Woolsery News

Mr and Mrs Griffiths retire from teaching Whist Drives And Charity

Rev. F Courtenay Burrough, Vicar, writes in the current issue of Woolfardisworthy Parish Magazine

India connection

Headmaster in 1972

Post Office

May 1960

Mr Richard Chamings

1 July 1960

Christmas dinner?

11 December 1959

Too many!

4 July 1958

Presentation Bibles given

23 May 1958

28 February 1958

New housing estate

6 April 1973

Lots of prizewinners

28 February 1958

All prizes and refreshments were contributed

31 January 1958

Cross-bred steer

10 December 1954

In The Swim

Since their school pool was opened in June, 17 children of Woolsery county primary school have learned to

Woolsery Man's Load Of Logs Without C Licence

Richard Dunn, 6 Sunnyside, Woolsery, was seen carrying in a goods vehicle a load of logs on the Hartland

For Young And Old

Collections have been made from every house in the parish of Woolsery towards sports

Generations

28 December 1956

A touring honeymoon

18 August 1961

How I remember my life at Wooshry

Mr and Mrs Griffiths retire from teaching

COUPLE’S LONG AND DEVOTED SERVICE

With some 65 years of teaching at Woolsery County Primary School between them, Mr. and Mrs. Cyril B. Griffiths are retiring at the end of this term.

Mr. Griffiths has been headmaster there for 34 years, and his wife Marjorie has taught at the school for 31 years. Their contributions as teachers and to community activities in Woolsery district have been outstanding, and they will be greatly missed when they go to their new home at Brixham.

Throughout his years at Woolsery, Mr. Griffiths has not had a day’s absence from duty due to illness, and he has been on duty every lunch hour. “I don’t want to tempt fate by mentioning that” he told the Gazette.

A native of South Wales, he went to Leeds to qualify as a teacher and then “emigrated” to Devon in 1930. He taught in Plympton, Kingsteignton, Paignton, Dartmouth and Bideford before being appointed headmaster at Woolsery in 1938. Making music has always given him much pleasure – and his listeners too. When in

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Whist Drives And Charity - 28th March 1916

Rev. F Courtenay Burrough, Vicar, writes in the current issue of Woolfardisworthy Parish Magazine - I have recently felt very distressed at seeing notices about Social Entertainments accompanied by Dancing or Whist Drives. These things are most undesirable at any time but how anyone can be found with so little sense of what is seemly and fitting as to attend such gatherings when our brave men are dying for us by the thousand in France, and suffering untold hardships in the trenches, I utterly fail to understand. To me, it is appallingly hard hearted and our men at the Front think so too. I know the flimsy excuse is made that it is done to get funds for Charity. But it is a mere excuse for the indulgence of a desire for pleasure, covered down with the sacred name of 'Charity'. Charity means to 'love'. If these people 'love' those who are in need, why do they not give their money ungrudgingly without receiving an evening's amusement in...

India connection
Headmaster in 1972

Bideford Westcroft County Primary School teacher, Mr Richard Chamings, has been appointed headmaster of Woolsery County Primary School.

Mr Chamings, who is 29, and will take up his new post at the beginning of next month, succeeds Mr C B Griffiths who retired last July. Educated at Barnstaple Grammar School, Mr Chamings trained at King Alfred's College, Winchester, and taught in London and Middlesex before coming to Bideford last year.

After being Sub Postmaster at Woolsery for over thirty years,

Mr C J Andrew has now returned from business at the Post Office and General Stores, which has been in the Andrew family for three generations.

The new owner is Mr Mizen, who came from Newbury with his wife and daughter on April 21st and took over the business last week. All the same staff are being retained.

