October 1923

Births – to Mr and Mrs S Brend, of Littleham, a son; a daughter to Lance-Corporal A H and Mrs Lawson;

Marriages – Mr Edward Pannel to Miss Beatrice Annie Walters; Peter Leigh Ward to Phyllis Ernestine Bartlett; Duncan McGill, ASRT and MFI to Vera A Cole; O’Laverty to Gent; Charles Arthur Waldon to Olive Beatrice Sing; George Heywood to Helen Cock; Frederick Pearson and Irene Hawkins

Deaths – Elizabeth Ann Bartlett of Appledore; Francis A L Sealy-Vidal of Beaford; Ann Folland, of Bideford; Elizabeth Ann Fincham of Bideford; Mary Hopson of Bideford; Alice Hooper; Nellie Bundyford

A close watch is being kept for Foot and Mouth cases. Around three thousand cattle have been slaughtered in the country to date. The nearest case to North Devon is in Torbay and has necessitated restraints being put upon hunt meetings.

Salaries and weather were in the news in 1923 as they are today: Teachers working for Devon County Council have been offered a new scale of salaries proposed to start in April 1925. Rates will be about 15% above those obtained before the war, however maximum scale will not be reached for certified male teachers until they have completed twenty years’ service rather than fifteen years as now. Female teachers will have to wait sixteen years rather than the current ten. Devon County Council has also fixed the minimum wage of workmen on the roads at 35/- a week, an increase from the current 30/- which is no longer considered a living wage. It was pointed out that unskilled road workers will now be paid more than skilled farm workers who currently receive 30/-.

At the start of October, what is described as “a boisterous gale” swept the area causing significant damage and inconvenience. Several trees were blown down in Bideford, blocking the roads and telegraphic communication was seriously interrupted. Mr William Shutt, postman, of 8 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, was passing through Mill Street when he was hit on the head and rendered unconscious by tiles blown off a roof thirty feet above. At Northam, two large trees fell near the War Memorial. The Schooner “Cumbri”, docked at Fremington, sustained damage to her sides and bulwarks and a large portion of the road at Instow was underwater for some hours at high tide. At Withicott Farm, Instow, occupied by Mr Thomas Beer, during the recent gale a large tree crashed through the roof of the wash house and dairy, doing considerable damage. Fortunately no one was in the building at the time. The late gale has provided plenty of work for the masons and thatchers in the Northam district. In some cases the roofs of houses were badly damaged. The garden crops were blown clean out of the ground in many places. Trees were also blown down and other damage done. The sea at Westward Ho! was a picture to behold.

A breakfast table problem.

At Abbotsham, household effects from Keene are for sale at auction.

Alwington Harvest Festival at St Andrew’s Church.

Tea was provided in the Alwington schoolroom and was well patronised. Tables were taken by Mrs E T Lott, Mrs Squance, Mrs Holloway, Mrs J Wickett and Miss Partridge, while the following ladies helped considerably by cutting up provisions: Mrs R Lott, Mrs Sheriff, Mrs Gayton, Mrs J Daniel and Mrs W Hockin. A football match between married and single players took place in the afternoon, the latter winning. Skittles caused great amusement, the prizes for the gentlemen being a copper kettle, fowl, pipe, cigars, etc. and for ladies, fowl, work basket, picture, box of chocolates. A service was held in the Church when the Rev R H Moyses (Rector of Weare Giffard) gave a stirring address from the text “Workers together with God.”

The new bell ropes in Appledore Church Belfry, which have been partially subscribed for by the Congregation, and one rope given singly by Mr John Popham and Dr Valentine were dedicated by the Vicar.

We regret to announce the death of Mrs J Bartlett, of Appledore, after an illness of several weeks. She was well known and highly respected and blinds were drawn along the route and flags were flown at half mast as a mark of respect.

An extremely pretty wedding took place in Appledore Baptist Church, the contracting parties being Mr Alex Green, of 7 Marine Parade, and Miss Winnie Couch, eldest daughter of Mr John Couch, Richmond Terrace. Both the young people were well known and popular among their friends. Mr Alfred Green carried out the duties of ‘best man’ and the Rev J Nelson (Pastor) conducted an impressive service.

The wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, the Vicar of Appledore officiating, of Miss Olive Peake, daughter of Captain George Peake and Mr John George Holloway, of Northam. The Vicar reminded the congregation that it was the 118 anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar, and mentioned that the bride was descended from two distinguished sailors, Mr Daniel Jenkins and Mr Cox, who were both aboard the Victory with Lord Nelson.

A pretty wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, the contracting parties being Miss Janie Craner, daughter of Coxswain George Craner, of the Appledore lifeboat and Mr Bertie Verren, only son of Mr F Verren, of the Masonic Hall, Bridgeland Street, Bideford.

At Bideford County Sessions, a seaman, pleaded guilty to using obscene language in Market Street, Appledore. PC Ridd said at 3.30pm, defendant was at the entrance to Gilbert’s Lane having an altercation with the neighbours, women and children, accusing them of throwing water over his children on some previous day. While using the language complained of he took off his boots and threw them down the lane, turned up his shirt sleeves, and adopting a fighting attitude said he was the ‘best man in Appledore.’ There was a previous conviction and defendant was now fined 15s.

Anxiety is felt at Appledore, Northam and Bideford as to the whereabouts of the Bideford motor ketch, ‘Clarita’. She was spoken by the Brixham lifeboat, after being sighted 9 miles S.W. of Berry Head, during the gale on Wednesday. Asked if she wanted any assistance she replied in the negative and it was understood she was going to Portland for shelter. The vessel was coming to Bideford from London loaded with cement. The vessel and crew are captained by Captain T Spry of Northam, and the crew of four include an Appledore man, Hallett, and Hortop of Bideford.

Is this sale at Bideford part of the Dutch bulb craze? 

Miss Annie Bazeley, who is engaged upon police woman’s duty in Cologne, was home on short leave and attended Tuesday’s meeting of Bideford Board of Guardians, of which body she is one of the two lady members.

The New Brighton Lifeboat, the biggest lifeboat afloat, which has been making a cruise of the British Isles, is due to arrive at Bideford Quay on Wednesday. A report later in the month says that the ‘gale vetoes visit to Bideford’.

Thames collision – Bideford steamer, King City, held responsible with damages for the steamship Dalemead.

Two sites have been suggested for a proposed new hospital building for Bideford. Both sites are on Abbotsham Road and it is hoped that the cost should not exceed £15,000 inclusive of fees.

Mrs Edith Radford, of 2 Ivy Cottages applied for possession from Mr E Joseph Vine, printer of 9 Lower Meddon Street.

Old Ring of Bells, Honestone Street, Bideford – household furniture for sale.

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, in the presence of a large congregation, the wedding was solemnised of Mr Peter Leigh Ward, son of Mr and Mrs Dan Ward of Tavistock, and Miss Phyllis Ernestine Bartlett of Glenburnie, Northam. The Rev G Payne Cook, MARD, vicar of Northam, officiated, assisted by the Rev C B Crofts. The bridesmaids were Miss Audrey Bartlett, Miss Virginia Carre-Smith, and the little Misses Josephine Kerans and Lorna Hobling. Mr Humphrey Ward was ‘best man’ and Messrs Rex and John Ward were groomsmen. The presents included:

Much interest was centred in the marriage of Miss H Elizabeth Gent, daughter of the late Mr W and Mrs Gent, of Bideford, to Mr Malachi O’Laverty, son of Mr and Mrs Robert O’Laverty, of Liverpool, at Bideford. The bride is well known In local musical circles as a contralto vocalist of exceptional merit.

The engagement is announced of Edmund J Mayall Emtage, of the Directorate of Research, Air Ministry, only son of the late Dr Edmund Emtage and Mrs Emtage, formerly of Cleverdon House, Bradworthy, and Louisa Guyetta (Etta) Crossman, youngest daughter of Mr Thomas J Crossman, CC, and Mrs Crossman of Pines, Torquay.

As a result of the flag day, organised in Buckland Brewer, in aid of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a sum of £3 5s 10d was raised. Boxes were taken in the district by Misses Vida Mills and Ruby Heal, and Masters Walter Lines, Fred Everson and Robert Braund, while 19s 6d of the sum was collected by the children of Thornhillhead.

