October 1922

Stories that might feel relevant today? 

     Northam Council General Purposes Committee has been in contact with the Ministry of Transport, in an attempt to get the motor buses to run to a timetable. The hope is that if a proprietor should refuse to do so, his operating licence would not be renewed.

     On October 24, Conservative MPs at the Carlton Club voted to leave the coalition government; this was followed by many of them visiting 10 Downing Street, eventually forcing the resignation of the Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

     No extra pay for night work. The railway companies’ proposals for modifying the present national agreement as to hours, wages and conditions for railway workers have just been published. According to Mr C T Cramp, the men’s leader, they will mean an average reduction in wages of about 10s a week. The proposals are:

 A resolution viewing with regret the little progress being made with the construction of the Torrington-Halwill Railway, and consequently the small number of men employed, and requesting the Ministry of Labour to use their influence with the contractors to expedite matters and employ more labour was passed at Thursday’s meeting of Barnstaple and District Employment Committee. The Secretary, Mr J T Richards, said the official return taken from the pay sheets showed that the number employed on the construction of the railway was 119 on September 22. He suggested that many of the stories they heard should be taken with a grain of salt.

A pretty wedding took place at Alwington, the bride being Miss Laura Wickett and the bridegroom Mr H W Elliott.

A Clovelly wedding for Miss Lily Squire and Mr Albert Cole.

A pretty wedding was solemnised at All Saints’ Church, the contracting parties being Miss Ruth Jewell, daughter of Mrs S Jewell, High Street, Clovelly, and Mr John Burnett, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J Burnett, Brookfield Terrace, Bideford. The Rector, Rev T L V Simkin, officiated. The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr F Jewell, wore a navy costume and a made hat of fawn ribbon. She carried a beautiful bouquet of sweet peas, white antirrhinum, roses and myrtle, made by Mr William Beer, gardener at Clovelly Court, the gift of Mrs Hamlyn. Miss Hester Jewell, bride’s sister, was the bridesmaid. She was attired in a grey costume with hat to match. Her bouquet, also the gift of Mrs Hamlyn, consisted of pink antirrhinum, blue and white Michaelmas daisies and asparagus fern. Mr A Beer, bride’s brother-in-law, carried out the duties of best man. Both bride and bridegroom received numerous and costly presents.

For failing to require lodgers to sign a statement under the Aliens Order, at Instow on August 21st, Ellen Molland, was summoned before the County Bench. Defendant wrote regretting the infringement; she did not know it was necessary to still obtain particulars. PC Clogg said he had previously warned defendant in August 1921. A fine of £1 was imposed. 

The voters on Lundy Island – on the present register there are 13 – will have to cross to Instow to record their vote in the Barnstaple Division.

A pretty but quiet wedding has been duly solemnised in the Parkham Parish Church, the contracting parties were Mr Cobbledick, of Bude, and Miss Prance of this Parish. The Rector officiated. The bells were rung merrily for the occasion and they left the parish with good wishes for a long life and happy one.

The marriage of Miss Elizabeth Mill with Constable Martin took place at the Parish Church, Shebbear, on Tuesday. The bride was given away by her brother, a churchwarden. Mr G Pett acted as best man. Constable Martin is being removed to Appledore much to the regret of the parish, where, by his tact, courtesy, and punctuality to his duties, he has won golden opinions. The bride’s family are very old residents.

The wedding took place at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, of Miss Ethel Weaver, to Mr Charles W Bowden, son of Mr and Mrs Bowden of Torrington. The little village was en-fete on the occasion. Mr and Mrs Bowden left amid a shower of confetti and with many good wishes for Cowes and Winchester. The journey was made in a two-seater Calthorpe car, the bridegroom’s gift to the bride. The bridegroom had served in the great war.

Four years on from the end of WW1, it seems that people in the Gazette area are looking to the future. The first things which caught our eye in 3rd October’s paper are these two adverts from R J Arnold and Meredith’s.

Music is also a theme in the first paper of the month, with four adverts for piano and singing lessons plus one if you want to buy a piano – although the nearest shop is in Exeter. On a more personal note, do your Warner's corsets rust? If they do, read this advert from S Metherell and your problems will be solved!

