Commemorative

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.

Bideford Rotary 1925-2025

Rotary is a global network where people unite and take action to create lasting change. There are more than 45,000 clubs who work together and see themselves as community-builders, people of action and problem-solvers. Rotary was started by Paul P Harris, a Chicago attorney, on 23 February 1905. “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” Its two official mottoes are “Service above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best”

In 1912, the Rotary Club of London was the first acknowledged Rotary club outside of North America. Although the Dublin club was operating before London, it did not receive its charter until afterwards.

Famous Rotarians include Roald Amundsen; Neil Armstrong; Sir Edmund Hillary; Orville Wright; Prince Philip; Luciano Pavarotti; John F Kennedy; Pope Francis; Bill Gates, Margaret Thatcher; Dolly Parton; and Capt Sir Tom Moore.

The suggestion of forming a Rotary Club in Bideford was put forward at a luncheon held in Friendship's Cafe, Market Place, on 22 May 1924. Starting a Club, choosing membes, holding meetings and establishing committees takes some time and it was almost a year after that luncheon in May 1924 that Bideford Rotary Club was formed; on April 7th 1925 the Council was elected and at the first luncheon following various committees were appointed; Bideford Rotary was under way.

The North Devon Herald, Thursday, February 26, 1925

At the Barum Rotary Dinner held in Bromley’s Café, the Chairman said “they hoped in the near future Barnstaple would not be the only club in North Devon…” Rotarian C W Brannam proposed “The Visitors” which was acknowledged by the Mayor of Bideford, Dr E J Toye. The Mayor of Bideford expressed a great admiration for the principles of rotary and hoped they would have a club in Bideford.

Gazette, Friday April 14 1925

A meeting of the founder members of Bideford Rotary Club was held at the Town Hall on Thursday evening last, the Mayor of Bideford, Dr E J Toye, president occupying the chair, when the election of officers on the local governing body was completed, the following being elected: Vice President, Mr F Lee; treasurer Mr H C Whitehead; secretary Mr J H Farleigh; Council Messrs F T Upton, JP, W H Marsh, A H Hopson, H I Meredith, J H Lowther, and W J Pitt. It was decided the Club should meet regularly on the second and fourth Thursday in every month, at Friendship’s Hotel, the first luncheon, however, to be held on Thursday, April 30^th.

Gazette, 5 May 1925

The first meeting since its formation of the Rotary Club of Bideford, was held at Friendship Hotel, on Thursday, the President, the Mayor of Bideford (Dr E J Toye) presiding, also present Rotarians F Lee (Vice-President), H Hopson, J T Miller, Jackson, W H Marsh, R Blackmore, Ward, J S Owen, F Routley, J D Herridge, J H Farleigh, W W Perkins, R J Arnold, F E Whiting, H C Whitehead, and W C Friendship. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from F T Upton, JP, W J Pitt and F C Backway. By laws, as recommended by the Council were adopted, provision being made for the election of honorary members and associates. The Club will meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Friendship’s Hotel at 1pm for luncheon. The following were elected the committees with the officers of the Club as ex-officio members: Membership Rotarians, J I Baker and E W Ellis; programme Rotarians, Herridge, Upton, Marsh and Whiting; Fellowship Rotarians, W C Friendship, J H Lowther and R J Arnold; Rotary Education – Rotarians, Rev A Clegg, F E Whiting, and H I Meredith; Boys’ work – Rotarians, H C Whitehead, F C Backway, W W Perkins and R Blackmore. At a meeting of the Barnstaple and Bideford Clubs it was resolved to do all in their power to get American, Canadian and other overseas visitors to North Devon during the summer months. The Clubs are anxious to do everything possible to ensure their comfort, and still be most pleased to give every information and help.

Gazette, Friday March 9, 1926

The presentation for the first time of the President’s collar and badge marked the first annual dinner of Bideford Rotary Club, held at Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford. The tables were very daintly arranged, as were the whole proceedings. The new President, Mr F Lee, presided, accompanied by Mrs Lee, and was supported by the Mayor of Bideford, (Alderman J M Metherell) and the Mayoress, Sir Murray Irwin (Chairman of Northam Uran District Council) and Lady Irwin, Dr E J Toye, ex-Mayor and Immediate Past President, Major Charles Lock, Mr F E Whiting (vice-president) and Mrs Whiting, Mr H A Law, Mr Masters, Mr J Farleigh (secretary, Bideford Club) , Mrs Farleigh and Mr G Farleigh, Alderman A R Adams, Messrs O W Ward, A G Bromley, B N H Orphoot, A King, H M S Mathews, H I Meredith, W T Godfrey, and others.

