• 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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    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 2 Hartland Dancers
  • 3 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 4 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 5 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 6 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 8 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 9 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 10 All for the love of a lady!

  • 11 Hartland postman retires

  • 12 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 13 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 14 Cruising down the river

  • 15 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 16 Clovelly custom

  • 17 Out of puff!

  • 18 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 19 In their new robes and hats

  • 20 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 21

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 22

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 23 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 24 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 25 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 26

    Was a missionary
  • 27 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 28 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

  • 30 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 31 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 32 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 33 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 34 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 35 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 36

    Building works
  • 37

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 38 Bideford regatta

  • 39 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 40 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 41 Northam footballers of the future

  • 42 Service with a smile

  • 43 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 44 A man and his wheel

  • 45 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 46 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 47 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 48 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 49 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 50 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 51 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 52 What's the time?

  • 53 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 54 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 55 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 56 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 57 It really was the 'last time'

  • 58 Six footed lamb

  • 59 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 60 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 61 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 62 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 63 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 64 Torrington in 1967

  • 65

    Bidefordians
  • 66 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 67 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 68 A roof-top view - where?

  • 69 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 70

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 71 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 72 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 73 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 74 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 75 113 years at Instow

  • 76 They are parted pro-tem

  • 77 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 78 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 79 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 80 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 81 Weare Giffard potato

  • 82 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 83 Photo of town's first car wins prize

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

  • 85 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 86 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 87 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 88 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 89 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 90 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 91 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 92 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 93

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 94 Happy Days!

  • 95 Picking the pops

  • 96 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 97

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 98 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 99 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 100 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

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

  • 102 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 103 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 104 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 105 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 106 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 107 Recognise this resort?

  • 108 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 109 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 110 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 111 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 112 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 113

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 114 Emergency ferry services

  • 115 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 116 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 118 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 119 New life for Hartland organ

  • 120 Police station view of Bideford

  • 121 New Lundy stamps

  • 122 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 123 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 124 Finished in 1876

  • 125 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 126 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 127 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 128 New choral society's growing response

  • 129

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 130 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 131

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 132 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 133 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 134 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 135 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 136 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 137 Ships at Bideford

  • 138 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 139 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 140 Burnard family reunion

  • 141 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 142 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 143 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 144 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 145 Life begins at 80

  • 146 Sight of a lifetime

  • 147 Mobile missionary

  • 148 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 149 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 150 Torrington children build igloo
  • 151 School crossing patrol begins

  • 152 So this is the mainland!

  • 153 North Devon Driving School

  • 154 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 155 A bird of their own!

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

  • 157 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 158 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 159

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 160 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 161 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 162 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 163 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 164 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 165 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

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

  • 167 By pony and trap to market

  • 168 Variety in summer weather

  • 169 Ten year old scrambler

  • 170 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 171 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 172 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 173 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 174 Centenary of Gazette

  • 175 First ship in 8 years

  • 176 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 177 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 178 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 179 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 180 School's link with cargo ship

  • 181 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 182 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 183 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 184 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 185 Torrington's new amenity

  • 186 New Post Office

  • 187

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 188 New shipyard on schedule

  • 189 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 190 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 191 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 192 No sale of Springfield House

  • 193 Pannier Market's future?

  • 194 Clovelly nightmare

  • 195 He beat the floods

  • 196 Artisans' Club

  • 197 When horses score over the tractor

  • 198 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 199 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 200 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 201 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 202 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 203 Some 240 exhibits

  • 204 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 205 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 206 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 207 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 208 Last train from Torrington

  • 209 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 210 The Geneva marionettes

  • 211 Private home for public pump

  • 212 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 213 Bideford computer stars

  • 214 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 215 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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

  • 217 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 218 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 219 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 220 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 221 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 222 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 223 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 224 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 225 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 226 Traditions and skills still there

  • 227

    Exhibition of school work
  • 228 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 229 Picking the pops

  • 230 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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

  • 232 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 233 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 234 Twenty-one yachts

  • 235 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 236 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 237 A story to tell!