Among Bideford traders, Heywood and Cock advertise new autumn millinery, winter coats, raincoats and jumpers; Steward & Co of 52 Mill Street, have vests, combinations and flannelette nightwear to keep you warm; and Arthur W Bennett of Market Place suggests preparing for a cold or wet winter with Valor Perfection Oil heaters, which come in two sizes and are suitable for everything from the nursery to the factory. Looking ahead to bonfire night, we have an advert from Butler’s Stores.

Braddick's promote their Christmas Club:

Tattersill’s advertise their Christmas fruit, although it seems rather early to be making cakes and puddings.

The following advert seems strange to us today:

Motoring stories reported this month - Henry Greenland from Hereford was fined 9 shillings for leaving his motor car unattended at Westward Ho! for an hour while he went for a bathe. Mr G S C Oliver of Northam left his car in Lower Kingsley Road without lights while he attended a dance in the Kingsley Gymnasium (now Kingsley Hall) and when questioned by PC Uglow, Mr Oliver said he “never had lights on moonlight nights and did not think they were necessary”. He was fined one guinea. An unnamed motorcyclist was fined for riding at a speed dangerous to the public in Instow with PC Clogg having estimated the speed to be between 30 and 35 mph. James H Vincent, who told PC Clogg his lamp went out every time his machine went over a stone, was fined 5s for cycling without a light at 11.15pm on August 22nd. 

In the paper for 17 October there is a detailed report of the first Prize Day at Edgehill College since the fire and rebuilding. Captain Tudor Rees MP was guest of honour and spoke of the woman’s sphere in public life.

In a weather-related story, Mr F Wilkey spoke at a meeting of Northam Urban District Council to request that a shelter be built at Westward Ho! On the August Bank Holiday there were between three and four thousand people in the village, and all were left with no shelter when a storm hit. Mr J B Penhorwood added a plea for a shelter to be erected on Bone Hill in Northam. Mr S Fulford replied that as so much money was being spent on coastal erosion, the council could not commit any more at the moment.

As the year turns from summer to autumn, harvest festivals are being held in many local villages. Reports can be found from Abbotsham, Alwington, Appledore, Bradworthy, Bulkworthy, Clovelly, Hartland, Monkleigh, Northam and Parkham. Clubs are also reopening for the darker months; Hartland Men’s Club has restarted with a social evening, and Morwenstow Village Club now has new billiard and bagatelle tables.

Did you know that Bideford Cricket Club had a Tennis section? Maybe this was for the wives of the cricketers?

In other news, the Foundation Stone for the new Power Station to be built by the Bideford and District Electric Supply Company Ltd will be laid by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr H N G Stucley, JP.

There is a favourable report of the inaugural race meeting of the Shebbertown Racecourse Club. The course was laid out by Mr Skidmore Ashby at his home. The property was previously owned by Mr George Taylor and named Abbotsham Court.

For men wanting to widen their horizons, good situations are guaranteed on Australian farms for experienced men, also for young inexperienced men if used to manual work and work with heavy horses. The reduced passenger fare was £24, which is about £950 today.

October 1972

Births announced for Hazel and Vic Cartwright; Gillian and Patrick Houseman; Bridget and Michael Locke; Jane and John Pescod; Alistair and Margaret Reynolds; Derek and Susan Robinson; Isobel and Stuart Thomas; Caroline and Patrick Hewetson; Eileen and Ian Brown; Maureen and Tony Lumley; Preben and Jane Kendall Nielsen; Jean and Michael Prince; Roger and Carol Dean; Florence and Peter Evans; and Diana and Michael Tithecott;

Motorway link route may soon be known. The Minister will indicate this month the probably three mile wide corridor within which experts will determine the precise route of the road that will link North Devon with the motorway. This news from Jeremy Thorpe, MP, was given to members of the Bideford Chamber of Commerce. The president, Mrs Joy Baron, told Mr K Stacey that something should also be heard soon about the route from Barnstaple to Bideford.

There were enough broken eggs to make the biggest omelette in local history when this lorry overturned outside Annery Lodge on the Bideford-Holsworthy road. The lorry, owned by South West Egg Products of Taunton, was loaded with eggs. The Fire Service had to be called to hose down the road. The lorry is understood to have skidded on the greasy road surface when the drive was taking avoiding action.

