June 1923

Beauty hints for early spring.

Births, marriages and deaths – Elizabeth Colwell Cox at 18 Myrtle Street, Appledore; Miss Anne Monkley, at Belvoir Road, Bideford; at The Barton, Bideford, to Mr and Mrs C Cleave, a son; at Lyndale, Lime Grove, a son to Mr and Mrs C H Worth; Renouf-Lawrence; Walter John Beer at 9 High Street, Bideford, aged 68 years; at Swan Inn, Alfred James Dark, aged 58 years; John Henry Elliott at 23 Higher Gunstone, aged 46 years; Samuel Seaton at Old Town, aged 73 years; Archibald W Verren, New Street, aged 63 years; at 17 Richmond Terrace, Bideford, a son to Mr and Mrs E Violet; Goss-Lawrence; Husband-Tucker; Edward Bale, aged 33; at 4 Higher Gunstone, Walter B Chubb, aged 19; Frederick Hearn at Castle Street, Northam, aged 62 years.

Devon teachers’ salaries settlement hopes.

Later in the month it is reported that the issue has been resolved when agreement was reached to reduce salaries by 3¼% instead of 5%. The reduction takes place from July 1, and operates until 1925

The rain gauge at the Appledore Council School has shown the following readings for the current year: January, 2.2 inches; February, 6.7 inches; March, 1.3 inches; April, 1.4 inches; May, 1.1 inches.

By special arrangement and through the kindness of friends, a party consisting of sixty senior scholars from Appledore, supervised by their teachers, were enabled to visit the Devon County Show at Bideford. Under ideal weather conditions and generosity of friends, a most delightful afternoon was spent, which will live long in the memories of the scholars of the senior school.

A very satisfactory sale on behalf of the executors of Mrs Moody, deceased, of The Rising Sun, Appledore, was held by Mr W Cock, FAI. There was a crowded attendance. The sales included:

On the application of Mr T Oerton, jnr, Bideford County Magistrates granted the transfer of the cinematograph license of the Gaiety Hall from Mr George Hawkins to Mr Samuel Hawkins, of the Bungalow, Appledore.

At Appledore, Messrs R and J Cock’s upper yard ‘launched’ Rev Hugh C A S Muller and Miss Annie Bilton.

Before his Honour Judge Lindley at Bideford, William Robert Bennett, ship’s cook and steward, of One-End Street, Appledore, sued the owners of the steamship Pass of Brander, under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Buy a Guy Char-A-Bang from Walter J Pitt, Bideford Motor Works.

Visit H F Elliott, 75 High Street, Bideford and buy the kiddie a Flannel Suit.

The Great Circus, Mammoth Hippodrome, and Animal Combine will visit Bideford on Tuesday June 26th and Torrington, June 27th. Two performances will be given daily. It is claimed that this is the most up to date circus travelling, the aim of the proprietors being to give an entertainment of a high standard. In an exceptionally varied programme, one of the most interesting items is ‘Turpin’s Ride to York’ which has been produced at great expense.

Permission has been given for the use of the Bideford bandstand in the park two nights a week for variety entertainment by four professionals, all ex-servicemen. This is for a month on a trial basis. Collections may be made but there could be no charge for admission to the park. The flagpole in the park has become dangerous owing to decay and will have to be removed.

Bideford fishermen’s – Messrs Giddy and Pile - good luck with fifteen fish caught in bridge pools.

The opening of the County Show at Bideford performed by the Mayor of Bideford (Cllr H Willett Huxham) at the request of Earl Fortescue, Lord Lieutenant of the County and President of the Devon County Agricultural Association was attended by the chief of Magistrates of North Devon, who marched in procession, and included the Mayors of Barnstaple, Southmolton and Torrington, the Chairman of Ilfracombe Urban District Council, the Chairman of Northam Urban District Council (Mr W J Pursey), and the Chairman of Bideford Rural District Council (Mr W Harris).

