Mr Jack Hayward
11 July 1969
Reduction in numbersJune 1965
Public Appeal1969
For saleApril 1969
New link to Lundy22 June 1956
Second time within a week25 April 1958
Christmas gesture29 December 1961
Designed by John Dyke9 February 1951
Defiant!2 March 1951
Queen Picks Lundy For A Few Hours Off DutyThe Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Edward and Andrew enjoyed a day off on Sunday during
Church Damage May Total £1,000Between £700 and £1,000 worth of damage was caused to Lundy church following the exceptionally
Lundy TributeThe 15cwt tenor bell of St Helena's Church on Lundy has been returned to the island following
A labour of love3 March 1961
Reverend Dixon is optimistic12 July 1957
Destined for a seafood platter?23 June 1961
Bells sold?23 August 1963
Lerina is withdrawn17 November 1950
History making19 September 1958
Home for Christmas5 December 1969
173217 October 1969
Mr Jack Hayward11 July 1969
Millionaire Mr Jack Hayward of Grand Bahamas,
who gave £150,000 to enable the National Trust to buy Lundy, visited the island for the first time.
He was given a great welcome by the islanders which rain and grey clouds could not diminish.
Mr and Mrs Jack Hayward, Mr and Mrs Charles Hayward, Mr Jeremy Thorpe, Mr and Mrs Peter Mills, Mr Gerald Whitmarsh, Lord Antrim and Mr John Smith all flew to Lundy by helicopter. Outside the door of the Marisco Tavern Mr Felix Gade presented Mr Hayward with an illuminated scroll. A leather bound volume of Lundy photographs bearing the insignia of the National Trust and the House of Commons was handed to Mr Hayward by Mr Thorpe. Later Mr Hayward hoisted the Union flag from a signal station on the cliffs overlooking the landing beach.
Asked why he had given the £150,000 to buy the island, Mr Hayward declared “I am getting fed up with seeing bits of Britain being given away to foreigners.” He added he considered it was a bargain.
Gazette article dated 11
...
Reduction in numbersJune 1965
Several thousand kittiwakes
This series of photographs by Mr John A Jeffery, of Gothic Lodge, Hartland, are among the many he took on a week’s holiday on the island of Lundy.
Mr Jeffery, frequently a prize-winner at Bideford Camera Club competitions, has made something of a speciality of bird photograph. He returned from Lundy with some splendid results but minus one of his cameras which he lost over the cliffs.
The photograph above is of puffins, who have come to be regarded as the emblem of the island. Mr Jeffery reports that there are now about 50 or 60 nesting on the island. He adds “There are said to have been 2,000 or more there in 1939. Perhaps oil pollution is driving them north?”
A group of kittiwakes form the subject of a photograph – several thousand nest at the north end of the island.
June 1965
For saleApril 1969
The Church of Scientology Worldwide is interested in Lundy
which might have ‘certain peculiar advantages. But at this stage it would not be true to say we are going to buy it” said Mr David Gaiman, chief spokesman. He was speaking from the headquarters of the Church in this country, Hubbard College, East Grinstead.
Meanwhile a ‘Lundy for the nation’ campaign is gathering momentum. Three Devon M.P.s who believe the National Trust would be ‘the best and most experienced body to own and administer the island’ are issuing a nationwide appeal. Mr Peter Mills was due to meet the Director-General of the Trust, Sir John Winnifrith, on behalf of the group which includes Mr Jeremy Thorpe and Dr David Owen.
Mr Mills was asking Sir John to seek a three months’ option to purchase from the present owners, which would allow time for the launching of a national appeal for funds to buy and maintain the island. Mr Mills revealed that since Lundy was placed on the market he had received ‘a mass’ of anxious...
New link to Lundy22 June 1956
Former trawler is new link with Lundy
This photograph looks down on the deck of the Lundy Gannet alongside Bideford Quay preparing to make her ‘maiden trip’ to Lundy as the new link between the mainland and the Island. Before she left on Wednesday’s morning tide, the Rev R C Dixon (Vicar of Appledore and Priest-in-charge at Lundy) blessed the vessel on its new mission.
Those in the picture, gathered round the hold are: Mr Dan Crawford; Mr W Pickett, Customs and Excise Officer at Appledore; Mr Peter M Lecky; Mr Trevor Davey, of Bucks, coxswain of the Clovelly lifeboat, who is the new skipper; Mr Stanley Smith, who manages the Marisco Tavern on Lundy, and the Rev R C Dixon.
The Lundy Gannet, a former trawler 52 feet long, had been converted to carry 12 passengers, with cabin, and hold to carry close on 20 tons of cargo, and a new Kelvin 88hp motor fitted, which gave her a speed of eight knots, about the same speed as the Lerina, which formerly did the trip. Mr Davey is a kinsman of the...
Second time within a week25 April 1958
Wife of Island owner injures leg
The condition of Mrs Kathleen Harman, wife of Mr Albion Harman, owner of Lundy, who injured her leg in a fall on the island and on Monday evening was flown from there by a rescue helicopter of RAF Chivenor to the King George V football field and taken by ambulance to Bideford Hospital, was yesterday stated to be progressing satisfactorily.
