2 May 1952
What was on at the cinema?
At Abbotsham Parish Church, the funeral took place of Mrs Sarah Hamlyn, wife of the late Mr Thomas Hamlyn, of Abbotsham.
Abbotsham WI meeting with Mrs Smith presiding.
A dance organised by Alwington Cricket Club to be held in the Parish Hall.
Mrs Jane Stapledon Pearce had maintained a life-long interest in the Congregational Church at Appledore. She worked devotedly in her young days for the Sunday School and was never happier than when thinking of the boys and girls of her class. She influenced a great number of young people, many of whom became Christian folk through her teaching and example. Latterly, when she could no longer teach, she worked unceasingly at home for her Church stall; and when she could no longer organise a stall, she continued to collect privately for the Garden Party and Gift Day of the Congregational Church, each year.
Captain Maurice Hilton Layland, whose funeral took place at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, was a member of Ye Hubbastone Lodge, RAOB, at Appledore, a member of the Appledore branch, British Legion, and was prominently associated with Bideford and District Darts League, of which he was vice-chairman. Captain Layland was born at Wigan and was educated at St Paul’s School, London, where he grew up to be an all-round athlete. On leaving school he became proprietor of a large kennels establishment near Staines. He joined the Royal Artillery at the outbreak of the war and was invalided out in 1945. He became proprietor of the Seagate Hotel, Appledore, the following year.
So popular is the game of skittles in the Torridge district and to such proportions has the number of players grown that instead of holding the annual dinner in the Borough, as in the past, the event had to be held at the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre, Top Camp. The dinner was attended by some 250 skittlers and their guests and was one of the largest events of its kind to be held in the district. “Skittles is one of the games that all people can play; from the time we begin to put on long trousers to the time we leave them off; even at 80 or 90 years of age; you may be suffering from lumbago, rheumatism or some other aches or pains, but you can still play skittles” Mr W G Lee, of Monkleigh, told the gathering. Mr Lee said skittles was one of the finest games in the field of sport. It was a game that was played straight forward and there was scarcely any room for cheating. In some games it was hard to make a decision and in these cases a referee or umpire had to be called in to decide but that was not necessary in the game of skittles – the pins were either up or down.
A general view of the Bideford and District Skittles League dinner
Centre background – Mr C A Fishleigh, Mr J P Cleverdon, Mr E D Williams, Mr J R Gillespie, Mayor, Mr W H Chope, Mr M F Lee, Mr R H Cade, Mr W G Lee
School tennis rackets and cricket bats from Gale’s, Mill Street, Bideford
East-the-Water Community Association purchased by private treaty property formerly owned by Messrs Snow, Deakin and Co. Ltd. Engineers, in Torrington Lane. The price is understood to be £5,000.
Trespassers beware: In future cases of trespass in the Victoria Park after the prescribed hours of closing, the Park Superintendent has been instructed to report names of trespassers to the Borough Council for consideration of action.
The funeral took place at the Higher Cemetery, Bideford, of Mr Montague Taylor. Rev M G Ball officiated at the service. Immediate mourners attending were: Mr Herbert Taylor, Mr Alfred Taylor, Mr Frank Taylor and Mr Richard Taylor, brothers; Mrs Skinner and Miss Edith Taylor, sisters; Mrs Annie Greenslade, Mr Frank Greenslade and Mrs Bennett, cousins; Mrs Herbert Taylor, sister-in-law; Mr and Mrs Boon, nephew and niece; Mr William Copp and Mr Sid Short. Unavoidably absent were brother Tom and wife.
Bideford Town Council were warned in a report by their Harbour Master, Capt P Brennan, that if permission to win gravel and sand by use of grabs from the River Torridge is withdrawn the Council may have to dredge the main channel. Capt Brennan reported grave concern at possible silting of the main channel if permission to use grabs is withdrawn. There was a sandbank which could only be worked by grabs and he estimated that 4,000 tons of gravel had been removed during the past year. A letter from Taw and Torridge Pilots drawing attention to the danger of silting, and the harbour master’s report, are to be sent to the divisional sub-committee and planning authority.
New headquarters of Bideford Rural District Council and also of Bideford Registration District (for the County Council). The Clerk to the Rural Council, Mr C T Braddick, told the Bideford Gazette that the draft of the lease from Bideford Bridge Trust had been approved by their special committee subject to confirmation by the Council, and the tenancy dated form May 9th. They hoped to move into their new premises about May 20th. Grenville House will provide a dignified and adequate centre for the Rural Council. It overlooks the river Torridge, which winds its way through the Rural District from its source near Hartland. Until the return of their purchasing and stores office to Plymouth, the Western National ‘Bus Co. Ltd had been tenants of Grenville House for ten years. Previously the building was used as a tax office. At one time it was the private residence of a Dr Thompson, who will be recalled by older residents. In those days it was known as The Mansion. Grenville House is believed to be just over 100 years old. When repairs to the building were being carried out if was found that some of its bricks had been made at Cleavehouses, Northam.
