March 1964

Mr and Mrs John Prouse celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary; for many years they farmed Lower Deptford, Hartland.

A later article: Surrounded by flowers and many cards and other greetings, Mr and Mrs John Prouse are marking their diamond wedding. They were married at Bideford Methodist Church on March 19th 1904. Mr Prouse, whose hearing was affected in the First World War, joined the Hussars in 1896. For many years he and Mrs Prouse farmed at Lower Deptford, Hartland, but three years ago they left North Devon to live with they daughter, Annie, at Osmo House, Solsboro Road, Torquay. A churchwarden at St Martin’s Church, Bursdon Moor, for fifty years, Mr Prouse, now aged 86, was also a special constable well into his seventies. They have been staying with their daughter, Mrs A Bragg, of Meddon, Hartland.

The most successful variety concert held in Hartland for many years raised £56 for the Hartland and Welcombe cancer campaign. All 250 tickets were sold and even though orange boxes were pressed into service for seats the Church Hall could not accommodate all who wished to attend and a repeat performance has been arranged for Tuesday. The audience could not have been more enthusiastic and although every item was well received ‘Les Girls’ undoubtedly provided the hit of the evening. In the feature ‘Dancing the year away’ ‘Mamselles’ J Fanson, H Dayman, J Goaman, N Beer, R Heard and P Burrow certainly gave a revealing show that, in old-time terminology’ brought the house down. Backed by the local rock group, the Lektrons, they began with a stately minuet, but the audience reaction changed with the music when they broke into the can-can. This was followed successively by the Charleston, shake, twist and jive. So insistent was the audience that the whole had to be given again as an encore. But not all the programme was as noisy. There was some delightful singing by a choir and by the Rev F C Diffey, and ballet by young dancers, including C Jeffery and J Thorne is an excerpt from ‘Les Sylphides’. Items by Hartland Girl Guides were also well received. Devonshire dialect monologues having been ably provided by Mrs A Burrow, the rest of the evening was devoted to drama – a 45 minute play ‘Parlour Game’. Mrs M V Pitman as an Ena Sharples character scored a personal triumph but she was well supported by the remainder of the cast and not least by Paul King and Pauline O’Donnell. Mr W M Pitman made a fine mayor and Mrs Anne Mugford and Mrs Peggy Jeffery also gave excellent interpretations, as did Mr R Mugford as a cleric. On these occasions equally important work is done back stage and the presentation revealed skilled direction as well as painstaking stage management for which Mr J A Jeffery was responsible. Other neat touches were provided by the Vicar, the Rev Andrew Jones, as compere. All responsible for the success of the concert were thanked by committee chairman Mr H Kings.

Docton Mill House, occupied by Miss B P Duncan and her mother, Mrs E Duncan, was flooded as a watercourse broke its banks.

Parting gift to Woolsery Church by the Vicar’s wife who, with her husband, the Rev P F H How, is leaving the parish. The death of Mr G E Mullard was acknowledged.

The annual meeting of the local auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at Woolsery Methodist Church. The chairman, the Rev F C Diffey, read the financial report on behalf of the local secretary, Mrs B Wonnacott, and thanked the collectors. Home boxes were sent in by Mrs and Miss Hooper, and by Mrs F Knight; parish collectors were Miss M Collings, Mrs F Dark, Miss E Cloke and Mrs A Hill, Mrs J Gorrell, Misses R and A Cann; village box, Mrs J Burrow. The chairman also thanked Mrs C J Andrew for her services as secretary for several years. The deputation was the Rev Andrew Jones, Vicar of Hartland, who was welcomed by Mr Diffey, together with the Vicar of Woolsery, Rev P F H How. Mr Jones told of the growth of the Bible Society from the days of Mary Jones, who walked many miles through Wales to buy a Bible. Mrs A Bray was the organist.

The Rev F C Diffey officiated at the funeral of Woolsery’s oldest inhabitant, Mrs Caroline Prouse, who has died at the age of 96. She lived at Sunnyside with her daughter.

Mr Harold Grills’ milk round in Clovelly will be taken over by Mr Geoffrey Symons, of South Down.

The wrangle over where Clovelly’s long awaited memorial hall shall be built continues – Wrinkleberry or Yellary.

Clovelly is unhappy about the liaison between the lifeboat and coastguard services as the RAF asks for Appledore lifeboat.

First of the prefabricated houses being constructed as a new venture by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. to be erected on site – at Staddon Hill – is rapidly going up. A start was made on Tuesday week and by Saturday the shell was completed, watertight and ready for tilers. Mr J Venus, a principal of the firm, told the Gazette that it was hoped that the house – a four bedroomed type with two bathrooms – would be ready in about a month. At this stage, he added, it was difficult to give an accurate figure, but it was anticipated that the price would be in the region of £3,500.

