March 1923
Deaths – Beddis; Broadway at Hazeldene, Clovelly Road, Bideford; Jenkins at the Top of High Street, Bessie, wife of William Henry Jenkins, Coal Merchant; Routly at Keyham, Lime Grove; at Matthew Mills, Alverdiscott, John Joy; at 8 Montague Place, William Short; the wife of Mr Ernest Armitage, and fifth daughter of the late J R Pine-Coffin Esq, of Portledge and of Mrs Pine-Coffin, of Kenwith; Henry M Burrow, formerly of Mill Street, Bideford; at Ridgeway, Orchard Hill, Emily Smart;
In the House of Commons. Mr Amery, answering Viscount Curzon, said it had been decided that the Coastguards, apart from the very small portion of the force which carried out naval duties, should be re-constituted as a coast-watching service, removed from the Admiralty administration, and placed under the Board of Trade. The change would take place on April 1st next.
Teachers pay is in the news, but with a surprising twist. Devon Education Committee is planning “yet another conference” with elementary school teachers with a view to reducing their salaries. Mr J M Metherell remarked that if the salaries were reduced by 10% as recommended there would be warfare. The committee finally decided to appoint a sub-committee to deal with the matter.
In regard to the question of engagement of labour on the North Devon Railway, the Divisional office, Bristol, wrote that this was receiving the department’s closest attention. Torrington Local Employment Committee called attention to the lack of shelter on the six miles of tracks from Torrington to Yarde, and also complained that night shifts of twelve hours were being worked.
Apply to the County Fire Office Ltd for fire, accidents, and burglary and theft policies.
Articles from ‘Home Feature’
Appledore men in danger.
Buy the Marconiphone from Walter J Pitt, Bideford Motor Works, Bideford.
A look to the future with two new Bideford magistrates – Mr A R Adams, twice mayor of Bideford, and Mr John H Davis, builder’s foreman.
His Honour Judge Lindley at Bideford County Court gave an award in a workmen’s compensation claim brought by Francis Gordon Seage, butcher’s assistant, of 3 Allhalland Street, against Mr Alfred Dennis, butcher of 72 High Street.
The lamp standard of Bideford Quay at the bottom of High Street has now been moved several feet nearer High Street and clear of the run along the Quay. All vehicular traffic moving from the Quay into High Street or vice-versa will now be required to pass the lamp on its correct side.
The Board of Guardians of the Bideford Union Workhouse invites tenders from local tradespeople for a wide variety of items. Some are quite specific; these include “Bread, composed of the best superfine flour, well baked and drawn from the oven twelve hours before delivery.” Also “coffee, not to exceed twenty per cent of chicory”.
Roselea, Westcombe, Bideford – household furniture for sale on behalf of Mrs Mansell.
s.s. Monkstone takes the water at Bideford – launch of sixth ship built by Hansen Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Co. Ltd.
At a meeting of the Farmers’ Union, mention was made of the inconvenience to farmers and their wives of Bideford shops shutting during the dinner hour on market days, which is not done in other places. Mr J M Metherell proposed writing on the subject to the Bideford Chamber of Commerce, Mr Pickard (Hartland) seconding this suggestion. In the meantime, Bideford shops are gearing up for Easter (Sunday 1 April).
Bideford Amateur Rowing Club’s new boat house should be finished by Easter. The new Tubbing boat, being built by Messrs Hinks of Appledore, is also approaching completion and is expected to be launched at Easter. A ladies hockey match between Bideford and West Bank (presumably the school) was won by West Bank with a score of seven goals to three. The report states that the Bidefordians were rather weak and much below their usual form.
Mr Richard Oke, of Lower Village, Bradworthy, passed away after a long illness, during the last three years of which he has been confined to his bed. The annual Foreign Missionary Services in the United Methodist Church, Bradworthy, were conducted by Miss L Edwards, who preached tow appropriate sermons to large congregations. The public meeting addressed by the Deputation (Rev AL Trudgeon, Hatherleigh) was presided over by Rev J L Orchard. The collections were £3 in advanced of last year, thanks for such being partially due to the collectors: Master Donald Harris, Alfred Ham and G Petherick.
At Hartland, much damage was done to roofs etc. by the storm on Monday last week. Whooping cough is prevalent among children and some adults are also victims. Burrow & Co, auctioneers, will sell by auction the furniture of Mill Hill, Hartland, items including a good brass dial eight-day Grandfather clock in a birch case. The clock was made by Phil Walton of Holsworthy.
