June 1972
When two small boys crawled into a drainage pipe on a Bideford building site the second became stuck. There eight-year-old Peter Stell stuck until he was released by a policeman who had been alerted by his friend, seven-year-old Stuart Taylor, of Abbots Drive, Bideford. Peter, son of Mr and Mrs Stell, of 9 Goaman Road, told his rescuer that he became stuck because his legs were crossed.
Winners of the North Devon schoolgirls’ team swimming race were Briony Edmonds, Karen Willett, Karen Lock and Lorna Ball, of Stella Maris School.
A young spectator at Bideford Fire Service spectacular had an extra thrill experiencing what it was like to be at the wheel of a 1932 fire engine. During its service career the engine was stationed at Exeter, and later at the Exe Vale Hospital. It is now owned and maintained as a hobby by Mr Arthur Pridham, a Bideford businessman and former member of the AFS, whose vehicles are part of the West of England Transport Collection.
Surrounded by a collection of traditional corn dollies is Mrs Grace West, of 23 Milton Place, Bideford. She learned the age-old art just two years ago when she was given a lesson by a Beaford man. She has some 20 different ‘dollies’ each representative of different parts of the country. The meanings behind some of the them go back to the Bible, she explains. The corn comes from Abbotsham and she supplements this with reed given to her by a thatcher friend.
The weight of Bideford Road Safety Committee has been thrown behind the mothers of children at Westcroft Junior and Pynes Infants’ Schools who are campaigning after a child was knocked down by a car in Coronation Road. The mothers say they appreciate that in residents’ interests cars cannot be banned from the road, but parents must be prevented from driving through the school gates and other safety measures must be provided. Their petition has over 600 signatures. The ‘blockade’ of Coronation Road by the angry mums was called off when Devon County Council took a hand in the dispute. Workmen erected notices on the pillars of the gateway to the Schools which say in red letters: “Devon County Council – No unauthorised parking, no turning beyond this point, by order.” But a few parents have continued to keep a watchful eye on the position to make sure the instruction is obeyed.
‘Attractive and permanent employment’ is available at Toyworks.
Tintern, 89 Clovelly Road, and Byland, West View Avenue, Bideford are for sale
Power supplies to premises in the immediate area were interrupted when a lorry collided with an electricity pole in Meddon Street. The street carries the A39 trunk road through the town and there was chaos as traffic had to be diverted to allow workmen to erect a new pole to permit the supply to be restored. The nearby Torridge Hospital’s supply was affected but SWEB quickly sent in a generator to reinforce the hospital’s own emergency supply. But the supply to houses in Richmond Terrace, was cut off for some hours. Pole-note: The Electricity Board plan to replace all the poles in Meddon Street and have already laid a new cable, but more work is necessary before the service can be connected.
Lucky to be alive Elsa has arrived at Bideford Zoo – to convalesce. An eight-year-old Indian elephant, weighing nearly two tons, she developed a rheumatic condition in her front legs during her stay in a European zoo. The complaint was considered incurable and it was decided she must be put down. But Mr Jimmy le Blond, of London, a well-known supplier of animals to zoos, decided that something might be done for her. Elsa eventually responded to intensive treatment and round-the-clock care, and she has been sent to Bideford to recuperate. She will be treated by a local vet. Still stiff in the front legs, she was encouraged to leave the horse box, after a trip made longer by weekend traffic, by her keeper, David Flowers, who had travelled with her. She has become strongly attached to Mr Flowers, who was at one time head keeper at Chessington Zoo, Surrey. He will be staying with her to try to ensure a complete recover.
Planned originally to last only 10 years, for nearly 30 years Bideford’s well known pre-fabricated bungalows on the Council’s Grenville Estate off the Clovelly Road, have provided homes for local families. Now, in their place, two three storey blocks of flats and a number of traditional type houses have been planned in a scheme which will cost nearly £300,000. The block pictured containing 12 flats is part of the first phase. In the second phase a similar three storey block is planned on the opposite side of the road together with 12 houses, and another 30 dwellings will go up before the scheme’s scheduled completion about the middle of next year.
Miss Mary Lloyd, who lives with her parents at Iffield, North Road, has won a place at the Royal School of Needlework.
A social gathering was held in Alwington Village Hall following the institution and induction of the Rev Trevor Nicholls to the united benefices of Alwington and Parkham. The new rector and his wife are seen next to the Bishop of Crediton, Right Rev Wilfred Westall.
Mr Alan Hinks, principal of Messrs J Hinks and Son, Appledore, told the Gazette he was concerned at first about charging local people and tourists to view progress on the building of a replica of Drake’s Golden Hinde.
