Andy White has been doing a bit of clearing up, while on holiday this week. He came across some old photos and parish magazines. Here are a few extracts from them.

This photo was taken at a wedding party in 1981. Bill Holman can be clearly seen, outside Maid Marion Stores. But who is the girl with the bandaged leg? Who is the chap in the pinnie?

And from the below, January 1924 Parish magazine, is an account of the happenings in South Tawton. If you were to take away a few of the quaint phrasings and updated the prices a little, it could have been last month and not 80 years ago!

South Tawton .

THE GIFT MONEY.-The Trustees have fixed Monday, January 14th., as the date for receiving applications for this money. Time 4 to 5 p.m. Place, the Church House. With regard to doctors' bills, money can only be given towards these, in respect of bills incurred for services during the year 1923.

It would, I suppose, be unreasonable to hope that boilers would get out of order and declare their defects during the summer months. Ours developed a leak at 9.30 on a Saturday evening, which was highly inconvenient: we have had to do without heating over Christmas, but the congregation have realised that what can't be cured must be endured, and have not refrained from their worship in consequence. We hope that our furnace will be again a-going and a-blowing by the first Sunday of the New Year. We may also hope that the roof of the church porch is now at last watertight: the pointing done earlier in the year proved not to have touched the spot: on the lead being removed, it was discovered that the boarding beneath was in places rotten. This has been renewed where needful, and the leading has been extended through the wall. The recent rains have been successfully carried off, so as I say, we hope for the best.

The church clock has also been out of order, and has suffered a relapse, maintenance expenses therefore, are keeping up their pressure: the support of the Free-will Offering keeps us happy, and people will, we hope, realise its usefulness. In addition to has been mentioned above, the bells have needed a visit from Messrs. Aggett, and the Church House has had thatching, carpenter's and mason's work done. We are always glad of more members to join the Free Will Offering, and we hope to hear of them coming along.

Collections for Church Expenses are at present £13 less than at the corresponding date last year. This merely illustrates the simple truth how unreliable that source is for regular increase. It is of course, and must remain. our largest source of income, but it varies this way and that, for reason none can foresee, and none control. Take a bag and join the F.W.O.

Our Diocesan Quota of £17 10s. has been paid, the weather on Advent Sunday being bad, Church Expenses has for the first time (since the attempt to collect the quota on Rogation Sunday and Advent Sunday was started) had to put its hand in its pocket to make up the balance due; allowing for contributions sent the following Sunday. I should think that about £2 10s. fell on this fund.

We had a very happy gathering at the Social Evening. This year by reducing the price of the Social, we threw the idea of making any profit for the Magazine to the winds, and nearly succeeded in doing so. This deserving journal received 7 /4 where formerly it has had £2 or £3. Still, you cannot have a thing both ways, and we certainly enjoyed ourselves cheaply. What we shall do in this matter next year remains to be seen: it is always better to make precedents than to follow them.

The Toy Fair for the Nursing Association resulted in a profit of about £34. This is very satisfactory and our thanks are due to the many people whose work made it possible. There were several stalls in addition to a jumble stall, and the day closed with a whist drive and dance.

I should like to have the names of any who would wish to be confirmed this year.

PARISH MAGAZINE, 1923.

BAPTISM.
Dec. 2. -Dorothy Frances Emily Sampson.

MARRIAGE.
Dec. 18. -Thomas Hill to Elsie May Bowden.

BURIALS.
"Until the day break and the shadows flee away."
Nov. 30. -William Harvey, aged 78 years.
Dec. 7. -Edward Crocker aged 51.years.
Dec. 20. -Thomas Edward Wright, aged 2 yrs.