April 1923

Births – a daughter to Mr and Mrs Vernon C Boyle; a daughter to Dr and Mrs Cianter (nee Woodyatt); at 8 Cold Harbour, to Mr and Mrs Richard Lang, a son (nee Minnie Folley); at Cross Street, Northam, to Mr and Mrs Edward Littlejohns, a son (nee Hilda Pester); a daughter for Mr and Mrs A K P Woodyatt; at 75 New Street, Torrington, to Mr and Mrs J H Holwill, a daughter; at Kenmare Cottage, Buckleigh, to Mr and Mrs A P Tucker, a daughter;

Marriages – Bealey-Cock; Pett-Squires; Burrow-Woodyatt; Haynes-Buscomb; Piper-Branch; Pickard-Rundle; Searle-Bowdidge; Mitchell-Ackland

Deaths – Frances Cannon; Mary M Pickard; John Bishop; Howard George Brain; John Crealock; Charles Hilgrove Gossett; Robert William Purves; Harry Spry; Alfred John Dark; Laura Rummens; at Sunnyholme, Appledore, Mrs Coombe, widow of the late William Coombe, of Torrington;

For the eyes and eyelashes.

Emergency menus

The Central Wages Board for railways met in London and made its periodical review of the sliding scale wage agreement based on the cost of living. It was decided that, as there had not been a full five-point reduction in the figures published in the ‘Labour Gazette’ for March as compared with those on which the last reduction took place, there would be no alteration in the amount paid over the basic rate for the next three months.

No station for Black Torrington.

Later in the month, Torrington Rural Council received a letter from the Halwill-Torrington Railway Company enclosing a diagram showing the following proposed stopping places: Petersmarland Halt, Huish Station, Meeth Halt, Hatherleigh Station, and Black Torrington Station.

Knocked down by a down train at the limekiln near Bideford Station on the Southern Railway, a cow belonging to Mr Fulford, of Southcott, was killed. The animal lay in the pay of the five o’clock up train, which was stopped, and officials on board removed the cow before the train proceeded.

In a follow-up to one of last month’s stories, Devon Elementary School teachers who have not accepted the 5% salary cut decided on by Devon County Council have been served by registered post with three months’ notice to terminate their agreements.

Fourteen teams competed in a North Devon ringing festival held at Bishopstawton Parish Church – Atherington, Bratton Fleming, Loxhore, Langtree, Torrington, Mortehoe, Marwood, Littleham and Iddesleigh being represented.

Summer time, which is now fixed by the Summer Time Act, will begin this year at 2 o’clock Greenwich Mean Time on the morning of Sunday April 22nd and will continue until 2 o’clock Greenwich Mean Time on the morning of Sunday September 16th. 

An excellent entertainment took place in the Abbotsham Schoolroom, promoted and arranged by Mrs F B Kempe and Miss A F Turner, who are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts. The first part of the programme consisted of selections from HMS Pinafore followed by an amusing sketch entitled ‘A Quiet Cup of Tea’. The entertainment was followed by a dance which was kept up until 12 o’clock, music being very kindly provided by Miss N Bluett at the piano and Messrs T and C Easton, who played the accordian and violin. Refreshments were provided by members of Mrs F B Kempe’s Working Party who, as usual, were most helpful.

The death has occurred at No. 1210 Grape Street, New York, USA, of Mrs Ann Keen Land, a native of Appledore, who was the oldest person in New York State, and with one exception the oldest ever to live in Onondaga county. She was 104 years of age. Mrs Land, whose maiden name was Keen, was a member of a well known Appledore family. Members of the family still reside in North Devon. Mrs Land, with her husband, Mr John Land, went to Syracuse from England 70 years ago, and since that time she had resided in the same house. Her husband lost his life in the Civil War, after having been several months in the active fighting line.

In Cardiff, a special presentation was made on behalf of the Portuguese Government to Capt A E Tamlyn, of the steamship Cardiff City, owned by Sir W Reardon Smith and Sons. The presentation was for the gallant conduct of the master and crew in effecting the rescue of the aviators, Commander Secadura Cabral, and Pilot Gago Continno, and their seaplane. Capt Tamlyn is a native of Appledore and is the nephew of Mr E J Tamlyn.

