• 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 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 2 New look in the hayfields

  • 3 School's link with cargo ship

  • 4 No sale of Springfield House

  • 5 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 6 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 7 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 8 Blanchards ad.>
  • 9 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 10 First ship in 8 years

  • 11 Northam's almshouse

  • 12 Loads of black and white

  • 13 It really was the 'last time'

  • 14 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 15 No laughing matter

  • 16 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 17

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 18 Artisans' Club

  • 19 Six footed lamb

  • 20 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 21 Warmington's garage ad

  • 22 A story to tell!

  • 23 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 24 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 25

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 26 End of the line

  • 27 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 28 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 29 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 30 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 31 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 32 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 33 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 34 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 35 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 36 Some 240 exhibits

  • 37

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 38 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 39 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 40 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 41 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 42 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 43

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 44 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 45 Bridging the stream

  • 46 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 48 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 49 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 51 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 52 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 53 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 54 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 55 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 56 Appledore's largest

  • 57 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 58 Revenge in style

  • 59 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 60 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 61 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 62 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 63 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 64 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 65 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 66 New shipyard on schedule

  • 67 Torrington children build igloo
  • 68 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 69 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 70 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 71 A bird of their own!

  • 72 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 73 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 74 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 75

    Was a missionary
  • 76

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 77 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 78 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 79 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 80 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 81 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 82 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 83 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 84 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 85 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 86 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 87 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 88 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 89 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 90 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 91 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 92 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 93 New life for Hartland organ

  • 94 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 95 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 96

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 97 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 98 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 99 Happy Days!

  • 100 A man and his wheel

  • 101

    New gateway
  • 102 Bideford regatta

  • 103 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 104 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 106 Northam footballers of the future

  • 107 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 108 Clovelly nightmare

  • 109 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 110 New choral society's growing response

  • 111 The art of the thatcher

  • 112 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 113 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 114 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 115 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 116 The Geneva marionettes

  • 117 Capers on the cobbles

  • 118 Off on a great adventure

  • 119

    Relatives all over the world
  • 120 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 121 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 122 They are parted pro-tem

  • 123 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 124 Cruising down the river

  • 125 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 126 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 127 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 128 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 129 New addition to Quay front

  • 130 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 131 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 132 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 133

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 134 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 135 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 136 Traditions and skills still there

  • 137 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 138

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 139 Modern living at Bideford

  • 140 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 141 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 142 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 143 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 144 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 145 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 146 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 147 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 148 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 150 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 151 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 152 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 153 Life begins at 80

  • 154 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 155 Burnard family reunion

  • 156 By pony and trap to market

  • 157 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 158 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 159 Emergency ferry services

  • 160 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 161 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 162 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 163 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 164 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 165 Last train from Torrington

  • 166 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 167 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 168 Riverside mystery

  • 169 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 170 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 171 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 172 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 173 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 174 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 175

    First prize
  • 176 He beat the floods

  • 177 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 178 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 179 Private home for public pump

  • 180 School crossing patrol begins

  • 181 Weare Giffard potato

  • 182 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 183 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 184 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 185 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 186

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 187 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 188 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 189 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 190 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 191 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 192 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 193 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 194 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 195 Bideford computer stars

  • 196 Pannier Market's future?

  • 197 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 198 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 199 Service with a smile

  • 200 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 201 Filming at Hartland

  • 202 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 203 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 204 Clovelly custom

  • 205 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 206 Sight of a lifetime

  • 207 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 208 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 209 Devil sent packing

  • 210 Variety in summer weather

  • 211 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 212 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 213 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 214 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 215 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 216 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 217 Puppet characters introduced

  • 218 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 219 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 220 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 221 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 222 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 223

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 224 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 225 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 226 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 227

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 228 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 229 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 230 Parkham plan realised

  • 231 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 232

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 233 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 234 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 235 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 236 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 237 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 238 New Lundy stamps

  • 239 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 240

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 241 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 242 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 243 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 244 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 245 Picking the pops

  • 246 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 247 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 248 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 249 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 250 A roof-top view - where?

  • 251 Out of puff!

  • 252 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 253 Just over a year old

  • 254 Some mushroom!

  • 255 All aboard the ark

  • 256 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 257 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 258 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 259 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 260 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 261 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 262 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 263 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 264 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 265 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 266 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 267 New Post Office

  • 268 New art gallery opened

  • 269

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 270 Torrington in 1967

  • 271 Centenary of Gazette

  • 272 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 273 The cab at the corner>
  • 274 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 275 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 276 Recognise this resort?

  • 277 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 278 In their new robes and hats

  • 279 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 280

    Building works
  • 281 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 282 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 283 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 284 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 285 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 286 Simple Item 138
  • 287 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 288 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 289 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 290 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 291 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 292 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 293 Bideford loses training ship

  • 294 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 295 Jumble sale fever

  • 296

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 297 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 298 North Devon Driving School

  • 299 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 300 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 301 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 302 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 303 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 304 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

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

  • 306 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 307 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 308 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 309 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 310 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 312 Circus comes to town

  • 313 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 314 Mobile missionary

  • 315 Peter poses for TV film

  • 316 Finished in 1876

  • 317 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 318 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 319 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 320 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 321

    Bidefordians
  • 322 Hartland Dancers
  • 323 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 325 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 326 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 327 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 328 Gloves fit for a king!

