People

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.

Now in her 40th year as Clovelly’s auxiliary postwoman,

Miss Mary Stevens, of 199 Burscott, Higher Clovelly, cycles nearly seven thousand miles every year delivering mail.

Sixty-two years old Miss Stevens, who is a well known personality in the Clovelly area, first became the village postwoman in June 1918.

She is pictured setting out on another journey which will take her out to Clovelly Cross and on to the Bideford and Harland roads. The area she covers includes Slerra, Wrinkleberry, Burscott, Hugglepit, East Dyke, Dyke Green, the Filling Station, West Dyke, Southdown, Retreat and Highford.

The full Gazette article is dated 10 January 1958

Bideford Syndicate of Four Wins £10,637 on Pool

Half-a-Crown Each ‘Perm’ Stake

Suddenly it was a sunshine week, despite the dull weather, for Bideford syndicate of four, three of whom are booking clerks at Bideford railway station, as confirmation came that they share a total of £10,637 won on Sherman’s treble chance football pool.

Youngest of the four, Mr Peter Colwill, 3 Lenards Road, Northam, was told his good fortune as he travelled to Bideford by bus. He is a booking clerk as are two other members of the syndicate, Mr Herbert Parkhouse, 12 Chudleigh Avenue, and Mr Charlie Davis, 25 Barton Tors. The fourth member is Mr Charles Davis, senior, and owns the Beehive Café, Torrington Street.

Mr Colwill is single, lives with his parents and has two brothers. Mr Davis Jnr is married with two daughters. Both men are members of Bideford Rugby Club. Mr Parkhouse is married and has one married daughter. His wife is the daughter of Alderman J H Sharley. Born in Torrington, he has been in Bideford since his early twenties. He has been secretary of Bideford Amateur Rowing Club, and is at present secretary of a Friendly Society.

The full Gazette article is dated 4 December 1959

Terry's Trophy and TV Chance

Following on from his recent win in the Butlins' all-England talent contest,

young Westward Ho! entertainer Terry Cockell has been offered work for television.

One of the judges at the competition was Mr Ron Collis who is a talent agent for various TV shows including 'Opportunity Knocks.' He has offered 10 year old Terry television work. Although it was not known exactly what this will entail Terry went to London earlier this week to begin.

With him went his mother, Mrs Jean Cockell, of Kipling Flats, Westward Ho!

Gazette article dated 4 May 1973