Upwards of 150 motor cars were parked along the Quay. One of the competitors in the under 18 butter making class was a little girl in white socks, who turned her churn in a most workmanlike manner. There came to Bideford by rail about 6,000 for the three days. After detraining the heavy stallions at the railway goods yard, it seemed like a joke to the railwaymen to find a little Shetland pony all by itself in a truck awaiting their attention. It was the smallest pony exhibited at the Show. The dairy section was specially housed, and in the centre stage fountains of water were arranged in a setting of grass giving to the whole a delightfully clean and attractive appearance. Bideford’s ancient bridge was dressed from end to end with evergreen and bunting, which gave a gala like approach from the railway station, while the quay was gay with flags, an din the streets the shopkeepers loyally took up the invitation of the local committees to decorate their premises. Away back high over Chudleigh Fort, where the town’s war memorial is situated, a flag pole had been erected, by the Mayor, and the flags could be seen from every part of the town. The Town Season Band under the able conductorship of Mr A W Dunn, gave an excellent programme at a concert held in the Market. Messrs Wickham, Hooper, Parkhouse and Street carried out the arrangements. There was a fair attendance at a ball held in the Market, those carrying through the arrangements being Messrs Hopson, Sanders, Street, Parkhouse and Lee. Mr Lake gave useful assistance to the Committee on both occasions.

In the photograph are Messrs T A Goaman, J U Fulford, The Mayor of Bideford, Messrs O W Ward, P Whtton and Earl Fortescue

Chin Woo tea from Charles P Ashton, Trafalgar House, Old Town, Bideford

Small holdings and a farm at Bideford are for sale – Gammaton, Woodville and Stone

It is reported that there are now more motor taxis licensed in the town than in Exeter. Are there too many Bideford motor busses?

Satisfactory arrangement with the Ministry for the reconstruction of Bideford’s historic bridge.

The first – Wheatblade - of four cargo steamers being built by the Hansen Shipbuilding and Shiprepairing Company at their Bideford yard to the order of Messrs Spillers and Baker, the well known milling firm of Cardiff was successfully launched, the ceremony being performed by Mrs Mills. The gathering included Capt J H Reed, one of the directors of the Shipbuilding Company, Capt Hall of Messrs John Hall and Co, J G B Watson, T E Allen, W G Morris, Mr Pearce, the Rev Hugh C A S Muller and Mr W Ferris (Dawlish). Sir Sven Hansen was unavoidably prevented from attending through pressure of business.

At Bradworthy, there is a great deal of sickness in the parish, many of the school children being victims to the various maladies prevalent. 

A large concourse of people paid their respects to Mr W Everson, of Littleford, Bradworthy, who passed away after a short illness.

At Bucks Mills, the anniversary of the Wesleyan Church was held on Whit Sunday and Monday, the preacher on the Sunday being Mr J H G Lang, of Appledore, who rendered good service to the church. The very good tea on Monday, provided for by Mrs Braund, Mrs Wilcox, Mrs Harding snr, Mrs J Braund, and Miss Olive Braund was partaken of by a very large number. The public meeting in the evening was presided over by Mr E Luxton. A large number was present. The report, given by Mr Vanstone, showed a small adverse balance, which it was hoped would be made up. Other speakers were the Rev C M Ashdown, BD, and Mr Elliott.

Master John Cruse, son of Mr and Mrs W Cruse, Red Lion Hotel, Clovelly, a scholar at the Council School, has been successful in obtaining a boarding school scholarship tenable at the Barnstaple Grammar School.

At Hartland, Mr J S Wickett was the preacher at Harbour Cross School Anniversary.

With kind permission of Mr and Mrs A T Pennington, St Nectan’s Picnic and the Sunday School treat was again held at the Quay. The party was in time to see Hartland Quay Life Saving Brigade practise and Captain Dainty make his annual inspection. Tables, laid outside the hotel, were in charge of Mesdames Avery, Britton, M M Cann, Fisher, M Prust, assisted by Mesdames F Fulford, A Johns, W J Redclift, H Williams, Miss D Prust, and Nurse Flatt. Cutters-up were Mesdames W Colwill, Hoare, W J Pennington, W J Pillman, R Walter, Misses Baker, E Cann, McCarthy. Over 200 tickets were sold by Mr W J Pennington and collected by Mr H Haynes.

The funeral of Miss Emily Pidler Shackson took place at St John the Baptist Church, Instow.

At Langtree, the Sunday School anniversary in connection with the United Methodist Church was held with two excellent sermons preached by the Rev R J Harris from Holsworthy, to large congregations.

Mr Westcott has his dismissal withdrawn, and married women will not be appointed at Langtree Day School.

Household furniture from The Cottage at Monkleigh is for sale.

Mr F Elton, Watchmaker and Jeweller, has removed to more commodious premises in Cross Street, Northam (2 doors from N.P. Bank), where he is showing articles of very special value. He hopes to be favoured with a continuance of the support accorded him at his previous address. Also in Northam, E G & F Fieldhouse, confectioners, will open for business on 18 June on the Square and they will be selling pork pies, cakes, pastries, chocolates and afternoon teas.

