November 1924

Births – to Captain and Mrs Alfed Lamey (nee Nellie Payne), a daughter; at 43 Mill Street, a daughter to Mr and Mrs A Lewis; a son to Mr and Mrs W H Norrington; at Western View, Westward Ho! a daughter for the wife of E Howard Trapnell;

Marriages – Nicholls-Fowler, both of Bideford; Beer-Braund; Dunn-Williams; Holman-Avres; Smale-Jeffery; Radford-Pierrepong;

Deaths – Thomas Backway; William Wood; Arthur Abbott; Laura Fowkes; Emma Susan Wilton; William Daniel; Kelsall; Stoneman; William Holloway;

November’s papers are full of the General Election Results, which seem to have taken everyone by surprise. They are being described as a Conservative tidal wave which belied all the predictions - the Liberal party “suffers a catastrophe” and Labour has an “overwhelming defeat”. Astonishingly when compared to today, the average voter turnout was 86%. Looking at some of the local constituencies in more detail, the Conservatives regained Barnstaple, Basil E Peto defeating the Liberal Captain J Tudor Rees with a majority of 1195, overturning the previous majority of 1266. In South Molton, George Lambert who had represented the constituency for the Liberal party for 33 years was defeated by 654 votes. Voters on Lundy had a very stormy passage to and from the mainland to cast their votes. When they arrived at Instow Pier they were met by Mr A L Christie, the owner of the island.

The Home Secretary has directed the suspension from Thursday, December 18th, to Wednesday, December 24th, both days inclusive, of the general Early Closing Order fixing the evening closing of shops, which is in force under the Shops Early Closing Act 1920. It should be noted that this suspension does not relieve occupiers of shops and others from compliance with any obligation imposed by the Shops Act, 1912, or any Order made under that Act, or with any requirement of the Licensing Acts in regard to the sale of intoxicating liquor.

The present spell of fine weather is a welcome compensation for the sunshine we missed in the holiday months. It has been called St Martin's summer time out of mind, because it usually sets in round Nov. 11, which is that saint's festival, and occurs year after year with a curious regularity. We may look forward to another similary mild spell early in December, lasting usually from the third to the ninth of the month. this is known to meteorologists as 'Buchan's third warm period' and it rarely fails to materialise. As usual during November there are many reports of Harvest celebrations from around the region. Villages mentioned include Little Torrington, Taddiport, Bradworthy, Hartland, Holmacott, Parkham and Welcombe.

The price of tea has risen to 4d per pound, due to increased consumption both at home and abroad. India’s crop has fallen well below last year’s level due to inclement weather, although Ceylon and Java have increased their production. It is stressed that there is no shortage, and it is expected that prices will stabilize soon.

Remembrance Day - Notice is given that the parade to the Memorial Service at Chudleigh Fort, Bideford, will leave from the Market at 2.45pm on Sunday 9 November. Later in the month, the paper reports that over 3000 people gathered, despite “the rigours of a cold, grey November day” and among those taking part were members of the Bideford and Northam branch of the Fascisti under the leadership of Mr Dicker.

Abbotsham mortuary - The matter having been referred to them by the Rural District Council after the receipt of a letter...

At Abbotsham, a service of Remembrance was held on Armistice Day in the Schoolroom, when the Rector addressed the children on the meaning of the day. A short service was held after ‘the silence’ had been reverently kept, an address given, and Hymn 165 sung. On the following Sunday, the Rector preached Mattins and Evensong on behalf of Earl Haig’s appeal for ex-Service men; the offertories came to £3 4s, which sum has been sent direct to Headquarters.

Mrs Andrews, a former resident of Alwington, well known and highly respected passed peacefully away at her son’s residence in Bideford. During the many years they lived at Fairy Cross both Mrs Andrews and her husband were most regular in their attendance at St Andrew’s Church, and were esteemed by all who knew them for their devoted Christian characters and cheery dispositions. The deceased was brought from Bideford and rested in the Church she loved so well at Alwington, when she was laid to rest in the churchyard beside her husband. The Rector officiated and the choir attended. The inclement weather prevented many people from attending who would otherwise have done son.

Another old and much respected neighbour has been called away almost suddenly from our midst. Mrs Elizabeth Jeffery while sitting in the room at Swan Farm, Fairy Cross, was taken ill while talking to a friend, and passed peacefully away the same evening. The funeral took place at Alwington Churchyard with the Rector officiating. The chief mourners were..

In order to raise funds for the carrying on of the Parkham and Alwington Nursing Association the Committee decided to hold a Jumble sale in the Schoolroom. This was done and the sale proved a most successful one. A whist drive and dance followed in the evening, Miss Spring (the energetic secretary of the Association) and Miss Amy Lott acted as pianists for the dance. The amount realised from sale, whist drive and dance was nearly £30.

The funeral took place at Newport Cemetery, South Wales, of the late Mrs A E Brownscombe, aged 73, widow of the late Mr John Brownscombe, and mother of the late Mr A W Brownscombe, builder and contractor of Newport. She was the daughter of the late Captain John Bale and was born in Appledore, Devon, in 1850. 

