• 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 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 2 The Geneva marionettes

  • 3 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 4 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 5 Bideford computer stars

  • 6 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 7 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 9 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 10 Riverside mystery

  • 11 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 12 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 14 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 15 Clovelly nightmare

  • 16 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 17 A man and his wheel

  • 18 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 19 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 20 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 21 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 22 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 23 End of the line

  • 24 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 25 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 26 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 27 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 28 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 29 New Post Office

  • 30

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 31 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 32 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 33 In their new robes and hats

  • 34 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 35 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 36 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 37 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 38 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 39 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 40 Out of puff!

  • 41 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 42 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 43

    Building works
  • 44 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 45

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 46 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 47 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 48

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 49 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 50 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 51 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 52 Hartland's invitation

  • 53 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 54 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 55 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 56 New look in the hayfields

  • 57 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 58 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 59 So this is the mainland!

  • 60 New addition to Quay front

  • 61 Northam's almshouse

  • 62 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 63 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 64 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 65 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 66

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 67 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 68 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 69 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 70 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 71 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 72 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 73 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 74 Can spring be far away?

  • 75 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 77 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 78 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 79 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 80 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 81 Some 240 exhibits

  • 82 Picking the pops

  • 83 No laughing matter

  • 84 New shipyard on schedule

  • 85 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 86 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 87

    Exhibition of school work
  • 88 Peter poses for TV film

  • 89 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 90 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 91 Torrington's new amenity

  • 92 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 93 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 94

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 95 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 96 Ten year old scrambler

  • 97 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 98 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 99 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 100 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 101 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 102 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 103 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 104 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 105 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 106 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 107 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 108 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 109 Revenge in style

  • 110 Off on a great adventure

  • 111 Centenary of Gazette

  • 112 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 114 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 115 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 116 North Devon Driving School

  • 117 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 118 The art of the thatcher

  • 119 By pony and trap to market

  • 120

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 121 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 122 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 123 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 124 Emergency ferry services

  • 125 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 126 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 127 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 128 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 129 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 130 Loads of black and white

  • 131 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 132 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 133 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 134

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 135 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 136

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 137 Torrington children build igloo
  • 138 Filming at Hartland

  • 139 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 140 School crossing patrol begins

  • 141 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 142 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 143 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 144 Happy Days!

  • 145 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 146 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 147 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 148 Devil sent packing

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

  • 150 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 151 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 153

    First prize
  • 154 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 155 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 156 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 157 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 158 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 159 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 160 Some mushroom!

  • 161 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 162 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 163 Modern living at Bideford

  • 164 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 165 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 166 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 167 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 168 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 169 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 170 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 171 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 172 Sweets derationing

  • 173 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 174 Last train from Torrington

  • 175 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 176 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 177 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 178 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 179 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 180 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 181 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 182 Pannier Market's future?

  • 183 They are parted pro-tem

  • 184 Cruising down the river

  • 185 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 186 Penny for the guy

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

  • 188

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 189 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 190 Parkham plan realised

  • 191

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 192

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 193 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 194 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 195 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 196 Jumble sale fever

  • 197 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 198 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 199 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 200 Bideford loses training ship

  • 201 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 202 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 203

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 204 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 205 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 206 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 207 New Lundy stamps

  • 208 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 209 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 210 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 211 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 212 Photo of town's first car wins prize

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

  • 214 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 215 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 216 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 217 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 218 Littleham family's five generations

  • 219 Traditions and skills still there

  • 220 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 221 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 222 A bird of their own!

  • 223

    Bidefordians
  • 224 Bridging the stream

  • 225

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 226 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 227 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 228 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 229 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 230 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 231

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 232 Twenty-one yachts

  • 233 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 234 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 235 Appledore's largest

  • 236 Torrington in 1967

  • 237 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 238 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 239 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 240 Clovelly custom

  • 241 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 242 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 243 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 244 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 245 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 246 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 247 Mobile missionary

  • 248 Burnard family reunion

  • 249 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 250 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 251 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

  • 253 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 254 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 255 Service with a smile

  • 256 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 257 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 258 Recognise this resort?

