• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Northam's almshouse

  • 2 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 3 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 4

    First prize
  • 5 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 6 Sight of a lifetime

  • 7 Decontrol of meat

  • 8 Just over a year old

  • 9 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 10 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 11 In their new robes and hats

  • 12 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 13 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 14 A roof-top view - where?

  • 15 Northam footballers of the future

  • 16 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 17

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 18 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 19 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 20 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 21

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 22 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 23 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 24 Cruising down the river

  • 25 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 26 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 27 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 28

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 29 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 30 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 31 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 32 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 33 Private home for public pump

  • 34 Appledore's largest

  • 35 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 36 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 37

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 38 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 39 Artisans' Club

  • 40 The art of the thatcher

  • 41 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 42 The Geneva marionettes

  • 43 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 44

    Exhibition of school work
  • 45 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 46 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 47 Out of puff!

  • 48 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 49 Bideford loses training ship

  • 50 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 51 Pannier Market's future?

  • 52 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 53 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 54 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 55 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 56 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 57 Hartland Dancers
  • 58 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 59 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 60 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 61 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 62 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 63 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 64 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 65 Penny for the guy

  • 66 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 67 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 68 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 69 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 70 Hartland postman retires

  • 71 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 72 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 73

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 74 School crossing patrol begins

  • 75 Life begins at 80

  • 76 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 77 Waldon Triplets
  • 78 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 79 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 80 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 81 A man and his wheel

  • 82 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 83 New Lundy stamps

  • 84 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 85 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 86 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 87 Traditions and skills still there

  • 88 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 89 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 90 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 91 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 92 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 93 Clovelly nightmare

  • 94 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 95 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 96

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 97 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 98 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 99 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 100 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 101

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 102

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 103 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 104 Last train from Torrington

  • 105 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 106 113 years at Instow

  • 107 Torrington's new amenity

  • 108 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 109 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 110 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 111 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 112 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 113 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 114

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 115 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 116 Picking the pops

  • 117 New addition to Quay front

  • 118 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 119 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 120

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 121 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 122 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 123 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 124 Happy Days!

  • 125 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 126 A story to tell!

  • 127 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 128 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 129 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 130 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 131 Warmington's garage ad

  • 132 Burnard family reunion

  • 133 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 134 Twenty-one yachts

  • 135 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 136 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 137 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 138 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 139 Jumble sale fever

  • 140 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 141 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 142 Revenge in style

  • 143 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 144 Finished in 1876

  • 145 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 146 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 147 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 148 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 149 School's link with cargo ship

  • 150 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 151 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 152 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 153 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 154

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 155 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 156 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 157 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 158 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 159 No laughing matter

  • 160 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 161 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 162 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 163 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 164 North Devon Driving School

  • 165 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 166 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 167 Ships at Bideford

  • 168 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 169 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 170 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 171 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 172 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 173 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 174 Weare Giffard potato

  • 175 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 176 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 177

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 178 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 179 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 180 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 181 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 182 Police station view of Bideford

  • 183 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 184 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 185 Can spring be far away?

  • 186 New life for Hartland organ

  • 187 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 188 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 189 Capers on the cobbles

  • 190 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 191

    New gateway
  • 192 New shipyard on schedule

  • 193 Ten year old scrambler

  • 194 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 195 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 196 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 197 No sale of Springfield House

  • 198 Simple Item 138
  • 199 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 200 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 201 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 202 Recognise this resort?

  • 203 New Post Office

  • 204 He beat the floods

  • 205 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 206 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 207

    Was a missionary
  • 208 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 209 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 210 Modern living at Bideford

  • 211 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 212

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 213 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 214 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 215 Clovelly custom

  • 216 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 217 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 218 Picking the pops

  • 219 Torrington in 1967

  • 220

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 221 Bideford computer stars

  • 222 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 223

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 224

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 225 Littleham family's five generations

  • 226 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 227 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 228 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 229

    Relatives all over the world
  • 230 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 231 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 232 Emergency ferry services

  • 233 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 234 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 235 Mobile missionary

  • 236 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 237 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 238 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 239 They are parted pro-tem

  • 240

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 241 A bird of their own!

