• 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 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 2 Cruising down the river

  • 3 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 4 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 5 Decontrol of meat

  • 6 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 7 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 8 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 9 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 10 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 11 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 12 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 13

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 14 New art gallery opened

  • 15 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 16 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 17

    Was a missionary
  • 18 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 19 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 20 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 21 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 22 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 23 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 24 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 25 Variety in summer weather

  • 26 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 27 Northam footballers of the future

  • 28 A man and his wheel

  • 29 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 30 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 31 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 32

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 33 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 34 Bideford computer stars

  • 35 When horses score over the tractor

  • 36 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 37 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 38 New life for Hartland organ

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

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

  • 41 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 42 They are parted pro-tem

  • 43 Recognise this resort?

  • 44 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 45 Weare Giffard potato

  • 46 Sweets derationing

  • 47 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 48

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 49 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

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

  • 51 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 52

    Relatives all over the world
  • 53 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 54 Some mushroom!

  • 55 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 56 Clovelly custom

  • 57 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 58 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 59 Service with a smile

  • 60 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 61 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 62 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 63 New look in the hayfields

  • 64 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 65 The cab at the corner>
  • 66 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 67 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 68 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 69 He beat the floods

  • 70 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 71 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 72 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 73

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 74 Northam's almshouse

  • 75 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 76 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 77 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 78 New shipyard on schedule

  • 79 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 80 Six footed lamb

  • 81 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 82 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 83 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 84 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 85 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 86 Bideford loses training ship

  • 87 Loads of black and white

  • 88

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 89 Warmington's garage ad

  • 90 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 91 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 92 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 93 Puppet characters introduced

  • 94 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 95 Pannier Market's future?

  • 96 A story to tell!

  • 97 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 98 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 99 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 100 Ten year old scrambler

  • 101 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 102 Centenary of Gazette

  • 103 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 104 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 106 Picking the pops

  • 107 Capers on the cobbles

  • 108 By pony and trap to market

  • 109

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 110 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 111 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 112 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 113 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 114 Life begins at 80

  • 115 What's the time?

  • 116 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 117 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 118 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 119 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 120 School crossing patrol begins

  • 121 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 122 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 123 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 124 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 125 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 126 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 127 Mobile missionary

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

  • 129 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 130 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 131 So this is the mainland!

  • 132 Some 240 exhibits

  • 133 Happy Days!

  • 134 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 135 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 136 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 137 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 138 Simple Item 138
  • 139 Modern living at Bideford

  • 140

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 141 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 142 North Devon Driving School

  • 143 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 144 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 145

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 146 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 147 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 148 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 149 Clovelly nightmare

  • 150 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 151 Hartland's invitation

  • 152 A roof-top view - where?

  • 153 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 154 All for the love of a lady!

  • 155 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 156 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 157 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 158 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 159 New Post Office

  • 160 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 161

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 162 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 163 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 164 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 165 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 166

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 167 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 168 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 169 First ship in 8 years

  • 170 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 171 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 172 All aboard the ark

  • 173 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 174

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 175 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 177 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 178 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 179 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 180 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 181 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 182 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 183 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 184 Littleham family's five generations

  • 185 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 186 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 187

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 188 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 189 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 190 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 191 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 192 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 193 Filming at Hartland

  • 194 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 195

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 196 Police station view of Bideford

  • 197 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 198 New choral society's growing response

  • 199 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 200 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 201 Torrington in 1967

  • 202 End of the line

  • 203 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 204 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 205 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 206 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 207 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 208 Artisans' Club

  • 209 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 210 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 211 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 212 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 213 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 214 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 215 New Lundy stamps

  • 216 Sight of a lifetime

  • 217 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 218

    Building works
  • 219 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 220

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 221 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 222 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 223 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 224 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 225 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 226 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 227 Out of puff!

