16 May 1952
North Devon gardens are suffering from an invasion of slugs which has wrought havoc with young plants. Slugs have spread rapidly because of the very wet weather.
A minor revolt was staged in the Commons when two Westcountry MPs, Brig C H M Peto and Mr J W W Peyton refused to support the Government in a division over purchase tax concessions for the glove industry. Despite the pleas of the Government Whips they remained in their places as the vote was taken and the Government’s majority fell to 19, one of the lowest so far in the Committee stage of the Finance Bill.
“When they travel to the Civic Hall, Exeter, on Saturday, May 24th, to compete in the Daily Herald West of England Area Brass Band Championships, the Appledore Boys’ Brigade Band and Bideford Town Band will be competing against rival bands drawn from all over the West of England.
Torridge House, Bude Street, Appledore, for sale
What was showing at the cinema in Bideford?
Purchase of what are known colloquially as the ‘Rolomatic premises in Torrington Lane by the East-the-Water Community Association recently was a bold move. It was something of a surprise, too, although there had been some wishful thinking about it by those who were not ‘in the know’ of the intention to make a strong bid. The purchase at once gives relief to anxieties of securing a site and building but adds to others, such as finding the money. The premises are excellently situated in the centre of the growing district they will serve. The price was £5,000 and it is hoped that this venture will greatly stimulate the flow of subscriptions and other practical support towards meeting this.
Members of the Tradesmen’s Inn ‘A’ darts team proudly display the Eightsomes Challenge trophy they won at the recent ‘Finals Night’ of the Bideford and District Darts League. In the eightsomes final, Tradesmen beat Lamb Inn ‘A’ 2-0
Messrs S Clements, C Tucker, H Turner, D Garland, A J Blackmore (licensee), C Phillips, a Keen, D Jones, J Prince
Last week Miss F A Waldon, seen at her desk in the photograph, closed her ledgers at the Gazette office for the last time and retired after 48 years’ service with the firm. On Friday afternoon all departments of the Bideford Gazette Ltd assembled to express their esteem and affection for her as a colleague and their best wishes for a long and happy retirement. On behalf of the staff Miss E R Sing presented Miss Waldon with an initialled travelling clock and writing case. Rev H C A S Muller, who has known Miss Waldon since her earliest days at the Gazette office, added his words of appreciation and, as Miss Waldon is to reside at Aberayron, presented her with an illustrated book on Wales.
Tanton’s Hotel Whitsun programme
Sir Sven Hansen, who was a shipbuilder and ship-owner in Bideford for some years in the early 1920s, paid a visit to the town with Lady Hansen on Wednesday, when they entertained local football officials to luncheon. In addition to the Mayor of Bideford, Mr W H Copp, those present included Mr Tom Anstey, Mr F C Backway, Mr P J V Fulford and Mr J H Sharley. During the time he spent in Bideford, Sir Sven, who is now 76, did much to foster local football and he presented the Hansen Cup trophy to the competition and also the Kingsley League Division 1 championship trophy. Officials of the Hansen Cup competition sent a telegram to Sir Sven from this year’s Hansen Cup final on April 26th congratulating him on his engagement. Sir Sven and Lady Hansen are at present honeymooning at Torquay.
Laundon’s advertise using magicians visit Bideford
At Bideford Town Hall on Monday morning, Edwin the Magician (Mr Hooper, of Clifton Street), who is President of Devon Magic Circle, handed to the Mayor of Bideford, Mr W H Copp, for signing, sealing and safe keeping the forecast of the 10pm broadcast news headlines tomorrow (Saturday), and also the newspaper headlines, made by Mr Peter Warlock of Surrey. The forecast will be opened at tomorrow night’s Magic Circle dinner at Bideford.
Clovelly WI
The Kingsley League Division 1 championship trophy, the Pickard Cup and the Stothers trophy were displayed at the dinner held in the Church Hall to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Hartland AFC during the past season. Among the 130 people present were players, friends, supporters, and officials. After the loyal toast, proposed by the Chairman, Mr S H Burrow, Mr P J V Fulford proposed a toast to the Hartland AFC.
The monthly meeting of Instow WI was held in the Rifle Hall, Instow, Mrs Berry-Torr presiding.