  • 259 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 260 Northam footballers of the future

  • 261 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 262 No sale of Springfield House

  • 263 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

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

  • 265 Police station view of Bideford

  • 266 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 267 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 268 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 269 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 270 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 271 School's link with cargo ship

  • 272 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 273 Waldon Triplets
  • 274 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 275 Ships at Bideford

  • 276 Simple Item 138
  • 277 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 278 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 279 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 280 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 281 New choral society's growing response

  • 282 The cab at the corner>
  • 283 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 284 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 285 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 286 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 287 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 288 Variety in summer weather

  • 289 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 290 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 291 A roof-top view - where?

  • 292

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 293 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 294 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 295

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 296

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 297

    Relatives all over the world
  • 298 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 299

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 300 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 301 He beat the floods

  • 302 Private home for public pump

  • 303 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 304 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 305 Capers on the cobbles

  • 306 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 307 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 308 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 309 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 310 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 311 From Bobby to Brian

  • 312 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 313 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 314 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 315 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 316

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 317 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 318 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 319 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 320 New life for Hartland organ

  • 321 Hartland Dancers
  • 322 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 323 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 325 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 326 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 327 New civic medallions

  • 328 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 329 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 330 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 331 All aboard the ark

  • 332 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 333 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 334 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 335 For crying out loud!

  • 336 Bideford regatta

  • 337 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 338 Sight of a lifetime

  • 339 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 340 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 341 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 342 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 343

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 344 Puppet characters introduced

  • 345 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 346 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 347 All for the love of a lady!

  • 348 Circus comes to town

  • 349 It really was the 'last time'

  • 350 Hartland postman retires

  • 351 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 352 Warmington's garage ad

  • 353 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 354 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 355 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 356 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 357 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 358 Finished in 1876

  • 359 Just over a year old

  • 360 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 361 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 362 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 363

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 364 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 365 Weare Giffard potato

  • 366 First ship in 8 years

  • 367 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 368

    New gateway
  • 369 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 370 New art gallery opened

  • 371 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 372 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 373 Artisans' Club

  • 374

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 375 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 376 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 377 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 379

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 380 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 381

    Married in 1908
  • 382 Life begins at 80

  • 383 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 384 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 385 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 386

    Was a missionary
  • 387 What's the time?

  • 388 113 years at Instow

  • 389 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 390 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 391 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 392

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 393 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 394 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 395 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 396 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 397 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 398 A story to tell!

  • 399 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 400 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 401

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 402 When horses score over the tractor

  • 403 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 404 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

  • 406 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 408 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 409 Picking the pops

  • 410 Decontrol of meat

  • 411 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 412 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 413 Six footed lamb

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at Nursing exhibition

Model of Florence Nightingale

An exhibition attracting great attention at the London Nursing Exhibition was the lighted model of Florence Nightingale and her nurses in a ward of the army hospital at Scutari during the Crimean War which hade been designed and made specially for the exhibition by Miss Judith Ackland and Miss Mary Stella Edwards of Bideford.

22 October 1954 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists

They are perhaps best known as water-colour landscape artists but Miss Ackland also makes charming Jakanda model figures from cotton-wool by a secret process, with Miss Edwards carrying out much of the necessary research work for the models.

It was 100 years since Florence Nightingale set out on her mission to the Crimea.

Gazette article 22 October 1954

 

Torrington acclaims the 400th anniversary of the granting of its charter

Modern view of Torrington

A few years before the town received its charter, Leland, the noted librarian and chronicler, in his records proclaimed Torrington as a great town standing on the brow of a hill with fair streets, a good market and the best fair in all those quarters.

24 September Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary

In this arial photograph is seen displayed the main street pattern of this old town with a modern outlook.

Gazette article 24 September 1954

 

A man and his wheel

Wheel at Old Mill Farm

For well over a century the Tape family, father and son, have worked the wheel at the Old Mill Farm, Coombe Valley on the Cornish borderline with Devon.

20 August 1954 A man and his wheel

Above can be seen Mr Fred Tape now well into his seventies. Everything at the farm depends on the old water-wheel which supplies electric light by direct current, milling corn for local farmers, pulping, saw-milling, and other mechanical duties.

Gazette article 20 August 1954#

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