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Bideford and North Devon Gazette
6th April 1951 Page 2

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THE BIDEFORD AND NORTH DEVON WEEKLY GAZETTE, APRIL 6, 1951

TRAFFIC, PARKING AND TIDYING UP
Jury’s suggestions at Bideford Manor Court
PRESENTATIONS concerning road traffic and car parking, tidying up (he river bank and ft* shrubs near (he School of AM snd Crafts and the drainage of TorXngton Lane were made by the Manor Court Jury at Bideford's traditional ceremony on Saturday.
The proceedings, which immediately followed the special Council meeting, were largely attended. The Mayor, who resided, was accompanied on the dais y a number of distinguished visitors. He and other members entered wearing their new robes for the first time.
A jury was empanelled consisting of Messrs. P. J. V. Fulford, F. Sanguine. R. B. Blackmorc, C. J- Smith (who was elected foreman), J. H. Bale, F. W. Beer, Edwin McTaggart Short, W. H. Luxton, W. Mathews. R. J. Backway, J. E. Down and S. Way.
Before they retired to consider their presentments the Town Clerk and Steward of the Manor (Mr. F. C. Back-way) reported on action on the presentments from last year's court.

ARISING FROM LAST YEAR
The Kingsley statue had been cleaned as requested but it had not been found possible to replace the surround, he said. The iron fence was removed during the war for metal salvage. The centenary wreath had been located but action to replace it had been deferred pending the surrounding site being dealt with.
Last year's Court had been held after the annual estimates of the Town Council and as no provision to deal with the ground beyond ihe Art School had been included no expenditure was possible. This year's annual estimates included a sum for this purpose and instructions had been given for the necessary action.
Regarding the maintenance of roads and paths, it was reported that the usual steps for maintenance within the approved figures of estimated expenditure during the year for the various classes of highway had been taken.
"Keep left” notices, as requested, had been erected but a fresh standard type sign was being substituted. Car parking facilities had been the subject of much consideration and consultation during the year and recommendations were coming before the Council.
Barnstaple Street was a trunk road and any traffic lights at the east end of the bridge (as had been advocated) must be approved by the Ministry of Transport and Devon County Council. Neither of these authorities was prepared to sanction the necessary expenditure. Various experiments with “ stop lines" etc., had been made during the year and it was claimed there was some degree of success.
" You see, the jury's presentments are not pigeon-holed: as far as possible the recommendations have been carried out." commented the Mayor.
While Ihe jury were out considering their presentments an address was given by Mr. A. McTaggart Short.

GREAT HERITAGE
Referring to the trinity of the Mayor and Corporation, the burgesses and the children present at the ceremony, he had a special word for the children in whom he has always been keenly interested. There were certain things that made boys and girls pretty well the same the world over, he said. Those at the ceremony that morning were privileged to share in something which was part of a great heritage of our nation and which was very worthwhile keeping. There was much more in it than just those long and unusual words they had heard spoken.
These were changing times but there were certain things and ideals which did not change. In the children's hands was not only the greatness of Bidcford but of our nation and its will to survive. Let them be glad and proud of what people in the past had done for them and go forward determined to play their own parts worthily.
In humorous mood, pointing to the assembled gowned aldermen and councillors, he said " We were all pretty curious to see how they looked."
He had been waiting for someone to say. " 'Cor, look at ’ec"—or perhaps even, " 'Cor, look at ’er.” He thought they looked very well. Members of the Council gave (heir time, care, attention and money " if you have it," for the benefit of other people. They might sometimes be criticised but it only-made them all the more keen to fight for the things they thought were right and true. He knew they were dignified in all their work but had felt that the robes and hats would help to add to their public dignity.

PRESENTMENTS
On their return the jury made the following recommendations and observations :
People's warden at St. Mary's—Mr. F. C. Buckway.
Tythingman—Mr. S. Braund.
Waywardens—Mr. Rd. Cook and Mr. Wm. Dennis.
The jury thanked the Town Council for the attention given to last year’s presentments. The portion of land round the Art School had been an eyesore for years and it was hoped work on it would be pushed forward and that those untidy shrubs would be removed and something decent put there. " I need not emphasise the nuisance that this has been," added Mr. Smith.
The jury thought (hat the front of (he river bank from the statue to the " Donkey” house should be cleaned up.
The jury were concerned at the traffic congestion in the town and asked the Lords of the Manor to do anything in their power to remedy it.
It was suggested that the Borough weigh-bridge was in an unsatisfactory position and the jury thought it would be a good thing if it could be moved so as to be nearer the shipping on the Quay.

