November 1923
Marriages – William Henry Marsh and Charlotte Elizabeth Pope; George Cann and Bessie Jane Radford; Reginal William Sing and Edith Christine Popham
Deaths – Maria Delbridge; Edward Harris; Joshua Heywood; Elizabeth Phillips; Susan E Bailey; Annie Cawsey; Charles Henry Taylor; Ellen Gertrude Evans; Dorothy Caroline Row; Cathering Boyd; Hugo Cox; Eda E Giddy; Ella Kate Lewis; Captain E P Watts and his wife, nee Elsie Giles
The Gazettes for November 1923 contain some photos, quite unusual at this date. There is also a lot of political reporting, beginning in the 6 November issue with the death of Mr Bonar Law, who resigned as Prime Minister in May of that year due to ill health.
The same issue contains the results of two local by-elections, both won by the Conservatives with good majorities. However according to local MP Basil E Peto it will not be long before a General Election will be called and later in the month we hear that the election has been called for 6 December. The Gazette for 20 November contains election statements from all parties and reports from local constituencies. At Municipal elections in Bideford, four councillors were to be elected due to expiration of terms of office and one for a casual vacancy. The turnout was 75%. The turnout in Torrington was even higher – of 1367 people eligible to vote, nearly 85% cast their ballots. It is Mayor choosing season, and the paper of 13 November carries a picture of Bideford’s new Mayor, Councillor F T Upton.
Mr Peto answers questions about the working conditions on North Devon Railway.
Torrington Rural Council, Mr W H Griffin presiding, were informed by the Clerk, Mr G M Doe, in regard to the Torrington Halwill Railway, that the cheque for £1,800 was still there, signed, but not yet sent to the railway.
A very successful entertainment has been given in the Abbotsham Schoolroom on behalf of the Parish Hall Fund. Mrs Bernard Kempe organised the affair and under her training, backed up by hearty support from others, the performers did most creditably and their efforts were greatly appreciated by a large audience.
A fatal case of diptheria in a 5 year old boy in Alwington parish was reported. At the Day School in Alwington, Miss Kievill’s good services are recognised.
Mr Albert E Ford, of Appledore, has succeeded in passing the Board of Trade examination for the Master’s Certificate at the early age of 22. Mr Ford served his apprenticeship with Sir W R Smith and Sons of Cardiff and has been in their employ ever since. Miss Annie Bilton from Ashington, Northumberland, now on the staff of Appledore Vicarage, was the best scholar at hand sewing needlework at the Night School prizes. She was presented with a teak wood workbox, beautifully carved and handsomely fitted up.
At Northam Churchyard the funeral took place of the late Mr Christopher Cobbledick of Irsha Street, who died at the age of 83 years old. There was a large attendance at the funeral, including the deceased’s sons and daughters and friends of the family and others.
A quiet interesting wedding was solemnised at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, the contracting parties being Mr Nicholas Phillips Cocking, second son of Mr and Mrs T W Cocking, late of HM Coastguard, Westward Ho! and now of 45 Fore Street, St Ives, and Miss Edith Berry, second daughter of the late Captain John Berry and Mrs Berry, of 44 Irsha Street. The Rev Hugh C A S Muller officiated. The ceremony was necessarily of a quiet character owing to the recent death of the bride’s father. The duties of best man were carried out by Mr Thomas Cocking and Mr Arthur Berry gave the bride away. The happy couple will spend their honeymoon in Cornwall, and the bridegroom will shortly be leaving for China to joining HMS Durban.
A very pretty wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, the contracting parties being Mr Harry Ransom of the Royal Marines, and Miss Susan Caroline Hutchings Screech. Mr Baker of Bristol acted as best man, while Mr Silvanus Screech, of the ketch Spirit, gave his sister away. The bridesmaids were Miss Evelyn Ransom, Miss Clara Louise Screech and Miss Polly Screech, supported by Mr Roy Screech.