Mrs Hawkins, formerly a Miss Dart of Appledore, passed peacefully away at Cardiff at a ripe old age, and was laid to rest b the side of her late husband, Captain Hawkins, who very many years ago brought the fine old sailing ship Delamore to Appledore. Mrs Hawkin’s parent, Captain and Mrs Dart, who had resided at Appledore for many years, owned considerable property and have left their name in Dart lane, crossing the entrance to Alpha Place. Great sympathy is expressed for Mr Samual Hawkins of the Gaiety Cinema who proceeded to Cardiff to attend the funeral of his mother.

A very pretty wedding in Appledore with the contracting parties, Alexander Ross and Minnie Lamey.

News has lately reached Appledore of the success obtained by Mr James Petley, son of Mr and Mrs Petley, of Myrtle Street. Out of seven candidates he was the only successful one to obtain his Master Mariner’s Certificate under the Board of Trade Regulations, and it is hoped that he will in due course proceed to take his Extra Mates Certificate, and thus add one more name to that excellent list of young Appledore men who have done so very well in their seafaring career. Mr Petley has recently been in the service of Sir William Reardon Smith’s line of steamers.

News has reached Appledore that Mr Lang, son of Mr J Lang, of No. 1 Alpha Place, has successfully passed his entrance examination to a Clerkship in the National and Provincial Bank and has been appointed to the firm’s headquarters at Exeter. His parents are heartily congratulated on their son’s success.

Supporters and friends of the Appledore Sailors’ Rest sat down to their annual tea, at the Rest. The Vicar, Rev Hugh C A S Muller, supported Rev G Hill, the veteran octogenarian Secretary of the Seamen’s Christian Society. After tea in the presence of a large gathering of sailors, Mr Hill unveiled and the Vicar dedicated a Stretcher Ambulance, the kind gift of Miss Scott, of Bude Street, the former expressing the Society’s deep appreciation of the useful gift and Mr Harvey (the Missionary) supported his remarks. Mr Hill proceeded to unveil the large portraits, one of the Right Honourable Lord Glanely, dressed in Court dress, and kindly presented by his sister, Mrs W Anderson, the wife of Mr W A Anderson, of Wooda, Northam; the other of the late Captain John Hooper, Master Mariner, who had frequented the Sailors’ Rest at great deal in his life time. This was given by his daughter, Mrs W Harris, the wife of Captain William Harris, of Alpha Place.

At 10.30am on Sunday morning some of the ex-Service men, wearing their medals mustered on the Western Hill to attend the Armistice Service at the Parish Church. Mr Hammond, late RN, arranged the group and headed by the St Mary’s Church Brass Band under Mr Thomas Parsons, and with the Vicar leading, marched through the long narrow street of West Appledore, passing the homes of many an RNR man, and alas! The homes from which men had gone forth to make the Supreme Sacrifice, the total of which reached 77 in Appledore.

See a special window display of ‘Rufoid’ at Mr H I Meredith’s shop in the High Street, Bideford.

Freehold property for sale in Bideford – 1 Queen Anne’s, High Street.

The funeral of the late Mr William Wood took place at the United Methodist Church, Bideford. Mr Wood, who was 58 years of age, carried on business as an ironmonger in Meddon Street. He was actively associated with the United Methodist Church,…

The Methodist Recorder says that the Rev Robert C Robson, of Bideford, is lying seriously ill in the National Hospital, London. His health broke down a year or two ago but it was hoped that a quiet year at Bideford would restore him to health. Unfortunately those anticipations have not been fully realised.

At the recent meeting of the Bideford Council Schools Managers reference was made to the long services (over 40 years) rendered to the cause of education in the borough, by Mr G Cook who retires from active school work at Christmas. It was thought there may be many of his past pupils and others who would be glad of an opportunity to show their appreciation in a tangible form. The Managers therefore asked the Headmaster of Old Town School – Mr Harding – to organise a testimonial and he will be pleased to accept any contribution on or before Saturday, Dec. 13th.

Accident to son of Mr and Mrs Heywood of Honestone Street, Bideford.

The ketch, Mary Stuart, belonging to Messrs Bengey and Son, Ilfracombe, and well known in North Devon ports got into difficulties on Bideford Bar and some concern was felt for her safety, but, fortunately she was got off again.

The engagement is announced of Nellie, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Backway, formerly of Bideford, to Mr Charles A Stephenson, of Toronto, Canada. The marriage to take place the latter part of November.

For some light relief after all the drama of the Election, the Palace Picture House in Bideford is hosting a violin concert; there is a full report in the 18 November paper.

A ‘grand victory entertainment and dance’ will be held in the Market Hall, Bideford.

Dr Edwin Toye, MD, is elected Mayor of Bideford.  

The Bideford Horticultural Show has taken place in the Pannier Market and was opened by the President, Mr W H Rogers of Orleigh Court and had a record number of exhibits of exceptional quality. The Gazette of 11 November gives a full list of prize winners over two columns of fine print. If you needed new glasses to read the report, opticians are offering what we now call Varifocal glasses.

