July 1972

Part of the famous Sleights sword dance by boys of Abbotsham County Primary School was a highlight of the annual parish fete held, as the Vicar, Rev R A Ford, described it, on ‘the one and only day of summer.’ Some of the boys learned the dance at a children’s house party at the Folk and Music Centre at Crocombe, near Taunton, at Easter and, with the aid of the headmistress, taught the others. The fete realised a profit of £245 for parish needs. The hall, the church, the school and the chapel will benefit. Mrs R O H Eppingstone, wife of the Rural Dean, opened the fete.

Appledore TV documentary lacking in depth and superficial?

Hopes that the former Seamen’s Mission at Appledore, acquired privately for housing development, could be bought back for community use were raised by Mr J C Seward at Tuesday’s meeting of Northam Urban Council. The General Purposes Committee had reported that a local committee had been formed with a view to buying part of the mission, reopening the chapel and providing a club. The County Council had said they would be interested in renting ground floor premises for the library and the GP Committee were asked whether they would be prepared to buy part for the purpose. The County Librarian had been asked to meet the sub-committee at Appledore to discuss the matter. It had also been agreed to ask the former owners of the mission about the use of the proceeds from the sale. Mr Seward said the proposition had arisen through the Christian Brethren carrying on chapel services in other premises in Appledore. They had managed to raise £8,000. Among the donors were Sir John Lang and the daughters of the late Sir William Reardon Smith. The Brethren had offered £8,000 for the chapel and the room over with a view to continuing the club. A reply was awaited. The County Librarian had been cooperative and wished to fall in with what Appledore required. The site was ideal for the library. “If the £8,000 could be added to what the County offer we might get within shooting distance of being able to take over the whole premises,” Mr Seward declared. “They could also possibly incorporate a museum. This really is the traditional centre of old Appledore.”

Mr D Williams of 2 Tomouth Square, Appledore, is ‘home from home in Norway’.

“Cheer Up Dear” says Braddicks.

A well known former local policeman and his wife have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and received many congratulations and good wishes. It was at Newton Abbot that Mr Alfred Richard Mugridge, now 84, married Miss Ann Maria North (90). The couple have lived at 6 Chingswell Street, Bideford, for nearly 30 years. Born in Ivybridge, Mr Mugridge was in the Devon Constabulary for 26 years. During his service nine members of his family were in the Force together, including his two brothers. After their marriage the couple lived at New Abbot, Membury, Branscombe, Torquay, Bideford and Bradworthy. It was from Bradworthy that Mr Mugridge retired from the Force in 1935. Since then he has worked for various periods with several local businesses. A first class shot, Mr Mugridge was a member of the Devon team for eight years and gained many prizes for his skill. There is one son, Mr Alfred William John Mugridge, of Roystone Road, Bideford,a railway maintenance engineer. One of the two grandchildren lives in America and there are seven great-grandchildren. Mrs Mugridge, who was born near Nottingtham, realised that there was only one job open to women in her younger years – to be ‘in service’ to one of the local big houses. For many years she worked for Lord and Lady Belper of Nottingham. Among the many congratulations received was a telegram from the Queen.

Seen at a training session, under the watchful eye of their coach, Mr Peter Griffey, of Northam, are Bideford Swimming Club’s under-16 water polo team who are bidding strongly for North Devon honours. Their first match was a good augury for they beat Barnstaple Dolphins. This year the team have matured to mainly 15 and 16-year-olds, with the benefit of a year’s experience in the league. Of the 60 members of Bideford Swimming Club the under-16 team is chosen from about 15. Each Wednesday they practise at the Patio pool, Westward Ho! the club’s home pool.

A profit of £93 made at Bideford Guides’ and Brownies’ annual barbecue was even more welcome than usual. It has to be spent on re-roofing the Guide hut in the Sports Ground – for the second time in two years. There was a five-year guarantee on the work but the firm responsible went out of business. The barbecue was opened by the Mayoress, Mrs J Needs, who was welcomed by the Divisional Commissioner, Mrs E Booth, and thanked by the president, Miss Ada Lee. Draw inners included: Mrs Booth, Alison Baker, Mrs Horne, Curtis, Davey, Ford, Miss Durant, H Hallett, Mr Quick and Deborah Slade.

Bideford Association Football Club hold a Foot-a-Fete at the Sports Ground in Bideford.

Women employees of the Toy Works, Bideford, pause for a photograph before setting off on a day’s outing to Torquay as guests of the management.