The village was ‘en fete’, the occasion being an interesting marriage between Miss Cock (Nellie) of Gorwood, and Mr G Heywood (Bowden). The Rev A W Bennett, MA, officiated in the Buckland Brewer Wesleyan Church before a large congregation, which evinced the esteem and affection in which both families are held. Bridesmaids were Miss Clara Cock and Miss Hilda Withecombe; best man was Mr H W Mules.

A social evening, organised by Mrs Hamlyn in the interest of the local Conservative Association took place at Clovelly Court. An address was given by Mrs Jewell which was followed by a small dramatic entertainment.

A successful jumble sale in aid of the Clovelly Young Ladies Hockey Club was held by kind permission of Mr A E Bushell at the New Inn Hotel Garage. The following ladies were in charge of stalls: Mesdames J Cruse, C Bate, Misses I Bushell, K Beer, A Colwill and E Somerville, and refreshment stall, Mrs W Johns. At 8pm, a dance took place, music being provided by gramophones kindly lent by Mrs Bushell and Miss H Caird. The total proceeds amounted to over £10.

Official notification has been received by Bideford Rural District Council that it is proposed to erect new coastguard cottages near the Rocket Life-saving Apparatus House, above Hartland Quay.

At Hartland, the Men’s Club reopens.

Mr W H Westlake, of Mount Pleasant, who died after a very brief illness, was a prominent member of the former New Union Friendly Society, founded 1815, and of the Annual Fete Committee, and he did not lose interest when it amalgamated with the Female Society to form the ‘One and All’ Court of Foresters, in January 1915. Deceased, who had been a regular

Early on Sunday morning, Mrs J Fulford, of Elmscott, passed away. The funeral took place at the cemetery, Rev F Dennis officiating.

Henry Cleverdon, farmer, of Presslands, gets benefit of the doubt at Hatherleigh.

To Barnstaple Rural Council Instow Parish Council forwarded a petition against the erection of huts on the upper main road, which the petitioners state were calculated to lower the standard of housing.

Mrs Huxtable, of Birch-hill Farm, Langtree, is the proud possessor of a turkey which has laid 125 eggs, which appears to be a remarkably good record. Rev B Hallowes, presided at a meeting of the School Managers, other members present being Messrs P B Jones, W H Hackwill, W H Short, S W Cole and S J Sanders. There were 10 applications for the post of assistant mistress, Miss Kathleen Down, from Mary Tavy, being appointed.

Under the auspices of the Primrose League (Iddesleigh Habitation) a vey successful whist drive and dance was held in the Littleham Parish Room. About 100 sat down to a very enjoyable game at which Mr C Nicholls acted as MC. During the interval Mrs Daw (Ruling Councillor) presented the long service badge to Mrs C Nicholls in recognition of her 21 years’ work with the League. After the refreshments had been handed round a capital dance programme was gone through, with Messrs Huxtable and C Nicholls as MCs, Mrs Walmsley presiding at the piano.

For Home-Made Pork Pies try E.G. and F Fieldhouse, The Square, Northam. 1-4lbs made daily. Larger sizes to order, orders sent by post to any part. 

In memory of the late Miss Emily Smart, of Ridgeway, Northam, a brass tablet, the gift of a life-long friend, Mrs Weaver Baker, was unveiled by her in the Torridge Bank Room, Northam, in the presence of a large number of the regular congregation.

On the occasion of her marriage to Mr Duncan McGill, Miss Vera Cole, only daughter of Mr and Mrs S Cole, of Northam, was made the recipient of a set of mahogany hall brushes from the choir of Northam Parish Church.

The funeral of the late Mr Noah Mortimore, a retired policeman of Northam takes place.

At Parkham, the land has now had a good soaking and a good spell of fine weather would be welcome for completing the corn harvest and lifting the field potatoes. An experiment was tried at Melbury by planting the tubers in June and apparently the result will be satisfactory. A very successful whist drive and dance was held in the Parkham Council School in aid of Parkham Football Club Funds. The prize winners…

The harvest thanksgiving services have been duly held in connection with St James’ Church. The sacred edifice was nicely decorated with fruit and vegetables. 

Stanley Moore is stopped by PC Jeffery when riding a motor cycle at Parkham.

