Much revered gentleman
15 April 1955
Voucher win2 February 1973
Gift from British Rola workmates12 January 1943
Reception at Torridge Inn15 December 1942
Presented with silver horseshoe tokens16 March 1943
Two bridesmaids20 January 1942
Given away by father21 April 1942
Two Matrons of Honour27 October 1942
Honeymoon in north Devon28 April 1945
Honeymoon in Landcross1943
130 guests31 July 1945
Local interest30 January 1940
Honeymoon in Ilfracombe28 August 1945
Amateur boxer12 August 1941
Given away by her brother13 February 1945
Honeymoon in Okehampton and Bristol14 March 1944
Honeymoon in Torquay17 February 1942
Guard of Honour18 November 1941
Telegrams from family members21 April 1942
The Braunds of Bucks and ElsewhereA cheery, breezy, virile soul blew into the office one day last week and shot a ray of sunshine
Much revered gentleman15 April 1955
Funeral of Mr A Hocking
Flags at Bideford Liberal Club and Bideford Bowling Club, of which he was a member, were flown at half-mast on Saturday for the funeral at Northam Methodist Church of Mr Alfred Hocking, Burrows View, Westward Ho!
Mr Hocking, who was 65, for formerly in business at Shebbear and on retirement first came to live at Bideford and later at Westward Ho! For a number of years he was hon. secretary of Bideford and District Local Savings Committee and contributed much to the success of the big war-time savings drives. He was a trustee and treasurer of Northam Methodist Church and lay secretary of Exeter District Methodist Citizenship Committee.
Mr Hocking was Treasurer of Torrington Divisional Liberal Association and a director of Bideford Liberal Club.
The Rev W J Tyrer and the Rev Isaac Bond officiated. Mr H Thorne was the organist.
Immediate mourners were: the widow; Messrs Wilfred and Stanley Hearn; Mrs Metherall and Mrs Gayton; Mrs Walter Hocking and Miss...
Voucher win2 February 1973
Hartland Woman Wins £50 Worth Of Drinks
A £50 voucher has been won by Mrs Neta Ware, Milford Mill, Hartland, in a Mosaic Cyprus sherry nationwide competition. She has to redeem the voucher at the off-licence at which she bought the sherry - Walton's Supermarket, High Street, Bideford.
The second part of the competition does not end until March 31.
The Gazette article is dated 2 February 1973
Gift from British Rola workmates12 January 1943
Flight-Sergt T J Paddon and Miss F M Mills
A bridegroom who returned to this country last summer after three and a half years service with the RAF in Iraq was married at Bideford Baptist Church on January 2nd. He is Flight-Sergt Thomas John Paddon, only son of Mr and Mrs R Paddon, 20 Chingswell Street, Bideford, and his bride is Miss Florence Maud Mills, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J H Mills, 14 Victoria Grove, Bideford. Flight-Sergt Paddon is an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School and joined the service from school.
The wedding ceremony was conducted by the Rev F Hobbs. Mr W Darch was at the organ. The bride’s veil and headdress were lent by Mrs I Hold, a friend. On leaving the Church, the bride was presented with silver horse-shoes by her niece, Miss Margaret Jewell, and by the bridegroom’s mother. Miss Millicent Mills was the bridesmaid. Mr R C Beer, friend of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of best man.
A reception was held at the Baptist schoolroom. The bride was...
Reception at Torridge Inn15 December 1942
Sergt A G L W Braund and Miss L W Bedler
A wedding of much local interest was solemnised at St Mary’s Church on December 8th, the bridegroom being Sergt A G L W Braund, only son of Leading Seaman Braund and Mrs Braund, 5 Elmscott Terrace, Bideford, and the bride, Miss L W Bedler, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Bedler of 19 Bowden Green, Bideford.
The Rev R Y Stone officiated and Mr R Harper was at the organ. There was one bridesmaid in attendance – Miss Phyllis Bedler. Sgin G A Lockyer carried out the duties of the best man.
A reception was held at Torridge Inn where 60 guests were entertained.