STREET LABELS
Strangers coming into the town did not always know the streets they were in and the jury suggested streets should be labelled in a much more visible way than they were at present.
Pedestrian crossings were suggested on the Quay near the 'bus office and at the bottom of High Street.
Complaint had been made to the jury about the state of Torrington Lane (Pottery Hill). A member of the jury had stated that the drains there had been laid many years ago and could not cope with present requirements, especially after a storm. It had been reported that man-holes had lifted and very objectional effluvia found on the road.
The jury thanked Mr. F. R. Gray for his services as Borough Surveyor and wished him a happy retirement.
The Mayor announced that the Lords of the Manor confirmed the appointments recommended and would consider the other presentments in due course.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF ROTARY
TRIBUTES AT BIDEFORD CLUB’S ANNUAL DINNER
The value of a Rotary Club lay in the help, support and inspiration which it gave the community towards civic consciousness. The fact that Bidcford held its Rotary Club in such high esteem was sufficient proof that the Club's work was well worthwhile, declared Rotarian F. N. Beckhart, vice-chairman of District No. 17, when proposing the toast of the Club at Bideford Rotary Club's annual dinner and dance at the Royal Hotel, Bideford, on Wednesday, March 28th.
Presiding over the gathering was the President of the Club (Mr. L. Braddick) and me guests of honour were the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford (Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Short). Clubs from all over the county were represented among the guests.
From time to time he had been closely associated with facets of the work of the brotherhood of Rotary said the Mayor of Bidcford when proposing the toast of 'Rotary International " and he had a very deep appreciation of that work.
If they could be true to (he higher principles of Rotary, displaying all that was high and noble, right, just and proper then they had no need to be ashamed and would have set an example before the face of all men.
The motto of Rotary was " Service before self," and His Worship looked forward to the time when Rotary became a more fully developed organisation, so spreading a sense of right and righteousness and brotherhood between man and man in fulfilment of their founder's great ideal.

350,000 MEMBERS
The toast was responded to by Rotarian S. P. Moulton, Rotary International Representative, District No. 17. The 350,000 members of Rotary varied from white through every shade of colour, of different creed and in political opinion, so one might be tempted to wonder what they had in common, he said.
They expected a Rotarian to be a friendly man, to believe in friendship, to be beyond reproach in the conduct of his business or profession, to give of his time in service to the community, and lastly they expected him to be peac-ably minded and, while not being a pacifist, to try to spread that spirit.
The Bideford Club was 26 years old, a very good age for a Rotary Club, said Rolarian I. N. Beckhart. proposing the toast of " Rotary Club of Bide-ford.” During that time the Club had produced many notable men, and members should be proud of the fact that those men had gone to very great heights and were still soaring in the Rotary world. Il was an indication of the sincerity and enthusiasm ol a club when members were moved to go to those lengths which entailed an immense amount of work and took up an enormous amount of time.
Responding, the President paid tn-bute to the Club's " very loyal band of helpers." and extended a particular welcome to his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Braddick.
The President went on to explain how-from small beginings when a man named Harris had invited three friends to lunch and it had been decided to lunch together at a different restaurant or house each week, the Rotary movement had grown until to-day there were over 7,000 clubs spread all over the world.
Rotarian H. Blackmore. vice-president of Bickford Rotary Club, extended a cordial welcome to the visitors and proposed the toast in their honour, which was acknowledged by Rolarian B. M. Luxmore, President of Ilfracombe Rotary Club.
During the evening the loyal toast and the toast of " Rotarians the World over," were observed.
The toastmaster was Rotarian C. J. Martin.

In addition to those mentioned in last week's report of the funeral of Mrs. J. E. Potter, of 48, Lime Grove, Bideford, a wreath was received from Charlie, Phyl, Bert and the boys.
Little Torrington: A whist drive was held in aid of the Victory Hall. Mr. Harold Copp was M.C., assisted by Mr. Cornish. Mrs. Harold Copp, special (live pig) for highest score in the room ; Mrs. L. Keen (Bideford). Mrs. Darch, Mrs. Heaman, Mrs. James, Messrs. Rocky, J. Blackmore, W. A Webber and Down (Bideford), Miss M. Hookway, Mr. L. Tratham, Mrs. Bale and Mr. A. W. Gent. Competition prizes were won by Mr. Squire, J. Eastman, Mrs. Waldron and Mr. B. Glover.

