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

  • 2 Jumble sale fever

  • 3 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 4 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 5 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 6 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 7

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 8 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 10 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 11 Circus comes to town

  • 12 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 13 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 14 Peter poses for TV film

  • 15 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 16 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 17 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 18 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 19

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 20

    Bidefordians
  • 21 A roof-top view - where?

  • 22 Weare Giffard potato

  • 23 New look in the hayfields

  • 24 Variety in summer weather

  • 25 Clovelly custom

  • 26 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 27 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 29 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 30 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 31 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 32 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 33 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 34 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 35 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 36 New art gallery opened

  • 37 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 38

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 39 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 40 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 41 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 42 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 43 Sweets derationing

  • 44 A story to tell!

  • 45 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 46 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 47 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 48 Bridging the stream

  • 49 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 50 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 51 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 52 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 53 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 54 Artisans' Club

  • 55

    Married in 1908
  • 56 What's the time?

  • 57 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 58 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 59 Appledore's largest

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

  • 61 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 62 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 63 Clovelly nightmare

  • 64 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 65 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 66 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 67 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 68 Recognise this resort?

  • 69 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 70 Devil sent packing

  • 71 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 72 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 73 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 74 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 75 For crying out loud!

  • 76 Hartland postman retires

  • 77 Bideford computer stars

  • 78 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 79 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 80 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 81 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 82 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 83

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 84 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 85 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 86 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 87 End of the line

  • 88 Decontrol of meat

  • 89 Service with a smile

  • 90 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 91 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 92 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 93 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 94 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 95 Can spring be far away?

  • 96

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 97 Picking the pops

  • 98 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 99 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 100 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 101 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 102 Modern living at Bideford

  • 103 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 104 A man and his wheel

  • 105 They are parted pro-tem

  • 106 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 107 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 108 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 109 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 110 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 111 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 112 Last train from Torrington

  • 113 Ten year old scrambler

  • 114 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 115 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 116 113 years at Instow

  • 117 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 118 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 119 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 120 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 121 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 122 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 123

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 124 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 125 Off on a great adventure

  • 126 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 127 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 128

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 129 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 130 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 131 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 132 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 133 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 134 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 135 Some mushroom!

  • 136 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 137 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 139 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 140 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 141 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 142 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 143

    Was a missionary
  • 144 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 145 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 146 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 147 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 148 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 149 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 150 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 151 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 152 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 153 Capers on the cobbles

  • 154 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 155

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 156 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 157 School crossing patrol begins

  • 158 Cruising down the river

  • 159 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 160 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 161 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 162 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 163 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 164 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 165 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 166 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 168 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 170 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 171 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 172 School's link with cargo ship

  • 173 So this is the mainland!

  • 174 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 175 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 176 First ship in 8 years

  • 177 The Geneva marionettes

  • 178 New choral society's growing response

  • 179 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 180 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 181 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 182 No laughing matter

  • 183 All aboard the ark

  • 184 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 185 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 186 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 187 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 188 Private home for public pump

  • 189 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 191 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 192 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 193 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 194 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 195 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 196 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 197 Pannier Market's future?

  • 198 Ships at Bideford

  • 199 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 200

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 201 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 203 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 204 Picking the pops

  • 205 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 206 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 207 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 208 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 209 Revenge in style

  • 210 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 211 Northam footballers of the future

  • 212 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 213 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 214 Simple Item 138
  • 215 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 216 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 217 The cab at the corner>
  • 218 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 219 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 220

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 221

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 222 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 223 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 224 Hartland Dancers
  • 225 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 226 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 227 Traditions and skills still there

  • 228 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 229 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 230 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 231 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 232 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 233

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 234 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 235 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 236 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 237 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 238 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 239 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 240 Sight of a lifetime

  • 241 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 242 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 243 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 244 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 245 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 246 Penny for the guy

  • 247 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 248 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 249 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 250

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 251 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 252 Torrington children build igloo
  • 253 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 254 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 255 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 256

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 257 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 258 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 259 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 260

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 261 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 262 Parkham plan realised

  • 263 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 264 Mobile missionary

  • 265 When horses score over the tractor

  • 266 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 267 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 268 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 269 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 270 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 271 From Bobby to Brian

  • 272 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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

  • 274 In their new robes and hats

  • 275 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 276 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 277

    Exhibition of school work
  • 278 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 279 By pony and trap to market

  • 280 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 281 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 282 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 283 North Devon Driving School

  • 284 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 285

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 286 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 287 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 288 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 289 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 290 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 291 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 292

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 293 Torrington's new amenity

  • 294 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 295 Burnard family reunion

  • 296

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 297 Just over a year old

  • 298

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 299 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 300 Filming at Hartland

  • 301 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 302 New shipyard on schedule

  • 303 New Lundy stamps

  • 304 Twenty-one yachts

  • 305 Finished in 1876

  • 306 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 307 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 308 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 309

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 310 Riverside mystery

  • 311 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 312 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 313 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 314 New addition to Quay front

  • 315 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 316

    First prize
  • 317 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 318 Bideford loses training ship

  • 319 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 320 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 321 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 322 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 323 All for the love of a lady!

  • 324 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 325 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 326 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 327 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 328 Torrington in 1967

  • 329 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 330 Happy Days!

  • 331 New civic medallions

  • 332 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 333 New Post Office

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

  • 335 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 336 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 337 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 338 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 339 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 340

    New gateway
  • 341 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 342 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 343 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 344 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 345 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 346 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 347 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 348 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 349

    Building works
  • 350 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 351 A bird of their own!

  • 352 Centenary of Gazette

  • 353

    Relatives all over the world
  • 354 Six footed lamb

  • 355 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 356 Northam's almshouse

  • 357

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 358 Emergency ferry services

  • 359 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 360 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 361 Loads of black and white

  • 362 Littleham family's five generations

  • 363 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 364 Out of puff!

  • 365

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 366 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 367 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 368 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 369 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 370 Puppet characters introduced

  • 371 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 372 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 373 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 374 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 375 Bideford's private wharves busier

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

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

  • 378 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 379 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 380 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 381 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 382 Warmington's garage ad

  • 383 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 384 Life begins at 80

  • 385 New life for Hartland organ

  • 386 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 387 Hartland's invitation

  • 388 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 389

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 390 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 391 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 392 No sale of Springfield House

  • 393 It really was the 'last time'

  • 394

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 395 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 396 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 397 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 398 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 399 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 400 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 401 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 402 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 403 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 404 Bideford regatta

  • 405 Police station view of Bideford

  • 406 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 407 Waldon Triplets
  • 408

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 409 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 410 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 411 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 412 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 413 He beat the floods

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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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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