Grigg, C Dunn, B Jewell, A Tallin, Martin, H Staddon, D Beer and George. After a sumptuous tea, games were organised by Mrs Prance. Then the children were entertained by films. Mr Martin operated the projector with films loaned by Mrs Rennie. Light refreshments and lemonade were served during the evening. Each child received a paper hat and a bar of chocolate.
A cookery demonstration of biscuits and pastry making was given by Miss Newman of the SW Electricity Board staff, at the monthly meeting of Instow WI. Miss Newman also judged the competition – a slice of one’s own Christmas cake – awarding: 1. Mrs Staddon; 2. Mrs Coster; 3. Miss M Yeo. Tea hostesses were Mrs Sanders and Mrs Yeo, helped by Miss McGrath, Mrs Grimes, Mrs Joslin, Mrs Jervelund. At the trading stall were Mrs Prouse and Mrs Stewart. Mrs Boxall, a new member, was welcomed.
Mr A P Tucker, of Tanporte, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! loses his appeal against Northam Urban Council.
Two brigades fight a fire in a four-bay Dutch barn at Galsworthy Farm, Buckland Brewer, home of Mr Maurice Fishleigh.
The funeral of Mr Charles Tucker, of Highways, Fremington, was held in St Peter’s Church. He was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Philip Tucker of Northam, and had spent over 30 years in the USA.
Rumours of ‘big developments’ at the Army camp at Fremington which might aid local employment were discounted by a spokesman at the camp. The only major development is that the RASC Junior Non-Commissioned Officers’ School, which moved to Fremington early last year, is now closing down and moving to a new location. Two RASC amphibious companies are remaining at the camp, which for many years has been linked with amphibious warfare training.
Articles from the Gazette dated January 1960