Industry

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.

Moves towards the establishment in Bideford’s oldest house of a highly-specialised clockmaking industry, with exceptionally high export potential, were welcomed at Monday’s meeting of Torridge Council’s Development Committee.

The idea has been put forward by master craftsman Mr Frederick Eccles, of Old Ford House, New Road, Bideford.

The Council’s chief executive, Mr Tom Frankland, told the Committee that Mr Eccles was one of the country’s most eminent clockmakers and practised his skills in a small workshop at his home. His clocks were masterpieces of perfection. Smiths English Clocks Ltd had confirmed that they would support the establishment of such an industry in Bideford and would market the entire output from Mr Eccles’ small private company.

The committee were told that Mr Eccles wanted the Council to purchase Old Ford House from him and lease it back to his company at an economic rent. He felt that although he could readily sell the property on the open market it was a building of historic interest to Bideford, having at one time been the home of Thomas Mudge, a leading 18th century clockmaker. Some improvement of access would be needed said Mr Tony Hodder, the planning officer. ‘We welcome this and give it our blessing’ said Cllr Preb Edmund James.

The full Gazette article is dated 5 March 1976

New Dock Opening Makes Shipbuilding History

Biggest of its type in Europe

Today’s official opening of the new Appledore shipbuilding facility is part of an overall success story which is almost without parallel in the shipbuilding world and it marks Appledore Shipbuilders Limited as one of the most outstanding companies of its kind in Europe.
Just over seven years ago the future of shipbuilding on this part of Torridgeside hung delicately in the balance. The yards operated by the long established firm of P K Harris & Sons were closed, nearly 400 men lost their jobs, and the future looked black.
But from the ruins Appledore Shipbuilders Limited was formed, to be incorporated into the Court Line Group in 1964, and from that time on it has been a story of ever increasing progress – a story reflected in the fine record of producing an average of ten ships a year.
Article dated January 1970

First of Many Clay Exports from Council Quay at Bideford?

The first vessel ever to take a cargo of clay from Bideford Town Council’s quay left the port on Tuesday for Italy carrying also the high hopes of those who want to see the harbour’s future assured.

The loading of 700 metric tons of bal clay from E.C.C. mine at Meeth into the ‘Friso’, a Panama registered and Dutch owned vessel, was watched with a good deal of satisfaction by Harbour Master Capt Pat Brennan.
The full article is dated January 1970