• 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 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 2 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 3

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 4 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 5 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 6 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 7 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 8 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 9 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 10 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 11 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 12 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 13 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 14 Cruising down the river

  • 15 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 16 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 17 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 18 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 19 Waldon Triplets
  • 20 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 21 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 22 Traditions and skills still there

  • 23 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 24 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 25 Service with a smile

  • 26 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 27 It really was the 'last time'

  • 28 Variety in summer weather

  • 29 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 30 In their new robes and hats

  • 31 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 32 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 33 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 34 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 35 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 36 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 37 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 39

    Relatives all over the world
  • 40 A story to tell!

  • 41 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 42 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 43 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 44 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 45 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 46 Appledore's largest

  • 47 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 48 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 49 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 50 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 51 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 52 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 53 A bird of their own!

  • 54 Some 240 exhibits

  • 55 New art gallery opened

  • 56 Weare Giffard potato

  • 57 Northam's almshouse

  • 58 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 59 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 60 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 61 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 62 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 63 Burnard family reunion

  • 64 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 65

    Bidefordians
  • 66 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 67 Recognise this resort?

  • 68

    Was a missionary
  • 69 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 70 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 71 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 72 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 73

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 74 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 75 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 76

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 77 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 78 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 79 Just over a year old

  • 80

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 81 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 83 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 85 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 86 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 87 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 88

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 89 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 90 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 91

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 92 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 93 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 94

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 95

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 96 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 97 New Lundy stamps

  • 98 Life begins at 80

  • 99 Circus comes to town

  • 100 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 101 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 102 A roof-top view - where?

  • 103

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 104 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 105 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 106 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 107 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 109 Mobile missionary

  • 110 Torrington's new amenity

  • 111 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 112 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 113

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 114 New life for Hartland organ

  • 115 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 116 Ships at Bideford

  • 117 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 118 Out of puff!

  • 119 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 120 From Bobby to Brian

  • 121 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 122 A man and his wheel

  • 123 The Geneva marionettes

  • 124 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 125 Bideford computer stars

  • 126 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 127 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 128 Bideford loses training ship

  • 129 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 130

    Exhibition of school work
  • 131 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 133 They are parted pro-tem

  • 134 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 135

    New gateway
  • 136

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 137 Emergency ferry services

  • 138 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 139 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 141 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 142 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 143 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 144 School crossing patrol begins

  • 145 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 146

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 147 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 148 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 149 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 150 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 151 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 152 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 153 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 154 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 155 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 156 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 157 Finished in 1876

  • 158 All for the love of a lady!

  • 159

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 160 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 161 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 163 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 164 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 165 Twenty-one yachts

  • 166 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 167 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 168 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 169 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 170 Penny for the guy

  • 171 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 172 Hartland postman retires

  • 173 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 174 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 175 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 176 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 177 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 178 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 179 Decontrol of meat

  • 180

    Married in 1908
  • 181 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 183 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 184 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 185

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 186 113 years at Instow

  • 187 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 188 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 189 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 190 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 191 Revenge in style

  • 192 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 193 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 194 Torrington children build igloo
  • 195 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 196 He beat the floods

  • 197 Picking the pops

  • 198 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 199 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 200 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 201 Off on a great adventure

  • 202 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 203 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 204 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 205 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 206 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 207 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 208 Sweets derationing

  • 209 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 210

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 211

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 212 Bideford regatta

  • 213 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 214 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 215 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 216 Parkham plan realised

  • 217 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 218 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 219 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 220 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 221 Private home for public pump

  • 222 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 223 Littleham family's five generations

  • 224 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 225 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 226 New shipyard on schedule

  • 227 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 228 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 229 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 230 Can spring be far away?

  • 231 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 232 Bridging the stream

  • 233

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 234 Filming at Hartland

  • 235 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 236 Peter poses for TV film

  • 237 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 238 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 239 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 240 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 241 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 242 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 243

    Building works
  • 244 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 245 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 246 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 247 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 248 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 249 Hartland Dancers
  • 250 Centenary of Gazette

  • 251 So this is the mainland!