Several vessels left bound for up-channel ports. Owing to the rough weather of the past few months many vessels have been wind-bound, and altogether shipping is very bad, which greatly affects the trade of Appledore. The rain gauge at Appledore Senior School registered 5.8 inches of rain for October, making the total for the year so far 27.2 inches.
Torridge fishery – Appledore protest meeting
The funeral of the late Mrs Susan Bailey, widow of the late Mr Philip Bailey, of 20 The Quay, Appledore, took place in St Mary’s Church. Deceased was well known throughout the town and district, and held in the highest respect by all. Her husband, who predeceased her many years ago, successfully carried on the ferry service from Appledore to Instow. She leaves two sons, Messrs J and W Bailey. The service was conducted by the vicar, Rev H C A S Muller, assisted by Mr J Harvey (sailors missioner).
Sad news reached Appledore of the sudden death of Mr Sidney Jewell, on board s.s. Vaus, at Nantres. He was the son of Captain William Jewell, of the sailing ship Ketch, and had recently married a daughter of Captain Rees, of West Appledore. He was home last Sunday for the weekend to see his wife and child. Great sympathy is expressed for the widow and parents. Mr Hocking left in his motor car with Mr Rees for Newport, to bring home the body, and the funeral will take place at Appledore.
The Bideford and District Hospital expresses thanks for a variety of gifts, including Valentine Meat Juice which is an improved form of beef tea, very nutritious and easily digested by convalescents.
The Mount, Clovelly Road, Bideford, is for sale – late in the occupation of Mr W E Jenkinson.
Household furniture from Mizpah, Abbotsham Road, Bideford, for sale.
A very quiet but pretty wedding was solemnised at St Mary’s Church, Bideford. The Rev Crofts officiated. The contracting parties were Mr Albert Vodden, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Robert Vodden, Well Street, Torrington, and Betty, the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Montague Dennis.
An interesting wedding was solemnised in the presence of a goodly congregation at the Parish Church of St Mary, Bideford, by the Rev C B Crofts, the contracting parties being Mr Arthur William Luxton and Miss Mary J Backway. Owing to the illness of the bride’s mother the wedding was of simple character. Notable among the many handsome presents were presentations from the Proprietor of the Bideford Motor Works to the bride and from Messrs R Blackmore and Son to the bridegroom and also presents from the employees of both firms. Amid salvoes of detonators the happy couple left late for London where the honeymoon is being spent.
Mrs Short is transferring her business to 64 Lime Grove.
Mr F W J Cutland transfers his businesses including The Old Ring Of Bells Inn, Bideford, to Mr E M Ainsworth.
Christmas cards can be bought from Cole & Lee's at the Gazette Office in Bideford.
Before the Mayor, Mr F T Upton, and other magistrates at Bideford Petty Sessions Albert Edwin Backway, painter, pleaded guilty to using bad language in High-street at 10.45 on Saturday night. He explained that “we were talking about football.” PC Bedford stated the other facts and defendant was fined 6s.
Bideford Women’s Liberal Association – a crowded audience gathered at Friendship’s Café, Bideford, and all enjoyed a most successful social evening. The meeting, over which Miss Reed presided, was one of a series being held in the district in connection with a visit of Miss J Banbury Palmer, an organizer and speaker from the Devon Union of Women’s Liberal Associations.
It is reported that the Devon County Show held at Bideford made a loss of £416; this is thought to be due to the inclement weather. Bideford & District Open Horticultural Show takes place November 7th, in the Pannier Market.
Reports of Armistice Day services can be found in the papers of 13 and 20 November, together with details of receipts from Poppy sales. Bideford’s fine response for Poppy Day is reported.
A very handsome oak reredos has been dedicated at Bradworthy Church. The ceremony took place during harvest thanksgiving. The reredos was given in memory of Lieut-Col Cecil Griffin DSO, formerly of West Down.
