Work began on a £60,000

widening scheme on the Back Road, Instow, and Ald Tom Anstey, vice-chairman of Devon Roads Committee and chairman of the Northern Division Roads Committee, informally inaugurated the scheme.

Ald Anstey climbed into a cabin of a Devon County Council diesel driven loader and trench digger, and, with a bit of help from the operator, Mr Mervyn Prust, of Pilton, switched on the engine and sent the bucket biting into the earth to scoop up a cwt. or so of soil.

For over 30 years he has been campaigning for the road widening. The widened road will run for three quarters of a mile.

Ald Anstey admitted that they had waited a long, long time. Since he has been made an alderman his successor, Mr John Andrew, had carried on the good work. Devon County Council had had to acquire 52 plots of land and use compulsory powers.

He warned villagers there were likely to be temporary difficulties. Because of the urgency it had been decided to start right away, now that the land was available. “Don’t grumble; we cannot do this work in the winter” he said.

Children of Instow School had time off to watch the ceremony, and among the guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Mrs E J Brown and Mrs L B Galliford.

Gazette article 2 July 1965