Commemorative

Silver Jubilee 1977

The Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II

marked the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the thrones of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. The anniversary date of 6 February 1977 was commemorated in church services, and large scale parties and parades took place throughout 1977, culminating in June with the official "Jubilee Days", held to coincide with the Queen's Official Birthday. How did North Devon celebrate?

Loyal message

On behalf of the residents of Torridgeside a message of congratulation was sent to the Queen by the chairman of Torridge District Council, Mr Michael Sumner. It said:

“Most Gracious Sovereign: We, the chairman, councillors and people of the district of Torridge, in the County of Devon, desire to lay before your Majesty an expression of our loyal and dutiful attachment and our most sincere congratulations upon the occasion of your Majesty’s Silver Jubilee. We gratefully recall the many occasions on which your Majesty has graciously shown an active interest in our well being and fervently pray that your Majesty will be sell spared in this auspicious reign to continue serving your people, so diligently for many years to come.”

Mr Sumner received the following telegram in reply: The Queen sincerely thanks you and the councillors and people of Torridge for your kind and loyal message on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee – Private Secretary.

Whole country will be linked in a bonfire chain

One of the most spectacular events of the Silver Jubilee celebrations will be the lighting of a national network of 100 bonfires on the night of June 6 lining Windsor, where the Queen will light the first fire at 10pm, with the extremities of the United Kingdom and with the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

In Devon, the two official beacon sites will be on the southern slopes of Dartmoor at Haytor and at Three Barrows north of Ivybridge. But ……

Flags and bunting will be going up on Torridgeside this weekend as the people of the district prepare to celebrate the silver jubilee reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Some celebrations have already started – Clovelly claim they were the first in the Torridge district to do so by planting two lime trees at the parish hall. Many programmes will follow the traditional pattern but at Torrington the organisers have drawn from the town’s Mayfair ceremony and aim to include floral and maypole dancing to celebrate the Queen’s accession to the throne. For many weeks past local groups – some on a town or village basis, many at street level – have been busy raising funds to pay for the jollifications. At Appledore, well over £1,200 has been raised and Langtree report not only raising sufficient money to cover their costs but have enough over to buy a portable skittles alley for the parish. Pupils of St Margaret’s School, Northam, watched the planting of a silver birch tree in the school grounds to mark the jubilee. It was planted jointly by the Mayor of Northam, Mr Joe Need, and the new Vicar of Northam, the Rev David Chance, who distributed to the children souvenir mugs, the county booklet and the booklet of prayers and readings for the jubilee.

Several thousand jubilee souvenir mugs….

However, a local businessman stepped swiftly into action when he read the Gazette’s story of East-the-Water children missing out on their Jubilee mugs. Mr Jon Brown contacted the Gazette news room with the message: “I have some mugs left over and I would be delighted to give them to the children, although they might not be exactly the same as the other children at the school received. The 44 under-5s pre=school nursery were left off the list when other children received their mugs from the Town Council and last week mothers handed a petition to the council pointing out the omission.

Queen’s Police Medal for BGS Old Boy

Mr Cecil Gutsell, Deputy Chief Constable of South Yorkshire who has links with Torridgeside, received the Queen’s Police Medal in the Queen’s Jubilee and Birthday Honours List. While living at Northam he attended Bideford Grammar School and for some years was a playing member of Bideford Rugby Club. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1949 after National Service in the Royal Marines and rose quickly to his present senior post.

Torrington born Mr Raymond Bruce Blatchford, of Fremington, was appointed MBE. Mrs Margaret Lavers, of Ellwood, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! was also among those honoured by the Queen, as was Mr George Lockyer, and Dr Stella Candler, of 28 Bridgeland Street, Bideford.

All Torridgeside celebrates Jubilee in fine style

Torridgeside shared with the nation in celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s silver jubilee – and nowhere more so than in the various villages and hamlets where a wonderful community spirit bubbled through with the effervescence of champagne to make Tuesday a day to remember not only for the young but also for the old and the not-so-old. Rain early in the morning brought temporary concern to organisers but almost miraculously the skies cleared in time for the scores of street parties held in the area, even though many were staged under cover as a precaution instead of in the open air as originally planned. It was an occasion not only for old friendships to be re-affirmed but for new friendships to be formed under an umnbrella of wellbeing generated by a fervour for the royal celebrations first stirred for thousands by the morning television coverage of the Queen’s journey through the streets of London from Buckingham Palace.

