January 1922

Since January 1st 1921, the total rain fall (recorded at Kew Observatory) was 12.2 ins. against an average of nearly 24ins. In London and many other districts 1921 was by far the driest year for at least a century. A Milan telegram states that one has to go back 300 years to find another drought in the valley of the Po similar to the present one. In 1806, too, there was a great drought.

A stranded whale attracts many sightseers at Westward Ho! The carcase has been identified as a that of a common fin-back or Roqual whale, apparently dead some time. It has been computed that boiling down the blubber, flesh and bones might yield about 40 barrels of oil. Later that month at a Northam Council meeting, Mr W J Pursey said the carcase had become a danger to the public and strong representations ought to be made to the Minister of Health. It was in close vicinity to inhabited houses and could be smelt in the public road 400 or 500 years away. Mr A Galsworthy said tenders had been invited to be sent to Custom House for the whale’s removal. Dr Francis (Medical Officer of Health) said he had been to the Customs Officer and given him a certificate of urgency but had been advised that the tenders were very high and it could not be guaranteed that one of them would be accepted. Dr Francis had heard that people had been tasting the whale. Mr P K Harris said it would not cost half the sum to remove the whale now than it would have at the time the tenders were invited, when it was at Rocks Nose. Mr J B Penhorwood said there were men out of work who would tackle the job but who would not tender because they would have to wait three months for their money. The Customs Officer later received authority from the Board of Trade to make arrangements for the whale’s destruction, and a poem, The Tail of the Wail, was published.

The Bideford and District Electric Supply Company Ltd regards its installation as excellent, and financially it has done very well.

You can see a demonstration of and buy the new Kildark Lamp, an incandescent petrol gas lamp, from Arthur W Bennett, Market Place, Bideford.

Vincent H Hogg, a Rexall druggist at 85 High Street, Bideford, is selling a large stock of vacuum flasks. You can also buy wine-size bottles of quinine wines.

For sale – the surplus furniture of Smytham, Little Torrington. Properties for sale include no. 1 Albert Place, nos. 1-3 Milton Place, Cornish House (Bull Hill), no. 50a Honestone Street, and North Cot in Chingswell Street, Scotland House at no. 1 Market Place (tenant Mr A W Bennett), no. 1 Buttgarden Street (tenant Mrs Alice Rendle), 11 Silver Street (tenant Mr John Tilke), and 12 Silver Street (tenant Miss H A Martin). Later in the month, the purchasers were published.

Also for sale in Bideford is 9½ acres of land and buildings used as a HM Wood Distillation Factory. More information on this factory can be found HERE

The Royal Hotel encourages the public to book the use of its bathrooms.

Mr Rex G Mundy, one of the best known motor cycle and motor car competition drivers, piloted a 17-24 h.p. Dodge Brothers’ five-seater touring car down and up the steep High-street of Clovelly with fourteen up. Mrs K Shepherd and Mrs Smale were photographed in it. Bucks Mills was also visited.

Later in the month, Samuel Pethybridge was charged with leaving a motor car unattended near the Post Office. The case was dismissed on payment of the court costs.

Captain Edmund Cole, of Appledore, in his ketch Corey Lass (Gorey Lass), was rescued by the Clovelly lifeboat when he got into difficulties in a gale. The crew of three was lodged at the Red Lion Hotel. The crew of the schooner, Sannox, which included W P Davis of Chingswell Street, Bideford, and Chas. Batten of Littleham, are lucky to have escaped with their lives.

A very successful concert in aid of the Clovelly Football Club was provided by Mr A Green’s concert party in the Schoolroom. The room had been very nicely decorated with flags by Mr J Sommerville and Mr Searle, Chief Officer, Coastguard. There was a very crowded and appreciative audience, every item being well received and encored. After the concert the room was cleared for dancing. At the close the Rev E L V Simkin, who is the President, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Green and his merry party. The piano and chairs were very kindly lent by Mrs Hamlyn, Clovelly Court.

Farming news - Devon Agricultural Conciliation Committee failed to agree on a reduction of wages for the New Year. The temporary figure on the recent cessation of the Wages Board was 38s per week. The employers’ side finally proposed 34s until March 1st, but the workers asked 36s on condition of registration. As the deadlock means free bargaining between masters and men, the employers’ section recommend farmers to pay not less than 34s but the workers’ are advised by their leaders to ask for 38s. Under the Corn Production (Repeal) Act, 1921, the Government set aside £15,000,000 as compensation to disappointed farmers, and £10,000,000 of this sum will be rustling in the pockets of thousands of agriculturists. Devon Farmers’ Union advocates that the expense of hedge trimming should be borne by the County Council, but it being a legal obligation on farmers to keep hedges trimmed it was impossible to accede to the request.

