Fifty years’ service to the community in a variety ways; that is the record of Mr William Joslin, of West Living Farm, Westleigh, who has just resigned from Barnstaple Rural Council, of which he was the ‘father’.

Although in his 85th year, mentally he is as alert as ever, is steadily recovering from a major operation which he underwent last June and he is still serving.
His most important contribution to the welfare of his fellows has been as a farmer, and it still is, for he continues to farm 135 acres at West Living as he has done since

Multi-coloured flags adorned the Village Hall field, Westleigh, on Saturday, in celebration of a fete, organised by the Village Hall Committee.

The target set was £200 to pay for a new roof to the Village Hall, and the result was approximately £160.
The secretary, Mr P Willey, explained that as soon as the debt was cleared, the building would be officially called the Village Hall.
Wishing the village every success in the future, the Mayoress of Barnstaple, Mrs M Huxtable, declared the fete open. She was presented with a bouquet by Miss Kathleen Willey.
Competition at a baby show, organised

Acting Town Clerk weds Mayor’s secretary

There was Bideford civic interest in the wedding on Wednesday at St Peter’s Church, Westleigh, of Mr Leonard T Rose, only son of Mr and Mrs H T Rose of Westleigh, and Miss Jessie A Bedingfield, elder daughter of Mrs and the late Mr S G Bedingfield of ‘Little Warren’, Beach Road, Westward Ho!
The Rev T Mortimer officiated at the service. The bride was given in marriage by a friend, Mr T Bellew. The bridegroom’s brother-in-law, Mr Ivor Jones, was the best man. A reception was held at Westleigh. Among the presents received

Westleigh Anniversary – Congratulations to Mr and Mrs G Watts

Congratulations and best wishes to Mr and Mrs George Watts, of Lower Village, Westleigh, who quietly celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary – sixty years of married life. They were married in Barnstaple on February 14th 1885.
Before her marriage, Mrs Watts was Miss Elizabeth Ann Turner, of Westleigh. She has lived in the parish all her life. Mr Watts is a native of Fremington, and they have lived in Westleigh since they were married. Both are staunch supporters of the Methodist Church.
A platelayer by trade, Mr Watts worked on the railway

Fire guts Westleigh farmhouse

After a young married Westleigh farmer had been awakened at 5am on Sunday by the crackle of flames and had found an adjacent bedroom ablaze, his wife and their three year old son escaped in their nightclothes. The farmer, Mr A N Wooldridge, had time to pull on only a pair of trousers. The thatched farmhouse, known at Ashridge West, was completely gutted. 

Bideford firemen arrived to find that part of the roof had already collapsed.

Mrs Wooldridge and her son, Stewart, were provided with shelter at a nearby farm. Later they moved to stay with