Looking towards next month, the Foundation stone of the new Bideford and District Hospital will be laid on 10 December by the Rt Hon Lord Glanely. The ceremony will be followed by a banquet hosted by the Mayor.

Bradworthy news - At the harvest thanksgiving services in connection with the Atworthy United Methodist Church, two sermons were preached by Pastor A J Trudgeon. On the Monday a well attended public tea, served by Mesdames Hill, Cann, R R Hockridge, Bond, Blight, and Misses E Stevens and F Bennett, was followed by a well attended public meeting, presided over by Mr N Gilbert, of Stibb Cross. Excellent addressed were given by the chairman, Mr T Squires (Newton St Petrock) and Pastor Trudgeon. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr G H Bennett acquitted itself well. The church was nicely decorated for the occasion. The festival was a great success in every way.

At Bradworthy, Dr L B Betts commenced a series of lectures on ‘first aid’ in the Council School when 22 students attended. Major Kenyon Slaney, MP, visited Bradworthy and was met by a number of his friends, to whom he returned thanks for his return to Parliament. The death has occurred at New House, Kilkhampton, of Mr William Sillifant, formerly of Newlands, Bradworthy, after a long and serious illness patiently borne.

The wedding took place at the Bradworthy Wesleyan Church of Miss Grace Seldon, youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Seldon of Lympscott and Mr John Cory, son of Mr and Mrs Cory, of the Temperance Hotel.

At Bradworthy, the service on Remembrance Day held ..

Another link has been severed from a well-known and respected family in North Devon by the death of Mr Lewis Withecombe, who passed away at the residence of his son at New Buildings at the ripe age of 81 years. Deceased farmed Beara, Buckland Brewer, for many years, afterwards at Quoditch, Ashwater. He was an active member for many years in the Royal North Devon Hussars, retiring with the rank of sergeant. The funeral was conducted by the Rev B Hallowes.

At Clovelly, very sincere sympathy has been felt and extended to Mr and Mrs Oscar Abbott, and Mr and Mrs J T Moss and Mr and Mrs Sidney Abbot, parents and grandparents of the late Master Arthur Abbott, who passed peacefully away after an illness of about four months.

Clovelly commemorates Remembrance Day.

At Hartland, Providence harvest festival commenced with good services. Rev F Dennis conducted the morning one and Mr R Colwill that in the evening. On Thursday, the following ladies attended to the public at the tea tables, Mesdames Goaman, Johns, Prouse, and Wade, Misses Goaman and Slee. Mesdames W Beer and Littlejohns cut up. Mr Wade presided at the evening meeting and both ministers spoke. The collections were good. It was decided to adopt the envelope system. Fruit, etc. sold afterwards realised 33s.

Mr Benjamin Walter, of Etson, had been unwell for a considerable time, but was taken worse a few weeks ago, and entered Bideford Hospital. He died unexpectedly and the funeral at Stoke was attended by a great many men who carried the coffin by hand from the farm to the church.

A Cinema Lecture on ‘Canada’ featuring the adventures of a modern pioneer, was given in the Palladium, under the auspices of the Department of Colonization and Development by Mr P W Thompson, an Englishman who farmed in Canada for 22 years.

Grand Conservative Victory Concert in the Palladium, Hartland.

Georgie Burrow picked a wild strawberry on Monday, 17th November. Mr Ernest Heard, of Galsham, has just received news that he was successful last July in passing his final examination for his teacher’s certificate. He is now teaching in Southmolton. We understand the King’s Arms Hotel has been sold by Mr Stucley to Mr Wickham. At a Hartland parish meeting held in the Council Schools, the Lighting and Watching Act of 1833 was adopted by 16 votes to 4. The other business was to fix the maximum the Parish Council could spend in the ensuing year. Mr W H Cann stated that a penny rate with the reduction for land would produce about £19. The amount was fixed at £100. The Vicar presided over the meeting.

We regret to announce the death, which took place after a long illness at West Street, Hartland, of Mr Edwin Dayman, who carried on business as a builder and wheelwright in Hartland for over 50 years, and was also a smallholder and owner of a farm at Philham. His interest in the United Methodist Church was warm and he was nominated as one of the new trustees (as was Mr T Stone) but both died before the deed was made. In politics he was a staunch Liberal. Pastor Trudgeon officiated at the funeral, Mr Christmas being organist.

At Braunton Sessons John Sewell Martin and Stanley Goodman, of the Glowworm Company, were proceeded against for admitting people to a performance at Instow and (although charging Entertainment tax) failing to stamp their tickets of admission wit the Entertainment Tax stamp. PC Phillips proved the case, and the bench fined defendants £1 and allowed witnesses’ expenses.

The Rev T Jenkins, vicar of Instow, met with a slight accident whilst proceeding on his way to Barnstaple. He was driving a pony trap, when owing to the slippery nature of the road, the pony fell, Mr Jenkins being thrown out of the trap. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt. The shaft of the trap was broken. He was able to proceed to Barnstaple in another trap.

At Instow Armistice Day was observed by a representative and fairly large crowd on the quay.

