• 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 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 2 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 3 Sight of a lifetime

  • 4 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 5 Some mushroom!

  • 6 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 8 Last train from Torrington

  • 9 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 10 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 12 In their new robes and hats

  • 13 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 14 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 15 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

  • 17 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 18 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 19 113 years at Instow

  • 20 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 21 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 22 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 23 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 24

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 25 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 26 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 27 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 28

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 29 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 30 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 31 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 32 All for the love of a lady!

  • 33 Hartland's invitation

  • 34 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 35 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 36 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 37 Hartland postman retires

  • 38 School crossing patrol begins

  • 39 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 40 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 41 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 42 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 43 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 44 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 45

    Exhibition of school work
  • 46 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 47 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 48 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 49 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 50 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 51 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 52 No laughing matter

  • 53 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 54 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 55 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 56 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 57 Picking the pops

  • 58 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 59 Life begins at 80

  • 60

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 61 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 62 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 63 What's the time?

  • 64 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 65 A man and his wheel

  • 66 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 67 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 68 Pannier Market's future?

  • 69 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 70

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 71 Off on a great adventure

  • 72 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 73 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 74 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 75 Burnard family reunion

  • 76 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 77 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 78 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 79

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 80 It really was the 'last time'

  • 81 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 82 Twenty-one yachts

  • 83 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 84 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 85 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 86 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 87 Artisans' Club

  • 88

    Building works
  • 89

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 90

    Married in 1908
  • 91 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 93 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 94 The Geneva marionettes

  • 95 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 96 Capers on the cobbles

  • 97 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 98 Can spring be far away?

  • 99 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 100 Six footed lamb

  • 101 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 102 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 103

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 104 Bideford computer stars

  • 105 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 106 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 107 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 108 Variety in summer weather

  • 109 New choral society's growing response

  • 110 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 111 Riverside mystery

  • 112 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 113 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 114 Police station view of Bideford

  • 115 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 116 Centenary of Gazette

  • 117 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 118 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 119 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 120 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 121 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 122 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 123 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 124 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 125 So this is the mainland!

  • 126 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 127 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 128 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 129 Bideford loses training ship

  • 130

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 131 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 132 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 133 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 134

    Bidefordians
  • 135 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 136 Weare Giffard potato

  • 137 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 138 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 139 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 141 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 142 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 143 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 144 Loads of black and white

  • 145 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 146 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 147 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 148 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 149 For crying out loud!

  • 150

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 151 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 152 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 153

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 154 When horses score over the tractor

  • 155

    Was a missionary
  • 156 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 157 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 158 The art of the thatcher

  • 159 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 160 Emergency ferry services

  • 161 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 162 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 163 Peter poses for TV film

  • 164 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 165 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 166 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 167 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 168 Littleham family's five generations

  • 169 Appledore's largest

  • 170 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 172 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 173

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 174 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 175 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 176 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 177

    First prize
  • 178 Ten year old scrambler

  • 179 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 180 A story to tell!

  • 181 Bridging the stream

  • 182 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 183 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 184 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 185 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 186 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 187 Out of puff!

  • 188 Traditions and skills still there

  • 189 New civic medallions

  • 190 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 191 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 193

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 194 Hartland Dancers
  • 195 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 196 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 197 Finished in 1876

  • 198 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 199 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 200 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 201 Penny for the guy

  • 202 Revenge in style

  • 203 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 204 Decontrol of meat

  • 205 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 206

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 207 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 208 No sale of Springfield House

  • 209 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 210 New look in the hayfields

  • 211 Happy Days!

  • 212 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 213 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 214 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 215 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 216 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 217 They are parted pro-tem

  • 218 New Lundy stamps

  • 219 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 220 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 221 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 222 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 223 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 224 Clovelly nightmare

  • 225 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 226 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 227 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 228 New shipyard on schedule

  • 229 Parkham plan realised

  • 230 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 231 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 232 A bird of their own!

  • 233 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 234 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 236 Cruising down the river

  • 237 Devil sent packing

  • 238 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 239 Torrington in 1967

  • 240

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 241 Modern living at Bideford

  • 242 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 243 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 244 Recognise this resort?