The Vicar of Appledore presented Mrs F C Huxtable with a gift.

Mrs Elizabeth Oatway, of the Grand Hotel, Appledore, pleaded guilty to a summons for selling spirit without a license, thereby rendering herself liable to a penalty of £50. Mr W Park, Surveyor of Customs and Excise, appeared to prosecute for the Commissioners. The Bench imposed a fine of £3 3s.

At Bideford County Sessions, Bertram Hancock for riding a bicycle at night without a light, on the Northam-Appledore road on March 20th, was fined 3s. PC Martin stated the facts.

Aldermen Thomas Goaman, John Cock, J M Metherell, Messrs Thomas Pollard and A G Duncan are to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Bideford.

Frank Prust is summoned for failing to have his name and address on a vehicle used for delivering milk. He is fined 3s.

S Metherell, Market Place, Bideford, uses 'local labour' for his ladies’ tailoring and we wondered why it was this was highlighted. It may be linked to the stories about large numbers of men from other areas arriving in the locality, as reported by the workhouses. The vagrants are complaining that they were promised work on the Torrington to Halwill railway construction, but the Labour exchange would not issue tickets to strangers until all local men were used up. Sadly it seems many of the local men who presented themselves at the railway were incapable of carrying out the hard manual work required.

Bideford Farmers Union is calling for the urgent enlargement of Bideford Cattle Market, for which the necessary ground has been purchased but there have been repeated delays in implementing the improvements. Further discussions on this matter continue in the paper throughout the month.

Another story earning a lot of coverage is the ongoing competition between Bideford and Barnstaple as to which is the busier port. Barnstaple’s claim is reported in the Western Morning News and the Mercury. Mr W T Goaman has asked the Town Council for an analysis; Mr J M Metherell had been told by an Appledore skipper that for every one ship going to Barnstaple, two or three went to Bideford.

Successful whist drive and dance in the Drill Hall, Bideford.

A very pretty wedding was solemnised at Bideford Baptist Church by the Rev H Trotman, the contracting parties being Mr Cecil T Burrow, Place Court, Colaton Raleigh, and Margaretta E P Woodyatt, daughter of Mr and Mrs Woodyatt, Roysen, Westward Ho! Mr Stanley Burrow attended to the duties of best man, while Mr H P Woodyatt carried out the duties of groomsman in an efficient manner.

What’s showing at the Palladium in Mill Street?

Road traffic over the Easter holiday is described as having been “excessive”. Rarely has there been such an abundance of motor traffic on the Bideford to Barnstaple road, much of it going to the Point-to-Point races at Melbury. Heavier than usual traffic was also reported at Westward Ho!

Widening of Bideford Bridge.

Planting season has arrived, and the first paper of the month carries several adverts for vegetable seeds and seed potatoes.

An exceedingly pretty wedding in which much interest was evinced was solemnized in the Wesleyan Church, Buckland Brewer, the contracting parties being Mr G H Bealey, younger son of Mr Bealey, East Hele, and Miss Cock, elder daughter of Mr J Cock, Gorwood. Mr Frances Allen, cousin of the bridegroom, proved an efficient best man, while the Rev A W Bunnett, MA, Supt Wesleyan Minister, officiated at the interesting ceremony.

At Hartland, the Providence Chapel Anniversary was celebrated on Good Friday. The public tea was well attended. Ladies helping were Mesdames Allin, Andrew, Beer, Goaman, Johns, Prouse, Slee, Misses M Cruse, Goaman, and Slee. The Church was crowded for the evening meeting presided over by the Pastor, E Hill. Mrs J Cruse presided at the organ. At the supper which followed Mr Hill presented an oak salad bowl and silver ash tray to Mr and Mrs Cleave as an appreciation of the valued services faithfully and lovingly rendered.

Second annual flower show held in the Rifle Hall, Instow, and organised by Miss Hinchliff of Worlington House.

