Woolacombe, The Village 1899

Photo ref: 43130

I was born in the North Devon Royal Infirmary in June 1936 and lived in and around the village for 19 years before doing my national service.I never returned again as i needed a job in a city like Bristol. My father was the village Baker for many years Alf,s Pasties were legendary . I remember the war years in the ..Bake house the smells of baking can never be forgotten. The old golf course club ...see more

My father took my mother and I on holiday to Woolacombe every year in the 1950's. At that time, in the height of the Summer months we would be the only family on the main beach (as well as the Barracane Beach where we searched for Cowerie shells). At that time the surrounding land, including the beaches, were owned by Sir Francis Chichester's mother and what she said went!! There were no Donkeys or Punch ...see more

My family started to have our annual holiday in Ilfracombe in 1964, and virtually every day we made the trip to Woolacombe to sit on the beach and have a go at surfing. After years of south coast beaches, Woolacombe was a revelation and everything was so clean. The beach was owned by Parkins Entertainments, and I believe it was Mr Moon who used to go round in a land rover, trying to re-unite lost children ...see more

Does anyone remember the old camp site run by Mr and Mrs Dymond? It was roughly where Woolacombe Sands is now, near the riding stables. I can recall it was a steep field (no terracing then!) and we used to walk down to the old farmhouse kitchen every morning to get our milk. Mrs Dymond used to ladle the still warm milk into our jug. The facilities were basic - just a couple of toilets on the opposite side ...see more