Businesses

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Mr H W Fulford’s 50 Years in Business

To celebrate the occasion of the Golden Jubilee in the business of the chairman, Mr H W Fulford, about 100 senior members of the staffs of the associated companies of Fulford Trumps and Co. Ltd, assembled for a dinner at the Royal Hotel, Bideford, on Saturday.

Presentations were made on behalf of the staff by Mr G E Pascoe and on behalf of the directors by Mr A J Luxton.

Mr H W Fulford, after receiving from the staff an inscribed silver cigarette case and from the directors an inscribed silver ink stand, expressed his gratitude for the thought which had inspired the celebration and for the generosity which had prompted the gifts.

In reminiscent mood, he told the company of how he had left school before his fourteenth birthday with little to his credit apart from some ability at mental arithmetic. He had done every job in the trade ‘and I’m willing to do the same today’ he added, amid laughter.

Describing how they had first branched out from Bideford to Bude, and then to Launceston, Mr Fulford dealt with each business in turn, coming finally to their most recent acquisition – the three Scottish companies.

Mrs H W Fulford, acknowledging the gift of a silver mounted letter opener, jocularly remarked that it was news to her that Mr Fulford had himself done so much work in his early days. She had always thought his success lay in getting others to do the work for him. In more serious vein, she paid tribute to the help and kindness she had always received from the Bideford staff, mentioning in particular, Mr Pascoe, Mr A Hillman and the late Mr Fishleigh.

The full Gazette article dated 3 February 1950

Fit for a Princess

Torrington Gloves For Princess

The Princess Royal will soon be wearing gloves made by the Torrington firm of William Vaughan and Son Ltd, to a design of the Managing Director, Mr M Vincent.

The gloves, three-quarter length nylon for day wear, have been selected by the Princess Royal herself, from samples sent to a London firm.

Gazette article dated 1 July 1960

Winter Scene in Maytime

A charming picture of the Babies’ Class of Bideford School of Dancing, whose winter-time attire was quite acceptable in Maytime.

They danced a successful number in the School’s dancing display which proved popular both in Bideford and Holsworthy. Some sixty pupils took part, and their dresses (all of which were designed by Miss Joan Jordan) were all made by their mothers, to their great credit.

Those in the photo include Jane Dymond, Caroline Morris, Anita Lloyd, Janeen Littlejohns, Julia Curtis, Angela Bowyer, Margareta Fishleigh and Rosalind Beer with Anthony Eagle as ‘Santa Claus’.

An up-and-coming young cornet player, 13 year old Ronald Brennan, younger son of Bideford’s Harbour Master (Capt P Brennan) and Mrs Brennan, was a guest artist at the display, and gave two excellent cornet solos. He is a member of Bideford Town Senior and Junior Bands. Capt and Mrs Brennan’s two daughter, Diane and Valerie, were two of the dancing students taking part in the display.

Gazette article dated 16 May 1958