• 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 End of the line

  • 2 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 4 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 5 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 6 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 7 A roof-top view - where?

  • 8 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 9 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 10 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 11 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 12 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 13 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 14 Burnard family reunion

  • 15 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 16 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 17

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 18 Riverside mystery

  • 19 New shipyard on schedule

  • 20 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 21 Revenge in style

  • 22 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 23 Parkham plan realised

  • 24 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 25 Recognise this resort?

  • 26 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 27 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 28 When horses score over the tractor

  • 29 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 30 Clovelly nightmare

  • 31 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 32 Northam's almshouse

  • 33

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 34 Private home for public pump

  • 35 Bridging the stream

  • 36 Hartland postman retires

  • 37 Bideford loses training ship

  • 38 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 39 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 40 Happy Days!

  • 41 Hartland Dancers
  • 42 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 43 Circus comes to town

  • 44 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 45 Torrington's new amenity

  • 46 Bideford computer stars

  • 47 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 48 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 49 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 50 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 52 A bird of their own!

  • 53

    Was a missionary
  • 54 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 55 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 56 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 57 Some 240 exhibits

  • 58 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 59 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 60 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 61 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 62 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 63 Police station view of Bideford

  • 64 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 65 Emergency ferry services

  • 66 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 67 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 68 Penny for the guy

  • 69 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 70 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 71 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 72 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 73 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 74 School's link with cargo ship

  • 75 He beat the floods

  • 76 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 77 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 78 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 79 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 80 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 81 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 82 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 83 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 84 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 85 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 86 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 87

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 88 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 89 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 90 Decontrol of meat

  • 91

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 92 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 93

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 94 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 95 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 96 By pony and trap to market

  • 97 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 98 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 99 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 100 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 101 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 102

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 103 Finished in 1876

  • 104 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 105 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 107 Torrington in 1967

  • 108 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 109 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 110 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 111 So this is the mainland!

  • 112 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 113 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 114

    Married in 1908
  • 115 Traditions and skills still there

  • 116 Artisans' Club

  • 117 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 118 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 119 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 120 Northam footballers of the future

  • 121 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 122 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 124 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 125 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 126 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 127 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 128

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 129 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 130 No laughing matter

  • 131 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 132 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 133 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 134 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 135 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 136 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 137 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 138 They are parted pro-tem

  • 139 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 140 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 141 Some mushroom!

  • 142 Modern living at Bideford

  • 143 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 144 Loads of black and white

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

  • 146 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 147 Hartland's invitation

  • 148 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 149 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 150 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 151

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 152 Appledore's largest

  • 153 Variety in summer weather

  • 154 Cruising down the river

  • 155 Ten year old scrambler

  • 156 New look in the hayfields

  • 157 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 158 Out of puff!

  • 159 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 160 For crying out loud!

  • 161 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 162 Devil sent packing

  • 163 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 164 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 165 Six footed lamb

  • 166 New life for Hartland organ

  • 167 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 168 Mobile missionary

  • 169 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 170 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 171 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 172 Waldon Triplets
  • 173 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 174 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 175 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 176 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 177 New addition to Quay front

  • 178 First ship in 8 years

  • 179 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 180 Last train from Torrington

  • 181 Just over a year old

  • 182

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 183 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 184 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 185 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 186 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 187 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 188 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 189 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 190 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 191 Weare Giffard potato

  • 192

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 193 The Geneva marionettes

  • 194 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 195 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 196

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 197 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 198 Picking the pops

  • 199 New civic medallions

  • 200 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 201 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 202 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 203 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 204 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 205 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 206 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 207 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 208 Life begins at 80

  • 209 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 210

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 211 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 212

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 213 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 214 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 215 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 216 A story to tell!

  • 217 Off on a great adventure

  • 218 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 219 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 220 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 221

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 222 The art of the thatcher

  • 223 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 224 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 226

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 227 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 228 Picking the pops

  • 229 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 230 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 231 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 232 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 233 No sale of Springfield House

  • 234 All for the love of a lady!