A handsome profit of £96 has been passed to the Appledore branch of the RNLI by Bideford Ladies Circle as a result of their highly successful fashion show staged at the Durrant House Hotel, Northam, on three days. “We are extremely pleased with the result” said Mrs Sandra Morris. A full range of styles was shown with Petra Goddard, Mandy Morris, Carol Hickmott, Carole Langdon, Pat Binnie, Hazel Newell, Doreen MacNulty and Faith Burdick. The compere was Mrs Pauline Grant, whose fashion shop provided the gowns; hair styles were by Wyn Olley, footwear by Messrs Round and flowers by Ashley’s.

Mr and Mrs Cecil Bird celebrate their golden wedding. Mrs Bird was formerly Miss Dorothy Middleton, and they were married at St Mary’s Church, Bideford. Both were members of Bideford families and for all their married life their home has been in Meddon Street. They live now at Raymeroy – a name which has been derived from those of their three sons, Raymond, Mervyn and Roy. The couple’s golden wedding cake was made by Mr Bird’s aunt, Mrs W Beer, to complete an unusual treble – she also made their wedding and their silver wedding cakes.

A couple whose hobby is ‘to try to help other people’ celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Every Friday Mr and Mrs John Burnett, of 91 Meddon Street, are to be found working at the local handicapped centre. Proof of the value placed on their services is provided by 84 cards, 17 bouquets and 5 telegrams. And a special anniversary party was arranged at the centre for the Burnett’s in recognition of their work. Mr Burnett worked for the Devon Trading Company for 35 years. His wife is formerly Miss Ruth Jewell, of Clovelly. There is one son, Mr Frank Burnett.

Ford and Lock’s open the biggest supermarket in Bideford, which is 7 times larger than the old store. A really unusual new feature is the chilled, walk-in dairy room which is one of the first in the country and stocked with a wide selection of butter, cream, yoghurts and cheeses. A revolutionary air-conditioning system in the shop will keep at a constant 70F. The store stays open until 8pm every Friday for the convenience of late-night shoppers. A spacious, airy staff lounge is gaily decorated and comfortably furnished, taking up the entire frontage of the store on first-floor level. It is equipped with a cooker, sink and drinks machine and there are modern cloakrooms.

To spend £3250 apiece on 101 Bideford old houses.

To mark her retirement after 24 years at the Torridge Hospital – 17 years as assistant matron and for the past seven years as matron – Mrs Mary D Ray was presented with a deep freeze cabinet by the hospital staff and friends in the medical and administrative branches of the health service locally. The gift was formally handed over to her by Dr William Ruddock, medical officer. In the photograph, are Mr and Mrs Ray, Mr J Morris and Dr Ruddock.

Every available seat taken and precious little room even to squeeze in and stand – such was the congregation for the annual harvest festival service at the Ship-on-Launch, Bideford, conducted by the Rev Martin Fredriksen. There was hardly room for the 70 different lots of harvest produce auctioned off after the service by Mr Arthur Wright to raise the sum of £42 that was divided equally between St Peter’s Church and the charity regularly supported by the landlady, Mrs E W Bond, and her customers, the Andrew Home for the Blind at Instow.

Large congregations helped to make history when they attended the final harvest thanksgiving services to be held in Lavington Congregational Church, Bideford. The Church, in existence as such since 1648, became Lavington United Reformed Church. It is now one of 36 Churches in the Devon District Council of the United Reformed Church.

Two parcels of land at Nattimoor, Buckland Brewer, in all about 51 acres, were offered for sale by public auction by Messrs Kivell and Sons. For lot 1, bidding commenced at £2,500, rising to £4,800; for lot 2, bidding commenced at £10,000 rising to £15,000. Both lots were acquired by Mr W H Brown, of Holwell, Buckland Brewer, a neighbouring farmer.