A competition at Langtree for the best sample of butter made from a specified separator has been won by Mrs Hackwill, of Suddon Farm. Mr A Todd, of the British Dairy Institute, Reading, acted as judge. At a special meeting of the Parish Council the following were appointed on the Committee for Higher Education: Mrs S J Sanders, Mrs Jones, and Messrs Jones, Hackwill, Short, Burrows, Hill, Andrews, Moore and Adams.
North Devon wedding – Pennington-Heywood at Wesleyan Church, Littleham.
The bridegroom’s gifts to the bride were a silver tea service and her bouquet. To the bridesmaid he gave a gold bracelet. The bridegroom’s present from the bride was a clock. A reception was held afterwards at Littleham Court, the home of the bride. Later in the day the happy couple left for Torquay when the honeymoon is being spent.
Mr A W Cock, FAI, held an auction at the Working Men’s Club, Northam, on behalf of Mr William Ashplant, for the sale of various local properties. No. 1 Cross Street was sold to Mr S Fulford for £680; No. 2 Cross Street at £300, smith’s shop and garden at £200, and No. 5 Cross Street at £160 to Mr B Blake; cottage and garden to Mr Elton, £225; double fronted cottage, Lyalls, to Mr W F Ashplant, £650; garden, Mr J Jeffery, £400; stable and garden, Mr Stone, £145; also No. 3 Cross Street, freehold, to Mr C Bishop at £140. There was a crowded attendance and biddings were brisk.
Mr C M Stone, headmaster of Northam School for the past forty years, is retiring at Easter. He will continue to reside in the area. Dr Francis, Medical Officer of Health, reported to Northam Council that in the last month there had been eight births and ten deaths, two of the latter being due to accidents and involving inquests. Five were males and five females. Four were in Northam, three in Westward Ho!, two in Appledore and one in Orchard Hill. One case of Enteric Fever had been notified, but this was not a concern as the patient had recently returned from the continent.
Mr Hill has taken over the duties of Headmaster of Parkham Council School. In the monthly spoon competition Mr F Ley and Mrs G Jewell of Parkham tied with 71 pins each. The first throw off they again tied but on the second trial G Jewell brought the greater number and thus holds the spoon for the month. Mrs Knowles, IRAM, is greatly interested in conducting and training the singing in St James’ Church, Parkham. Miss Sluman acts as organist for the training and a good number attend.
Mrs Anne Baglow, a very old and respected inhabitant of Parkham has died after a brief illness, at Hillside Hoops. Her husband pre-deceased her 17 years ago.
A movement is being made to restart the Band at Parkham. The Trustees have kindly given permission for the use of instruments, and also the loan of the Parish Room for practice. The old Bandmaster has been asked to train the members of the new Band.
The Devon County Council Poultry School has been at Shebbear since 5 March and has been met with great enthusiasm. The Instructor was Mr E Russell who gave lessons in artificial hatching, feeding, killing, plucking and trussing. There are so many adverts for eggs and poultry that they have their own category. Among the breeds on offer this month are White Leghorns, White Wyandottes, Black Minorcas, Light Sussexes, Silver Campines and Sicillian Buttercups – and also Khaki Campell Ducks.
A wedding has been celebrated in St Giles Parish Church between Miss Jessie Jewell of South Healand Farm and Mr Stanley Hooper of Waggadon Farm, Huntshaw. The bride was charmingly gowned in “silk lace with silk underground”.
Negligent cycling. Before His Honour Judge Lindley at Torrington County Court, Caleb Ayre, labourer, Petersmarland, sued Bert Dymond, labourer on the Torrington-Halwill Railway, also of Petersmarland, for damages for personal injuries and loss of wages, in consequence of having been knocked down through the alleged negligent riding of a bicycle by defendant.
Many will regret to learn of the death of Mrs Grace Baker, wife of Henry Baker, of Calf Street, Torrington, who passed away following a brief illness.
Presentation to Mr John Quick who worked at Torrington Post Office.
Tenants were the purchasers of freehold farms at Weare Gifford, portions of the Earl of Fortescue’s estate. Polkinghorne Farm was sold to Mr W H Moore for £1,450; Netherdon Farm to Mr Grigg for £2,450; Salterns Farm to Mr Grigg for £1,800 and Park Farm to Mr E Becklake for £1,775.
At Bideford County Sessions before Mr H N G Stucley, Mrs Minnie Sinclair, a widow of Westward Ho! who did not appear, was summoned for permitting a dog to be on the highway without a collar with the name and address of the owner upon it. The Bench imposed a fine of 12s.
Modern and antique household furniture from Torridge House, Westward Ho! is for sale.
