January 1966
Births and anniversaries announced – Mabel and Eddie Bond; Hold; Jane and Jack Eastmond, a son, Christopher John; Janet and Geoffrey Fanson, a daughter, Tracey Jane; Verna and Roger Frayne, a son, Richard; Betty and John Lawrence, a son, Keith William; Rosemary and Christopher May, a daughter, Tonia Louise; Fiona and Gerald Tolley, a brother for Jeremy, Christopher Paul; Jill and Michael Jewell, a son, brother for Karen and Clare; Angela and Robert Moore, a son, Brian John; Dawn and Billy Raymond, a son, Christopher; Walter and Yvonne Wyborn, a son, Bruce Walter; Jennifer and Michael Evans, a daughter, Jayne Caroline; Hazel and David Harvey, a son, Francis Edward Victor; Claudine and Molwyn Jones, a sister for Joanne and Suzanne; Sylvia and John Langdon, a son, Timothy James, brother for Martyn and Jeremy; Sandra and Terry Prouse, a son, Jeremy Sinclair; Jean and William Tailyour, a son, Jonathon William Gordon; Ruth and Peter Wise, a daughter.
A £200,000 order for a new fire-fighting tug has been placed by J H Pigott and Son Ltd with Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.
When the 1st Appledore Company of the Boys' Brigade recently disbanded it seemed that Appledore would also lose its band which had been built up over the past 15 years by the Brigade with the late Mr H Matthews as bandmaster. Happily a new Appledore Silver Band has been formed to carry on the tradition, using the same instruments and largely composed of players associated with the former band.
Ubiquitus writes - How pleasant it is to begin a new year with an old custom – the annual New Year’s Day distribution of loaves at the nearby Town Hall. The charitable aspect has become pleasantly combined with the opportunity to make it something of a minor social occasion, and the exchange of good wishes for the new year with the town’s chief citizen.
Mr Roger Chope has been elected a trustee of the John Andrew Charity of Bideford, in place of his late uncle, Mr Norman H Chope. Thirty years ago when Mr N H Chope was elected at the age of 29, he was the youngest trustee. Mr Roger Chope is 29 and also the youngest trustee. Now head of the Bideford drapery firm, Chopes, of High Street, he has, like his late father, Mr Arthur K Chope, been a keen rugby football man locally.
Matrimonial quiz.
Before workmen demolishing a dozen houses in Willett Street, Bideford, have moved out, cars have moved in. The site is destined to become an official car park but although the cottages have gone there is still clearing up to be done. The possibility of allocating spaces to business people on an annual rental has been suggested. But use of the site as a car park is somewhat complicated by narrow approaches and the fact that two properties remain. One is Lavington Cottage, and the other No. 6. Unlike these two, the 12 were unfit for human habitation and incapable of being made to fit at reasonable cost. Other clearance schemes carried through by the Council were at Torridge Street and Rectory Cottages at the top of High Street. Under preparation from the point of view of legal formalities is the biggest yet, affecting Pimlico, Providence Row and Honestone Street.
Interest in Bideford’s need for relief to its famous and historic Long Bridge, to meet modern traffic conditions, grows. Mr P Booker Cooke, MSIA, writes “I receive the Gazette regularly through my wife’s mother who lives in Appledore. Your issue of October 15th gave a brief description of the plans ahead. I drew a sketch plan which, at the time, looked to have great possibility, both from a common sense and economical angle.”
One by one those things outside Mr and Mrs Dan Crosta’s home at 22 Old Town, Bideford, are disappearing. But at least one will remain, Bideford Town Council decided.
Miss Penny Vousden, an Old Girl of West Bank School, whose home is Kenwith Barton, Bideford, has recently formed her own secretarial and typing agency in London, where she has been working for a market research organisation for the past five years.
Bideford Grammar School sixth formers have added GCE O Level subjects taken at Christmas to those already passed: J N Bennett, M Budge, E A Colegate, G M Granger, K J Hunkin, G Jones, J E Lott, P D Martin, A S McKenzie, P C Nicholls, G A Oliver, A Robinson, C D Short, J F Short, R R Shute, R J Smart, G Staddon, P A Waters and R G Young.