Rev Hugh C A S Muller, MA. was instituted as Vicar of Appledore by the Bishop of Exeter – he was curate some 17 years ago, and was invited back by the parishioners through their Church Council. The church was crowded to the doors at the institution and induction services. Rev Muller was born at Beaucliffe House in Newquay, where his father transformed the Cornwall mineral line into a passenger line. Mr Muller went to Emmanuel College in 1900 taking his BA and MA degrees, and was ordained by Bishop H Ryle. As a curate at Appledore, his friendship with the sailors was cemented during the many hours spent on stormy nights in the Watch House and his Bible Class of nearly 100 young men was perhaps unique. During the war he served in HMS London, HMS Bulwark and HMS Formidable. Later in the month, the newly instituted Vicar presided over the Sunday School children’s Christmas Tree and Tea with the arrangements made and carried out by Mr S V Ford.

Mr John Littlejohns and his wife Eliza, of Cross Street, Northam, celebrated the completion of 60 years of married life. Both are hale and strong. Mr Littlejohns is 82 years of age and his wife 80. They have eleven children, 17 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Mr F G Cock presided over the monthly meeting of Northam Urban District Council with other members – Messrs J N Tuplin, J B Penhorwood, A W Heard, G W Vincent, P K Harris, C Smith, W J Pursey, J J Braddick, F Wilkey and A Galsworthy. Condolences were given to Mr W Quance, one of the Appledore members, in the death of his wife. The General Purposes Committee recommended that Chanter’s Lane be patched up which was in a most deplorable state.

At Parkham, a skittle match between ex-Service men and civilians took place, with Mr Folland’s prizes won by C James, C Harding, F Ley, and H Dack. A successful whist drive and dance was held in the Council Schoolroom in aid of the Parkham and Alwington Nursing Funds.

Members of the Hartland Men’s Club gave a social evening and each invited a friend, with about 70 attending. Dancing was interspersed with songs and recitations by Misses L and F Colwill, O Galsworthy, G Millman, and W Pyne, Messrs W H Cann, E Colwill, F Dayman and Elliman. The MCs were Rev D R J Mack and Mr W H Cann. A successful whist drive and dance, organised by Mrs W J Pillman and Mr W H Cann, in aid of the St Dunstan’s Home for Blinded Sailors and Soldiers, was held in the Palladium. Messrs J A Harris and W J Pillman took over £12 entrance money. The funeral of Mrs Anna Maria Mays, widow of Mr J Mays, of Elmscott, Hartland took place. Major Ballard is acting as locum for the Hartland doctor; Nurse Best has been presented with a token of appreciation; and the United Methodist Children's Prize day was held with tea and a public service.

Thanks to the pluck and energy of Capt Dark Lundy Islanders had their Christmas mail. On Boxing Day, Miss Sage invited all the Islanders to dinner that evening and a sumptuous repast was provided. Mr Mungavin made a short speech and concluded with a toast to Miss Sage. Quite a gloom was cast amongst the inhabitants of the island when it became known that Mrs Emma Brain, wife of Mr H Brain, Coastguard, had passed away.

The Bucks Mills children attending the Day School were given their annual Christmas Tea and Treat by Mrs Elwes, of Walland Cary. Under the tuition of Miss Kelly a varied programme of concert songs and plays were performed.

Performers and the audience thoroughly enjoyed a Variety Concert given at the Station Hall Parish Room in Westward Ho! Taking part were Miss Erskine-Scott, Misses Dorothy Luard, Molesworth, Cicely Smith, Marples, C Douglas Lane, Mr Molesworth, the boys of Miss Ellis’s Guild, the girls Guild, the Northam Girls’ Club, Miss Cockerell, Messrs Stapledon, Pearson, Mr Hugh Bennett, Mrs Mundy and Dr Gibbs.

The Woolsery United Methodists held their Missionary services with Mr W A Tremeer and Rev P D Beckwith preaching. Pastor E Hill presided over the evening meeting with Rev J L Orchard giving the report. Collection boxes and subscriptions came from Dorothy Prouse, Evelyn Dunn, Emily Beer, Kathleen Perkins, Willie Harris, Mr W Elliott, J C and M Burrow, Mr Elliott, and Friend.

North Devon Railway – Col H F Stephen, the engineer of the North Devon and Cornwall Junction Railway said that he expects to make a commencement with actual construction work early in the spring.

Torrington Rural Council considered the question of the assistance of the Halwill-Torrington Railway by the provision of £12,000. The attendees included Col F H Stephens, Mr Balsdon, Alderman A J Reavell, Mr A N Oliver, and Mr J T Richards. Col Stephens outlined the scheme, and on a vote, the resolution to provide the money was carried by 15 votes to 5.

