Mr Hobart Braddick

A claim which might involve expensive litigation would probably be abandoned.

The well-known saying 

“Beyond the best there is a better” must have been foremost in the mind of Ada Powell when she first started putting the Westward Ho! Follies through their paces in October in preparation for their eighth annual pantomime “Sleeping Beauty” which is being presented at the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! all this week.

When she produced her first pantomime last year – Mother Goose’s Folly – audiences claimed it the best of the series they had seen to date. It may confidently be submitted that this year’s show is even better, judging by the reception given to it by

Westward Ho! pool owner’s discovery

Two 5.5 shells were dug up at Westward Ho! on Wednesday.

About two feet long, they were found by the owner of the Patio Swimming Pool, Mr Dennis Price, while digging up part of the concrete surround at the shallow end of the pool for new piping to be laid to a filter.

‘I saw what I thought was a piece of rusty piping sticking out’ said Mr Price. ‘Before I knew what the objects were I gave one of them a tremendous bang with a shovel’.

Police contacted an Army bomb disposal unit at

A good trip

To mark centenary year Northam Chamber of Commerce are paying for a grant of arms of the township, and to help raise funds they organised a draw, prizes given by members included free holidays in various types of accommodation at Westward Ho! in 1963 – centenary year. 

Mr Martin , caravan site proprietor, was among those who offered a holiday, as was his personal friend and secretary of the Chamber, Mr W Latter, who owns a guest house.

More than 1,000 tickets were sold and the week’s holiday to be given by Mr Latter was won by - Mr Martin.

Delivering fish by boat to a waiting customer on Westward Ho! sands last Friday afternoon,

Capt J R Pile, ‘Commodore’ of Bideford’s fishing fleet, accomplished a feat that has probably not been performed within living memory, and certainly not in the month of October.

Mr Claude Wise of Westward Ho! had ordered some soles from Capt Pile and, having seen what conditions were the previous day, Capt Pile promised to deliver the fish personally at Westward Ho! When the Deera finished some way off Westward Ho! Capt Pile brought her in until she almost grounded in some six feet of

Where the beach ends and the cliffs begin under Kipling Tors at Westward Ho! a group of black bumps appear and disappear in the swell of the waves.

At certain states of the tide they could from a distance be mistaken for a group of seals at play. But closer inspection reveals them to be encrusted iron stanchions.

The stanchions are all that is left of a pier which when it was finished just over 100 years ago was the pride and joy of those who had hopes and plans for the development of Westward Ho! as a holiday resort.

In a Westward Ho! Garden

Two heads are better than one and three are better still, thinks Mrs E G Fisher, of Manorville, Kingsley Road, Westward Ho! seen here with the three-headed tulip that sprang from a single bulb in her garden. The tulip is cerise coloured and the bulb was just planted and received no special attention. 'Like Topsy it just growed' said Mrs Fisher.

Mr Roger Cobley, of the Seymour Cobley bulb farm at Braunton told the Bideford and North Devon Gazette that a three-headed tulip was by no means a rarity, adding that he had seen one bulb produce as

Complaint

Kingsley Hall was sadly lacking in educational facilities, complained Mr W E Powell at the annual meeting of Westward Ho! Community Association held in the hall.

“A community association such as this should serve the whole population” he said, “The community centre should provide facilities for both the elderly and the young”. 

The retiring membership secretary, Mrs N Dale, commented that the association had done everything possible to persuade people to attend lectures held in the hall.

“We have 200 members in the association” remarked Mr A Eagle, caretaker of the hall, “It is a poor look-out when we

Happy times at the community centre

‘Who is the fairest queen of all’ is what three visitors and Mr and Mrs R Lake had to decide at a ‘Miss Rose of the Torridge’ competition dance organised by the Westward Ho! Community Association at their hall on Friday.

Eligible for the title were Carnival Queens and their attendants from surrounding districts.

Miss Rosemary Hosegood, the 16 year old Westward Ho! Carnival Queen, won the title. She is a shop assistant.

Runners up were two Bideford Carnival Queen attendants – Miss Hazel Shute who lives at 18 Rockmount Terrace, and 20 year old

£130 raised

The effect that industrial growth would have on the area and the need to be prepared for the changes it would bring were referred to by Mr Peter Mills (prospective candidate for the Torrington division) at a Conservative fete at Westward Ho!

The fete, held at Vicosa, the home of Mr and Mrs Leslie Braddick, and organised by Bideford town branch of the Divisional Conservative Association, realised about £130.