The council will offer Mr Lewis his present privileges on the sea front at Westward Ho! at £90 per annum for three years, subject to his maintaining the slipway at least nine feet wide and the pathway to the huts at four feet wide.
At the Alminstone Wesleyan Church, Woolsery, the wedding took place of Miss Melinda Davey, second daughter of Mr and Mrs George Davey of Lane Mills, and Mr Ernest Dunn, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Dunn, of Shoreston Farm, Morwenstow. There were two bridesmaid, Miss Kate Davey and Miss Evelyn Dunn.
March 1973
Men’s Lib – F R Sunderland, Menswear
Everything went smoothly when the 4,500 ton container ship Manchester Vigour, the largest ship to be built in the covered yard of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd, was eased out into the River Torridge. The new ship, one of two ordered by Manchester Liners, in a contract worth over £4½ million, will be named next month.
Appledore’s young Elizabethans. Prior to the launching of the replica of The Golden Hinde from the yard of Messrs J Hinks and Son, Appledore, a colourful entertainment recalling the days of the first Queen Elizabeth will be presented by members of Appledore Youth Sports and Social Club.
This Appledore Badminton Club team are having a fine season. Left to right: Geoff Drew, Geraldine Jones, Graham Gardner, Marie Harris, Colin Greenslade and Rose Peacham.
The proposal of the South West Regional Hospital Board to end the arrangement under which National Health maternity patients are admitted to the Grenville Nursing Home at Bideford is being opposed by the Town Council unless six maternity beds are provided for National Health patients at Bideford Hospital. Members decided this after hearing that all the local doctors had made similar representations. Members have agreed to press for the continued use of the home, or, alternatively, the provision of facilities locally for ‘simple births.’
Bideford and district has shared this week in the nationwide rush to get smallpox vaccinations following the London outbreak. Both Bideford and Northam health centres reported a big run on supplies, and at Northam the centre was temporarily out of stock of vaccine as a result of the demand from local people planning holidays abroad.
Two sought after bus is taken from Bideford.
Mr Alfred Hookway, of 27 High Park Close, Bideford, was among 22 members of the staff of the Western National Bus Company who have qualified for a 40 years long service award and who were guests at a celebration dinner at Dawlish.
Mr and Mrs Frank Cleverdon, of Cresta, First Raleigh, Bideford, celebrated their golden wedding. They were married in Littleham Methodist chapel. The bridegroom was the tenth child of Mr and Mrs William F Cleverdon, of Milford, Buckland Brewer, and the bride was Miss Vaggers of Littleham.
Victor Lewis, whose parents live at 8 Market Place, Bideford, worked as a machinist with Toy Works Ltd before joining the Army. This has been his first experience of overseas duty. Now he is back in Gillingham, Kent, the Devon and Dorsets’ base, with his wife and son.
Five senior pupils of Bideford Grammar School and four of Edgehill College are combining in a bid to raise over £100 for Shelter by means of a sponsored badminton marathon. They are Elaine Witney, Betty Maynard, Barbara Mitchells, Janet Hore, Christopher Allin, Robert Dunford, Jeremy Hodge, Andrew Shepherd and Anthony Slee. Beginning April 6, the last day of term, in the grammar school gym, they will play badminton doubles, and hope to keep it up non-stop for eight days.
A happy group of young ‘queens’ at Bideford’s annual ‘Festival of queens’ in aid of the National Children’s Home. The festival was held at Stella Maris hall, Mr Pat Hughes being chairman. The Mayoress, Mrs N Needs, deputised for Mrs Hughes.
Buckland Brewer – When Mr and Mrs John Slee, of Highbury, celebrated with a family gathering for their golden wedding anniversary, there were also present two bridesmaids and the best man. The bridesmaids were Mr Slee’s sister, Mrs Ivy Brimacombe of Putford, and the bride’s cousin, Mrs Edna Sawle of Westward Ho! The best man was Mr Slee’s brother, Leslie, who farms Sedborough, Parkham.
As a result of a variety sale £31 was raised for Buckland Brewer school funds. The event was held at the primary school.
Buckland swim pool target soon reached.
Members of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club with the impressive array of trophies they have won. Sitting at the table is club chairman Mrs Janet Brown and club secretary Mr Maurice Poole. Individual cups for the members gaining most points in the group throughout the year – won by Miss Margaret Heywood and Mr Donald Harris.
At Clovelly parish hall a bingo session raised £17 for the local funds for cancer. Mr J J Headon was door steward and the callers were Mr C Pengilley, Mr D Carter and Mrs D Grills. Refreshments were served by Mrs R Kelly. Draw winners Mrs D Grills, Mr V Smith and Mrs Rowe (Hartland).
