• 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 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 2 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 3 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 4 Torrington children build igloo
  • 5 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 6 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 7 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 8 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 9 Capers on the cobbles

  • 10 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 11 Littleham family's five generations

  • 12 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 13 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 14 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 15 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 16 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 17 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 18 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 19 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 20 Filming at Hartland

  • 21 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 22 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 23 Cruising down the river

  • 24 Police station view of Bideford

  • 25 Weare Giffard potato

  • 26 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 27 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 28 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 29 North Devon Driving School

  • 30 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 31

    Exhibition of school work
  • 32 Can spring be far away?

  • 33

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 34 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 35 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 36 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 37 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 38 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 39 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 40 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 41 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 42 Torrington in 1967

  • 43 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 44 Warmington's garage ad

  • 45 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 46 Clovelly nightmare

  • 47 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 48 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 49 When horses score over the tractor

  • 50

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 51 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 52 Bridging the stream

  • 53 Some 240 exhibits

  • 54

    Relatives all over the world
  • 55 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 56 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 57 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 58

    Married in 1908
  • 59 Mobile missionary

  • 60 Six footed lamb

  • 61 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 62 Waldon Triplets
  • 63 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 64

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 65

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 66 Centenary of Gazette

  • 67 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 69 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 70 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 71 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 72 It really was the 'last time'

  • 73 A man and his wheel

  • 74 Loads of black and white

  • 75 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 76 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 77 Finished in 1876

  • 78 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 79

    Building works
  • 80 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 81 Private home for public pump

  • 82

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 83 Just over a year old

  • 84 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 85 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 86 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 87 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 88

    First prize
  • 89 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 90 Riverside mystery

  • 91 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 92

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 93 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 94 Chess - their bridge over the years

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

  • 96 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 97 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 98 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 99 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 100 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 102 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 103 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 104

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 105 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 106 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 107 Devil sent packing

  • 108 Some mushroom!

  • 109 Circus comes to town

  • 110 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 111 So this is the mainland!

  • 112 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 113 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 114 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 115 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 116 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 117 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 118 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 119 What's the time?

  • 120 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 121 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 122

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 123

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 124 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 125 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 126 No sale of Springfield House

  • 127 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 128 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 129 All aboard the ark

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

  • 131 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 132 Out of puff!

  • 133 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 134 New look in the hayfields

  • 135 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 136 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 137 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 138 Service with a smile

  • 139 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 140 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 141 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 142 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 143 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 144 Modern living at Bideford

  • 145 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 146

    Bidefordians
  • 147

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 148 By pony and trap to market

  • 149

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 150 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 151 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 152 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 153 Last train from Torrington

  • 154 Variety in summer weather

  • 155 A bird of their own!

  • 156 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 157

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 158

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 159 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 160 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 161 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 162 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 163 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 164 Picking the pops

  • 165 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 166 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 167 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 168 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 169 For crying out loud!

  • 170 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 171 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 172 A story to tell!

  • 173 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 174 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 175 New civic medallions

  • 176 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 177 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 178 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 179 Artisans' Club

  • 180 Jumble sale fever

  • 181 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 183 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 184 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 185 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 186 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 187 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 188 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 190 New addition to Quay front

  • 191 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 192 Traditions and skills still there

  • 193 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 194 Sweets derationing

  • 195 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 196 Gloves fit for a king!

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

  • 198 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 199 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 200 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 201

    New gateway
  • 202

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 203 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 204 Appledore's largest

  • 205 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 206 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 207 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 208 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 209 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 210 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 211 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 212 Sight of a lifetime

  • 213 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 214 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 215 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 216

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 217 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 218 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 219 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 220 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 221 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 222 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 223 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 224 New choral society's growing response

  • 225 Burnard family reunion

  • 226 Bideford loses training ship

  • 227 Happy Days!

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

  • 229 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 230 Picking the pops

  • 231 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 232 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 233 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 234 Life begins at 80

  • 235 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 236 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 237 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 238 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 239 School's link with cargo ship

  • 240 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 241 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 242 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 243 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 244 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 245 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 246 A roof-top view - where?

  • 247 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 248 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 249 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 251 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 252 Northam footballers of the future

  • 253 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 254 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 255 Hartland postman retires

  • 256 Puppet characters introduced

  • 257 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 258

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 259 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 260 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 261 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 263 Recognise this resort?

  • 264 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 265 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 266 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 267 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 268 First steel ship built at Bideford

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

  • 270 Hartland Dancers
  • 271 The Geneva marionettes

  • 272 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 273 He beat the floods

  • 274 Parkham plan realised

  • 275 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 276 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 277 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 278 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 279 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 280 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 281 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 282 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 283 Off on a great adventure

  • 284 Ten year old scrambler

  • 285 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 286 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 287 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 288 In their new robes and hats

  • 289 Bideford computer stars

  • 290 From Bobby to Brian

  • 291 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 292 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 293 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 294 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 295 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 296 Emergency ferry services

  • 297 End of the line

  • 298 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 299

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 300 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 301 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 302 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 303 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 305 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 306 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 307 Simple Item 138
  • 308

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 309 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 310 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 311 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 312 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 313 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 314 113 years at Instow

  • 315 Peter poses for TV film

  • 316 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 317 Hartland's invitation

  • 318 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 319

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 320 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 321 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 322 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 323 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 324 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 325 Decontrol of meat

  • 326 New life for Hartland organ

  • 327 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 328 Clovelly custom

  • 329 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 330 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 331 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 332 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 333 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 334 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 335 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 336 New Post Office

  • 337 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 338 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 339 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 340 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 341 The art of the thatcher

  • 342 Revenge in style

  • 343

    Was a missionary
  • 344 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 345 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 346 New art gallery opened

  • 347 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 348

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 349 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 351

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 352 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 353 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 354 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 355

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 356 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 357 Penny for the guy

  • 358 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 359 Bideford regatta

  • 360 First ship in 8 years

  • 361 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 362 All for the love of a lady!

  • 363 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 364 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 365 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 366

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 367 They are parted pro-tem

  • 368 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 369 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 370 No laughing matter

  • 371

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 372 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 373

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 374 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 375 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 376 Twenty-one yachts

  • 377 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 378 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 379 New Lundy stamps

  • 380 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 381 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 382 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 383 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 384 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 385 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 386 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 387 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 388 Ships at Bideford

  • 389 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 390 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 391 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 392 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 393 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 394 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 395 Bideford's new market opens next week

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

  • 397 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 398 The cab at the corner>
  • 399 Northam's almshouse

  • 400 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 401 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 402 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 403 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 404 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 405 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 406 New shipyard on schedule

  • 407 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 408 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 409 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 410 Pannier Market's future?

  • 411 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 412 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 413 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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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Evacuees to Bideford during WW2

Reminisceses of Evacuees

Basil Pidgeon was recorded by another volunteer at the Bideford & District Community Archive in 2020

More information on Mr Langford can be found AT THIS LINK  and HERE

 

 

Bideford Bridge Collapse

January 1968

The famous 700-year-old Long Bridge collapsed in early January 1968. One of the Archive's volunteers chats, in 2020, about his reminiscences in this YouTube link:

 

 

 

 

 

Local Memories

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