  • 238 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 239 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 240

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 241

    Married in 1908
  • 242 New look in the hayfields

  • 243 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 244

    New gateway
  • 245 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 246 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 247 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 248 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 249 For crying out loud!

  • 250 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 251 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 252 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 253 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 254 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 255 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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

  • 257 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 258 Some mushroom!

  • 259 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 260 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 261 End of the line

  • 262 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 263 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 264 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 265 Northam's almshouse

  • 266 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 267 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 268 Jumble sale fever

  • 269 Peter poses for TV film

  • 270 New art gallery opened

  • 271 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 272 Appledore's largest

  • 273

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 274 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 275 Littleham family's five generations

  • 276 All aboard the ark

  • 277 No laughing matter

  • 278 Off on a great adventure

  • 279 Parkham plan realised

  • 280 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 281 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 282

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 283 Devil sent packing

  • 284 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 285 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 286 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 287 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 289

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 290 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 291 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 292 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 293 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 294 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 295 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 296 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 297 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 298 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 299 Hartland's invitation

  • 300

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 301 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 302 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 303 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 304 Revenge in style

  • 305

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

  • 307 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 308 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 309 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 310

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 311 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 312 New addition to Quay front

  • 313 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 314 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 315 Decontrol of meat

  • 316 Bridging the stream

  • 317 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 318 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 319 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 320 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 321 Just over a year old

  • 322 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 323

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 324 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 325 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 326 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 327 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 328

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 329 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 330 Simple Item 138
  • 331 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 332 New civic medallions

  • 333 Puppet characters introduced

  • 334 Circus comes to town

  • 335 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 336 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 337 Warmington's garage ad

  • 338 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 339 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 340 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 341 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 342

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 343

    Relatives all over the world
  • 344 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 345 Riverside mystery

  • 346 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 347 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 348 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 349 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 350 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 351 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 352 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 353 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 354 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 355 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 356 Penny for the guy

  • 357

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 358 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 359 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 360 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 361 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 362 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 363 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 364

    First prize
  • 365 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 367 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 368 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 369 Loads of black and white

  • 370 Capers on the cobbles

  • 371 The art of the thatcher

  • 372 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 373

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 374 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 375 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 376 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 377 Bideford loses training ship

  • 378 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 379

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 380 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 381 Can spring be far away?

  • 382 Modern living at Bideford

  • 383 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 384 Waldon Triplets
  • 385 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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The Geneva Marionettes

A behind-the-scenes glimpse of the show

Sixteen months ago, under the leadership of Mr E.G. Shaw, who takes first and second year art at Bideford Secondary School, a group of pupils interested in marionettes was formed and this week their efforts have come to fruition with a show which has received an enthusiastic reception from hundreds of Bideford schoolchildren.

12 April 1957 The Geneva marionettes

The marionettes are 24-inch high models and are constructed from papier mache, balsa wood, cardboard etc. Music is supplied by radiogram and piano and all the dialogue has been written by members of the group who comprise: Pat Beer, Pauline Found, Maureen Williams, Tony Petherick, Michael Roberts, Brian Taylor, Bernard Toole, Dennis Waters and David Wolfe.

Gazette article 12 April 1957

 

Alwington School closing after 120 years

Village school closing

At the end of this term the Alwington School closes and the children will be transferred to Abbotsham School and only the slate tablet recording ‘This building was erected in 1836 by Mrs and the Miss Morrisons with the sanction of the Lord Bishop of Exeter, for the education of the children of Alwington parish in the principles of the Established Church,’ will recall the days when the village had its own school.

29 March 1957 Alwington School closing after 120 years

Headmistress is Mrs G.A. Elston which has been associated with the school since 1926. Her assistant is Mrs E.A. Geen of Bideford who will be joining the staff of Abbotsham School next term.

Gazette article 29 March 1957

 

 

So this is the mainland!

Newborn calf from Lundy

One of the calves which, last week, was landed at Bideford from Lundy, gazes at a new world while being hoisted to the top of the quay from the ‘Lundy Gannet.’ The vessel brought five bullocks and three calves which were sold at Woolsery auction.

8 March 1957 So this is the mainland

Gazette article 8 March 1957

 

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