Cattle for sale by auction from Hugglepit, Clovelly.
An ‘attractive’ sale at West Staddon, Hartland.
Langtree Primary schoolchildren demonstrated their considerable skill as potters at a parent’s evening. Colourful vases, pots and tiles made, fired and glazed by the children were seen in all stages of production from the raw clay at an exhibition by Mr John Allison of the school staff.
Yeo Vale House in the parish of Littleham, a mansion that was to become a crumbling memorial to one man’s pique, is no more. To the end this part-Jacobean, part Georgian building on the bank of the River Yeo gave from a distance an impression of the stately home it once was. But it had become a danger and eventually Government permission to demolish it was given. The story of its decline began 40 years ago. One day, the owner Mr Stephen Berrold, having sold all the surrounding land right up to the walls of his home, left by way of the front door, locked it behind him, and disappeared. So far as is known he never returned to the area. It is said that he tangled with an adjoining landowner who had felled a couple of trees. An incensed Mr Berrold claimed that his view had been ruined and vowed that never again would his house be lived in. And it never was – other than by wild life. It became a furniture store, and subsequently, the owner of the adjoining farm, Mr Westaway, stored grain on the ground floor. He was eventually given permission to demolish it.
At the presentation to Northam Health Centre of special eye-examination equipment costing in the region of £800, the gift of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. Left to right: Dr R Hunt, Mr Joe Ball, Dr C J Carey, Dr J E Lyons, Mr D Cowling and Dr A J W Jarvis.
There was a large attendance at the public auction of approximately 90 acres of land at Northam and Appledore, to wind up an estate. This included Bonehill Farm.
Engaged couples who have been on Northam Urban Council’s waiting list for six months are to be considered for housing if their proposed wedding date is near. Members agreed this because of the difficulty of obtaining rented accommodation or mortgages.
A new primary school at Torrington is among the South West’s 58 new major building projects to improve or replace old, substandard primary schools authorised by the Education Secretary, Mrs Margaret Thatcher.
The last Mayor of Torrington will be Alderman Mrs Margaret Pitts, who, in 1967, was only the second woman mayor in the long history of the borough.
Fifty years’ association with the North Devon Clay Company has been marked for Mr E A Holwill of Torrington, by the presentation, at a gathering of his fellow directors, of an inscribed portable radio. Mr Holwill, who has no immediate plans for retirement, joined the company – of which his uncle, Mr Henry Holwill, was then managing director – when he came to Torrington in 1923. The company is now part of the Watts, Blake, Bearne Group of Newton Abbot.
A planning application for a public house, restaurant and holiday homes on the site of the Atlanta Hotel, Westward Ho! has been recommended for approval by Northam Urban Council. R Harris and Son Ltd, who made the application, were ordered by the council at its previous meeting to clear the site.
The Westward Holiday Village in Westward Ho! has been sold for more than £250,000 to the Bideford-based Woodsmith Group of Companies.
Westward Ho! Women’s Institute celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner at Instow. Fifty-eight members attended and a number of husbands were present. A beautifully decorated cake, made by Mrs Powell, was cut by seven of the original members – Mesdames L Pope, A Bellew, E Burrow, A Gray, J Littlejohns, G Moore and N Parker.
Costing £85,000, one of Devon’s new area primary schools was officially opened at Winkleigh by Mr Charles Ansell, vice-chairman of Devon County Council.
At the Farmers Arms, Woolsery, of which he had been licensee for 12 years, the death has occurred of Mr Percy Chapple. Prior to going to the inn he farmed at Venn, Woolsery. He had previously lived at Meshaw where he was leader of the Young Farmers’ Club. The funeral service was at All Hallows church, the Vicar, Rev L A Buttle officiating, Mrs D J Cloke was organist. The bearers were Messrs C Piper, A Ashton, R Wonnacott, W Raffe, F Cloke and M Vanstone.
Some of those participating in a skittles competition at Woolsery to raise funds for the restoration of the bells of the parish church.
Norman Andrew; Joe Burrow; Colin Stevens; Cath Raffe; John Raffe; 'Bonty' Johns;
March 1998
Torridge District Council has abandoned plans to find a new home for Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Cricket Club. Instead, officers will help the Devon league club develop its facilities on its seafront ground. The idea of creating a new facility for football and cricket further along Golf Links Road was mooted more than a year ago but it has been scrapped due largely to the prohibitive cost, in the region of £785,000.
Regulars at two Appledore riverside pubs – the Beaver Inn and the Royal George – are combining a clean up of their local beaches and charity fundraising as their part in the local spring clean campaign. In the picture are Barry Lewis with Graham, Eleanor and baby Alison Stone.
