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.

Memories of the old windmill at Northam

Memories of the old windmill which once stood off the road between Northam and Appledore, have been revived in the minds of older residents in the Northam district by the recent demolition of Chanter's Folly.

In 1922, the late Mr G H Cork of Watertown Farm, Appledore, on whose land the mill stood, contracted with Mr Jim Beer, of Appledore, for the tower to be taken down. Mr George Cawsey had owned the field when an attempt had been made to blow up the tower and a portion had landed on the roof of Knapp House.

Asked if he thought Windmill Lane, Northam had taken its name from this old windmill, Mr Cork said he thought it was unlikely although of course, the mill had been visible from that road.

28th November 1952

Mrs Mary Branch wins a colour television

Mrs Mary Branch, who will be 90 in January, and is a resident at Fairlea home for the elderly at Northam won a colour TV set with a ticket she bought in a draw made at North Devon Liberal Association fete at Barnstaple.

Next day Mr Jeremy Thorpe, MP for North Devon and Liberal leader, presented the set to her at the home and in his capacity as chairman of the National Benevolent Fund for the Aged announced that he would personally arrange for the Fund to cover the cost of installing the special aerial required, and also the annual licence.
Seen in the photo are Mrs Mary Branch, Mr Jeremy Thorpe and Mr C A Vaggers.

Article dated 27 October 1972

1939-45 Plaque Unveiled at Northam

At Northam’s 1914-18 war memorial on Sunday afternoon an additional stone plaque in memory of those from the ecclesiastical parish of Northam who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war was unveiled by the Chairman of Northam Urban District Council, Mr H Ford, in the presence of men and women of the local branch of the British Legion, members of Northam Council and other parishioners.

It was a ceremony impressive in its reverent homage and simplicity against a symbolic setting of autumnal winds and rain, and leaves falling from the trees.
The British Legion, with their standards, marched down from Bay View Road to the memorial where the Vicar of Northam, Rev E B Bridger, and members of the Council were assembled. Prayers were spoken by the Vicar and the plaque, which was covered with the Union Jack, was unveiled by the chairman of the Council wearing his chain of office.
The plaque bears twenty-five names.
Rear-Admiral H G C Franklin, president of the Northam and Westward Ho! branch of the British Legion, laid a wreath of Flanders poppies on their behalf and spoke Laurence Binyon’s lines. Other public and personal wreaths were placed on the memorial and then the procession marched to the Parish Church where a united remembrance service was conducted by the Vicar and the preacher was the Rev W Alexander, assistant priest.
The full article is dated 1950.