• 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 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 2 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 3 Sweets derationing

  • 4 Modern living at Bideford

  • 5 The Geneva marionettes

  • 6 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 7

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 8 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 10 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 11 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 12 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 13 Cruising down the river

  • 14

    Relatives all over the world
  • 15 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 16 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 17

    Exhibition of school work
  • 18 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 19 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 21 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 22 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 23 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 24 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 25 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 26 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 27 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 28 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 30 Appledore's largest

  • 31 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 32 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 33 Finished in 1876

  • 34 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 35

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 36 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 37 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 38

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 39 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 40 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 41 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 42 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 43 They are parted pro-tem

  • 44 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 45 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 46 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 47 Can spring be far away?

  • 48

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 49 113 years at Instow

  • 50 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 51 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 52

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 53 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 54 Hartland's invitation

  • 55

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 56 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 57 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 58 Off on a great adventure

  • 59 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 60

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 61 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 62 Puppet characters introduced

  • 63 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 64 Variety in summer weather

  • 65 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 66 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 67 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 68 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 69 Penny for the guy

  • 70 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 71 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

  • 73 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 74 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 75 First ship in 8 years

  • 76 Torrington in 1967

  • 77 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 78 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 79 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

  • 81 All aboard the ark

  • 82 Last train from Torrington

  • 83 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 84 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 85 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 86 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 87

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 88 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 89 New look in the hayfields

  • 90 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 91 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 92 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 93 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 94 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 95 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 96 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 97 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 99 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 100 Water Board mains spread through villages

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

  • 102 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 103 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 104 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 105 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 106

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 107 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 108 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 109 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 110 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 111 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 112 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 113 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 114 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 115 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 116 Burnard family reunion

  • 117 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 118 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 119 New addition to Quay front

  • 120 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 121 Some 240 exhibits

  • 122

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 123 Torrington children build igloo
  • 124 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 125 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 126 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 127 Bridging the stream

  • 128 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 129

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 130 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 131 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 132 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 134 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 135 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 136 Pannier Market's future?

  • 137 When horses score over the tractor

  • 138 Circus comes to town

  • 139 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 140 So this is the mainland!

  • 141 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 142 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 143 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 144 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 145 Hartland Dancers
  • 146 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 147 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 148 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 149

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 150 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 151 From Bobby to Brian

  • 152 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 153 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 154 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 155

    First prize
  • 156 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 157 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 158 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 159 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 160 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 161 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 162 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 163 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 164 New life for Hartland organ

  • 165 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 166 Bideford regatta

  • 167 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 168 Private home for public pump

  • 169 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 170 New Lundy stamps

  • 171 Life begins at 80

  • 172 Police station view of Bideford

  • 173 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 174 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 175 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 176 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 177 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 178 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 179 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 180 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 181 Northam's almshouse

  • 182 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 183 Simple Item 138
  • 184 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 185

    Building works
  • 186 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 187 Sight of a lifetime

  • 188 School's link with cargo ship

  • 189 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 190 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 191 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 192 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 193 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 194

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 195

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 196 New choral society's growing response

  • 197 Bideford computer stars

  • 198 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 199 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 200 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 201

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 202 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 203 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 204 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 205 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 206 No sale of Springfield House

  • 207 Emergency ferry services

  • 208 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 209 Some mushroom!

  • 210 Weare Giffard potato

  • 211 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 212

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 213 Parkham plan realised

  • 214 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 215 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 216 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 217 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 218 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 219

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 220 A roof-top view - where?

  • 221 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 222 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 223 The art of the thatcher

  • 224

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 225 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 226 North Devon Driving School

  • 227 Out of puff!

  • 228 Ten year old scrambler

  • 229 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 230 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

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

  • 232 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 233 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 234

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 235 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 236 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 237 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 238 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 239 New civic medallions

  • 240 A bird of their own!

  • 241 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 242 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 243 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 244

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 245 New shipyard on schedule

  • 246 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 247 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 248 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 249 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 250 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 251 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 252

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 253 Devil sent packing

  • 254 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 255 Happy Days!

  • 256 What's the time?

  • 257 Picking the pops

  • 258 No laughing matter

  • 259 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 260 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 261

    Bidefordians
  • 262 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 263 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 264 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 265 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 266 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 267 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 268 Clovelly nightmare

  • 269 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 270

    Was a missionary
  • 271 It really was the 'last time'

  • 272 Ships at Bideford

  • 273 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 274 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 275

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 276 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 277 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 278 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 279 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 280 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 281 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 282 In their new robes and hats

  • 283

    New gateway
  • 284 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 285

    Married in 1908
  • 286 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 287 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 288 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 289

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 290 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 292 For crying out loud!

