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Bideford and North Devon Gazette
6th April 1951 Page 1

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Detailed Page Content Bideford & North Devon Gazette
AND DEVON & CORNWALL ADVERTISER
(ESTABLISHED 1853) WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WESTERN EXPRESS, TORRINGTON CHRONICLE & GAZETTE & WEEKLY NEWS
[Post Free : Quarterly, 3/3; Per Annum 13s.]
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1951
[Registered for Transmission as a Newspaper]
TWOPENCE
TORRIDGE CHAT

THE CENSUS
ON Sunday census forms will be completed in millions of homes in Britain. All information given in the census is strictly confidential.
The census takes account of the interests, needs and activities of the whole community. Not only are the population figures published for the country as a whole and for each subdivision down to parishes and wards ; they are analysed, in anonymous groups, according to their sex and age, their occupation, industry and place of work, their housing arrangements, their nationality, and a number of other characteristics. It is, nevertheless, natural that people should ask what good this composite picture will do them personally. The answer is that there is probably not a single citizen who does not benefit, sooner or later, from activities based on the census. Although at first glance the census form may appear formidable, it need not be so. A quiet study of the column headings and of the instructions and examples on the back should solve any difficulties, but if not the enumerator will be ready to advise on his call.

MANY USES
FIRST and most obvious use is that the national and local population figures provide a starting point for a host of essential calculations. Central and local government authorities must have accurate figures to enable them to carry on their work; guesswork on numbers is inevitably wasteful, and it would be the taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ money that was wasted. The census provides the simplest, most economical way of keeping these basic figures up to date. Then there is the compilation of vital statistics—birth, death and marriage rates, size of families, average age of the population, relations between ages and occupations, and many others. Among the many users of these arc those whose job it is to calculate insurance premiums. Similarly, in the national insurance and pension schemes it is essential that the best possible estimates should be made, for example, of the amount likely to be required for retirement pensions in the years ahead. Again, by using the census figures of the number of persons in each occupation in conjunction with the knowledge derived from registration of the causes of death, the relative death rates from various causes can be calculated, and a remedy sought. In this class of statistics this country has been a pioneer. In the hands of reformers like Shaftesbury, Chadwick and Farr, census figures combined with facts brought to light by registration of births and deaths were used with startling effect to bring about the improvement of sanitary conditions, and to remedy the evils of child labour and excessive hours worked by women. Comparative figures may also help us to maintain a sense of proportion in some fields where, aiming at perfection and impatiently aware that much remains to be done, wc tend to forget wfigt has been achieved over past decades.

ONE COUNCIL TO ANOTHER
AN interesting point regarding the selection of tenants for Council houses came to light at the recent meeting of Bideford Rural District Council. When a housing estate in the rural district is completed, applications arc invited for the tenancy of these houses and these are assessed on a “points " system. A selection is made by the Council and the names then forwarded to the appropriate Parish Council for their observations. When a single house on an estate becomes vacant, the Council settle the matter themselves without reference to Parish Councils, adopting the same procedure as above, and this was done when No. 3, Church Park, Alwington, became vacant. Alwington Parish Council, however, wrote that they were not satisfied about the letting of the house and asked the Council to reconsider the matter. The Parish Council expressed dissatisfaction at the amount of information given them concerning the letting of the house and stated that if a satisfactory reply was not received the matter would be pressed further.

“WOULD BECOME FARCICAL”
TPHE letting of Council houses is the prerogative of the Rural District Council, whose Clerk (Mr. C. T. Braddick) contended that the position would become farcical if the Council were expected to get in touch with the Parish Council each time one of their houses became vacant. This particular case had one rather unfortunate feature in that the successful tenant, who was next in succession on the points scheme, left his job in an industry ancillary to agriculture a short while after the Selection Committee’s decision. The difference between the Parish Council and the Rural District Council, therefore, seems to resolve itself into the issue of whether a person having once obtained a Council house and then leaving agriculture or some ancillary industry should be ejected in favour of another applicant engaged in those industries. Even if the Parish Council went to the lengths of reporting the matter to the Minister himself, it is very doubtful whether he has power or inclination to gainsay the decision of the Rural authority. Having agreed to abide by their decision, the Rural District Council directed the Clerk to write to the Parish Council explaining their attitude to the question.

MONDAY’S CONFERENCE
NEXT Monday has been fixed as the date of a conference to be held in London between representa-
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-tives of the National Playing Fields’ Association, Bidcford Town Council, the Football Association, and Bidc-ford Association Football Club, for the purpose of discussing matters relating to the proposal of the Association Football Club to purchase the new ground at King George’s Fields. Bidcford is no better than anywhere else when it comes to rumours and since it became known from the last Town Council meeting that a technical hitch had occurred in the proposed sale of the football ground it has been whispered that fences surrounding the new pitch were to be removed and that the public would have free access to it. -An official of Bideford Town Council has stated, however, there was no substance in the reports.