The property known as Corner House together with two meadows at St Giles in the Wood has been purchased by Mr J Balman of Aisland Farm, Petrockstowe, for £800.

The Torrington Postal Staff have subscribed and presented Miss Hawkins (clerk), on the occasion of her forthcoming marriage, with a silver cake stand.

A very pretty wedding took place at the Baptist Church, Torrington, Rev J W Mayo officiated. The contracting parties were Mr R Friend, youngest son of Mr and Mrs T Friend, Kingscott, St Giles, and Miss Irene Hunkin, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Hunkin, Coombe Farm, Torrington. A large number of guests attended the wedding ceremony. The bride who was given away by her uncle, Mr C Ward, 

Playing in the Bovey Tracey football match, one of Torrington’s prominent players, Mr F Clements, was unfortunate to break his collar bone and sprain his wrist. The following week Tolly, another member, sprained the tendons of his foot.

A pullet belonging to Mr F Morrish of West Buckland, which hatched in March, began laying in August. During one week it has laid three eggs containing eight yolks – one double yolk and two treble yolks.

Frederick Martin, 20 The Village, and Frederick Langmead of Higher Pillhead, both of Westleigh, are in court.

A most successful whist drive and dance was held in the Westleigh Recreation Hut in aid of the Football Club about 150 being present, ninety six playing whist.

The funeral of the late Mrs Elizabeth Beer, a well known and highly respected parishioner of Westleigh took place in the Churchyard, the Rev C W Finzel officiating. The wife of Mr John Beer, a local gardener living at Lower Southcott, deceased, leaves two daughters and a son to mourn their loss. Widespread regret is felt throughout the parish on the death of one so much esteemed, and dearly loved by many friends. The immediate mourners were the

Ernest Henry Carnochan, a visitor from Burma, was fined nine shillings for obstructing the highway by leaving a motor car unattended for two and a quarter hours on Church Road, Westward Ho! The large brown vehicle was standing outside Fairhaven, but there was no-one in the house. PC Uglow watched the car from 5.30pm until 7.40pm. During that time four charabancs, ten motors and four horse drawn vehicles passed. All had to slow down. Mr Oerton for the defence pointed out that the car was within a foot of the pavement and that the road was sixteen feet wide. There was plenty of room for cars to pass but they had to slow down, which in his opinion was no bad thing!

Household furniture from Penkenna, Westward Ho! is for sale by auction.

 

October 1973

The youngest ever winner in the annual putting competition at Victoria Park, Bideford, 8 year old Peter Evans is seen showing his parents how it was done. Peter, son of Carey and June Evans, of 18 Staddon Road, Appledore, won the individual junior competition in which the previous youngest winner was 11. Mum and Dad also did well – Mrs Evans won the two ball pairs competition partnered by Mr H Slade, and Mr Evans was a semi-finalist. Results: singles, Mr J Slocombe, Mr G Harris; pairs, Mrs W Hearn and Mr H Slade, Mr E May and Mr W Pridham; OAPs, Mr W Lilley, Miss F Mills; juniors, P Evans, D Griffiths; ladies handicap, Miss F Mills, Mrs L Headon; pairs, two ball, Mrs J Evans and Mr H Slade, Mr A Wright and Mr W Pridham; medal play, D Sanders, J Slocombe (after a play-off).

Hard on the heels of the announcement by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd that they had secured a £5 million order from Norway for three bulk carriers came news of another order. This time it is for two estuarial tankers to be built for Shell-Mex and BP Ltd for use in their Thames operations.

A total of £5,610 gross has been raised for Appledore RNLI this year, “We expect after deductions to have made a profit of about £4,300” said Capt Colin Lowry, the branch chairman. The figure, a record one, has been reached by the sale of souvenirs, subscriptions, donations and other money raising events. Last year the profit was £3,581.