  • 228 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 229 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 230 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 231 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 232 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 233 113 years at Instow

  • 234 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 235 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 236 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 237

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 238 No laughing matter

  • 239 No sale of Springfield House

  • 240 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 241 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 242 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 243

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 244 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 245 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 246 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 247 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 248 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 249 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 250 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 251 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 252 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 253 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 254 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 255 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 256 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 257 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 258 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 259 Hartland Dancers
  • 260 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 262 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 263 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 264

    Exhibition of school work
  • 265 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

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

  • 267 In their new robes and hats

  • 268 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 269

    Bidefordians
  • 270 The Geneva marionettes

  • 271 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 272 Picking the pops

  • 273 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 274 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 276 Ships at Bideford

  • 277 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 278 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 279

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 280 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 281 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 282 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 283 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 284 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 285 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 286 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 287 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 288 Peter poses for TV film

  • 289 Twenty-one yachts

  • 290 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 291 Penny for the guy

  • 292 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 293 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 294 It really was the 'last time'

  • 295 Private home for public pump

  • 296 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 297

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 298

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 299 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 300 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 301 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 302 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 303 Bridging the stream

  • 304 Off on a great adventure

  • 305 Circus comes to town

  • 306 Parkham plan realised

  • 307 Burnard family reunion

  • 308 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 309 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 310 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 311 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 312

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 313

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 314 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 315 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 316 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 317

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 318 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 319 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 320 Devil sent packing

  • 321 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 322 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 323 For crying out loud!

  • 324 Bideford regatta

  • 325 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 326 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 327 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 328 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 329 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 330 New civic medallions

  • 331 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 332 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 333 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 334 Torrington children build igloo
  • 335 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 336 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 337

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 338 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 339 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 340

    New gateway
  • 341 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 343 New addition to Quay front

  • 344 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 345 Finished in 1876

  • 346 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 347 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 348 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 349 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 350 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 351 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 352 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 353 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 354 School's link with cargo ship

  • 355 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 356 Jumble sale fever

  • 357 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 358 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 359 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 360 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 361 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 362

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 363 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 364 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 365 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 366 From Bobby to Brian

  • 367 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 368 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 369

    First prize
  • 370 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 371 Can spring be far away?

  • 372

    Married in 1908
  • 373 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 375 Last train from Torrington

  • 376 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 377 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 378 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 379 The art of the thatcher

  • 380 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 381 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 382 Waldon Triplets
  • 383 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 384 Revenge in style

  • 385 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 386 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 387 Appledore's largest

  • 388 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 389 Riverside mystery

  • 390 Just over a year old

  • 391 Torrington's new amenity

  • 392 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 393

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 394 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 395 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 396 Hartland postman retires

  • 397 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 398 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 399 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 400 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 401 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 402 Traditions and skills still there

  • 403 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 404 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 405 A bird of their own!

  • 406 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 407 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 408 Emergency ferry services

  • 409 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 410 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 411 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 412 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 413 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Loads of Black and White

Bideford coal merchants beat rail strike

Although the district receives its house coal by ship, boiler fuels for cookers etc. normally come by rail. In order to overcome difficulties caused by the rail strike, a Bideford firm of coal merchants, Messr. Littlejohns Brothers sent three lorries to Cardiff last week to seek additional supplies of this type of fuel, the demand for which does not drop as much in the summer as that for ordinary house coal.

10 June 1955 Loads of black and white

The lorries left on Thursday morning and returned in the early hours of Saturday morning with about 17 tons of boiler fuel which, it was stated, had eased the situation for this week.

Gazette article 10 June 1955

 

Bicycle now does donkey work

New refuse arrangements at Clovelly

Mr William Headon who had undertaken duties of refuse collector at Clovelly has devised a system of using a pedal cycle and panniers to overcome the difficulties of this task up and down the cobbled steps of the picturesque but steep High Street.

27 May 1955 Bicycle now does donkey work

Refuse collecting duties were formerly carried out by Mr Cecil Braund with his donkey Paul. When Paul died earlier in the year Mr Braund intimated he wished to relinquish his appointment.

Gazette article 27 May 1955

 

 

Eleven million pound scheme’s official opening

East Yelland power station makes its bow!

The new electricity power station at East Yelland was officially opened by Lord Fortescue, the Lord Lieutenant of the County on 21st April.

When completed the station will burn 365,000 tons of coal a year which comes from South Wales on regular journeys. The ships are rapidly unloaded by mechanical conveyers, the river water is drawn in to cool the station and the coal descends from huge hoppers into the furnaces. From the steam created in the boilers, the large turbines and generators provide an enormous supply of current to meet the needs of North Devon and pour into the grid network of general supply.

22 April 1955 11 million schemes official opening

From this control room flows the current that at full load will supply all the needs for industrial and domestic power and lighting for North Devon and a much larger area beyond.

Gazette article 22 April 1955

 

  • 1

Login Form