During the interval of the Pilton v Instow football match a pleasing little ceremony took place, when Mr Ernest Snell, the popular centre-half of the Instow team, was presented on behalf of the Club with a handsome silver fruit basket as a mark of esteem on the occasion of his marriage. Mr Snell heartily thanked the Club for the beautiful gift, which he should greatly treasure, on behalf of his wife and himself, and mentioned that he hoped to play football for a few more seasons yet, and his remarks were greeted with a cheer.

At the United Methodist Chapel in Langtree, the wedding was solemnised by Rev R W Luxton of Miss Edith Palmer, second daughter of Mr John Palmer, and Mr Charles Bale, second son of Mr and Mrs J Bale of Frithelstock. Suitable hymns were rendered, led by Mr Francis Moore on the organ.

The death of Mr John Walters of Langtree casts a gloom.

At Langtree, the School Managers, Messrs Short, Hackwill, Cole and Sanders, with the Rector, Rev B Hallowes, met and decided to carry out the instructions of the Devon Education Committee by giving all teachers three months’ notice to cancel their engagements.

A wedding took place at the Wesleyan Church, Littleham, the contracting parties being Mr Frank Cleverdon, sixth son of the late Mr W Cleverdon and Mrs Cleverdon, of Milford, Buckland Brewer, and Miss Bessie Vaggers, of Nethercleave, only daughter of Mr and Mrs W Vaggers, Littleham.

The funeral of Mr John Crealock, who died at Higher Cleave House, Bideford, took place at Littleham, his native home, the Rev F Kerrich officiating.

Lundy Island’s vestry meeting was interesting from many points, for it was the first held for many years, and Rev Henry H Lane, who presided, is the first Rector since 1355. Ladies were appointed to both wardenships, Mrs Lane being appointed by the Rector, and Miss Sage being elected people’s warden.

At Monkleigh, the Village Club and Skittle Club finished the winter session by a supper in the Club room. The supper was excellently served by Mr and Mrs Henry Redcliffe, of the Bell Inn. Lieut-Col Parsons presided over a good number of members, and, after toasting “The King” proposed “Continued prosperity and success to the Monkleigh Village and Skittle Club.” They brought people together and promoted good fellowship and enjoyment.

Apply to Walter J Barnes, Clerk to the Council, Northam Urban District Council for the post of Working Foreman.

Charles Hodgkins, 19, George Hodgkins, 18, Frederick Jewell, 16, Stanley Curtis, 16 and Bertie Jewell, 16, all at Northam, were are Bideford County Sessions fined 1s each for playing football in the road between Westward Ho! and Northam on Sunday evening. PC Uglow proved the case, and although the defendants denied playing ‘football’ one of them admitted that the ball was ‘headed’ into a field. The chairman, Mr Stucley, hoped the penalty would prevent others committing similar offences to the annoyance of passers-by.

At Bideford County Sessions, Col F W Bennet in the chair, Charles Moore, 46, farmer, of Dyers’ Moor Farm, Parkham, who did not appear, was summoned for being the owner of two colts found straying on the highway known as Melbury Road.

At Parkham, Mr F Harding presided over the Parish Council meeting. It was decided to call the Surveyor’s attention to the very blind corners at Kilvenstool and Foxdown. A fatal accident has happened at the former, whilst a motorcycle and car had a narrow escape at the latter.

Mr and Mrs T Arnold, of the Bell Inn, Parkham, celebrated their golden wedding.

The death has occurred of Mrs A Baglehole, an old and respected parishioner of Parkham, who had reached the age of 87 years. She leaves a grown up family to mourn their loss, her husband having pre-deceased her about 17 years ago. The funeral took place in the parish churchyard amid many tokens of sympathy and respect.

The death of Mr Henry Mullins, in his 71st year, is announced. Deceased, who had just retired from the position of rural postman, was a prominent figure on the bowling green, and took a very keen interest in the game. Rev P Luxton officiated at the funeral, the immediate mourners being

A music and dancing licence has been granted to the lounge at the Golden Bay Hotel, Westward Ho!, at the request of the landlord Lt-Col Maskell.

The wedding took place at Woolsery Church, Rev L R Lewis officiating, of Mr Fred E Salter to Miss Ina Florence Japp.

