Seven children of Westleigh School

display the cycling profiency certificates which, with badges, had just been presented to them by Mrs J King, chairman of the managers.

Also in the picture are road safety officer Mr S Bennett and the headmaster and cycling instructor, Mr A Skinner.

Gazette article dated 17 February 1978

Looking Forward To Their Great Occasion

The first fittings for the costumes these pupils of Barley Grove School will wear as this year’s principals at Torrington May Fair ceremony took place at the school on Friday. What exactly the costumes will be is a secret at the moment but there is no doubt from the smiles of the youngsters they are happily excited about their great day.

Tom Blight, Alison Johns, Leslie Johns, Carol Saltearn, Jean Wheeler, Sheila Johns, Sandra Johns, Rachel Squire, Wendy Lugg, Anne Morey, Heather Bissett and Gwendoline Copp.

Article dated 29 March 1956

These young pupils of St Margaret’ School, Northam, have plenty to smile about

Since the 11 year olds formed a netball team last September they have played some 20 matches – and they have won them all.

Their latest success came in the Torridge District Schools football and netball rally at which they won the netball trophy with a 13-10 victory over East-the-Water School, Bideford in the final.

The team comprises: Lindsay Warmington, Alison Jarvis, Julie Chattey, Sandra Maxfield, Carolynne Moore, Suzanne Holder and Polly Hughes with Harriet Peacock and Cerys Parry as reserves.

Gazette article dated 13 May 1977

No, it’s not a Mods and Rockers fashion parade

Far from it, in fact.

These youngsters did something worthwhile over the Whitsun holiday.

They are the six boys who made up the Bideford County Secondary School patrol that took part in the gruelling Ten Tors expedition on Dartmoor.

The boys are Brian Smith, of Fremington; Stuart Lane, Kevin Stach, Christopher Brackstone, David Hughes and Roger Humphrey, all of Bideford.

Gazette article dated 5 June 1964

Fashioned by Headmaster

Clocks and watches at Barley Grove Primary School, Torrington, are neglected, at least as far as telling the time is concerned. For the schoolchildren have a much more interesting way of finding out what time it is - they just go out into the playground and look up at the front porch of the school building.

Attached to the top of the porch-way is a sundial, made and inscribed by the school's headmaster, Mr J W Hicks.

This is the wording on the sundial "I am a clock that never ticks Fashioned by J W Hicks For the

'A hive of activity'

might well describe the Nature Corner at Langtree CP School during the Summer term for an observation hive there has provided an unending source of interest.

The headmaster, Mr R A Yeo Jenn , who is a keen bee keeper and vice-chairman of the North Devon Bee Keepers' Association, told the Bideford Gazette that although the past season has been a very poor one for honey, the scholars at Langtree have been able to follow the full cycle of life in a colony of bees.

Interested in beekeeping? - visit  THIS SITE  

The full Gazette article is

A group of parents of third-year pupils at Bideford School have been giving up their spare time

to improve the appearance of classrooms used by their sons and daughters on the upper storey of the old “Geneva” building.

They were there on Wednesday evening finishing the re-painting of the doors. Metal radiators and water pipes have also been painted and attention given to windows including the replacing of one or two cracked panes. Pupils have also helped by polishing brass and in other ways.

Within the next two years the building is due to be completely re-modelled and re-decorated, the

The small girl and the large daffodils

made a picture that the photographer could not resist when he visited Bideford Pynes County Infants' School.

The children are encouraged to grow bulbs and obviously someone has green fingers.

The girl is Yasmin Olins, aged five, and for the horticulturists among our readers, the daffodils are 'Golden Harvest'.

Gazette article dated 6 March 1964

Early 1900s

Reproduced is a photograph of the football team of the Torrington Blue Coat Church School (Barley Grove) which played in the seasons 1900-01 and 1901-02 without losing a single match.