A complaint from Mr Frederick Blight, of Nathimoor, Buckland Brewer, of water from the road damaging his land at the bottom of Thornhill Head Moor, was referred to the Surveyor.
The annual Temperance services were held at Buckland Brewer. The joint Sunday services were held in the U.M Church, the preacher for the day Mr S J Burrow, of Plymouth, Representative of the Western Temperance League. On Monday the usual annual tea….
Through the decease of Mr Henry Heale, the parish of Buckland Brewer has been deprived of a splendid type of a rare old Englishman, and courteous Christian gentleman. Since his retirement from business, just nineteen years ago, he resided in…
The annual diocesan examination in religious knowledge of the scholars of the Council School in Clovelly took place, the examiners being the Rev E F Hall and the Rev Reedham. Rev T LV Simkin and Captain T Jones (Managers) were also present during the inspection. The following…
The observance of Armistice Sunday at Clovelly was of a very sincere and impressive character. A large gathering of parishioners, men, women an children, quietly and reverently assembled at the Lych Gate for the purpose of participating in the simple yet impressive memorial service arranged by the Rector, Rev T L V Simkin. The ex-Service men, many of them in uniform, all wearing their medals, marched under the charge of Major Guntor and ex-Sergeant Major Scantlebury, to the churchyard and formed up in the Vew Walk. The names of those who had fallen in the War were read: William Babb, Job Beer, James Bond, Charles Callaghan, Samuel P Colwill, George Cook, James T Cruse, Thomas W Cruse, Stanley B Headon, William T Howard, Harry Jewell, Llewellyn R Pengilly, Thomas S Pengilly, James H Shackson, James H Somerville, William Stevens, Frank Tardivel and William A B Tuke.
The wind blew a gale and damage was done to chimney pots and roofs in various parts of North Devon. There was a recurrence of exceptionally rough weather in the Bristol Channel, and the Clovelly lifeboat was twice launched during the day. The same squall caught the Clovelly fishing fleet by surprise as they had sailed out during good weather. In this case the lifeboat stood by but there were no casualties. Alarm was felt at Appledore for the safety of a three-masted German sailing ship Hannah Jensen, lying in Clovelly Roads, and bound over the Bar at Appledore. She was boarded early in the morning from Clovelly by Appledore pilots, and later news was received that the Clovelly lifeboat had been launched.
In spite of the wild weather a large company attended the first meeting of the United Guild at Hartland. The following members contributed to the programme: Misses A Littlejohn, L Prouse, D Pomeroy, B Squance, F Colwill, E Hawkins, Mrs Vanstone, Mr Hill. Mr A Squance made an ideal chairman, wishing the members a very successful season. Miss E Heard presided at the organ.
There will be lighting in Hartland.
The Hartland United Methodist harvest thanksgiving, though later than others, was wonderfully attended. Mr A Saunders, of Belle Vue, Bude, preached both times. The choir of about 25 members sang and Mrs Vanstone took a solo part. Collection £3 4s 6d.
The Rev T S Kendell, Chairman of the Holsworthy Housing Committee, reported that the accounts in the extension fields were now complete and revealed the fact that the houses had cost a total of £6,202 12s 6d. Six thousand pounds had been received from the Public Works Loan Board. Portions of the land had been resold, and there was an adverse balance of £202 12s 8d to be provided for. It was decided to make application to the Ministry of Health for the balance as the Clerk explained that the amount could not fall on the local rates.
The teachers connected with the United Methodist Sunday School, Langtree, being affiliated with the National Sunday School Union, were the guests of Mr and Mrs Blackmore’s At Home at Bideford and spent a very pleasant evening.
The fifth anniversary of Armistice Day was solemnly observed in the Langtree parish church. Matins commenced at 10.45am, instead of 11am, in order that the two minutes silence might be rigidly adhered to. A special service of thanksgiving and prayer was rendered at evensong by a large congregation. The Rector, the Rev B Hallowes, preached an appropriate sermon.