And finally:

Broncho Bill’s Circus is visiting the Pill, Bideford, and then going on to Torrington. The two elephants, Salt and Saucy are twenty-eight years old. Saucy is the only elephant in the world who can stand on her head and it took three years to teach her the stunt. The elephants have their toe-nails manicured and polished every three weeks.

 April 1973

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 this week the centre was temporarily out of stock of vaccine as a result of the demand from local people planning holidays abroad.

Peace such as it had not known for 12 months or more returned to the Watertown shipyard of Messrs J. Hinks and Son at Appledore on Friday morning. The lofty building that had become a Mecca for thousands, and out of which the Golden Hinde replica had slid so sweetly the night before, seemed strangely empty. A sense of achievement and satisfaction had been left, but it could not wholly dispel a sense of anti-climax. Principal of the firm, Mr Alan Hinks, agreed to its presence, “But we have a small trawler and other boats to carry on with. There is no danger of our becoming a specialist firm. I do not think that by building the Golden Hinde we lost any particular contracts.”

Additional enjoyment was provided at the launching of the Golden Hinde by an Elizabethan fayre presented by Appledore youths sports and social club. A colourful procession by members had as its climax the knighting of Francis Drake by Queen Elizabeth. A fencing display by Mr Wyngrave Payne and company provided a touch of drama and there was background music by the recorder group of Appledore country primary school led by the headmaster, Mr R. Curtis. In addition to Morris dancing, the ribbon dance was performed with charm by members of Barnstaple Operatic Society. Colour as well as practical help was provided by Torrington Cavaliers who also contested a tug-o’war with men from the shipyard.

The Westcountry’s representatives in the last 32 of the Sunday People pub sports quiz will be the Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Cricket Club. They won their way into the third round of this national tournament by beating the Victoria Sports Club, of Street, 26-22 in a nail-biting finish. And no one was more delighted with the Bideford side’s win than David Cox, the 29-year-old precision engineer who in the previous round scored more than half his side’s points. Against the Street team he was again one of the mainstays of his side and he, team secretary Phil Lucock and team-mate Dick Churchill combined forces to answer the vital last questions successfully.

But it was the usually so reliable defence that contributed most to the downfall. Two unfortunate mistakes in the opening half were seized by Bognor to give them two goals in a 10-minute spell. Steve Snell cancelled out the first with an equaliser within a minute but their second marked the beginning of the end. Despite this Bideford still had more scoring chances, especially in the first half and the latter part of the second. A reflection of this was that Bideford had 10 corners awarded to them and Bognor only one. Against the run of play Bognor netted a third just before the final whistle.

At 7 a.m. tomorrow, nine Bideford students will finish a game of badminton which started at 7 p.m. last Friday night. It won’t be the longest game on record, but it will have lasted 180 hours and resulted in about £200 being raised for Shelter. Yesterday the students, who are being sponsored collectively at the rate of a little over £1 an hour, decided to abandon their original plan to attack the world record which would have meant them playing on until Sunday. Janet Hore, Betty Maynard, Barbara Mitchell and Elaine Withey are pupils at Edgehill College and Andrew Shepherd, Jeremy Hodge, Jamie Slee, Robert Dunsford and Christopher Allin attend Bideford Grammar School, where the marathon game is being staged.

Did you go to Dolly’s Salon?

All the children of Buckland Brewer country primary school took part in an Easter concert that drew a capacity audience to the village hall. Wesley Hill was a guest soloist. Appreciation of Mrs Pat Withecombe, accompanist, was expressed by the headmaster, Mr Andrew Rood.

To mark its silver jubilee, Hartland branch of the Royal British Legion has opened extensions to its buildings. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr B C Kelly, president of the branch.

For the third successive year Hartland children carried off the shield at the Bude Methodist circuit youth council's seventh youth eisteddfod. A total of 21 Hartland children were responsible for 123 entries and achieved the massive total of 1,744 points. Hartland results: Jennifer Allin, one thirdl Hazel Bragg, one first; Martin Colwill, one second; Dwayne Heard, two firsts, two seconds and a third; Wendy Heard, three firsts, two seconds, two thirds; Alison Manley, two seconds; Lisa Manley, two firsts; Patrick O'Donnell, a first, second and third; Sandra O'Donnell, a second and two thirds; Andrew Prouse, one first; Denise Short, three firsts, two seconds; Kenneth Sluggett, two firsts, a second and two thirds; Jennifer Thorne, one first and one third; Tracy Thorne, one third.