  • 252 Riverside mystery

  • 253 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 254 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 255 New addition to Quay front

  • 256 School's link with cargo ship

  • 257 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 258 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 259 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 260 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 261 Sight of a lifetime

  • 262 The cab at the corner>
  • 263 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 264 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 265 Simple Item 138
  • 266 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 267

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 268 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 269 Hartland's invitation

  • 270 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 271 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 272 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 273 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 274 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 275 New choral society's growing response

  • 276 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 277 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 278 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 279 When horses score over the tractor

  • 280 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 281 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 282 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 283 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 284 Some mushroom!

  • 285 No laughing matter

  • 286 For crying out loud!

  • 287 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 288 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 289 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 290 Devil sent packing

  • 291 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 292 End of the line

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

  • 294 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 295 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 296 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 297 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 298 Loads of black and white

  • 299 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 300 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 301 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 302 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 303

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 304 No sale of Springfield House

  • 305 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 306 Last train from Torrington

  • 307 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 308 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 309 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 310 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 311 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 312 Clovelly nightmare

  • 313 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 314 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 315

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 316 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 317 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 318 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 319 Northam footballers of the future

  • 320 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 321 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 322 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 323 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 324 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 325 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 326 Artisans' Club

  • 327 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 328 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 329 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 330 Jumble sale fever

  • 331 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 332 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 333 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 334 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 335 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 336 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 337 North Devon Driving School

  • 338 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 339 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 340 Picking the pops

  • 341 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 342 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 343 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 344 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 345

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 346 What's the time?

  • 347 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 348 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 349 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 350 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 351 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 352 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 353 New Post Office

  • 354 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 355 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 356 Pannier Market's future?

  • 357 New civic medallions

  • 358 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 359 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 360 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 361 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 362 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 363 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 364 First ship in 8 years

  • 365 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 366 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 367 Modern living at Bideford

  • 368 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 370 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 371 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 372 By pony and trap to market

  • 373 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 374 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 375

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 376 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 377 All aboard the ark

  • 378 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 379 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 381 Torrington in 1967

  • 382

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 383 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 384 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 385 Capers on the cobbles

  • 386

    First prize
  • 387

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 388 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 389 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 390 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 391 Warmington's garage ad

  • 392 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 393 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 394 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 395 Clovelly custom

  • 396 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 397 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 398 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 399 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 400 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 401 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 402 The art of the thatcher

  • 403 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 404 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 405

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 406 New look in the hayfields

  • 407 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 408 Six footed lamb

  • 409 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 410 Ten year old scrambler

  • 411 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 412 Happy Days!

  • 413 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

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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Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

Residence of one of Devon's oldest families

Nestling in a lovely and typical Devonshire combe that runs down to the coast west of Bideford, stands Portledge House, the residence of one of Devon’s oldest families, the Coffins.

31 August 1956 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

Historical records show that the family of Coffin – the name is now Pine-Coffin - has been associated with Portledge and the parish and village of Alwington since the time of William the Conqueror.

Gazette article 31 August 1956

 

 

Clovelly’s 91 year old horseman

One of Devon's oldest horsemen

One of North Devon’s oldest horsemen is 91 year old Mr Lewis Grills, of Brownsham Cottage, Clovelly, seen here with his 18 year old pony Polly on a visit to blacksmith Mr H. Conibear of Hartland.

24 August 1956 Clovellys 91 year old horseman

It was eleven years ago this Lady Day that he retired after farming at Brownsham for some forty years and was succeeded by his son, Mr H. Grills.

Gazette article 24 August 1956

 

Centuries old but today busier than ever

Orleigh – last of Yeo Mills

The only industrial building in the whole of Bideford Rural District is Orleigh Mill which today is producing more than it has ever done in its centuries of existence.

24 August 1956 Centuries old but today busier than ever

Mr R.T. (‘Dick’) Sanders whose family have operated the mill for a century is the fourth in the family line of succession. It is the last of a number of mills that used to be worked in the Yeo valley.

Gazette article 24 August 1956

 

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