Appledore lifeboat service has had its busiest year since it was established in 1825. To date there have been 26 service calls in which 23 lives have been saved. The big lifeboat has been called on seven services with five lives saved and the inshore boat 19 times with 18 lives saved. “This year’s figure has been phenomenal compared with other years” Appledore lifeboat secretary Ivor Wickerhsam told the Gazette. What prompts men to leave their families and the warmth and security of their homes, sometimes on bitter winter nights, to risk their lives to save those of others? Humanity, certainly, and probably tradition. Financial reward certainly not. The fee for turning out is £1.25. When the maroons go off, signalling that someone is in ‘peril on the sea’ there is a concerted rush to the lifeboat house – and nearly always someone is disappointed. Priority is given to the four retained members of the service. The crew is made up by the next three to arrive unless a later arrival is considered outstanding by comparison. In the old days it was not unknown for men to fight for a place in the boat. The families of Cann, Cox and Bowden can claim generations of service. The accompanying picture of crew and helpers is the first to have been taken for years. Left to right are: R Cann, P Ford, M Bowden, J Wills, R Fisher, B Williams, Eric Wartnaby, J Heard, J Pavitt, E Evans, D Cox, M Lee, S Dymond, I Wickersham, and kneeling, J Harris.

Although the suggested site for Bideford’s sewage treatment works at Nutaberry, East-the-Water, is ‘right underneath a council estate’ the Town Clerk, Mr L B Galliford, told the Town Council that the consultants had assured him that there would not be any smell. Mr Galliford added that notices had been served on the owners and planning permission was being sought. Alderman Cecel Cann urged positive action over a matter that had been shelved for so long, but the Town Clerk said that the engineers could not be instructed to proceed with a scheme until planning permission had been received for the works.

Despite all the anti-fireworks propaganda the fifth of November “will never be forgot”. Sisters Kirsten and Liselle Hook, daughters of Mr and Mrs Michael Hook of Moreton Park, Bideford, could not wait before trying out the sparklers. Sparklers are, of course, the only fireworks that should be held in the hand.

New premises and an organ gallery are now open at East-the-Water, Bideford, where Wyvern Church Organs Ltd have taken over the riverside building formerly used as a stores and social club by the Gas Board. The company, of which Mr Jim Mitchells is sales director and Mr Ken Burge technical director, set up in Bideford in 1966 in premises at Torridge Hill.

An expanding Bideford Rifle Club has opened a £1,000 extension to its headquarters at Moreton just in time for the new season. The present building, leased from Grenville College, has been extended to include a rest and club room, gun room, kitchen and toilets. Half the cost has been met from club funds with Grenville College and Devon County Council sharing the balance.

After a very successful year, Bideford Ladies Bowling Club finished a season with a bowls drive, after which the members were entertained to tea by the club’s captain, Mrs B Cupit. The guest of honour was the Mayoress of Bideford, Mrs W Hill. This is the first time that a member of the club has held this office. Another first occasion which came to the club this year was when Mrs L Taylor represented Devon in the singles event at the All-England championships at Wimbledon.

Bideford businessman Doug Bale, a member of Victoria Park Bowling Club, Bideford, has had a most successful year. He won the club singles championship and the two-wood singles, and was also winning finalist in the club pairs and club triples championship. His performance set up a new club record.

Five local players, including two sets of brothers, were in the England Young Farmers’ Club rugby team which beat Wales 12-3 at Colwyn Bay. All the points in the final came from Bideford Quins full-back Richard Evans who kicked four penalties. Other local players taking part were Richard’s brother Steve, the brothers Geoff and Richard Giddy, and George Heywood.

The Stand Cinema at Bideford has been acquired by a Midland’s firm. But they had no plans for any changes and rumours that the premises would be converted for bingo sessions were ‘absolutely wrong.’ The new manager for the Strand is Mr Frank Snart.

Warethorn Properties Ltd is selling bungalows at Broadlands, Alverdiscott Road, Bideford.

After 15 very full years as Rector of Bideford, Prebendary T Derwent Davies has announced that he feels the time has come for a change in his ministry. Early next year he is to become Vicar of the Devon rural parishes of Thorverton with Cadbury where the population total is 800, compared with Bideford’s 12,000.

The Rev John G Scott, a retired Royal Navy chaplain, who has come to live at Bradworthy in what promises to be an active retirement, is to present a cheque to the Clovelly branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. It represents the proceeds of the auction of harvest festival at Hindon, Wiltshire, where for the past two and a half years Mr Scott has been Vicar. Mr and Mrs Scott’s retirement home is Trentworthy Lodge, Bradworthy, and the Clovelly branch of the RNLI was chosen as being the nearest branch with a lifeboat station. In recognition of his services as a naval chaplain Mr Scott was appointed OBE and an honorary chaplain to the Queen a few years ago.

