Entertainment

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.

End of term party and carol service

Cheers and shrieks of delight greeted Father Christmas when in traditional costume, and to the surprise of all the children, he paid a visit to Langtree C.P. School on the day of the children’s party.

At the party, which was organised by the school staff, as the result of a jumble sale held earlier in the term, each child received a present from the tree.

This was the children’s day, but as a token of appreciation to their parents for their help towards the party, the children gave a carol service the following day.

A record number of parent and friends attended to hear the Christmas story, which was told by Rosemary Ruddy, Michael Done, Pamela Ford, Robert Fisher (all of the Junior class), Joyce Curtis, Eileen Vanstone and Marilyn Gerry (Transition) and Alan Bond, Angela Tucker, Marion Hancock and Glenys Beer (Infants’ class).

A feature of the service was the first appearance in public of the newly-formed school choir under the direction of Miss B E Lees and Mr A Edgcombe, who accompanied the choir.

The school recorder group played some of the carols.

Solos were sung by John Gerry, Jacqueline Poulton, Josephine Huxtable, Pamela Daniel, Kathleen Huntbach and Glyn Sutton.

Mr S G Ley expressed thanks on behalf of all present at the service.

The trustees of the Shebbear Fortescue Charity have awarded book tokens for good attendance and good work to three pupils of Langtree School. On behalf of the trustees, the headmaster (Mr R A Yeo Jenn) presented the tokens to Michael Cox, Diane Nance-Kievell and Henry Tucker.

Article dated 24 December 1959

‘Aladdin’ – Christmas Pantomime Success

Choice of pantomime at Hartland this year was ‘Aladdin’ and once again it was an outstanding performance.

Mr H Ensoll and his staff of Hartland School deserve every congratulation for their fine presentation.

The junior school provided the performers for the prologue. Alan Colwill made an admirable ‘King Dozey’ and the clear voice of Norman Grills was heard to good effect as the storyteller.

Although he had taken the part at short notice, William Evans was outstanding as ‘Widow Twankey’. The Principal Boy was played with good effect by Betty Turner and Sheila Prouse made a charming Princess.

Novelty acrobatic numbers were provided in the Palace scene by Bertha Thorn, Rachel Beer and Lorna Winchcombe.

Prologue characters: Peter Bowkett; Julie Short; Alan Colwill; Rita Buckler; Mary Mitchell; Jean Bragg; Ann Wade; Anne Goaman, Beryl Fince, Rita Walter, Barbara Redclift; Angela James; Phyllis Bragg; D. R and B Heard; J Nancekivell; R Johns; W Colwill; N Allin; M Heard; P Bowkett; M Oke; T Evans; C Rowe; G Redclift; Mary and Margaret Cloke; C Gifford; J Cottle; B Allin; R Stowell; P Rowe; Norman Grills.

In addition, the following were among the performers: M Vanstone, D Thorn, A Beer, L Walter, G Johns, M Davey, M Guyatt, R Frayne, D Gray, W Goaman, D Stevens, C Prouse, I Rowe, W Stewart, A Goaman, A Jeffery, L Rowe, P Johns, B Middle, F Walter, C Bragg, G Pillman, J Redclift, P Tutton, V Stoneman, F Cottle, Rose Beer, G Walter, P Hearn, J Short, R Johns, G Pillman, B Rowe, F Walter, I Jeffery, I Rowe, G Chance, R Frayne, L Walter, L Heard.

The ballet mistress was Mrs J Pillman; speciality dancers were trained by Mrs D Ensoll; scenery and stage properties were by the scholars and staff; stage managers, Messrs R Cornish and K Bruand; lighting, Messrs A J Loughlin and T Beer; the costumes were made by scholars, staff and parents and friends. Music was provided by the Aladdin Orchestra, and the whole show was produced by Mr H Ensoll.

Article dated 23 December 1947

Topless Sequence Omitted From Play At Northam

But maybe at Beaford?

The sequence where a North Devon actress bared her breasts during a production by the Boutport Players of Eugene Ionesco's 'Exit the King' was left out when the play was staged at Northam Church Hall this week.

'The Vicar of Northam rang me up and told me we mustn't do it' the director, Mr John Longden of Barnstaple, told the Gazette.

Added Mr Longdon 'The Vicar said you can quote me as being an old fuddy duddy if you like but you must leave it out'.

The actess concerned was Miss Jean Maudling, a 22 year old Northam bank clerk who lives at Westward Ho! and she became the first to appear topless on the North Devon stage when 'Exit the King' was shown at Beaford Centre.

She played the part of the concubine and during one scene she lowered her dress to the waist. 'It was right and suitable if done without offence' commented Mr Longden.

The Vicar of Northam, Rev Michael Lucas, told the Gazette: 'I have no control over what takes place on any other stage in the country but I have control over what takes place on the stage of Northam Church Hall, and while I am Vicar there is going to be no toplessness there'.

He said that he had telephoned the director who had been most considerate. 'I don't think I used the phrase fuddy duddy but I am perfectly prepared to accept all the kicks' he added. 'As far as the Church Hall is concerned I am the boss and I decided this was not happening, and the director was extremely cooperative about it'.

The sequence is also being left out when the production is staged at the Queens Hall at Barnstaple tomorrow night.

'It is my decision' explained Miss Maudling, who said that she had been embarrassed by the whole situation. 'It was meant to be taken as a simple gesture of innocence. It all started off as a joke and then they started getting serious about it. I didn't really want to do it but at Beaford I thought it would be all right, with a small friendly audience.

Miss Maudling also appeared in the Boutport Players' two previous productions, Duncan's 'The Catalyst' and Shaw's 'Heartbreak House'.

Gazette article dated 18 December 1970