Mr and Mrs Andrew, Mr and Mrs Jenn and Andrew Jenn are now living at 'Fairholme'

Gazette article dated May 1960

Children’s book for India filmed for TV

There was an air of subdued excitement about Woolsery on Monday, and especially at the village school where the 53 pupils between the ages of five and eleven knew that something special was about to happen.
And about noon, the man with the camera arrived.
He had come to film a special activity at the school intended for inclusion in a Children’s Newsreel programme of the BBC.
Children in a remote village in India will soon be learning about life in a typical English village – in particular a village in North Devon – about life in Britain generally. And their teachers will be the children of Woolsery school.
Mr C B Griffiths, headmaster of Woolsery School for the past 22 years, found his pupils immediately enthusiastic when he suggested that they should prepare a book, telling of many aspects of life in this country to be sent to Khammamet, Andhra Pradesh, India. There the Rev Erick Lott, younger son of Mr and Mrs Walter Lott, of Springfield,...

Goose from Woolsery

A goose is on its way to Wales from Woolsery as a result of a competition run in conjunction with a poultry whist drive in the Parish Hall on behalf of Parish Church funds. The goose was won by ‘Taffy, Caerphilly’, other prize winners being: Mr P Chapple, Anthony Inch, Mrs E Hayes, R Andrew, Miss Slee, Mrs Webb (Sundial, Dipple), G W Vanstone and E Cann.

Mr S Headon was MC for the whist, Mr Trevor Braund was at the door.

The prizes were presented by Mrs How, wife of Rev P F H How, and the winners were: Mrs M E Vanstone (Huddisford), Mrs W Slee, Mrs Williams, Miss M Yeo, Mrs Cloke, Mrs Slade, Miss Millman, Mr Alan Prouse, Mr W Ashton, Mr H Taylor, Mr P Chapple, Mrs G Smith, Mr Hockridge, Mr M E Vanstone. Oldest sitter: Mrs E Hooper. Mrs C Peard, Miss Cook, Mrs F Knight, Mrs A C Perkins, Miss Hooper, Mrs W A Raffle, Mrs P Chapple and Mrs J Raffe were in charge of the refreshments.

The full Gazette article is dated 11 December 1959

Spraying solves Woolsery Vicar’s problem

The Rev P F H How, Vicar of Woolsery and Bucks Mills, who recently moved to the new Vicarage in the parish is very happy in his new home, but he and his wife have found one outsize domestic problem. Their eight-roomed residence contains no fewer than 230 window panes.
“Where you’d normally find one pane” says the Vicar, “we have six tiny ones. A parishioner pointed out that this involved cleaning 920 corners, and we’re now experiencing just how right she was.”
“But I think I’ve halved the problem,” he adds. “I clean the outside of the windows with a hand-spray (really meant for roses) attached to the well. Any suggestion as to how to simplify the cleaning of the insides will be more than welcome.”
Gazette article dated 4 July 1958

At Woolsery Methodist Church, the Sunday School anniversary services have been held.

The preacher on the Sunday was Mr I Quance, of Sutcombe, and the scholars took an active part in the services.
On the Monday the tea was well patronised, pourers and helpers being: Mrs W Hill, Miss Johns, Mrs A Bray, Miss P Dennis, Mrs J Wonnacott, Mrs T Eastabrook, Mrs S Wonnacott, Mrs W Walter, Mrs A Dennis and Mrs B Wonnacott. Tea steward was Mr S Wonnacott (Superintendent).
Rev Bernard Titmus, of Bude, was the chairman for the evening meeting, and his address to the young people was helpful and interesting. He also presented the annual report, with a satisfactory financial statement. After prayer, the children sand and recitations were given by Mary Dennis and Brenda Cloke. A solo was given by June Cloke, and an Object Lesson, presented by the scholars. Norman Bray recited and a hymn followed, also recitations by Jennifer Souch, Michael Dark, Rosemarie Souch, Adrian Johns and B Cloke. Jennifer...

Six grandsons were bearers at the funeral at Woolsery Parish Church on Wednesday of last week of Mrs Emily Wonnacott, widow of Mr Richard Wonnacott, of Huddisford Moor, Woolsery. She was 75.