Buoy off Bucks Controversy. While herring fishing off Bucks Mills at the end of a spot known as the Gore, Mr J J Headon, of Ocean View, Clovelly, caught a buoy of about 18 inches, attached to weights. Fortunately there was little damage to the nets, and it happened to be a good night. Had the weather been bad it could have been dangerous. No one was allowed to obstruct a driftway for fishing and this was a regular spot for fishing he contented. Mr Headon added that he picked up the buoy which he considered was something to do with the proposed Bucks Mills sewer outfall. He had contacted Bideford Rural Council offices and Devon Sea Fisheries Committee.

Opposition to Bucks yellow lines.

The County planning department have agreed that 40 additional dwellings can be erected at Higher Clovelly on land expressly excluded from the restricted coastal preservation area and as infilling elsewhere at Higher Clovelly. The department suggested, and Bideford Rural Council have agreed, that the extension of the disposal works should cater for future development of this order as well as for the proposed car park development.

Clovelly Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild have raised £3,406 in the past year for the RNLI, reveals the annual statement of accounts. Sale of souvenirs accounted for £1,973.08 of the total. Whist drives raised £124.95; Christmas cards, £7.38; flag day collection, £154.68; boxes, £543.10; dance, £91.30; subscriptions, £7.55; centenary booklets, £13.65; donations, £21.82; slipway box, £67.56; tub in the boathouse, £200.40; rocking boat, £101.10. Details of the box collections: Tea room, £2.11; Kings Arms, £1.74; Hartland PO, £2.16; Hartland Quay, £2.45; Dr Mackenzie, £4.04; Mrs Biggs, £4.17; Mrs F Shackson, £85.50; Mrs Edwards, £235.50; Mrs Morris, £217.83; Mrs L Rowe, £74.90; Red Lion Hotel, £12.68.

A telegram from Australia helped to relieve the anxiety of Clovelly parents whose elder son, a probationary policeman, injured while successfully dealing with an armed intruder in the grounds of the Lebanese Consulate at Sydney. The message told Mr and Mrs A F Aust, of Higher Clovelly sub post office, that their son, Bernard, has been discharged from hospital. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr William McMahon and the Lebanese Consul have visited PC Aust and congratulated him on his bravery. Bernard, who was 23 last April, served an apprenticeship as a compositor with Polypress of Bideford. He went to Australia and after working at his trade and other jobs, he joined the New South Wales Police Force. His brother, Brian, is a constable with the Metropolitan Police.

Hartland’s bring back resident PC call.

Children, teachers and parents of Instow County Primary School collected five hundredweight of litter, including bottles and broken glass, when they organised a litter drive on Instow beach. The drive arose from a suggestion at a recent meeting of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association. It was planned as a thank-offering from the children for the local support given to their swimming pool fund, and at the same time it served to make the youngsters litter conscious. After working their way along the beach and over most of the sandhills area the children were rewarded with ice-creams all round, the gift of a local businessman.

A BBC camera group was at the Army Wading Trials unit at Instow making a film for the Blue Peter programme. The programme will feature Lesley Judd, being introduced into the mysteries of water-proofing engines – in this case a Land Rover – and later driving a vehicle in the demonstration pit at Instow and into the River Torridge.

The 100-year-old east window (dedicated to Mr Marris Guard) of Langtree Parish Church has been wrecked by vandals.

More than one car per council house in Monkleigh?

Mr George Olver, who has been manager at the Bideford branch of the Midland Bank since 1957, retires next month after a banking career which dates back 42 years. In retirement he will continue to live at Cloverbank, Northam.

Patt’s Bakery and premises at 7 Fore Street, Northam, for sale.

Blues and boogie pianist at Durrant House Hotel, Northam, where he has been running the ‘Hoor Nanny’ Show, Bideford Grammar School Old Boy John Morgan has flown to the United States for a month’s tour. While staying at the hotel the American promoter Don Smith heard him play and signed him up for cabaret clubs in and around San Francisco. He is also playing New York and Las Vegas, and will be recording an orchestral number he recently wrote. Some years ago when a 20 year old student at Manchester University, he won a talent contest, and he has since appeared on TV on a number of occasions. 

Mr Amos Bridgman, of Vaddicott, Shebbear, well-known in the Westcountry as a farmer, meat expert and businessman, has sold through his company Norwich Provident, of Exeter, his chain of 19 butchers’ shops in Devon, and an abattoir at Newton Abbot. Seven of the shops were sold privately. The remaining 12 and the abattoir have been bought by Matthews Holdings Limited, who are based at Epson.