The Election voters on Lundy Island had a very stormy passage to the mainland, and when they reached Instow Pier, they were met by Mr A L Christie, the owner of Lundy, Mr and Mrs Peto, Mr May, the tenant of Lundy, and Rev Hugh C A S Muller, Priest-in-charge. Amongst those who landed were Mr Allday, late RN, who has completed over 25 years on the island, Mr and Mrs Barter, coastguard, Mr Lang, canteen manager, late RN, Mr Worth, bailiff, Mr Heywood, head gardener and several others. They had a rough passage back on Friday, and Captain Dark was afraid to take the Vicar of Appledore in case of getting weather bound and having to seek shelter up the coast.

Lundy a strange land, where the voice of the cuckoo was never heard.

Armistice service on Lundy Island.

At Bideford County Sessions, Capt Alfred Godfrey Palmer of Clent, Worcester, retiring from the Merchant Service, was granted a protection order in respect to the license of the King’s Head Hotel, Northam, kept for many years past by Mr J B Penhorwood.

The bad weather also affected the Remembrance Service in Northam, where it had to be moved from the War Memorial to the Church. In view of the great amount of unemployment, statements at Bideford Mayor Choosing, that there is now but little chance of the Northam roadway scheme being started this winter was received with expressions of keen regret, but the hope was entertained that the work may ultimately be carried through.

We regret to state that Mr John Turner, of Northway House, Parkham, is seriously ill. Mr Turner has been the Surveyor at the Bideford RDC for a great many years.

At Parkham, St James’s Church was nicely decorated for the harvest festival, and the congregation very satisfactory. Both services were taken by the Rector, and the collections were in aid of the Bideford Hospital.

Forty-four members of the Parkham Women’s Institute had an enjoyable time at Penhaven Barn. The social element…

Shebbear church bells rang merrily on the Vicar’s birthday, and the time honoured custom of turning the stone was observed.

At Shebbear, the deaths of Mrs Rebecca Agnes Millman and Mr William Nicholls are reported.

On Armistice Sunday, Shebbear Parish Church bells rang at 7am for the 7.30 service, when there were many communicants. At 11am the church was well filled and the Vicar gave a suitable address. Many ex-Service men were present. The collections were given to the Church Army’s fund for ex-Service men. Poppies were on sale at Shebbear. The supplies were arranged by the Shebbear College staff; and sold by the masters and boys, as in previous years.

Before Messrs C Popham and G M Doe, Frederick Netherway pleaded not guilty to riding a cycle without a light at Stibb Cross. PC Friendship stated the case, alleging that the defendant rode up to a few feet from where he was standing before dismounting, this being at 10.40. Defendant stated that he was not riding at the time, whereupon the Bench decided to adjourn the case for additional evidence.

Who remembers Torridge Vale Dairies in Torrington? 1924 was their 50th year and the factory finally closed in 1993.

A remarkable letter from the Ministry of Health was read at the meeting of Torrington Guardians, dealing with complaints which have…

It was reported vagrants for the last fortnight numbered 68, compared with 64 in the corresponding fortnight last year. Mr P W Barnwell raised the question of the bread and cheese ticket system under the Devon Vagrancy Committee’s scheme, and moved that all tickets issued at Torrington should be redeemable in Torrington, which was seconded by Mr H J Tavener. The voting being equal, the Chairman gave his casting vote for the continuance of the present system, pointing out it was not very hard to have to walk to Bideford for the ration.

Surprise is expressed at the resignation of Mr J G Hammett by Torrington Guardians and he is asked to withdraw his resignation.

Torrington Mayor choosing – re-election of Mr G M Doe.

The funeral of the late Mrs Kelsall (widow of the late Captain TM Kelsall, RN) of Youngaton, Westward Ho! took place at Northam Church. The funeral service was taken by the Vicar, the Rev Gerald Payne Cook, MA, RD, the Rev J A S Castlehow also being present, and the lesson was read by Col Eardley-Wilmot. Miss Hearn, organist of Westward Ho! Church presided at the organ. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Merefield and Trapnell, Bideford.

Entries are invited for the 5th annual Westward Ho! Art Club exhibition which will be held next month at the Bridge Hall. There are more than twenty categories including etchings, woodcarving, jewellery, embroidery and lampshades, although paintings are not mentioned.

November 1974

The Nation’s Remembrance Poppy Day.

Receipts at the two-day flower decoration exhibition staged at the Commodore Hotel, Instow, in aid of Appledore branch RNLI funds, totalled nearly £304. Principal organisers were Miss E M Moberly and Mrs F R Gill. There was an attendance of about 600 over the two days. Draw winners were Mr R Mitchell, Mrs Salter, Mrs Blacker, Mrs Gregory, Mrs Hamblett and Mrs Robins.

Picture shows Mrs Gill and Mrs W B Wright (Instow)

Owners of the derelict, thatched cottage 73 Irsha Street, Appledore, on which Torridge District Council proposed to make a compulsory purchase Order in order to preserve it, have won a reprieve. The council’s Development and Leisure Services Committee agreed that they should hold their hands after that work had been started by the owners that day.