Standing at the rear is Mr B Watkins, the others are: L Blatchford, P Piper, H Wightman, J Barrow (USA), K Atwell, G Hartnoll (USA), J Bowden, W Hartnoll, J Pinkham, J Watkins, H Bell, W J Blatchford, R Bray, D Watkins, and P Bennett.

Gazette article dated 31 August 1951

Torrington Secondary Modern School’s winning team:

N Poole, M Kelland, C Jenkins, R Ball, A Smale, P Baker, P Reed and B Broad.

With two of their team finishing in the first three, Torrington Secondary Modern School, hosts to the competition this year, won the North Devon Schools cross-country championship on Monday.

First home was Alan Smale, who lives at Little Orchard, Goose Green, Torrington. Smale was the winner of his school’s second year pupils cross-country and on that occasion he put up a faster time than the winner of the senior event, Charles Jenkins, of Sunnycroft, Horns Cross, who

A recorder group has recently been formed at Woolsery School

and is busy practising – although not always in such a delightful sunshine as seen above! – for its debut at the school concert at the end of this term.

Most of the members of the group, who have bought their own instruments, are girls; in fact only a handful of boys has so far shown an interest. The headmaster, Mr C B Griffiths, has transcribed the music parts and two-part playing has begun. Their repertoire consists of hymns and well known traditional tunes, but ten years old Geraldine Cumming, of Dipple,

They Won Every Match!

Torrington Blue Coat School's football team went through in the recent season unbeaten in their matches with neighbouring schools.

They are: Adrian Darch, Roy Allen, Tommy Webber, Stephen Pearson, Terry Down, Paul Wheeler and Graham Reed. Substitute is Stephen Frey.

Gazette article dated 6 June 1969

Young Appetites are Ready

Lessons ended for the morning, there are healthy appetites to be satisfied in the canteen at Hartland School and here some of the youngest pupils wait eagerly for their lunch that this day included roast beef.

Article dated 17 February 1956

'A Very Good Co-operative Effort'

Entitled ‘our place’ this panel of embroidery by pupils of Class IC at Torrington County Secondary School was highly commended, at the Guild of Embroiders’ exhibition in London, in the senior section of the Schools’ Challenge competition 1970 championship.

It so impressed an author preparing a book on embroidery that she has asked for permission to include a photograph of it.

The judges at the exhibition described the entry as ‘a lovely panel which is full of interest – a very good co-operative effort.’

The young embroiderers seen with the panel are: Susan Dunn, Rosemarie Shambrooke,

Back to school on Monday,

after a couple of days extra holiday to allow for their return from a winter sports holiday at Hochsolden, in the Austrian Tyrol, were 34 girls from Edgehill College, Bideford.

Most of the party, which was under the leadership of Major and Mrs Ralph de Pomerai, of Westcombe, Bideford, are seen in the photograph above.

Two of the girls – Susan Holyoake of Rosebank, Buckleigh, and Margaret Sweetnam, of Cardiff – were awarded Austrian silver badges for skiing as a result of their proficiency in competitions.

Gazette article dated 23 January 1959

The senior class of Monkleigh Primary School with their new headmistress,

Mrs E M Smith, formerly headmistress of Buckland Brewer School, welcomed with interest the brief visit of a photographer ..... then it was back to lessons as usual!

Article dated 27 January 1956

Popular with the audience

Originally characterised a concert given by pupils of Torrington County Secondary School in aid of the fund to provide a swimming pool, and held in the school last week.

The accent was on the spoken word and two short plays were written and produced by Mr B. Nash, the English Master. They were, ‘The Ghost on Winkleigh Moor,’ and set during the great plague, ‘Hopeful Hearts’.

Another one-act play, ‘King Alfred and the Cakes’ was produced by the Headmaster (Mr J.W. Bastin) and, equally popular with the audience of about 250 parents and friends was ‘Widdicombe

Funds for Swimming Pool 

There was an audience of 250 parents and friends at a Christmas concert given by pupils of Torrington Blue Coat School at the Secondary School.