Abbotsham - at Abbotsham there was a bonfire on Monday night, and sports and a barbecue in the sports field on Tuesday afternoon.

Five families live in Coronation Terrace, Abbotsham. They are hardly a big enough group for celebrations of their own, so they joined in the special events planned for the village of Abbotsham as a whole. Another street with a topical name is Jubilee Road at Appledore, but there are only two houses in the road and no special plans were arranged for jubilee day.

Alverdiscott - at a party in Alverdiscott Parish Hall on Tuesday souvenir mugs were distributed to the children of the parish. Huntshaw’s celebrations opened with a party for children at the Parish Hall, when they received their mugs, followed by a dance for adults. There was also a barbecue during the evening. On Friday and Saturday there was a display of flowers, and local records in Huntshaw Parish Church. A joint united thanksgiving service for the two parishes was held at Alverdiscott on Sunday.

Alwington - a bonfire on Monday night heralded the celebrations at Alwington. The afternoon of jubilee day began with children’s sports in the field opposite the Village Hall. Tea for the children and adults followed in succession at the Village Hall. Then came more sporting competitions for all ages, those for adults including a tug-o-war. Jubilee mugs were given to all children in the parish.

Appledore - a carnival tomorrow evening, followed by a dance, will be the finale of a full week of celebrations at Appledore. There was a united service on Sunday and a barbeque and bonfire at Mount Field on Monday. Jubilee day began with sports at Marshford in the morning, then came teas specially for the children, followed by an evening disco at Appledore Hall at which the prizes for the best decorated house and shop window were presented. The over 60s were especially catered for at a bingo social evening last night. Children attending Appledore school have been presented with Jubilee plaques. Older Appledore children attending local senior schools and the under-fives received mugs presented by the local Jubilee Committee.

Appledore’s jubilee week queen is 16 year old Angela Uren, a pupil of Stella Maris School, Bideford, and only daughter of Mr and Mrs J H Uren, of 1 Green Lane. Her attendants are Mandy Clements of Watertown and Mrs Mandy Maytum, of Western Avenue, who is employed at ARC South Western, Appledore.

Beaford - an impish flavour was introduced at Beaford. Novel items such as “tossing the corgi”, “royal” relay races, and a “Hunt the Royal Family” were included in Tuesday’s programme. The “corgi” was stuffed, in the relay race the run-of-the-mill baton weas replaced by a more regal emblem, and the “Hunt the Royal Family” was a treasure hunt with the children looking for hidden portraits of members of the Royal Family. There was a united church service in the morning and following the sports came tea for all the village and the presentation of jubilee mugs by the Revel queen to all the children of the parish. In the evening, at the Victory Hall, slides were shown from old photographs in the Beaford Centre archives of patriotic celebrations in North Devon in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There was also country dancing followed by the lighting of the bonfire. During the day the Beaford local history group staged an exhibition at the Beaford Centre.

Buckland Brewer - special transport arrangements were made at Buckland Brewer for those who would otherwise have been unable to attend the Jubilee day celebrations. A combined service in the parish church was held in the early afternoon, followed by children’s sports at the school. Prior to tea, mugs were presented to the children. The evening began with a carnival procession led by a Jubilee queen and prince. There was five-a-side football in the school field followed by a bonfire and barbecue. The day ended with a social in the Village Hall and a whist drive in the Church Room.

Torridgeside had hundreds of visitors and at Clovelly, for instance, foreign tongues mingled with local dialect as everyone joined in the royal celebrations which for many in the area started locally with the bonfires lit on Monday night. One of the most unusual Jubilee day competitions in the country – for decorated sledges - was staged at Clovelly on Tuesday morning. The sledges, which are used all the year round to transport goods over the cobbled steps of the village’s famous High Street which is closed to vehicular traffic were judged at the bottom car park and then went in procession down to the Quay. The afternoon began with the Rector, the Rev. R.O.H. Eppingstone, leading parishioners in a hymn and a prayer at the Parish Hall. Entries in children’s painting competition were on view in the hall. Sports for children and adults, the presentation of commemorative mugs to local children and of prizes to competition winners, were followed by the unveiling of a portrait of the Queen in the hall. After the parish tea, there was a comic football match and a social evening. A Silver Jubilee service was held in the Parish Church on Sunday morning and on Monday night a bonfire was lit on Gallantry Bower.

