• 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 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 2 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 3 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 4 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 5 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 6 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 7 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 8 New Lundy stamps

  • 9 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 10 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 11 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 12 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 13 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 14 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 15 Simple Item 138
  • 16 End of the line

  • 17 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 18 Littleham family's five generations

  • 19

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 20 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 21 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 22 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 23 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 24 113 years at Instow

  • 25 School's link with cargo ship

  • 26 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 27 Decontrol of meat

  • 28 Hartland's invitation

  • 29 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 30

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 31 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 32 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 33 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 34 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 35 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 36 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 37 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 38 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 39

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 40

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 41 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 42 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 43 Last train from Torrington

  • 44 Devil sent packing

  • 45 First ship in 8 years

  • 46 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 47 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 48

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 49 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 50 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 51 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 52 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 53 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 54 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 55 New shipyard on schedule

  • 56

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 57 Torrington in 1967

  • 58 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 59 Torrington children build igloo
  • 60 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 61 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 62 Off on a great adventure

  • 63 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 64 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 65 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 67 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 68 Burnard family reunion

  • 69 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 70 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 71 The art of the thatcher

  • 72 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 73 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 74 Bridging the stream

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

  • 76 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 77 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 78 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 79 Cruising down the river

  • 80 Centenary of Gazette

  • 81 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 82 Emergency ferry services

  • 83 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 84 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 85 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 86 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 87 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 88 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 89 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 90 All aboard the ark

  • 91 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 92 For crying out loud!

  • 93 Warmington's garage ad

  • 94 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 95 Ten year old scrambler

  • 96 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 97 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 98 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 99 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 100 Police station view of Bideford

  • 101 Bideford computer stars

  • 102 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 103 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 104 School crossing patrol begins

  • 105 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 106 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 107 Peter poses for TV film

  • 108 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 109 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 110

    Exhibition of school work
  • 111 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 112 All for the love of a lady!

  • 113 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 114 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 115 Capers on the cobbles

  • 116

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 117 Just over a year old

  • 118 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 120 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 121 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 122 Sight of a lifetime

  • 123 Bideford loses training ship

  • 124 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 125 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 126 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 127 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 128 Appledore's largest

  • 129 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 130 Some 240 exhibits

  • 131 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 132 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 133 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 134 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 135 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

  • 137 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 138 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 139 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 140 Mobile missionary

  • 141 Finished in 1876

  • 142 New art gallery opened

  • 143 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 144 The Geneva marionettes

  • 145 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 146 Traditions and skills still there

  • 147 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 148 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 149 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 150 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 151 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 152 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 153 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 154 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 155 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 156 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 157 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 158

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 159 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 160 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 161 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 162 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 163 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 164 What's the time?

  • 165 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 166 Recognise this resort?

  • 167 Riverside mystery

  • 168 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 169

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 170 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 171 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 172 Service with a smile

  • 173 North Devon Driving School

  • 174 Northam's almshouse

  • 175 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 176 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 177 Private home for public pump

  • 178 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 179 A man and his wheel

  • 180 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 181 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 182 Some mushroom!

  • 183 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 184 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 185 Six footed lamb

  • 186 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 187

    Bidefordians
  • 188 Revenge in style

  • 189 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 190 A roof-top view - where?

  • 191 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 192 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 193 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 194 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 195 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 196 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 197 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 198 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 199 New look in the hayfields

  • 200

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 201 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 202 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 203 New Post Office

  • 204 Hartland postman retires

  • 205 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 206 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 207 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 208 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 209 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 210 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 211 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 212 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 213 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 214 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 215 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 216 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 217 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 218 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 219 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 220 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 221 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 222 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 223 Weare Giffard potato

  • 224 Picking the pops

  • 225 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 226 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 227

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 228 Happy Days!

  • 229 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 230 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 231 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 232 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 233

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 234 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 235 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 236 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 237 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 238

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 239 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 240 A story to tell!

  • 241 New choral society's growing response

  • 242 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 243 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 244 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 245 No sale of Springfield House

  • 246 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 248 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 249 Jumble sale fever

  • 250 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 251 New civic medallions

  • 252 Loads of black and white

  • 253 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 254 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 255

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 256

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 257 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 258 So this is the mainland!