The rescue helicopter, piloted by Flight Lieutenant A G Carroll, was called in response to a message from Lundy received by Hartland coastguards over the radio transmitter from the island. It touched down at Bideford to pick up Dr William Ruddock, of Bideford, and landed on a strip behind Lundy Church to which Mrs Harman was brought by trailer towed by a tractor.
This was the second time within a week the rescue helicopter service from RAF Chivenor had gone to Lundy in response to a call for medical assistance. Last week it took Dr W T S McKean, Dr Ruddock’s partner.
Full Gazette article is dated 25 April 1958
Christmas gesture29 December 1961
Lundy landing on Christmas morning
Thanks to the cooperation of the rescue helicopter section of RAF Chivenor, the handful of residents on the island of Lundy, plus the six light-housemen stationed there, had their Christmas turkeys and mail delivered on Christmas morning.
The turkeys and mail, with a varied selection of other supplies, including a Christmas tree, were to have gone out in the motor vessel the Lundy Gannet, but for a week she had been confined to Bideford quayside because continuing easterly winds up to gale force made it impossible for her to make a landing at Lundy.
When the Lundy Gannet went to the island on Monday of last week it was only possible to land a small portion of her cargo and mail, but happily this included some presents for young Peter and Jane Squire.
Over the weekend Skipper Trevor Davey received a message from the helicopter section offering to make the trip as a Christmas gesture, and he drove to the aerodrome with the turkeys and the sacks of...
Designed by John Dyke9 February 1951
Philatelists and ornithologists will share an interest in the forthcoming issue of a new series of air mail stamps for Lundy.
The stamps have been designed and drawn by Mr John C A Dyke of Sudbury Cottage, Fairy Cross, near Bideford.
In order of rising denomination the stamps carry drawings of the following birds: Puffin, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Fulmar Petrel, Oyster Catcher, Black-backed Gull.
The full Gazette article is dated 9 February 1951
Defiant!2 March 1951
Mr F W Gade, oldest inhabitant, and agent of Lundy, in defiant attitude.
He leans against a tablet at the beach threshold. It reads: ‘This island is entirely private property. There are no public roads, footpaths or rights of ways whatever hereon.’
The tablet was placed there early last century when the ‘pirates’ of Trinity House had the ‘audacity’ to put a ‘landing place’ tablet of their own there.
Gazette article dated 2 March 1951
Queen Picks Lundy For A Few Hours Off DutyThe Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Edward and Andrew enjoyed a day off on Sunday during
Queen Picks Lundy For A Few Hours Off Duty - 12th August 1977
The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Edward and Andrew enjoyed a day off on Sunday during their Westcounty tour with rare informality when they visited Lundy Island and walked over it for three hours in perfect weather.
Only a handful of people knew of the projected visit and their lips were sealed until Saturday night when the island's 30 inhabitants plus 70 visitors were called to a meeting in the Church of St Helena, the only building large enough to contain them all.
It was the first-ever visit by a reigning monarch to the island although the Queen Mother had landed there, also from the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1958. That day was recalled to Her Majesty by Mr Felix Grade, the former agent, when he met the Queen outside the Marisco Tavern. Among the people they met were Mr and Mrs John Smith of the Landmark Trust which now administers the island on behalf of the National Trust.
Among those relieved that stormy...
Church Damage May Total £1,000Between £700 and £1,000 worth of damage was caused to Lundy church following the exceptionally
Church Damage May Total £1,000 - 12th October 1962
Emergency Repairs On Lundy
Between £700 and £1,000 worth of damage was caused to Lundy church following the exceptionally high winds of a fortnight ago.
On Saturday builders went to the island in the Lundy Gannet to carry out emergency repairs to the east end window (which, in fact, faces south), part of which has crumbled away. But the Vicar of Appledore and priese-in-charge of Lundy (Rev Royston Dixon) considers that these repairs which will cost in the region of £200-£300, will be sufficient to last for several years.
Lundy TributeThe 15cwt tenor bell of St Helena's Church on Lundy has been returned to the island following
Lundy Tribute - 2nd April 1977
The 15cwt tenor bell of St Helena's Church on Lundy has been returned to the island following repair and is to be re-hung to ring out in honour of the Royal silver jubilee in June.
A labour of love3 March 1961
When Anthony and Myrtle Langham embarked on ‘attempt to collect together all available information about Lundy and to present as complete a picture of the island – past and present – as is yet possible’ they set themselves a monumental task.
But it is apparent when reading ‘Lundy Bristol Channel’ that here was no task; only a labour of love – a privately printed edition limited to 250 copies – are crammed facts in profusion, but they have been woven into so interesting a tapestry that even those to whom Lundy is little more than a name, or perhaps a smudge on the horizon, cannot, as readers, fail to absorb to a large degree something of the fascination that the island holds for the writers.