Mr Harold Miller, licensee of the Bell Inn, Appledore, will be appearing on BBC television’s ‘The Generation Game’. His partner will be his daughter, Mrs Sandra Trevyalan, of Exeter, who applied for a place on the programme without her father’s knowledge. The first he knew about it was when his daughter telephoned him to say he had to travel to Exeter for an interview.

Mr Philip Kelly of Stanhope Terrace, Bideford, who worked with a Bideford medical practice for more than 60 years before his retirement, has died at the Torridge Hospital. He began work as a boot boy and general help for the late Dr A T Marshall when he was 12 and graduated to chauffeur and then dispenser and accountant. He saw service in the First World War and in the second was in the Home Guard. The funeral service was at Lavington United Reform Church.

The funeral has taken place at the Bethel Free Church at Bideford of Mr Thomas Hillman, of Victoria Gardens, Bideford, who died at ND Infirmary. A Bidefordian, he was the husband of the late Mrs Florence Hillman.

Christopher Barber, an apprentice gas fitter with the South Western Gas Board at Bideford, was one of five from the South West to be interviewed at Bath in the regional finals of the apprentice of the year competition. Christopher, although unsuccessful, travelled to Taunton with his parents, Mr and Mrs Bill Barber, to be guests at a celebration dinner given for the finalists.

Bideford and District Cage Bird Society’s open show was the most successful for many years with entries more than 100 up on the 1973 show and a best ever entry of 54 rare foreign birds. That this is a hobby for people of all ages was proved by the prize list. It featured schoolchildren like sisters A and N Matthews, of Bideford, and Mr J Littlejohns, aged 82 of East-the-Water. As usual the secretary, Mr G A Welch and his family had a field day. It was Mr Welch’s third triumphant show in a row.

Mr Colin Matthew discusses winning points with two other winners, Mr J Rowe and Mr G A Welch.

Happy in their work were cubs and sea scouts of the first Torridge Scout Group who were ushers at a mannequin parade at Messrs Yeo’s of Bideford in aid of a fund to provide headquarters in the Northam area.

The AMP Bideford team, appearing this time under the title of the Rising Sun, completed a notable double when they won the final of the North Devon Sports Quiz League’s knock-out cup to add to their success in winning the league championship. The team comprised Messrs M Lock, A Jewell, D Churchill, G Churchill and A McKenzie. Cup awards were presented by Mr Brian Draper, of Encore Limited.

In the latest list of safe-driving awards to employees of the Western National Bus Group, Mr Bill Langdon, of Newton Road, Bideford, receives the 20-year brooch. Mr Langdon joined the then Southern National bus company as a conductor in July 1931 and became established as a full-time driver eight years later. In the Second World War he served as a driver with the RASC in France, North Africa and Italy. Nowadays, he specialises in coach tours, private hire operation and National express services.

Barcott, Buckland Brewer, is for sale.

Out of 31 applicants Mr T D Curtis has been appointed headmaster of Clovelly County primary school, His appointment is from January 1, 1975. There are 31 children on the roll at Clovelly.

In aid of Clovelly Liberals’ funds an autumn sale was held at the Parish Hall. It was opened by Mrs Lott.

Mrs Eva Higginbotham, who died at her home, Sierra, Higher Clovelly, was president of Meddon and Welcombe WI and secretary of the Clovelly branch of the Cancer Campaign for Research. The funeral service was at All Saints’ Church, Clovelly.

Awards recognising the seamanship shown by the crew of the Clovelly based lifeboat last February when the trawler St Pierre got into difficulties of the North Devon coast in a Force 11 gale have been made by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Staff Coxswain Michael Houchen has been awarded the bronze medal and certificates have gone to fleet mechanic Peter J Braund and boat mechanics Ivor C Young and John D Leech. The certificates were presented at the Red Lion by Major General R H Farrant, deputy chairman of the RNLI’s committee of management.

A local man who joined the RAF as a boy 10 years ago graduated from the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell. Flying Officer Alan Scott of Railway Cottages, Fremington, is one of the first NCOs to be commissioned under the graduate entry scheme.

Hartland people will decide in the Church Hall whether to allow the building, the largest in the town, to continue to deteriorate or whether to take it over on a full repairing lease. The Parish Council were told that the Church can no longer afford its upkeep.

Hartland’s town clock, one of the oldest pendulum clocks in England – it was made in 1622 at a cost of 33s – may soon be ticking again after 18 months’ silence.

The Development and Leisure Services Committee of Torridge District Council agreed that Toy Works Ltd of Bideford should be allowed to open a small branch factory on the married quarters site at RAF Hartland although the County Engineer had directed that permission should be refused on road safety grounds and the County Planning Officer, they were warned, might direct refusal as the proposal was contrary to the county development plan.

Fire chief praises Hartland.