The full Gazette article is dated 15 December 1943
Presented with silver horseshoe tokens16 March 1943
Many friends attend ceremony
There was much local interest and a large attendance of friends at the wedding at Westward Ho! Church on March 4, of Pte John James Montague, Military Pioneer Corps, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J Montague of Glasgow, and Miss Doris Myrtle Hutchings, only child of Cllr and Mrs G W G Hutchings, of 5 Westbourne Terrace, Westward Ho!
The Rev H Hancox officiated at the ceremony and Mrs Kelly was at the organ. The bride was attended by Misses Violet and Edith Ellis and Pearl Montague and the best man was Mr Harry Montague. Misses Evon and Edith Ellis and Patsy Hocking presented silver horseshoe tokens.
Flowers for bouquets were supplied by Messrs Braund Bros, High Street, Bideford and the dresses by Messrs Heywood and Cock, Grenville Street, Bideford.
The full Gazette article is dated 16 March 1943
Two bridesmaids20 January 1942
Mr W F H Grant and Miss D A M Blackmore
On Saturday January 10th, the wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, of Mr William Frederick Hookway Grant, son of Mr and Mrs William Grant, 6 Kingsley Terrace, Bideford, and Miss Dorothy Alice May Blackmore, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Ernest Blackmore, 12 North Road, Bideford.
The Rev R A B Chambers officiated and Mr R Harper was at the organ. There were two bridesmaids – Miss Doreen Harding and Miss Joyce Vine. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Jack Newcombe, Mr J Pile and Mr W Harding acted as ushers at the church.
The full Gazette article is dated 20 January 1942
Given away by father21 April 1942
The wedding was solemnised at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on April 11th,
of Signalman William D French, Royal Corps of Signals, son of Mrs Frenceh and the late Mr French, of Church Walk, Bideford, and Miss Daisy Kathleen Pennington, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles F Pennington, of Highborough, Pinecroft Terrace, Clovelly Road, Bideford.
The ceremony was conducted by the Rev R Y Stone.
The full Gazette article is dated 21 April 1942
Two Matrons of Honour27 October 1942
At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on October 17th,
the wedding took place of Mr Donald Evans, Merchant Navy, second son of Mr and Mrs A Evans, 23 Meeting Street, Appledore, and Miss Irene Mary Taylor, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs W G Taylor, 3 Kingsley Road, Bideford.
The ceremony was conducted by the Rev R Y Stone. Mr R Harper was at the organ. The bride was attended by her two sisters as Matrons of Honour, Mrs Joan Peterson and Mrs Gwyneth Smith. Mr D G Smith carried out the duties of best man.
A reception was held at the Torridge Inn, and later Mr and Mrs Evans left for the honeymoon.
The full Gazette article is dated 27 October 1942
Honeymoon in north Devon28 April 1945
Bidefordian’s bride from resistance movement
Romance and the fortunes of war shone on the marriage solemnised at Bridge Street Methodist Church, Bideford, on August 10th, of Capt Ronald Slade, RAC, second son of Capt and Mrs Slade, 29 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, and Miss Patricia Verbeeck, only daughter of Lieut and Mrs Verbeeck, 100 Boulevard Jacquard, Calais, France.
The bridegroom, who come of a well-known family of five brothers, all Old Boys of Bideford Grammar School, speaks French well, and worked for European Resistance Movements before and after D-Day.
The Rev H Wilkinson officiated at the ceremony and Mr E G Laycok was at the organ. The bride was escorted by Mr E A Slade, BA, brother of the bridegroom.
Miss Joan Whitton was bridesmaid. Mr Trevor Slade carried out the duties of best man.
After the ceremony the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe token by little Miss Margaret Slade. A reception was held at Friendship’s Café, Bideford.
The honeymoon was spent in North...
Honeymoon in Landcross1943
Corpl F G Raymont and Miss I M Crothall
Recently home from the Middle East, after five years’ service there with the RAF, Corpl Frederick George Raymont, Hill View, Landcross, near Bideford, was married on May 29th at St Mary’s Church, Andover, to Miss Irene Margaret Crothall, daughter of Mr and Mrs W H Crothall, 53 Charlton Road, Andover.
The Vicar of Andover, Rev A C Fletcher, officiated at the ceremony.