Because of pressure of other work little had been done in connection with a proposed new sewerage scheme for Clovelly, it was reported to Bideford Rural Council by the Public Health and Housing Committee. And it was most unlikely that with the present staff, concrete proposals for the scheme could be prepared during the lifetime of the Council. During the discussion on the matter, revealed the committee’s report, it had been pointed out that the Clovelly Estate Company had ‘shown no readiness to accept any commitment to bear a proportion of the cost of relaying the sewer through the High Street.’ In view of this delay and bearing in mind the length of time now available to the Council, it was recommended and subsequently agreed that the Estate Company should be informed that the Council felt unable to proceed with the scheme.
Frithelstock celebration. Scholars taking part were Anthony, David and Marilyn Down, Arthur Marshall, Richard Lawrence, Paul, Julia and John Hearn, Rita Daniel, Valerie Colwill, Martyn, Michael and Mervyn Davey, Diane and Brian Hill.
A coffee evening was held at Cloister Hall, Frithelstock, by permission of Mr and Mrs C R Ham and over £20 was raised for Church funds. Prize winners were Mrs Austin, Mr F Clarke and Mrs B Poole.
Mr Henry Mitchell, sub-postmaster of Hartland, has resigned and will be succeeded by Mr Alan G Wood.
Instow School pool’s claim to fame – believed to be the first metric scale school pool in the West country.
Local apiarists met at Littleham to see a demonstration , have cider and cheese, and take part in a quiz.
No 34 Fairlea Crescent, Northam, increases in value by 143%
The sum of £200 was raised at the summer fair organised by the Parents-Teachers Association of St Margaret’s School, Northam. It was opened by the Rev Maurice and Mrs Hart. Good organisation and hard work had ensured entertainment for everyone. In addition to well stocked stalls that attracted hordes of buyers there were many side shows and pony rides were no less popular. The holiday mood was matched by a lively performance by the Orchard Theate, and there was a fencing display by the Junior Leaders of Exeter. Appledore Silver Band contributed to the enjoyment. The children danced around the maypole and competed in House swimming races and slow bicycle races. A fancy dress competition which brought forth an array of wonderfully contrived costumes was judged by Mr and Mrs Holbrook. Winners were Tanya and David Harris, Matthew Littlejohns, Helen and Peter Lloyd, Mark and Luciana Hardy, Joseph Morrish, Richard Hall, Peter and Christopher Urquhart, Natalie Hardy and Malcolm Portlock.
Did you use the swimming pool at Lenwood Country Club?
About one in four council tenants in Torrington have indicated that they would be interested in buying their houses.
Mr P Hickman is told he must live within seven miles of the Council offices.
Did you shop at Xanadu in South Street, Torrington?
Weare Giffard Hall is open to non residents, and holds private functions and wedding receptions.
Woolsery sells its old Parish Room, and Mr Peter Andrew is elected to serve as chairman of the Parish Council when Mr Griffiths retires.
A helpful credit balance of over £300 was reported by the treasurer, Mr P Andrew, at the annual meeting of Woolsery Village Hall Committee. The chairman, Mr Jim Andrew, thanked all who had put so much effort in the running of the hall during the year, and extended special thanks to the secretary, Mr J Vanstone, the treasurer and his wife, and all committee members. In turn Mr C J Andrew voiced their appreciation of the chairman’s hard and loyal work. Three retirements from the committee were received – Mr T Braund; Mrs Janice Dunn; and Mr C B Griffiths. Appointed to the committee were: Messrs Jim Andrew, C J Andrew, J Vanstone, P Andrew, J J Jenn and Mrs G Lott; co-opted members, Mesdames L Souch, M Paddon and A Hill; representing the Parochial Church Council, Rev L Buttle; representing the Men’s Skittle Club, Mr R Chapple; representing the Ladies’ Skittle Club, Mrs O Souch; representing the Methodist Chapels, Mr H Burrow; representing the Parish Council, Mr A Hill; representing the Women’s Institute, Mrs W Trudgeon.
The Cottage, The Village, in Woolsery is for sale by public auction.
Bideford secretary, Michael Pope, has extended an invitation to Manchester United to play Bideford or use the club’s facilities for training.
One of the links the late Duke of Windsor had with this district with his presidency of the Royal North Devon Golf Club in 1932 when he was Prince of Wales. A keen golfer, he visited the club during his presidential year and a trophy which he gave is now played for annually on a match-play basis. His Royal Highness was invited to visit the club when it celebrated its centenary in 1964 but he replied expressing his good wishes, but declined the invitation regretfully because he would be abroad at the time. Mr John Goodban, who is the club president this year, has written to the Duchess in Paris expressing the deep regret of the club committee and members at the news of the Duke’s death.