Youngsters from Appledore Primary School visited the Maritime Museum to get a taste of Victorian schooldays in a recreated classroom.
Bideford Manor Court fears about bridge.
An ancient Bideford landmark was restored to its lofty perch at the summit of the parish church tower after a break of more than 30 years. It has been worked on by volunteer maintenance team Roy Fox, John Elrick and Robin Mackleden, who are in the picture with Bideford curate Bill MacKenzie.
Give Philip Brock of Ayres Close, Bideford, a blank wall and some tins of paint and he will create a fantasy world for you. He has just done that in a waiting room for the young patients at Bideford Hospital where he has decorated a scene based on The Lion King. He has an appreciative fan club for his work. There’s his wife, Trina, and two children, Sabrina and Vincent.
Three unique pieces of Victorian engineering have been saved for posterity by Bideford Town Council. The acquisitions are old sewer vent pipes, each topped with an ornate cast iron finial, which were destined to be removed by South West Water. Town Mayor Joyce Elliott joined worker Charlie New in the air for a closer look at the restored pipe at the junction of Kingsley Road and Chanters Road. The other pipes are at the junctions of Northam Road and Glendale Terrace, and Clovelly Road and Catshole Lane.
Supermum Julie Ousley, of Brecon Close, was the centre of attention when she re-opened the Woolworths store in Bideford after major refurbishment. Mother of four Julie became a Woolworths VIP for the day after winning the company’s Best Mum in Bideford competition. She also enjoyed a champagne breakfast and received £50 in vouchers.
Buckland Brewer Primary School is making a bid for government money to refurbish its hall so that it can be used for recreation.
Film makers are on location on Torridgeside, shooting in Hartland and Bideford for Channel Four Films. Award winning actor Tim Roth has been making his directorial debut with the shooting of The War Zone, starring Tilda Swinton and Ray Winstone. Cameras have already rolled around Hartland, including at Little Barton Farm and at Hartland Quay. The action switched to Bideford High Street, where the filming centred on the family-run café of Brian and Hazel Stanbury. Brian has a small part in the film.
Organiser Jenny Clarke donned a Dipsy costume to go over the edge at Hartland Quay to support North Devon Hospice. “We are very grateful to Dipsy for coming and showing people that anyone can do this” said Jenny. But Dipsy added “Tinky Winky can do it next time!”
You can buy an executive style detached house in the village of Littleham.
A novel fundraising campaign by parents to enlarge their children’s school came a step closer. The Friends of St George’s infants’ School at Northam called on local building firms to help in their need for an extra classroom. Money provided via grants had left the school with £8,000 to find said Friends’ secretary Caroline Maund, which had now been reduced to £1,200 after fundraising. Prowting Homes played its part with a cheque for £250.
Higher Glen, on Orchard Hill, Northam, is for sale.
A former chef on the QE2 has tied up with his family at the well known Memories restaurant in Northam. Robert and Mairead Vogel have added their own touches and professional skills to ensure a first quality dining experience. Robert has cooked for a vast number of famous customers such as the Queen and Prince Philip, Rod Steward, Piers Brosnan, Julia Roberts and Rutger Haur to name but a few.
There were surprises in store for Lady Clinton of Heanton Satchville, near Merton, when she was sworn in as the new High Sheriff of Devon at a colourful ceremony in Torrington. Awaiting her arrival was a special guard of honour formed by members of the Torrington Cavaliers and of the Society of the Sealed Knot. Following the ceremony in the Town Hall, the new High Sheriff was greeted by pupils from the Clinton School at Merton, of which she is a governor. Pupil Annie Ritson presented her with a bouquet.
The former Dairy Crest creamery in Torrington could be back in business by this summer, bringing with it much needed jobs. Fifty local farmers have combined to form a new company, Torridge Vale Limited, to process and sell their milk and clotted cream from part of the factory. Later, they are hoping to diversify into yoghurt and ice cream.
A Torrington period town house is for sale.
Detached dormer, lodge style residence in Torrington for sale.
There will be some special treats among the weekly shopping of Sal Gibbons, of Westleigh, after winning £2,500 worth of vouchers at her local Somerfield store. She won her prize in a saving stamps free prize draw. Daughter Margaret Dennis and Gillian Sanders accompanied their mum when she received her prize from manger Larry Keen.
Proposals put forward by Torridge District Council to restrict dogs on Westward Ho! beach have been approved in principle by the Department of the Environment. Byelaws will now be drawn up and submitted for confirmation by the Secretary of State.