Frithelstock - a fancy dress parade with classes for children and adults, opened Frithelstock’s programme on Tuesday afternoon. Children’s sports were followed by a tea, first for children and then for adults. Commemorative mugs were presented to all children from the parish, aged 16 and under. Some parish records and papers, dating from 1557, were on view. A social concluded the day.

Hartland - dancing through the streets by children and adults, from the school to the playing field, on jubilee afternoon reflected the community atmosphere at Hartland. A competition for the most suitably decorated premises added to the gaiety of the scene. A united open air service was held on the playing field, with music by Hartland Town Band, who also provided music for the dancers. This was followed by sports and novelty events for all ages and a jubilee draw. The children had their tea in a series of sittings at the playing field. The senior citizens’ tea was provided in the Parish Hall. The evening offered a varied programme of whist and bingo sessions, and a disco for the under-18’s and the day concluded with a dance in the Parish Hall. The jubilee bonfire and fireworks display was held at Chubbycroft on Monday night and there was musical entertainment by the Town Band. A united service was held at the Parish Church on Sunday. At Hartland, 87-year-old Mrs Linda Headon, of Baxworthy, cut a 40lb. jubilee cake especially made by RAF Hartland, a best-decorated premises competition resulted: Mr and Mrs Raymond Allin, of Pentreath; 2. Mr and Mrs Bill Burrow, Beechlands; 3. A.J. Pillman, Fore Street.

Langtree - early rounds of a mixed five-a-side football competition, with a barbecue and bonfire, began Langtree’s celebrations on Monday night. A united service on jubilee day was followed by a fancy dress parade with royal themes, the presentation of mugs to all children under 16 in the parish and a parish street tea party. There were sports for the children and the finals of the five-a-side football, and a disco dance in the evening. A parishioners’ arts and crafts exhibition was also staged on jubilee day.

A life-size figure in papier-mache of St George on his horse entered by the Langtree School, was one of the highlights of Langtree’s jubilee exhibition. Exhibitors included P Soby, S Mills, P Dowson, Kate Moore, J Gerry, S Ovenall, St Clair Wallington, C Gerry, John Corby, W Daniel, Neil and Adrian Folland, T Langmead, M Heath, E Folland, M Goaman, J Hale, C Daniel, M Palmer, M Ley, N Colley, M Nicholls, H George and K Gerry.

Littleham - Jubilee mugs presented to every child in the parish were distributed at Littleham on the afternoon of Jubilee day, by the village’s oldest inhabitant, 86-year-old Mrs Flossie Lyle. At noon that day a celebration peal was rung on the bells of the parish church, and two hours later the afternoon programme began with a united service there. Village sports and the presentation of the mugs were followed by the parish tea in the Parish Hall. For the energetic there was a five-a-side football contest in the early evening, and the day concluded with a social and dance in the Parish Hall and a bonfire nearby. A week-long exhibition in the Methodist Hall included ancient records and photographs and other souvenirs of the village over the years, as well as examples of art and craftwork by people in the village today.

Little Torrington - Tuesday’s celebrations at Little Torrington concluded with a party in the Victory Hall and a barbecue on the village green. The afternoon began with peals on the bells and sports in a field adjoining Glebe Farm. Then came the jubilee tea in the Victory Hall, the presentation of souvenir mugs, skittles on the village green, and church service.

Lundy - For several months the residents of the island of Lundy stockpiled driftwood for their Royal celebration bonfire on Monday night. Sited on what used to be the island air strip, it was visible on the mainland on both sides of the Bristol Channel. Visitors staying on the island shared in the fun of the bonfire and the barbecue held with it. A jubilee commemorative service was held in the island church of St Helena, which had its tenor bell restored and rehung to mark the occasion, plus the fitting of a new flagstaff.

Monkleigh - a colourful start to Jubilee afternoon at Monkleigh was provided by a children’s fancy dress parade. Sports for children and then for all other age groups followed. Tea for all parishioners and their guests was served in the Village Hall and souvenir mugs, made in the parish, were presented to the children. There was a bingo session in the Village Hall and the day concluded with a bonfire. On Sunday there was a service in the Parish Church and on Monday the bells were rung by the local team and a visiting team from Liverpool.

