• 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 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 2 Hartland postman retires

  • 3 Sweet success at Langtree School

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

  • 5 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 6 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 7 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 8 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 9 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 10 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 11 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 12 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 13 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 14 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 15 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 16 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 17 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 18 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 20 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 21 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 22 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 23 Revenge in style

  • 24 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 25 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 26 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 27 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 28 New civic medallions

  • 29 Ships at Bideford

  • 30 Riverside mystery

  • 31 Northam footballers of the future

  • 32 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 33 Centenary of Gazette

  • 34 Service with a smile

  • 35 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 36 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 37 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 38 Happy Days!

  • 39 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 40 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 41 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 42 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 43 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 44 For crying out loud!

  • 45

    New gateway
  • 46 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 47 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 48 Torrington children build igloo
  • 49 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 50 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 51 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 52 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 53

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 54 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 55 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 56 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 57 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 58 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 59

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 60 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 61 New Lundy stamps

  • 62 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 63 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 64 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 65 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 67 Clovelly nightmare

  • 68

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 69 What's the time?

  • 70

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 71 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 72 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 73 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 74 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 75 Devil sent packing

  • 76 New shipyard on schedule

  • 77

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 78 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 79 Traditions and skills still there

  • 80 113 years at Instow

  • 81 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 82

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 83 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 84 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 85 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 86

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 87 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 88 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 89 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 90 Bideford regatta

  • 91 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 92

    Exhibition of school work
  • 93 Circus comes to town

  • 94 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 95

    Building works
  • 96 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 97 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 98 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 99 Picking the pops

  • 100 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 101 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 102 Artisans' Club

  • 103 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 104

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 105 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 107

    Relatives all over the world
  • 108 Clovelly custom

  • 109 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 110 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 111 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 112 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 113 Littleham family's five generations

  • 114 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 115 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 116 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 117 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 118

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 119 Weare Giffard potato

  • 120 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 121 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 122 Bideford computer stars

  • 123 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 124 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 125 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 126 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 127 Decontrol of meat

  • 128 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 129 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 130 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 131 Mobile missionary

  • 132 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 133 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 134 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 135 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 136 End of the line

  • 137 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 138 Six footed lamb

  • 139 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 140 Recognise this resort?

  • 141 Puppet characters introduced

  • 142 School's link with cargo ship

  • 143 First ship in 8 years

  • 144 Can spring be far away?

  • 145 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 146 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 147 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 148 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 149 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 150 School crossing patrol begins

  • 151 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 152 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 153 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 154 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 155 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 156

    First prize
  • 157 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 158 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 159 A man and his wheel

  • 160 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 161 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 162 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 163 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 164 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 165 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 166 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 167 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 168 New addition to Quay front

  • 169 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 170 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 171 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 172 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 173 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 174 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 175 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 176 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 177 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 178 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 179 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 180 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 181 The art of the thatcher

  • 182 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 183 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 184 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 185 Parkham plan realised

  • 186 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 187 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 188 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 189 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 190 North Devon Driving School

  • 191 Sight of a lifetime

  • 192 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 193 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 194 The Geneva marionettes

  • 195 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 196 Ten year old scrambler

  • 197 All aboard the ark

  • 198 Cruising down the river

  • 199 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 200 Modern living at Bideford

  • 201 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 202 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 203 New life for Hartland organ

  • 204

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 205

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 206 East-the-Water's call for new school

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

  • 208 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 209 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 210 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 211 Police station view of Bideford

  • 212 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 213 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 214 A story to tell!

  • 215 Pannier Market's future?

  • 216 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 218

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 219

    Bidefordians
  • 220 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 221 New choral society's growing response

  • 222 Out of puff!

  • 223 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 224 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 225 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 226 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 227 Torrington's new amenity

  • 228 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 229 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 230 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 231 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 232 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 233 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 234 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 235 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 236 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 237 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 238 Bridging the stream

  • 239 Loads of black and white

  • 240 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 241 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 242 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 243 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 244 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 245 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 246 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 247 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 248 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 249 Life begins at 80

  • 250 New art gallery opened

  • 251 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 252 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 253 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 254 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 255 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 256 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 257 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 258

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 259 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 260 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 261 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 262 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 263 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 264 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 265 Burnard family reunion

  • 266 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 267 Peter poses for TV film

  • 268 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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

  • 270 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 271 A bird of their own!

  • 272 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 273 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 274 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 275 Sweets derationing

  • 276 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 277 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 278 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 279 Appledore's largest

  • 280 Northam's almshouse

  • 281 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 282 All for the love of a lady!

  • 283

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 284 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 285 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 286 A roof-top view - where?