At Langtree the overseers of the parish received a demand from the Torrington Rural District Council for special expenses incurred under the Public Health Act. This will necessitate the making of a separate rate. It is the first time during the 25 years of office of the assistant overseer that special rate has been asked for.
Mr C Symons of Uffculme, Newton Tracey, has been certified as a Qualified Registered Shoeing Smith by the County Council.
Kilvenstool corner in Parkham is improved; and the death has occurred at Powlers Piece of Mr Frank Sadd. The deceased served in the Coldstream Guards and leaves a widow and three daughters to mourn their loss.
Mr R E L Penhale had a remarkable escape while motoring over the level crossing at Peters Marland. The crossing is somewhat hidden to road traffic and his car was hit by a light engine with trucks belonging to the Torrington-Halwill Railway Contractors. The car was smashed to pieces but Mr Penhale escaped without injury.
Mr W F Palmer, of the Old Post Office, Shebbear, is resigning from the office of Registrar of Births and deaths for the Shebbear sub-district which he has held for 23 years. A meeting of the local committee of higher education for Shebbear was held in the Council School presided over by Mr H H Earle. Others of the committee present were Mrs A Chapman, Messrs J Rounsefell, A Griffin, A Hocking, S Quance. It was decided to ask the Education Committee for a class of dressmaking, also a course of lectures on manures to commence early in the New Year, if possible.
At Shebbear, the time honoured custom of turning the pre-historic stone under the village oak was observed in the presence of a good number of parishioners amid cheers and ringing of bells.
Armistice Day was fully observed at Shebbear parish church where the congregation was the largest for over 22 years, a larger number of ex-Service men than had attended previously, and a larger number of wreaths sent for the War Memorial.
Torrington Borough Magistrates fined Harold Westlake 5s, for riding a cycle without a light, one hour and 19 minutes after lighting up time. Devonshire cider was responsible for the appearance in the dock at Exeter Police Court of George Jones, a native of the North of England, and a man who declared that he had never before been before a civilian court.
At the sitting of the County Magistrates, the Chairman, Mr J S C Davies, congratulated Mr G M Doe, of Torrington, on his elevation to the position of Chief Borough Magistrate. Mr Doe’s partner, Mr F A L Hodgkinson, was cordially welcomed as acting magistrates’ clerk. Warm appreciation of Mr Milton Chapple’s two years’ service at Mayor was expressed. Noting a heart vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Alderman W Luxton said Mr Milton Chapple had long association with the borough, and he had found the name of Chapple on the Mayor’s Roll in 1871. Mr Milton Chapple had and would continue to add lustre to the civic life of the town.
The newly formed Torrington Supporters’ Club held their general meeting in the Co-operative Hall. The President, Mr W P Barnwell, presided. A suggestion put forward by Mr Len Hutchings, that the Supports Club could help in providing ‘duck boards’ for the benefit of the spectators at the matches, was supported by many members. Mr Barnwell suggested that Mr Hutchings should obtain an estimate of the quantity needed, and the best terms he could procure, and report at the next meeting.
The funeral of the late Mr Henry Woodcock, of Westward Ho! took place at Northam Churchyard, in the presence of a large attendance. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev J J Nelson. There was a number of choice wreaths.
Bad weather was experienced at the Devon Lady Golfers meeting at the Royal North Devon Golf Club. Top prize went to Miss Newton King, daughter of the club secretary and one of the youngest competitors. The weather improved a little for the Stella Temple Memorial Cup which was won by Miss M Hingston. There is a long report with names and scores on page 3 of the 6 November paper.