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

  • 330 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 331 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 332 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 333

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 334 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 335 For crying out loud!

  • 336 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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

  • 338

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 339 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 340 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 341 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 342 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 343 Caught in the act>
  • 344 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 345

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 346

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 347 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 348 All for the love of a lady!

  • 349 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 350 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 351 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 352

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 353 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 354 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 355 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 356 Can spring be far away?

  • 357 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 358 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 359 Over the bank together>
  • 360 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 361

    Married in 1908
  • 362 What's the time?

  • 363

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 364 Littleham family's five generations

  • 365 Hartland's invitation

  • 366 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 367 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 368 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 369 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 370 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 372 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 373 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 374 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 375 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 376 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 377

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 378 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 379 Torrington's new amenity

  • 380

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 381 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 382 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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

  • 384 So this is the mainland!

  • 385 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 386 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 387 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 388 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 389 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 390 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 391 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 392 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 393 Ships at Bideford

  • 394 113 years at Instow

  • 395 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 396 Ten year old scrambler

  • 397 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 398 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 399 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 400 Waldon Triplets
  • 401

    Exhibition of school work
  • 402 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 403 New civic medallions

  • 404 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 405 Sweets derationing

  • 406

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 407 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 408

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 409 Picking the pops

  • 410 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 411 Twenty-one yachts

  • 412 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 413 Penny for the guy

  • 414 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 415 From Bobby to Brian

  • 416 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 417 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 418 Hartland postman retires

  • 419 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 420 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 421 Train returns to Westleigh straight

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

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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Bideford Hospital Retirement Gifts

Retirement Gifts

4 May 1973 Marjorie Staddon

On her retirement at the weekend, after 26 years nursing service at Bideford and district hospital, Miss Marjorie Staddon, senior state enrolled nurse, was presented with parting gifts of a camera and accessories and a leather handbag.

These were handed to her on behalf of the doctors and staff by Dr I H Hewetson, consultant surgeon, who praised her services and conveyed their warm good wishes.

Gazette article dated 4 May 1973

Births, Engagement and Marriages

Gazette article dated 3 September 1965


3.9.1965

Board – On August 30th 1965 to Francine and Michael Board, a son, which did not survive (no letters please).
Launder – On August 30th at 5 Springfield Terrace, Northam, to Jean (nee Andrew) and Frank, a son, Andrew Christopher.
Stacey – On August 21st at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Marion and Mervyn, a daughter, Jeanette.

Cade-Halliday – the engagement is announced between John Rosewarne, only son of Mr and Mrs R H Cade, of Sunny Hayes, Barns Road, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, and Ann, only daughter of Mr and Mrs D I Halliday, of Southernhay, Cranford Avenue, Exmouth, Devon.

Howard-Martin – On August 20th at Kensington, Peter, son of the late Mr Howard, and of Mrs Howard, of Penwortham, Lancashire, to Bridget Mary, only daughter of Mr and Mrs C J Martin, of Lakenham Hill, Northam.

Williams-Snook – On September 5th 1925, at Holy Trinity Church, Bristol, Earle Douglas to Dorothy Margaret. Present address: Bell Inn, Monkleigh.


Births, Engagements and Marriages

2 October 1945

2.10.1945

Collier – September 25 1945 at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Violet (nee Dark), wife of Edwin Collier, RAF, a son, Andrew John
Fry – September 27 145 at The Royal North Devon Infirmary, Barnstaple, to the wife of Drummer P Fry (nee May Sherbourne) twins, Anthony John and Jennifer Ann
Holdridge – October 1 1945 at Link View, Golf Club, Westward Ho! to Ellen (nee Kelly), wife of Morris Holdridge, East Yorks Regt, a daughter, Sarah Ann
Johns – September 20 1945 at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Beatrice, wife of Percy Johns, West Barton, Horwood, a daughter, Pauline
Pickard – September 29 1945 at Haeremai, Westward Ho! to Joyce (nee Tucker), wife of F A Pickard, Tennacott, Bideford, a son, Geoffrey Albert
Smart – September 21 1945 at the Torrington Cottage Hospital, to Violet (nee Curtis), wife of Pte J Smart, DCLI, a son, Alexander Howard John

Mackay-Squires – engagement announced between Dunstan Robert (John) Mackay, Park Avenue, Bideford, and Muriel Constance Squires, daughter of Mr and Mrs J Squires, 1 Myrtle Grove, Bideford

Chubb-Metcalfe – September 29 1945 at Trusham Parish Church by the Rev A Jones, Arthur Stanley, son of Mr and Mrs P W Chubb, Richmond Terrace, Bideford, to Margaret Birkett, daughter of Mr and Mrs J C Metcalfe, Silver Birches, Trusham
Hedden-Cork – September 26 1945 at St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham, by the Rev E A Du Cane, Harold Fulford, son of Mr and Mrs H Hedden, of Hoopers Water, Buckland Brewer, to Lucy Elizabeth, daughter of Mr and Mrs J P Cork, Adjavin Farm, Bideford

Newcombe-Shambrook – October 3 1920 at St John the Baptist Church, Instow, by the Rev Jenkins, William Frederick Newcombe to Maud Mary Shambrook. Present address: Rossholme, The Strand, Bideford

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