NORTHAM SUCCESS
FRIENDS will be pleased to hear that P.C. Cecil F. Gutsell, who is a member of the Metropolitan Police, serving in " A" Division, recently completed his final compulsory examination, gaining the distinction of first place in the Division with an aggregate of 94 per cent. Aged 22, he is the son of Lieut. W, Gutsell, R.N., and Mrs. Gutsell, of Inglenook, North Street, Northam, and joined the Metropolitan Police after his demobilisation from the Royal Marine Commandos eighteen months ago. An Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School he played for Bideford Rugby Club, and still plays rugby regularly with the Police XV.
UBIQUITUS

170 Invitations: 21 Respond
NORTHAM DISTRICT TRADERS
For the annual meeting of Northam and Westward Ho! Chamber of Commerce, held at the Working Men’s Club. Northam. on Monday evening, 170 invitations to attend were sent to traders in the district.
The attendance totalled 21, which was well above the average of recent meetings. Several new members were welcomed.
This is the silver jubilee vear of the Chamber.
In the course of hMreview of the past year, the retiring president (Mr. J. H. Yatman) said he wg» very pleased to see such a gathering and hoped it would be continued. During the yeat the attendance had been very bad.
Among other items he mentioned was that at the public meeting called by the Urban District Council to consider Festival of Britain suggestions, three members of the Chamber had attended and were, in fact, the only members of the public present. It had been decided, in view of this small attendance, that nothing could be done.
He thanked the officials for their help during the past year.
The financial report, presented by the hon. treasurer (Mr. W. A. Coleby) showed a balance of £8 17s. lid.
The following officers were elected : President, Mr. S. Harman; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. C. Twose and F. Elton ; secretary, Mr. R. Bradford; treasurer, Mr. W. A. Coleby ; Executive Committee, the officers with Messrs. A. E. Hutchings, J. H. Yatman and A. W. Reed ; Advertising Committee representatives, Messrs. J. H. Yaiman, R.O. Bridger and S. Harman ; representatives on the Community Centre Committee, Mr. R. Bradford.
Regret was expressed that Mr. A. Wilkinson was unablq to continue in office owing to pressure of other work. He was thanked for hi services to the Chamber, as were the other officers during the past year.
Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that until that evening Westward Ho! had supplied the secretary of the Chamber since its formation.
During the past year the paid-up membership of the Chamber was 34.
It was decided to form a hoteliers' sub-section of the Chamber and to consider at the next meeting the question of forming a taxi sub-section.
Commenting on advertising matters and the local guide. Mr. R. Q. Bridger said it had always been the wish of the Chamber to have a locally-produced guide and steps were being taken by the Advertising Committee towards this. They wanted to get on with it now so as to get the new guides in plenty of time for next year. It had always been their trouble under previous arrangements that they had been a season behind.

In Their New Robes and Hats
(Photo) S.J. Turner, Bideford
Members of Bideford town Council paraded Io morning service at St. Mary's Church, on Sunday, wearing the gowns and hats presented to the Corporation on the previous day. (See reports on pages 2 and 5).

NAMED NEXT MONTH IF ...
When Torrington Town Council on Monday were discussing the case of the only Council house tenant in arrears with his rent, Cllr. Miss I-. Lake said she thought the tenant's name should be exposed. One tenant had pointed out that other people might well think it was someone other than the real culprit.
Cllr. F. S. Kelly said any man who was 100 per cent, successful in business was just infallible and he thought the same applied to the Council and their Council houses.
The Council decided to allow the matter to rest for one month and agreed that if the tenant was still in arrears at the end of that time, the name should be divulged.

The annual meeting of Torrington Town Council will be held on May 24th. This was decided at the monthly meeting of the Council on Monday.
Application by a Council house tenant to be allowed to erect a pig sty in his garden was referred by Torrington Town Council, on Monday, Io the Housing Committee.

TOWN AND COUNTRYSIDE
To continue as Mayor of Torrington
CLLR. R. M. BOYER ACCEPTS UNANIMOUS INVITATION
Cllr. R. M. Boyer (Mayor of Torrington) accepted the unanimous invitation extended to him at the monthly meeting of Torrington Town Council on Monday to continue in office for a further term.
Cllr. F. W. Hodge, presenting the rt of the Mayoral Committee, said r. Boyer had served them during the past year with very great ability and he felt sure the decision to ask him to continue in office would meet with the approval of the burgesses.
The proposal was seconded by Aid. G. Yeo and carried unanimously.
Aid. E. A. Holwill said in Cllr. Boyer they had a man who had been tried out over the past twelve months and was now ready to take on a further term. In him they had a man who conducted the business side and the social side of the office with ability and dignity. U n f o r -tunately both the Mayor and the Mayoress had had a spell of ill-health during the year. All trusted that they would enjoy better health in the coming year.
Thanking the Council for the honour they had done him in asking him to continue in office, the Mayor said he had been pleased at the reception the news had had.
Adding his congratulations, Cllr. F. S. Kelly said he fell the people of the town would be just as pleased. They thought the Mayoress was one of the most popular the town had had.