Dr Desmond S Valentine is retiring after 34 years in practice at Appledore.

An Appledore house that the occupant believed to be haunted has been peaceful since the Vicar, the Rev R C Dixon, conducted a service and blessing there. Mrs Margaret Ferguson, who has three children, moved into 11 Market Street, last June. A few months ago doors and windows that had been secure started to open and shut, electric lights switched on and off, door knobs rattled and footsteps were heard. The incidents usually happened after midnight, said Mrs Ferguson. Once she became too terrified that she fetched the local policeman. The Vicar told the Gazette, “I took a very simple service of blessing of the house and the people who live there in the hope of bringing assurance that God would protect them from all evil.”

The funeral of Mrs A E (Elsie) Wills, who for over 40 years lived in South Africa, took place at St Margaret’s Church, Northam. Mrs Wills, widow of Mr J G Wills, died age 82 at the home of her daughter, 2 North Street, Northam. The Rev J M Lucas officiated and Mr F Hutchings at the organ accompanied the hymns. Immediate mourners were: Mr and Mrs K Wills, Mr and Mrs J Eastman, Mrs H A Edwrds, Mrs G Popham, Misses G Wills and H Eastman, Mr H J Kivell, Mr F J Wilkinson, Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs A M Balsdon. Mrs G Edwards and Mrs R Lennard were unable to attend. Bearers were Messrs T Shutt, G Mounce, P Hocking and A Hearn. Others present included: Mr and Mrs A Williams, Messrs A Taylor, W J Shortridge, R Olde, Mesdames V Ford, C H Tuplin, H T Hancock, H Bailey (also rep. Mrs E Heuze), and Miss J Shutt.

Northam Council are justly proud of their offices in Windmill Lane, which were officially opened 30 years ago last Sunday. At tablet in the entrance hall recalls the day, March 22nd 1934, and those responsible: Councillor P K Harris, Cllr F Wilkey, Cllrs T A Blackford, J Heywood, E Cork, H Hinks, W C Friendship, R C Littlejohns, A Fulford, H Page, A Galsworthy, C E Palmer, F C Hamlyn, A Reed, H Tucker, W J Barnes, W G Champion and J L Harris. During the past two years, the Council offices have been extended and improved allowing for additional rooms upstairs, including new offices for the Clerk, Mr A Gardner, and Surveyor, Mr H J Bishop.

Torrington’s new Mayor is to be Councillor Reuben Henry Cotton, a member of the Town Council for the past five years and chief engineer of Torridge Vale Dairies (Devon) Ltd. Mr Cotton will succeed Ald H H Wightman. Both Mr and Mrs Cotton are natives of Birmingham. They have lived in Torrington since 1945 when Mr Cotton came to take up appointment as electrical engineer at the milk factory. Their home is Torridge House, Warren Lane. His election to the Town Council was Mr Cotton’s first venture into local government. He is a past master of Lodge Torridge (Torrington) Freemasons. Golf and gardening provide his hobby interests. He is a member of Torrington Golf Club. The Mayoress-designate, Mrs Ethel May Cotton, is at present president of Torrington Women’s Institute.

Torrington Town Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee recommended that a 10-guinea donation was made to the Torridge Surf Lifesaving Club.

Saying that there was concern among some parents about the matters, Cllr W S Hutchings alleged at Monday night’s meeting of Torrington Town Council that girls in the domestic science classes at Torrington County Secondary School had to go down on their hands and knees to scrub floors with scouring pads. His daughter was one of those who had to do this, he said, adding “I don’t hold with it at all.” He also alleged that one boy had been issued with a wrong hacksaw blade and had broken it, and had since been sent home twice from school to get 3s 9d to pay for it. The boy’s father had wanted to know if his son ‘messed up’ a more expensive item, such as a big machine, whether he would be held responsible for that, too. Ald F R Hodge, a member of the school governors, asked if these points were heresay or facts and Cllr Hutchings replied “Facts.” Ald Hodge said one naturally had to be careful about allegations made, but if the facts were correct then those members of the Council who were on the school governing body would inquire into them. Cllr Mrs M E Patt said she thought the scrubbing of floors was part of the training in the domestic science class flat. “I quite agree that the children should clean up their mess” said Cllr Hutchings, but it seemed ridiculous to him to use such pads and he had heard there had been a ‘barney’ about how many pads were being used. Declining to make any comment next day, the headmaster of Torrington County Secondary School, Mr J W Bastin, said “There is a proper channel for these complaints.” Later that month, Mr Bastin responded.

Devon Welfare committee is to build a four bedroomed house and garage for the Supt. and Matron of Torridge View Welfare Home, Torrington, despite strong criticism.

The death of a well known personality, Mr Ernest Minhinnett, is announced.

No ‘one-way’ say Instow Council.

