Littleham

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.

Bideford is soon to have a new shipyard on the lines of that made famous by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.

The new factory – partner in the new firm, round-the-world yachtsman Mr Alan Smith, of Littleham, prefers to think of it in that term – will turn out mainly all steel craft in a covered yard.
Subject to signing this weekend of a contract, he and a naval architect have bought for an undisclosed figure from North Devon Farmers Ltd what was formerly Blackmore’s shipyard situated above Bideford Bridge.
It is anticipated that the reinstated shipyard will be in operation in two months on a production line basis. Mr Smith told the Gazette yesterday that initially they would be employing only 12 skilled men, some of whom would have to be brought in. It was hoped to recruit local labour and to build up to a force of about 60.
The intention is to construct mainly steel-hulled boats varying in length from 30ft t0 60ft. They will have a standard hull design, but with different superstructure. Already in hand are plans for a general service vessel, side trawler, pilot cutter, fire boats, cargo vessels and work boats.
Making use of modern methods they can be produced at an extremely competitive figure and orders are assured, said Mr Smith.
One reason for the transfer of Blackmore’s firm from Ford Yard to Bank End in 1963 was the limit imposed by the comparatively narrow arches of Bideford Bridge – the widest arch, measuring 25 feet, is the fourth from the eastern side. But Mr Smith said this problem would not arise in that there would be no difficulty in transporting the vessel by road, although it would generally be more handy to use the river.
Mr Smith’s interest in ships and shipbuilding was whetted when in conjunction with yachtsman Mr Leslie Williams, he commissioned the largest, and only aluminium, ketch to compete in the Whitbread round-the-world race. Although completed in such a hurry that she was unable to undergo proper sea trials, the ketch, the Burton Cutter, was first to reach Cape Town although on the second leg she ran into heavy weather and sustained major damage.
The reinstatement of the Ford Yard, opened in the 1930s, will awaken memories for many, for at one time Blackmore’s were the biggest employers of labour in Bideford. The yard was most busy during and the years following the war when many Admiralty contracts were fulfilled. An inshore minesweeper more than 106 feet long and with a 20ft 6in beam was launched in 1953, the largest vessel to be built above Bideford bridge for more than 80 years. Many of the 72ft motor launches built at the yard played an important part in the D-Day landings on Normandy beaches.

Littleham Film Night

Littleham Film Night - 4th March 1977

A pleasant evening was spent by nearly 100 people at Littleham Parish Hall on Saturday. They were welcomed by Mr L J Badcock. A film on Orleigh Mills was shown by Mr L Grimby and Mr D Haywood showed another of his railway holiday in Germany. Films on traction and stationary engines and various rallies by Messrs D Clark, M Cook, F Burt, C Bennett and B Hughes were also screened. Stewards were Messrs J Devereux, R Smale, K Phelps, A Marshall, J Denford, and T Brend, and refreshments were served by Mesdames C Cook, V Phelps, M Smale, G Short and J Brend. Over £11 was donatd to Hall funds.

65 Vintage Vehicles

65 Vintage Vehicles - 8th July 1977

Attractions ranging from a vintage vehicle display that drew 65 entries to a dog show and from a gymkhana to children's sports, provided something for everyone at Littleham fete on Saturday which was opened by Mr Michael Pope, who was introduced by the chairman of the Parish Hall committee, Mr L J Badcock. Flowere were presented by Andrea Clegg and June Pennington.
Principal winners were Mark Goldsworthy, Julie Philps, Mark Stevens, Paula Foad, Tricia Hockin, Suzanne Hockin, Pauline Clements, Tina Foad, Gerard Shard, Sarah Smale, Conrad Stevens, Claire Metherall, Lisa Wilton, Lloyd Bromhead, Ann Goldsworthy, Dominic Stevens, Malcolm Hooper, Graham Hooper, Mandy Smale, Dawn Metherall, Paul Bromhead, Stephen Hopkins, Tom Galvin, Matthew Shard.
The gymkhana was organised by Ann Alvis, Maggie Melvills, Messrs T and P Cooper, H Barrow and Miss L Barrow. Judge was Mr W Johns. Principal winners were R Squire, L Thompson, L Rundle, J Hosegood, R Bromel, J Hosegood, J Rushen, Z Newton, A Metherall, S Shiller, Z Jennings, S Esau, L Prance, L Tucker, V Baker, K Lawes, J Smythe, S Smith, A Banister, Z Stevens, R Hockings, W Lawes. Mr and Mrs Ladell organised the dog show.
Chief winners were Mrs Buszard, Mr Pinner, Mr Melville, Pat Hughes, Mrs Streeter, Mr Husband, Mr Duncan, Mrs Bara, Mrs Bissett, Mrs May, Mrs Dicker, Mr Jackson, Mr Rogers, Janice Woodland, Mark Berry, J Lee, Pauline Clements