Miss Rose Gale has an accident at Northam. The newspaper reported in a later edition “We are asked to state that the cycling accident on Bone Hill reported last week was in no way caused by any fault of the bicycle which was in perfect order at the time.”

Mr Hammond Wells, of Marshford House, Northam, is fined 9s.

His many friends will regret to hear of the death under sad and somewhat sudden circumstances, of Mr Victor Kelly, son of Mr and Mrs Tom Kelly, of Cross Street, Northam.

At Parkham, a blue tit has built a nest and reared a brood of young birds in the letter box at Melbury Waterworks again this year. This is the fifth year in succession that this has been done. Surely this must be a record. The periodical visits of the postman does not appear to interfere with the bird in the least.

Bideford County Magistrates, on the application of Mr R W Young (for Mr T A Goaman) transferred the licence of the Hoops, Horns Cross, from Mrs Warfield to Lieut Donton, one of the new proprietors. A glowing report:

It is with deep feelings of sorrow we have to record the death of Mr Benjamin Stewart, of Northway, Horns Cross, who passed away on June 11. He had not been living in this district very long (coming from Weare Gifford) but he had already gained the goodwill and respect of a very large number of the neighbourhood. He was laid to rest in Parkham Churchyard, the Rev Mr Hensley officiating.

Hay harvest has commenced in Morwenstow, and although the weather has been unfavourable a good return is expected. New potatoes have also been dug.

Quite a gloom was cast over Parkham when it became known that Mr William Joliffe who was greatly respected and will be much missed in the district, had passed away. He had worked for Mr T Arnold for nearly thirty years and in later years had also helped at the smiths’ shops at Ford and Bucks Cross. The funeral took place at Parkham Churchyard amid manifestations of great regret. The body was brought back to the Bell and rested for one night.

To raise funds for Torrington Hospital, a sale of work was held on the vicarage lawn. A street collection was successful, and a dance in the evening concluded the effort, by which over £150 was raised.

Interesting matters came up for discussion at the monthly meeting of Torrington Town Council, the Mayor presiding. A complaint has been made about a man in Mill Street keeping a pig in a pigsty close to houses and fowls which are allowed to roam in the street. The Clerk was instructed to look up the relevant bye-laws. On the motion of Mr R E L Penhale, seconded by Mr Luxton, it was agreed on the ruling of the Town Clerk, to let the matter of the alleged encroachment on the highway at Bulls Lane by Mr Hunkin, drop.

Freehold small farm known as East Ashridge at Westleigh is for sale.

Northam Town Council has recommended carrying out road drainage works at Eastbourne Terrace, Westward Ho! It is a matter of road water and should not be urgent until autumn. Plans have been approved for two cottages at Pitt Hill and a garage in the Square.

Junior School, Westward Ho! annual sports. The Headmaster and Mrs Dyson held the sports at the Junior School, Buckleigh. The weather was favourable in spite of one small shower, and the 150 guests saw some excellent contests. The promptitude of the management, due largely to Mr F H Williams, was much to be commended. At the conclusion, the prizes were given away by Mrs Thomas, the Mayoress of Barnstaple, whose son is at the school.

Bideford County Magistrates approved of plans submitted by Mr J P Hambly for improvements at the Pebble Ridge Hotel, one of which will have the effect of widening the bar by five feet.

Pebbleridge House, or No 6 Pebbleridge Terrace, is for sale by public auction. It includes ‘The Ungalette’ and 3 huts (one in the tenure of Mr H Percy Heard).

Clonmore at Westward Ho!, lately in the occupation of Mrs Bathe, is for sale.

Barbarous sanitary condition of some of the houses at Winkleigh and Iddesleigh.

Bell ringers from All Hallows Church, Woolsery, enjoyed a tour visiting local towers, including those at Bradworthy and Pyworthy. Revd Donaldson, rector of Pyworthy, gave the party lunch in his tythe barn.

June 1973

The grounds of the Portledge Hotel, Alwington, made a delightful setting for the annual garden party of the High Sheriff of Devon, Lieut-Col John Pine-Coffin. He and Mrs Pine-Coffin welcomed a large number of guests including the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Major and Mrs Ted Hill, the Mayor and Mayoress of Exter, Alderman and Mrs E Tozer, the Mayor of Torrington, Mrs E M Pitts, and Mr Pitts, and the chairman of Devon County Council, Col J E Palmer.