Langtree farmer’s wife Mrs Dudley Troake, who entered in her maiden name of Gwen Fishleigh, has won her fourth national cookery competition. The prize was a ‘plateful of gold’ – in effect 40 sovereigns worth more than £1,000, which went straight into a bank safe deposit, plus £250. In the competition promoted by Princes-Bultoni she had to plan a celebration meal using as many of the company’s products as possible. Mrs Troake’s first national title was ‘Cook of the Realm’ which she won with a duck and orange dish. The second she achieved with a sandwich and the third also for cooking a duck.

Littleham Parish Hall prospers.

Round-the-World yacht Burton Cutter is off round the world again but this time the other way. And with her may go three or four Bideford men to complete the painting of the vessel that began in Appledore and which has been held up by the wet weather. Co-owner Mr Alan Smith, of Littleham, plans to join her in the West Indies. Itinerary is West Indies to Rio, round the Horn, up to Valparaiso, Chile, the Galapagos Islands, Fiji and other South Pacific islands, the Great Barrier Reef, Djakarta in the East Indies, then into the Indian Ocean to Ceylon, the Seychelles, and later, Mr Smith hopes, to Cape Town in time to take part in the Cape-Rio race.

Carpenters Peter Dickson, Carl Kersey, and electrician Seamus Carr sailed with the Burton Cutter to finish off work. Another Bideford man, Alan Roberts, joined the yacht at Plymouth

More than £100 was raised for St Swithin’s Church, Littleham, by a variety sale and dance.

Monkleigh annual Church bazaar realised a profit of £64.56, which included £5 from a whist drive. Stalls and holders were:

Little Cheverells, Limers Lane, Northam, for sale.

Mrs C N Green has been appointed the first headmistress of St George’s Church of England (aided) School at Northam. There were 13 applicants for the post. When the school opens after Christmas it is estimated that there will be 150 on the roll.

The secretary and treasurer of Northam Men’s Forum were both co-opted on to Northam Town Council. Mr Ernest Walter Lashbrook of Little Poulner, Diddywell and Mr A C Munro-Chick of Bay View Road.

His parents, Lieut-Col J S and Mrs Makeig-Jones, of Waynflete, Chope Road, Northam, and his brother Stewart and sister Antonia, saw Officer Cadet Robin Makeig-Jones taking part in Friday’s passing out Sovereign’s parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Robin joined the Army a year ago, serving in the ranks of the RA before being selected by the Regular Commissions Board. The family have the business of Devon Paints Ltd at Kingsley Road, Bideford.

More yellow lines planned for Northam. A meeting to try and get a relaxation of parking restrictions in Northam had the reverse effect and as a result there were to be more yellow lines in the area, the Mayor Mr Rupert Hill, told members of Northam Town Council. There would be limited waiting restrictions from Bay View Road to the library site, the lower part of Cross Street and possibly at the entrance to Borrough Road.

A fashion show at Appledore Church Hall organised by John and Grace Smith, Northam Outfitters, The Square.

The funeral has taken place at Parkham Parish Church of Mr Frederick John Collings, a retired Hartland forestry worker who died at his home, Kilvenstool. His nephews – Messrs F Taylor, A Collings, W Braund, J Jewell, E Lewis and R Lewis – were bearers.

Petitioners against a plan to site a small foundry to smelt zinc and aluminium at Hatchmoor Lane, Torrington, will have to continue to wait the outcome of their protests.

Football changing rooms, the band room, a telephone box and a petrol pump have all been swept away by the bulldozer in the course of a road widening scheme in New Street and Calf Street, Torrington – but not the Turkey oak!

This year Torrington Cavaliers are being joined by Appledore Pirates in a programme which has caught the imagination of the TV programme Blue Peter which will be filming the various events. No financial target has been set. Says Cavaliers secretary Robin Tulloh “We have no maximum. All we hope is that people are more generous than last year when the thousands who turned up to watch the bonfire – it was the sinking of the Bismarck – put only an average of four pence a head into the collecting boxes. Had we been able to charge adults 20p a head we would have made around £4,000.” Prelude to the bonfire will be the journey of Hubba, slain in the battle at Bloody Corner, upriver on the Appledore Pirates’ vessel to Bideford Quay and his unloading on to a hand-drawn cart for his journey on to Torrington. Blue Peter’s John Noakes will be playing the title role.

This magnificent replica of a Viking funeral ship, the Sebb Als, the centrepiece for Torrington Cavaliers’ annual bonfire, will go up in smoke, carrying an effigy of Hubba the Dane to Valhalla.

The careers and work observation study scheme under which fourth-year pupils of Torrington County Secondary School visit local factories, shops, banks, schools and hospitals is probably the largest of its kind on a participating percentage basis in the whole of Devon. Out of the school’s 550 pupils, 104 14-15 year-olds are taking part. Mr Malcolm Vanderplant, head of the school’s careers department, told the Gazette they had received most encouraging cooperation from employers and managers.

A young child playing with a fire near a barn was blamed for a blaze in a single storey building which destroyed a quantity of straw. The outbreak, at Park Farm, Weare Giffard, was dealt with by firemen from Bideford and Torrington.