Among British civil servants helping to organise elections held recently in Nigeria under the new Constitution was Mr H S Seaford, who is well known in Bideford district, which he has visited regularly since a boy and continues to do so now when on leave. He has two aunts living locally – Miss Hill-Climo, of Fremington, and Mrs Ker of Instow.
Congratulations to the children of Bideford Church Junior School (top of the High Street) who, during the recent drive, again reached 100% membership of the National Savings Group. New children enter the school in September each year and from then on a grand effort is made to reach the 100% target. Each day, after Savings have been taken, the Savings indicator is altered to give the correct figures.
Captain P B Browne has decided to sell the Buckland Filleigh estate near Holsworthy. The estate was, until comparatively recently, the seat and property of Mr A Scott-Browne, who lived there with his wife for over 50 years. The historical associations of the estate are many. The present house was built by Colonel Fortescue at a cost of £40,000 in 1810.
An owl finds its way into the little Church of St Anne’s, Bucks Mills.
Instow Parish Council have decided the charge per ton for gravel won from the foreshore should be raised to 2s. and based upon the registered tonnage of the barges. They have also decided that the gravel should only be taken from positions as directed by the foreshore inspector, and that the use of grabs should be prohibited until further notice.
Langtree WI
Terms of an England-to-Lundy swimming competition will be announced by Mr Martin Coles Harman, owner of Lundy, when at noon on May 24th, he performs the re-opening ceremony of “The Williams’ Arms” Wrafton.
The late Capt R C Morgan, whose death occurred at Northam, was the sone of the late Mr and Mrs R J Morgan, formerly of Exeter. In recent years he had suffered from delicate health. He will be much missed by his many friends.
Mr Cecil Morris Jones’ funeral is held at St Margaret’s Church, Northam, where he had been organist since coming to live at Westons, Westward Ho!
Bideford firemen under Sub-Officer T Trick were called to Chircombe House, Northam, where floorboards and a rug were found to be on fire in the morning room. The fire which is believed to have originated from an electrical circuit fault, caused slight damage to floorboards, the rug, a chair and to a wall.
Mr Black, Northam Urban District Council, corrects misunderstandings.
Many friends in Parkham and district learnt with deep regret of the death in Edmonton, Canada, of Mr John Henry Abel, a son of the late Mr and Mrs John Henry Abel, formerly of Bocombe, Parkham. Mr Abel’s wife was formerly Miss Edith George, third daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Arthur George, of Cabbacott, Parkham.
Parishioners of Parkham heard with deep regret of the death of Mr Sydney Walter, of Ivy House, Horns Cross, at the home of his daughter, Mrs S Wonnacott, Huddisford Moor, Woolser, where he had been on a visit. Mr Walter was the second son of the late Mr and Mrs Richard Walter, of Lower Dunridge, Parkham, and had resided in that parish practically the whole of his life. He was a carpenter by trade. Of a quiet disposition he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. For many years he was a valued member of the old Parkham Brass Band and was a staunch member of the Methodist Church at Goldworthy.
The finals of the Torrington Area Divisional whist drives, organised by the United Liberal and Conservative Association, were held in the Town Hall, Torrington.
Maybe you bought Elizabeth Arden’s new colour idea from H A Pringle, Church Gate, Torrington?
Ebberley Hill, near Torrington – a gentleman’s residence for sale
Cancellation of orders with Bideford and Torrington gloving firms by Commonwealth countries, notably Australia, as a result of import cuts by those countries were the subject of a resolution forwarded by Bideford and District Chamber of Trade to the National Chamber of Trade conference. The resolution deplores the fact that Australia and New Zealand have cut off certain imports, including gloves which affects the local gloving industry, and urges the government to begin negotiations with a view to re-opening trade. Mr E Sawtell told the meeting that local gloving firms were definitely affected by the import cuts. Many firms had quite large orders with Australia and at the moment these had been cancelled. It was not a question of the people in those countries not wanting Bideford or Torrington gloves, it was just that their governments had stopped imports.
More gloving news …
Cookery demonstrations at Torrington by the South Western Gas Board …
The Bideford Group of Women’s Institutes agree that a solid fuel cooker is better suited to the special needs of the country housewife that electrical appliances for cooking and water heating.
A grand dance organised by Weare Giffard AFC to be held in Monkleigh Village Hall.
Six tenants at Weare Giffard have told Torrington Rural Council that they agree that Church View would be the most appropriate name for their houses. The Parish Council suggested that the houses should be named Tower Park.
A freehold market garden known as Brookham, Weare Giffard is for sale.
The death of Mr Percy Hagger, of Daydawn, Westward Ho! and former editor of the West Essex Gazette, is announced.
Westward Ho! caravan sites decisions by Northam Urban District Council
Although still young Westward Ho! Community Association had safely overcome ‘teething troubles’ it was reported at the third annual meeting of the Association at the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! Concern was expressed, however, that membership had dropped. Westward Ho! was one step ahead of Bideford, said President, Mr G W Hutchings, when he drew attention to Press reports of Bideford Manor Court references to a public hall being ‘a crying need’ in the town.
Long discussion at Westward Ho! about the Carnival.
A Square Dance organised by Ann Cornford at the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho!
Postal rates increase
Corona sparkling drinks and fruit squashes