Bideford waterworks labourers cease work owing to wages cut. Unemployment benefit amounting to £16,521 was paid in 1921, and the industrial outlook for the staple industries in Bideford is very unsettled and indefinite.

 January 1972

Mystery bangs disturb two households in Durrant Lane, Northam. Mr Morice Shore, who lives at Treeside, wrote to the South-Western Gas Board and said, that although the household is not on gas, he is convinced that the explosions are connected with the recent conversion of the district to natural gas. He said ‘They almost invariably occur during the hours of darkness, and it is not uncommon to hear three between 6 and 11pm. I have spoken to a neighbour who also confirms hearing the explosions.’ Mr Reg Saunders, of Lyndhurst, confirmed ‘they are explosions, just like miniature bombs going off.’

The Men’s Forum at Northam had its inaugural meeting. The president is Rev Maurice Hart and the secretary, Mr John Williams. Other members elected were Messrs Joseph Barker, A Ager, A S Budd, A W Reed, G Sellick and T Stevenson.

Glad to see the back of 1971 is Mr Clifford Coleman, Devon’s Industrial Development Officer. ‘We have been through the blackest period in the past few months that we have seen in the past six years. Let us forget 1971, which has not been a good year for industry; let us look forward to 1972, which I hope is going to be good.’

The Council’s plan to modernise 100 pre-war houses in Bideford at an estimated cost of around £200,000 has hit snags. The Assistant Surveyor said it was doubtful whether it would be possible to complete all the work by June 23rd 1973, and so qualify for the increased Government grant. Also, the proposed improvements would involve considerable disturbance of tenants, and while it seemed that large contractors had been able to carry out such works while the tenants remained in the houses, the only firm he had so far approached had not been willing to undertake it unless the tenants left. A large local firm had said that would be interested in quoting for the work but, owing to other commitments, they were not willing to do so on the basis of competitive tender.

Dating back to 1605 from a bequest made by a wealthy local merchant named John Andrew, 40 New Year loaves were distributed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Mr and Mrs Pat Hughes, at the Town Hall. The oldest recipient was Mr Tom Johns, of Barton Tors. For the charity, John Andrew bequeathed the income from a plot of land. Over the centuries details of the exact location of this land have become lost but the Town Council, assuming that it might have passed into their possession, make money available towards the bread. In addition the Mayor’s Benevolent Fund helps, adding gifts of half a pound of butter.

Mr Reg Strong of Churchill Road, Bideford, receives the Devon Ambulance Service’s trophy for the champion full-time ambulance driver of Devon. Mr Strong won the award for the second successive year. Presenting the trophy is Mr George Staddon, and also in the picture is Mr Nigel Davey, of Meadow Park, Bideford. Both he and Mr Strong received safe driving diplomas for 1971.

Lundy’s Church anniversary stamps:

A 75 year old Hartland resident, Mr Arthur Hirst, of 59 The Terrace, is engaged on rebuilding a former Bomber Command receiver. He was one of the first people in Britian to hold a wireless transmitting and receiving licence. In between rebuilding the radio received, Mr Hirst is trying his hand at making homemade wine from his own grapes.

Free parking is to continue on council-owned car parks in Torrington, and all householders in Well Street are being asked for their cooperation as far as parking in the street is concerned because unless some improvement is forthcoming, it may be necessary to consider other measures to control vehicle parking. 

Mr Samuel Joseph Parkes was appointed M.B.E in the New Year honours. He worked for Clinton Devon Estates and the Town and Rural Councils.

Now in its final stages is the conversion of what used to be Instow railway station into a new headquarters for the North Devon Yacht Club. More information on the Yacht Club can be found HERE

Melhuish trustees appointed and solicitors are now in a position to negotiate for the sale of land or property which is the subject of the Melhuish title. More information on the Melhuish Estate can be found HERE

Since discovering her son Terry’s talent for old-time music hall about four years ago, Mrs Jean Cockell has been striving to get him launched into what she is sure will be a successful career on the stage. Already Terry has passed an audition for the TV programme, Opportunity Knocks, and he won a talent contest at Southend. In the meantime Terry has been appearing in the Westward Ho! Follies summer shows and pantomimes.

Three of the cast of the forthcoming Westward Ho! Follies’ pantomime ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ hard at work on the costumes – Jean Cockell, Jacqueline Wilkey and Judy Sherborne.

No more planning applications should be granted for bingo at Westward Ho! Northam Urban Council are to tell Devon County Council.