Paul Harris, of Chicago, the Founder of Rotary, visited in 1928.

E C Midlen, F Sanguine, R Blackmore, H W Fulford, R Arnold, A Fulford, J S Owen, Rev W Treffry, Rev H C A Townsend, C J Martin, N M Braggins, W E Ellis, J S Dymond, F Lee, W J Pitt, A H Hopson, and a Plymouth Rotarian and his son, F Whiting, Paul Harris, M F Phelan, J H Farleigh

The North Devon Journal, February 14, 1929

“At a whist drive in connection with Bideford Rotary Club an auction sale was held of a consignment of Biddeford-made cloth goods sent over by the sister club of Biddeford, Maine, U.S., as a contribution to the Boys’ Welfare Fund. The sale realised £15.”

Gazette, Friday May 31, 1932

Bideford Rotarians taken overseas

Gazette, Friday May 31, 1932

Torrington Cottage Hospital

Devon and Exeter Gazette, Friday, July 10, 1936

“Rotarian Bertram Hamlyn has succeeded Dr E J Toye as President of Bideford Rotary Club, and Rotarian H W Fulford has been appointed Vice-President.”

Gazette, February 1, 1938

“For forty years, Dr Edwin Josiah Toye, M.D, F.R.C.S. (Eng.) faithfully and well served the town and district of his adoption. His widely recognised ability as a doctor and his equal ability and aptitude for public work will be sadly missed. On Monday of last week, he went about his rounds as usual, finishing with the evening surgery. Shortly after he retired for the night, he was suddenly taken ill and died just after midnight. His passing, accentuated by its unexpectedness, came as a great shock, as the news spread through the town and wide, on Market day. Although he had an exceptionally large professional practice, Dr Toye found time for many spheres of public service. He was a great supporter of Bideford Hospital, and it was most appropriate and gave general satisfaction that during his Mayoralty there was the laying of the foundation stone and the subsequent opening of the new Bideford and District Hospital buildings in Abbotsham Road. His year of office was also distinguished by the opening of Bideford Long Bridge after renovation. Dr Toye was formerly Medical Officer of Health for Northam and the experience of his professional life was greatly valued in his four years service on Bideford Town Council from 1923-27.”

Dr Edwin Josiah Toye died 25 January 1938

The North Devon Journal, March 31, 1938

“In memory of the club’s founder-president, the late Dr E J Toye, Bideford Rotary Club has presented to its associated ladies’ branch of Rotary – the Inner Wheel – a president’s badge, suitably inscribed. The presentation was made at a supper party held at the club’s headquarters, Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, on Wednesday, on behalf of the club, by the president, Mr W H Fulford, and accepted on behalf of the Inner Wheel by Mrs W E Ellis, the president.”

In an article dated 12 April 1938, the bequests made by Dr E J Toye are publicised.

Gazette, May 30, 1944

“There is no link which can bind citizens more closely and solidly than friendship between individual citizens, remarked the President of Bideford Rotary Club (Mr E H Gaud) at Thursday’s annual meeting. During the past twelve months our Club has had a great opportunity of forging such links and has taken full advantage of it.”

The North Devon Journal-Herald, July 27, 1950

“Mr Leslie Braddick, son of a former mayor of Bideford, and himself president of the Bideford A. F. Supporters’ Club, has been elected president of the local Rotary Club for the current year. Mr H Blackmore has been elected vice-president, and other elections include Mr R C Fishleigh (secretary) and Mr E H Gaud (treasurer).”

The 75th Charter Anniversary Dinner and President's Night which was held at the Commodore Hotel, instow, on Friday 26th May 2000,

Highlights from 1925-2000

1925 – Greetings from the Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco, Maine, USA

Feb1927 – A Youth Rally was organised “to focus public attention on the splendid work being done by the various organisations working among the youth of Bideford.” Almost 300 youngsters participated, and 1,500 public attended.

June 1927 – Weekly, instead of fortnightly, luncheons commenced on the 9^th.

June 1928 – Bideford Rotary Club received a visit from Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, who addressed the Club, and shook hands with every member. A photo recording the visit was taken outside Tantons Hotel.

June 1936 – Train trip organised to visit RMS Queen Mary at Southampton, upon her return from her maiden voyage.

1940 – The minesweeper Brecon Castle adopted by the Club. Cigarettes were despatched regularly, with the Inner Wheel members knitting woollen goods to be sent to the crew’s members.