The H V Bearman cup for most points and the certificate for the best laid out plat both went to the same allotment holder at the annual prizegiving of Bideford Allotments Association. Mr G E England took the awards plus two first prizes, one second, four thirds, a fourth and a fifth. Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Bideford, Mr J W Needs, and Mr D French, chairman, presided. Winners: potatoes - Mr F West, Mr D French, Mr G England. Peas – Mr A Keen, Mr E Cloke, Mr C Pennington. Broad beans – Mr W J Piper, Mr J Braunton, Mr P Walters. Runner beans – Mr W J Piper, Mr C D New, Mr G England. Root crops – Mr G England, Mr F West, Mr R Nicholls. Onions and shallots – Mr G England, Mr C D New, Mr R Nicholls. Brassicas – Mr J H Potter, Mr G R Braunton, Mr G England. Flowers – Mr W J Piper, Mr G R Braunton, Mr J Gordon. Fruit – Mr W J Piper, Mr G R Braunton, Mr G England. Salad crops – Mr F J West, Mr G England, Mr G R Braunton. Certificate for the most outstanding exhibit – Mr W J Piper.

Two patrons of the Appledore Inn, Bideford, indulged in lighthearted fun and also raised £60 for a good cause. Prompted by the landlady of the inn, Mrs Sheila Dinner, Mr Keith Eldridge, dressed up and pushed his companion, Mr Tom Lobbett, who was disguised as a baby, through the streets of Bideford in a pram. The money will be used to take a party of local old-age pensioners on an outing in September.

Mr and Mrs Sidney Alfred Luxton, 7 Ashley Terrace, Bideford, celebrate fifty years of marriage in the same house. Before her marriage, Mrs Luxton was Miss Alice Penelope Lott.

A £4,500 sun lounge at the Torridge Hospital in Bideford will be officially opened by Dr William Ruddock, of Bideford. The new addition, which has been provided by the South Western Regional Hospital Board, is to be called the Muller Ward lounge. This ward was named in memory of the late Rev H C A S Muller, Vicar of Appledore and a well known local personality who was closely identified with the hospital. Spacious, and with a fine view of East-the-Water, the lounge has been furnished with help of the Hartland Lift Fund, which totalled in the region of £1,300 when it was passed over to the Torridge Hospital to use two years ago after the hospital authorities themselves supplied a much needed lift. The provision of the lounge also meets a long-felt need. “We have been waiting for 25 years for this” commented Mr J Morris, the hospital secretary. The Exeter Hospital Aid Society are also presenting a television set for the lounge.

Buckland Brewer Fete takes place on Saturday 15 July and will be opened by Drs D and R Mackenzie.

It was fun in the sun at Buckland Brewer when a full and lively programme of events was organised by the combined churches. There was a large attendance and the effort raised approximately £230 which will be equally divided between the two churches and the churchyard fund. The programme included a fete, dancing by local schoolchildren, competitions, teas, football (in which the married and single men’s team drew 3-3), fancy dress competition, whist, films and a dance. On the previous evening Buckland youths beat Bideford youths 13-4 at football, and a Buckland tug-o-war team triumphed over a Bideford team by two pulls to one.

A 14-year old American boy on holiday with his aunt was lifted to safety by helicopter from cliffs at Bucks Mills. Mark der Manouelian, of 13 Dartmouth Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island, became frightened and stuck when descending the cliffs. Hartland cliff rescue team and RAF Chivenor were alerted and the helicopter crew lifted him clear and landed him uninjured on the beach.

Hillside (formerly known as ‘The Retreat’) in Dolton is for sale.

Meddon Farmhouse and Chapel in Hartland are for sale.

A fete marking the 57th chapel anniversary of Hartland Methodist Church had to be held indoors because of unsettled weather. Despite this £160 was raised as a result of the weekend. The event was officially opened by Mrs Julie Goaman, of Shebbear, who was presented with a bouquet by Lisa Manley. Hartland Town Band gave an enjoyable concert in the evening, guest artists including Mrs Boundy, of Shebbear, and Mrs Colin Priest and friends of Parkham. Chairman was the Rev F G Thomas. Preacher on Sunday was Mr E Short, of Whitstone, anthems were sung by the choir and the organist was Mr J W Heard.

Dr Donald Mackenzie gets his reserved parking space and the Rev Harold Lockear describes it as ‘The great mystery of Hartland’.

School sports at Hartland. On behalf of Fraser House, of which they are captains, Julian Stowell and Ann Ferguson, received the house championship cup from Mr A George, chairman of the school managers at Hartland School sports.

Hartland is attempting to raise money to provide two tennis courts behind the children’s play area and adjoining the playing field pavilion. A sub-committee of the Playing Fields Association was elected at a meeting attended by more than 30 people and there have been other offers of help. The fund was helped to the extent of £7.48 by a whist drive in the WI Hall. Prizewinners were Mesdames J Hobbs, A Short, E Bolton, Measures, S Richards, T Noble, Colwill and D Heard. Draw winners were Mesdames W Burrow, A Short, S Richards.

Mr K Davey, of The Bungalow, working in a field at Horwood Barton, Monkleigh, catches an eel.