Mrs May Hutchings, who presided over Torrington’s water carnival, can certainly claim to have been a carnival queen with a difference. At 76, she must surely qualify for a Guinness Book of Records entry on age qualification alone, and there can be no carnival queen anywhere in the country who can boast such a long and valued service to charity. A former Mayor Torrington, for over 25 years she has been the Torrington organiser for the Blind of Devon collections and flag week, and among many other organisation for which she has helped to raise money are the Royal British Legion, the Cottage Hospital, Torrington Silver Band and Torrington Football Club. She was closely associated with the founding of the Bickford Centre at Torrington for the over-60s. All her life she has been a member of St Michael’s Church, Torrington, and was for many years a Sunday School teacher and member of the choir.

Torrington Town Council has decided to ask Devon County Council for a breakdown of the costs incurred in administering homes for the elderly in the county. They did so after Cllr William Cockram had told them that newspaper reports had put the cost last year at £17 per person per week, which he considered a ‘ridiculous figure.’ Cllr Cockram, said as chairman of Torrington Old Age Pensions Association he would be failing in his duty if he did not bring the cost to the notice of the Council. He asked his fellow councillors to compare the figure reported with the fact that last year pensioners were expected to live and keep house on £6.10 a week. He thought it was high time the County took a long look at the costs which, he maintained, could be cut without the elderly residents of the homes being hurt at all. The County Deputy Treasurer had pointed out that the inflationary effect of salaries, but there were such things as productivity agreements and a rise in salary should mean more work. Is it a case of ‘too many chiefs and not enough indians?’

The implementation of the ‘fair rents’ scheme has resulted in an increase in the number of inquiries from Torrington Rural Council house tenants interested in buying their houses.

Torrington Town Council have turned down an application for permission to park a mobile tea and hot dog stall in the South Street car park on Friday and Saturday evenings. Mrs Y M Matthews, who made the application, has been told that the Council’s car park by-laws specifically exclude this type of facility.

When the Torridge Inn, Torrington, held its first harvest festival in 1970 £25 was raised. Last year it was £40 and this year £45. All proceeds have been donated to Taddiport Church by the landlord and his wife, Mr and Mrs Fred Kingdon. The service was conducted by the Vicar of Torrington, Rev P G Harrison. Among the gathering were the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington, Mr and Mrs Harold Pollard. Produce was abundant and was later auctioned by Mr Jack Skinner, who is chairman of Taddiport Village Hall Committee, assisted by Messrs Harold Oswin and W Allen. In the harvest competition winners were Mrs J Thacker, Mrs Brace, Miss F Holland, Mr Patch, P Dymond, Garry New and F Colegate.

The galleon that Torrington Cavaliers – builders of the world’s biggest bonfire – are constructing on the Commons has now reached such a stage that visiting motorists rub their eyes in disbelief. It is – supposedly – a model of the Cacafuego, which was destroyed by Sir Francis Drake. The eve of November 5th it will be put to the flames but not before a firework display has been staged from the ‘deck’. A civic party in a DUKW will lead a torchlight procession from the town Square to the galleon. The event will, no doubt, raise a considerable sum for charity.

As part of a quarter of a million pounds scheme, what was once the prep school for the old United Services College at Westward Ho! is to be converted to provide six homes. For an undisclosed figure, Messrs R Harris and Sons, of Barnstaple, have bought Buckleigh Place, an area of six acres which includes the former school and which was once in use as a holiday camp and also as a private country social club. In addition to the conversion of the old school building, the firm plan to build 13 superior type houses around a central swimming pool. It is expected the work will start in the New Year.

New head of Woolsery School, Mr Richard Chamings.

October 1997

Torridge schoolchildren should be safer on the streets and in their own homes following their participation in special four-day Life Skills event. Four hundred youngsters attended the course, where they encountered a range of potential hazards. In the picture are Stephen Pile, Oliver Poole and Jonathan Lock of Grenville College coping with a ‘mortar’ on the beach with the aid of coastguard Simon Wiseman.