New Bucks Mills threat: “We will move into hotels-and send council the bill”

Later in the month – Work on the first phase of the controversial Bucks sewerage scheme is to start. Devon County Council have confirmed an Order which makes it possible to close the road to the village, although the area chosen for the initial excavation means the road will not have to be closed for the time being. Mr A J Blatchford, clerk of Bideford Rural Council, said the council had decided to carry on with the scheme and any issues would be dealt with ‘as they arose.’ The county council’s order lasts six weeks and any extension had to be approved by the Department of the Environment. The rural council has sought geologists’ advice and the fact that the work is starting indicates there is nothing in the report which would prevent the scheme proceeding. Mr Blatchford said the question of claims which some residents had said they may be making for other accommodation during work will be considered in detail by the council’s finance committee.

There were three first prize winners from Clovelly among those who at Dorchester received awards in art competitions promoted by Westward TV and the South Western Arts Association. A prize of £125 for being joint first in the Art Association’s film and video tape competition was won by Louise Denver and David Redom, of Snaxland Cottage, Clovelly, for their entry “The streets of Ulster.” In the Westward TV open art competition, Ian Wright, of The Canteen, Clovelly, won a prize of £50 for sculpture. A £50 prize in the drawing and watercolours category was won by Truda Lane, of Kiverleigh Manor, Beaford.

Clovelly Revel final event was held at the Parish Hall. A whist drive and fancy dress dance, it was organised by Mr and Mrs R Kelly and Mr and Mrs A Jeffery. Fancy dress judges were Capt and Mrs Kerr. Winners: Miss Wendy Daniel, Mr Roy Scott, Mr and Mrs J Vanstone, and the Johns and Rowe and Ellis family and friends. Draw winners were Mrs P Burrow, Miss Y Kelly, Mr F Wade and Mr R Tridgell. Door stewards were Messrs J J Headon and A Jeffery and refreshments were served by members of the Revel Committee.

The widening of the Hartland road from South Lane to Harton Cross and the provision of a pavement and lighting, for which the Parish and Rural Councils have pressed, are already included in the County Council’s list of schemes to be carried out as and when funds are available.

93 Springfield Terrace, Hartland, is for sale.

Teachers may quit Hartland.

Although it was 6.30am and not too pleasant a morning it was a happy crowd of Hartland senior citizens who lugged suitcases to Northgate. More than 30 of the Over-60s Club there embarked for a coach trip to Shanklin, Isle of Wight, where they are spending the week. And some have a pension increase to look forward to on their return.

The Marine Hotel at Instow, which has been a feature of the Torridge waterfront scene for many years, is to be demolished, probably early in the New Year. In its place will rise a block of luxury residential flats with further flats being built on the opposite side of the road on the former petrol filling station in a project worth altogether almost half a million pounds. The developers, Messrs R Harris and Son (Builders) of Barnstaple, have now been given outline approval for the scheme. Altogether 29 flats will be built and the finished buildings will be no higher than the existing hotel.

A tribute to the late Mrs Rene Gade, of Lundy, wife of Mr Felix Gade, for so many years resident agent on the island, appears in the current issue of the Illustrated Lundy News. Mr and Mrs Gade, it says, had worked together on the island for over 40 years, during which time Mrs Gade’s efficiency in everything she undertook was renowned. “Her cheerful, active personality will long be remembered by all who knew her,” says the tribute.

A quiet family party marked the diamond wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs Charles Prouse, of 13 Morwenna Park, Northam. They are not a couple to seek the limelight but their family, which includes 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, were determined that the occasion would not pass without some sort of recognition. Mr Prouse was a painter and decorator and his main interests were in boxing, wrestling and bell ringing. Mrs Winifred Prouse is a staunch member of the Royal British Legion. Both are members of Northam Congregational Church.