The Vicar, Rev P F H How, conducted the funeral service and the organist was Mrs H S Thomas.
Immediate mourners attending were: Mr and Mrs W Beer, Mr and Mrs J Hancock, Mr T Adams; Mr and Mrs R Wonnacott, Mr and Mrs S Wonnacott, Mr and Mrs G Wonnacott, Mr and Mrs E Wonnacott; Mr and Mrs S Beer, Mr and Mrs C Mann, Messrs K Beer, A Beer, G Wonnacott, C Beer, Mesdames G Beer, R Beer, O Adams, W Littlejohns, B Wonnacott; Mr and Mrs H S Thomas, Mr S Short, Mr K Wonnacott, Mrs Morris and Mrs S Souch; Mesdames J Wonnacott and W Wonnacott; Mrs W Tremeer.
Bearers were Messrs B Wonnacott, Denis Wonnacott, Henry Wonnacott, O Adams, R Beer and J Wonnacott.
Other friends attending included: Mr and Mrs W Vanstone, Mr and Mrs F Shaddick, Mr and Mrs W Walter, Mr and Mrs A Burrow, Mr and Mrs A Beer, Mr and Mrs J...

Two names were suggested to Bideford Rural Council for a proposed new estate at Woolsery.

“Perkin’s Field” was the suggestion of the developers, who plan to begin the operations shortly. “Manor Park” was the choice of local councillors Mr R J Stoneman and Mr C J Andrew. “Manor Park” was chosen by the council.

Gazette article dated 6 April 1973

Despite having to be postponed from January because of bad weather, the annual party of Woolsery Women’s Institute, held in the Parish Hall on St Valentine’s Day, proved its usual jolly occasion.

A large gathering of members and their guests were welcomed by the President, Mrs C B Griffiths, and the duties of MC were undertaken by Mr Plummer. Music was provided by Bromell’s radiogram.
A programme of amusements was arranged by Misses M Wade, P Dennis, M Cleave, C Lott, E Braund, L Griffiths, J Moore, R Hooper and the secretary. They also gave prizes for the games.
Novel ideas caused great amusement and prizewinners included: Mr C Jennings, Mrs K Allin, Mr R Allin, Miss A Goaman, Mr B Boles, Mrs N Gorrell, Mr N Piper, Miss C Blyth, Mr W Raffle, Mrs Finlayson, Master Walter Blyth, Misses M Yeo, B Glover, V Bowden, S Braund, Heard, Mr and Mrs R Beck, Mr and Mrs T Braund, Mrs H S Thomas, Mr L Johns.
Supper was served by members and the evening closed with dancing.
The Gazette article is dated...

Among some 170 people attending the annual hunt ball in Woolsery Parish Hall were the Master of the Stevenstone Hunt, Mr J Down, and his sister, Miss Down.

The event was organised to help swell the Hunt funds by a committee consisting of Messrs J Andrew, W Harding, G Lott, I Harding, A Burrow, A Souch, C Jennings, A Westaway, L Symons, C Yeo, C Johns, H Allin, K Allin and P Chapple.
Symbols of the hunt, balloons and streamers were used by Mesdames Andrew, Chapple and Harding, Misses J and R Souch, Messrs Andrew, Chapple, Jennings, L Harding, A Burrow, K Allin, and K Harding to decorate the hall.
Door stewards were Messrs W Harding, J Andrew, L Harding, A Burrow, C Jennings, K Allin, G Lott and C Yeo, and music was provided by the Silver Chords dance band.
Refreshments were served by Mesdames J Andrew, P Chapple, W Harding, A Burrow, L Harding, C Yeo and K Allin.
Prizes for a spot waltz (given by Mrs W Harding) were won by Mr P Smith and Mrs Coles. Other competition prize winners...

Owned by Mr G P Uglow

Three and a half years old 'Jock' an Aberden Angus-Galloway cross-bred steer, owned by Mr G P Uglow, of Three Gables, Woolsery, was reserve champion to a Devon steer belonging to Mr B Down of Brampford Speke, at Barnstaple Christmas Fat Stock Show last week, but the positions wer reversed the previous week at Okehampton Show.
The above picture taken at the Barnstaple Show, shows Mr and Mrs Uglow and 'Jock' with the silver challenge bowl presented by the North Devon Bakeries for the best cross-bred beast.
Mr Uglow came to Three Gables seven years ago, having previously farmed at Holsworthy.