MR. W. BERRY AND MISS D. LOGG
The wedding took place at the beautifully-decorated St. Mary's Church. Applcdore. on Wednesday. March 28th, of Mr. William Berry, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Berry, of 12. Tower Street. Norlham, to Miss Daphne Logg, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Logg, of 8, Myrtle Street, Applcdore.
The Vicar of Applcdore (Rev. H. C. A. S. Muller) officiated at the ceremony, which was attended by the choir boys. Mrs. Helen Muller presided at the organ and played suitable wedding music. The hymns sung were " Lead us. Heavenly Father," " Thine for ever " and " The voice that breathed o'er Eden." " The Lord is my Shepherd ” was sung as a solo by Master Tony Red-clift, a cousin of the bride.
Given away by her father. Ihe bride wore a full-length dress of white figured taffeta with a flowing veil held in place by white roses. Her bouquet consisted...
(Photo) (J. A. Insley, Bideford)
...of white carnations, freesia and maidenhair fern.
There were two bridesmaids—Miss M. Hosegood. cousin of the bridegroom and Miss B. Logg. sister of the bride. They wore blue nylon dresses with headdresses to match and carried posies of pink carnations and narcissi.
Duties of best man were carried out by Mr. Fred Berry, cousin of the bridegroom.
The bride's mother wore a blue check costume with accessories to match and the bridegroom's mother a blue two-piece suit with grey accessories
On leaving the Church the bride was presented by her sister, with a silver horse-shoe as a symbol of future happiness.
A reception was held at the Applcdorc Hall at which a number of congratulatory messages were read. The toast to the bride and bridegroom was proposed by the Rev. H. C. A. S. Muller in his inimitable way. Mrs. P. Laincy. a friend of the bride's family, made and decorated the wedding cake which was much admired.
Mr. and Mrs. Berry chose Wembley for their honeymoon, the bride travelling in a brown check two-piece suit with brown accessories.
The bride's dress was made by her mother and those of the bridesmaids by Mrs. Redclift, aunt of the bride.

BUCKLAND BREWER W.I.
The monthly meeting of Buckland Brewer Women's Institute was presided over by Mrs. Woolcolt and a cookery demonstration of seasonable dishes was given by Miss Card of the Devon County Education Committee.
The competition wjs for something baked containing Scolts poragc oats or piper oatmeal as one of the ingredients. There was a large number of entries. Prizewinners were : Mrs. T. Cock and Mrs. R. Cleverdon. The first prize was given by Messrs. A. and R. Scott Ltd.
Hostesses were Mrs. Fcrritt and Mrs. F. Andrew.
On March 29th twenty members went to Littleham for the annual group meeting.
Generous Gifts to His Native Town
BIDEFORD CEREMONY
Always a colourful occasion, Bidcford Manor Court was further enriched on Saturday when members of the Borough Council, sitting as Lords of the Manor, made their first public appearance in their new robed of claret edged with black velvet for the aldermen and blue edged with claret for the councillors.
The robes formed part of a gift to the (own made at a special meeting of the Borough Council earlier that morning. by Mr. Arthur McTaggart Short, a Bideford-born Cardiff business man. The gifts commemorate the mayoralty of his brother, Cllr. W. H. Short.
Centre-piece of the display of the
Borough silver in the Town Hall, where the ceremony took place, was a 212 ounce Georgian silver wine bin, worth over £500, which Mr. Short also presented, together with medallions for ex-Mayors of the Borough.
The art of the silversmith was enhanced by the mass of golden daffodils and narcissi the wine bin contained and a further splash of colour was the display of pot plants from (he Victoria Park.
A special hat in tricorne style was supplied for the only woman councillor, Mrs. E. M. Cox, the remainder of the Council having black hats of the shape of naval officers' full-dress head-gear.

“NEVER A TIME SUCH AS THIS "
" There has never been a time such as this in the history of Bideford,” said the Mayor (Cllr. W. H. Short) when he opened the special meeting of the Town Council at which the gifts to the Borough were presented.
As Mayor of Bideford he wished to take the opportunity of expressing to his brother their deep appreciation of his kindness to the (own of his birth
“ Here we have an example of a man’s real love for his native town . . . out of his generosity he has given to us a lasting memorial of his affectionate regard, not only for the town, but for his fellow-men and women of Bideford in Devon,” added his Worship.

" FROM MY HEART ”
Making the official presentation, Mr. McTaggart Short asked acceptance of " these three tokens and gifts from my heart.”
" A piece of silver as a token of love and affection for the town of my birth : the robes for aldermen and councillors as an outward and visible sign of the dignity that always activates this Borough, and those who are prepared, from the highest motives, to carry out the second Commandment, ' Love thy neighbour ’ ; and the ex-Mayors' jewels for presentation to those who have borne the heat and burden of the day as a token of Ihe services they have rendered."
The gifts were accepted on behalf of the town by the Mayor who then, presented the jewels to the following ex-Mayors : Cllr. F. T. Upton. Mr. H. W. Fulford, Aid. F. E. Whiting, Mr. T. Burton. Aid. W. E. Ellis, Cllr. T. A. Goaman. Mr. H. W. Greenwood, Aid. J. H. Bright, Mr. G. H. Braddick. Cllr. J. H. Sharley. Aid. W. H. Chubb and Cllr. A. K. Chope.
Later the Mayor presented a jewel to Sir Hugh N. G. Stucley—whose health would not permit him to mount the stairs to the Town Hall—at the entrance to the municipal buildings.