And it did not even need a magic wand! In a matter of seconds Northam became a town. That was how long it took for the Urban Council to pass a resolution transforming itself into a town council and promote the chairman, Mr John Smith, to the office of town mayor. The clerk, Mr Alan Gardner, told members that as he understood the 1972 Local Government Act the resolution adopting the status of a town took immediate effect. Mr Smith said it did not matter to him whether he was called mayor, chairman, or chief cook-and-bottle-washer.

At the annual meeting of the Atlantic Flower Club in the Northam Church Hall, Mrs J Littlejohns was elected chairman for the coming year. Other officers: Mrs Land, Mrs Evans, Mesdames Ackland, Ayres, Fisk, O Littlejohns, Saunders, Vanstone and Westaway. Mrs Ayres was the winner of the Mrs Blackburn Perpetual Cup given for most points gained in the monthly competition.

Among the regular good deeds undertaken by members of the 1st Shebbear (St Michael’s) Girl Guide Company is helping with the production of the local parish magazine. Four churches of three denominations in the parish of Shebbear finance the magazine Link, which is available, free of charge, to every home in the parish. “It contains news and reports from local churches and village organisations, and the work of duplicating, collating, stapling and assistance with distribution each month is undertaken by members of the Guide Company.” The photograph shows the production team at work.

Self catering at Torrington school.

In view of the national publicity which Torrington Cavaliers’ giant bonfire and fireworks display is hoped will attract. Torrington Town Council are giving £50 towards the cost.

Three local girls are believed to be the youngest in the South West to become qualified surf lifeguards. Penny Curtis, Jane Newcombe and Jane Hookway successfully undertook a four hour examination in rough surf at Westward Ho! plus a theory examination. They were among six teenage members of the Westward Ho! Lifesaving Club to take the examinations. Others successful were Simon Dell and Nigel Johnson.

A scheme for 20 houses and bungalows, a public house and restaurant, and associated works on the site of the former Atlanta Hotel at Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! for R Harris and Son (Builders), has been recommended for planning approval by Northam Urban Council.

October 1998

North Devon bore the brunt of the fury as storms lashed the West Country. Winds up to 70mph toppled trees and three inches of torrential rain turned some roads into impassable waterways. Some 2,500 homes lost electricity supplies.

Strong winds hurl waves and spray over the sea wall at Westward Ho!

Businessman Steve Clarke displays a model of the Kathleen and May schooner, which returned to Torridge waters. The model is what the famous three-masted ship will look like when it has been refurbished. Bideford traders are confident that the foundations have been laid for a major new tourist attraction. Mr Clarke brought the vessel to Bideford and it is being taken under the wing of the Chamber of Commerce as a project to celebrate the millennium. The Kathleen and May, which traded for 30 years out of Appledore, is now moored at Brunswick wharf. During her first day in port Mr Clarke estimated that some 500 people went aboard. A trust is being set up to raise the £250,000 it will cost to restore the vessel.

Some 200 youngsters from all over North Devon converged on Edgehill College at Bideford to meet former England and British Lions rugby player Nigel Horton and join in a special day of tag rugby training and competition. A mixture of boys and girls from 18 North Devon schools soon got into the swing of the fast, non-contact game under the watchful eye of Rugby Union coaches and youth development officers including Edgehill’s Head of PE, Phil Hanner. Smart Manufacturing Ltd of Bideford helped sponsor the event.

Jo Trapnell, from Bideford, has been presented with the Devon Award for her notable achievements in the field of English folk dance, song and music. The presentation took place at the North Devon Folk Dance weekend at Westward Ho! Jo set up the Bideford Folk Dance Club in 1944. The club closed for 4 years, but reopened in 1950.

A couple who have given many years of service to the Bideford community celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary. Harry and Renie Rosekilly of Park Lane, Bideford, were married in Plymouth when both were Sunday School teachers at the Pennycross Methodist Church. After war service Harry became a civil servant and the family moved to Bideford in 1948. During the late 50s and 60s Renie ran a grocery store at Barton Tors. The couple have two sons and five grandchildren.

