• 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 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 2 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 3 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 4 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 5 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 6 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 7

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 8 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 9 Loads of black and white

  • 10 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 11 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 12 Recognise this resort?

  • 13 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 15 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 16 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 17 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 18 Last train from Torrington

  • 19 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 20

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 21 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 22 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 23 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 24 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 26 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 27 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 29 Devil sent packing

  • 30 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 31 New civic medallions

  • 32 Emergency ferry services

  • 33

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 34 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 35 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 36 Some mushroom!

  • 37

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 38 Some 240 exhibits

  • 39 New Lundy stamps

  • 40 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 41 Bideford computer stars

  • 42 Sweets derationing

  • 43 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 44 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 45 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 46 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 47 North Devon Driving School

  • 48

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 49 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 50 A story to tell!

  • 51 Revenge in style

  • 52 Caught in the act>
  • 53 Bideford regatta

  • 54 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 55 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 56 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 57 New look in the hayfields

  • 58 By pony and trap to market

  • 59 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 60 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 61 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 62 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 63 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 64 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 65 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 66 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 67 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 68 School's link with cargo ship

  • 69 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 70 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 71 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 72 Happy Days!

  • 73 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 74

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 75 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 76 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 77 So this is the mainland!

  • 78

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 79 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 80 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 82 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 83 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 84 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 85 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 86 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 87 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 88 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 89 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 90 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 91

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 92 Private home for public pump

  • 93 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 94 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 95 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 96

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 97 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 98 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 99 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 100

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

  • 102 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 103 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 104 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 105 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 106 Northam footballers of the future

  • 107 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 108 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 109 The art of the thatcher

  • 110 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 111 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 112

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 113 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 114

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 115

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 116 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 117 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 118 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 120 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 121 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 122 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 123 Hartland Dancers
  • 124

    New gateway
  • 125 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 126 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 127 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

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

  • 129 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 130 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 131

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 132 He beat the floods

  • 133 In their new robes and hats

  • 134 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 135 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 136 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 137 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 138 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 139 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 140 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 141

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 142 Appledore's largest

  • 143 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 144 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 145 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 146 Off on a great adventure

  • 147 For crying out loud!

  • 148 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 150 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 151 Torrington in 1967

  • 152 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 153

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 154 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 155 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 156 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 157 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 158 No laughing matter

  • 159 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 160 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 161 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 162 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 163 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 164 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 165 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 166 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 167 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 168 Littleham family's five generations

  • 169 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 170 New art gallery opened

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

  • 172 Artisans' Club

  • 173 Filming at Hartland

  • 174 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 175 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 176 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 177 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 178 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 179 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 180 Clovelly nightmare

  • 181 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 182 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 183 All for the love of a lady!

  • 184 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 185 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 186 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 187 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 188 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 189 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 190 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 191 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 192 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 193 First ship in 8 years

  • 194 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 195 113 years at Instow

  • 196

    Building works
  • 197 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 198 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 199 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 200 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 201 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 202 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 203 Clovelly custom

  • 204 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 205 New life for Hartland organ

  • 206 Hartland postman retires

  • 207 Traditions and skills still there

  • 208 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 209 Twenty-one yachts

  • 210

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 211 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 212 The cab at the corner>
  • 213 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 214 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 215 New addition to Quay front

  • 216 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 217 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 218 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 219 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 220 Ships at Bideford

  • 221 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 222 Variety in summer weather

  • 223 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 224 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 225 Life begins at 80

  • 226 Blanchards ad.>
  • 227 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 228 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 229 Decontrol of meat

  • 230 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 231 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 232 Picking the pops

  • 233 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 234 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 235 Waldon Triplets
  • 236 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 237 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 238 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 239 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 240 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 241 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 242 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 243 Weare Giffard potato

  • 244 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 245 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 246 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 247 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 248 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 249 Circus comes to town

  • 250 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 251 New Post Office

  • 252 Capers on the cobbles

  • 253 Mobile missionary

  • 254 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 255 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 256 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 257 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 258

    Relatives all over the world
  • 259 Over the bank together>
  • 260 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 261

    Was a missionary
  • 262 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 263 School crossing patrol begins

  • 264 Torrington's new amenity

  • 265 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 266 New shipyard on schedule

  • 267 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 269 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 270 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 271

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 272 Picking the pops

  • 273 Cruising down the river

  • 274

    First prize
  • 275 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 276 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 277 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 278 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 280 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 281 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 282 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 283 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 284 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 285 A roof-top view - where?

  • 286 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 287 Sight of a lifetime

  • 288

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 289 What's the time?

  • 290 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 291 New choral society's growing response

  • 292 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 293 A bird of their own!

  • 294

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 295 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 296 Puppet characters introduced

  • 297 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 298 From Bobby to Brian

  • 299 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 300 The Geneva marionettes

  • 301 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 302 Burnard family reunion

  • 303 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 304 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 305 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 306 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 307 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 308 Police station view of Bideford

  • 309 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 310 Hartland's invitation

  • 311

    Bidefordians
  • 312 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 313 Pannier Market's future?

  • 314 Just over a year old

  • 315 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 316 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 317 When horses score over the tractor

  • 318 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 319

    Married in 1908
  • 320 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 321 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 322 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 323 Can spring be far away?

