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.

The speaker at Bideford Rotary Club's luncheon on Sept 16 was Mr Harold Blackmore,

of the firm of Messrs M W Blackmore and Sons Ltd, who chose as his subject 'My job'.

Mr Blackmore recalled when he used to go to the Brass Foundry at Appledore out of school hours and collect fittings for the racing dinghies built by his father. Scale models of these dinghies were used for experiments at Sandy Mere, a large pond behind the pebbleridge at Westward Ho!

When he commenced his apprenticeship, at a wage of 2s 6d per week, continued Mr Blackmore, timber was collected by boat from Braunton.

In 1913 the firm received its first Admiralty contract. This was for several long-range towing targets. Twenty-seven feet whalers were built during the first World War, and pleasure craft, fishing and racing boats and passenger launches betweeen the wars.

The firm moved from Appledore in 1930 and purchased part of the present premises at New Road, Bideford, in 1933. In addition to harbour launches and MFVs, twenty-eight 72 feet heavy duty motor launches were built during the recent war.

After the war no craft could be built except under Admiralty licence, so the firm commenced to manufacture utility furniture and later turned to luxury coaches and road service vehicles.

Gazette article dated 28 September 1948

1973 Job Vacancies

Job Vacancies

Departmental Sister required to act as Matron's deputy at Torrington Cottage Hospital, Torrington. Application forms available from Matron.
Evening Bar Help and Grill Chef required. Apply Manager, The Gannet, High Street, Bideford 3148.
Wanted Man for tractor driving and general farm work. House in village with modern conveniences, on school bus route. A R Ford, Webbery Barton, Bideford. Newton Tracey 253.
Provision Assistant required part time, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Apply Manager, Waltons, High Street, Bideford.
Women Required for various light factory jobs. Apply Anglo American Vulcanised Fibre Co., Bideford 5501.
Junior Female required for office work - filing, telephone, etc. Salary according to ability. Typing, shorthand not necessary. Reply in confidence to Bideford Carpet Service, High Street, Bideford 2951.
Domestic required for full time duties at Torridge Hospital, Bideford. Application forms available from Matron.
Ladies Hair Stylist required. Full or part time. High salary and commission. Telephone for an appointment, Paul of Mayfair, 5 Bridgeland Street, Bideford.