THANKS
The gifts, in memory of Cllr. W. H. Short's mayoralty were sincerely appreciated, not only by members of the Council, but by the whole town, said Aid. E. E. Whiting when he proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. McTaggart Short. ” But," he continued, " I think I can say even if you had not given them, your brother would be remembered for a large number of years for the excellent way he has kept up the traditions of this ancient Borough.
" A man who has been Mayor of a Borough has memories of great happiness and of the kindness shown him during his year of office, so 1 think the jewels you have presented to we ex-mayors. will bring to our minds a period in our lives which, I think, most of us can look back upon as being the happiest." he added.
The resolution of thanks was seconded by Cllr. T. A. Goaman, who said it was a nice thought which had prompted Mr. McTaggart Short to make the gifts, it was nice for him to be in a position to make them and it was nice for the recipients who had received them.
The Council unanimously adopted the resolution of thanks.
The Council then adjourned to don their robes.

MR. F. W. TITCOMB AND MISS M. A. BRIGHT
The affection and esteem in which bride and bridegroom are held was shown by the large congregation at the Baptist Church, Bidcford, on Easter Monday for the wedding of Mr. Francis William Titcomb, only son of Mr. E. P. Titcomb and the late Mrs. Titcomb, of Portlcdge. Queen’s Road. Newbury, Berks., and Miss Margaret Ann Bright, only daughter of Mrs. Charles Bright and the late Mr. C. Bright, of Llandaff House, Clovely Road. Bideford.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. E. E. H. Knight and the hymns sung were " My God. I thank Thee," " Thine for ever. God of love" and '' O happy home." Mrs. Dorothy Wcstacott, at Ihe organ, played appropriate music throughout the ceremony.
The bride, who was given away by her uncle. Mr. J. T. M. Mitchell, wore a dress of white satin with a rounded train, the heart-shaped bodice being ornamented with a scroll of mother-of-pearl sequins, and her veil, kindly lent by M rs. E. F. H. Knight, was held in place by a coronet of pearls. She carried a bouquet of white tulips, yellow-daffodils and forsythia, and her only jewellery was her naternal grandmother's gold and pearl locket.
She was attended by Miss Anne Lucas, wearing a frock and head-dress of deep primrose yellow taffeta and carrying a bouquet of blue irises. Her string of pearls was the gift of the bride and bridegroom.
The best man was Mr. Carl Long and the bride's brothers, Messrs. Ingram and Christopher Bright, acted as ushers.
At the reception, held in the spring flowcr-bcdcckcd Baptist Schoolroom, the bride's mother, attired in a navy and white ensemble, received over fifty guests.
Later, the newly-married couple left for the Isle of Wight, the bridj travelling in a nigger brown suit with matching tweed coat.
They will reside at Newbury, where the bridegroom is Handicraft and English Master at Shaw House School, from the staff and scholars of which he received an electric clock and an illuminated address. The bride, who received her training in nursing at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, has been acting as staff nurse at the Bidcford and District Hospital, and among her many presents was an electric iron from the nursing staff.
The wedding flowers, including the bouquets, were afterwards given to invalid and elderly friends.

BUCKLAND BREWER
Annual meetings: The annual meetings of the Easter Vestry and Parochial electors were held on Tuesday. March 27th. Messrs. P. R. Tucker and R. T Sanders were unanimously elected Churchwardens. Mr. G. Lewis was elected to fill a vacancy on the Parochial Church Council. A report on the Church Accounts revealed a satisfactory state of affairs. It was decided to proceed with various repairs to the tower of the Parish Church. Measures are being taken to diminish the discomfort caused by draughts to which a building in such an exposed position as the church is subject. The number of communicants on Easter Day was the largest for over twenty-five years.

Hartland Y.F.C.: A good attendance marked the annual general meeting of the Hartland and District Young Farmers' Club, which was held on Thursday, March 22nd. Officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows : Club Leader, Mr. W. Turner (succeeding Mr. R. Yeomans) : chairman. Mr, C. Law (succeeding Mr. B. Heard) ; vice-chairman, Mr. P. Wade (re-elected) ; secretary. Miss M. Walter (succeeding Mr. C. Law); treasurer, Mr. R. Prouse (succeeding Mr. E. Davey); reporter, Miss V. Allin (rc-clected).

Bideford and North Devon Gazette6th April 1951 Page 2

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Bideford and North Devon Gazette
6th April 1951 Page 2