Opened by Mr Jeremy Thorpe, MP20 May 1966
Westleigh County Primary School swimming pool,
opened by Mr Jeremy Thorpe, MP for North Devon, has virtually been paid for.
Yet the idea to provde a pool was mooted only in January. The total cost - including a filtration plant - exceeds £300. A grant of half that amount is made by the County Council. When Mr Thorpe opened the pool the parish had raised about £120 by various events. A fete that followed the opening ceremony raised nearly £50 towards the cost of the filtration plant.
The secret of the success achieved was revealed by the headmaster, Mr R D Robbins. "We have not so far spent a penny on labour. It has all been done voluntarily."
There are 29 pupils at the school, which is believed to be the smallest County Primary School in Devon to have acquired its own swimming pool. Some of the children, who will be taught to swim by the headmaster, defied the cold to take the plunge.
Mr Robbins thanked Mr Thorpe, and Susan Blight presented him with an inscribed pen and bookmark.
Miss Gladys...
Mr William Joslin of West Living Farm, Westleigh, still serving his communityIn his 85th year
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 the turn of the century. Not long afterwards he became manager of the village school, which then had between 60 and 70 on the roll. He has seen the numbers decline until now there are barely 40 but his interest has not diminished.
So busy a life demanded relaxation and that Mr Joslin found on the bowling green. He was introduced to the game at a younger age, perhaps, than most when, early in the century, his uncle had a green made at his home. In...
1 July 1970
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 by Miss Gladys Fulford, was keen, there being about 50 entries. Judges were Dr T F Davidson and Miss M L Douglas, of Broomhayes Nursery. Results were: Leslie Squires, Michael and Kim Morgan, Rosemary Braund, Patricia Purcell, Julie Bowden, Michelle Jeffery, Heather Martin, Carol and Margaret Willey, Salliann Wilson.
Stall holders and in charge of competitions were: Mesdames W Dark, R Wilkinson, Miss...
Mr Rose and Miss Bedingfield6 February 1959
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 was a set of carvers from members of Bideford Borough Council, and a hearth rug from the staff of the Council
Gazette article dated 6 February 1959
Natives of Westleigh and Fremington20 February 1945
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 for about thirty-five years. Mr Watts was a keen cricket enthusiast in his younger days.
Mr and Mrs Watts’ descendents extend into four generations – they had eleven children of whom eight survive, and now the family circle numbers 24 more – 16 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
The full Gazette article is dated 20 February 1945
All escaped safely6 February 1959
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 relatives. Mr Wooldridge, who is also employed in a local shipyard, is staying in the district so that he can care for the stock.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 February 1959