One of the attractions was a bathing belle competition. Winners were: Miss Annette Twitchen, Miss C Blackmore, Miss Joan Cox. A junior fancy dress competition was won by: Sally Dymond,

Women’s Institute’s 20th Birthday Celebrations - March 1968

In March 1968, the Gazette reported Westward Ho!’s Women’s Institute’s 20th birthday celebrations which were held in the Kingsley Hall. Seventy eight members and friends sat down to a 4-course dinner with guests of honour, Mr and Mrs Bob Mitchell. The cake, made by Mrs A Powell, was decorated with 20 red roses, one for each year.

Follies Presents Pantomime at Kingsley Hall - February 1968

For the 18th successive year, Westward Ho! Follies presents a pantomime at the Kingsley Hall. In 1968 it’s Cinderella, presented in three acts with Ada Powell scripting, producing and directing this colourful and entertaining show. Jackie Turner’s dancing group members are in the Fantasia and Fairies ballroom dance. Decoration is by Kingsley Decorators.

Braddicks Amusements New Line of Go-Karts - March 1968

1968 and Braddicks Amusements Ltd is developing a new line of battery operated go-karts. Mr Graham Braddick (top left) hopes that this enterprise, which he sees as backing Britain, may be exported. The assembly line is at East-the-Water.

Mr Inkerman Rogers’ Researches - 1939

Letter to the Editor

Sir, The pebble ridge along the coast around the bay extends from Hartland Point to Northam Burrows. The banking up of the pebbles in the rocky coves and against the base of the cliffs, and also the travel of the material along the shore are due to tidal wave action. The travel of the shingle is confined to the beach, and it is never found drifting where the water is deep. Frequently the shore is denuded of shingle by wave action accompanied by heavy ground swell from the great Atlantic, while in other

Mr J H Yatman of Westward Ho! has lost an appeal to the Minister of Housing and Local Government against the refusal of Northam Urban Council to permit him to build two pairs of holiday bungalows at his home, ‘The Pines’, Atlantic Way.

The appeal was decided on the written representations of the parties and following a visit to the site by an officer of the Ministry.
The Minister points out that ‘The Pines’ is a large, old house, with an associated area of about six acres, on the south side of Atlantic Way. The main access to the property

Proud Moment!

Everything is set. Thousands of spectators are lining the mile long route. The Carnival Queen is on her throne, and the attendant Carnival tableaux and characters have been judged and marshalled ... the procession is about to begin!
Mr Jim Martin, joint hon. organiser for Westward Ho! Youth Club, kindly spares a moment for a snapshot. His gaily coloured straw boater is characteristic of the personal zest and lead he has given to the Westward Ho! Youth Cub section, and which helped to make the Carnival an outstanding success.

Bideford - Westward Ho! Wedding - 13th February 1945

L.A.C. David Lang and Miss Daphne Stevens

There was much interest in the wedding on January 30th at the High Street Methodist Church, Bideford, between L.A.C David Charles Blake Lang, R.A.F., eldest son of Mr F G and the late Mrs Lang, of 36 Old Town, Bideford, and Miss Daphne Grace Stevens, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J Stevens, of 2 Eastbourne Terrace, Westward Ho!
The Rev. T E Clarke officiated at the ceremony.
Mrs. Cox presided at the organ, the hymns sung being "The Voice that breathed o'er Eden" and

Recommendation by the Housing and Public Health Committee that an application for variation of planning consent to permit permanent occupation of chalets at the Golden Bay Hotel, Westward Ho! for Mr D R Norris, would be recommended for refusal was rejected by Northam Urban Council.

Instead it was agreed that a sub-committee should inspect the chalets although the Rev A E Green pointed out that every member of the Council had been invited to do so. ‘If they are interested enough they can see them, and if they are not that is that’ he said.

When the committee recommended that

Mr Christopher Eric Mitchell, elder son of Mr and Mrs Eric James Mitchell, of Homestar, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! on Saturday married Miss Suzanne (Sally) Jones, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Glyn Jones, of 59 Lime Grove, Bideford.

The bride is employed at the Bideford branch of Lloyd’s Bank and the bridegroom by Aircraft Marine Products Ltd, of Appledore.
The Rev Ernest Adley officiated at the service in St Mary’s Church, Bideford, and the organist Mr J R Trigger accompanied the hymns. The bridesmaids were the Misses Josephine Little and Patricia Mitchell. Best man was Mr Frank Grimwood

The Cutty Sark, a lock-up gift shop at Westward Ho! was withdrawn from auction at £14,500 but sold immediately afterwards to a local buyer at an increased figure. 