Given away by her father, who was wearing medals awarded him for service with the RAMC in the last war, and also a long service medal with the RAF, the bride was attired in a blue two-piece, navy blue hat, with a veil and navy gloves and shoes. There was one bridesmaid – Miss Mary Rainsley. The bridegroom’s mother and father were unable to be present, and two brothers, Messrs S and R Raymont, were prevented from attending, being in HM Forces. The bride’s brother, Mr R W Crothall was best man.
A reception was held at the home of the bride, and the happy couple later left for the...
130 guests31 July 1945
Pte K J Steer (Canadian Army) and Miss K H Hill
Five bridesmaids attended the bride at the wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Wednesday July 18th, the Rev T R Gibby officiating, of Pte Kenneth John Steer, of the Canadian Army, younger son of Mr and Mrs E Steer, of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and Miss Kathleen Helena Hill, younger daughter of Mr L E Hill, of Sylvania, Sask… and Mrs Hill, of Corner House, Monkleigh.
Mr R Harper presided at the organ.
The bride, given away by Mr J Lang, was attired in a long brocaded silk gown with train and white shoes and gloves. The chief bridesmaid, Miss Marjorie Grigg, close friend of the bride, wore a long pink silk crepe gown, with shoes and gloves to match. The other bridesmaid, Misses Janet Bird and Marilyn Sussex, cousins of the bridegroom, and Misses Mary Cox and Dorothy Slade, friends of the bride, were in long ankle-length gowns of turquoise blue ordandie, short-waisted, with sashes, and over pink slips. Mr J Beer (Ilfracombe), uncle of...
Local interest30 January 1940
Mr J U Fulford and Miss B M Wear
There was much local interest in the wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Wednesday, of Mr John Underhill Fulford, eldest son of Alderman and Mrs H W Fulford, of Glenburnie, Bideford, and the eldest grandson of the late Mr J U Fulford, and Miss Barbara Mary Wear, younger daughter of Mrs Wear, Aysha, Westward Ho! and the late Mr Alfred Wear (Stock Exchange, London).
Both the bridegroom and the best man, his cousin, Mr Dennis Cockram, who are serving with the forces, wore uniform. Before enlisting, the bridegroom was a chartered accountant in London.
The Rector of Bideford, Rev W N Manning, officiated , Mr E H Champion was at the organ in the unavoidable absence through illness of Mr R Harper.
Gazette article dated 30 January 1940
Honeymoon in Ilfracombe28 August 1945
Corpl L C S Davey, RAF, and Miss M D Taylor
A Bideford Victory bride and bridegroom were Miss Margery Doreen Taylor, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Tom Taylor, of Blacksmith’s Arms Inn, Bideford E, and Corpl Leonard Charles Stewart Davey, RAF, only son of Mr and Mrs C E Davey, of Belle Vue, Waltham Avenue, Guildford, Surrey, formerly of 27 Meddon Street, Bideford.
They had chosen Thursday, August 16th for their marriage and by happy coincidence this turned out to be VJ plus one. Thus they will always be able to say that the town was decorated, the bells rang, bands played, bonfires were lit and there was every sign of general rejoicing on their wedding day.
The bridegroom, who has been serving with CMF, is well remembered in Bideford rowing circles. The bride has been employed in the Health Department of Bideford Rural District Council and at Tuesday’s meeting of the Council the chairman (Mr J C Hilton) extended their congratulations and best wishes to her and her husband.
The wedding...
Amateur boxer12 August 1941
Well known in the Torrington district
as an amateur boxer and athlete, Gunner Joseph William Victor Folland RA, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Frank Folland, 88 Calf Street, Torrington, was married at St Mary’sChurch, Bideford, on August 2nd, to Miss Barbara Francis Westlake, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Samuel Westlake, 9 Bowden Green, Bideford.
The ceremony was performed by Rev R A B Chambers. The bridesmaid was Miss Joan Westlake. Mr R Cudmore carried out the duties of the best man.
Gazette article dated 12 August 1941
Given away by her brother13 February 1945
There was much local interest
in the wedding on January 30th at the High Street Methodist Church, Bideford, between LAC David Charles Blake Lang, RAF, eldest son of Mr F G and the late Mrs Lang, 36 Old Town, Bideford, and Miss Daphne Grace Stevens, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J Stevens, 2 Eastbourne Terrace, Westward Ho!
The Rev T E Clarke officiated at the ceremony. Mrs Cox presided at the organ. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr F A B Stevens. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Frank Babb.