Feb 1943 – Bideford Rotary organised an appeal around the district for the Merchant Navy Comforts Service, when almost £5,000 was raised – double the target!

July 1944 – An appeal for Bideford Hospital was undertaken by Bideford Rotary Club. The target for the three Council areas was £2,000. A ‘marvellous result’ was achieved.

Feb 1955 – To mark the 50^th Anniversary of Rotary, five trees were planted at the rear of the Port Memorial Gardens, and two teak seats provided.

May 1973 – Bideford Rotarians first visit to Uelzen Rotary Club.

September 1975 - Bideford's Victoria Park is the Rotary emblem with wording reminding that this year Bideford Rotary Club has celebrated its golden jubliee.

Mr Jim Shackleton, Torridge District Council's parks superintendent with Mr Ron Smith who was president of the Rotary Club when it marked its jubilee by handing over a fully-equipped ambulance to Bideford and District St John Ambulance Brigade.

Oct 1978 – The first occasion of the award by the Club to the ‘Citizen of the Year’ was made to Miss Phyllis Durant.

"For a long time, said Mr Cowling, the club had been aware of the selfless community work undertaken by many people locally with no thought of reward or even acknowledgement and they had decided to institute a good citizenship award as a small measure of public appreciation of this kind of service."

Feb 1980 – To mark the 75^th Anniversary of Rotary, a very fine Visitors Book was presented to the Mayor, and President Bob Harding planted a Mountain Ash tree in Victoria Park.

Mar 1986 – It was announced that the new Evening Club, which our members had been instrumental in setting up, would be known as the ‘Bideford Bridge Rotary Club.’

Oct 1990 – The sum of £400 was made available to Rotarian Alan Glover and party towards the costs involved with their journey to Romania with relief supplies.

Jan 1993 – Exchange Student Gemma Cullen from Te Aroaha, New Zealand arrived to spend a year studying at Bideford College.

June 1993 – Joanne Godfrey of Abbotsham was selected to visit New Zealand as our Exchange Student.

Nov 1999 – 75 ‘Fellowship’ roses planted in a new bed in Victoria Park, in readiness to mark the Bideford Rotary Club’s 75^th Anniversary.

Article written in May 2000 by Peter Adams

Past Presidents (issued by Rotary Club of Bideford)

1925-26 – E J Toye; 1926-27 – Frederick Lee; 1927-28 – F E Whiting; 1928-29 – M F Phelan; 1929-30 – J S Owen; 1930-31 – W H Marsh; 1931-32 – A H Hopson; 1932-33 – N M Braggins; 1933-34 – R J Arnold; 1934-35 – W E Ellis; 1935-36 – E J Toye; 1936-37 – B Hamlyn; 1937-38 – H W Fulford; 1938-39 – C J Martin; 1939-40 – M F Lee; 1940-41 – W T Braddick; 1941-42 – Rev H C A S Muller; 1942-43 – J R Seward; 1943-44 – E H Gaud; 1944-45 – W Pearce; 1945-46 – E H Hopcraft; 1946-47 – A Sharp; 1947-48 – C Morris; 1948-49 – Rev R Pyke; 1949-50 – A C Hooper; 1950-51 – L Braddick; 1951-52 – F E Whiting; 1952-53 – H Blackmore; 1953-54 – C J Martin; 1954-55 – D W Friendship; 1955-56 – A E Hutchings; 1956-57 – C W Stephenson; 1957-58 – R C Fishleigh; 1958-59 – H Trickey; 1959-60 – N B Martin; 1960-61 – A H Goodman; 1961-62 – A W Bradley; 1962-63 – C S Holland; 1963-64 – A V Garland; 1964-65 – A E Palmer; 1965-66 – J Morris; 1966-67 – R Glover; 1967-68 – M E Brown; 1968-69 – P J Fletcher; 1969-70 – G Latham; 1970-71 – W H Chamings; 1971-1972 – R W Mitchell; 1972-73 – E Blanchard; 1973-74 – A G Olver; 1974-75 – R S Smith; 1975-76 – A A Beer; 1976-77 – C J Braund; 1977-78 – T C Williams; 1978-79 – D T P Cowling; 1979-80 – R J Harding; 1980-1981 – G J Braddick; 1981-82 – Rev B M Tinsley; 1982-83 – W J Elliott; 1983-84 – R E Day; 1984-85 – J F Garnsey; 1985-86 – R Chope; 1986-88 – J M Wright; 1988-89 – M Hudson; 1989-90 – B D Pidgeon; 1990-91 – A G Cox; 1991-92 – T O Derrigan; 1992-93 – M C Turner; 1993-94 – W I Atkinson; 1994-95 – F W J Blight; 1995-96 – E F Hatswell; 1996-97 – T C Malone; 1997-98 – E A Hubber; 1998-99 – B R Sims; 1999-2000 - B H Cooke; 2000-2001 - Neville Jackson; 2001-2002 - Martin Wright; 2002-2003 - T E A Barclay; 2003-2004 - Rev P Nock; 2004-2005 - Rev R Black; 2005-2006 - J B Edwards; 2006-2007 - W J Pope; 2007-2008 - D Lea; 2008-2009 - M C Palmer; 2009-2008 - C M Blanchard; 2010-2011 - T J Corkery; 2011-2012 - R M Williams; 2012-2013 - S Snell; 2013-2014 - H E Hartley; 2014-2015 - J D Ogle; 2015-2016 - M J Chance; 2016-2017 - R C Croslegh; 2017-2018 - J Willoughby; 2018-2019 - M Poole; 2019-2020 - B Sims; 2020-2021 - J Willoughby; 2021-2022 - M Clarke; 2022-2023 - J Eddie; 2023-24 - M Taylor; 2024-25 - M Taylor; 2025-26 - J Balchin.

