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.

A rugged part of the Cornish coast, a seaman’s cosy cottage kept spick and span –

and the scene is set for ‘Haul for the shore’, a comedy in three acts by Jean McConnell, performed by the St Giles Players in Torrington County Secondary School.

Pat Drake, who played the part of the newly arrived vicar in the Cornish village, was an excellent choice for the part, competently expressing the gentle change from indignation to participation. When he arrives at the home of Richard Pengelly (Arthur Bell) he is shocked to hear villagers taking goods from ships that have run aground, and he refuses to sit on a chair that has been washed shore.

In addition to being the producer, John Shellabear took the part of Jem Burden, Richard Pengelly’s uncle. He has made most of its amusing possibilities. The same could be said of John Blaney as the artful old seaman Petrock Pook.

Polly Ipplepen (Bernice Curtice) and the village gossiper Sarah Trows (Olive Tanton) also gave excellent service to the dialogue.

A newcomer to the Players, 25 year old Mr Arthur Bell, a dairy worker, at late notice took over one of the leading parts, that of Richard Pengelly. Four other newcomers were in the cast: Tony Edwards, John Heard, Primrose Hembrow and Jacqueline Shellabear.

Two questions faced the Players in this year’s production. Firstly, where to find fishermen’s jerseys. “The Seamen’s Mission at Appledore came to our rescue after we had contacted them.”

Mr Shellabear revealed that a total of over £500 profit has been sent to various local organisations during the 10 years of the Players’ existence. Three local causes will benefit this year – Torrington Cottage Hospital, British Empire Cancer Campaign and Torrington Secondary School swimming pool.

Olive Tanton, John Shellabear, Arthur Bell, Bernice Curtice, Pat Drake, John Blaney, John Hicks, Marion Davey, Joan Medley-Smith, Tony Edwards, John Heard, Jacqueline Shellabear, Primrose Hembrow, stage manager – Ronald Davey’ stage assistants – Nancy Weeks, Kay Jackson, Norah Prest, June Vincent, John Heard, George Nock and Eve Powell.

The full Gazette article dated 24 March 1961

Appledore Carnival Ruling

Carnival Queen and attendants chosen

Appledore’s Carnival Queen, surrounded by her charming attendants…. with a smiling male ‘entangled’ is the background! Front row: Miss Berice Tucker, Mrs Jessie Ford, and Miss Esther Saunders; Mrs Julia Heal and Mrs Iris Glover.

From the 23 entrants at the choosing of Appledore Carnival Queen and attendants at a dance at the Appledore Hall on Friday three of the five finally selected were married women.

It had been announced that competitors must be resident in Appledore and a Bideford girl who won her way through to the last six then found herself disqualified because she did not so reside. She was Miss Margaret Cawsey who lives at Clifton Street, Bideford.

From the remaining five girls the judges selected Appledore’s Carnival Queen for 1956 and her four attendants, but a few minutes later Mr W Pitcher, Chairman of the Carnival Committee, announced that it had been brought to his notice that one of the attendants chosen was residing in Bideford. ‘But she is Appledore born and bred and therefore the judges have decided to keep her in,’ he said, adding ‘Do not thing we are making flesh of one and fowl of another.’

Mrs Iris Glover, a 21 year old mother, lives at 7 Myrtle Grove, Bideford.

Chosen as carnival queen to preside over the town’s carnival procession on Saturda, July 28th, was a 21 year old housewife, Mrs Jessie Ford, a Scottish girl who ten months ago married an Appledore man, Mr George Ford, of 3 Victoria Crescent, Appledore. It was the first time Mrs Ford had entered for such an event.

Her attendants will be: Miss Esther Saunders, a 16 year old wages clerk, of One End Street, who was carnival queen last year; Miss Berice Tucker, a 16 year old secretary, of 66 Irsha Street; Mrs Iris Glover; and Mrs Julia Heal, a 20 year old housewife, of 28 New Street.

The queen was crowned by the President of the Appledore Carnival Committee, Mr W J V Lamey.

Two holidaymakers – Miss P Arrow, of Brighton, and Miss M Buckley, of Orpington (Kent) – acted as judges.

Article dated July 1956

Pancakes At The Ready!

Competitors on their marks for the start of the women’s pancake race at the Westcountry Inn, Hartland

Running under self-bestowed Harriers titles, they are C Higgins, N Stowell, B Reader, J Madge, M Kemsley, L Pengelly, B Nichols, J Martin, A Moat, C Troman.

First home was Mrs Nancy Stowell, of Hartland, who received a non-stick pan as her prize. Second equal were Mrs A Moat and Mrs B Reader.