Westward Ho!

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.

Second application succeeds.

A new public house, to be known as ‘The Grenville Arms’ is to be established at Westward Ho! After a four-hour hearing on Monday, Bideford magistrates granted Mr John Edwin Kibbler’s application for a licence for premises now known as the Youngaton Private Hotel.
For the applicant, Mr H E Park submitted that the present licensed premises at Westward Ho! were totally inadequate to cater for the demand which existed there.
Mr Leslie G H Braddick, a caravan proprietor, of Vicosa, Westward Ho! stated that his camp was capable of accommodating over 700 people.
A cafe proprietor, Mrs Molly Miall, Seawinds, Northam, joint proprietor of the Bunny’s Cafe, Westward Ho! said ‘I have had many inquiries about licensed premises’.
Mr Charles Thomas Cummings, a house decorator, of Nelson House, Nelson Terrace, Westward Ho! claimed that during June, July and August one had to reach in over people six or seven deep to get one’s change in the two licensed premises at Westward Ho!
Further evidence in support of the application was given by Mrs Esther Hilder, a guest house proprietor, of Cleveland Terrace, Westward Ho!. Mr Henry John Moseley, a guest house proprietor, of The Brackens, Westward Ho! and Mr Claude Wise, a cafe proprietor, Beach House, Westward Ho!
Opposing the application Major Joseph C Dobbs, licensee of the Golden Bay Hotel, Westward Ho! said there was no evidence of any increase in demand. Major Robert A Wickham, a director of the proprietors of the Pebbleridge Hotel, Westward Ho! of Concord, Torrington, told the magistrates that they had to make their harvest in July and August.
After 15 minutes retirement, the chairman of the magistrates, Mr R B Blackmore, announced ‘My colleagues and I have come to the conclusion that a case has been made and a licence should be granted subject to two provisos’.
The full Gazette article is dated 14 February 1958

One-Way Traffic Plan Leads To Protest

Second thoughts at Northam?

Residents of Westward Ho! had written objecting about one-way traffic in the village, the Highways and Amenities Committee reported to Northam Urban Council. They had asked that the proposal be dropped and that restricted parking should apply in Nelson Road. The committee, however, recommended the Council to adhere to their previous decision.
Mr W J V Lamey, who submitted the report, declined to move the recommendation. “I do not agree with it” he said. The Clark (Mr A Gardner) said he was expecting further information and he therefore suggested that the recommendation should be referred back. That would mean about two months’ delay and the summer would be here, said Mr V F Bowyer, suggesting discussion in private session.
The committee’s proposal is that traffic should circulate around the centre of Westward Ho! – westwards along Atlantic Way from the Kingsley Stores and east along Nelson Road to the Kingsley Stores.
Organiser of the petition, which has been signed by 120 people, is Mr F C Twose, who has a garage in Nelson Road, and the protest is backed by every trader in the road.
Gazette article dated 18 January 1963

Panto Time At Westward Ho!

It’s pantomime time tomorrow at Westward Ho!

Latest in a long line of productions presented each year by the Westward Ho! Follies is ‘Dick Whittington’.
Although the production largely follows the traditional story, produced Mrs Ada Powell has written in some interesting extras.
In the pictures are Cathy Sales, Lesley Pugh, Julie Lamey, Elizabeth Meadows, Hanna Wrey, Linda and Caroline Eastman, Jackie Clements and Julie Hodgkins, Bill Thisby, Roger Beale and Des Pugh.
The full Gazette article is 4 January 1974