Helen Perkins explains to Elizabeth Shortridge, Nicole Travers-Wakeford and Charlotte Brown

An alcoholic encounter for Megan Edmonds, Leitza Gorman, Gina Hocking and Bethany May of Monkleigh Primary School

The hastily arranged walking carnival in Bideford went ahead despite a small entry. But the parade, led by the carnival queen’s float, made a big impact as it processed. The event was held a week after the real Carnival should have taken to the road but was cancelled as a mark of respect to Diana, Princess of Wales. The procession acted as a curtain raiser for the big carnival which has been rearranged for November 22. Gemma and Scott Cartwright took the overall trophy at the walking carnival.

The carnival queen, Gemma Lacey, attendants Victoria Grill and Tammy-Marie Griffin, Fairy Queen Leanne Newton and flower girl Katie Dunn led the parade on the only float in the carnival

Cinderella and Prince Charming, alias Gemma Cartwright and Scott Cartwright

Football crazy kids – Kieren Wreford, Kevin Ashton and Martin Ashton

Bideford Catholic Women’s League showed their support for the North Devon charity, the Tarka Homes Trust, with the presentation of a cheque for £1,008. The money was raised at a recent auction of sales and promises. “We know of more than 40 families in the area who are concerned about the future of their children” said trust spokeswoman Ros Flack. The trust is a relatively new charity, having started its fundraising less than two years ago. The picture shows Ros Flack, Maxine Duffy, Joan Larner, Mary Wearne, Mo Hill-Paul and Olive McLauchlan.

Battle with aliens at the Milky Way! An investment of more than £500,000 has taken one of Devon’s major farm visitor attractions into a new world of entertainment. Unreal is the only word to describe the latest sci-fi addition to the Milky Way Adventure Park at Downland Farm, Clovelly, because there is nothing in reality to compare it with. The first of its kind in Europe, the Clone Zone – An Alien Encounter, takes virtual reality into a new dimension. Nothing is as it seems. “The whole experience was born out of a cross between the Krypton Factor, the Crystal Maze, Jackanory and a suspended roller coaster” said spokeswoman Tara Stanbury. Today's version of The Milky Way is HERE

Fisherman Owen McBride’s tussle with a large conger eel he was pulling into the family fishing smack resulted in Clovelly lifeboat being called to his aid. Owen, who was on his father’s boat, The Cornish Maid, out of Clovelly, cut his hand badly as he landed the creature from the waters off Hartland Quay. The lifeboat took him to shore and rendered first aid and then Owen was taken to hospital where the hand was stitched up.

Impressive barn conversion in Hartland for sale.

Georgian Town house for sale.

While on holiday in Austria a Northam woman has won – a holiday in Paris! Mrs Patricia Player of Bayview Road, won a free weekend for two in Gay Paree while on hoiday with direct-sell tour operator Travelsphere Ltd.

Shebbear £119,500 – detached south facing character home* 3-4 bedrooms* 2 reception rooms* double glazed* peaceful country setting* beautiful gardens* no immediate neighbours

Don Paterson, one of Scotland’s most celebrated modern poets, will star at The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington, in the Beaford Centre’s Lit Up! Literature Festival. He will be performing alongside members of The Plough’s writing group, First Thursday, who will be performing extracts from their best work. Check what's on at The Plough now HERE

New supermarket plan for Torrington.

40 South Street, Torrington, for sale.

Swiss Cottage is an individually-designed detached bungalow on the outskirts of Weare Giffard. The property is in a superb location only a few yards from Huntshaw Woods. Opposite the bungalow are open fields, more woodland and a fast flowing stream.

Weare Giffard £385,000 – exceptional detached residence* river frontage* large south facing gardens* 5 reception rooms* fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room* 7 bedrooms* en suite to master bedroom* 2 bathrooms* converted stone kiln* double garage.

Kite flying enthusiasts from as far afield as London, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare converged on Westward Ho! beach for the resort’s first Kite Day attraction. Fickle weather gave the resort too much sunshine and blue skies and people were frustrated by a lack of wind. But some of the kites were able to take to the air and a range of giant inflatable creatures on the beach helped to make it a colourful occasion.