The 'Englands Glory' trophy for the pairs champions of Appledore Euchre League went to M Sharrock and P Williams of The Prince of Wales. In a closely contested final they beat K Taylor and B Ford of The Champions of Wales.

Belle Bombers, of the Bell Inn, Appledore, first winners of the silver salver presented for annual competition among teams of women footballers. It is hoped that a new soccer league will be formed on Torridgeside next season – for women! Two teams anxious to see the formation of a league are the Belle Bombers of the Bell Inn, Appledore, and Legs Eleven of Appledore AFC. The sides met in the first of what is to be an annual match for a silver salver to be played each Spring. Presented by husbands and boyfriends, who play for Appledore AFC and Bell Athletic, the salver was won this year by the Bombers. In an exciting match, in which the expertise shown by the women players surprised the large crowd, the Bombers won 2-0 with a goal in each half. Scorers were Berdine Lock and Roslyn Smale. Both teams would welcome matches through the summer to gain experience before forming a league. Their task should be made easier by the arrival in this part of the world of a young lady from Sunderland, Miss Karen Joyce of Barnstaple. She too is anxious to form such a league and knows of existing teams in South Molton and Black Torrington. The Appledore teams are: Legs Eleven – Melanie Dent, Nicola and Margaret Brennan, Bridget Miles, Elizabeth Brennan, Susan Worthington, Helena Cornish, Christine Walters, Jean Langbridge, Christine Barrett, Anne Powe and Janet Pearson. Bell Bombers – Sally Hammett, Betty Richards, Christine Hale, Margaret Smale, Mary Richards, Roslyn Smale, Berdine Lock, Wendy Bennett, Wendy Miller, Janet Richards, Jackie Sharrock, Kathy Richards, Pam Platt and Nicky Herring. One unusual feature of the Legs Eleven side (picture in a chorus line formation above) is that they field a mother and daughter combination in Margaret and Nicola Brennan, and for extra family measure cousin Elizabeth is also in the side.

Complaints of noise at night and dust nuisance from the Appledore mill of Fulford Trumps Ltd are to be investigated by the medical officer and the public health inspector, Northam Urban Council decided, and should it prove necessary the public health inspector was authorised to serve abatement notices. Mr J Need told the council that residents had complained for four years. Those in South Road were forced to sleep with their windows closed.

Appledore lifeboat was launched after a woman and two children were seen being cut off by the tide in the estuary. The rescue was called off after the group managed to reach safety.

The loyalty and outstanding service over many years of four members of Bideford No. 1 branch of the Old Age Pensioners Association was marked at the last meeting of the season by the presentation of framed illuminated certificates. Their combined ages total 328 years. They are Mrs Lily Beer, Mrs Louisa Knight, Mrs Kate Hancock and Mrs Elsie Tucker. The presentations were made by Mr Fred Patt, branch president. He recalled that Mrs Hancock and Mrs Tucker, both 84, had been members of the silver threads choir of the secretay, Mrs D.A. Pascoe, throughout the 10 years of its existence. Mrs Beer and Mrs Knight had been responsible for many acts of kindness during their long membership. The work of the four was also praised by Mrs Pascoe. Members were entertained by the Townswomen’s Guild under the direction of Mrs Bradshaw. Their programme included an amusing sketch and items by the choir. The Guild also gave flowers to be distributed among sick pensioners. Thanks were expressed by the vice-chairman of the Branch, Mr W Tithecott.

Peter Reid's work is on show at the New Gallery, South Street, Torrington.

Laurel Avenue, Moreton Park Road, Bideford - properties for sale.

Alderman Cecil Cann, chairman of Bideford Council's properties committee, tries out the new 'pay and display' parking on Bideford Quay.

Miss Janet Bartlett, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs W E Bartlett, of 8 Meadowville Road, Bideford, was thrilled on visiting the world-famous Smithsonian Institute in Washington, USA, to find that Bideford-made pottery was on display.

Police constables Peter Murphy and John Truelove who saved a youth from drowning in the River Torridge were presented with Royal Humane Society awards on vellum at Bideford Magistrates' Court. Reading the citation Chief Inspector Edwards said that the youth attempted to wade to his father's boat moored near the centre of the river.

It's £1.50 for a meal at Lake Villa, Bradworthy.

A Norwegian pilot ejected and parachuted to safety before his Hunter plane from RAF Chivenor crashed south-west of Bideford - in the Buckland Brewer-Parkham area near Melbury. No one was hurt and there was no other damage. The pilot, Capt Bjorn Hansen, was picked up by helicopter and flown to North Devon Infirmary for a check-up. The plane crashed in a small wood that forms the boundary between Cabbacott Farm owned by Mr G J George and Bowden Farm owned by Messrs G Heywood and Son.