Northam - with its panoramic views across the estuary and bay, Bone Hill, Northam, will be an impressive setting for a parade and sunset ceremony and service tomorrow night. Appledore Band, Sea and Army cadets and other youth organisations will take part. The week’s celebrations began with a jubilee service at St Margaret’s Parish Church on Sunday, and on Monday night there was a bonfire and a barbecue at Sandymere on the Burrows. Tuesday was particularly devoted to making the day memorable for the children, with a tea party, sprots and revels at the school. A handicraft exhibition was held on Wednesday. Souvenir mugs were presented to children attending Northam Infants and Junior Schools, and for the under fives there were jubilee crowns.

Parkham - a children’s pageant parade round the village presented a gay start to Tuesday afternoon’s celebrations at Parkham. Earlier there were peals on the church bells and after the pageant came the parish tea and presentation of souvenir mugs to all children in the parish up to the age of 16. These was more youthful activity with a mini “It’s a Knock-out”, followed by a barbecue, a football match, and a social and dance in the Allardice Hall. During the day an exhibition of souvenirs of other jubilees, and of past years in the parish, was held in the grill room at the Bell Inn. A united service to mark the jubilee was held on Sunday.

Shebbear - a ram roast was a feature of the combined jubilee day celebrations of Shebbear and Buckland Filleigh. The day’s programme began with a gay assembly of decorated vehicles and a class for ponies. Combined with children’s sports in the playing field were stalls and competitions, with tea available in the primary school. The early evening brought a children’s social in the Village Hall, followed, after the carving of the roast ram, by a general social. Peals on the bells heralded the lighting of a bonfire on Monday night. Northlew Band headed a public procession on Sunday to the Village Square for a service. This was followed by the distribution of mugs to children living in the two parishes, and a children’s tea.

Torrington - no Torrington jollification is complete without floral dancing in the streets and this was one of the features of Jubilee day, coupled with maypole and folk dancing by children. Peals on the church bells heralded a united service in the Square. Later in the morning came a show by the Cavaliers, a display by Torrington Corps of Drums and Majorettes and the presentation of mugs to the under-fives. In addition to a children’s swimming gala the afternoon included events in the Village Field, a children’s fancy dress competition and the releasing of red, white and blue balloons. Street teas followed and a busy day ended with a disco. School children aged 5 to 16 received their mugs on Saturday at the Plough, where there was also a children’s art exhibition. The united Jubilee service was held in the parish church on Sunday. Monday evening brought a ceremony of illuminating the Royal Portrait in the Square, followed by a torchlight procession to the old Bowling Green where the jubilee beacon was lit. A special exhibition was mounted at the museum and there was a Jubilee tournament for golfers.

Weare Giffard - a fancy dress pram race through the village was one of the light-hearted features of Weare Giffard’s programme on jubilee day. Finding clues in a treasure hunt on foot was another event. On Monday night at Cleeve Farm above the village, there was a bonfire, and hot dogs were served. The programme on Tuesday began in the afternoon with a united service in the Parish Church. Then followed children’s sports and the parish tea in the Village Hall, with special pre-sport arrangements being made for the old people. Jubilee mugs were handed to each child in the village by Miss Weare Giffard, Miss Wendy Brend.

Welcombe - a bonfire and barbecue at Downmoor on Monday evening began Welcombe’s celebrations. Next morning the ringing of the parish Church bells preceded a united service in the church. Parishioners and visitors joined in sporting events for children and adults, followed by tea for all. Then came the presentation of mugs and jubilee crowns to all the children of the parish, and the day concluded with a parish dance in the Vicarage Room.

At Westleigh winners in the jubilee best decorated house competition were: 1. Mrs L Poole, 2. Mr and Mrs J Money, 3. Mr and Mrs R Pengilly. In the children’s fancy dress competition first prize winners were Jonathan Funnell, Christopher Manning, Melanie Huxtable, Clare Shepheard-Walwyn, Una Browne and Karen Humphriss.

Westward Ho! - a jubilee dinner tonight is one of the concluding items of the celebrations at Westward Ho! Last night there was an “Opportunity Knocks – New Faces” talent competition in the Kingsley Hall. A thanksgiving service was held at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday. Next evening Westward Ho! residents shared in the barbecue and bonfire on the Burrows. On Tuesday there was a children’s jubilee tea and sports and on Wednesday five-a-side football matches. Children from Westward Ho! attending Northam schools received jubilee mugs or jubilee crowns, and the under-fives were presented with mugs by the local committee. At the Royal North Devon Golf Club a special mixed Foursomes competition was held.

Woolsery - a brief open air service began Woolsery’s celebrations. Then came a fancy dress parade for children followed by sports. After they had been presented with their mugs, the children sat down to their tea and tea for the adults followed. A dance concluded the day.