Of aluminium it will be as big as any in the race – at 80 ft. precisely is the maximum length possible. It is being constructed at Poole and is due to be completed in June. After trials Mr Smith will be bringing it to Bideford. But he cheerfully admits that although a former sailor, he will be in the race “just for the ride.” Mr Williams has all the experience. He won the round Britain race and the Cape Town to Rio race with Robin Knox Johnson and was fourth in the single-handed trans-Atlantic race. As an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School – his father was youth employment officer here – Mr Smith left to go to sea. But after four years he decided that property had better prospects and sailing became merely a hobby. About a year ago he took up flying which has become more or less essential for his business, and tomorrow at Chivenor he will take delivery of what will be the first privately-owned Japanese aircraft in England. Regulations will not permit him to operate from Chivenor and the search is on for a suitable piece of land. Mr Smith hopes to keep the plan, a four-seater, at Winkleigh. Mr and Mrs Smith are expecting their first child this week. Another competitor in the round-the-world race, which is for crewed yachts and which starts on September 8, will be Chay Blyth, a frequent visitor to Heale House. He is being backed by millionaire philanthropist Mr Jack Hayward, who bought Lundy for the nation in 1968 and who, because of his strong patriotism is known as “Union Jack.” He lives in the Bahamas. Mr Blyth who in 1971 completed the first ever non-stop solo sail around the world from east to west, said this week that Mr Hayward had offered to provide the bulk of the finance. His only conditions are that the yacht shall be built in Britain and the crew shall be all-British.

Torridgeside potter Harry Juniper, who lives at Monkleigh, has just scored another success with his work which reflects the centuries-old North Devon fashioning of clay, and its decoration, brought up-to-date and bearing the stamp of his individual style. Prompted by Mr James Paterson, head of Bideford School of Art, he submitted an entry to this year’s Topham Trophy competition.

Northam Urban Council have received approval for a £4,000 project to provide four more groynes on the Pebble Ridge at Westward Ho! The work which it is hoped will start early this summer, will bring the total number of groynes there to 10.

Northam has a youth club again. Membership is around 30 and increasing weekly despite difficulties engendered by lack of funds. But with affiliation to the Devon Association now under way it is hoped soon to provide equipment. Donations and gfits from a number of local traders have helped the monthly bingo sessions. Secretary of the club, which meets Tuesday evenings, is S Harding.

A building plot with planning permission for the erection of a pair of semi-detached bungalows was sold for what is believed to be a local record figure of £10,150 at an auction conducted by Braddicks Estate Agency Ltd, at the New Inn Hotel, Bideford. The plots, at Jackets Lane (Sandymere Road), Northam, were purchased by a local builder, Mr R M Quance, of Merley Road, Westward Ho!

Mrs Mandy Alvarez, of the Durrant House Hotel, Northam, has reached the last 20 in the Daily Mirror’s Barmaid of the Year contest. She travels to London for the contest. Mandy has been working at Durrant for the last 19 months. Her husband, Pepe, who comes from Las Palmas, is the head waiter at the hotel. Mandy came from Nottingham, where she worked formerly as a hairdresser.

Councillor Michael Street said that Torrington council must get the maximum price for this property, which belonged to ratepayers. In such a case, he contended, it would be better not to employ the district valuer, who might be “out of touch,” and to use the services of valuers from different firms. He was told by the Town Clerk, Mr Alan Fitt: “I am doubtful if you would find two firms prepared to do the same work.” When the council agreed to accept the committee’s report “subject to further discussion,” the clerk pointed out that only one firm had come forward although admittedly they had taken the initiative. Other firms with other proposals for the property might be found.

Historic Weare Giffard Hall, with its three and a half acres of private gardens and a mile of salmon and trout fishing in the Torridge, is to be offered for sale by auction. The 15th-century manor house was one of the last Royalist strongholds in the Westcountry and for several centuries was owned by the Fortescue family. It is at present in the ownership of Miss E M Mullins, Mrs M Minet and Mrs B P Dickson.