  • 259 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 260

    Building works
  • 261 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 262 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 263

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

  • 265 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 266 Variety in summer weather

  • 267 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 268 Northam footballers of the future

  • 269 Bideford regatta

  • 270 Clovelly custom

  • 271 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 272

    Relatives all over the world
  • 273 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 274 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 275 He beat the floods

  • 276 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 277 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 278 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 279 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 280

    Married in 1908
  • 281 It really was the 'last time'

  • 282 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 284 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 285 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 286 Waldon Triplets
  • 287 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 288 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 289 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 290 Out of puff!

  • 291 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 292 When horses score over the tractor

  • 293 Modern living at Bideford

  • 294 Twenty-one yachts

  • 295 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 296 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 297 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 298 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 300 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 301 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 302

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 303

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 304 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 305 New life for Hartland organ

  • 306 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 307 A bird of their own!

  • 308 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 309 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 310 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 311 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 312 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 313 Picking the pops

  • 314 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 315 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 316 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 317 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 318

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 319 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 320 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 321 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 322 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 323 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 324 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 325 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 326 By pony and trap to market

  • 327

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 328 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 329 Circus comes to town

  • 330 Meredith's ironmongers

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

  • 332 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 333 Pannier Market's future?

  • 334 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 335 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 336 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 337 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 338 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 339 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 340 No laughing matter

  • 341 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 342 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 343 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 344 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 345 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 346 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 347 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 348 Clovelly nightmare

  • 349 Torrington's new amenity

  • 350 Hartland Dancers
  • 351 Puppet characters introduced

  • 352

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 353 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 354 Artisans' Club

  • 355 Can spring be far away?

  • 356

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 357 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 358 Ships at Bideford

  • 359 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 361 In their new robes and hats

  • 362

    First prize
  • 363 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 365 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 366 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 367

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 368 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 369 Life begins at 80

  • 370 They are parted pro-tem

  • 371 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 372 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 373 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 374

    New gateway
  • 375 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 376

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 377

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 378 Penny for the guy

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

  • 380 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 381

    Was a missionary
  • 382 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 383 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 384 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 385 Eight to strike and a race to win

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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Eight to strike and a race to win

The clock wins in bridge race

The East-the-Water community association revived racing across Bideford Bridge to beat the striking of the Parish Church clock at 8 o’clock last Thursday evening. Bridge racing was last held in 1936 and this time it will be from west to east.

9 June 1950 Eight to strike and a race to sin

Many hundreds enjoyed the novel sporting event. Four selected local amateur athletes raced and the winner was the oldest competitor, W.'Bill' Vickery, aged 28,  in a time of 24 2/5 seconds. However the strike of eight was over in 21 4/5 seconds.

Gazette article 9 June 1950

Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

Barley for Scottish distillery

A race to load the m.v. Saint Angus with barley for Scotland so that she could leave on the next evening’s tide.

9 June 1950 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

With overtime the job was finished in a day and a half. She left Bideford with over 400 tons of barley for the Isle of Islay distillery.

Gazette article 9 June 1950

Bridging the stream

Elmdale acknowledges work of 81 year old resident

Built one ended, Elmdale Terrace opens on to the old Northam road. A stream bars the direct route to the Kingsley Road and bus stops. For those on the other side of the stream a visit to the sub-post office at Stanhope Terrace on the old Northam road meant a roundabout journey.

2 June 1950 Bridging the stream

But through the persistence of residents and the work of 81 year old Mr Harry Verren of 15 Elmdale Terrace, the obstacle of the stream was removed when the Mayor of Bideford (Cllr. W.H. Short) opened and christened the ‘Verren footbridge’ which gives direct access from Elmdale Terrace to Kingsley Road.

Mr Verren’s work in building the bridge was praised and as a cabinet maker he had been using woodwork tools since he was 14 and was happy to be able to use them still today. At last, after some years of pressing for it, they had got the bridge but he had never thought he would be the one to build it.

Gazette article 2 June 1950

 

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