Gazette articled dated 13 February 1945
Honeymoon in Okehampton and Bristol14 March 1944
who had met while serving in the Mediterranean theatre was a happy feature
of the wedding which took place at St Michael’s Church, Torrington on Wednesday March 1st of Signalman Reuben J L Alexander, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Arthur Alexander, 23 Well Street, Torrington, and Corpl Violet May Perkins, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Perkins, Longham Farm, Coryton, Okehampton.
The best man was Torpedoman Stanley Davy, RN, a Torritonian who had met Signlmn Alexander in Tripoli. Among the guests was Leading Seaman Braunton, of Bideford, who has been a shipmate of the bridegroom.
The Vicar of Torrington, Rev C J Barker, officiated and Mr S Parkes was at the organ. The bride was accompanied by Miss Margaret Alexander and two little pageboys – Master Tony Stapleton and Peter Webber – were in attendance.
The full Gazette article is dated 14 March 1944.
Honeymoon in Torquay17 February 1942
The wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on February 4th,
of Corpl W G Popham, second son of Mr and Mrs G H Popham, 9 Marine Parade, Appledore, and Miss Alice Mary Paddon, only daughter of Mr and Mrs R Paddon, 20 Chingswell Street, Bideford.
The ceremony was conducted by the Rector of Bideford, the Rev Preb. W N Manning. Mr R Harper was the organist. Miss A James was the chief bridesmaid and there were two small attendants. Sergt C J Popham, RAOC, brother of the bridegroom, carried out the duties of the best man.
A reception was held at Morrison’s Café, Bridgeland Street, Bideford, where some 80 guests were entertained. Later, Mr and Mrs Popham left for Torquay for the honeymoon.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 February 1942.
Guard of Honour18 November 1941
Members of Abbotsham section of the Home Guard provided a guard of honour
at the wedding at St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham, on Saturday November 8th, of Sergt Constantine Charles Prust, Fairview House, Abbotsham, and Miss Martha Banks, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A E Banks, 17 Droversdale Road, Bircotes, near Doncaster.
The bridegroom, who was in the Territorials, has been on service since the outbreak of war. Prior to this he was a member of the office staff of the Bideford Gazette. A member of Bideford Wheelers, he had also taken a keen interest in the Boy Scout movement.
The wedding ceremony was conducted by the Rev Basil M Challoner.
The full Gazette article is dated 18 November 1941
Telegrams from family members21 April 1942
At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Easter Monday,
the wedding took place of Gnr Robert Sydney Fiddes, of Wallsend-on-Tyne, and Miss Linda Ethel Maud Mountjoy, second daughter of the late Mr R Mountjoy and Mrs W Sheppard, 4 Waterloo Terrace, Bideford.
The service was choral, Mr R Harper at the organ, played the wedding marches. The Rev R Y Stone officiated. The bride’s sister, Miss J Mountjoy, attended at bridesmaid. Sergt A Fiddes discharged the duties of best man.
A reception was held at the bride’s home where the bridegroom’s father and sister proposed the health of the happy couple. The bouquets of the bride and her attendant were afterwards placed on the grave of the bride’s father.
The full Gazette article is dated 21 April 1942
The Braunds of Bucks and ElsewhereA cheery, breezy, virile soul blew into the office one day last week and shot a ray of sunshine
The Braunds of Bucks and Elsewhere
A cheery, breezy, virile soul blew into the office one day last week and shot a ray of sunshine through the gloom of 'inquest morning', and court-marshal follows court-marshal on the sins of ommission and commission of the preceding week. The visitor was Salvation Army Young People's Sergeant Major, merchant, and real estate agent, Justice of the Peace, R C Braund of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (where the Quaker Oats come from), and a direct descendant of the Braunds of Bucks. Directly I saw him I was struck with his similarity in build and happy countenance to Bideford's stentorian Town Crier, Mr Sidney Braund, of Bucks House, Meddon Street. Subsequent reference to and comparison of photos of our Canadian visitor and our Town Crier in their respective uniforms -
each with ribbons and medals - confirmed the likeness.
Mr R C Braund, who is on a brief holiday in England, having come over on May 1st for the Coronation, was born in Canada, son of...