Beauty spot Bucks Mills is to become the first village in the area from which tourist traffic is banned during the holiday season. Soon access will be denied beyond the entrance to the car park, some way out, except to those who have business in the hamlet.

Refusal by the local planning authority of an application by the trustees of the Portledge settled estate for a parking space for five cars and a 10ft wide access bridge over the stream at Bucks Mills has been been upheld by a Department of the Environment inspector. He says that the appeal site is on the farm side of the stream at a point where it and a side valley join the main valley. Notwithstanding any landscaping of the area, the parking of cars here would so detract from the existing scene that there would be an adverse effect on the character of the area and its pleasant appearance. The inspector adds that because of a sharp bend to the southeast, the narrowness of the existing road, and the volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the summer, the access cannot be regarded as satisfactory.

A 15 foot long Clovelly herring boat typical of those in use at the turn of the century has been presented to the Exeter maritime museum. It was handed over by the donor, Mr J.J. Headon, of Ocean View, Clovelly. Built in 1906, the boat – known locally as a picarooner – has been in the same family ever since. Before being given to Mr Headon in 1936 it belonged to his uncle, Mr William Hamblyn, also of Clovelly. Named the Lily, after Mrs Hamblyn, it was last in use as a herring boat some eight years ago. There is already a picarooner in the National Maritime museum at Greenwich but the Lily will be the first at Exeter, which is now firmly established as one of the main nautical tourist attractions in the South West.

In the photograph Mr Headon (left) is handing over the boat to Major David Goddard, who received it on behalf of the maritime museum

Clovelly village and chapels' flower festival is being held this week, organised by Miss S Ellis. Streets have been decorated with hanging baskets of plants and flowers. Floral decorations at St Peter's (C of E) chapel, have the theme of the Church's festivals of the year. At the Methodist chapel there is a children's theme of a model village which the pupils of the local primary school made under the guidance of Mrs J Howarth and Miss U Moore.

Ubiquitus writes "Mr M H Prust, whose home is the interestingly named T Cottage, Hartland, tells me he has been given an old fashioned cloam oven which he plans to give to the new museum project for North Devon. On the oven is the name O K Maxwell, Old Pottery, Bideford. He wonders if any of my readers can give him any information about this firm, and some idea of the date when these ovens were made."

Hartland tennis court funds committee held a donkey derby at Hartland playing fields and raised over £100. This will go towards the money already collected for the provision of tennis courts at Hartland. A large crowd enjoyed the event. Over £65 was raised at a dance held recently. Committee chairman Mr Houchin has announced that towards the original target of £1,000 the committee had to date raised over £700.

Landcross woodland is threatened.

Weather permitting, at least eight salmon boats from Appledore will be leaving Lundy for a 21-mile race back to the North Devon mainland. The race for two-man crews will be the first of its kind. A new trophy has been put up for the occasion by Appledore businessman Mr Ernie Bignell. The event, which has been talked about for some time, is certain to provide a tough test of stamina. Competing boats will be towed out to the island at 4 o'clock in the morning ready for the race back. Appledore lifeboat is likely to provide an escort service.

Focal point of a project on trees undertaken by the children of Monkleigh school was the presentation of "The Tree" (by Ian Kendell) in the parish church. With the permission of the Rev L Budge, who took part in the proceedings, the church was transformed into a wood. In words, music and mime the children told the story of life in a wood through the passing seasons. After the performance parents and friends returned to the school for refreshments and a closer lok at the attractive animal masks and other project work.

Mrs Florrie Thompson, who emigrated to Australia with her family 14 years ago, is on her first return visit to Bideford district. Accompanied by a woman friend who lives near the family in Frankstown, Victoria, she is staying with her mother, Mrs A Gilbert, of 10 Saltrens Cottages, Monkleigh.

Tenants of Northam Urban Council will not, after all, be able to buy the houses they occupy. The council, in secret session, adopted a recommendation of a sub-committee of the housing committee, that they reconsider their policy.

Twenty four young adventurers from St Margaret's School, Northam, set off to explore the island of Lundy. They were led by Mr Malcolm Hassam and Mr Sam Doncaster, assisted by three students from Rolle College, Exmouth.

A regular visitor to the home of Mr J W Jennings at 23 Clevelands Park, Northam, is a young female blackbird. The bird is apparently quite unafraid of humans and sits 'talking' to Mr Jennings as he feeds her in the garden. He believes that the bird may have been handreared because it has a ring on its leg and because of its friendly nature.