Auctioneers were Messrs Price, Ogden and Stubbs.

With the passing of John Beer, Westward Ho! has lost one of its most interesting and popular personalities.

It was amazing what a wealth of stories he could tell of past events – the old days when the United Services College occupied Kingsley Terrace; the erection of the Pier; the light railway along the cliffs – all these things and a host of others.
But it is less for his knowledge of local history than for his cheery smile of greeting that we shall miss him. I am sure no one could meet and speak to him, as he travelled roads with

Following in the steps of his elder brother Rodney, 17 year old Peter Jenkins, of Clonbur, Avon Lane, Westward Ho! sails for Australia in the Otranto on Tuesday under the ‘Big Brother Movement’.

Peter was born in Barnstaple and then the family moved to Kent before returning to North Devon to live at Westward Ho1 eight years ago. After leaving Bideford Secondary Modern School, Peter went on to the North Devon Technical College at Barnstaple where he studied agricultural engineering, which he hopes to apply to his work in Australia. 

His brother who went to Australia at the age of

The Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! was transformed into an ancient barn for the country fayre held there on Wednesday week by the local Women’s Institute.

The atmosphere was enhanced by the traditional costumes worn by the helpers at the attractive stalls and by country dancing by Anne Thurston’s group.
Refreshments were served under the supervision of Mrs Cole and competitions were won by Mrs Goodall, Mrs Davy, Mrs Richards, Mrs Ware and Mrs Watts.
Nearly £50 was raised for funds.

It’s pantomime time tomorrow at Westward Ho!

Latest in a long line of productions presented each year by the Westward Ho! Follies is ‘Dick Whittington’.
Although the production largely follows the traditional story, produced Mrs Ada Powell has written in some interesting extras.
In the pictures are Cathy Sales, Lesley Pugh, Julie Lamey, Elizabeth Meadows, Hanna Wrey, Linda and Caroline Eastman, Jackie Clements and Julie Hodgkins, Bill Thisby, Roger Beale and Des Pugh.
The full Gazette article is 4 January 1974

Second application succeeds.

A new public house, to be known as ‘The Grenville Arms’ is to be established at Westward Ho! After a four-hour hearing on Monday, Bideford magistrates granted Mr John Edwin Kibbler’s application for a licence for premises now known as the Youngaton Private Hotel.
For the applicant, Mr H E Park submitted that the present licensed premises at Westward Ho! were totally inadequate to cater for the demand which existed there.
Mr Leslie G H Braddick, a caravan proprietor, of Vicosa, Westward Ho! stated that his camp was capable of accommodating over 700 people.
A cafe proprietor,

Three of the cast of the forthcoming Westward Ho! pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk' hard at work on the costumes.

From left to right - Jean Cockell, Jacqueline Wilkey and Judy Sherborne.
Gazette article dated 14 February 1972

Second thoughts at Northam?

Residents of Westward Ho! had written objecting about one-way traffic in the village, the Highways and Amenities Committee reported to Northam Urban Council. They had asked that the proposal be dropped and that restricted parking should apply in Nelson Road. The committee, however, recommended the Council to adhere to their previous decision.
Mr W J V Lamey, who submitted the report, declined to move the recommendation. “I do not agree with it” he said. The Clark (Mr A Gardner) said he was expecting further information and he therefore suggested that the recommendation should be referred back.

Trees on land at Kipling Tors owned by Northam Urban Council had been felled by Braddicks in the belief that the ground belonged to them, members were told.

The Council expressed concern and agreed that as 20 trees had been damaged, Braddicks should be required to finance their replacement and maintenance.
It was suggested that the 24 replacement trees should consist of three or four varieties of pine and sycamore.
What had happened was regrettable, said Mr P R Galliford, stressing that any doubts about ownership of land should be referred to the Council. The Trees sub-committee tried to preserve

A plan to convert the station hall at Westward Ho! into a beer garden style public house was approved by Northam Council – but only on the vote of the chairman, Mr John Smith.

The outline planning application had originally been recommended for refusal by the council but the County Council disagreed with them. Mrs F M Hilder said she felt very strongly that the council had ‘missed the boat’ by not acquiring this property. She added ‘it would have been ideal for us, providing a much needed shelter which we have wanted in Westward Ho! for years and years’. Other

Double yellow lines painted along a Westward Ho! road have no significance in the winter. 