Mr Barker, headmaster, his staff and the children were congratulated by the Vicar, Rev P G Harrison, on the standard of the entertainment.

Proceeds from the concert amounted to £20. A Christmas draw organised by Mr D Marker raised £96 and donations totalled £1 10s. The whole amount went to the school swimming pool fund.

Tickets in the competition were drawn by the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs W Cockram,

Making Christmas decorations

The children seen in the above picture made their own decorations for their school’s Christmas party – during their arithmetic lessons!

The arithmetic was not neglected, however, as the children received plenty of practice measuring the decorations and working out how to arrange them in the school room where the party was held.

The children are pupils of Little Torrington Church School, and when the picture was taken they had been decorating the room where the party was held on Tuesday.

Gifts at the party were distributed from a gaily decorated Christmas tree by Mrs G F Stevens-Guille.

All 12 pupils from Appledore Primary School who took a safe cycling training course at the school gained the cycling proficiency award.

The successful young cyclists, who received their certificates from the headmaster, Mr Emlyn Williams, were: Brian Tricker, Kim Bowden, Mark Ellis, Robbie Graham, Alan Cox, Ursula Day, Michelle Peters, Dawn Fisher, John Bartlett, Andrew Pascoe, Simon Jones and Michael Wigmore.

Gazette article dated 21 January 1977

Bideford, Devon

Day and Boarding School for Boys up to the age of 14.

Boys prepared for the Common Entrance Examination for Public Schools and Royal Navy.

For Prospectus and vacancies apply:- THE HEADMASTER, Major J N H Bacon, MA, FRSA, MRST

Kindergarten boys and girls are accepted daily in the Pre-preparatory department under the care of Mrs C Salter.

There is a Special Class for Girls up to the age of 11, applications for which should be made to Mrs Salter personally.

Gazette dated 20 July 1951

And Closes Again

After four days’ extra holiday Hartland County Primary School re-opened on Monday morning, but not for long.

Very soon the canteen water system was spurting water seemingly at every joint.

It was found that the water supply was frozen underground long before it reached the toilets. So the school closed again.

After the bus children had been given a hot meal – prepared under conditions of extreme difficulty by the canteen staff – the buses took the children home.

The staff were pleased to see that over 80 of the 140 pupils made the effort to get to school.

Filled to capacity on first day

When 240 young children (including pupils from Littleham School closed at the end of last term) walked into Bideford’s new County Junior School off Coronation Road, Bideford, on the first day of term on Tuesday, they entered a £46,000 building which is said to be one of the most advanced in design in the country.

In the past this junior school, whose pupils are 7-11, occupied ground floor rooms of Bideford (Geneva) school with the Secondary Modern School in the remainder.

‘The complications that arise from that sort of arrangement are now non-existent as

A notable family association with Bideford Grammar School, stretching over the past 18 years, ended when the school broke up for its summer vacation.

The family is that of Mr and Mrs George Polley, 8 Kenwith Terrace, Northam Road, Bideford, who have three sons and two daughters. Since 1945 there had been a Polley on the register at the Grammar School.

All three sons – Michael, John and Robin – took a leading part in all spheres of school life and their schooldays seemed to follow a similar prominent pattern.

Mr and Mrs Polley’s daughters are Ann, who is married to a

Hardly a popular pastime during disappointing holiday weather

but it provides these children of Langtree School with an instructive hobby.

At noon every day during term time, the children take it in turns to note the rainfall and the maximum and minimum temperatures. Both rain gauge and thermometer were obtained only about a month ago and it is hoped to chart the individual recordings for each month.

Says Mr. R. A. Yeo Jenn, the Headmaster, "The children are always very enthusiastic about this task, which is very pleasing.”

As can be seen from the photograph – which, incidentally, was taken on

Winners of the junior safety quiz contest at Northam were a team from St Margaret's School.

