• 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 School crossing patrol begins

  • 2 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 3 Emergency ferry services

  • 4 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 5 Some 240 exhibits

  • 6 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 7 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 9 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 10 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 11 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

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

  • 13 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 14 Decontrol of meat

  • 15 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 16 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 17 Cruising down the river

  • 18 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 19 They are parted pro-tem

  • 20 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 21 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 22 The art of the thatcher

  • 23 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 24

    First prize
  • 25 New shipyard on schedule

  • 26 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 27 Mobile missionary

  • 28 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 29 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 30 Warmington's garage ad

  • 31 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 32

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 33

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 34 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 35 Police station view of Bideford

  • 36 End of the line

  • 37 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 38 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 39 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 40

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 41 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 42 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 43 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 44 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 45 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 46 Jumble sale fever

  • 47

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 48 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 50 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 51 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 52 Bideford loses training ship

  • 53 Circus comes to town

  • 54 Puppet characters introduced

  • 55 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 56 Torrington in 1967

  • 57 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 58 He beat the floods

  • 59 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 60 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 61 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 62 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 63 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 64 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 65 Just over a year old

  • 66 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 67

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 68 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 69 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 70 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 71 Appledore's largest

  • 72 Ships at Bideford

  • 73 North Devon Driving School

  • 74

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 75 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 76 A man and his wheel

  • 77 Waldon Triplets
  • 78 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 79 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 80 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 81 Sweets derationing

  • 82 Torrington children build igloo
  • 83 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 84 When horses score over the tractor

  • 85 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 86 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 87 Private home for public pump

  • 88 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 89 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 91 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 92 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 93 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 94 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 95 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 96 Peter poses for TV film

  • 97 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 98 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 99

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 100 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 101 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 102 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 103 All aboard the ark

  • 104 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 105 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 106 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 107 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 108 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 109 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 110 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 111 What's the time?

  • 112 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 113 Penny for the guy

  • 114 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 115 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 116 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 117 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 118 A story to tell!

  • 119 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 120 No sale of Springfield House

  • 121 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 122 All for the love of a lady!

  • 123 Can spring be far away?

  • 124 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 125

    Was a missionary
  • 126 Six footed lamb

  • 127 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 128 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 129 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 130 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 131 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 132 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 133 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 134 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 135 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 136 First ship in 8 years

  • 137 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 138 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 139 New choral society's growing response

  • 140 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 141 Out of puff!

  • 142 Burnard family reunion

  • 143

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 144 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 145 Picking the pops

  • 146 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 147 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 148 Modern living at Bideford

  • 149 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 150 Ten year old scrambler

  • 151 New life for Hartland organ

  • 152

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 153

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 154 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 156 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 157 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 158 Clovelly custom

  • 159 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 160 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 161 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 162 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 163 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 164 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 165 Life begins at 80

  • 166 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 167 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 168 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 169 Service with a smile

  • 170 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 171 Capers on the cobbles

  • 172 Loads of black and white

  • 173 From Bobby to Brian

  • 174 113 years at Instow

  • 175 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 176

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 177 Artisans' Club

  • 178 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 179

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 180 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 181 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 183

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 184 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 185 Hartland Dancers
  • 186

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 187 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 188 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 189 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 190 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 191 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 192 A bird of their own!

  • 193 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 194 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 195 The Geneva marionettes

  • 196 Some mushroom!

  • 197 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 198 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 199 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 200

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 201 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 202 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 203 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 204

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 205 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 207 Finished in 1876

  • 208 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 209 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 210 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 211

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 212 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 213 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 214 For crying out loud!

  • 215 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 216 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 217 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 218 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 219

    New gateway
  • 220 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 221 Clovelly nightmare

  • 222 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 223 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 224 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 225 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 226 Revenge in style

  • 227 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 228 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 229 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 230 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 231 Light reading for the lighthouse

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

  • 233 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 234 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 235 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 236 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 237 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 238 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 240 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 241 New civic medallions

  • 242 Riverside mystery

  • 243

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 244 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 245 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 246 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 247

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 248

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 249 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 250 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 251 New Lundy stamps

  • 252 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 253 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 254 Last train from Torrington

  • 255 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 256

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 257 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 258 Northam footballers of the future

  • 259 Variety in summer weather

  • 260 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 261 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 262 Weare Giffard potato

  • 263 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 264 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 265 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 266 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 267 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 268 Simple Item 138
  • 269 Bridging the stream

  • 270 New art gallery opened

  • 271 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 272 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 273 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 274 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 275 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 276 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 277 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 278 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 279 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 280 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 281 It really was the 'last time'

  • 282 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 283 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 284 Parkham plan realised

  • 285 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 286 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 287

    Relatives all over the world
  • 288 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 289 Pannier Market's future?

