Bellringing

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.

A record number of 13 entries marked the annual bell-ringing festival of the Hartland Deanery, this year held at Clovelly on Saturday.

Judges were Mr A Nicholls (Littleham), Mr S Nicholls (Abbotsham) and Mr W Tuck (Bideford).
A short service in the Church, conducted by the Rector, the Rev Dr G S Spinks, afforded an opportunity of corporate worship by the ringers and friends.
The Deanery Shield and certificates were presented to the winners by the Hon. Mrs Asquith, of Clovelly Court.
In proposing a vote of thanks to all who had helped to make the occasion a success, Mr J H Dryer welcomed particularly the presence of many young ringers, several of whom took part in the competition.
Team competing and placings were: Monkleigh; Northam; Alwington; Buckland Brewer; Hartlant; Clovelly; Parkham.
Tea on the Rectory lawn was provided by Mesdames J Johns, W Johns, E Johns, E Bragg and F May, Misses F May, S Ellis and B Pillman.
Winners of competitions included: Mr H Dayman; Mr E Bragg; Mrs J Smith.

Mr W Whitlock, Captain of the Monkleigh team, receives the shield at the presentation of prizes at the Hartland Deanery bell-ringing competition at Clovelly. Seen in the photograph are: Mr W Tuck; the Hon Mrs B Asquith; Mr S Nicholls; Mr W Whitlock; Mr A Nicholls; the Rev Dr G S Spinks; Mr J H Dryer.

The full Gazette article is dated 25 July 1958

Alwington Win Deanery Ringing At Appledore

St Mary’s Church, Appledore, was host on Saturday to the annual ringing festival of the Hartland Deanery and some good peals were rung on the bells which were re-hung and dedicated last November.

Twelve teams competed, including newcomers Littleham and Welcombe.
The judges, Messrs A Burrow and W Tuck, were closeted in the church schoolroom.
Principle placings were: Shield and first certificate, Alwington B; Northam; Appledore; Alwington A; Hartland; Monkleigh.
Other teams competing in order of scores were Bideford, Clovelly, Littleham, Weare Giffard, Buckland Brewer and Welcombe.
About 70 sat down to tea provided by the Social Committee of the Church Council, organised by Mrs M Petley.
The concluding set of corporate worship was conducted by the Vicar of Appledore, Rev R C Dixon, with Mrs L Parks at the organ.
Mr G Smith, the hon. Secretary, thanked all who worked to make the day such a success.
Gazette article dated 12 July 1963

Bellringers’ Tribute

A Clovelly representative on Bideford Rural Council, Mr Edward William Johns has died at his home, The Haven, Woolsery, at the age of 69.

A member of Clovelly church council, Mr Johns was also deputy warden. He was captain of Clovelly bellringers, of which both his sons are members, and a former member of Clovelly Parish Council.
The Rector, Rev R O H Eppingstone, officiated at the service assisted by the Rev L Buttle, Miss U Moore was organist.
Captains of the local towers rang a muffled peal on the church bells.
Immediate mourners attending were: the widow, Royston and Alan, Beryl, Florrie, Bob, Vera and Jacqui, Christopher, Kath, Mr W Gifford, Mr and Mrs J Murch, Mr and Mrs G Burgess, Mr and Mrs W Alford, Messrs L and W Johns, Miss S Ellis, Mr and Mrs R Gifford, Mr N Alford, Mr and Mrs W Johns, Mr G Braund, Mrs T Braund, Mr an dMrs J J Headon, Messrs R K T and S Johns, Mr Heard, Mrs A Taylor, Mrs O Adams, Mrs T Ashwood, Mr and Mrs W Jewell, Mrs D Jennings, Mrs H Grills, Mr and Mrs N Carter, Mr and Mr J Withecombe, Mrs A Perkins.
Sisters-in-law Mesdames L Johns and D Braund were unable to attend.
Bearers were Messrs C Jennings, J Jewell, H Grills, F Cleave, F Robins, J Searles, M Vanstone, R Kelly, M Friend, P Andrew, J Vanstone and M May.
Representing Bideford RDC were Messrs S A Brimacombe, H I Bewes, A J George, I J Elson, F Pengelly, R J Cleverdon (also representing T Brown), R J Stoneman, S C Turner, J C Andrews, W T Harris, G O Harris, S J Oke, R B Richardson, H Ley, F Colwill, J Withecombe, C B Dunn, I Clarke (also representing Mr A J Blatchford and Mr J Dunn).
Clovelly Parish Council were represented by Messrs A Aust, S Nicholls (also representing Clovelly Estate Co), W Goaman, V Stoneman.
Others attending included: Mr and Mrs C Nicholls (chairman, Hartland deanery ringers, also representing Mr B Mountjoy), Mr and Mrs E Green, Mr and Mrs A Beer, Mr and Mrs F C Littlejohns, Mr and Mrs Chubb, Mr and Mrs H Conibear, Mr and Mrs A Bealey, Mr and Mrs G Andrews, Mr and Mrs R Westlake, Mr and Mrs J Westaway, Mr and Mrs K Wonacott, Mr and Mrs L Symons, Mr and Mrs J Walter, Mr and Mrs J Symons, Mr and Mrs J Harding, Mr and Mrs G Lewis, Mr and Mrs C Colwill, Mr and Mrs T Squire, Mr and Mrs W Jewell, Mr and Mrs Souch, Mr and Mrs F Jewell, Mr and Mrs J Shackson, Mr and Mrs L Wonacott, Mr and Mrs S Cobbledick (also representing Mrs W Wonacott), Mr and Mrs P Bridgeman.
Messrs E Poole (also representing Alwington bell ringers), R Blight (also representing Buckland Brewer bell ringers), T Tallin (also representing Monkleigh bell ringers), R Chapple (also representing Woolsery bell ringers), R Weeks (also representing North Devon Farmers), R E Glover (also representing Glidden and Squire), W J Gorrell, P Symons (also representing Mr T Stanbury), R Tridgell (also representing K Braund and the Athletic Club), Babb, G T Braund, A Cory, F Grills, H Taylor (also representing Mrs E Daniel), G Wonnacott (also representing Mr Cory, auctioneer), W Squire, W Daniel, W Headon, W E Johns, F Daniel, L Middle, N Headon, J Cottle, M Jeffery, R Cann, L May, J Glover, T Moore, A Manning (Buckland Brewer), W Perkin (Buckland Filleigh), H Chiddley, K Braund (Westward Ho!), P Lee, P Littlejohns (also representing Mr P Smith), F Bradd, P Beckley, A Hill, Balsdon, F May, R Moore, J Oke, K Davey, Albert Jeffery, R Johns, J Lees, A Jeffery, N Harding, K Heard, L Harding, G Heard, L Cann, K Allin, C Jenkins, Cleave, A Heard, W Evans, S Wonnacott, F Cloke, J Cook, W Braund, D Wade, M Braund, E Cole, C Shackson, J Foley, C Jeffery, P Glover, E May, G Smith.
Hon Mrs K Rous, Mesdames A Jewell, P Brown, J Vanstone, A O’Connell (also representing Mr and Mrs W Pengilly), M Westlake, K Westlake, C Johns, Johns, F Robins, C Prance, S Metherell, B Heard, D Vaggers, E Daniel, M Buckley, Clarke (Velly), R Robertson, J Searles, M Morris, F Cleave, B Burrow, G Kelly, A M Jones, P Wade, M May, R Bailey, L Withecombe, K M Stoneman (Buck Cross) and Dark.
Funeral arrangements were by Mr A C Perkins.
The full Gazette article is dated 18 May 1973