Farming

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.

Hartland man's steer first on hoof and hook

Hartland farmer Mr. F.E. Pickard, of Beckland, was the only exhibitor at Bideford Christmas livestock and carcase shows this week whose entry gained first prize on both the hoof and the hook.

He won first class awards in the class of steers with three or four teeth at the livestock show on Monday and at the carcase show at Bideford Abattoir on Wednesday.

The champion beast on the hoof, entered by Mr. W. J. Johns, of Bulworthy, Alverdiscott, was third when judged on the hook in its class of steers with one or two teeth.

First-prizewinner in this class on the hoof also gained the perpetual challenge cup for the best beef entry in the carcase show, for Mr. A.J. May, of Eastleigh Barton, Bideford. Reserve was owned by Messrs. G. T. Cork and Sons, of Winscott Barton, Winswell, Torrington.

Winner of a rose bowl for the best entry in the sheep carcase classes was Mr. A.J. Knapman, of Drascombe Barton, Drewsteignton, Exeter, and Mr A. F. Webb, of East Ash, Bradworthy, gained the challenge cup for the best pig carcase.

Carcase show entries were 86 sheep, 48 pigs and 43 cattle.

Percentage deadweights of the champion entries were: beast, 59.4; lamb, 50; and pig, 76.

Gazette article 19 December 1958

Shebbear YFC Successes

Shebbear Young Farmers’ Club has had an exceptionally successful season,

as the array of trophies in the photograph illustrates

One of their members, Miss Sylvia Davey, won the Martin Cup as the champion YFC member of Devon, also the club prize for the girl member gaining most points.

Miss Peggy Tidball won the cup given by the Danish Young Farmers. Robery Ley won the cup for the boy member gaining most points. The club also holds the Lister Cup won at the Devon rally and the Torridge Group and junior trophies.

Members of the winning teams are in the photograph and include, in addition to those already mentioned, Mrs Mary Nicholls, Messrs. Colin Nicholls, Alan Andrew, Philip Reed, Geoffrey Folland and David Piper.

Club secretary is Miss M Davey.

Gazette article dated 12 February 1965

School Milk Tablets Arrive

Comments at Torrington NFU meeting

He welcomed the chance to express his horror that such a thing could happen in this country, said Mr L G F Horrell, chairman of the Executive Committee of Devon Agricultural Milk Committee, when it was announced at a meeting of Torrington NFU at Beaford last week that a consignment of milk tablets had arrived at Dolton School.

Liquid milk consumption by the general public was too low already. By getting yougsters into the habit of taking liquid milk they were encouraging them to continue it in adult life.

Mr J Lake said in Beaford Parish there was a man who was prepared to supply milk to schools yet the Education Committee obtained it from Bideford.

Devon County Council had to be realistic, argued Mr Horrell. To put milk in third-of-a-pint bottles, supply straws, and deliver to schools at an ordinary price was not an easy contract for anyone to agree to.

Mr E J Baker, assistant county secretary, Devon Farmers’ Union, agreed that it was not economic to expect a farmer to take a few bottles here and there and in their anxiety to cut down costs the County Council had landed themselves in their present position.

‘The next thing we shall get will be beef steak pills or cabbage pills’ added Mr Baker.

Mr E W Turner, the chairman; ‘It may be working towards the idea of getting a dinner out of your waistcoat pocket’.

The discussion was part of a question night, at which a panel, comprising Mr Horrell, Mr Baker, Mr C W Lewis and Mr A M Martin, answered a number of queries.

The full Gazette article is dated 7 April 1955