A POTTED HISTORY OF THE BERE LINK

January 1916 was an exciting month, as it saw the production of the first Bere Ferrers Parish Magazine, which cost threeha’pence. The Rector, Rev. James Sharpe, was the editor and assistant editor was Rev. H.M.Harvey. Bere Ferrers parish had previously been included in a magazine covering a number of parishes, but the style of writing of the Rector — described as ’new journalism’ — had not found favour with the editor. (I’m sure that would never happen these days!!) As a result, it was decided to produce the parish’s own magazine. The feedback from the first issue was reported by Rev. Sharpe in February 1916: “I have been very much gratified, cheered and encouraged by the wonderful reception our new magazine met with, from all parts and from all sorts of people. It makes one feel that it is destined to supply a felt want in the homes of our people.” We hope it still does. “Our aim ambition and hope is that it may draw us all as a parish closer together.” Nothing has changed there, then, either. There was an increasing circulation of 100 at that time. It is now 500+ and rising.

Articles in the February 1916 issue included ‘The Nurse Fund’, ‘Our Mothers’ Union Tea’, ‘An Interesting Lecture’ (women’s work in the War), ‘Women and Agricultural War Work’, ‘Bere Ferrers Belgian Refugee Fund’ and ‘Parochial Notes’. The magazine was still going strong in 1933. There is a list of all the names in an edition from 1927 here.

The parish notes were then included in the Tavistock Ruridecanal Magazine, a copy of which, from November 1938, Jean Pike kindly loaned me. Rev. Sharpe was still the writer. Organisations mentioned included, yet again, the Mothers’ Union, and this time also the Bere Town Young Men’s Club and Bere Alston Church Guild. A social in Bere Ferrers Church Hall had included a programme by ‘The Moonbeam Juveniles’ from Plymouth. The Legion were holding their annual Remembrance service in Holy Trinity at 3 p.m. on Sunday 6th November. (Even the time hasn’t changed!) Three ‘handsome gifts’ to Holy Trinity Church were acknowledged: a ‘beautiful brocade green pulpit frontal, a beautiful brocade (green) chalice veil and burse and two beautifully worked green alms bags’. Parochial Almanacks for 1939 were ready, containing the Calendar for 1939 with its church seasons, facts and festivals and lists of parochial organisations, officials, fees and a little letter from the Rector (how could he resist!).

In August 1947 the Ferronian came into being, with editor Rev. Richard Crookshank. Circulation was up to 250 and the cost was 2d per copy, but it only consisted of 4 sides of half foolscap paper with the Exeter Diocesan Leaflet of the same size inserted. One cannot help but feel that the original Parish Magazine (and, indeed, the current Bere Link) was better value! The ‘Commentary’ in January 1948 queried what the new year held in store. “There are wars and rumours of wars; nations have turned their hands against nations; comets have appeared in the sky; statesmen are suspicious and angry with each other and confusion seems worse confounded.” This could surely have been written today. We can learn much from history, but seldom do.

The Rector, Rev. Crookshank, remarked on the fact that, after a certain amount of technical difficulty, the restoration of the heating arrangements in the Parish Church were now in perfect order, having cost £120, which would make a bit of a drain on their resources! I'm sure the current rector, Rev Nick Law (known as Nick the Vic!), would be happy to solve current heating problems for as little! Included in this issue was a letter from Edgar Graham Elwell, parishioner and local physician, appealing for parochial unity, both religious and social. “Leave destructive criticism out of it! That will be unusual—but healthy.” And, of course, the Mothers’ Union got a mention, with tickets available for a function…! I found one of the Rev Crookshank's letters in the magazine, from 8th August 1949, online and you can see a copy of the transcript here. (For the history from 1949 onwards, click here.)

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