When they ‘pensioned off’ the gardening tools that have served them well for more than 30 years, Mr and Mrs Sanders, of Beach Road, Westward Ho! did it in style. Mrs Winifred Sanders decorated the veteran implements by hand-painting them, and then incorporated them into the garden layout. Naturally, their work has attracted the interest of passers-by.

Entitled ‘Morning Sou’West’ a novelty piece composed and played by sisters Mrs Vivien Swinburne and Mrs Lylie Mitchell of Westward Ho! was broadcast on the BBC programme of that name. This was the fourth time they had played their music on ‘Morning Sou’West’ and the piece was especially composed for the programme.

Did you shop at Salmons in Nelson Road, Westward Ho!

Identity of the major professional golf tournament to be staged at the Royal Devon GC at Westward Ho! was revealed. It is the Martini International Club £12,000 tournament which will be breaking new ground in the South West for the first time and which will carry a first prize of £2,250. To be staged at Westward Ho! between June 11 and 14, it will be the first big-money tournament of the modern era to be played there.

November 1999

The village Bobby is on the way back to Torridgeside. Small towns and villages throughout the district are once more to see Bobbies on the beat with the introduction of a new rural initiative. Due to start on a trial bases before the end of the year the scheme will use some 40 volunteer Specials based at Bideford, Torrington and Holsworthy to provide regular contact with rural communities.

Special Constabulary District Officer Tony Berthon and Special Mike Day

Residents of Abbotsham turned out in force to celebrate a £44,000 refurbishment of the village playing field. Nearly five years of planning and fund raising has provided new equipment and modern safety surfaces. The opening ceremony was performed by four generations of the local Hockin family. Oldest village resident Bill Hockin, 90, was joined by son, John, granddaughter Rosemary Teape and great-grandchildren Siobhan and Billy Teape. The community project has been led by third-generation villager Jacquie Jury, whose grandmother Constance Turner chaired the original Abbotsham Playing Field Association which brought it into being.

Abbotsham’s festival of remembrance at St Helen’s Church included what is believed to be the first singing of Vespers there for 400 years. Vespers for the Dead was sung by South Devon based choir Choros. And on Saturday evening the choir led local people in a programme of worship. By candlelight, the dead of the century’s wars were solemnly remembered with gentle music drawn from nearly 2,000 years of church history. “The evening perfectly partnered the more established service of remembrance held the following day.”

Residents of Appledore are making sure their voices will be heard with nearly 700 responses to proposals for future development outlined in the Local Plan. The recently formed Appledore Residents’ Association held an open day at the Blue Lights community hall in the village to display and explain the plan to local people. Villagers’ written views were then collected and delivered en masse to the council’s planning department. Association chairman Tom Waters said the group had been formed earlier this year in the face of proposed closure of the village fire station and because of local concern about the level of development proposed in and around the village. It now had a membership of 140 and was growing daily.

Bideford Rotary Club members are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their club next year by donating the same number of rose buses to the town. They are now being planted in a new bed in Victoria Park so that they will be in full flower by the actual anniversary date – May 27. The rose chosen is a floribunda, called Fellowship.

Fireworks may have caused shotgun scare.

Pupils, parents and staff at Pynes County Infants’ School, Bideford, have raised £800 for the NSPCC through a variety of sponsored activities. Head teacher Liz Noble said “Raising the money for such a deserving charity has been great fun for the whole school, but it is also very rewarding to see how generous the parents and children of Bideford have been when they are so often under financial pressures themselves.”

The North Devon Colts Cricket League presentations night at the Commodore Hotel, Instow, was dominated by Bideford Cricket Club. Individual trophies were presented by test match umpire David Shepherd, from Instow, and provided by sponsors North Devon Holiday Homes.

Andy Davies, David Shepherd, Brian Champion

Earthquakes and floods are the prognosis for what two North Devon doctors are likely to face when they travel across Mexico by bike. Dr Dick Ford of the Bideford Medical Centre and Dr John Wilson of Wooda Surgery, also in Bideford, are doing the sponsored ride in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Fund. “We’ve been cycling furiously around the hills of North Devon for months getting in some practice” said Dr Ford who accepted the challenge to do the bike ride (“it’s not my hobby!” he says). Dr Wilson heard him mention it at a social gathering and offered to go along too.

A new minor surgery unit has been opened as part of a £240,000 refurbishment project at Bideford Medical Centre in Abbotsham Road. Its completion was marked with an opening party at which patient Mrs Mary Sanders of Littleham unveiled a commemorative plaque which marks a major donation in memory of her late husband, Mr Dick Sanders. The Centre is operated in partnership by 10 local GPs, the most recent addition being Dr Duncan Barnder.

Mrs Sanders, Dr Mike Cracknell, Olivia Bassett, Brian Hall-Tomkin, Jonathan Poyner and Mary Law

Buckland Brewer property for sale – located in small wing of Medieval Mansion.

Buckland Brewer property for rent or to purchase.

The estuary village of Instow is celebrating the new millennium with the publication of a history of the village ‘from fossils to the future.’ The £18,000 community project has reached its final chapter after 20 months of research by a local team led by editors Pamela Cantle and Sandra Yeo. The glossy 200-page book contains the contributions of at least 200 people and more than 650 pictures. There are accounts of smuggling exploits and a cattle stampede through the village, of practices for D-day landings and of how round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester learned to sail in the estuary.

