The spirit of celebration

was very much in the air in Bideford during June 1911, on the occasion of the Coronation of His late Majesty King George V and memories of the jollifications on that occasion will no doubt be recalled to many Bidefordians by this photograph. It was one of several interesting old photographic plates kindly loaned for perusal by Mr R I Cock, of Bideford.

At the market a free luncheon was given to all residents over sixty years of age but a number of the younger generation decided to arrange their own festive and very public luncheon. Catering was provided by the Steam Packet Hotel on the Quay and the laden tables were erected on the river side of the Quay. Among the many faces in the photograph readers will recognise Messrs E Woodyatt, Charles Morris, S Parkhouse, R Prance , S Priscott and W Goodenough. For this special occasion a ‘one man band’ was present, on the right. Moored against the Quay is a Danish merchant ship, whose captain and mate were invited to take part in the celebrations. Later in the afternoon the party moved off to Westward Ho! where the jollifications were continued.

Gazette article 4 November 1947