• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 New life for Hartland organ

  • 2 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 3 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 4 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 5 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 6 Loads of black and white

  • 7 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 8 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 9 Some 240 exhibits

  • 10 Appledore's largest

  • 11 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 13 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 14 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 15 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 16 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 17 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 18 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 19 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 20 So this is the mainland!

  • 21 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 22 Littleham family's five generations

  • 23 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 24 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 25 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 26 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 27 Last train from Torrington

  • 28 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 29 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 30 Ten year old scrambler

  • 31 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 32

    First prize
  • 33 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 34

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 35 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 36 Warmington's garage ad

  • 37 Some mushroom!

  • 38 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 39 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 40 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 41 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 42 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 43 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 44 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 45 It really was the 'last time'

  • 46 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 47 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 48 Puppet characters introduced

  • 49 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 50 First ship in 8 years

  • 51 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 52 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 53 Jumble sale fever

  • 54 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 55 Centenary of Gazette

  • 56 Modern living at Bideford

  • 57 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 58 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 59 New look in the hayfields

  • 60 He beat the floods

  • 61 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 62 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 63 Torrington's new amenity

  • 64 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 65 Traditions and skills still there

  • 66 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 67 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 68 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 69 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 70 From Bobby to Brian

  • 71 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 72 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 73 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 74 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 75 Service with a smile

  • 76 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 77 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 78 Hartland Dancers
  • 79 What's the time?

  • 80 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 81 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 82 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 83 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 84 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 85 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 86 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 87 Out of puff!

  • 88 Variety in summer weather

  • 89 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 90

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 91 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 92 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 93 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 94 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 95 Filming at Hartland

  • 96 Clovelly nightmare

  • 97 Sweets derationing

  • 98 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 99 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 100 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 101 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 102 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 103 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 104 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 105 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 106 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 107 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 108 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 109 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 111 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 112 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 113 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 114 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 115 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 117

    Bidefordians
  • 118 Northam footballers of the future

  • 119

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 120 New shipyard on schedule

  • 121 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 122 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 123 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 124 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 125

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 126 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 127 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 128 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 129 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 130 End of the line

  • 131 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 132

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 133 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 134 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 135 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 136 Torrington children build igloo
  • 137 They are parted pro-tem

  • 138 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 139

    Exhibition of school work
  • 140

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 141 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 142 Circus comes to town

  • 143 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 145 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 146 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 147 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 148 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 149 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 150 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 151 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 152 Bridging the stream

  • 153

    New gateway
  • 154 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 155 Weare Giffard potato

  • 156 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 157 For crying out loud!

  • 158 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 159 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 160 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 161 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 162

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 163 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 164 Penny for the guy

  • 165 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 166 Just over a year old

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

  • 168 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 169 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 170 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 171 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 172 The cab at the corner>
  • 173 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 174 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 175 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 176 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 177 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 178 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 179 Hartland postman retires

  • 180 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 181 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 182 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 183 The Geneva marionettes

  • 184 Burnard family reunion

  • 185 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 186 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 187 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 188 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 189 Mobile missionary

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

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

  • 192 New art gallery opened

  • 193 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 194 Capers on the cobbles

  • 195 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 196 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 197

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 198 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 199

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 200 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 201 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 202 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 203 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 204 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 205 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 206 Parkham plan realised

  • 207 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 208 North Devon Driving School

  • 209 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 210 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 211 Sight of a lifetime

  • 212 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 213 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 214 Revenge in style

  • 215 No sale of Springfield House

  • 216 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 217 In their new robes and hats

  • 218 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 219 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 220 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 221 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 222 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 224 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 225 A story to tell!