Silhouette Room, Golden Bay Bars, Westward Ho!

The Moorings, 45 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! for sale.

When Peter Francis White, of White’s Bakery, Nelson Road, Westward Ho! was charged with selling a loaf of bread unfit for human consumption, his solicitor, Mr Jeremy Ferguson, entered the witness box and swore information alleging that Associated Family Bakers (Devon and Cornwall) Ltd, had supplied that loaf. A summons was then issued against that firm. The magistrates found Mr White not guilty but fine Associated Family Bakers.

April 1998

These five daring “Full Monty” lads topped the bill at the spring charity fund-raiser organised by neighbouring Appledore pubs the Beaver and the Royal George. Twins Mike and James Walsh, Neil Hotchkiss, Rob Waters and Jules Brummitt stole the limelight with their Saturday night performance at the Beaver Inn and there was standing room only as the lads went through their well-practiced routine, which had been choreographed with the help of local girls Sue Harries and Angelique Craner. A range of events along West Quay on Easter Monday included a dog show, cake competition, arm wrestling, barbecue, face painting, band music and raffles also drew a good crowd despite the unseasonal weather. The end result was the collection of more than £700 to be shared between the Children’s Hospice South West, the RSPCA and the Winslade Wildlife Sanctuary.

Salar the Salmon was immortalised by famous North Devon author Henry Williamson. Now two Appledore co-authors have followed another aspect of the local story with a history of the pursuit of the silver fishes in the estuary of the twin rivers Taw and Torridge. 'Salmon netting in North Devon' by Dr Alison Grant and Mayor of Northam Philip Waters details what was once a way of life for many North Devon families but is now in danger of dying out. The book has been published by the North Devon Maritime Museum to capture the knowledge before it is lost and to complement the history, a 1950s salmon boat donated to the museum by local fisherman Sid Eastman is being restored for exhibition by Mr Waters and hs cousin, Tom, whose family one ran a boatbuilding firm. The book is being launched at the museum in Odun Road, Appledore.

Our picture shows Dr Grant and Mr Waters with the restored salmon boat

Appledore lifeboat station celebrated the naming of a unique new inshore rescue boat which has been purpose made to help overcome the difficulties of Bideford Bar. The 24 ft. Atlantic 75 is the RNLI’s top-of-the-range inflatable lifeboat; Appledore’s version also incorporates ballast tanks which can be quickly filled and emptied to give increased stability when negotiating the treacherous estuary bar. The Appledore crew members had themselves helped to develop the ballast system after previous inshore boats had had their engines swamped while crossing the bar, said coxswain Mike Bowden. The inflatable rescue boat, which complements the station’s main seagoing vessel, the George Gibson, was officially named Douglas Paley by the benefactor who paid for the £66,000 boat; Mrs Evelyn Paley, from Sussex, gave the gift to the RNLI in memory of her late husband, Air Commodore Douglas Paley. A service of dedication was conducted by the Vicar of Appledore, the Ref. John Ewington. 

Victims of crime will benefit from the marathon efforts of Bideford runner Thor Beverley. When he takes part in the London Marathon at the end of the month he will also be raising sponsorship cash for North Devon Victim Support. Thor, who works for the Youth Justice Team in North Devon, said; “I am very pleased to be raising money for those who work with victims of crime, especially as my job involves helping to reduce crime by working with young offenders.”

The youngsters from Westcroft Junior and Pynes Infants’ Schools will be helped in their endeavours by the SWEB Tree Scheme under which the electricity company, working in partnership with the Silvanus Trust, is sponsoring tree planning in schools. Head teachers Liz Noble and Alan Junkison have both welcomed the chance to introduce their pupils to the important challenge of woodland stewardship.