It has been the home of people of high degree and the haunt of pirates; the notorious Captain Kidd was taken to the island after his capture in New England; a skeleton discovered in a stone coffin is thought to have been that of Hubba the Dane who was slain at Bloody Corner in 878.
After the...
Reverend Dixon is optimistic12 July 1957
Day trippers to Lundy have given nearly £300 towards the maintenance of the island’s tiny church, writes the Vicar of Appledore, the Rev R C Dixon, in the current issue of Appledore Parish magazine.
Mr Dixon also comments “There was a time when I almost despaired of being able to put Lundy Church in good repair. Now I am becoming definitely optimistic”.
The full Gazette article is dated 12 July 1957
Destined for a seafood platter?23 June 1961
Mr Arthur Strick, Lundy fisherman, discovered another Lundy giant at the weekend – in his lobster pots.
Lundy is renowned for its lobsters, but this one, weighing 10lb, was described by Mr Trevor Davey (skipper of the ‘Lundy Gannet’) who brought it to the mainland, as ‘the biggest I ever saw’. It was consigned to the New Inn Hotel, Bideford.
The full Gazette article is dated 23 June 1961
Bells sold?23 August 1963
As was briefly reported last week a decision has been made to sell the peal of eight bells of the church on the island of Lundy.
Announcing this in the current issue of his church magazine, the Vicar of Appledore, Rev R C Dixon, who is priest-in-charge of Lundy, writes that on a recent visit there he had further discussed the proposal with the island’s owner, Mr Albion Harman, with Miss Elsie Heaven, a great-niece of the founder of Lundy’s church, and with an informal meeting of islanders and regular visitors.
Describing the bells as a beautiful peal, the Vicar writes “If we can no longer hear them on Lundy we should endeavour to place them where they can once more ring out to the glory of God. The proceeds of the sale of the peal should then be set aside for the maintenance of the church, and for the erection of one or possibly two ‘come to service’ bells”. The Vicar’s notes continue: “The meeting also expressed gratitude to Mr Bill Copp, of Bideford, who has done our repairs during the last...
Lerina is withdrawn17 November 1950
Lundy boats
Photographed alongside each other at Bideford Quay are the 'Lerina' which, it is understood, is being withdrawn from the Lundy to the mainland service after being engaged on it for just over thirty years, and the 'Margaret Rose' (formerly the Clovelly lifeboat 'City of Nottingham') which is now undertaking a regular service between the island and the mainland.
Gazette article dated 17 November 1950
History making19 September 1958
Bishop makes history
At 7am on Monday morning the Bishop of Exeter, Dr R C Mortimer, boarded the Lundy Gannet at Bideford Quay to go to Lundy where, in the evening, he became the first diocesan Bishop to officiate at a confirmation service there.
It was the first time such a service had been held on the island since 1912.
In the church of St Helena, lit by oil lamps and candles, he confirmed four candidates, all members of one family. They were Mr Stanley Charles Smith, Wayland Pondsbury, Joan Lerina and Judith Cynthia Daniels.
Mrs Audrey Smith was the organist and her father, Mr Frank Cannon, was among the congregation of 40. Mr and Mrs Smith were married on the island.
The Bishop, who was accompanied by his 12 year old daughter, Kate, was assisted at the ceremony by the Rev R C Dixon, Vicar of Appledore and priest-in-charge of Lundy.
Others present included Miss Eileen Heaven, Mrs Albion Harman, and Mrs Diana Keast.
The full Gazette article is dated 19 September 1958
Home for Christmas5 December 1969
Lundy’s youngest and newest inhabitant arrived last week on the island from the mainland in the ‘Lundy Gannet’ quite unperturbed by the rough weather.
She is Katherine Jane, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Ogilvie, of Barton Cottages, on the island. She was born on the mainland on October 1st.
Baby Kate spent the three hours on the trip in a carry-cot on deck, carefully watched over by her parents who have made their home on the island since their marriage nearly six years ago. They are seen preparing to carry their daughter to her new home. The island church and some of the buildings are in the background.
Mr Ogilvie is farm bailiff on Lundy. His wife Penny is the only daughter of Dr and Mrs William Ruddock, of Bideford. Dr Ruddock is doctor to the island. The island has been without resident children for several years.
Gazette article dated 5 December 1977
173217 October 1969
To mark the 40th anniversary of first issue of Lundy stamps, there will be a new issue by the island of five values of stamps on November 1st.
The stamps, depicting the transport of mails to and from the island, have been designed by Mr John Dyke, and printed by Messrs Bradbury, Wilkinson and Co., who printed the stamps of 1929, 1930, 1939, 1950 and 1957.
The price of the first day cover will be five shillings.
Four of the five new stamps are shown above. The 1 puffin depicts Postmaster F Allday. The 2 puffin shows the Lundy Gannet. The 6 Puffin depicts the cutter Gannet. The 9 puffin shows the Lerina. The stamp not illustrated is the 12 puffin which shows the Lundy mails arriving and being despatched by air.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 October 1969