Surrounded by a collection of traditional corn dollies is Mrs Grace West, 23 Milton Place, Bideford.

Mrs West learned the age-old art just two years ago when she was given a two-hour lesson by a Beaford man. She took it from there.
She does the work as a hobby and has made several for her friends. She also takes them to schools, women’s institute meetings and other gatherings where she explains their origins. The corn comes from Abbotsham and she supplements this with reed given to her by a thatcher friend.
Mrs West’s ambition is to make a corn dolly peculiar to Alwington.

The full Gazette article is dated 1 June 1972