  • 324 Bridging the stream

  • 325 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 326 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 327 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 328 Torrington children build igloo
  • 329

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 330 It really was the 'last time'

  • 331 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 332 No sale of Springfield House

  • 333 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 334 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 335 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 336 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 337 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 338 Parkham plan realised

  • 339 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 340 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 341 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 342 Centenary of Gazette

  • 343 Out of puff!

  • 344 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 345 A man and his wheel

  • 346 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 347 They are parted pro-tem

  • 348 Northam's almshouse

  • 349 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 350 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 351 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 352 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 353 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 354 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 355 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 356 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 357 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 359 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 360 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 361 Riverside mystery

  • 362 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 363

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 364 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 365 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 366 Jumble sale fever

  • 367 Penny for the guy

  • 368 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 369 Finished in 1876

  • 370 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 371 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 372 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 373 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 374 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 375 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 376

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 377 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 378 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 379 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 380 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 381 Six footed lamb

  • 382 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 383 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 384 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 385 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 386 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 387 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 388 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 389 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 390

    Exhibition of school work
  • 391 Peter poses for TV film

  • 392 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 393 End of the line

  • 394 Modern living at Bideford

  • 395 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 396 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 397 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 398 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 399 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 400 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 401 Service with a smile

  • 402 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 403 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 404 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 405 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 406 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 407 Simple Item 138
  • 408 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 409 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 410 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 411 All aboard the ark

  • 412

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 413 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 414 Warmington's garage ad

  • 415 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 416 Bideford loses training ship

  • 417 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 418 Ten year old scrambler

  • 419

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 420 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 421 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 422 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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Mr W Hall And Miss S A Yeo

Miss Shirley Ann Yeo, only daughter of Mr and Mrs John Yeo, 3 Market Street, Appledore, was married at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, on February 19th to Mr William Hall, 21 Mowbray Road, Sunderland. 

4.3.1955 Hall Yeo marriage

Rev R C Dixon conducted the service. Mrs Parkes was at the organ. Miss Dilys Owen and Miss Sylvia Down, cousins, were bridesmaids, and another cousin, Jonathan Day, was pageboy. Mr Howard Jordon was best man. A reception was held at the Appledore Hall, after which the happy couple left to honeymoon in London and Sunderland. The wedding cake was the gift of Mrs Ada Rendle. 

Full Gazette article dated 4 March 1955

First Time For Two Years

‘Blimey, I come this way twice a day and this is the first time I have not stopped; I have done it for two years,’

3.3.1950 Waldron fine

This was the comment of Reginald Waldron, 4 Kenwith Terrace, Bideford, when called on to stop after failing to observe a halt sign at Chanters Lane, Bideford, on January 25th, stated PC Adams at Bideford Borough Court when Waldron was summoned for the offence. Defendant failed to stop at the halt sign and came into the main road at a speed of 5 to 7mph, added the constable. A letter from the defendant was read by the Clerk to the magistrates (Mr S W Wright) in which Waldron asked to be excused attendance at court because of him employment and pleading ‘guilty’ to the offence. Waldron wrote that he had been at work from 7.30am to 9pm and he was tired and overwrought at the time of the offence. The Bench imposed a fine of 10s. Gazette article dated 3 March 1950

Births, Engagements and Marriages

Gazette dated 2 March 1973

 

Blight – On February 22 1973, to Nadine (nee Balkwil) and Roger, at Leicester Royal Maternity, a daughter, Melanie.
Buckley – On February 10 1973, to Margaret and Michael, a son, Adrian James, a welcome brother for Susan, Sally and Patrick.
Fee – On February 24 1973, at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Brian and Penny (nee Oliver), a gift of a son. Grateful thanks to staff and doctor.
Gardner – On February 20 1973, at the NDDHMU, to Della (nee Trapnell) and Roger, a daughter, Rachel Mary, a sister for Ann Louise.
Husband – On February 23 1973, to Brian and Hazel (nee Curtis), the gift of a son, Stephen Francis, at the Grenville Nursing Home. Grateful thanks to all concerned.
Mills – On February 19 1973, at NDDHMU, to Barbara (nee Colwill) and Richard, a daughter, Teresa Anne. First grandchild for both families. Grateful thanks to all.
Parish – On February 7 1973, at the NDDHMU, to Jimmy and Jill (nee Theobald), a son, Jeffrey. Grateful thanks to all concerned.
Popham - On February 23 1973, at Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, to Alan and Marion, a daughter Carol, a sister for Sally.

Courtney-Pinn – Both families have pleasure in announcing the engagement of Shirley, daughter of Mr and Mrs G Pinn, Marlot, 65 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! and David, elder son of Mr and A G Courtney, Blue Hills, 35 Bay View Road, Northam.
Webb-Hill – Both families have much pleasure in announcing the engagement between David, elder son of Mr and Mrs R C Webb, Milton Place, Bideford, and Lesley, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs C J Hill, Rowley Cottage, Parracombe.
Lynch-Tolley – This is to declare officially the termination of the engagement between Gwynneth Tolley and Alfred Lynch.

Horrell-Ivory – On Saturday February 24 1973, at Bideford Register Office, Shelagh, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Ivory, Manchester, to Mark, only son of Mrs Edna Horrell and the late Mr Sidney Horrell, Bideford.

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