• 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 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 2 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 3 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 4 Littleham family's five generations

  • 5 Parkham plan realised

  • 6 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 7 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 8 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 9 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 10 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 11 Bridging the stream

  • 12 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 13 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 14 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 15 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 16 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 17 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 18 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 19 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 20 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 21 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 22

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 23 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 24 Revenge in style

  • 25 By pony and trap to market

  • 26 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 27 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 28 Clovelly nightmare

  • 29 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 30 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 31 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 32 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 33 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 34 Burnard family reunion

  • 35 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 36 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 37 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 38 School's link with cargo ship

  • 39 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 40 Variety in summer weather

  • 41 Pannier Market's future?

  • 42 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 43 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 44 Northam's almshouse

  • 45 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 46 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 48 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 49 Bideford computer stars

  • 50

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 51 New addition to Quay front

  • 52 Picking the pops

  • 53 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 54 It really was the 'last time'

  • 55 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 56 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 57

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 58 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 59 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 60 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 61 Waldon Triplets
  • 62 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 63 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 64 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 65 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 66 The art of the thatcher

  • 67 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 68 Northam footballers of the future

  • 69 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 70 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 71 Service with a smile

  • 72 Penny for the guy

  • 73 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 74 113 years at Instow

  • 75 End of the line

  • 76 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 77 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 78 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 79 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 80 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 81 When horses score over the tractor

  • 82 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 83 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 84 Devil sent packing

  • 85 What's the time?

  • 86 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 87 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 88 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 89 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 90 School crossing patrol begins

  • 91 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 92 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 93 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 94 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 95

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 96 Sight of a lifetime

  • 97 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 98 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 99 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 100 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 101 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 102 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 103 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 104 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 105

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 106 Some 240 exhibits

  • 107 He beat the floods

  • 108 Off on a great adventure

  • 109 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 110 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 111 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 112

    First prize
  • 113 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 114 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 115

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 116 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 117

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 118 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 119 Circus comes to town

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

  • 121 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 122 Bideford regatta

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

  • 124 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 125 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 126 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 127 Ten year old scrambler

  • 128 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 129 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 131 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 133 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 134 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 135 New look in the hayfields

  • 136 Torrington's new amenity

  • 137 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 138 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 139 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 140 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 141

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 142 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 143 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 144 In their new robes and hats

  • 145 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 146

    Bidefordians
  • 147 New shipyard on schedule

  • 148 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 149 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 150 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 151 They are parted pro-tem

  • 152 No laughing matter

  • 153 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 154 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 155 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 156 A man and his wheel

  • 157 Police station view of Bideford

  • 158 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 159

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 160 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 161 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 162 Peter poses for TV film

  • 163 All aboard the ark

  • 164 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 165 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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

  • 167 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 168 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 169 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 170 Private home for public pump

  • 171 So this is the mainland!

  • 172 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 173 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 174 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 175 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 176

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 177 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 178 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 179

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 180 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 181 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 182 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 183 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 184 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 185 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 186 Torrington children build igloo
  • 187 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 188 Hartland Dancers
  • 189 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 190 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 191 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 192 Some mushroom!

  • 193 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 194 For crying out loud!

  • 195 Simple Item 138
  • 196 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 197 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 198 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 199 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 200 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 201 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 202 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 203 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 204

    Married in 1908
  • 205 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 206 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 207

    New gateway
  • 208 Traditions and skills still there

  • 209 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 210 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 211 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 212 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 213 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 214

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 215 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 217 Twenty-one yachts

  • 218 Happy Days!

  • 219

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 220 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 221 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 222 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 223 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 224 The Geneva marionettes

  • 225 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 226 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 227 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 228 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 229

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 230 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 231 Life begins at 80

  • 232 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 233 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 234 Weare Giffard potato

  • 235 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 236 Last train from Torrington

  • 237 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 238 Bideford loses training ship

  • 239 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 240 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 241 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 242 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 243 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 244 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 245 Decontrol of meat

  • 246 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 247 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 248 All for the love of a lady!

  • 249 First ship in 8 years

  • 250 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 251 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 252 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 253 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 254 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 255 North Devon Driving School

  • 256 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 257 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 258 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 259 New choral society's growing response

  • 260 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 261

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 262 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 263 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 264 Mobile missionary

  • 265

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 266 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 267 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 268 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 269 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 270 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 271 Six footed lamb

  • 272 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 273 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 274 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 275 Centenary of Gazette

  • 276 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 277 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 278 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 279 A story to tell!

  • 280 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 282

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 283

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 284 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 285 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 286 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 287 Just over a year old

  • 288 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 289 Hartland postman retires

  • 290 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 292 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 293 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 294 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 295 Warmington's garage ad

  • 296 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 297 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 298 Emergency ferry services

  • 299 Modern living at Bideford

  • 300 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 301 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 302 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 303

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 304

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 305 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 307 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 308

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 309 New Lundy stamps

  • 310 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 311 New civic medallions

  • 312 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 313 Out of puff!

  • 314

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 315

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 316 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 317 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 318 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 319 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 320

    Was a missionary
  • 321

    Building works
  • 322

    Relatives all over the world
  • 323 New Post Office

  • 324 Clovelly custom

  • 325 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 326 Cruising down the river

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

  • 328 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 329 New life for Hartland organ

  • 330 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 331 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 332 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 333 New art gallery opened

  • 334 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 335 Capers on the cobbles

  • 336 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 337

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 338 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 339 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 340 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 341 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 342 Hartland's invitation

  • 343 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 344 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 345 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 346 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 347 A roof-top view - where?

  • 348 A bird of their own!

  • 349 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 350 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 351 Riverside mystery

  • 352 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 353 Jumble sale fever

  • 354 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 355 Ships at Bideford

  • 356 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 357 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 358 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 359 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 360 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 361 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 362 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 363 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 364 Picking the pops

  • 365 Appledore's largest

  • 366 No sale of Springfield House

  • 367 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 368 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 369 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 370 Recognise this resort?

  • 371 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 372

    Exhibition of school work
  • 373 Loads of black and white

  • 374 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 375

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 376 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 377 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 378 Finished in 1876

  • 379 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 380 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 381 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 382 Artisans' Club

  • 383 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 384 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 385 Puppet characters introduced

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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