Seventy children took part in a jubilee fancy dress parade at Woolsery and those who did not win prizes received a bar of chocolate and a 10p piece. First prizewinners were Neil, Clive and Barry Leonard, Juliette Hayes and Joanne Heywood. In the evening 20 adults took part in a fancy dress parade at the dance. First prize winner was Ruth Heywood.

A Silver Jubilee exhibition of photographs depicting the past 25 years in North Devon will be on view at Bideford Library from June 13th to 27th. The event to be commemorated by a special North Devon souvenir envelope cover obtainable at the exhibition and all sub-post offices throughout North Devon. Profits from the sale of these covers will be given to the Jubilee Funds of the community in which they are sold.

The following Jubilee picture was taken at Sudbury's Glovers in Bideford:

Johnnie White; Ivor ?; Brian Folland; Alec Hutchings; Les Southcombe; John Curtis;
?; Helen Harrison?; ?; Roy Cook; Derek Cann; Roger Day; Ron Cann; Liz Waring; Ivy Wakeley; Dick Halbert;
Joan Canteen; Queenie Turner; ?; Clifford Joy; Ray S; Ethel Parish;
Pam Dymond; ?; ?; ?; ?; Mrs R;
Hilda ?; ?; Winnie Day; Elsie Heath; Ethel Vanstone; 3 office girls; ?;
Val Cotter; Patsy P; ?; ?;
May Curtis; Sandra Oke; ?; Jean Lyle; Hazel Bailey; 6 unknown; Dot Taylor; Sheila Holloway;
Cynthia Dymond;
Olive Passmore;
?;
Dorothy Tremeer; Gladys Webber; Barbara Bissett; 2 unknown; Mavis Dunn; Christine Littlejohns; 2 unknown; Carol Peach;
? Harris; Louis Ansley; Flo Choke; unknown; Edie Tithecott; Phyllis McCarthy; Ruth Southcombe; Betsy Bridgeman; M Kryszka

Bideford district will be represented at the County Fair for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee at Powderham Castle near Exeter on June 25th. Mrs Sumner, wife of Mr M.B.C. Sumner, chairman of Torridge District Council, and Mrs Briscoe, wife of Mr J.E. Briscoe, Torridge District Co-ordinator of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Fund, are the organisers of a produce stall and Bideford Round Table are organising a “wheel of fortune.” A Jubilee cake, baked by women members of Bideford Toc-H, and on show at the Rose of Torridge Café, Bideford, will be drawn for at the fete. The exhibition at St Mary’s Church presenting local history and Floral displays to illustrate the years 1952-77 in the life of the Queen, carries over this week-end. On Wednesday slides depicting local parties and outings of the past 25 years were shown in the Church Hall and tonight there is a party evening, entertainment and buffet supper in the Hall.

All quiet in Coronation Road

Residents of Coronation Road, Bideford – one street that might have been expected to take a special interest in the Queen’s silver jubilee – did not hold their own celebrations. It is not that the residents are any less patriotic than anywhere else. One explained: “We are mostly older people here now, there are very few children and we decided to send jubilee day in our own quiet way.” Many of the residents were living in the street on the Queen’s coronation day and they had had a fine time, she said. “But, of course, our children were here then,” she added.

So successful was the week-end jubilee special train which took 600 north Devonians to London starting from Bideford Station, that it has revived hopes locally that a regular train service between Bideford and the capital can be re-introduced. The organiser of the trip, Mr Roger Joanes, of the old railway station, Filleigh, who said he would like to see Bideford station re-opened, added: “The Bideford-Northam-Appledore area is one of the largest populations in England without a train service. It has a bigger population than Penzance, which supports an excellent train service. “As long as local bus services were integrated with it, there is no reason why a day train service to London couldn’t be run from Bideford Station.”

At Bideford, two windows in Mill Street were placed first and second in the jubilee window dressing competition organised by the local Chamber of Commerce. Winner of the cup was Hide’n’Seek (fancy goods) and runner-up Farm Fresh (butchers). Third was the window of Sunderlands (outfitters) Allhalland Street. Chopes extended 'loyal greetings' to the Queen:

A Day for Everyone to Remember

Gunstone sounds like something out of a Wild West novel. In fact it is one of the oldest parts of Bideford – and Gunstone, like many other streets onTorridgeside, celebrated the Jubilee with a community party. Today the Gazette pinpoints their story. Most people who live in Gunstone – a steep narrow street only a stone’s throw from Bideford’s shopping centre – were awake early on Tuesday. Among them were the 16 children who comprise the entire child population of this close-knit community – 16 children spread among the street’s 52 homes whose inhabitants had planned determinedly to give the youngsters a day to remember. And the street‘s senior citizens too, were not forgotten. When the day’s highlight came with the long-awaited tea party, they were there too – among them the oldest, 91-year-old Mr Alfred Moore.