One of Bideford’s favourite venues for local celebrations is planning a special occasion of its own this weekend. Celebrations at the First In Last Out in Clovelly Road will mark the 10th anniversary there of this landlady, Janet Allen. In addition to the usual Saturday night live music entertainment there will be a free buffet and “other surprises.” The name has changed from the former Sir Richard Grenville to the First Inn Last Out to reflect its place as the last pub on the route out of Bideford – or the first to be encountered on the way In! It has also been expanded to incorporate a next-door cottage into a larger bar with cosy and secluded seating areas and a 60-seat restaurant has been developed in its former skittle alley. Jan runs the busy pub and restaurant with the aid of daughter Kelly and an all-female staff. Even the friendly pub Doberman is a female! The all-women system works well, says Jan. “It is putting the skills of a housewife into practice – cooking, cleaning, decorating, gardening, running the business, unblocking the drains…….” When not engaged in these day to day activities grandmother Jan still finds time to create decorative sugarcraft, including the making of wedding cakes, and is currently taking a computer course.

Out of Africa has come a new piece of band music dedicated to Bideford. Retirement has brought veteran musician George Crowther to Torridgeside after nearly half-a-century in the former Rhodesia and South Africa. With him has come a special gift – a brass band march which he has written and entitled Bideford and which will be performed for the first time by Bideford Town Band at its spring concert. On Saturday, 83 year old George gave a talk about his life and some examples of his music at the town’s Methodist Church hall. The evening was a fund-raiser for the Methodist Church and for the Royal British Legion, both of which have played important roles in George’s life.

Our picture shows George in familiar pose at the keyboard with Bideford Methodist Church Minister, the Rev. Peter nock and Bideford RBL secretary Jim Reynolds

Torridgeside is facing a crisis of major proportions with the prospect of additional housing development equivalent to a new town the combined size of Bideford and Torrington, it was claimed this week. The warning came from local Council for the Protection of Rural England spokesman Jeremy Bell, who said that both Torridge and North Devon are at the crossroads under the last Government’s housing allocation proposals.

The plan would involve a new bridge to replace the old Nutaberry Hill railway bridge which now carries the Tarka Trial footway and cyclepath and realignment of the roadway beneath to improve visibility. Last year councillors refused a similar application on the grounds that the proposal would result in unacceptable conflict of residential and commercial/industrial uses, and that Torrington Street was considered incapable of accommodating the traffic that would result. Loss of the railway bridge with rolling stock carrying capacity was also considered detrimental to the future tourism development of this part of the Tarka Trail. A local railway group has been hoping to re-open a short section of railway utilising the bridge. Again recommending acceptance of the plan officers point out that the majority of the site is allocated for housing in the Local Plan and that residential development there would replace the heavy traffic associated with current commercial use by lighter vehicles. They also do not consider refusal on the grounds of loss of a railway bridge with rolling stock carrying capacity to be sustainable, given that there is uncertainty about whether the local railway group proposals can proceed. And they say the present route of the Tarka Trail and its tourism use would be unaffected by the proposed development. Officers recommendation for approval is subject to submission of more details, provision of a new visitors car park for the Tarka Trail, landscaping, provision for open space, tidal defence measures, traffic calming and highway realignment and an investigation to assess the extent of any contaminated land. They are also recommending that development by delayed until 1999 to coincide with provision of the new Cornborough Sewage treatment scheme for the area.

This monster from the deep turned a few heads when displayed in the window of the Clovelly Fish shop in Bideford. The 18lb. 8oz. monkfish is characterised by its huge jaws and big teeth. Displayed here by shop assistant Tommy Perham, left, and owner Dan Garnett, the monkfish is one of a variety of unusual fish which appear in the shop window – all of which have been caught by local trawlers. Among them are lumpfish – providers of “poor man’s caviar” – hake, John Dory and red mullet. “Many people seem to think that fish means cod. We like to show what a wide variety there are, even in our own bay,” said Tommy.

Sand and mud paintings are included alongside photography and watercolours in an exhibition at the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington by Instow artist Ian Hodgetts. He uses the media to explore the natural enviornment both within and around us. A recent graduate, Ian studied visual arts and culture. His sand and mud paintings are influenced by the attitudes and insights of the indigenous American Indian and Zen Buddhist cultures.