  • 287 Hartland Dancers
  • 288 In their new robes and hats

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

  • 290

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 291 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 292 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 293 Waldon Triplets
  • 294 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 295 Filming at Hartland

  • 296 Torrington in 1967

  • 297 New Post Office

  • 298

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 299 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 300 New look in the hayfields

  • 301 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 302 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 303 Private home for public pump

  • 304 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 305 Finished in 1876

  • 306 Penny for the guy

  • 307 Twenty-one yachts

  • 308

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 309 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 310

    Married in 1908
  • 311 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 312 Just over a year old

  • 313 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 314 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 315 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 316 Emergency ferry services

  • 317

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 318 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 319

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 320 Variety in summer weather

  • 321 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 322 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 323 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 324 Some 240 exhibits

  • 325 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 326 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 327 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 328 From Bobby to Brian

  • 329 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 330 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 331

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 332 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 333 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 334 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 335

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 336 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 337 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 338 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 339 Off on a great adventure

  • 340 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 341 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 342 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 343 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 344 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 345 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 346 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 347 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 348 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 349 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 350 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 351 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 352 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 353 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 354 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 355 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 356

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 357 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 358 Jumble sale fever

  • 359 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 360 The cab at the corner>
  • 361 Last train from Torrington

  • 362 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 363 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 364 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 365 Warmington's garage ad

  • 366 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 367 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 368 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 369 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 370 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 371 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 372 Hartland's invitation

  • 373 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 374 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 375

    Was a missionary
  • 376 Bideford loses training ship

  • 377 He beat the floods

  • 378 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 379 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 380 It really was the 'last time'

  • 381 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 382 No laughing matter

  • 383 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 384 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 385 Picking the pops

  • 386 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 387 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 388 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 389 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 390

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 391 So this is the mainland!

  • 392 Some mushroom!

  • 393 Capers on the cobbles

  • 394 Simple Item 138
  • 395 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 396

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 397 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 398 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 399 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 400 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 401 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 402 No sale of Springfield House

  • 403 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 404 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 405 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 407 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 408 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 409 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 410

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 411 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 412 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 413 When horses score over the tractor

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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In Memorium

21 July 1950

21.7.1950 in memorium

Bate – in proud and everlasting memory of our adored and so devoted husband and father, Charles Henry Bate, Captain RD, RNR, (Ret), on this the fifth anniversary of his passing (July 21st 1945). His was an outstanding soul – he reached the pinnacles of love, kindness and truth, unaware of his super attainments, far-reaching influence and wonderful personality and the power to command. He won the deep respect of all his shipmates and many friends, the outcome of his splendid character and devotion to duty as he saw it. “Unseen, unheard, yet always by our side”. For ever yours, Nora and Bunty

Craner – in loving memory of Mam, who passed away July 17th 1949. From her loving husband, son and daughter.

Edwards – treasured memories of my dearest Dad, William, who passed away July 24th 1949. Goodnight and God bless you always. Doris, Ralph and Baby Kay.

Guard – loving memories of my dear husband, William Kendal, passed away July 24th 1942. Sadly missed by his wife, son, daughter and family.

Hewson – in loving memory of Francis, beloved husband of Elizabeth Taunton Hewson, who passed peacefully to rest 18th July 1947. Daily remembered by Dorothy, Police Station, Tiverton.

Raymont – in loving memory of a dear wife and mother, Elizabeth Grace Raymont, who passed peacefully away on July 22nd 1949. Sadly missed by her husband and family. Hill View, Landcross.

Southcombe – in memory of a dear husband and father, called to rest July 17th 1941. From his wife, daughter Molly and Reg.

Taylor – treasured memories of our dearest mother, who died July 20th 1946. Always in our thoughts. Kenneth and Marjorie.

In Memoriam

14 July 1950

14.7.1950 in memorium

Grantham – in cherished memory of a devoted wife and our darling mum, passed peacefully away July 15th 1945. 2 Calf Street, Torrington.

Horrill – treasured memories of my dear brother, who died at Horfield, Bristol, eldest son of the late Arthur and Mary Jane Horrill, of Northam, July 14th 1949. Edie.

Thorne – in ever-loving memory of a very dear husband and daddy, George Henry, passed away 12th July 1949. Always in my thoughts, darling, Joyce and Peter.

Thorne – loving memories of our dear son-in-law, George Henry, passed away July 12th 1949. Mother and Dad, Doncaster.

Thorne – loving memories of my dear brother-in-law, George, passed away 12th July 1949. Gladys, Doncaster.

Thorne – treasured memories of a dear brother-in-law, George, passed away 12th July 1949. Madge and Jack, Doncaster.

Thorne – treasured memories of our dear brother-in-law, George, passed away July 12th 1949. Edith and Sid, Doncaster.

In Memoriam

7 July 1950

7.7.1950 in memorium

Braund – treasured memories of dearest Donald and Brian, who fell asleep July 19th 1948 and July 9th 1949. Sadly missed by all at Maidsmoor.

Chubb – in loving memory of Benjamin Chubb, who passed away on July 7th 1930; and also the son of the above, Walter B Chubb, who also passed away on June 18th 1923. Sadly missed by his wife and son, 4 Higher Gunstone, Bideford.

Glover – in ever-loving memory of my dear husband, George Henry Glover, who suddenly passed away July 9th 1949. From his sorrowing wife, Elsie, 3a Cross Street, Northam.

Glover – in memory of George Henry, second eldest son of Maud and the late George Glover, of 1 Oakfield Terrace, Northam, who died suddenly on July 9th 1949. Always remembered by his loving mother, sisters and brothers.

Sullivan – in loving memory of Dottie (nee Hockway), beloved wife and devoted mother, who died June 29th 1947. From sons Fred and Dan, daughters Mable and Connie and husband Tim.

Roll of Honour

Cawsey – in loving memory of our darling Kenneth (Dorset Regt) who died of wounds on July 10th 1944 in NW Europe. From mam, dad and brothers, 11 Sunnyside.

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