• 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 All aboard the ark

  • 2 So this is the mainland!

  • 3 Capers on the cobbles

  • 4 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 5 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 6 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 7 Hartland's invitation

  • 8 By pony and trap to market

  • 9 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 10 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 11 Revenge in style

  • 12 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 13 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 14

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 15 Can spring be far away?

  • 16 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 17 Penny for the guy

  • 18 Some 240 exhibits

  • 19 When horses score over the tractor

  • 20 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 21 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 22 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 23 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 24 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 25 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 26 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 27 A story to tell!

  • 28 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 29 What's the time?

  • 30 Centenary of Gazette

  • 31 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 32 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 33 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 34 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 35 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 36 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 37 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 38 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 39 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 40 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 41 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 42 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 43 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 44 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 45

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 46 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 47 Private home for public pump

  • 48 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 49 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 50 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 51 Weare Giffard potato

  • 52 Warmington's garage ad

  • 53 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 54 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 55 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 56

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 57 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 58 No laughing matter

  • 59

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 60 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 61

    Relatives all over the world
  • 62 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 63 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 64 New addition to Quay front

  • 65 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 66 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 67 Parkham plan realised

  • 68 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 69 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 70 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 71 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 72 Out of puff!

  • 73 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 74 Circus comes to town

  • 75 Six footed lamb

  • 76 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 77 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 78 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 79 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 80 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 81 Waldon Triplets
  • 82 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 84 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 85 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 86 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 87 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 88 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 89 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 90 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 91 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 92 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 93 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 95

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 96 Loads of black and white

  • 97

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 98 No sale of Springfield House

  • 99

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 100

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 101 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 102 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 103 Some mushroom!

  • 104 New life for Hartland organ

  • 105 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 106 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 107 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 108 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 109 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 110 Ships at Bideford

  • 111

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 112 Mobile missionary

  • 113 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 114 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 115 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 116 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 117 Recognise this resort?

  • 118 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 119 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 120 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 121 New look in the hayfields

  • 122 Hartland postman retires

  • 123 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 124 113 years at Instow

  • 125 Colour TV salesman at eight

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

  • 127 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 128 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 129

    First prize
  • 130 Hartland Dancers
  • 131 Bideford computer stars

  • 132 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 133 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 134 For crying out loud!

  • 135 Off on a great adventure

  • 136 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 137 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 138 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 139 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 140

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 141 They are parted pro-tem

  • 142 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 143 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 144 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 145 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 146 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 147 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 148 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 149 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 150 New choral society's growing response

  • 151 A bird of their own!

  • 152 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 153 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 154 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 155 Devil sent packing

  • 156

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 157 Twenty-one yachts

  • 158 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 159

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 160 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 161 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 162

    Married in 1908
  • 163 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 164 In their new robes and hats

  • 165 Sight of a lifetime

  • 166 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 167

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 168 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 169 Artisans' Club

  • 170 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 171 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 172 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 174 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 175 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 176 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 177 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 178 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 179 Cruising down the river

  • 180 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 181 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 182 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 183 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 184 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 185 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 186 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 187 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 188 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 189 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 190 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 191 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 192

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 193 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 194 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 195 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 196 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 197 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 198 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 199 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 200 School's link with cargo ship

  • 201 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 202 It really was the 'last time'

  • 203

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 204 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 205

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 206 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 207 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 208 Emergency ferry services

  • 209 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 210 Police station view of Bideford

  • 211

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 212 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 213 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 214

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 215 Service with a smile

  • 216 The art of the thatcher

  • 217 Filming at Hartland

  • 218 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 219 Bridging the stream

  • 220 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 221 Appledore's largest

  • 222

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 223 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 224 He beat the floods

  • 225 Jumble sale fever

  • 226 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 227

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 228 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 229 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 230 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 231 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 232 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 233 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 234 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 235 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 236 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 237 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

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

  • 239 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 240 Finished in 1876

  • 241 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 242 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 243 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 244 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 245 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 246 Picking the pops

  • 247 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 248 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 249 Puppet characters introduced

  • 250

    New gateway
  • 251 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 252 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 253 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 254 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 255 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 256 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 257 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 258 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 259

    Bidefordians
  • 260 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 261 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 262 Happy Days!

  • 263 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 264 Northam footballers of the future

  • 265 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 266 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 267 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 268 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 269 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 270 From Bobby to Brian

  • 271 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 272 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 273 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 274 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 275 Life begins at 80

  • 276 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 277 New Lundy stamps

  • 278 Ten year old scrambler

  • 279 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 280 North Devon Driving School

  • 281 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 282 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 283 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 284 A roof-top view - where?

