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.

Coronation year medallion added to Northam Chain 22.01.1954

To commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II a medallion to add to the chain of office worn by its Chairman, Mr John Heywood, was presented to Northam Urban District Council. The presentation was made by Mrs M W Dark, chairman of the ladies' section of the committee.

Commending the gesture of the Northam Coronation Committee, Mr G W G Hutchings said they were following in the steps of the Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of Commerce who had presented the original ribbon and medallion to the Council many years ago.

People in photograph from left to right are: Seated: Dr C J Carey (Medical Officer of Health), Miss S Colwill (Clerk in the Clerk's department), Mr F W Hockaday (Clerk to the Council), Mr A Brewer (Surveyor and Water Engineer), Mr R Harris (Assistant Surveyor). Standing: Mr J E Harris, Rev A E Green, Messrs C F Stephens, J E Boyles, S Guard, Mrs M de N Youngman, Messrs H V Cope, J Heywood (Chairman), T G Parsons (Vice Chairman), L H T Uglow, G W G Hutchings, Mrs M W Dark, Mr C R Mill, Mrs R Heaman, Mr N M Gibbs, Mr S Harman, Mr A Reed, Mrs W Dymond, Mr S Hookway, Mrs Prouse, Mr G L Crombie (Secretary, Coronation Committee), Mrs A Littlejohns, Mrs Grogan.

Northam loses thatched cottage landmark 24th October 1958

A pile of rubble, about nine van loads of straw and some scrap iron are now all that remain of what was Northam Square's only thatched cottage.

Miss Muriel Moulton, owner stated that "we believe that it was one of the oldest cottages in the district."

The cottage was the home of Miss Moulton, her sister and aunt, until three years ago when the aunt died. A new cottage will be erected on the site and when it is completed Mr K Moulton, will move in with his family.

Northam's Main Street in 1870 11.01.1929

What changes nearly 60 years have wrought. We are indebted to Mr Philip Andrews, of Northam, for this old photograph taken in 1875.

The house with the high chimney is the site of the present National Provincial Bank. On the left of the picture stands Mr Tom Kelly, Miss Emma Williams, Mrs Susan Williams standing outside the old Kingsley Hotel.

The little shop below was a grocery business and was kept by Mr Abraham Barrett, father of Mr W S M Barrett. Proprietor of KIng's Head is Mr John Penhorwood. The man in the middle of the street was Mr C Pearce, who resided in the Square. The Congregational Church, at the bottom of the street, was built in 1869.