Bideford Rotary Club

Credits – Rotary International; Find My Past; Rotary Club of Bideford;

New Baptist Chapel at Westward Ho!

Laying memorial stones

16 April 1895

In 1887 the Appledore Baptist Church started a mission at Westward Ho! in a cottage placed at their disposal, free of rent, by the late Mr James Taylor. That was the first step.

The mission took firm hold in the little township and the missioners aspired to a building all their own. So they bought a site from Mr Taylor on very favourable terms. That was the second step, and then they had to take a long breathing space.

It became apparent that the undertaking was beyond the powers of Appledore, in addition to other burdens, and Bideford Baptists were invited to assist. This they were all the more ready to do, as from early days they had ‘supplied’ the pulpit with some regularity. A joint committee was formed comprising Rev Luke Crathern, Rev Frank Durbin, Mr G A Hunt, Capt R Harris, Mr J H Lang, Mr H O Thompson, Mr J N Tuplin, Mr S Bennett, Mr W T Goaman, Mr J J Lamerton, and Mr J S Milsom, Capt Harris being hon. treasurer, and Mr T A Goaman hon. secretary. The movements of this committee were accelerated by a notice from Mr George Taylor that he required his cottage hitherto used as a mission hall.

A contract was entered into with Mr Tamlyn, of Appledore, to erect a chapel 48ft 6in by 22ft 6in, capable of seating 140 persons, upon the site near Westward Ho! Post Office, at a cost of about £250, exclusive of furniture, and the work was put in hand at once, Mr George Taylor most generously giving stone and gravel to the cause. The local stone will have Bath stone dressings, and when completed the chapel will look something like the rough pen and ink sketch one has some diffidence in presenting – it does not do either the building or the architect justice. However, the sketch will give an approximate idea, and that is sufficient for present purposes.

Having decided to go ahead, the committee looked up their friends for subscriptions, with a result, announced by Captain Harris at the memorial stone laying yesterday. That interesting ceremony drew a great crowd of friends from Bideford and Appledore, and as the weather was all one could desire, the function passed off brilliantly. Amongst those present, in addition to members of the committee, were Revs G G Owen, David Thompson, T C Williams (Congregational), Messrs T Goaman, JP, C T Morris, J Cock (who is acting as honorary Clerk of the Works), T Brend, Westall, and T Richards. After prayer, offered by the Rev G F Owen, Captain Harris read his financial statement, showing that of the £400 required he had in hand £110 13w 9d, exclusive of the £30 or £40 price of the site, of which the freehold has been bought and paid for. If the balance was not made up that day, said the Captain, with dry humour, it would be the fault of those present. Then the crowd closed in, just when they should have spread out, for the ladies and gentlemen who advanced under the flag festoons to lay the stones were inconveniently pressed. Human nature is evidently strong even at memorial stone layings.