  • 293 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 294 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 295 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 296 He beat the floods

  • 297 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 298 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 299 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 300 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 301 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 302 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 303 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 304 All for the love of a lady!

  • 305 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 306 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 307 Mobile missionary

  • 308 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 309

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 310 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 311 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 312 New Post Office

  • 313 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 314 Picking the pops

  • 315 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 316 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 317 End of the line

  • 318 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 319 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 320 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 321 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 322 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 323 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 324 Loads of black and white

  • 325 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 326 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 327 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 328 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 329 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 330 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 331 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 332 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 333 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 334 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 335 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 336 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 337 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 338 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 339 Riverside mystery

  • 340 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 341 Decontrol of meat

  • 342 New art gallery opened

  • 343 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 344 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 345 Artisans' Club

  • 346 Littleham family's five generations

  • 347 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 348 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 349 Capers on the cobbles

  • 350 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 351 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 352 Service with a smile

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

  • 354 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 355 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 356 Torrington's new amenity

  • 357 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 358 Traditions and skills still there

  • 359 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 360 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 361 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 362 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 363 By pony and trap to market

  • 364 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 365 Jumble sale fever

  • 366 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 367 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 368 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 369 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 370 A man and his wheel

  • 371 Recognise this resort?

  • 372 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 373 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 374 Waldon Triplets
  • 375 Bideford's new market opens next week

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

  • 377 Hartland postman retires

  • 378 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 379 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 380 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 381 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 382 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 383 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 384 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 385 Peter poses for TV film

  • 386 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 387 Warmington's garage ad

  • 388 Just over a year old

  • 389 Filming at Hartland

  • 390 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 391 Centenary of Gazette

  • 392 School crossing patrol begins

  • 393

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 394 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 395 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 396 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 397 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 398 Six footed lamb

  • 399 Clovelly custom

  • 400 A story to tell!

  • 401 Revenge in style

  • 402 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 403 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 404 The cab at the corner>
  • 405 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 406 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 407 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 408 Northam footballers of the future

  • 409 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 410 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 411 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 412 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 413 Childrens' model of Torrington

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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Proficiency Certificates For Bideford ATC Cadets

Certificates Presented

31.1.1958 Bideford ATC

Their training was helping to form their characters and fill their minds with useful knowledge which would prove beneficial to them in later life, the Mayor of Bideford, Mr E D Williams, told cadets of the Bideford Flight of No. 1146 (North Devon) Squadron, Air Training Corps, at their headquarters in King George’s Field, Bideford.

The Mayor, accompanied by the Town Clerk, Mr F C Backway, was greeted by the officer commanding the Squadron, Flt-Lieut C E Paull.

The Mayor presented certificated to: M E J Adnett, G C Moore, A M French, J M Insley, H S Davis, M J Osburn, R J Nichols.

The Mayor paid tribute to the Flight’s former officer, Mr W T Goss and welcomed Mr L B Pym, of Winkleigh, who has taken over the flight.

The full Gazette article is dated 31 January 1958

Four Bidefordians Meet In Cairo

From Cairo the Editor has received together with the photograph of the four Bidefordians concerned, the following cheery letter which he feels sure will find an echo in many a heart.

6.11.1945 Bideford Cairo

‘Like everyone else separated from their families by thousands of miles, our thoughts are continually turning to our own little corner in the West, and it goes without saying that one of the delights of overseas life is to meet someone who knows the Little White Town and its noted personalities. Mr C S F Harding; Mr Gorvett; Granfer Giddy, and a hundred others were all remembered with warm hearts’.

Fred Miller, Harry Miles, Horace Tithecott, Clarrie Rendle

The full Gazette article is dated 6 November 1945

Wimpy Bar in Bideford

New catering service opened

Bideford Quay has been brightened in the last few weeks by the opening of a Wimpy Bar, adding its specialised service of quick snack meals to the borough's catering facilities.

The Wimpy Bar is managed by Mr and Mrs Ralph Freeland, who have had considerable experience in the type of catering and offer a full waitress service.

Read more in this avertisement dated 18 September 1970

18.9.1970 Wimpy

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