August 1964

Representatives of the Pine-Coffin estate did not agree with the Rural Council’s suggestion that a padlock should be removed from a gate on the Peppercombe road and denies that there is a public right of way established other than for pedestrians.

The funeral of Mr Ernest Samuel Stapleton took place at Abbotsham. Born at Gammaton Moor, he was a blacksmith and on his marriage in 1908 went to Wales where he worked in the mines as a farrier, returning to this locality in 1926. He lived at the Smithy Abbotsham, and was in business there until 1953 when he retired and it was taken over by his eldest son, Mr Fred Stapleton.

Alverdiscott Young Farmers’ Club propose to buy Closewood ewes.

Two tugs, Sokoto and Taraba, specially designed for work on the River Niger, were launched from the yards of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.

Bideford Town Council has agreed to sell at £400 an acre a site at East-the-Water to Aircraft Marine Products (Gt Britain) Ltd in spite of a lack of endorsement from the district valuer.

A British Road Services lorry driver was preparing for an anxious journey to Cheshire in August holiday traffic, for it was his job to deliver these gigantic wooden arches made by the Bideford firm of Laminated Wood Ltd. A police escort accompanied the 36ft lorry for the whole of its journey. It was at first thought that the route via Barnstaple would be the better, but because of the difficulty of getting the load across Bideford bridge it was decided to take the Torrington-Exeter route. The local firm was started in 1957 and occupies premises in New Road.

Plan of Bideford Town Council Housing Committee to displace the prefabricated bungalows on the Grenville Estate with three-storey flats (against which tenants petitioned) may be dropped. The committee have reported to the Council that they wish to visit Exeter to inspect ‘Wimpey built’ houses and that at their next meeting they would consider displacing the bungalows with either these or with Cornish Unit two-storey type houses. George Wimpey and Co. the committee added, had written that they generally undertook contracts only for a minimum of 200 dwellings and preferred to carry out the site works in addition, but that in they case they would consider building as few as 50 dwellings.

Mr W Garrett commenced his appointment as bandmaster of Bideford Town Silver Band. Mr H M O’Connell reports that it’s been a profitable year for the Town Band and Mr S Way acknowledged the excellent support he received from the band.

Bideford and District Cricket Club agreed to accede to Northam Urban Council’s request that the club should change its name to incorporate mention of Westward Ho!

Victory smiles. Crews entered by Bideford A.R.C (The Reds) were first and second in the under-18 fours at Torquay regatta and here is the winning crew with trophy – J Vickery, K Evans, R Seddon, M Evans, J Odell.

A Bideford girl travelled 3,000 miles to attend the wedding of someone she had never seen. For 10 years 22 year old Miss Hazel Wrighton, an Old Girl of Edgehill College, had corresponded with an American girl pen friend, Miss Jo Ann Slemers, of Evansville, Indiana, although they had never met and there seemed little likelihood that they ever would.

Bideford’s Space Age Carnival takes place 22nd August.

Presiding over the Carnival will be Stephanie Jilbert with her two attendants Pat Thomas and Angela New. Indications are that there may be 20 or more vehicular tableaux, including an electric-powered helicopter from Crediton. Dozens of walking entries are reported. Five bands, including Bideford’s own, will supply music for the procession and to entertain the crowds on the Quay there will be a water-skiing demonstration and a band concert.

Miss Hilary Candler wins the prize for best collection at the Carnival.

Mr Reg Tucker, 25 Capern Road, Bideford, saves a woman from drowing.

Mr William J Backway stays with Mr Ken Hooper, 31 Clifton Street, East-the-Water, on his visit to Bideford from Toronto, Canada.

Netherby, 1 Mines Road, Bideford, is for sale.

The death occurred at the Torridge Hospital of Mr William James Henry Lane, of 3 Clifton Street, Bideford E, at the age of 76, after a short illness. Mr Lane was associated with electricity in Bideford from its earliest days, when the Bideford and District Electricity Supply Co. Ltd first started under the direction of Mr W J Oxenham. Engaged in the generating department, he could recall when sawdust from Messrs Bartletts timber yard was used to supply fuel for the engines which ran the generators. He continued with this employment until his retirement during the present days of nationalisation. In the first world war he served in France and Belgium in the Royal Engineers. Of an old Bideford family, Mr Lane leaves a widow, a son (who emigrated to Australia) and three daughters, Mrs K H Harvey and Mrs Renee Herniman, who both live in Exeter, and Mrs Dorothy Bartlett, of Bideford, as well as eight grandchildren. The funeral took place at Bideford Higher Cemetery, Pastor F Brignall, of Bethel Church, officiating.

Hartland’s Carnival queen, Miss Pauline O’Donnell, had a very busy time attending the various events of Carnival week, also her attendants, Miss Valerie Jeffery and Elizabeth Cottle. Although the weather was dull they brought their own sunshine of youthful charm to the grand procession.

Very large crowds visited Hartland and on at least one occasion it was impossible to find parking space at the Quay. Some cars were turned away. During the week (July 26th – August 2nd) over 1,100 cars paid for admission down the toll road.

Mr and Mrs G H Webber, of South Lane, Hartland, celebrate their golden wedding and meet his brother after 55 years.

Members of the Parish Council were told that the widening scheme for Gregory Terrace, Hartland, would not be implemented until 1965-66. It was agreed again to press for the widening of the Hartland-Clovelly road at Rosedown, which is considered the worst spot on the road.

The Elektrons have a busy weekend and are supported by Bideford band, The Fugitives.