  • 285 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 286 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 287 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 288 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 289 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 290 Littleham family's five generations

  • 291 The Geneva marionettes

  • 292 Traditions and skills still there

  • 293 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 294 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 295 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 296 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 297 Bideford regatta

  • 298 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 299 Sweets derationing

  • 300 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 301 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 302 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 303 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 305 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 306 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 307

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 308 End of the line

  • 309 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 310 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 311 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 312 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 314 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 315

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 316 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 317 Clovelly custom

  • 318 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 319

    Building works
  • 320 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 321 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 322 All for the love of a lady!

  • 323 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 324 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 325 Bideford loses training ship

  • 326 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 327

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 328 First ship in 8 years

  • 329 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 330 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 331 A man and his wheel

  • 332 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 333 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 334 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 335 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 336 New art gallery opened

  • 337 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 338 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 340 Torrington in 1967

  • 341

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 342 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 343 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 344 Modern living at Bideford

  • 345 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 346 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 347

    Was a missionary
  • 348 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 349 School crossing patrol begins

  • 350 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 351 Simple Item 138
  • 352 Torrington's new amenity

  • 353 Picking the pops

  • 354 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 355 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 356 Pannier Market's future?

  • 357 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 358 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 359

    Exhibition of school work
  • 360 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 361 New Post Office

  • 362 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 363 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 364 Variety in summer weather

  • 365 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 366 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 367 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 368 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 369 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 370 Just over a year old

  • 371 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 372 Burnard family reunion

  • 373 The cab at the corner>
  • 374 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 375 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 376 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 377 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 378 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 379 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 380 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 381 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 382 New shipyard on schedule

  • 383 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 384 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 385 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 386 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 387 Decontrol of meat

  • 388 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 389 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 390 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 391 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 392 Riverside mystery

  • 393 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 394 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 396 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 397 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 398 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 399 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 400 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 401 Torrington children build igloo
  • 402 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 403 Peter poses for TV film

  • 404 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 405 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 406 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 407 New civic medallions

  • 408 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 409

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 410 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 411 Last train from Torrington

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

  • 413 Ship-in-bottle world record

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Who painted the Appledore donkey?

Who painted this donkey on Appledore Park wall?

9.8.1952 Appledore donkey

It seems a mystery, but perhaps a jovial fisherman taking time off from painting his boat dashed off this free and easy work of art as light relief.

No doubt there are many readers, including Appledorians, who have never seen this donkey for it is really only visible from the beach (hard and stoney here), the river and, with a pair of binoculars, from the Instow side of the river.

8 August 1952

Eisteddfod Win For Hartland

Hartland Methodist Sunday school scored the highest number of points

at the Bude Methodist circuit youth eisteddfod

25.3.1977 Eisteddfod Hartland

After the marks had been adjusted to take into account the differences between large and small Sunday schools in the circuit Hartland had 2,405 points. Second were Kilkhampton with 1,786 points and third Morwenstow with 1,515 points.

Winners of the trophies for most points in the senior section were Ian Petvin, of Bude, and Carolyn Vanstone, of Kilkhampton, Wendy Heard, Hartland won the trophy in the 9-11 years section and Dwayne Heard, also of Hartland, was runner up in the 12-14 years section to David Cleave. The trophy for the 6-8 years olds went to Kay Wise of Flexbury.

First prize winners from Hartland were: Dwayne Heard, Andrew Prouse, Lisa Manley, Tracey Thorne, Denis Short, Maria Prouse, and Wendy Heard.

The full Gazette article is dated 25 March 1977

Northam Twinning Links With Mondeville Renewed

Guests and hosts taught one another dances of their countries at a dinner-dance that was the highlight of a weekend visit to Northam by a party of a dozen from the twin towns of Mondeville.

15.4.1977 Northam twinning

The venue was the Port Quarter at Appledore where the chairman of the local committee, Mr Gordon Dell, thanked Mr Rupert Hill who arranged the visit. Mlle Lydie Coupard, who was paying her third visit, sang songs in English and French and music was provided by Terry Triggs and Larry Bignell.
The new Mayor of Mondeville and his wife were unable to make the visit but they were represented by their son, Mons Jean-Yves Gasnier.
Others in the group were Mons Bernard Henriot of the Mondeville Twinning Committee and Mons Bernard Pezaril.
The full Gazette article is dated 15 April 1977

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