  • 245 Puppet characters introduced

  • 246 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 247 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 248 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 249 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 250 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 251 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 252 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 253 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 254 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 255 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 256 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 257 New art gallery opened

  • 258 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 259 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 260 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 261

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 262

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 263 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 264

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 265 School's link with cargo ship

  • 266 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 267 He beat the floods

  • 268 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 269 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 270 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 271 New Post Office

  • 272 Circus comes to town

  • 273 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 274 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 275 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 276 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 277 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 278 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 279

    Relatives all over the world
  • 280 Just over a year old

  • 281 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 282

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 283 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 284 Service with a smile

  • 285 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 286 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 287 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 288 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 289 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 290 All aboard the ark

  • 291 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 292 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 293 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 294 Private home for public pump

  • 295 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 296 New life for Hartland organ

  • 297 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 298 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 299 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 300 Ships at Bideford

  • 301 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 302 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 303 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 304 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 305 Some 240 exhibits

  • 306

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 307 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 308 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 309 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 310 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 311 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 312 Mobile missionary

  • 313 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 314 Northam footballers of the future

  • 315 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 316 Bideford regatta

  • 317 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 318 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 319 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 321 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 322

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 323 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 324 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 325 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 326 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 327 Torrington's new amenity

  • 328

    New gateway
  • 329 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 330 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 331 Northam's almshouse

  • 332 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 333 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 334 A roof-top view - where?

  • 335 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 336 End of the line

  • 337 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 338 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 339 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 340 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 341 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 342 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 344 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 345 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 346 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 347 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 348 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 349 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 350 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 351 Torrington children build igloo
  • 352 Warmington's garage ad

  • 353 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 354

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 355 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 356 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 357 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 358 First ship in 8 years

  • 359 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 360 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 361 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 362 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 363 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 364 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 365 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 366 Waldon Triplets
  • 367 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 368 North Devon Driving School

  • 369 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 370

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 371 Picking the pops

  • 372

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 373 Simple Item 138
  • 374

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 375 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 376

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 377 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 378 By pony and trap to market

  • 379 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 380 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 381 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 382 Clovelly custom

  • 383 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 385 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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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  • 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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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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Leon Goossens Revisits Bideford Music Club

The concert presented by the Bideford Music Club on Sunday gave Bideford once again the opportunity of hearing the finest oboe player in the world.

1950 Bideford Music Club

The reputation of Leon Goossens is too well known to need any comment, and the full hall showed that his visit was much appreciated. His accompanist this time was Mabel Lovering, who also contributed a group of piano solos.
The next concert on March 19th will be something of a novelty for Bideford. It is a horn and clarinet quintet.
The full Gazette article is dated 24 February 1950

Concert By Bideford Ladies’ Choir

An enjoyable concert was given at Bideford Grammar School on February 8th by the Bideford Ladies choir (conductor Edith Mills) and some pupils of Miss Mills.

1950 Bideford Ladies Choir

The concert was in aid of the Bideford Music Club who, owing to the expense of the Oriana Madrigal Society’s visit, had been slightly down financially on the concert.
Unfortunately the inclement weather kept many away and there was only a small audience. Soloists in the choral sections were Mrs Tyreman and Mrs Green.
The pupils of Miss Mills who took part were Miss Gladys Prouse, Miss Christine Stephens and Mr Henry Thorne.
Miss Jennings and Mrs Blackmore were the accompanists.
The full Gazette article is dated 10 February 1950

Bideford Methodist Circuit Rally And Autumn Fair

Grand Concert

6.10.1950 Grand concert

Will be given at Bridge Street Methodist Church
On
Wednesday October 11th 1950
At 7pm
Chair to be taken by Councillor A K Chope (Deputy Mayor)
Guest Artistes:
Jan Van Der Gught, BBC Tenor
Ruth Davey Contralto (Torquay)
Supported by The full Methodist Circuit Choir
Conductor: Mr W R Blackmore
Solo Organ: Gordon Richards
Programmes 2/6 each. Collection.
Programmes obtainable at Messrs Chopes, Nicklins and Hannaford, East-the-Water PO
Proceeds in aid of circuit funds

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