This fact emerged at a meeting of Bideford Road Safety Committee on Friday. Mr M Crosley had asked why the lines were there together with signs saying that there must be not parking ‘at any time’ when an official notice in the local Press had said that parking was allowed during the winter. This type of seasonal order, replied Police Sergt D Page, was made a great deal of use of in small North Devon coastal villages where there was an influx of summer traffic. 

The Minister

The Westward Holiday Village in Westward Ho! has been sold for more than £250,000 to the Bideford based Woodsmith Group of Companies. 

The selling agents were Messrs John C Webber and Son, of Bideford. Woodsmith intend developing the 19 acre site with holiday bungalows and flats. Twenty three holiday bungalows and 36 flats, built on part of the land by the previous owner are being renovated. 

The first of the renovated bungalows are now on offer through agents John C Webber and Son’s Bideford office and Morris Dibben of Winchester. The purchase price of £3,500 for a 90 year lease (ground

Follies’ American Supper

There could not be gayer evidence of a need for a fully equipped community centre at Westward Ho! than the scene at the American Supper staged at the Kingsley Hall by Westward Ho! Follies on Saturday evening. As to be expected from a seaside town, there was the radiance of feminine charm, and high spirits from the men folk, and dances and competitions followed gaily on from the supper kindly provided by members for their guests, until the last beat of Leon Moore’s dance band. 

A fancy dress competition, produced some attractive ideas, and the judges were Mr

A ban on buildings in Westward Ho! of more than two storeys was agreed by Torridge District Council development and leisure services committee on Monday. 

Before them was an application by Mr F J Wilkey for 10 bungalows and five three-storey blocks of flats on the northern side of Golf Links Road, near the cricket ground. Cllr Mrs E M Hilder considered the council should try to buy the site, and Cllr J C Seward contended that no such development should be considered until a study had been made of the whole area. 

Replying to a comment by the chairman, Cllr

Westward Ho! bridegroom now with Canadian Air Force

As the coastline of Canada appears on the horizon from the bows of the liner, Empress of England, so the wedding day for 20 years old Miss Rosemary Beer, 25 Meddon Street, Bideford, will be nearer both in days and miles.
Rosemary, who is the only daughter of Mr and Mrs F Beer, will commence her 3,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from Liverpool, a fortnight today, July 11th.
She and her fiancé, Mr Terry Powell, aged 24, elder son of Mr and Mrs W Powell, 2 Nelson Terrace, Westward Ho!

The Southern/Western National Social Club, Bideford

Grand Double Easter Ball At the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre Ballroom

On Easter MondayApril 22 1957

From 8pm to 1am

Frank Fuge and his Orchestra (Plymouth)The Arcadians

Tickets 6/6

Licensed Bar Refreshments

Free transport from Bideford 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm Free transport from Appledore 8pm and 8.45pm

Returning at 1am

Gazette article dated 18 April 1957

Latest addition to the night life of Westward Ho! is the Sandpiper discotheque, opening on Saturda and featuring disc jockey Mr Kazoon, back from Expo 68.

In the future top ten groups will be booked as well as local talent.

Open every night of the week throughout the summer in the old Station Hall, which has been transformed at a cost of £1,500, it will cater for 200-250 people. Man behind the scheme is Mr Geoff Thompson of Barnstaple. 

Gazette article dated 24 May 1968

Westward Ho!

On Wednesday, the 26th, tea was given by Mrs Hammersley to the wounded soldiers from “The Commons” and Torrington Hospital, at Westward Ho! followed by a concert organised by Mrs Cutbill, assisted by many well known local artists.
Cigarettes were handed round to the men during the performance by Miss Mary Granville and Miss Jane Smith, who also made a silver collection amongst the rest of the audience in aid of the ‘Westward Ho! Wounded Soldiers’ Tea” Fund which realised £10
Gazette article dated 2 July 1918

Fun for young and old

This is Westward Ho! Carnival Week. Organised under the auspices of Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of Commerce, it presents a series of colourful, interesting and amusing events to swell the funds for the Kingsley (War Memorial) Hall.
The ball was set rolling on Sunday afternoon, on the beach with a sand castle competition for children under 12. Entries were judged by the Westward Ho! Carnival Queen and her two attendants. Winners were Lesley Jay and Richard Dunn; Julian Ball and Roger Slocombe; Ann Pooley and Michael Davies.
In the evening, in the Kingsley Hall,

