Dunsland House destroyed24 November 1967
A thousand years of history disappeared overnight when Dunsland House, Bradford, Holsworthy, was destroyed by fire early on Saturday.
The phrase is that of Mr John Manley Price, the curator, who, with his mother, Mrs Enid Caffyn, had lived at the house for the past nine years. They probably own their lives to their sheepdog whose barking awoke Mr Price at about 3.15am. The house was then filled with smoke and so intense was the heat that the roof tiles were exploding.
The fire had put the phone out of action and Mr Price had to drive to Brandis Corner to raise the alarm. When he returned it was obvious that nothing could be done to save the mansion, owned by the National Trust, or its contents. ‘It was a raging inferno’ said Mr Price.
‘This is a 100 per cent disaster’ commented Mr N Trinnick who is secretary of the Trust committee for Devon and Cornwall. ‘Dunsland will never be rebuilt’.
Units of the County Fire Brigade from Torrington, Holsworthy and Hatherleigh fought the blaze...
Went to Essex for their honeymoon4 July 1958
At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on June 21st, the wedding took place of Mr Raymond Courtney Kerslake, only child of Mr and Mrs Kerslake, 16 Victoria Street, Holsworthy, and Miss Muriel Broad, third daughter of Mr and Mrs Broad, Upcott Cottage, Bideford.
The Rector of Bideford, Rev T Derwent Davies, conducted the service. Mr J R Trigger was at the organ. Mr J Hawkins, brother-in-law of the bride, undertook the duties of the best man and the ushers were Mr Leslie Broad and Mr Michael Harris. Attending the bride as matron of honour was her sister, Mrs J Hawkins.
The reception was held at the Athletic Club Room, Bideford, and Essex chosen for the honeymoon, the bride travelling in a coffee box suit.
Among many presents were a cheque and travelling clock from the management and patients at Dawfield Hospital, Holsworthy, where the bride has been employed. Good luck tokens were presented to the bride by Mrs Hope, Matron of Dawfield Hospital, and Miss June Broad.
The bridegroom is a well known...
Rabbits for sale4 May 1918
Holsworthy Market
Slip pigs 50s to 110s, suckers 20s to 30s.
Old hens 1s 9d to 2s per lb, chicken 2s to 3s, butter 2s 21/2d, eggs 3s to 3s 2d per dozen.
Oats 6s to 6s 2d, maizemeal 49s, brand 14s to 14s 6d, sharps 15s, flour 50s, bread 9d per 4lb loaf.
Rabbits 1s 9d each.
Gazette article dated 4 May 1918
Miss Wharry9 July 1914
'Phyllis North'
who at Carnarvon Sessions was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for breaking windows at Criccieth on the occasion of Mr Lloyd George's visit, is a name that was intended to hide the name of Olive Whary, the Holsworthy girl who in 1913 was sentenced for being concerned in the burning of the Kew Gardens tea pavilion. Miss Wharry, three years ago, inherited between £85,000 and £90,000. For a time she was a student at the Exeter RAM College.
She had to be carried into the dock at the Sessions and had her boots taken off.
The evidence was called, and the accused put no questions, but in the course of the proceedings she exclaimed: "I see one of the torturers on the jury. I suppose it is the jury. He is the prison doctor."
Gazette article 9 July 1914