Monkleigh WI
At Little Torrington, May Day was celebrated in the usual way. This year’s Queen was Sylvia Stacey, who selected Derek Adams as her King. Attendants were Jennifer Lawrence, Jean Macdonald, Mary Watkins and Concetta Fallo. Ann Dolton crowned the Queen and a guard of honour was formed by the infants who carried posies. In a holiday competition, prizes were awarded to Ann Dolton, Mary Watkins, Roger Ball and Teresa Bellamy. Mrs Bartlett of Torrington was the judge. She awarded two special prizes and gave pencils to all who entered.
Torrington Agricultural Show
Torrington Voluntary Silver Band formed
Waiting for the declaration of poll of the first contested election for Torrington Commons Conservators since 1935, a large crowd in Torrington Square whiled away the time with a floral dance. Music was provided by members of ‘Fred Karno;s Army’ of Carnival fame, who included the Town band and Home Guard band players.
Entertainment at the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho!
A very successful Sunday School anniversary was held at Woolsery Methodist Church. Mr A Dayman preached to very large congregations on Sunday, and on Monday the scholars were entertained to a free tea, after which a public tea was held. Pourers and helpers were Misses Burrow and Daniel, Mesdames J Cloke, W Hill, L Dayman, S Wonnacott, T Eastabrook, J Wonnacott and W Daniel, with the help of Mr W Hill and Mr S Wonnacott (tea steward).
23 May 1952
Want to visit the cinema?
Abbotsham WI
New light industry at Appledore – only firm of its kind in country
Cllr Mrs E M Cox is to be elected the first woman Mayor of Bideford. The ceremony, to which the public are invited, commences at 11am in the Town Hall. Included in this annual meeting of the Council is the election of two aldermen.
The claims of Bideford district as a venue for weekend (or longer) conference have been twice recognised by Devon Magic Circle. An equally cordial welcome awaits other organisations who wish to follow their example. The photograph was taken at the Magic Circle dinner at the Royal Hotel, Bideford.
Messrs Harry Lancaster, Perci Getteridge, Wilf E Browning, Spencer Vivian, Leslie Codd, W Winteridge, Edwin the Magician, J Gibson, Roy Hobbs, A C Blackmore, W J Griffith, W T Lloyd, Jack Hughes, Mrs Hughes, Mr Les Warren, Mesdames Winteridge, Getteridge, Hobbs, Codd, Browning and Blackmore
Cooper Street, Bideford, property for sale
Buckland Brewer sewerage scheme – ‘wrong impression getting around’
Rogation service at Bucks Mills
At Bucks Mills, there was a house-to-house collection in aid of the Children’s Society. The collectors were: Mrs Irwin, Miss Ivy Hockin, Mrs Powell and Miss Anne Dark.
Mr J C Hilton, of East Dyke, Clovelly, is among the ten new Justices of the Peace for Devon. Well known for his work on behalf of parish Councils in Devon, Mr Hilton is chairman of Devon Parish Councils’ Association. He is a former chairman of Bideford Rural District Council on which he still serves as a representative of Clovelly parish. Mr Hilton is the agent for the Clovelly Estate Co.
Clovelly Athletic Club annual meeting
Thirty three members of Clovelly Women’s Institute paid a visit to the North Devon Bakeries, Barnstaple, recently. They were received by the management, who conducted them over the establishment. The visitors were much impressed. Before leaving for home the party were provided with refreshments.
The following children from Hartland School will be attending a grammar school in the near future: Tony Evans, Winnie Colwill, Ann Goaman and Michael Richardson (Welcombe)
Mr John Jeffery has just had a gosling hatched out in a most unusual way. Three geese eggs were ‘sat’ under a hen and when two hatched out in the normal way the parent bird left the third egg which became quite cold. Afterwards it was placed in warm water, when it showed signs of movement, and was also put into the oven of a modern cooker when it became quite hot. Another hen was procured and this time the egg was hatched out – the result, a fine strong bird.
Use of Bursdon Moor for military training. Hartland Manor Court revival after 112 years?
Cookery demonstrations at the Gas Showrooms in Torrington
Two Torrington postmen have recently extended the scope of their service to the public by entering the field of local government in the hope that other people may be prompted to follow their example. Mr Ernest Thornton Roach of Mill Street, is a new member of Torrington Borough Council, having been returned unopposed at the recent Borough election. Mr Roach came to Torrington about seven years ago on a voluntary transfer from a London Post Office and he is now secretary of the Torrington branch of the Union of Post Office Workers. The treasurer of the branch, Mr William Stanley Hutchings, of Taddiport, was returned at the top of the poll at the Little Torrington Parish Council election with a majority of more than 30 votes over his nearest rival. Mr Hutchings, who is well known in the Torrington and District Darts League, was a temporary postman at Torrington for five years and has been an established postman for the past year.