Local pilots consider the permanent lighthouses at Instow as a ‘great improvement’ but Mr Trevor Davey, skipper of the Lundy Gannett, reserves judgement.

Nos 1 and 2 Broad Park, Bradworthy, are for sale.

Littleham A retained the President’s Cup of Bideford and District Skittles League. They beat Bucks Cross A in the final. The individual scores – (Bucks Cross) R Stoneman 46, W Lamey 43, L Waring 53, K Allen 45, B Bowles 49, R Dicken; (Littleham) H Headon 51, R Rawle 61, W Withecombe 55, J Cole 49, C Lyle 56.

For long the only woman member of the Royal Observer Corps in the area, Miss Maureen M Thomas, of Bucks Mills, was presented with a long service medal at a ceremony in the ATC hut, Park Lane, Bideford. Observer Ken Lewis, of Bideford, a bus driver, also received a similar award. Miss Thomas, an employee of the South Western Gas Board, served at the Horns Cross post for 12 years before being promoted to Leading Woman Observer and being transferred to Kilkhampton as an instructor. There is only one other woman in the sector and she joined about eight months ago. The presentation was made by Observer Commander W V Green, of Truro, who commands No 11 Group, in the presence of about 20 members including Group Officer W F J Bennett. His sector comprises the clusters of Horns Cross, Torrington and Kilkhampton; and Bude, Holsworthy and Davidstowe.

Miss Violet May Nichols was presented with a black retriever puppy on the occasion of her marriage to Motor Patrol Policeman Mr Roger David Willey. Bridesmaids were Misses Valerie Curtis, Valerie Kelly and Sally Willey, with best, Mr David Hodson. Ushers were Messrs G Curtis and R Willey.

Frithelstock Baptists’ 133rd anniversary.

Mr Frederick Roy Bryant, son of Mr and Mrs Bryant of Mill Street, Torrington, and Miss Marian Gorden, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs P Gorden, of Gartledge were married at Frithelstock Methodist Church. There were 3 attendants – Miss Elaine Waghorn, Miss Hazel Seymour and Brenna Hancock. Mr John Bryant was best man, and ushers Mr Terry Staddon and Mr Dennis Waghorn.

Mr Brian William Jeffery, eldest son of Mrs L R Jeffery and the late Mr T W Jeffery, of Buckland Brewer, and Miss Julia Mary Tanton, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A J Tanton, of Annery Homestead, Monkleigh, were married at St George’s Chapel.

Mrs Fay Harris of The Cottage, Buckland Brewer, has been giving informal Continental cooking lessons.

A toy manufacturing company has agreed, in principle, to establish a factory in Bideford, subject to financial and other assistance by the Board of Trade and Devon County Council.

First stage of the dual carriageway between Bideford and Northam will soon start, taking it from the bottom of Raleigh Hill to Limers Lane.

Quicker by rail to London

The funeral of Mrs Gertrude Vida Jacox, of 8 Providence Row, Bideford, has taken place at Lavington Congregational Church with the Rev Gladys Smith officiating.

Bideford artist, Mr Reginald Lloyd, in his studio at the back of his home in the High Street, is busy with his assistant, Mr Brian Stevens, on finishing the great West window of St Boniface’s Church, Whitechapel, London. The history of the Church can be found HERE - Saint Boniface Catholic Church

Councillor Eric Cleaton Hart, was chosen as Mayor-designate of Bideford. Aged 43, Cllr Hart, who lives at Tresillian, Raleigh Hill, Bideford, is an engineer and for the past six years has been working at the REME camp at Instow. Before moving to Bideford in 1957, he served with British Railway as an engineer on bridge design and erection. Cllr Hart’s wife, Ann, is a native of Salisbury. Their two daughters are being educated at Edgehill.

These jigsaw classrooms are being erected at Bideford County Secondary School as part of Devon Education Authority’s ‘crash’ programme in North Devon. The temporary classrooms are built in sections in the workshop and then pieced together and erected on the site. A spokesman for the firm building prefabs – Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd – said “It is like a jigsaw puzzle, except that every piece is the same shape.” Two prefab buildings are being made each containing two classrooms. Two single room classrooms are also to be erected by the firm at Bideford Grammar School. This is a new line for Appledore Shipbuilders, although they have already erected a prefab house. The firm’s spokesman commented “This has been quite a useful contribution in keeping the yards working during the past few months.”

The funeral of Mr Walter Roberts, of 5 Bowden Green, took place at the Higher Cemetery. He was known as ‘Bideford’s oldest working man’.

A 23 year old Bideford mother, Mrs Pamela Eastmond, has been placed second in the national Miss Rentaset competition. She lives at 42 Royston Road, Bideford, with her husband Mr Sidney Eastmond and a six year old daughter, Nicola.