Methodist headquarters have agreed that there ‘certain irregularities’ over the closing of the Bideford Bridge Street Church. It is for that reason that the property has not been offered for sale and that the whole matter is being held up until after the meeting of Conference. This was alleged by Miss Jean Hannaford, a trustee, and an opponent from the beginning of the amalgamation of the former Bridge Street and High Street Societies.
Members of well-known contractor families, Mr Michael Ralph Fishleigh and Miss Shirley Mary Wooldridge, were married at Woodacott Methodist Church, Thornbury. The bride, a member of Thornbury WI is the only daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Wooldridge, of Windy Cross, and the bridegroom is the second son of Mr and Mrs M J Fishleigh of Estate Works, Galsworthy, Buckland Brewer.
Clovelly ‘back road’ battle.
The Mothers’ Union of All Saints Church, Clovelly, organised a whist drive towards the renovation of Parkham Church which was recently damaged by lightning. The Rev R O H Eppingstone was MC and the door steward was Mr K Hesketh. There were 12 tables in play. Mrs T Jones, the Enrolling Member, presented the prizes too Mrs J Stoneman, Mrs J Beer, Mrs P Littlejohns, Mrs A Johns, Mr J Stoneman, Mrs L May. Highest scores were Mrs K Braund, Miss Spanswick, Mrs Goaman, Mr V Stoneman. Booby prizes were won by Mrs R Stoneman and Rev Eppingstone. Draw winners were Mrs R Stoneman, Mr J Stoneman and Mrs Tridgell. The event raised ten guineas.
Numbers limit could stop village dances at Frithelstock Village Hall Mr J H Allin told Torrington justices.
Last spring a photograph was published of a senior group of ‘Les Girls’ of Hartland, who provided one of the highlights of a concert in aid of Cancer Campaign Funds. The younger generation is gracefully maintaining the theme, as these schoolgirls of Hartland demonstrated at the end of term concert.
As there appeared to be a shortage at Hartland of building sites in acceptable positions the suggestion has been to Bideford Rural Council that they should consider purchasing some land, provide it with necessary services and then sell off sites for private development. The suggestion was made in connection with the application for proposed development at Ball Hill for Mr R Prouse. The application was refused.
For 30 years a priest in North Devon, the Rev H L Hustwayte, who is now 73, is retiring at Easter as Rector of Instow, which appointment he has held for the past ten years. He will not be leaving North Devon but, as a semi-retirement post, will have charge of the little church of St Anne’s, Saunton. An authority on beekeeping, he has taken many premier awards with his exhibits of honey at Devon County Show. Mrs Hustwayte was for some years enrolling member of Instow Mothers’ Union and also takes a keen interest in the Women’s Institute.
Representatives of the local organisations in which he had taken an interest were among the large congregation at the funeral at Instow parish church of Mr Sidney George Nancekivell, of Rock Cottage, Instow. The Rector, Rev J I Hustwayte, officiated and Mrs C Atwood was at the organ.
Twelve year old Vivienne Brewer who inherited from her father an interest in rabbit breeding and showing has beaten him at his own game. She took up the hobby three years ago and now one of her Silver Fox rabbits has become a champion. Vivienne, who lives with her parents at Merton – her father is head forester there to the Clinton Devon Estate – and who attends Torrington County Secondary School, is seen with one of her pets. Stephen, Vivienne’s brother, also bred and showed rabbits but none of his ever achieved a championship.
The funeral has taken place at Monkleigh Parish Church of Miss Bessie Bissett, of Elm Grove, Bideford, and formerly of Monkleigh. The Vicar, Rev L Budge, officiated and Miss M Redcliffe at the organ accompanied the hymns. Attending included: Mr and Mrs C Beer, Mr and Mrs G Nicholls, Messrs C Nicholls and W Porter; Mesdames T Inch and W Prouse, L Steer (also representing Mrs L Baglow), W Whitlock, E Nicholls and T Blight.
Mrs Winifred Jane Bradford, wife of the late Mr C G Bradford, who for 25 years was associated with her husband in the family butcher’s business at Northam Square, has died. Mrs Bradford was a member of Northam Mothers’ Union.
