Bideford

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.

Alderman Mrs Cox, of Bideford, returned from her US tour at the weekend, bronzed, enthusiastic about many aspects of the American way of life and an honorary citizen of one of its towns.

5.6.1964 Mrs Cox2

The certificate that proves her honorary citizenship is signed by the Mayor, Mr Luke Medley, and proclaims ‘Greetings… Be it hereby known to all that Mrs Cyril Cox, has, on this 8th day of May, 1964, been made an honorary citizen of Cookeville, Tennessee, Hub of the Cumberland and city with a colourful past, a progressive present and a promising future… And in recognition thereof has been presented with this certificate of citizenship’. Similarly honoured was Mrs Constance White, a fellow writer, who accompanied Mrs Cox on tour.
They travelled thousands of miles by plane, car and bus, staying in New York, Washington and Boston, as well as Biddeford (Maine) and Cookeville, and the outstanding impression, said Mrs Cox, was the extreme hospitality of the Americans “They fall over themselves to make you feel welcome”.
At Biddeford they were guests of Mr Turner Brown, district governor for Rotarians) and his wife, Ann. They were received by the Mayor, Mr W Pomerleau, to whom Mrs Cox handed a letter from Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood, Bideford’s late Mayor.
At Cookeville Mrs Cox was the guest of Mrs Derryberry, formerly Miss Joan Rew, with whom she was at West Bank School here and who married an American 30 years ago.
Dr Derryberry is now president of the Cookeville Polytechnic, which has nearly 4,000 students and which, said Mrs Cox, would make English educationalists “drool with envy”.
Another highlight of the trip was a visit to – and conducted tour of – the US satellite station, the counterpart of Britain’s Goonhilly dish.

Full Gazette article is dated 5 June 1964

Devon Air Good for Sick Elsa

Lucky to be alive Elsa has arrived at Bideford Zoo to convalesce.

An eight year old Indian elephant, weighing nearly two tons, she developed a rheumatic condition in her front legs during her stay in a European zoo. The complaint was considered incurable and it was decided that she must be put down.
But Mr Jimmy le Blond, of London, a well known supplier of animals to zoos, decided that something might be done for her. Elsa eventually responded to intensive treatment and round-the-clock care, and she has been sent to Bideford to recuperate. She will be treated by a local vet.
Still stiff in the front legs, she was encouraged to leave the horse box, after a trip made longer by weekend traffic, by her keeper, David Flowers, who had travelled with her. She has become strongly attached to Mr Flowers, who was at one time head keeper at Chessington Zoo, Surrey. He will be staying with her to try to ensure a complete recovery.
Article dated 9 June 1972

Introducing 'Young Blood' On The Council

Here is the 'Shamwickshire Civic Group' which attracted much attention at last week's Carnival promoted by East-the-Water Community Association.

The Group comprised: High Sheriff, Ron Somerville; Mayor, Peter Somerville; Town Clerk, Roy Beer; Chaplain, Peter Plows; Aldermen, Alan Stevens, Michael Nicholls, Michael Willis, P Davies; Councillors, Monty Stinson, Eric Cawsey, Will Raymond; Town Crier, Kenneth Tanton; Beadles, Tony Keen, David Stinson.

6.6.1958 Shamwickshire Civic Group1