This success was a repeat of that last year.

Seen with Mr Peter Hall, chairman of Northam road safety committee, are Stefan Miller, Ian Mansfield, Simon Worley and Elizabeth Ruddock.

All are aged 11.

Gazette article dated 4 May 1973

Ten girls of Edgehill College's Upper IVB form

staged a novel 11-legged sponsored walk in Bideford Park at the weekend to raise funds for the RSPCA.

The girls, who did five circuits, were: Julie Mayne, Pamela Southcott, Julie Rudge, Celia Smith, Jane Hughes, Kate Biddulph, Jane Waters, Jackie Marshall, Susan Westaway and Wendy Elrick.

School girls also did this in 1975

Gazette article dated 4 February 1977

“Fish out of water,” the latest production of Bideford Community College drama group, proved their best yet.

The three-act comedy by Derek Benfield was ideally suited to this small company, who obviously enjoyed themselves as much as the audience.

Portraying the adventures of a very mixed group of English tourists on the Italian Riviera, it ends, of course, with romance – one expected and one quite the opposite.

As the dominating Agatha Hepworth, Betty Maynard captured much of the attention, and Edie Hill’s sympathetic portrayal of the pitiable Fiona Francis also won praise.

The mere appearance of Cyril Squires as the

Fancy Dress Carnival - Stella Maris Junior School - 2nd July 1954

Ready For A Tug After "Oranges And Lemons"

After a lapse of two years, the junior school fancy dress carnival was revived in all its colour and gaiety on Saturday to resume its place in the life of Stella Maris Convent School, Bideford.
Fairy, wizard and golliwog, Robind Hood, Bo-Peep and Contrary Mary and other characters from story book and nursery rhyme, mixed with nativesof other lands - the Indian prince, the Hawaian girl and the Texan - as nearly 200 children danced and played dleightfully on the sunlit lawn before

BGS Grenville Rugby - 16th November 1962

BGS beat Grenville College

After two weeks with no fixtures, Bideford Grammar School entertained Grenville College, and chalked up their second win of the season by 18-3.
Grenville took an early lead from a penalty, then BGS woke up and were soon on level terms when George Squires kicked a penalty goal. The home score was increased when winger Roger Geen touched down in the corner.
After the interval the Grammar School were put further ahead by another penalty by Squires. Soon afterwards centre Chris Jeffery crossed the Grenville line for an unconverted try, and then,

Bideford Grammar School - 1935

History of the Grammar School

First mention in a lease belonging to feoffees of Long Bridge dated 31 May 1717. Richard Dunnyng rented bakehouse near west end of Long Bridge from feoffees. 'with the great seller under the School House, late in the occupation of John Shurtle' who was, as it happened, one of the feoffes and probably a merchant. The boundaries of the property are given as Alhalwyn Street on the west, the ponyon end of the bakehouse on the east, the land of John Suzanne, gent, on the north, and the Broadway or

Edgehill College Junior Sports - 19th June 1959

Dr R A Cooper wins the sack race for fathers and Mrs Dorothy Cleaver won the obstacle race for mothers. The headmistress, Miss A M Shaw, distributed the prizes and was presented with a bouquet by Elizabeth Coham-Fleming.
Highest number of points: 11 years - Ann Vince, Penelope Mole. 10 years - Jane Bush, Margaret Heywood. 9 years - Celia Barfoot, Sally Doe. 8 years - Janine Trapnell, Elizabeth Cleaver. 7 years - Belinda Cross, Sarah Vincent. 6 years - Richard McKean, Elizabeth Spinks. 5 years - Robin Trapnell, Philip Cleaver.
Little visitors' race - Ann Stanbury.

Girls' College To Have Headmaster - 12th December 1975

For the first time since it was founded at Bideford 91 years ago Edgehill College is to have a man in charge.
When the present headmistress, Miss A Mary Shaw, retires at the end of the summer term she will be suceeded by Mr Joseph Shepherd, 46, of Wolverhampton.