  • 242 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 243 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 244 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 245 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 246 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 247 Parkham plan realised

  • 248 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 249 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 250 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 251 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 252 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 253 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 254 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 255 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 256 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 257 New art gallery opened

  • 258 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 259 Puppet characters introduced

  • 260 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 261 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 262 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 263 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 264 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 265 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 266 Variety in summer weather

  • 267 Centenary of Gazette

  • 268 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 269 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 270 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 271 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 272 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 273 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 274 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 275 Some mushroom!

  • 276 Bridging the stream

  • 277 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 278

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 279 End of the line

  • 280 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 281 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 282 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 283 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 284 So this is the mainland!

  • 285 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 286 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 287 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 288 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 289 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 290 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 291 Some 240 exhibits

  • 292 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 293 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 294 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 295 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 296 All aboard the ark

  • 297 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 298 Hartland's invitation

  • 299 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 300 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 301 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 302 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 303 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 304 It really was the 'last time'

  • 305 Bideford regatta

  • 306 All for the love of a lady!

  • 307

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 308 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 309 Riverside mystery

  • 310 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 311 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 312 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 313 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 314 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 315 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 316 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 317 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 318 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 319

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 320 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 321 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 322 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 323 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 324

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 325 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 326 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 327 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 328

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 329 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 330 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 331 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 332 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 333

    Bidefordians
  • 334 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 335 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 336 New civic medallions

  • 337 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 338 When horses score over the tractor

  • 339 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 340 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 341 Loads of black and white

  • 342 Circus comes to town

  • 343

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 344 Devil sent packing

  • 345 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 346 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 347 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 348 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 349 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 350 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 351 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 352 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 353 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 354 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 355 New look in the hayfields

  • 356 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 357 Off on a great adventure

  • 358 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 359 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 360 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 361 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 362 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 363 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 364

    Married in 1908
  • 365

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 366 Peter poses for TV film

  • 367 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 368 By pony and trap to market

  • 369 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 370 Torrington children build igloo
  • 371 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 372 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 373 For crying out loud!

  • 374

    Building works
  • 375 New choral society's growing response

  • 376 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 377

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 378 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 379 Service with a smile

  • 380 First ship in 8 years

  • 381 Six footed lamb

  • 382 What's the time?

  • 383 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 384 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 385 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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  • Christmas Eve at the Front

    An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Torrington Glass Factory - 1970

Torrington Glass Factory - 18th September 1970

18.12.1970 Torrington Glass Factory
 

Festival of Light at Glass Factory

On Saturday, at Dartington Glass Factory, Torrington, which has many Swedes on its staff, the Swedish festival of St Lucia was celebrated.
Many local people joined the factory staff including the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington (Mr and Mrs W Cockram). It was held in the factory's large blowing room.
The festival is held in honour of St. Lucia, who is to the Swees the symbol of light during the darkest time of the year. Swedish workers chose a 19-year-old Torrington girl, Mrs Jean Baglow, as their Lady of the Light.
She was dressed in a shimmering white gown and wore a crown of lighted candles. She was attended by white-robed girls carrrying more candles and tracing her path signing softly.

Sudbury Glove Factory Opens - 1947

Sudbury Glove Factory Opens - 18th February 1947

18.2.1947 Sudbury Gloves opens
 

Appledore Glove Works

The new Appledore Glove Works at New Quay will be officially opened by the Chairman of the Northam U.D.C on Wednesday 26 February 1947 at 12.30pm.

The premises will be thrown open for inspection by prospective employees on the evnings of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 26th, 27th and 28th Ferbruary, from 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and interviews with the management can then take place. Light refreshments will be served and samples of the goods to be produced at the works will be on view.

EXPERIENCED GLOVE MAKERS FOR FULL AND PART TIME WORK ARE UNRGENTLY REQUIRED.
FIFTY GIRLS ARE WANTED IMMEDIATELY TO LEARN THE ART OF GLOVE MAKING
HAND WORKERS FOR HOME WORK ARE URGENTLY REQUIRED TO ASSIST THE EXPORT DRIVE.

