The Royal Visit: J. Rowell presided at the monthly meeting of the Urban District Council on Monday. A letter from the Highweek Parish Council respecting the amalgamation of the two parishes was considered in Committee. A letter was read from Mr. W. S. Pinsent, Chairman to the Highweek Parish Council, stating that as the proposed route of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York did not approach Highweek, he could not ask his Council to join in contributing towards the cost of the decorations. A letter bearing on the subject was also read from Lord Clifford stating that the route already proposed could not be altered. Mr. Rendell pointed out that the Council had no voice whatsoever in fixing the route. Mr. Bearne moved that Mr. Pinsent be replied to to that effect. This was seconded by Rendell and carried. Rev H. Every, curate of Wolborough, by letter asked that space may be reserved in Courtenay Park for the school children of the town to have the opportunity of seeing the Duke and Duchess of York on their approaching visit. This was referred to the Committee, the Surveyor to make the best arrangement possible. Mr. Every was directed to be replied to, to that effect. A draft of the proposed address to their Royal Highnesses was then read and approved the Council follows: The Address to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. “We, the Newton Abbot Urban District Council on behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Newton Abbot the County of Devon, desire to offer to your Royal Highnesses a sincere and hearty welcome to our town on your passing through it on your way to Ugbrook, the seat of the Right Hon. Lord Clifford. Your visit recalls the memorable occasion when his Majesty King William III then William Prince of Orange made his first proclamation shortly after his arrival in England, in the month of November, I688. A stone erected near the ancient tower of St. Leonard’s Church in the centre of the town still marks the spot where the auspicious event took place. We beg leave most respectfully to assure you that we feel very deeply the high honour conferred upon us by your having graciously consented to visit our town, and we humbly pray that it might please Almighty God to grant to your Royal Highnesses many years of health, happiness; and prosperity.”
[see similar: Totnes Weekly Times: Saturday 24th June 1899]
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0911 Devonport: William Swain Pinsent: 1843 – 1920