Lost lorry drivers travelling through some of Bideford’s busiest residential streets have prompted the town council to call for traffic restrictions in Northam Road and Pitt Lane. Councillors have unanimously backed a call by Cllr Peter Christie for the county council to conduct an urgent survey of possible traffic calming and re-direction measures in the two roads. Construction of the North Devon Link Road and the opening of the new Safeway supermarket in Kingsley Road had led to vastly increased traffic flows in the roads. “I was stopped in Pitt Lane by a huge French articulated lorry trying to get to Clovelly Road. Other lorries delivering to the High Street are also going out of the town down Pitt Lane.”

Burglar tried to smash way OUT of Bideford shop!

North Devon schools were one jump ahead in the Devon Schools Showjumping Championships. Bideford College finished first of the 16 entries and St Margaret’s Primary School in Northam, which had the youngest team, took third place. Representing Bideford were Vicky Mills, Tony Moon, Kelly Daniel and Charlie Petersen. The Northam team comprised Vicky’s sister Catherine Mills, Fiona Henderson and Vaness Jobson-Scott.

Buckland Brewer property for sale.

Dogs and dog collars have played an important part in the life of Graeme Simms, from Clovelly, for a long time. But now the resident shepherd at The Milky Way Adventure Park has a dog collar of a different kind – and a new flock to care for. With his ordination at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Graeme has his 15th dog collar. “Well, we have 14 dogs at home and they’ve all got one, so mine is the 15th,” he said. He will now serve at Deacon in the parishes of Alwington, Buckland Brewer and Parkham.

Lieutenant Commander Brian Miles, the director of the RNLI, visited the lifeboat station at Clovelly. He toured the station and met present-day crew members, recalling his first visit there as coxswain of a 70ft lifeboat more than 30 years ago. Lieut Commander Miles said he looked forward to seeing the new lifeboat house, work on which is due to start in January.

Just a short walk from most amenities is a delightful, three-bedroomed link-detached bungalow in Fremington – on the market for £69,950.

A new flag is flying over Bideford Amateur Rowing Club – a memorial to one of its enduring heroes. The flag has been presented by the family of the late Fred Montague, of Northam, who won a series of West of England amateur rowing championships while competing for the club 70 years ago. He died just before his 93rd birthday. With the flag went three medals which were presented to his widow Molly. Three of the couple’s four children were also at the ceremony at the Red’s clubhouse.

Mrs Montague with sons Don and Gerald, daughter Yvonne, and Red’s chairman Peter Bowden, president George Cox and WEARA present Tony Way

There will be fireworks at the Torrington Rugby Club and a bonfire and free disco too! What promises to be a spectacular night out will also serve to highlight the activities and facilities at the club. Although officially opened in December 1996, much work has been carried out subsequently. The clubhouse itself was largely built by members. The current captain is Andy Manning, the chairman is Stuart Smithson and the President Ian Rose.

The opening ceremony. Far left is Ed Morrison whose previous game was no less than the World Cup final!

The peace of the normally quiet village of Westleigh has been broken by conflict over its war memorial. It follows enhancement work by the parish council; many villages now protest that this is no improvement but an eyesore, and a petition bearing 80 names was presented to the last parish council meeting.

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The people of Westward Ho! and district are being invited to a big bonfire night party at the cricket ground just behind the pebbleridge. It is the third time that Bideford Cricket Club has run the event and next week’s looks as if it will be the biggest yet. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm on November 5 and this will be followed by a fireworks display. Visitors can bring their own fireworks to be let off safely by club members. The bar will be open and there will be refreshments for sale.

More than 1,600 happy eaters have helped the North Devon Marketing Bureau to choose North Devon’s best pub for food. The new competition brought nominations for 57 local pubs. After long hours of deliberation, the judges named the Kings Arms at Winkleigh as the first holder of the accolade. Nine runners-up prizes included the New Inn at Fremington, Stag’s Head at Filleigh, Hart Inn at Hartland and Manor Inn, Woolsery. Pub regulars joined Ann and Steve Kinsey at the King’s Arms at the official presentation.

Woolsery village fayre committee sends a vote of thanks to all those who helped to make their summer event such a success, raising some £1,600. There are special thanks to R and C Markets which allowed the sale of draw tickets at its Bideford Outdoor Market. Proceeds of the event are being divided between the Friends of Woolsery School, the Baden Powell Support Group, the Woolsery Playgroup and the upkeep of the village hall.

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