Northam WI commemorated the golden jubilee of the Women’s Institute movement by presenting a seat for use of the public. The chairman of Northam Urban Council, Mr A C Saunders, seen sitting in the centre of the seat, accepted the gift on behalf of the community. Sitting on the right is the Clerk to the Council, Mr Alan Gardner.
Mr Donald Honey of Oliver House, Parkham, and the three passengers he had in his car had narrow escapes for they were driving past the church at the time the lightning struck.
A chimney at Church Ford, Little Torrington, fell and crashed through the roof of a garage smashing a car and causing damage estimated at £600 during the recent storms. The owner of the building, Mr and Mrs Robert Page, were both asleep at the time and no one in the vicinity apparently heard a crash, but Mrs Page thinks the accident occurred between five and six o’clock.
Farmer friends – Messrs C Britton, R Lowe, H Hunkin, G Hookway, J Hookway and S Cook - were bearers at the funeral at Torrington of Mrs Florence Gertrude Hobbs, widow of Mr Frederick Hobbs. Mrs Hobbs died at her home, 5 Calf Street. The service at Howe Congregational Church was conducted by the Rev W Oriel James and the organist was Mrs T Squire.
Appreciation of the work of their teachers was expressed in gift form at the annual Christmas party of the children of St Michael’s, Torrington Sunday School. Refreshments were prepared by the Torrington Mothers’ Union, and the music provided by Mr Sid cRees and his band. The MC was Mr Ralph Mitchell. Father Christmas was played by Mr Edward Harrison, son of the Vicar, Rev P G Harrison. A variety concert was given by young members of the choir. Sunday School teachers Mr Walter Webber, Miss L Mathews, Misses Wendy Lugg, Sally Darch, Judith Downing, Daphne Moore and Jean Wheeler were presented with boxes of chocolates. These were handed to them by Neil and Robert Plows, Robert Briggs, Malcolm Trimm and Caroline Camp. On leaving the hall after a most enjoyable time, each child received bags of sweets from Father Christmas.
Nearly 300 adults and children attended the children’s annual party given by the Sports and Social Club of Unigate Dairy, Torrington, and held in the factory canteen on Saturday. As usual the highlight was the delicious tea prepared by the canteen staff. Party games were enjoyed and on leaving the children, whose ages ranged from months to 15 years, received sweets, an orange and a balloon. The Club provided buses to carry the guest to and from town.
Westleigh County Primary School plans for a swimming pool.
Bideford builders Messrs Acford and Waldron have won an appeal against the refusal of Northam Urban Council, acting for the County Council, to approve plans for the erection of three terraced bungalows and garages at ‘Aysha’ off Golf Links Road, Westward Ho!
The Follies present ‘Dick Whittington’ written and produced by Ada Powell. Leading parts are taken by: Judy Kelly, Marion Owen, Bill Thisby, Geraldine Jewell, Stephen Shortridge, Anthony Eagle, Jean Moon, Lee Lancaster, Janette Moon, Doris Thisby, Vicky Hosegood, Jacqueline Turner, Arthur Eagle, Muriel Eagle, David Clegg, Phyllis Stevens, Ruth Smallridge and David Eveleigh.
To mark the golden jubilee of the Women’s Institute movement, Westward Ho! WI are to give to the district an outdoor electric clock. They had suggested that it might be sited at the main putting green. When this was reported to Northam Urban Council, the chairman, Mr A C Saunders, expressing gratitude, recalled that the Council recently received a public seat, a gift from Northam WI.
A 16 year old Edgehill College sixth-former was one of over 1,000 young people from 44 countries including Vietnam, Korea and the Congo, who attended a special ‘peace’ conference at Caux, near Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The trip cost Joy Leach, of The Pottery, Yelland Manor, Yelland, just £22. Joy went to Switzerland a week before the conference began and earned her keep in the kitchens and waiting in the mansion where the conference was held. During the conference she sang in a 200 strong international chorus and this summer she intends to return to rehearse with the choir for a tour of Europe.