A start will be made next month, it is hoped, on Northam Urban Council’s biggest single housing development. It will cost around £250,000 and will comprise homes for old people, houses and flats. In a sense this will be a historic development because for part of it the Council has had to buy land from the Melhuish estate. Money has been paid to the trustees for a site bounded by Castle and Fore Streets, Burrough Road and the Square. There are to be built about 30 bungalows for old people and a warden’s house in what will be known as Griggs Close. The second part of the scheme, the whole of which is designed for completion in just under two years, is at Cow Park. It comprises 45 flats and houses with garages. Because the site slopes the blocks of flats will be four stores high on one side and three on the other. This scheme will extend still further the council’s Morwenna Estate, already the biggest in the Northam area. The council already has more than 400 dwellings. The additions will not, of course, be completed within the lifetime of the council. Theoretically that could mean that the new homes will be available to people living within the area of the new Torridge authority. It is more than likely, however, that they will be allocated to people living and working in the area, which could mean Bideford. The contract has gone to R. Harris and Son (Builders) Ltd. of Barnstaple, and brings the value of work done by this firm for the council to more than £1 million.

At Parkham parish church the Rector, the Rev Trevor Nichols, presented 18 candidates from that parish and Alwington for confirmation by the Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev Richard Cartwright. The Rev M F Glare acted as Bishop's chaplain. Those confirmed were: Arthur Bailey, Thomas Jeffery, Raymond Mather, Alan Hockin, Guy Richards, Richard Wing, Stephen Wing, Catherine Chappell, Diane Metherell, Charlotte Ramm, Tamsin Ramm, Imogen Ramm, Iris Huxtable, Shelagh Mather, Christine Metherell, Lilian Metherall, syliva Smythe and Anne Wills.

Torrington county primary school in Whites Lane - known as the board school still to many of the older generation - reaches its centenary on July 2.

Did you visit Cranford Farm Restaurant at Torrington?

Why has Torrington lost its own ambulance? This question is to be asked by Torrington Town Council after it had been raised at Monday’s council meeting. Councillor Michael Street said they had six volunteers who, day and night, had been ready with their services. The ambulance had been well used, there being an average of about 800 calls a year. Torrington was the centre of a considerable agricultural area and a busy little town in its way. The medical officer of health, Dr C.F.R. Briggs, said it was nice when they had their own ambulance but there was no problem at the moment. Calls were made through the ambulance control at Barnstaple and they were always very promptly and efficiently answered by the Barnstaple or Bideford ambulances. He did not know why Torrington ambulance was taken away. Councillor Street: I should have thought a borough of this size warranted a full-time ambulance. I want to know the reason why we have lost ours. Councillor W. Cockram said nothing had been said to the council about the ambulance going – “they did not have the decency to say it was happening.” Describing the present as the age of the civil servant, he deplored what had happened. It was, he said, a typical example of someone somewhere making a decision without regard to what local people might think or want. “We get it with post office hours, bus services and now we have it with the ambulance,” he added. Councillor Dr H.E. Cramp pointed out that the 800 calls mentioned were not all Torrington people as the ambulance was used elsewhere in North Devon. He believed staffing difficulty had led to the change, but he would certainly like to encourage the authority concerned “to give us our ambulance back.”

Ubiquitus writes 'Last year Mr Frank Thrower was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's design prize for his designs of a range of kitchen and table glass for Dartington Glass Ltd, of Torrington. Mr Thrower was then invited to design his own award and it was presented to him by the Duke of Edinburgh at a special ceremony at Sunderland's new civic centre. Mr Thrower, in conjunction with Mr Geoffrey Kroll, of the specialist luggage manufacturers, Tanner and Kroll, of London, designed a military travelling chest or wardrobe.'

Weare Giffard Hall realised £106,000 at auction. It previously sold in 1967, before it became a hotel, for something over £11,000. The new owner is Mr M E Wingrove of Oxford.

The owners of Kipling Terrace, Westward Ho! towards the preservation of which Northam Urban Council had agreed to give improvement grants, are now to sell.

Four young people were rescued at Westward Ho! by Surf Life Saving Club members on patrol for the first time in specially designed rescue canoes. About 4pm on Saturday two boy holidaymakers in a rubber dinghy were being carried out to sea by the ebb tide and an offshore breeze. Their plight was seen by Nigel Johnson who brought them safely to shore. Around the same time on Sunday, boys aged 8 and 10 were in dinghies secured by a line to the shore being held by their mother. The line snapped. One dinghy overturned and the occupant was unable to scramble into that of his brother. One canoe went to the rescue, but had to enlist the support of the second. The rescuers were Nigel Johnson and Michael Cooper. Instructors at the club are local policemen John Truelove and Danny Bryant.