Gazette article dated 10 December 1954

In The Swim - 19th August 1975

Since their school pool was opened in June, 17 children of Woolsery county primary school have learned to swim and have gained beginners' certificates. Right from its opening the pool has been in use every school day as well as afternoons during the holidays. With the weather suitable the pool has also been used at the beginning of this term.The hot summer weather was an added inducement to use the pool but the whole project has been one of community enthusiasm.

It was a real success story, the headmaster, said Mr Richard Chamings. "We are absolutely delighted with the pool and the children's successes, and of course with the response of the parents who were absolutely magnificent in working to get a pool for the school" he added. Praising the work of the Friends of Woolsery School Association, Mr Chamings particularly mentioned the leadership of Mr John Downes who recently resigned from the chairmanship because of pressure of work. The new chairman is...

Woolsery Man's Load Of Logs Without C Licence - 17th March 1967

Richard Dunn, 6 Sunnyside, Woolsery, was seen carrying in a goods vehicle a load of logs on the Hartland to Clovelly Cross road but not displaying a carrier's licence.
Asked what he was doing with the logs, Dunn was said to have told a police officer that he was delivering them to Hartland, and when told about the need for a 'C' licence, replied "I have got one at home."
At Bideford magistrates court, Dunn pleaded 'guilty' to using a goods vehicle without a 'C' licence and was fined £3.

For Young And Old - 11th March 1977

Collections have been made from every house in the parish of Woolsery towards sports prizes and tea for the children and a tea for the senior citizens to commemorate the Queen's silver jubilee.

Four Generations Both Sides At Woolsery

The day after her christening, baby, Carol Ann, daughter of Mr and Mrs D Stevens, of Hurley Meadow, Woolsery, is still the centre of attention for the family and what a huge family she has can be seen above.

The picture includes her parents grandparents and all but one of her eight great-grand-parents which makes Carole really important as the fourth generation on each side of the family.

Carol’s parents, Mr and Mrs D Stevens, are seen in the centre of the back row and on Mrs Stevens’ right is her grandmother, Mrs Lewis, of Stibb Cross, and on the left of the back row are her mother and father, Mr and Mrs T Gill, of Hele, Bradworthy. Mrs Stevens’ grandparents on her father’s side, Mr and Mrs B Gill, of The Village, Monkleigh, are seated in the front row with Mrs Gill holding the baby.

To the right of Carol’s father are his parents, Mr and Mrs H Stevens, of High Park, Woolsery, and on the extreme right of the picture are his mother’s parents, Mr...

At Woolsery Methodist Church

on Wednesday of last week the wedding took place of Miss Janet May Dennis, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Alan Dennis, of Cranford House, Woolsery, and Mr Frederick Ernest Parkin, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J E Parkin, of Barnstaple.

The Rev. F C Diffey officiated and the organist was Mrs J Hockridge.

Attending the bride was her sister, Mrs Pat Bowles, and two bridesmaids, Miss Mary Dennis and Miss Shirley Nott. The bridegroom was accompanied by Mr F Gammon, and usher was Mr B Bowles.

A reception was held at Woolsery Parish Hall.

Mr and Mrs F E Parkin left for a touring honeymoon.

The full Gazette article is dated 10 August 1961

About three years or more ago I started to write about my life in Woolsery

and someone suggested that in this time of being in lockdown due to Covid19 and housebound some people with time on their hands may wish to read about it. We are all obviously very concerned as to what is happening in this country and the whole world and I with everyone else give an enormous vote of thanks to everyone in the health service and other services who are working so hard to keep us as safe as they possibly can, and also grateful thanks to those locally who are looking out for us oldies. We can only hope and pray that this scourge will soon be beaten.

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How I Remember my life at Woolsery (Wooshry) from the early 1930's onwards until the new Woolsery was started

For some time now members of my family have said that I should put on paper my memories of Woolsery over the years, but I kept

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WoolseryA Selection of News Articles Related to Woolsery