At the Devon Assize, a dressmaker, 32, pleaded guilty to uttering a cheque, knowing it to have been forged, at Bideford for the payment of £35 and to received payment for the same. After entering her plea, she fainted and the case had to be adjourned. The prisoner, who helped her mother, who kept a boarding-house at Westward Ho! took a cheque out of a cheque book of a Mr Beer, who was occupying rooms in the house with his wife, signed it with his name, making it payable to ‘Emily Barnes’, presented it at The World’s Stores in Bideford, received £1 worth of goods and the change. She made a statement to a police officer to the effect that she got into debt, unknown to her husband, borrowed money on furniture and under pressure of creditors, became upset, and thus committed the fraud. There was no previous conviction against the prisoner. She asked that her husband might give evidence.
November 1973
At the re-opening of the Seamen’s Mission chapel at Appledore, the treasurer, Mr J Symons, announcing that £12,000 had been paid for the building, added that while the upstairs portion could be sold they would like to retain it if the necessary funds could be found.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s sincere appreciation for their ‘praiseworthy action’ in dealing with a recent call has been sent to the coxswain and crew of the Appledore lifeboat, Jesse Lumb. The vessel in distress was the yacht, Chong Peng.
‘Getting to know you’ – Appledore RNLI committee and lifeboat.
An Appledore resident who celebrates her one hundredth birthday complained “I don’t do the stairs as often as I used to.’ Apart from the fact there are three flights, her only other concession to a century of years is that she takes little rests between jobs. Miss Margaret Russell confides: ‘But except for deafness and occasional aches and pains I keep very well – very ‘bobbish’ in fact!’ This remarkable lady occupies the top flat in the 18th century home at Bradbourne House, Marine Parade, Appledore, of relatives Mr and Mrs A J S Rogers. Miss Russel is enthusiastic about North Devon, and Appledore in particular. She enjoys being taken out in the summer by the two young daughters of the house, Stephanie and Pippa.
An acute attack of Royal wedding fever confined many Bideford people to their homes on Wednesday morning. For all the business most traders did they might as well have shut up shop. Some, in effect, did that, allowing staff to cluster around the nearest television set. The marriage of Princess Anne and Capt Mark Phillips presented the first opportunity for millions fully to experience all the pageantry and atmosphere that such occasions provide. In North Devon the Huntshaw Cross transmitter sent out superb quality pictures. It could not have come into service at a more appropriate time. The Mayor, Major Ted Hill, on behalf of the borough, manor and port of Bideford, sent a telegram wishing health and happiness to the bride and bridegroom. A telegram was also sent by the Mayor of Torrington, Mrs M E Pitts.
Bideford Town Silver Band provides living proof that age is no barrier when it comes to music. Playing members of the band currently span three generations with schoolchildren and an octogenarian – Mr Daniel Pope - playing side by side. Last year the 20-strong band gained a new bandmaster in Mr R P Spain-Gower.
Broadlands, Alverdicott Road, Bideford East, is for sale.
At an informal ceremony held at Fording Trials Branch, Instow, attended by his former colleagues, Mr Bill Finn, of 9 Grenville Terrace, Bideford, was presented with the Imperial Service Medal. Until his retirement Mr Finn had been a vehicle mechanic specialising in the waterproofing of Army vehicles. The presentation was made by Col G O Ewing who paid tribute to Mr Finn’s ‘service to the Crown’ as a civilian during the past 25 years and to his military service from 1926-45.
Surprise waiting for 11 year old Jane Isaac when she went to school was the presentation of a £1 cheque to her by the chairman of Bideford Road Safety Committee. Jane, daughter of Mr and Mrs Brian Isaac, of 6 Allhalland Street, received the cheque from Mrs Ethelwynne Brown to mark some good cycle riding which was noticed by a local policeman, PC John Roberts. Jane is a former pupil of Bideford Church Junior School where last year a similar presentation was made to 10 year old Andrew Butler.