  • 226 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 227 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 228 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 229 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 230 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 231 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 232 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 233 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 234 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 236 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 237 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 238 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 239 Cruising down the river

  • 240 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 241 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 242 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 243

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 244 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 245 New choral society's growing response

  • 246 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 247 Private home for public pump

  • 248 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 249 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 250 Six footed lamb

  • 251 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 252 The art of the thatcher

  • 253

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 254 Bideford computer stars

  • 255 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 256 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 257 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 258

    Building works
  • 259 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 260 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 261 Police station view of Bideford

  • 262 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 263 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 264 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 265 Picking the pops

  • 266 A man and his wheel

  • 267 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 268 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 269 New civic medallions

  • 270 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 271 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 272 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 273 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 274 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 275 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 277 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 278 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 279 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 280 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 281 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 283 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 284 When horses score over the tractor

  • 285 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 286

    Relatives all over the world
  • 287 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 288 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 289 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 290 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

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

  • 293

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 294 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 295 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 296 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 297 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 298 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 299

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 300 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 301 Bideford regatta

  • 302

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 303

    Married in 1908
  • 304 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 305 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 306 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 307 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 308 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 309 Recognise this resort?

  • 310 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 311 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 312 Torrington in 1967

  • 313 Off on a great adventure

  • 314 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 315 All for the love of a lady!

  • 316 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 317 Peter poses for TV film

  • 318 A roof-top view - where?

  • 319 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 320 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 321 Simple Item 138
  • 322

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 323 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 324 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 325 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 326 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 327 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 328 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 329

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 330 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 331 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 332

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 333 All aboard the ark

  • 334 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 335 Happy Days!

  • 336 New Post Office

  • 337 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 338 Clovelly custom

  • 339 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 340 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 341 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 342 No laughing matter

  • 343 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 344 By pony and trap to market

  • 345 Ships at Bideford

  • 346 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 347

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 348 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 349 Decontrol of meat

  • 350 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 351 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 352 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 353 New Lundy stamps

  • 354 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 355

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 356 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 357 School crossing patrol begins

  • 358 Hartland's invitation

  • 359

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 360 Emergency ferry services

  • 361 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 362 Twenty-one yachts

  • 363

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 364

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 365 Pannier Market's future?

  • 366 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 367 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 368 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 369 Life begins at 80

  • 370 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 371 113 years at Instow

  • 372 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 373 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 374

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 375 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 376 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 377 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 378 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 379 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 380 Devil sent packing

  • 381 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 382 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 383 Northam's almshouse

  • 384 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 385 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 386 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 387 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 388 Finished in 1876

  • 389 Artisans' Club

  • 390 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 391 Bideford loses training ship

  • 392 Can spring be far away?

  • 393 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 394 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 395 School's link with cargo ship

  • 396 A bird of their own!

  • 397 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 398 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 399 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 400

    Was a missionary
  • 401 New addition to Quay front

  • 402 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 403 Waldon Triplets
  • 404 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 405 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 406 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 407 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 408 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 409

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 410

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 411 Riverside mystery

  • 412 Picking the pops

  • 413 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

New Gateway To King George’s Fields

This handsome new gateway to the Bideford Park extension, to be known as King George’s Fields, has recently made its appearance.

21.9.1951 Bideford new gates

It is perhaps not generally known that one of the conditions of the grant from the King George’s Fields Foundation towards the development of the park extension was that a suitable gateway to the fields should be erected bearing two approved plaques.

All the land to the north of this gateway and the one to the river bank opposite is King George’s Fields.

Gazette article dated 21 September 1951

About Us

Where Is It & Who Is It For?

Based in offices at Northam Town Council, 1 Windmill Lane, Northam, the Archive rents rooms on three floors which enables access for all members of the public. The addition of two fireproof safes enables the Archive to securely store films and microfiche. The Archive is open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9:30 - 1pm. 

Our visitors’ records identify hundreds of people including family and property historians, students preparing dissertation material, local writers and researchers, and social history groups. The Archive gives presentations to associations and clubs on local interest topics, and volunteers attend fairs and heritage days such as Bideford and Northam Fairs. We use social media and have a website, all of which are updated on a weekly basis.

Learn More

  • 1

Login Form