• 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 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 2 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 3 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 4 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 5 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 6

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 7 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 8 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 9 Peter poses for TV film

  • 10 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 11 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 12 Twenty-one yachts

  • 13 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 14 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 15 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 16 Variety in summer weather

  • 17 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 18 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 19 New addition to Quay front

  • 20 School crossing patrol begins

  • 21 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 22 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 23

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 24 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 25 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 26

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 27 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 28 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 29 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 30 What's the time?

  • 31 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 32

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 33 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 34 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 35 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 36 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 37 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 38 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 39 Pannier Market's future?

  • 40 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 41 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 42 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 43 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 44 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 45 Northam's almshouse

  • 46 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 47 Hartland postman retires

  • 48 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 49 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 50 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 51 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 52 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 53 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 54 In their new robes and hats

  • 55 First ship in 8 years

  • 56 New choral society's growing response

  • 57 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 58 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 59 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 60 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 61 Torrington in 1967

  • 62 Torrington children build igloo
  • 63 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 64 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 65 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 66 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 67 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 68 Hartland's invitation

  • 69 Police station view of Bideford

  • 70 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 71 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 72 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 73 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 74 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 75 Penny for the guy

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

  • 77 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 78

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 79 Northam footballers of the future

  • 80 Littleham family's five generations

  • 81 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 82 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 83 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 84 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 85 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 86 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 87 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 88 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 89

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 90 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 91 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 92 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 93 Traditions and skills still there

  • 94 School's link with cargo ship

  • 95 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 96 Appledore's largest

  • 97 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 98

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 99 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 100 A bird of their own!

  • 101

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 102 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 103 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 104 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 105 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 106

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 107 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 108 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 109 New life for Hartland organ

  • 110 A roof-top view - where?

  • 111 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 112 Capers on the cobbles

  • 113 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 114 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 115 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 116 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 118 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 119 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 120 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 121

    Bidefordians
  • 122 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 123 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 124 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 125 So this is the mainland!

  • 126 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 127 Six footed lamb

  • 128 New shipyard on schedule

  • 129 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 130 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 131 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 132 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 133 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 134

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 135 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 136 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 137 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 138 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 139 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 140 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 141 Some mushroom!

  • 142

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 143 Warmington's garage ad

  • 144 Torrington's new amenity

  • 145 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 146 They are parted pro-tem

  • 147 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 148 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 149 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 150 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 151 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 152 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 153 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 154 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 155 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 156 Circus comes to town

  • 157 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 158 No laughing matter

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

  • 160 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 161 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 162 When horses score over the tractor

  • 163 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 164 Off on a great adventure

  • 165 Centenary of Gazette

  • 166 Life begins at 80

  • 167 He beat the floods

  • 168 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 169 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 170 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 171 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 172

    Married in 1908
  • 173 Simple Item 138
  • 174 Service with a smile

  • 175 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 176 New Lundy stamps

  • 177 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 178 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 179 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 180 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 181 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 182 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 183 From Bobby to Brian

  • 184 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 185 Cruising down the river

  • 186 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 187 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 188 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 189 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 190 North Devon Driving School

  • 191 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 192

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 193 Private home for public pump

  • 194 Ships at Bideford

  • 195 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 196 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 197 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 198 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 199 Waldon Triplets
  • 200

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 201 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 202 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 203 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 204 End of the line

  • 205 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 206 Hartland Dancers
  • 207 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 208 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 209 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 210 Out of puff!

  • 211 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 212 All for the love of a lady!

  • 213 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 214 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 215

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 216 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 217 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 218 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 219 New look in the hayfields

  • 220 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 221 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 222 Jumble sale fever

  • 223 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 224 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 225 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 226 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 227 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 228 Clovelly custom

  • 229 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 230 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 231 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 232 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 233 Last train from Torrington

  • 234 By pony and trap to market

  • 235 A story to tell!

  • 236 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 237 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 238 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 239 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 240 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 241 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 242 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 243 Riverside mystery

  • 244 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 245 Artisans' Club

  • 246 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 247 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 248 Ten year old scrambler

  • 249 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 250 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 251 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 252 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 253 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 254 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 255 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 256 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 257

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 258 Revenge in style

  • 259

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 260 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 261 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 262 The art of the thatcher

  • 263 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 264 Bridging the stream

  • 265 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 266

    Building works
  • 267 Clovelly nightmare

  • 268 Can spring be far away?

  • 269 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 270 Loads of black and white

  • 271 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 272 Modern living at Bideford

  • 273 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 274 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 275 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 276

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 277

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 278 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 279 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 280 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 281 The cab at the corner>
  • 282 All aboard the ark

  • 283 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 284 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 285 A man and his wheel

  • 286 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 287 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 288

    First prize
  • 289 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 291 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 292 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 293 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 294 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 295 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 296

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 297 Sweets derationing

  • 298 No sale of Springfield House

  • 299 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 300 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 301 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 302 For crying out loud!