INSTOW ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Presiding at the annual Parish meeting, held at tne Vestry Hall, Instow, on Saturday evening, the chairman, Mr. T. Ansley, gave a resume of the Parish Council's work during the past year and announced that the rates would reach the figure of 19s. Id. for the ensuing year.
At the Lighting Meeting, which preceded the general meeting, it was decided to ask the Electricity Board for greater efficiency in the street lighting. Complaint was made that many of the lamps had remained unlightcd during hours of darkness.
At the general meeting, the chairman welcomed the members of the public who attended, saying that it was gratifying to find the interest they displayed by their presence.
Among the matters considered was a complaint of the inconvenience suffered by persons waiting in the queues for 'buses at the Strand, Barnstaple, where, as at Bideford Quay, there was no shelter.
Il was decided Io arrange, by means of a small Sub-Committee, to provide a tea and sports on the sands for children on a date to be fixed later, during the period of the Festival of Britain.
It was also decided to re-decorale the Vestry Hall which is the joint property of the Church and Parish Council.
On a discussion as to exhibiting notices of the situation of the public conveniences, it was resolved that the Works Committee should be consulted before the erection of the notices so as to ensure adequate prominence without disturbing the amenities of residents.

PARKING
The Chairman staled that no progress had been possible towards the provision of a parking place for cars used by visitors to Instow Front. Negotiations were in progress with the County Council for the inspection of a selected site, and the Clerk was asked to pursue the matter further.
The question of imposing a toll on outside traders was raised by a member of the public who complained of the unfairness of seasonal invasion
by vendors occupying positions on the highway outside the premises of ratepaying shop-keepers. It was decided to obtain a ruling on the powers available.
In his review of the year's activities by the Council, the Chairman stated that the attendance of Councillors was 93 per cent. The appointment of Mr. C. H. England as Clerk, in succession to Mr. 1. G. Mann, whose departure they all regretted, had proved a most fortunate choice.

LIBRARY SUCCESS
The establishment of a branch of the County Library at the Rifle Hall had resulted in a membership of nearly two hundred and a vote of thanks was accorded to Miss Renton and her assistants who are giving their services as librarians.
Col. D. A. Bullock was thanked for his services in connection with the survey of footpaths, which he had carried out following the statutory requirements and which resulted in a decision to retain the existing footpaths with one or two exceptions.

SAND AND GRAVEL
The Chairman stated that thousands of tons of sand and gravel were still being taken away weekly and that as a consequence the beach near the Quay had greatly deteriorated, giving place to mud in place of sand.
A great advantage to traffic conditions had resulted from the improvements at Lyndale Cross, which was popularly known as Slee's Corner.
The collection of refuse throughout Instow had been retained as a Parish concern, in spite of offers to embody it in a District Council plan. The present conditions had proved eminently satisfactory.
The planting of marram grass on the dunes by the Military authorities was welcomed as ensuring preservation of the sand-hills.
With regard to housing, the chairman stated that there was a waiting list of about thirty. Plans, which would be laid before the Council, had been prepared for eight flats to be erected in Kiln Close Lane, popularly known as Cuckoo Lane.
The wet summer of last year had resulted in a considerable drop in receipts at the public conveniences, and this, together with cost of tidying the beach, accounted for a rise of 7d. in the Parish rate.

National Census—How to Complete the Form
The day for every householder lo complete the national census form is Sunday next, April 8th. Every person sleeping in the house on that night must be included.
The form will be collected on Monday, April 9th, so please have it ready, and make sure it is signed.
There is a lot of reading on the form but a summary of what has to be done boils down to entering the following in the proper columns :
(a) Christian names and surname ; (6) if only one person, enter head, but if more than one the relationship to the person filling the form; (r) simply enter "here” for all if usually resident at that address ; (d) male or female ; (r) age in years and months ; (/) if single, married or widowed; (g. It, k), particulars of marriage—this only refers to married women under 50, all above that age leave blank ; (/) town, parish and county where born ; (m) leave blank unless born
outside Great Britain ; (n and o). education, mostly covering children (read instruction 13 and 14); adults just give age under (o); (p) occupation give your exaft work (note instruction 22); (r, employer's name and his
business ; what his exact business is (instruction 23) ; (i) full address of your place of work.
Follow the above and there should be no difficulty in completing the form If you are in doubt about any point the enumerator will help.

Devonshire Members of Parliament had replied to the resolution passed by the Council protesting at continued bad radio reception, that they were doing everything possible to obtain an improved service, reported the Town Clerk (Mr. S. ). Parkes) to Monday’s meeting of Torrington Town Council.

Bideford and North Devon Gazette6th April 1951 Page 1

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Bideford and North Devon Gazette
6th April 1951 Page 1