Vehicles going through water with the drivers submerged up to their necks will be one of the attractions of an Open Day to be held at a unique Army establishment in North Devon. For the first time, the Fording Trials Branch of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Instow is opening its doors to the public, and a variety of demonstrations will be given. Divers, of which the Fording Trials Branch has seven, will give demonstrations in portable tanks and will show their skill by recovering pennies thrown by spectators.

Mr Roy Stanbury, an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, has passed his final examinations of the Institute of Taxation. He is the only son of Mr and Mrs Gordon Stanbury, of Bar View House, Instow, and is a chartered accountant on the staff of Messrs Edgcumbe, Whitmarch and Preedy, of Plymouth.

Mr Mike T Burrows, of 2 Cross Street, Northam told the Gazette that half a dozen or so racing pigeons, wet through and very exhauster, probably came down on Lundy.

Nos 1 and 5 Honey Street in Northam are for sale.

A clergyman’s wife who is strictly a once-a-week painter at the Beaford Centre carried off the best in show award at Shebbear and Buckland Filleigh flower and vegetable show. Mrs R A Wallington, wife of the Rector of Langtree, won the award. Last year over a thousand entries were received for the show. This year entries were down a little and Mrs M E Dart blamed both the earlier bad weather and the hay harvest which had now started for the drop. Two cups were won outright - the Millman Cup for most points in the onion and shallots classes by Mr Edgar Moore of Shebbear, and the Committee Cup for most points in the open vegetable classes by Mr Fred Millman, of Petrockstowe. The event was opened by the Rev Nigel Mead, Vicar of Shebbear.

Mr D J Cobbledick is refused permission to establish a corn merchant’s business and corn mill in buildings at the rear of 12 and 14 Potacre Street, Torrington.

Who owns Torrington Town Hall pictures?

When Mr J W Bastin retires from the headship of Torrington County Secondary School he will leave a much larger establishment than that he took over in January 1956. Then there were 309 pupils. After the summer holiday there will be 500. But greater changes are ahead. He estimates that in the next decade school numbers will rise to 750, partly as a result of the introduction of comprehensive education and the raising of the school leaving age. Mr Bastin is to remain in Torrington – his home town. He began his education at the County Primary School, his father, a police sergeant, being stationed at Torrington. In the picture he is seen with the head boy and head girl of the school. Robert Heaman and Sandra Daniel. Mr Bastin is being succeeded by Mr Don Howard.

“It is an absolute disgrace” said Westward Ho! business man Mr Peter Wise as contractors are scheduled to work on re-strengthening the sea wall during July.

Mr and Mrs A C Lavers, of Ellwood, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! were among the guests at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Mrs Lavers is the County Staff Officer (Nursing Cadets) St John Ambulance.

There’s a Grand Fete in aid of Westward Ho! Branch of Cancer Research Campaign at The Octagon, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Crossley.

No ‘cash and carry’ at Winkleigh says Torrington Rural Council.

Mr Trevor George, headmaster of Winkleigh village school praised the efforts of County Fire Brigade units.

With some 65 years of teaching at Woolsery County Primary School between them, Mr and Mrs Cyril B Griffiths are retiring at the end of this term. Mr Griffiths has been headmaster there for 34 years, and his wife Marjorie has taught at the school for 31 years. A native of South Wales, he went to Leeds to qualify as a teacher and then ‘emigrated’ to Devon in 1930. He taught in Plympton, Kingsteignton, Paignton, Dartmouth and Bideford before being appointed headmaster at Woolsery in 1938. When war broke out he became a man of many parts in Woolsery, being billeting officer, salvage officer, air raid warden, a member of the Home Guard, and a member of the first aid post. He was organist at Bucks Mills Church and later at Woolsery Church for many years. Woolsery Youth Club, which he founded in 1944, soon became renowned for its concerts. It was in that same year that Mr Griffiths first joined Woolsery Parish Council, and he has been its chairman for the past 20 years. “If these wall could only speak” an illustrated history of Woolsery School, written by Mr Griffiths was published two years ago and attracted interest far beyond the parish. Mrs Marjorie Griffiths, a native of Sheffield, came to live in South Devon at an early age and attended Newton Abbot Grammar School. Qualifying as a teacher at the College of St Matthias, Bristol, she taught in Plympton, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple prior to her 31 years at Woolsery School. On coming to Woolsery she was instrumental in inaugurating the Women’s Institute there. During the war she was head of the Woolsery Section of the WVS and chief of the first aid post, and also assisted her husband with billeting duties. A staunch member of the parish church, Mrs Griffiths has long been a member of the Parochial Church Council. Mr and Mrs Griffiths have a married daughter, Lorna, who is also a teacher and lives in Saltash. Retirement gifts included a cheque for £62.50 and an oil painting.