Two of the best known of North Devon Methodists, the Rev and Mrs Richard Pyke, have just celebrated their diamond wedding.

Mr Pyke was once a minister on the Barnstaple Thorne Memorial Circuit. He and his wife were married at the Bear Street church.
He has been a governor of Shebbear College for nearly 50 years and was recently made a life governor.

Bideford school pioneers new constructional method 15th February 1963

First school to be built in this country using a structure of aluminium girders is at present being erected in Bideford.

New junior school for pupils of Stella Maris Convent being erected in the Convent's grounds near Mignonette Walk.  Main contractors for the work are the Bideford firm of A F (Colin) Beer & Son.  The use of new lightweight girders in the building trade is the idea of the designer of the school, Mr Bruce Martin, of London.

 Stella Maris third in S.W. catholic schools' swimming 28.6.1968

Seen above before a training session are the swimming team from Bideford's Stella Maris School.  After winning the North Devon area title of the Catholics schools' Swimming Federation, they competed at the South West area finals at Charlton Park, Cheltenham.

Swimmers taking part.  Elizabeth Adlington; Linda Locke; Helen Cooper; Joanne Payne; Marilyn Cuthill; Karen Locke; Jean Cooper; Carol Booth;  Prudence Murray; Hilary Shaw; Kathrine Payne and Karen Cummings.

Confirmation in school gym 21st February 1964

Two of 52 boys of Grenville College who were confirmed on Sunday morning kneel before the Bishop of Crediton (Right Rev. Wilfred Westall) who officiated at this, the first such service to be held at the college.  The Bishop was assisted by the school chaplain (Rev. D R Jones) and during the Communion, which over 200 took, two other priests assisted.  One of these was a great uncle of one of the candidates and the other, the Rev E G  Bevan (Vicar of Abbotsham), who is a member of the school's teaching staff.

Massive shooting trophy is back at Grenville College 3rd July 1970

Second time in 3 years the magnificent 'News of the World' shooting trophy, open to competition by Army Cadet Forces throughout the country, is lodged at Grenville College, Bideford.  Mr Crabbe is headmaster of Grenville College.

The trophy was presented by Major General J Douglas-Withers, General Officer Commanding South Western District.  The man behind the eight was again Company Sergeant Major Gerald Beer, of "E" Company, Wessex Volunteers.

The eight comprised Sergeant Ronald Harris; Cadet Charles Cross; Lance Coproral John Treffry; Lance Corporal Simond Gifford; Cadet Adrian Forbes; Cadet

Boarder still critical 25th June 1982

A Grenville College boarder who fell 60 feet down cliffs at Hartland was still critically ill in Freedom Fields Hospital, Plymouth.

Julian Bairstow, 12, sustained serious head and internal injuries when he plunged on to rocks near Blagdon Farm west of Hartland Point.  Pupils Ashley Gray, Shaun Robins and Tim Leech kept him breathing until he could be stretchered aboard a helicopter from RAF Chivenor and airlifted to the North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple.

The three boys were later praised by the Chivenor winchman.  He told the College's headmaster Mr David Powell-Price: "They did

Woolsery children's Coat of Arms in Sea-shells 12.07.1961

Each summer term children at Woolsery Primary School make a study of various kinds of sea shells and sea weeds.  Mr C B Griffiths headmaster had a brainwave - "a picture of Bideford's Coat of Arms made from sea shells and painted, would be a good idea."

Children seen in the picture, left to right are Michael Andrew, Michael Dark, Ann Piper, Joan Gorrell, Susan Bond, Pauline Gilbert and Sylvia Braund.  They are all aged 10.

For a number of years past there has been a steady growth in the size of Bideford.