The Bideford birthplace of 5,608 people closes its doors at the end of this month. Grenville nursing home in Meddon Street is to shut down. This month only three patients have been booked in. It was vastly different when the present matron, Mrs E M Meadows, as a war widow, became associated with the home in 1946. In that year a ‘fantastic number’ of babies were born in the home, which had formerly been Bideford hospital. It had three owners before the present company took over. Mrs Meadows recalls that in February 1947 26 babies were born in the home. The following month the total rose to 28. On one night midwife Miss Lilian S Fursey, who now lives in retirement at The Causeway, Bideford, delivered babies at 11pm, and 1, 3 and 5am. ‘Everything was in apple pie order in the morning’ Mrs Meadows relates. The next night Miss Fursey delivered two more babies! Later in the month it was reported that twins born to Mrs Jennifer Hedden, of Weare Giffard, will no doubt have the distinction of being the last to be able to claim Bideford’s Grenville nursing home as their birthplace.
David Arthur Johns and Lisa Hooper could be the last of the many babies born at Grenville nursing home
Three small poppy ‘in remembrance’ crosses were placed beneath the tree in Victoria Park that was planted by Lieut-Col F Holmes of the US Army, on September 1, 1944, as a token of friendship and to commemorate the good relations between the inhabitants of Bideford and members of the Unites States Army stationed and trained here. The crosses were placed by an American, Mr Henry J Harris, now living in Bideford.
The owners appreciated the need for the work and they had been asked to contribute to the cost. If the work was not done he would not like to answer for the consequences, Mr Dunn declared. Was Mr Dunn suggesting that the council should spend this money and then buy the kilns for the purposes of the scheme? Asked Mr Jack Prince. That was so, replied the surveyor. He pointed out that the council had previously spent money to preserve the kilns for the public. “If you lose the limekilns you will lose the approach to Bucks Mills village,” he warned.
Contrary to a Press report, Devon County Council representatives had not said at a site meeting that the council would assist in purchasing the lease of the car park at Bucks Mills, the chairman, Mr Stanley Brimacombe, told Bideford Rural Council.
Mr Bill Beer, who had worked at Blegberry, Hartland, for nearly 50 years, together with his sons, Dick, Bob and Jannie, formed a guard of honour outside Hartland Methodist church for the funeral of Mr Tom Brimacombe, of 5 Fore Street, Hartland. He had farmed Blegberry for many years, having taken over from his father. A bachelor, Mr Brimacombe was a benefactor and trustee of Hartland Methodist Church. Bearers were nephews – Messrs J Gilbert, R Grigg, M Yeo and J Olde. There was a large and representative attendance.
At the annul meeting of Littleham parish hall the final payment for the ground purchased for the car park was made to Mr A Mills. The main aim is to redecorate the hall and add various small improvements. Mr L J Badcock was elected chairman; Miss A Willis, hon secretary; Mrs C Cook, hon treasurer; Mr J Bromhead, assistant treasurer. Committee members are: Mr and Mrs A Mills, Mr and Mrs K Phelps, Mr and Mrs D Willis, Messrs R Mould and P Hooper, Mesdames D Hill, M Smale, M Galsworthy and C Lester.
Help for Littleham Parish Church.
It's enough to make Lundy’s celebrated puffins, now sadly reduced in numbers, even more depressed. On his trips to the island, of which he is priest-in-charge, Mr Peyton Jones is now taking with him some of his pigeons. These he is using as a pigeon post, releasing one a day with messages for his family when he is on the island. His enterprise is still in the experimental stage. If all goes well this should provide a useful additional line of communication between the island and the mainland.
Pasture, arable and woodland at Monkleigh for sale.
After a period of preparation and initial social events, Northam Young People’s Club came officially into being at the weekend, with the issue of membership cards. The club meets on Friday evenings at the community centre and a management committee has been appointed. Mr John Alford is the club leader. It is proposed to launch into hobby classes soon in addition to social events.