Westward Ho! Shopkeeper’s notice

A Westward Ho! shopkeeper, Mr Alfred Beecroft, 5 Westbourne Terrace, recently had 1,308 postcards seized by the police and later Bideford magistrates ruled they should be destroyed as being obscene.
On Friday a notice was displayed which exhorted potential customers “If you feel you are likely to be corrupted or depraved by these cards please don’t look at them. If you want to take the risk…. don’t laugh too loudly or you will have the local Mrs Grundy on my track again! She doesn’t like to hear people enjoying themselves on holiday.”
The full Gazette article

Westward Ho!

On Friday last, at Northam Churchyard, the funeral of the late William Henry Norman, of Westward Ho! took place, the service at the church and graveside being conducted by the Rev Gerald G Payne Cook (Vicar). The polished coffin, with brass fittings, bore the inscription ‘William Henry Norman, died 30th June 1918, aged 74 years’.
There was a large number of wreaths, and a large attendance. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr N Allin, of Northam.

While fishing with a rod and line from the rocks at Westward Ho! last week Mr A W Heard was

New pavilion for Westward Ho cricket 1972

Bideford Littleham and Westward Ho! cricket club are planning a new pavilion. A loan from Northam Urban Council of £2000 was promised by Mr Ralph Evers.

Bid to re-open Westward Ho! restaurant in a month

Work was due to begin yesterday afternoon on re-building the kitchen at the Elizabethan Restaurant at Westward Ho! The kitchen was gutted by fire on Tuesday evening and valuable equipment destroyed.
It is hoped that the restaurant will be operational again in a month. In the club bar, however, it is ‘business as usual’.
Cause of the outbreak, which did damage estimated at several thousands of pounds, is not known at the time of writing.
The premises are owned by Braddicks, Ltd, and are associated with their big holiday camp enterprise

Teenagers who like to spend money on playing their favourite records on juke boxes can, at Westward Ho!, watch some of the pop stars in action as the records play.

This has been made possible by a local businessman, Mr F C Meadows, who has had a revolutionary type juke box installed in his amusement arcade on the promenade.
Already artists ‘on film’ include Eden Kane, Bobby Rydell, Acker Bilk and many others.
Full Gazette article dated 7 June 1963

Donkeys are coming to Westward Ho! beach.

Five of them will be giving kiddies rides this summer at 5p a time.
The venture is the idea of Mr Peter Nast, who has given up his job as chef at the Elizabethan Club, Westward Ho! to start it. "I'm hoping they will be a nice little attaction" said Mr Nast this week. Northam Council have given their approval, no doubt recalling the days when organised pony rides were given on the beach.
Mr Nast has been offered a 'pitch' near the big slide for use when the tide is in.
Gazette

Westward Ho! Carnival Queen Chosen

Runner-up two years ago to her elder sister, Joyce, now Mrs Peter Williams, 21 year old Miss Lyn Lancaster, of Overborough, Westward Ho! was chosen Queen of Westward Ho! Carnival at a dance at the Kingsley Hall on Friday.
By coincidence, Miss Lancaster was wearing the same identification number, no. 14, as she did when she was chosen to attend her sister. A brunette, she is employed as a librarian in Bideford.
Many visitors were among the large crowd that watched the judges, Mr and Mrs H B Snashall, who are on holiday from Harpenden,

June thoughts in January: At Westward Ho! Holiday Centre they are preparing for the summer season.

The picture shows the construction of the new sun-lounge extension to the ballroom. It will have sliding plate-glass windows and will include a cafeteria and milk-bar. The work is expected to be completed by mid-March.
Elsewhere, the route to the sea known as the zig-zag path is being improved with the cutting of steps, which will be filled in with concrete to provide a more convenient access down the steep slope. To the club lounge is being added an extra bar counter, shaped like

True Westward Ho! golfers - 1959

It was a pleasure to see Mr and Mrs E H Trapnell walk into the Royal North Devon Golf Club the other evening to see their youngest son, David, now aged 41, receive the Devon amateur open golf championship cup for the fourth time, for Mr Trapnell himself used to be an enthusiastic golfer. That dates back to the days of the friendly 'Sabbath Breakers Club' when official RND Sunday golf was taboo, and the flags were removed from the greens. The late Johnnie Vile used to go ahead and mark the greens for the