There were seven stones well and truly laid: one for the Committee, laid by Captain Harris; another for Dr Angus, who was represented by Mr H O Thompson; a third by Mr T Goaman, JP; a fourth laid by Mrs J J Lamerton, on behalf of Mrs Ness, of Newton Abbott; a fifth by Miss Thompson, for Rev D Thompson and family; a sixth by Mr S Bennett, representing Rev Samuel Newnam, of Yeovil, one time at Barnstaple; and a seventh by Miss Hunt, who has been a tower of strength to the mission, on behalf of Dr Heywood Smith. Rev F Durbin read suitable passages of scripture as these stones, each representing £5, were fixed. Mr J Norman, of Frithelstock, who sent £5 but declined to have a memorial stone in his name, yielded to earnest solicitations, and spoke a few happily chosen words of approbation and encouragement. He trusted the new Chapel would be a source of comfort and blessing, not alone to residents, but to the many visitors who resort to Westward Ho! Mr Lang, of Appledore, who has done yeoman service for the mission, said he was glad they had got so far, but would be more glad when they met later to rejoice over the laying of the last stone, and the opening of the Chapel, which, one hears, is likely to be soon.

With a hymn and a prayer the ceremony ended, and the company dispersed until half-past four, when they assembled 400 strong in Kingsley College Gymnasium for tea. At 7 o’clock a meeting and entertainment were held in the same hall, when speeches were delivered by Revs W L Crathern, G F Owen, F Durbin, and Messrs Harris, T A Goaman, W T Goaman, and T J Dyer (Torrington), whilst Mrs Tamlyn, Misses Crathern, G Crathern, Burnell-Jones, Harris, Cutcliffe, and Mr Tamlyn, contributed to the entertainment programme. The choir sang an anthem “O praise the Lord.” Time and space will not permit a fuller notice of this meeting, which was a fitting crown to a memorable day. Mr C T Morris, statuary, Meddon-street, supplied the memorial stones, cutting the letters without a fee.

6 August 1895

It only seems a week or so since a report of the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the new Baptist Chapel at Westward Ho! was printed in the Gazette, with a picture of the building to be erected. Now the Chapel is finished and dedicated, and ready to play its part in the battle for the moral and religious regeneration of England. The dedication service was held on Wednesday afternoon, and despite quite an unusual number of conflicting engagements, there was a large and, what was most satisfactory, a thoroughly representative gathering. Congregationalists, Wesleyans, Bible Christians, rejoiced with Baptists in the happy ending of this phase of their mission labour. The chapel was crowded. It is a neat building, well finished and furnished, the chairs, with specially fitted backs, being a praiseworthy departure from convention in these matters. The service …

Mr T A Goamn, who has had no sinecure as hon. sec. to the Joint Appledore and Bideford Building Committee, talked pure business for a while, showing that the liability on Chapel account was over £300, towards which about £112 had been raised, leaving in round figures £200 to be collected. He did justice to the generosity of Mr George Taylor in giving stones for the Chapel, and allowing the Mission to use a cottage of his for seven years rent free, pending the building of a Chapel. Collections were made at both meetings, yielding about £10, which was satisfactory. Special services have been arranged for the next month.

At the service on Sunday, the first in the new Chapel, the congregation numbered over 100, and the collections were good.

Marking the anniversary of D-Day

Devon men who landed in Normandy

30 years ago as liberators returned to mark the anniversary of D-Day and found themselves still regarded as heroes.

At the British war cemetery at Bayeux, Messrs D W Slee and T E Cann, of Bradworthy, and A R Broad of Buckland Brewer

Among the 32 soldiers and sailors who made the pilgrimage were Mr Austin Broad, of Buckland Brewer: Mr Ted Coombe, of The Stores, South Zeal, who landed with Mr Broad on D-Day; Mr T E Cann, of The Square, Bradworthy; and Mr D W Slee, of Higher Terrace, Bradworthy.

Mr Broad, formerly of Shebbear, and now making his home at Galsworthy Farm, Buckland Brewer, told the Gazette: “We had a terrific welcome: it was marvellous. They looked upon us a heroes and just could not do enough for us.” Mr Broad, a builder, was 19 when on June 6, 1944, as a member of the Sixth Airborne Division (12th Devons), he landed behind enemy lines. “Everything happened to go right” he said.

A clearance force had landed three to four hours earlier. They had silenced the enemy guns and captured the bridges leaving those who came later to mop up. “But it was not so good after two or three days,” he admitted.

Mr Broad and Mr Coombe together explored old familiar places. “We passed the spot where we landed, but it has completely changed and we could not recognise it.” Another disappointment was that in the vast cemetery at Caen they had been unable to find the graves of fallen comrades.

The party were taken around in a coach and everywhere found crowds to wave to them in flag bedecked villages and fete them when they stopped, often for a champagne reception. But there were moments of sadness. “It was impossible not to feel moved at such places as Omaha Beach,” said Mr Broad.