  • 290 Sight of a lifetime

  • 291 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 292 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 293 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 294 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 295 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 296

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 297 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 298 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 299 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 300 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 301 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 302 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 303 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 304 School's link with cargo ship

  • 305 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 306 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 307 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 308 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 309 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 310 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 311 So this is the mainland!

  • 312 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 313 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 314 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 315 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 316 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 317 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 318 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 319 Traditions and skills still there

  • 320 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 321 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 323

    Married in 1908
  • 324 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 325 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 326 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 327 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 328 New addition to Quay front

  • 329 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 330 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 332 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 333 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 334 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 335 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 336 Off on a great adventure

  • 337 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 338 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 339 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 340 Centenary of Gazette

  • 341

    Bidefordians
  • 342 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 343 Picking the pops

  • 344 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 345 No laughing matter

  • 346 Torrington's new amenity

  • 347

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 348 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 349 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 350 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 351 Devil sent packing

  • 352 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 353 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 354 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 355 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 356 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 357 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 358 Bideford regatta

  • 359 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 360 Northam's almshouse

  • 361 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 362 Twenty-one yachts

  • 363 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 364 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 365 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 366 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 367

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 368

    Building works
  • 369 Littleham family's five generations

  • 370 New look in the hayfields

  • 371 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 372

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 373 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 374 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 375 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 376 Hartland's invitation

  • 377 In their new robes and hats

  • 378 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 379 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 380 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 381 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 382

    Exhibition of school work
  • 383 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 384 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 385 Recognise this resort?

  • 386 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 387 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 388 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 390 By pony and trap to market

  • 391 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 392 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 393 Bideford computer stars

  • 394 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 395 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 396 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 397 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 398 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 399 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 400 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 401 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 402 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 403 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 404 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 405 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 406 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 407 Happy Days!

  • 408 The cab at the corner>
  • 409 Filming at Hartland

  • 410 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 411 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 412 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 413 New Post Office

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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Bideford Nurse Is Silver Medallist

Nurse Margaret Shute,

daughter of Mr and Mrs Arthur Shute, of 1 Northam Road, was awarded the silver medal at the annual prize giving at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

15.5.1964 Nurse Shute

She received the medal from the hands of the Bishop of Exeter, Dr R C Mortimer.

Miss Shute began her nursing training at Bideford Hospital, where she also won a medal – for the best all round nurse.

Staff Nurse Shute is an Old Girl of Edgehill College.

Gazette article dated 15 May 1964

North Devon To Have ‘Baby Bank’

Artificial Insemination by husband

6.4.1973 Baby bank artificial insemination

The go-ahead for the establishment of a ‘baby bank’ for the storage of sperm in North Devon has been given by the North Devon Hospital Management Committee.

Facilities for the purposes of AIH – artificial insemination by husband – will be provided initially.

Should a ‘by donor’ service become national policy then the facilities could be used for it, said hospital group secretary, Mr J C Woolley, after the meeting at which the decision was reached. An application for it to be set up had come from Mr J M McGarry, the group’s newly appointed consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1951

Appointment As Matron

Previously a dressmaker

News of the appointment of Miss Maida A C Chapple, SRN, as matron of the Rush Court Nursing Home of the Distressed Gentlefolks’ Aid Association, at Wallingford, Berks, will be received with much interest by her many friends in this district.

10.10.1958 Matron

A further point of interest locally is that she succeeds in that appointment Miss E M Ruck, who was matron of Bideford Hospital from July 1948 until May 1953 when she went to Wallingford.

Miss Chapple, who lived in Bideford with her brother-in-law and sister, Mr and Mrs George Clark, of Combe Lea, Cottingham Crescent, was in business as a dress-maker here until, in her late thirties, she decided to take up nursing as a career. She had been a member of the Bideford Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade from its earliest days and had held the rank of Ambulance Sister.

The full Gazette article is dated 10 October 1958.

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