Houses have sprung up on both sides of the river with rather astonishing regularity, and being occupied as soon as erected, the natural result was an increase in the adult and juvenile population of the Borough. The consequence was that the accommodation provided for educating the children was first taxed to its utmost capacity, and then that the School Board had to face the serious report that in three instances schools were so overcrowded, and unless some steps were taken to amend matters,

Although the girls and infants have been using the school for about a fortnight, the formal ceremony of declaring it open did not take place until last Wednesday when in fine weather the ceremony was successfully performed in the presence of a large company.

The School Board and Corporation assembled at the Bridge Buildings at 11.30am and forming into a procession headed by the Hungarian Band, marched to the School. The procession was as follows: - Police, Hungarian Band, Chairman, Clerk and Members of the School Board, Fire Brigade, Borough Mace Bearers, The Mayor – Mr E J Tattersill – Aldermen, Councillors and

You may have seen that Geneva School, Bideford, has been converted into apartments. Some of you may have been to school there. Here a selection of photographs taken in, what is believed to be, 1959.

Boys’ playground with Ashley Terrace in the background

Date unknown

Old Boarding School - Shebbear College Centenary 01.07.1941

1941 marks the Centenary of the founding of one of the oldest Boarding School in the County of Devon.  On Lady Day, 1841, owing to the foresight of a group of members of the Bible Christian Church, Shebbear Proprietary Grammar School was opened, having as its first Headmaster or Master, as he was then called - Rev H C O'Donoghue, M.A. of St John's College, Cambridge, who was a Chaplain to His Majestry, King William IV.

Headmasters, Thomas Ruddle, B.A. who directed its fortunes from 1864 to 1909 and John Rounsfell B.A.B sc. who

Shebbear's new science block opened on Speech Day 21.07.1961

Prof. Charles Coulson, F.R.S. professor of mathematics at Oxford University declared at the opening ceremony of the new £20,000 science block on the morning of speech day at Shebbear College.

"I declare the building open," he added, "and I hope all who work there will have happiness and joy in the work they do."

Architects of the two storey building, are Messrs Yorke, Mardall and Rosenberg of London.  It was designed by Mr Roger Tomalin and built by Messrs J E Stacey, of Holsworthy.

The headmaster, Mr J B Morris, said

New school for boys at Bideford 16th July 1954

Grenville College is the name of a new independent boarding school and day school for boys between the ages of 9 and 17 announced as taking over premises being vacated at the end of this Summer term by West Bank School for girls which is moving to Sidmouth.  The headmistress is Miss Hewlett.

Mr N. A. Dromgoole as headmaster.  He was a former headmaster of Belmont College, was educated at Dulwich College St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he gained his B.A. (Hons.) degree.

Still looking for a win 30th October 1970

So far this has definitely not been Shebbear Reserves' season in the North Devon League division three, for they are bottom of the table, and did nothing to raise themselves on Saturday when they lost their 7th match out of 7, this time to Bideford Youth Club.

Shebbear Reserves' team; back row - Bill Lewis, John Kelly, Barry Whiting, Max Piper, John Heard, Roy Fursdon.  Front row - Brian Heddon, David Bailey, Ray Sluggett, Ian Harris, Bill Parish, Bill Lashbrook.

Many old friendships were renewed at the informal gathering which followed the business part of the evening and even the oldest Old Boy was still remembered by Mr Cecil J Smith, without whom no such gathering would be complete.
Mr C F Stephens was elected President in succession to Mr R Whitefield and the meeting agreed to ask Mr C T Braddick to accept

With the autumn term, the Rev Richard Pyke, president of the Methodist Conference in 1939 and of the United Methodist Conference in 1927, commences duties as bursar of Edgehill Girls' College, Bideford, in succession to the Rev W Treffry, who has retired.

Mr Pyke is well known to West country Methodists and to North Devon in particular. A native of Sampford Courtney, he attended Shebbear Collage to which he returned in later years as bursar and secretary to the Trustees and as a Governor, becoming chairman of the joint governing bodge of Shebbear and Edgehill Colleges.