The day’s events were the result of detailed planning in which everyone joined in offering generous help – help which was so successful that most of the £70 raised in a house-to-house collection aimed at paying for the celebrations was given instead to the national jubilee fund. Evidence of this help came as a tremendous variety of party fare was brought from the houses of those who had volunteered to prepare their own specialities and laid on tables set in the forecourt of the Baptist Church which adjoins the street – and which was the only level piece of ground available. Centrepiece was a magnificent jubilee cake made and decorated in red, white and blue by retired chef Mr Stan Harkness. As well as the food, there were party hats and balloons, lucky dips and games – and prizes for the winners. Each child also received a crown – the personal present of Mr William Griffiths – and bags of sweets to take home.

A shortage of decorating materials in the town and nationally caused only a temporary setback: in typical spirit residents improvised to make their houses a patriotic splash of red, white and blue. First decorations went up at the home of Mr Tom Gubb and his wife Gladys almost a week before the celebrations.Nearby Mrs Una Johns and her daughter Pat were disappointed that a specially-ordered banner failed to arrive in time. But undismayed they made their own to stretch across the street. Amazingly only a few weeks before Jubilee Day nothing had been arranged, said Mrs Phyllis Griffiths, one of the 10-strong committee – all women. “Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to start then suddenly we got together and within a week the plans were laid and in a fortnight all the preparations had been made”, she said. “It was wonderful how everyone helped out and I think they did very well in such a short time, something for the street to be proud of. They all offered to contribute something towards the food, some providing sandwiches, others cakes and so on, including the older residents and those who had no children to benefit”, she said.

Many of the residents of Gunstone, were able to recall the last jubilee celebrations 42 years ago. One who was living in the same house at the time was Mrs Elsie Williams, who has lived in the street for more than 50 years. Only 88-year-old Mrs Kate Hancock has lived in Gunstone longer. “This country is most fortunate to have a monarch – there are thousands of foreigners who visit us and wish they had one like it,” said Mrs Williams. “I think it is wonderful to be able to celebrate the jubilee in this way.” A schoolgirl at the last jubilee celebrations 42 years ago, she recalled that Gunstone had no street party then, but joined with others at the Pannier Market where all the children received mugs. The tea party was a great success and those who had worked hard in making sure the event went with a swing later relaxed with an evening barbecue. Again much of the food was home-made, although a local trader donated sausage rolls and Bideford Labour Club, which is situated in the street, contributed an 18-gallon barrel of beer. It was late when the last light in Gunstone went out. It had been a memorable day which had seen homes up and down the street linked not only with banners and flags but with a fine community spirit.

There were many parties..

A sour note was caused by flag snatchers who robbed displays throughout the area. Northam’s £48 new Union flag hoisted on Bone Hill on Saturday had disappeared by Sunday morning. Eight or nine new flags, centre-piece of decorations at Appledore, went even more quickly. They were flown late on Friday and disappeared the same night. Others went missing from Westward Ho! and Hartland. Mrs Margaret Portlock, a member of Northam Town Council, has offered £5 reward “as a private citizen,” for information about the Northam flag.

The Nation Mourns Its King

New Queen flies home: Today’s Proclamation

The news was not broken to the wider world until 11:15 am when a BBC newsreader read the words "It is with the greatest sorrow that we make the following announcement..." on the radio. The news was repeated every fifteen minutes for seven occasions, before the broadcast went silent for five hours. As a mark of respect the Great Tom bell was tolled every minute for two hours, as well as the bells at Westminster Abbey. The Sebastopol bell, a Crimean War trophy at Windsor Castle that is rung only upon a royal death, was tolled 56 times, once for each year of George VI's life, between 1:27 and 2:22 pm.

