At half-past-seven on Sunday evening

the choir and congregation of High Street Methodist Church, Bideford , will make the first broadcast from a place of worship in the town.

Great interest centres around the occasion and it is anticipated there will be a crowded congregation. High Street (United) Methodist have always made a feature of their choir and congregational singing, stretching back to the days of the old Silver Street Church from which a move was made in 1913. The late Mr Robert Blackmore, father of the present choir master, was largely responsible for building up the fine choral tradition with

Children carrying foxgloves in procession

to the patronal festival service at St Nectan's Parish Church, Hartland, maintain an old tradition based on the legend that where drops of St Nectan's blood fell foxgloves sprang up.

Prior to this year's patronal festival Evensong, the Bishop of Crediton, Right Rev Wilfred Westall, dedicated the rebuilt Church Cottage in the little tree-lined square before St Nectan's. The Bishop also preached at the service.

Gazette article dated June 25th 1965

Entrenching Operations Begun

Black Shirts Lend A Hand

The tithe ‘war’ in North Devon was taken a further stage at Buckland Brewer where a County Court Bailiff is in possession of three ricks at Holwill Farm, occupied by Mr Brown. Willing hands assisted in the digging of a trench across a private road and a barricade has also been erected. It is evident that a determined resistance will meet any attempt to remove the ricks, one consisting of hay and two of oats. Tenders for the ricks were recently invited ‘under distress of tithe, by order of the County Court.’

After nearly 40 years of worshipping in adapted buildings and halls,

Roman Catholics of Torrington district have a new church - here is a link to  Holy family Church

The church, which will serve some 70 people, in on a site in Gas Lane. Solidly built, its design is on simple and traditional lines.

Named the Church of the Holy Family, it was consecrated last Thursday evening, being blessed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, Right Rev Cyril Resieaux.

Most of its cost of £9,000 is being met by an anonymous donor, and various money-raising efforts are being arranged to

External and internal renovations have been carried out at the Methodist Chapel at Langtree to mark the golden jubilee of the opening of the building and a very successful re-opening day was held on Thursday of last week.

Friends from a wide area gave their support.

The re-opening was performed by Mrs E Johns, of Sutcombe, who was associated with the chapel in its early days and was the first bride to be married from it.
Seen from left to right in the picture are: Rev Harold Sharrett (Hatherleigh), Rev A Olds, Pamela Daniel, Mrs Johns and Pastor C C

All but five Sunday schools affiliated to the Bideford and Torridge district Sunday School Union took part in the Scripture examination last year, Mrs J Vanstone told the Sunday school union’s annual meeting at Lavington Congregational Church.

Mrs Vanstone said they were pleased to receive entries from Dolton and Frithelstock Baptist Sunday schoosl and a welcome return was made by Abbotsham.
The temperance examination secretary, Mr A E Pettitt, said that four Bideford Sunday schools participated in the temperance exams in November and the results were satisfying.
The general secretary, Miss Delia Jones, pointed out that in October 1962, in

A chorister for 65 years and for 37 years people’s warden at Instow parish church, Mr Herbert Bruce Smallcorn, of 2 Marine Parade, Instow, has died at his home aged 73.

Mr Smallcorn was a former secretary of Instow Rifle and Social Club, and was vice-chairman of the local branch of the Conservative party. He served in the First World War and was a member of the Royal British Legion.
The funeral took place at Instow parish church, followed by cremation at Barnstaple. The Rector, Rev R A Edwards, officiated and Mrs Pearce was the organist.
Immediate mourners attending were:

Gift Sale Raises £238 For Chapel Redecoration

A gift sale of sheep, conducted by Messrs Kivell and Sons at Bideford Market, realised £238 towards the cost of redecorating Alverdiscott Methodist Chapel and the adjoining schoolrooms.

With a further £74 in donations from members and friends, the trustees needed only £20 more to meet their expenses, and this they soon had when the chapel was officially reopened.

Introduced by the Rev J R Legg, Mrs Annie Friend – a former member of the chapel who now lives at Dawlish – unlocked the door with the key handed to her by Mr Frank Ford.