Beaten in last year’s final round, Dr D I Stirk, of the Royal North Devon Golf Club, won the Devon County Golf Championship at Exeter. In the final he defeated the Captain of Exeter Golf and Country Club, C H Scott by two holes. Dr Stirk, who is in one of the London Hospitals, has been a member of the Royal North Devon Club since the war. A fellow golfer of note has described him as ‘undoubtedly the best player in the County at present.’ A natural golfer, he was a scratch player at 16.
30 May 1952
What was showing at the Strand and Palace Cinemas?
Hearing and watching the band under Bandmaster, A J Headon, leading the civic procession on Sunday, one had to admit they had good cause indeed to blow their own trumpets! Marching with them were two girl members, Misses Janet Brailey and Joyce Hearn, playing the rousing march with the best of them. I understand that Miss Betty May also joins them on occasions and that there will soon be a quartette with the addition of Miss Evelyn Trick. They have a uniform and beret and may soon wear band badges on the pockets of their coats. There are some boy players coming along, too, and the band welcomes any youngsters, boys or girls, interested in following suit.
Bideford elects its first woman mayor – follows grandfather, uncle and father in office. Cllr Mrs Edith Muriel Cox was unanimously elected Mayor of Bideford at the annual meeting of the Town Council and becomes the first woman Mayor in the Borough, whose Charter was granted in 1573. The name Goaman will recur in the new Mayoralty since the duties of Mayoress are being carried out by the Mayor’s sister, Miss Hilda Goaman, a member of the staff of Ilfracombe Grammar School and formerly of the staff of Bideford Grammar School.
The new Mayor of Bideford, Councillor Mrs E M Cox, processes through her borough.
For the first time, the Port of Bideford has earned over £3,000 in one year, reported the Harbour Master, Capt P Brennan, at Monday’s meeting of the Borough Council. This record was established in the financial year ending March 31st, 1952, when over 4,000 tons more cargo was handled than in the previous year.
A tender for flags and bunting.
Bucks Mills news
At the first meeting of the new Clovelly Parish Council, Mr J C Hilton was elected chairman and Mr J Hardman vice-chairman.
Thursday, May 22nd, was a great day in the history of Edistone Methodist Church for at the sale and concert, which marked the re-opening day, a total of £221 15s was raised on behalf of the Church, which has been redecorated throughout and fitted with electric light.
Newly elected Parish Council of Instow has its first meeting.
Lundy swim attempted by Miss Genny James.
Referring to Miss James’s attempt, Mr Harman said she was ‘getting a bit ahead of the starting gun” but added “I hope she will come again in warmer conditions and pull it off, because there is nobody I would like to get this prize more than a young woman.”
Mr G Hutchings elected Northam Council Chairman – representative of Westward Ho! Ward for 15 years.
Council houses in Parkham to have solid fuel cookers.
Part of the success of Shebbear Young Farmers’ Club at the annual rally of the Torridge Group of Young Farmers’ clubs, at Halsbury, Buckland Brewer, was due to determined young men entering classes which are normally considered the undisputed field of the young women members. Mr Bill Pett in what he described as practically his first attempt, had knitted his maroon pullover placed second in the fancy knitting class. Mr Peter Horn’s arrangement of wild flowers gained him a similar award in the wild flower decorating class. Mr Amos Bridgman ‘had a go’ in the sponge making section over 21 but was unplaced. Taking part in the rally were Young Farmers’ Club from Bradworthy, Buckland Brewer, Halwill, Hartland, Holsworthy and Shebbear. A dance was held at Monkleigh Hall in the evening.
The nine members attending Monday’s meeting at Westward Ho! of Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of Commerce spent almost an hour discussing Westward Ho! Carnival following a letter from the secretary of the Committee, Miss S Hoskin, saying the Committee would be unable to organize a Carnival this year. Mr R O Bridger said the reason for the decision was lack of support. If a few more people could have come forward when they had been needed a few months ago something could have been done, said Mr A Wilkinson. The President, Mr F C Twose, “Personally it seems to me to be just prolonging the agony.”
Ennisfarne Tea Garden and Café in Westward Ho! has been extended.