After lapsing for some years Westward Ho! carnival is being revived this summer. Organisers will be the Westward Ho! committee of the Cancer Research Fund whose chairman, Mrs May Hilder, told the Gazette that they had a very encouraging response to letters appealing for support and interest. The carnival will be held at the height of the holiday season. Choosing of a bathing belle Carnival queen and two attendants will take place at the Patio pool. There will be no entrance fees for the carnival.

The Atlanta Hotel at Westward Ho! which was seriously damaged by fire some years ago is being demolished. The demolition follows the granting of outline planning permission to Messrs. R. Harris and Son, the North Devon building firm, to use the site for the erection of a public house and restaurant plus 20 holiday bungalows. Detailed plans will now be submitted and it is hoped that work can start before the end of this year. Total cost of the project is likely to be over £150,000. The scheme is being undertaken as part of a move by Messrs. Harris to acquire a direct interest in the holiday business. Mr Tom Bonetta, the firm’s managing director, said yesterday: “We feel that with the Westcountry holiday industry due to receive a boost with the arrival of the M5, we must have a personal stake. “In recent years we have had quite a considerable indirect interest in the holiday industry, building new hotels and swimming pools for customers – now we think it is time we had a stake ourselves.”

Beryl and Harold Webster take over from Joan and Grenville Hamlyn at the Pebbleridge Cafe at Westward Ho!

Fifty-seven acres, about half a mile out of Winkleigh Village and known as Roamses sold for £510 an acre at a public auction. With the land went planning permission for an agricultural dwelling. Bidding opened at £20,000 and rose to £29,000 at which the land was acquired by Mr R G Trenamen, of Towns

June 1998

Veteran bikes and veteran bikers from North Devon are preparing for an 1,800-mile ride in aid of a special charity. Eight members of the North Devon British Bike Owners’ Club will set off from Bideford on June 21 for a trip which will take them to Land’s End then the length of the UK to John-o-Groats – and back again! They will be rising money through sponsorship for Bloodrunners, the voluntary group of bikers who operate the Medical Emergency Dispatch Service. The 17-strong Bloodrunners operate on a rota basis, ready at the drop of a hat to rush urgently needed medical supplies, blood and body organs around the country. Youngest of the bikers is 48-year-old grandmother Yvonne Coleman of Torrington, who will be riding her 1958 350cc Triumph 21. Husband Dave is also making the trip on his 1990 650cc Rotary Norton. Northam couple Chris and Avril Bonner will travel together on their 1970s 750cc Norton Commando. Other riders include local ambulancemen Mervin Glass of Fremington on his 1981, 750cc Triumph Bonneville and John Stanley of Barnstaple on his 1963, 650cc. Triumph Bonneville T120. The North Devon club currently has a membership of 110 people devoted to owning and riding British motorcycles and has an active social calendar with events every week.

The picture shows Yvonne, Mervin and David

Shipmates who had not seen each other since a harrowing wartime experience have met again in Appledore. Memories and tears flowed as Tom Tudor of Western Avenue welcomed George Smith, who has lived for the past 42 years in Australia. They are two of only five remaining survivors from the 520 crew members of the wartime cruiser HMS Arethusa when she was torpedoed in the Mediterranean in 1942.

Art on a grand scale came to Appledore at the end of last week. Sea creatures and mermaids, murals and music, decorated doorways and artistic demonstrations of all kinds made its first summer arts festival a feast of colour and entertainment. The riverside village drew on its rich artistic community to present four days of activities which saw its buildings decorated and artists, sculptors, potters and craftspeople display their skills on a maritime theme in their studios in the streets and on the beach. An estimated 4,000 visitors followed the art trail through the streets as they viewed more than 200 entries in the village’s decorated door knocker competition and called at exhibitions in the many art galleries. The competition is believed to be a world first. Its main winners were: best street, Odun Terrace; most outrageous mermaid at the Odun Road home of Dixie Appleton-Wall; best dressed door, Captain Greysands by Penny Stott and Chris Middle of Irsha Street.