Fears that the high price paid for half an acre of land near Bideford Grammar School may now prejudice the availability of playing field space for the town’s new comprehensive school were voiced yesterday by Mr Peter Fletcher, chairman of the governing body for Bideford’s secondary schools.

He has called a special meeting of the governors for next Wednesday to consider the situation.
At a public auction attended by about 50 people at Bideford on Tuesday, the half acre of land concerned, belonging to the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, was sold after a five minute spell of bidding for

But they reckoned without Shepherd, who hit 51 which included 4 fours and a six, and a windfall of 17 in one over; he was well supported by Ash (24 not out) and Rogers (24), and the Shebbear figure was passed just a few minutes from time.
Gazette article dated 20 June 1958

Their visits included a tour of the canals at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Harbour, the Delft potteries, a cheese factory, art galleries and the Zuider Zee. ‘We were made welcome wherever we went’ said Miss M Loughlin, one of the teachers who accompanied the party. While at Volendam the group found a photographer who kept a stock of national costumes, and posed for the photograph: J Beer, M Little, P

One of the most successful reunions of Edgehill College Old Girls took place at Bideford during the past weekend. They returned not only to enjoy personal reunions but to see how the College was ‘at work’ today, under modern conditions. Their interest and enthusiasm vied only with that of the present staff, and of Miss H Lawson Brown, who became headmistress just two years ago. 

Dramatic moments were recalled by the visit of one ‘Old Girl’, now living in Bath. Then a boarder at the school, she was the first to wake up

Many parents wished they were back at school again when a large number of visitors attended an Open Day at Langtree County Primary School on Friday.
Folk dancing, recorder playing, puppet making and basketry have been added to the curriculum this year, said the headmaster, Mr R A Yeo Jenn, in welcoming the guests.
Great interest was shown in the needlework section, under the direction of Mrs G E Burnett, as several of the articles made at the school had already been on display at teachers’ courses in different parts of the county.
A

Thursday of last week was the end of three great days for Francis and Mary, four years old twins of Mr and Mrs T Slade, Lime Grove, Bideford.
Francis and Mary were among the most popular performers in a concert presented by Bideford Grammar School. In the concert they were also twins – but Russian children – part of the cast in a play from a Tolstoy story, entitled ‘Michael’.
One of the youngest pupils taking part provided a touch of ‘something different’. Twelve years old Jimmy Grainger opened the concert with a bagpipe solo, playing ‘Cock o’

The Management Board of Methodist Residential Schools have appointed Miss Annie M Shaw, MA, headmistress of Edgehill College, Bideford, to succeed Miss H Lawson Brown, MA. Miss Lawson Brown has been appointed the headmistress of Dame Alison Harper School, Bedford.
Miss Shaw, who is at present on the staff of Queenswood School, Hatfield, was formerly on the staff of Hunmanby School, Yorks, and will take up her appointment at Edgehill in April. At Queenswood she is senior English mistress.
A native of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Miss Shaw was educated

Forty four boys of Shebbear College, nine girls from Edgehill College and five members of the Shebbear teaching staff presented on Friday, Saturday and Monday highly successful performances of Arkell and Reynolds’ ‘1966 and all that’.
It was a combined effort by the Musical and Dramatic Societies of the two colleges and was watched by capacity audiences in Shebbear’s Memmorial Hall on all three evenings.
Some of the colourful costumes had been bought and others made by Mrs J B Morris (wife of the headmaster) and Mrs J A Buckley.
Those taking part were: J

There seemed to be some confusion, he added. He had been asked why they had not supported it. They had done all they could to support he move for a new school. The protest on this occasion, said the clerk Mr C T Braddick, was about the action of officials. The critics had not read into the