Instow property for sale.

A new £500,000 multi-sports centre was opened in Northam by Torridge and West Devon MP John Burnett. It is the culmination of a long-held dream for the Bideford Blues and Appledore Junior Football Club. The centre in Sandymere Road provides two football pitches, an all weather surface and a pavilion. The development has been made possible by a £450,000 Lottery grant and local fundraising of £50,000 plus help from the FA, Torridge District Council, Bideford Bridge Trust and other local associations. Local firm Pot Black UK is the main club sponsor.

Burrough Farm, Northam, showhome open for viewing.

Impressive maisonette in Bay View Road, Northam, for sale.

Young people from Northam will be strutting their stuff on the catwalk to help boost the finances of their own successful youth club and to raise funds for the North Devon Cancer Care Trust. The village’s younger generation will be showing off clothes to be found in the local Cancer Care charity shop and also providing refreshments for their visitors.

Marshford Organic Nursery at Northam has won the top two accolades for fresh produce in this year’s Organic Food Awards organised by The Soil Association and You magazine. Dave and Vanessa Ebdon have run the nursery for the past 15 years and won their first award in this competition in 1997. This time, the quality of their produce greatly impressed an eminent panel of judges, including top chef Raymond Blanc. As well as the nursery, the couple also run a 100% organic shop in Butchers Row, Barnstaple.

For the first time in nearly 50 years the village of Parkham is to hold its own Remembrance Day parade, led by its own Royal British Legion standard. Re-discovered in a cupboard in the Parish Church, the standard has not been used since the Parkham branch of the British Legion was disbanded in 1952. Since its discovery, repairs have been carried out by village Sue Baker and it is to be brought back into use following efforts by former Royal Engineers’ Warrant Officer Bill Marshall. With the help of fellow ex-serviceman John Moir, formerly with the REME, it was discovered that the Parkham branch RBL lasted from 1926-1952. So this year Bill has organised a full Remembrance Day parade at the time honoured 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Parkham property for sale.

Schoolboy railway enthusiast Ian Pringle never forgot the small branch lines that criss-crossed the idyllic landscape of North Devon. Now, his love of the trains and the countryside are recorded on a video, Memories of the Barnstaple-Torrington-Halwill Junction Lines. Highlights include scenes shot in the final days of steam, the last passenger services, steam cranes at work on Fremington Quay and other rare shots and footage. Ian can watch himself on the film as, with other Grenville College boys of days long gone, he rode on the trains. He recalls his first visit to Watergate Halt. “Deep with the heart of North Devon, I came across this tiny wayside halt, no longer than a single carriage length.”

Ian Pringle, Reg Bettiss, Bill Muskett, Bert Parkhouse, Eric Tidball and Taffy Lonergan

History was made and re-enacted when Torrington’s refurbished pannier market was officially opened. Renewed at a cost of £670,000 the new building both reflects its ancient past and provides an airy, glass-roofed shopping mall with new services in the centre of the town. While celebrating the new the past was also remembered through the presence of the Torrington Garrison and Townsfolk in their 17th century garb. They took part in a civic parade which preceded the official opening ceremony and its blessing by the Vicar of Torrington Rev Jeremy Hummerstone. Torrington’s Mayor Dr Harry Cramp said it was “a great day for Great Torrington” with completion of something people in the town had wanted for decades. The original market was built in 1842.

Mr Rawlinson, Dr Cramp, Brian Pitts, Dave Gibbons

A unique crystal glass vase from Gibraltar will be the top prize in a millennium draw being organised by Torrington Cavaliers to help finance their Millennium Eve celebrations. The engraved vase, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Cavaliers, has been made by Paul Alexander, Stuart Quick, Stuart Shute and Steve Palmer, who learned their glass-making skills locally and now live and work in Gibraltar. It was presented by Paul, son of the Cavaliers’ late founder president Larry Alexander, to his mother Thelma, at its millennium bonfire site on the town commons.

Paul and Thelma Alexander, Dave Kelly, Mike Palmer, Chris Stacey

Dartington Crystal is intent on expanding its presence in Torrington and has applied for planning permission to further develop its main site at Linden Close. The company’s proposal is to extend its already successful factory shopping complex and in the process attract more visitors to the town.

The ‘Torrington stink’ public inquiry is to recommence at the Howe Concert Hall in the town on December 14. An inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will consider an appeal by the Peninsular Proteins meat rendering plant against Torridge District Council’s refusal to grant consent for its continued operation.

Seventeenth century cottage for sale in Weare Giffard.

Gifts from well-wishers to North Devon Cancer Care Trust were put to auction at a fund-raising event evening – and helped to raise £2,300. “It was staggering sum” said trust founder Jennifer Bonetta. “We had 94 people at a really fun evening at The Commodore Hotel at Instow. They enjoyed a superb buffet and auctioneer Keith Sanders of Kivells kept things going. Among the items that brought biggest bids…