  • 235 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 236 New art gallery opened

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

  • 238 School crossing patrol begins

  • 239 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 240 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 241 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 242 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 243 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 244

    Building works
  • 245 Clovelly custom

  • 246 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 248 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 249 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 250 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 251 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 252

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 253 New Lundy stamps

  • 254 Service with a smile

  • 255 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 256 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 257 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 258 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 259 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 260 A man and his wheel

  • 261 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 262 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 263

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 264 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 265

    Exhibition of school work
  • 266 Capers on the cobbles

  • 267 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 268 Puppet characters introduced

  • 269 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 270 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 271 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 272 Sight of a lifetime

  • 273 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 274 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 275 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 276 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 277 North Devon Driving School

  • 278 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 279 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 280 Can spring be far away?

  • 281 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 282 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 283 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 284

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 285 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 286

    First prize
  • 287

    Relatives all over the world
  • 288 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 290 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 291 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 292

    Bidefordians
  • 293 In their new robes and hats

  • 294 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 295 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 296

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 297 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 298 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 299 New Post Office

  • 300

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 301 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 302 Littleham family's five generations

  • 303 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 304 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 305

    New gateway
  • 306 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 307 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 308 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 309 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 310

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 311 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 312 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 313

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 314 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 315 Jumble sale fever

  • 316 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 317

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 318 Twenty-one yachts

  • 319 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 320 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 321 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 322 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 323 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 324 Peter poses for TV film

  • 325 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 326 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 327 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 328 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 329 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 330 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 331 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 332 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 333 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 334 Ships at Bideford

  • 335 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 336 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 337 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 338 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 339 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 340 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 341 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 342 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 343 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 344 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 345 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 346 Centenary of Gazette

  • 347 It really was the 'last time'

  • 348 Pannier Market's future?

  • 349 What's the time?

  • 350 Torrington children build igloo
  • 351 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 352 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 353 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 354 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 355 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 356 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 357 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 358 New choral society's growing response

  • 359 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 360 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 361 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 362 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 363 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 364 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 365

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 366 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 367

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 368 Bideford regatta

  • 369 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 370 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 371 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 372 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 373 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 374 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 375 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 376 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 377 All aboard the ark

  • 378 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 379 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 380 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 381 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 382 113 years at Instow

  • 383 Simple Item 138
  • 384 Warmington's garage ad

  • 385 Chess - their bridge over the years

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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  • 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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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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Can spring be far away?

Heavy snow in Hartland

Part of the legacy of last week’s blizzard which swept with particular violence over South-West Hartland, Welcome and Woolsery districts. The top picture shows typical drifting of snow in a farm gateway; the bottom picture is of the road between Elmscott and Docton banked by cold avenues of cleared and drifted snow.

4 March 1955 Can spring be far away

But spring approaches! In the snow at Hartland on Sunday the early primroses were to be found.

Gazette article 4 March 1955

 

No laughing matter

Bideford housewives manage a smile in adverse circumstances

Yet again this winter housewives of Chanters Lane have awakened to find all their ground floor rooms flooded by water from inside, forced up through the drains and sinks. Aggravated when the tide is up and river-drainage sluices are closed, the flood water masses itself in the low-lying marsh areas between the Northam Causeway road and the Kingsley road and natural levelling forces the surplus water up into the homes of the Chanters Lane houses.

21 January 1955 No laughing matter

Bideford Town Council met in special committee on this problem on Tuesday but no decision was taken. This is a matter which should win public opinion and with the County Council elections coming on, it should have the fullest sympathy with new aspirants to County Council office.

Gazette article 21 January 1955

 

Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

‘Workmanship is mighty good’ says U.S. spokesman

One of a group of such vessels being built in the United Kingdom for NATO nations under the United States off-shore procurement plan, the 106-ft inshore minesweeper Stedham was launched from the Bideford yards of Messrs. M.W. Blackmore and Sons after having been christened by the Mayoress of Bideford Mrs D.F.B. Stucley.

14 January 1955 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

H.M.S. Stedham is one of the largest vessels to be built above Bideford bridge since 1868 was later taken through the fourth arch from the east end of the bridge and towed to Appledore for fitting out.

Gazette article 14 January 1955

 

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