Coronation fund £30 has been handed to Hartland Playing Fields Association.

44-ton tonic for Hartland forest in an air drop operation.

Against the attractive background of the estuary the sheep judging proceeds at Instow Show. No spreading chestnut tree but the blacksmith at work at his age old craft can always be sure of an interested audience.

Instow Women’s Institute funds benefitted by £27 as a result of the institute’s annual garden party. Stalls and helpers were: Miss McGrath, Mrs Louden, Mesdames Perrin and Agnesetti, Miss Yeo, Mesdames Boxall and Jones, Mesdames Coster, Stewart, Molland Stadden and Richards, Mrs Allison, Mrs Brimley, Misses Beckwith, Pilkington, Stacey and Mesdames Beer and Molland. Competition winners were Mrs Richards and Misses Coster, Beckwith and Cotton.

Golf trophies for Bill Newcombe and George Bignell playing at the Northam Artisans’ Golf Club’s Bank Holiday meeting.

Projected improvements to Northam almshouses will cost about £1,100, Mr W E Congdon told the recent meeting of the Northam Urban Council. He explained that the trustees had received an anonymous donation of £500 and, with a grant of £500, would need a further £100 or £200. It was their intention to ask the Council to make a direct grant. But they were also anxious about running costs and wondered whether the Council could help. The trustees’ income was only about £80 a year. The majority of members, added Mr Congdon, felt that as the tenants were living rent free, those who could afford it should subscribe to the heating of their rooms. A decision as to what type of heating should be installed was awaited. Mr W Powell pointed out that the Housing Committee (members of which were to meet the trustees) would want to know how future obligations could be met. The figure asked for would be a direct grant towards improvements, replied Mr Congdon. He felt that income would meet future repairs for some time to come.

Mr John Nethacott, a Shebbear farmer, welcomes the news that Rev R F Grist will be conducting services at Petersmarland and Petrockstowe.

Saturday meeting move opposed for Torrington Rural Council.

New offices for Torridge Vale Dairies at Torrington

Over 100 riders and a record crown at Torrington with two new records established at Crowbeare Farm.

Mr Bert Waldron, Torrington’s Town Crier, beats Mr George Perkins and Mr Bill Matthews in the national town crier’s championships, held in Hastings.

Controversy arising from Devon County Council’s wish to demolish the ancient Rothern bridge at Torrington is by no means spent. A fresh, telling attack on the intention has been launched by Mr M J Isaac, of Barnstaple, hon. secretary of the Committee for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments in North Devon. “Surely a bridge of such great character deserves a better recognition” he says. A substantial four arch bridge, it may have been built by the 13th century monks of Frithelstock Priory to cross the river to Torrington. In 1928 it was by-passed by a new bridge and has remained unspoilt. Apart from being widened some 150 years ago the medieval structure remains.

The death and funeral details of Alderman Herbert Henry Wightman, of 3 Calf Street, Torrington were announced. Born and bred in the borough, he was the last survivor of his generation of a large family, one of whom, Mr John Wightman, had also served as councillor, alderman and Mayor. By trade a carpenter and joiner, he set up in business on his own. A staunch Labour supporter, he was chairman of the local organisation of the party for years. Attending meetings and conferences all over the British Isles, he knew many of the leading Labour personalities. A member and former chairman of Torrington Commons Conservators, he was also closely associated with the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Committee. On the introduction of the National Health Service he served for a while on the local Hospital Advisory Committee. For 40 years he was secretary of the United Patriots Friendly Society. In the first world war he served in France and Belgium with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

The 300 community of Weare Giffard are facing up magnificently to a more than £3,000 challenge to save their centuries old parish church from the ravages of the death watch beetle. So much so that scaffolding has already been erected and a start made on reflooring and redecorating the tower. Relating this, the Rector, the Rev Matthew Coyle, says that the amount of money needed is unknown, but it will certainly be much more than £3,000. It had been recognised that a great deal would be necessary to carry out the work based on the architect’s report following an inspection in 1958-9.

The Church fete at Weare Giffard, opened by Mrs G N M fane Trefusis, raised £135 for the Church Repair Fund. Mrs Fane Trefusis was presented with a colourful bouquet, arranged by Mrs A Stevens, by Linda Nethaway, and Mr R J Puddicombe proposed a vote of thanks. A demonstration by members of the Civil Defence, under Capt Hart, attracted great interest, and Mrs Medley Smith and Mrs Heath managed to serve hot dogs cooked barbecue fashion on an outdoor oven. The baby show was won by Deborah Floyd, Nigel Phipps and Andrew Curtis. Mr G B Altham organised a fishing competition and prizes were awarded to Mr J Goddard and Mr E Webber.

Council estate at Westleigh?

An outbreak of swine fever was reported at Westleigh and Mr P W G Palmer, of Coombe Farm, had to slaughter his whole herd of 51 pigs. The usual restrictions have been enforced on his farm. No restrictions have been placed on the nearby villages and farms, and the local markets will not be affected in any way. A Ministry official explained that this is because Mr Palmer has not moved any stock since he bought the animals which had contracted the fever.

Mr J Joseph, proprietor of the Atlantic Flatlets in Westward Ho! was hit on the head during a robbery.

Mr R P Bain is granted a club registration certificate for Torville Social Club, Westward Ho!

Mr E D Lill, of Wanstead, is dismayed to notice the increase of caravan and camping sites on his visits to Westward Ho!

Introducing the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)