The festival started with everyone being invited to contribute to a near 40-ft attempt at “the longest painting in the west” on the quayside. Appledore’s sister community of Instow across the estuary was drawn into the proceedings with the opening ceremony of a rope decorated by schoolchildren and stretched across the dividing waters to link the two villages. Artist Ken Sprague encouraged visitors to decorate the quayside with chalk drawings. Potter Sandy Brown impressed with a large and colourful abstract and led the creation of the Great Appledore Community Painting. Heather Jansch transformed driftwood, metal and junk from the local shipyard into beach sculptures, John Butler chipped comic characters from large chunks of wood on the quayside and Ian Hodgett invited onlookers to join him on the beach for sand sculptures. Model Rachel Jackson donned pink swimsuit and pink feathers to pose on the quayside as a colourful subject for painters.

Detached property in Atherington for sale.

Edgehill College, Bideford, is to build a £1 million theatre which will be available for use by the community. The new 400-seat complex is due for completion by autumn next year. Headmistress Elizabeth Burton said Edgehill had a fine tradition in music and dance.

The picture shows Mrs Burton, Allin Bewes and Bideford Mayor, Cllr Noel Deakes

Bideford’s super new £6 million Safeway superstore officially opens its doors. Among the first inside will be 11 lucky youngsters who have all won prizes in a children’s art competition “My Favourite Food”. Matthew Carr won first prize of a bicycle which he will receive from store manager Colin Rudlof. At the opening, Colin Rudlof presented cheques to Torridge District Council chairman Cllr Frank Howard, who received it on behalf of Devon Air Ambulance and to the Mayor for his charity fund.

Former practice administrator Janet Moore was invited back to the Wooda Surgery at Bideford to open a major extension in which she played a special part. The idea for the £100,000 investment by the practice partners originated from a building extension project which Jan undertook as part of a business management course. “It looked great, so we adopted it” said senior partner Dr Peter Brummit. It serves some 7,500 patients and full time staff Drs John Wilson, Steve Chavasse and Peter Brummit are assisted by Dr Gillian Daly, Drs Dave Milburn and Sarah Herriott, and practice nurses Alison White, Margaret Cracknell, Gill Simmonds and Mary McKean, plus an administration team led by practice manager Jane Clarke.

A memorial rose garden has been set up at the entrance of Bideford’s Victoria Park in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. The tablet has been inscribed by Bideford monumental mason John Short.

The picture shows Mr Bradford, Dave Fursman and Talia Sulman

Wisps of smoke filtering through the trees in a wooded Torridge valley give away the presence of a man who has turned his back on modern ways to go back to nature for his living. Ben May of Buckland Brewer is The Charcoal Man. Now 31 and in his third year as The Charcoal Man, he has come a long way towards achieving the aim of this unusual venture. Ben’s work includes clearing fallen trees, thinning of woodland and cutting of glades to let in light and allow new growth, and coppicing which both encourages new growth and creates wildlife habitats. The thinning and clearing provides the larger wood to be burned for charcoal on site in special metal kilns. It is through their chimneys that the tell-tale smoke gives away Ben’s whereabouts.

Bucks Cliff, Bucks Mills, for sale by public auction.

A house and adjoining premises in Northam are for sale. Situated in North Street, it is about 75 years old. To the side is a single storey commercial premises which is currently used as Glover’s Family Bakery. The entire property is available at £125,500.

The Royal Horticultural Society garden at Rosemoor, Torrington, reached another milestone at the weekend with the opening of its first “model garden”. Designed by Lisa Camps the West Country Town Garden is the first of three planned model gardens to be designed by members of the Society of Garden Designers in a size and style appropriate to domestic gardens. The flowing West Country Town Garden features paths and terraces of dark grey slate and pale, sea-washed pebbles offsetting the blue, grey, and purple foliage of much of the structural planting. Planting includes flowers, structural shrubs and grasses chosen to provide a particularly long season of display. The garden was opened by Michael Stone, chairman of the Devon branch of the National Gardens Scheme. It is hoped Rosemmor’s new addition will provide ideas and inspiration which will be taken back to the gardens of its 120,000-plus annual visitors.

Torrington’s pannier market is set to start a new chapter in its history when a £650,000 restoration project gets under way in September. The listed building will have five retail units and seven craft workshops. The town’s old library above the market is being refurbished.

Offers in the region of £65,000 are being sought for this terraced house within level walking distance of Torrington town centre.

Villagers of Woolsery learned that their ambitious £855,000 plan for a ‘green’ sports and community centre will go ahead this year. The scheme has gained the support of a £740,000 grant from the National Lottery sports fund. With other contributions, villagers are within £10,000 of the total cost.