A balance of more than £2,000 was reported at the annual meeting of the Allardice Hall, Parkham. The leaders of the Parkham Young Generation were thanked for their services to the young people of the parish, and thanks were also expressed to Mr Terry Ford for arranging the ‘crashers and bangers’ meeting which raised £600 for hall funds. Mr R Boswell, of Manor Cottages, who hopes to form a Cubs’ pack in Parkham, was granted temporary use of the hall until a room for the pack is found. Officials elected were: Mr D Morris, Mr T Lang, Mr M Honey, Mr L E C Smith, Mrs S Rickards. The committee was re-elected with the addition of Mr W Colwill.
To most people in Britain November 5 means Guy Fawkes night, but to the residents of Shebbear it has an even more unique and, if legend is to be believed, a more sinister meaning. Each year within living memory local bellringers have squared their shoulders on this night for the task of turning the Devil Stone, a boulder weighing more than a ton which lies near the village church. Not to turn it means bad luck, villagers believe. Legend has it that the huge stone was dropped by the devil when he was descending from heaven to the nether regions. Where it really came from is a mystery, but geologists are hoping to solve the problem in the near future.
Westward Ho! Holiday Centre is advertising its Grand Christmas Dinner Ball where you can dance to the Victor Sylvester Orchestra.
Three weeks after his late father’s gold half-hunter watch stopped and could not be persuaded to go again, Mr H C Lanyon, of Southmoor, Buckleigh, Westward Ho! found it had inexplicably re-started. Inexplicably – until it was remembered that earlier that day Uri Geller’s remarkable telepathic powers of twisting cutlery and re-starting watches had been demonstrated on TV. And the watch, which is almost exactly 100 years old, has continued to go and keep excellent time since.
A Department of Defence (Air) explanation for what has been described as the virtual ‘harassment’ of Woolsery by low-flying planes has been rejected by the parish council. Ignoring a suggestion by the council that there is ample empty countryside on each side of the village for low-flying flight corridors, the Department wrote in reply to a protest that flying low and fast and taking advantage of cover afforded by geographical features was the only way for aircraft to remain undetected by modern sophisticated radar defences. The speed of modern aircraft was such that it was not always possible to avoid every village in the low-flying area.
November 1998
Appledore ‘sea dog’ Bobby Ross lived up to a prediction made on his maiden journey – that he would live to be 100! Now living at the Fairlea residential home in Northam, Mr Ross regales his fellow residents with tales of ships and foreign ports. And he entertains them with a strong singing voice. He came through two world wars and played his part in D-Day landings in the 1939-45 conflict. French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch ports were all familiar to him and he also sailed farther afield to America and the Caribbean. He puts his longevity down to that early bucket of sea water or perhaps the tot of whisky he takes in his tea every day.
A Royal Navy vessel and Appledore lifeboat went to the aid of two men on a striken yacht in gale force conditions off Lundy. The alert was raised at 5am when distress flares were spotted by the warship HMS Anglesey and coastguards were contacted. The Navy ship contacted the 32ft yacht, 25 miles west of Lundy. One of the two crew members had suffered rib injuries. Having taken the men on board the warship it had been hoped to transfer them to Appledore lifeboat but in the difficult conditions a tow rope parted twice and the plan was abandoned.
The new development of riverside apartments, Wooder Wharf, for sale in Bideford.
A young woman’s place is on the rugby field. Or so say members of the Bideford Ladies’ team, who are looking for new recruits.
West Country Crystal open at The Old Chapel, Landcross.
It will be a very different surgery that Torridge MP John Burnett holds at Langtree. The constituents taking their problems to him and telling him their opinions will be the pupils at the local primary school. He is meeting the 8-11 years old in a nationwide Put It To Your MP event to mark Universal Child Rights Day. Said Mr Burnett: “The youngsters will get the chance to discuss the subjects that really matter to them – and no doubt put me on the spot! Children may be too young to vote but they are not too young to matter.”
The School House at St Giles-in-the-Wood is believed to date back around 100 years and as the name would suggest was the village school up until 1962.
Wiley’s Super Prize Bingo at Westward Ho!
The Anchor Inn, Westward Ho!