Lessons at Bideford Church Infants’ School took an unusual turn last week when the Borough Beadle, Mr W Dennis, arrived at the school with the full regalia of the Mayor and Mayoress of the town.
Mrs E C Hart, a member of the staff of the school, is this year’s Mayoress of Bideford.
After the Borough Beadle had explained all the points of interest about the chains and badges, to the great delight of her children the Mayoress donned her chain of office and posed with other members of the staff and children for photographs.
Among

Results: Flat races - Colin Barnstaple, Geoffrey Coles, Andrew Levick, Isobel Colwill, Robin Simpson, Peter Forsyth, Leon Dziurzynski, Elizabeth Heywood, Margaret Coles, Irene Lewis, Graham Jeffery, Brian Dennis, David Tucker, Susan Hill, Jennifer Barker, Pamela Fishleigh, Eric Tucker, Roy Rowland, George Heywood, Mary Mitchell, Lorna Brown, Graham Lewis, Alan Forsyth, David Heard, Judith Prance, Rosemary Fishleigh, Jennifer Mills, Geoffrey Cock, John Lewis, John Cleverdon, Sylvia Jeffrey, Christine Poole, Queenie May, Ernest Dennis, Stephen

Lindsay Tucker and Neil Hole presented Mr Balsdon with a portable radio and a card signed by all the pupils, many of whom are seen in the picture.
Later, in the presence of present and former school managers, the headmaster, Mr J Y Jenn, praised Mr Balsdon’s loyal service and presented him with a cassette tape recorder from colleagues and friends.
Until his appointment as school caretaker Mr Balsdon was for 31 years

As a result they hope to raise about £45 for a House for Society’s Rejects which is being opened in Barnstaple. Most of the girls were from Belvoir House.
They were accompanied on their walk by their former mistress, Mrs Symonds.
Gazette articles dated 21 November 1975

On the last day of his 19 years as headmaster of Bideford County Secondary School and his retirement after 35 years as a teacher, Mr J E Down is seen her with Mr A C Lavers, senior master, and head girl and boy, Elizabeth Pidler and Kenneth Hocking, and the school’s prefects.

Both presentations followed the normal morning assembly, and both were greeted by thunderous applause.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 July 1960

Cookery has a large part in their curriculum, which is as it should be in a farming community.

The domestic science teacher, Miss M. Stevens, told the Gazette that there was a basic recipe so that the cakes were of an economic size, but apart from that the girls were allowed to use their own ingenuity. That they had certainly done, some even having manufactured the decorations,

Most

What fun it can be to them, and how entertaining to friends of their own age and grown-ups. These pupils of Strathmore School, Bideford, not only enjoyed themselves, and gave enjoyment, when they took part in the Dr Barnado’s Helpers’ League concert at Rosehill, Northam, on Saturday, but they also had the extra satisfaction of knowing they were helping children less fortunate than themselves.

Strathmore pupils gave a performance of ‘The Rhyming Princess’ and those taking part were: A Gordon, P Hearn, M Hardman, M Lane, B Harding, M

Work on a sports hall for Shebbear College has begun.  The project is part of the college's programme of expansion.  It will compromise a full size sports arena, two squash courts, three recreation rooms, a table tennis balcony and two changing rooms, and it should be completed by the end of the year.  Headmaster Mr G W Kingsnorth,

Schoolgirls from many lands

The above charming group of girls from many lands was taken the other day at the Stella Maris Convent School, Bideford, on the occasion of the feast day held in honour of the Reverend Mother.

Girls starting at the back with Marion Pringle; Emma Ritter; Munira Gatami; Yvette Stragier; Felicity Baker; Beatrice Van Waes; Maria Massaquoi; Cecelia de Yanes; Suzanne Froozan; Brenda Alcala; Danielle Caproni; Rositta Aidinzantz; Sylvia Sagrario; Frieda Diponogoro; Jessie Dreyfuss; Cynthia Behnan and Ajibabi Dekalu.