After winning their opening two games of the North Devon League following promotion from Division II, Northam Lions have picked up only one point from five games. The picture shows – D Batten, F Bowers, J Hocking, J Healey, R Smart, K New, M Platt, R Williams, K Rogers, A Fisher, A Blight, S Walters.

Action stations as Bowden Green threaten Bideford Youth Club goalmouth, but the telling action was in their opponents’ goalmouth, the Youth Club beating Bowden Green, the Division III leaders, 5-0.

One of Bideford’s newest teams, the Windjammers, are currently doing well in the Bideford and District Darts League. The side was formed at the beginning of the season and play at the town’s most recently opened public house, the Barton at East-the-Water. In the picture are John Shute, Dave Woolf, Fred Trott, Alan Lacey, Alan Hewitt, Peter Skinner and Ronnie Pither.

This 26lb cod was caught by shipwright Derek Kitto, of Abbotsham. He was fishing from the shore at Old Wells when the huge fish picked up his peeler crab bait.

An interest free loan of £2,000, repayable at £200 a year, is to be made by Northam Urban Council to Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Cricket Club towards the cost of a new pavilion. It is hoped that the building will be available in the coming season. The cricket field, it was pointed out, belongs to the Council.

Did you go to Bideford Zoo for a jazz night?

Mr David Gibby, a former pupil at Bideford Grammar School has been appointed to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Technical Centre at The Hague. His father, Rev T R Gibby used to be curate at Bideford, Rector of Langtree and Vicar of Bradworthy. 

January 1997

A group of young people from North Devon are planning a spring trip to Romania to carry out voluntary work in a centre for disabled and deprived children – Little John’s House at Cisnadiora, near Sibiu. As part of their team challenge, Sean Alger of Clovelly, Chris Saunders of Buckland Brewer and Mark Burnett of Woolsery are doing the groundwork for the trip under the guidance of Prince’s Trust team leader Keith Thompson of Little Torrington and assistant Sandy Allan of Buckland Brewer.

Bonfire benefits totalling more than £26,000 have been handed out to local charities by the Torrington Cavaliers. Forty-six good causes have shared in the bonanza – the proceeds of the group’s Civil War bonfire commemoration last summer. Heading the list was the specially nominated North Devon Cancer Care Trust, its founder Jennifer Bonetta picking up a cheque for £13,072. The money will be used to extend the chemotherapy facilities at the North Devon District Hospital, including setting up a pharmacy in memory of former Cavaliers’ president and bonfire supremo Larry Alexander, who died last year. There was also a presentation of a specially made harvest jug by Harry Juniper. And there was a framed portrait for Cavalier Michael Palmer, who missed only one weekend during the 18-month building of the Cavaliers spectacular bonfire.

Appledore’s own ‘Lifeboat Lyn’ has retired from active service at the age of 77. Lifeboatmen and their families gathered to bid a fond farewell to Lyn Brady, who has given them 21 years of unfailing voluntary help. Throughout that time Lyn has travelled on a two-bus journey from her home in Bideford to man the Appledore lifeboat house five days a week, plus any weekend special occasions. At a presentation ceremony at the Beaver Inn, association chairman Joe Ball handed Lyn a video recorder from the station. There were other gifts from RNLI headquarters, engineers and coast staff.

The doors closed at Christmas on one of North Devon’s oldest businesses. At the age of 70 Derek Johns has hung up his apron at the saddlers and harness makers shop and workrooms set up in Buttgarden Street, Bideford.

Matthew Allin is already in full swing for the cricket season and, as a promising player, he packed his bags and jetted off to South Africa. He has played for Devon Under 16s and Under 17s, and is coached by Peter Robinson and Rob Turner, and is being sponsored on his trip by Island Crickit of Witheridge. Matthew, of Walland Farm, Bucks Cross, is the son of Tony and Beverly Allin. 

Cash by the bucketful poured into the hands of Bideford CLIC charity treasurer Brian Taylor thanks to a spur of the moment initiative at the Pollyfield Centre Social Club. While enjoying a Boxing Day drink there, former hairdresser Tara Horrell picked up her scissors and razor again to shave a succession of willing heads in an impromptu sponsored event. 'Someone recalled that I had shaved heads before for charity and asked if I could shave theirs' said Tara. 'I ended up doing 16 or 17 volunteers and they went round with the bucket collecting for CLIC - the Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood Trust. As a result of the festive effort Brian was called to the Pollyfield Centre this week to officially collect the proceeds in cash, estimated to be well over £200. The picture shows Tara handing over the money to Brian at a ceremony in the social club bar. 

Durrant House Hotel is advertising its Valentine Night with the Johnny Morgan Roadshow - tickets are £2.50.