The works will start production on Monday 3 March 1047. Sudbury's Gloves Limited, Bideford, Proprietors

Mr D Garland Funeral - 1965

Mr D Garland Funeral - 19th March 1965

19.3.1965 Mr D Garland funeral
 

30 Years At Glove Factory

The funeral took place at St Mary's Church, Bideford, of Mr Desmond Harold Garland of 6 New Street, Bideford who was employed at Sudbury's glove factory for 30 years.
The Rev. P Colebrook, officiated and the organist, Mr J R Trigger accompanied the hymns.
Immediate mourners were; the widow; Mis C M Hayman; Mr and Mrs S Penney; Mr and Mrs G Tithecott; Mr and Mrs G Graham; Mr and Mrs A Beer; Mrs Welston; Mrs A G Murray; Mr Murray; Mr and Mrs N Langmead; Mr and Mrs W Thisby; Messrs G Thisby, G Elston, M Bailey, H Bedlar, D Thisby, Mesdames B Jones, H Bailey, T Shortridge, and Miss O Beer. Bearers were Messrs R Hancock, E Tanton, D Cann, R Halbert, C Skinner, D Burnett.
Others attending included: Mr and Mrs D Cox, Mr and Mrs C Sampson, Mr and Mrs A Davis, Mr and Mrs Gooding, Mr and Mrs P Longstaff, Mr and Mrs R Gooding, Mr and Mrs R Beresford, Mr and Mrs B R Curtis, Mr and Mrs Vanstone, Messrs C Hayman, P Marchant, P Gethings, M Yarde, White, T Milton, P Cole, H Sherborne, J Bale, H Southcombe, E Floyd, E B Wrey, Joy senr and junr, B Elston, M Prouse, B Nicholls, J Sinclair, M Blackmore, R Branch, R Taylor, M Schillers, A Thurlow, N Tithecott, Westwood, B Hortop, Sawtell, R Day, B Bissett, T McCurry, R Glover, R Cook, F Gayette, D Pengilly, L Williams, L Slade, Down, J Taylor, R Sharrock, G Lewis, Mesdames P Martin, D Martin, P McCarthy, C Scoins, Y Beer, L Simes, S Leverton, Marshall, Kryezka, H Tanton, J Schillers, E Colwill, Broad, Misses A Longstaff, I Pengilly, D Badcock, and G and O Passmore.

Many Flowers

Flowers were: family cross - loving thoughts of my dearest Des, you gave me so much happiness in such a short while and left me with beautiful memories. Goodnight my darling. God bless - to a wonderful person I was proud to call dad, I will remember you always - from his sorrowing wife Edna and step-daughter Carol; in loving memory - when the crying's over and silent thoughts last on, we thanks our Lord for giving us our mother's only son - God bless you brother dear, until we meet again, Myra and Sid; treasure memories of our dearest and only brother who will never be forgotten, Not goodbye Des, cheerio, God bless, Sheila and Gerald; you're gone from us uncle dear, and parting brings us pain, but now you're in God's good hands, until we meeet again, Janet and Alex; "The Appledore Boys"; Alan, Marjorie, Don, Freda and Cyril (Exeter); Jack, Derek, Rodney, Brenda, Alison, Olewyn, (cousins); nurese, Torridge Hospital; Harry, Lil and family; Doreen, Norman and boys; Pam and Michael Schiller; Wenna and Ian Massie and family (Tasmania); J. Taylor (Trip); Bill, Doris and children; Sam and Lil (Devonport): Phil and Enid (Kent); Peter and Joan; Kath, George, Dennis and Irene; Cissie, Len and Lil; Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Eastell and family; Vi, Stella and Stuart; officers and comrades of the Old Age Pensions Association No. 1 branch; little Roger Jones; Brian and Joyce; Ivor and Joan (Plymouth); David THisby (R.N.); Marlene, Derrick and family; Ada and Bill Tithecott; friends and neighbours New Street and Lower Gunstone - Funeral arrangements were by Mr. A J. Grant, Meddon Street, Bideford.

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