A helicopter flight to Lundy Island for lunch was the prize for two lucky couples in a competition run at the new Knapp Homes development at Highcliffe Park in Cornborough Road, Westward Ho! It was a fitting prize for winners Rex and Ros Clarke and Alan and Pauline Phelps after viewing homes at the new development which enjoys a lovely position overlooking Bideford Bay. Highcliffe offers two and three-bedroomed detached bungalows which sales manager Sharon Holder says are already attracting a high level of interest.

Our picture shows the lucky couples taking off, with lucky Sharon too!

Prince Andrew showed how much he knew about golf when he came to North Devon last week. The Duke of York was visiting the Wrafton Laboratories at Braunton and the Royal North Devon Golf Club of which he is Millennium president-elect. Seven-handicap golfer Prince Andrew was immediately at home and showed interest in the array of golfing memorabilia in the clubhouse of the Royal North Devon Golf Club, which has the oldest links course in Britain. It was an invitation he accepted last year following an approach from present club president Charles Cope. The RND has a long association with the Royal family, dating back to 1867 when the Royal Charter was bestowed upon it. He received a copy of the book Golf: History and Tradition, the latest of seven written by retired Barnstaple surgeon David Stirk, a club member for 50 years. At the club shop Prince Andrew met professional Iain Higgins and assistants Dan Frost and Ian Johnston. Meeting with ladies’ captain Heather Gale the Prince commented on the weather and how it blows at Westward Ho! He was told by Mrs Gale: “We don’t hold with fair weather golfers here.” During an hour-long lunch at the club Prince Andrew sat next to 17-year-old junior captain Lucy Powell. “I told him I was thinking of going to the USA on a golf scholarship,” she said. “Prince Andrew said it was a good idea, but that I should be careful not to lose my touch on the links courses. He told me where he has played around the world, including at Augusta, and that he may come down to Westward Ho! to play in the summer. He asked about our fairways and had a very good knowledge of golf. He was very polite and friendly and very easy to talk to,” she said. 

Music will play a bigger role than ever in the annual May Fair celebrations at Torrington this year. As the town heralds in the spring in its own traditional way there will be special musical additions to the programme. These will include a concert by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Band, a marching display by the band’s Corps of Drums and a musical spectacular at the Parish Church featuring Julian Rhodes, the Father Willis organ and a wide ranging repertoire. The appearance of the police band will be specially satisfying for town Mayor John Kelly, himself a former policeman. During the May Fair weak the band will officially open its new band room, created at the former Howe Methodist Church with the aid of a Lottery grant. It will be opened by former Howe Church Minister, the Rev. Cecil Jones. Country dancing, floral dancing, May Pole and Morris dancing and the entertainments musical and otherwise by Torrington Cavaliers will all add to the May Fair fun. But as always it is the young people of Torrington who will be top the bill with the traditional ceremony of the crowning of the May Queen on the first Thursday of May. This year’s queen Sophie Ferguson will be accompanied by her crowner Andrea Reed, heralds Matthew Joy and Daniel Hayler and eight attendants Laura Bennett, Kristy Palmer, Francesca Taffs, Joanna Heddon, Laura Truepenny, Justine Evans-Loude, Millie Hoare and Lucy Davis. Events fill a full week, ending on Saturday, May 9, with the town carnival, which will be led by Carnival Queen Claire Sussex and her attendants Emma Petherbridge and Alicia Threadgould. Carnival night will also have its share of music, provided by Torrington Silver Band, Bideford Town Band, Appledore Band and Bideford Youth Pipe Band, who will all join the parade and play in the town square afterwards.

The picture shows May Queen, Sophie Ferguson, with her entourage

Pam Satterthwaite, from Westward Ho! has celebrated 25 years’ service with Swallowfield Consumer Products of Bideford. She received a long service gift from the company to the value of £500. Pam works at Swallowfield’s Bideford cosmetics manufacturing site as dispatch supervisor. She was one of the first employees of the company – then called Atlas pencils – when she joined in 1973. She has seen the workforce grow from 30 in the early days to the present 400. Group managing director Tony Wardell and development director Colin Jenner presented Pam with a gold watch and bouquet. Mr Wardell said: “Pam’s loyal service and wealth of experience has played an important part in the growth of this company. We look forward to Pam’s continued input for many more years”.

Colin Jenner is pictured handing Pam her bouquet