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The whole Nation and Empire was plunged into deep and sudden sorrow by the news of the passing of King George VI, who died peacefully in his sleep at Sandringham that morning (6 February 1952). Princess Elizabeth, who immediately became Queen, was informed of her father’s death while she was at the Royal Hunting Lodge near Nyeri in Kenya. She flew home yesterday. The Canadian Cabinet on Wednesday proclaimed Princess Elizabeth as Queen Elizabeth II. of Canada. In London the public proclamation will be made today (Friday) at 11am. Tentative arrangements have been made for it to be read from the balcony of Bideford Town Hall at 2.30pm today.

News of the King’s death came as a stunning blow. The shock of surprise can hardly have been equalled in living memory. A hush fell on our cities, towns and villages as the unexpected, dread news filtered through. The groups talking in lowered tones in the streets had only one topic. Local civic leaders and officials began to consult their records – and the files of this newspaper were readily made available – for procedure likely to be observed. A number of local engagements were cancelled, postponed or held in subdued form in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion. Window displays were changed, black ties and armbands appeared, flags flew at half-mast…. the nation was in mourning.

In order that the Corporation should have the opportunity of recording its own expression of condolence in the passing of the King, the Mayor, Cllr W H Copp, called a special meeting of Bideford Town Council. A resolution was seconded by Ald W E Ellis and Rev Isaac Bond said a prayer.

The Proclamation

Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call His mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George Sixth of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to the high and mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary: we therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm, being here assisted with these his late Majesty’s Privy Council, with representatives of other members of the Commonwealth, with other principal gentlemen of quality, with the Lord Mayor, aldermen and citizens of London, do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the high and mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is now by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory become Queen Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God, Queen of this Realm and of her other Realms and territories, head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom her lieges do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience with hearty and humble affection, beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Princess, Elizabeth the Second, with long and happy years to reign over us. God save the Queen.

A Second Great Elizabethan Era

“The history of Bideford is wrapped up with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and as the second Queen Elizabeth takes her place in the long line of men and women who have served this country so well as its leaders, the Burgesses of the town, casting their minds back to the old days, send a message of loyalty and good will and pray that her reign may be one of progress as that of her great ancestor was.”

Torrington also held a Proclamation ceremony at the Town Hall led by the Mayor, Ald R M Boyer. Within his speech, the Mayor said “But events move on – the cries goes up, the King is Dead, long live the Queen, and our hopes must now be centred on her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second who, in her hour of mourning, must don the mantle of her illustrious father. From this ancient Borough of Great Torrington in Devon, which for over a thousand years has paid homage to the Throne we sent to our Queen a humble message of loyalty and affection.” The ceremony concluded with the singing of ‘God Save the Queen.’

Torridge-side tributes

As the tragic news was confirmed and spread, flags already flying were lowered to half-mast while others were hoisted to the mast-head and then lowered. Ships alongside Bideford Quay wore their flags at half-mast. Skippers of vessels in the Bristol Channel told one another and when the m.v Flexity came up the river on the afternoon tide her flag was already at half-mast. The Stevenstone Hounds called off their hunt. Muffled peals were rung. Shops re-dressed their windows in sombre colours.

Special services were held and prayers offered at Buckland Brewer, Bucks Mills, Clovelly, Appledore, Northam, Weare Giffard and Torrington.

22.2.1952 Appledore

Queen Mother’s Thanks

A message from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in which she expresses to ‘a multitude of people’ her pride in the ‘wonderful tributes’ to ‘a great and noble King’ was issued from Buckingham Palace. It is learned that it is her Majesty’s wish that she shall be known a ‘Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’.

Funeral of a beloved Monarch

Civic insignia will be draped. On this sad day the coffin of King George VI will be taken from Westminster Hall, where in the past three days very many thousands of his people have filed past the purple-draped catafalque in silent tribute, for the funeral service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. In Bideford, maroons, fired by Mr Charles Morris, will mark the period of two minutes’ silence at 2pm and the passing bell will be tolled. Bideford’s floral tribute to the late King was dispatched to Windsor on Wednesday evening and it is recommended that shops in Bideford close for the day at 1pm.Draped maces will precede the Mayor Torrington and his chain will have bows of black ribbon tied to it. More information on the death and funeral of King George VI can be found HERE

The public permitted to view the coffin, at times queued for 4 miles to do so and over 300,000 people passed through Westminster Hall. After the final day of lying in state it took a team of three jewellers two hours to clean the dust off the crown jewels which lay on the coffin, in preparation for the funeral. The procession was the first of a British monarch to be broadcast on television and may have led to the start of a mass purchase of television sets.