Northam

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.

A Northam landmark. Victim of progress 28th July 1936

Probably dating back to the seventeenth century, when men of Northam joined with those of Bideford in making the North Devon port one of the most important in the kingdom.

Northam's old Vestry Room, a prominent structure, with its familiar flight of external stairs, has had to yield in the name of progress. Workmen were engaged in removing the old flight of steps and putting in a new window with certain other alterations to the accommodation. Mrs Prosser, of Westward Ho! the owner of the property, has stated that other than the removal of the steps and the necessary alterations attendant upon this the building will remain as formerly.

Northam Methodists' Celebration Day 18th April 1957

Proposals first conceived nearly 20 years ago became reality at Northam Methodist Church when two vestries - one for use by the Minister and the other for use as a committee room were officially opened.

The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs L Heywood, of Bradford, who was introduced by the Minister of Northam Church (Rev C F Burdon Hunter) to the crowded congregation. A solid silver key, which she will keep as a memento of the occasion, was handed to Mrs Heywood to unlock the vestries by the builder, Mr Cyril Cox, of Bideford.

During the service a framed plaque commemorating the gift of furnishings to the minister's vestry by the family of the late Mr & Mrs Thomas Bellew was handed to the Rev. Burdon Hunter by Mrs A R Allin.

Among the many friends attending the celebrations was the chairman of Northam Urban District Council (Mr G W G Hutchings) and Mrs Hutchings.

Convener for the tea was Mrs W Burrows, Mesdames R Babb, Wilcox, Twose, Hulme, Harding, Sawtell, Cleverdon, T E Colwill, Bellow, Heywood, Violet, Moyse, Kelly, Shutt, Griffey, Symes, Misses Ruth Spry, Davies, Parkhouse and Ackland.

In the evening a much enjoyed concert was presented by the High Street Methodist Choir, Bideford, under their conductor, Mr W R Blackmore, and Bideford Amateur Orchestral Society, conductor, Mr F T Peters. Mr Leslie Heywood presided. Soloists were Miss Christine Taylor and Mr Henry Thorne. The organist was Mr John Trigger.

A financial statement was presented by Mr P J Reed. The Chairman thanked Mr Peters and Mr Blackmore for their splendid services.

Mink farming at Northam 24th August 1956

One of the lesser-known but none the less interesting enterprises in the district is a mink farm tucked away in a field just off Northam Burrows.

The farm has been built up by Mr W J Pearce of Church Park, Fairy Cross, and Mr J Pitschmann (Jimmy), an ex German P.O.W. who has settled down happily in England and whose wife was formerly Miss Norah Bishop, of Northam, where they now live at 2 Tower Street.