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

  • 304 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 305 113 years at Instow

  • 306 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 307 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 308 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 309 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 310 New civic medallions

  • 311 Puppet characters introduced

  • 312 The Geneva marionettes

  • 313 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 314

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 315 It really was the 'last time'

  • 316 Emergency ferry services

  • 317 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 318

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 319 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 320 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 321 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 322 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 323 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 324 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 325 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 326 New Post Office

  • 327 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 328 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 329 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 331 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 332 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 333 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 334 Devil sent packing

  • 335 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 336 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 337 Picking the pops

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

  • 339 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 340 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 341 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 342 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 343 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 344 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 345 Just over a year old

  • 346 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 347 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 348 Recognise this resort?

  • 349 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 350 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 351 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 352 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 353 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 354 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 355 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 356 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 357 Sight of a lifetime

  • 358 Finished in 1876

  • 359 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 360 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 361 New art gallery opened

  • 362 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 363 Bideford computer stars

  • 364 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 365 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 366 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 367 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 368 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 369 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 370

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 371 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 372 Parkham plan realised

  • 373 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 374 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 375 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 376 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 377

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 378 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 379 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 380 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

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

  • 382 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 383 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 384 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 385 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 386 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 387 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 388 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 389

    Was a missionary
  • 390 Mobile missionary

  • 391 Weare Giffard potato

  • 392

    Exhibition of school work
  • 393 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 394 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 395

    New gateway
  • 396 Happy Days!

  • 397

    Relatives all over the world
  • 398

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 399 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 400 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 401 Burnard family reunion

  • 402 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 403 Picking the pops

  • 404 Bideford regatta

  • 405 Filming at Hartland

  • 406 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 407 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 408 Some 240 exhibits

  • 409 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 410 Decontrol of meat

  • 411 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 412

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 413 Afternoon tea in the park

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Births and Marriages

10 February 1942

10.2.1942

Bidgway – February 7th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Nellie, wife of C Bidgway, a daughter.
Crisp – January 31st to Evangeline, wife of W Crisp, a daughter.
Glover – February 8th to Lydia, wife of E W Glover, a daughter.
Langdon – February 8th at 4 Trafalgar Place, to Evelyn (nee Weeks), wife of Gdsm W J Langdon, Coldstream Guards, a son.
Peacham – January 27th to Annie, wife of G H Peacham, a son.

Cann-Smale – January 28th at St Margaret’s Church, Northam, A B Richard Henry Cann, RN, of 45 Irsha Street, Appledore, and Winifred Joyce Christine Smale, of 6 Kimberley Terrace, Northam.
Popham-Paddon – February 4th at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Corpl George W Popham, son of Mr and Mrs Popham, 9 Marine Parade, Appledore, to Miss Alice Mary Paddon, daughter of Mr and Mrs Paddon, 20 Chingswell Street, Bideford.

Births, an Engagement and Marriages

7 April 1955

7.4.1955

Dymond – On March 26th 1955 at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital to Florence (nee Short) and Leslie, a son, Leslie John.
May – April 4th at Highfield Nursing Home, Barnstaple, to Margaret (nee Slee) and Denis, a son.

Stone-Johnson – The engagement is announced between Barbara Ann, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs H Johnson, 2 East View, Meddon Street, Bideford, and Malcolm Reginald, second son of Mr and Mrs R Stone, 6 Myrtle Grove, Bideford.

Cooke-Hubber – On March 31st 1955 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Richard S Cooke, second son of Mr and Mrs J Cooke, Bedford Row, Barnstaple, to Eileen Margaret, only daughter of Mr and Mrs F P Hubber, Elmdene, Glenfield Road, Bideford.

Hawkins-Cook – On Saturday March 19th, Derek Charles, youngest son of Mr and Mrs W Hawkins, 32 Victoria Street, Barnstaple, to Margaret Joan, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Cook, Mount Pleasant, Littleham.

Hooper-Carpenter – On April 2nd at All Saints’ Church, Clovelly, by the Rev P H Geake, James Hooper, of Electricity House, Higher Clovelly, only son of the late Mr and Mrs J Hooper, of Okehampton, to Margaret Carpenter, only daughter of Mrs Dean and the late Mr Dean, of Birmingham.

Reynolds-Taylor – On April 2nd at St Mary’s Church, Colin R Reynolds, only child of Mr and Mrs J Reynolds, of Whitwell, Derbyshire, to Pamela Mary Taylor, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Tom Taylor, of 43 Coldharbour, Bideford.

Cook-Tucker – On April 5th 1930 by the Rev W G Eeles, at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, William John to Doris Ida Tucker.

Births and a Marriage

6 October 1942

6.10.1942

Briant – October 5th at Westgate Nursing Home, Bridgnorth, Salop, to Gwendolyn Mary (nee Braund) wife of Corporal J D Briant, RAFVR, a daughter. 

Petherbridge – October 3rd to Golly (nee Gwyther), wife of Harry at Pinelea Nursing Home, Bournemouth, a son.

Shute – October 4th at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Ruth (Salisbury), wife of R V Shute, a son.

Smith – October 4th to Petty Officer A.J and Gertrude Smith, a daughter.

Taylor – September 27th at 12 Meeting Street, Appledore, to Cora (nee Hare), wife of PC Taylor, Devon Constabulary, Moretonhampstead, a daughter, Janet Hamlyn.

Hedden-Reeves – September 26th at the Congregational Church, Wood Street, Barnet, Pay-Lieut John L Hedden, RNR, of Appledore, to Betty F Reeves, of Totteridge, London

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