• 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 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 2 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 3 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 4 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 5

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 6 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 7 A roof-top view - where?

  • 8 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 9 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 10 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 11 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 12 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 13 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 14 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 15 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 16 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 17 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 18 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 19 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 20 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 21 Modern living at Bideford

  • 22 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 23 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 24 In their new robes and hats

  • 25 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 26 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 27 What's the time?

  • 28 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 29 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 30 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 31 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 32

    Exhibition of school work
  • 33 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 34 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 35 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 36 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 37 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 38 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 39

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 40 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 41 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 42 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 43 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 44 Bideford regatta

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

  • 46 Torrington's new amenity

  • 47

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 48 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 49 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 50 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 51 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 52 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 53 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 54 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 55 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 56 Capers on the cobbles

  • 57 The Geneva marionettes

  • 58 Happy Days!

  • 59 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 60 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 61 Bridging the stream

  • 62 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 63 Life begins at 80

  • 64 Torrington children build igloo
  • 65 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 66

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 67 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 68 School's link with cargo ship

  • 69 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 70 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 71 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 72 Emergency ferry services

  • 73 New Lundy stamps

  • 74 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 75 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 76 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 77 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 78 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 79 The cab at the corner>
  • 80 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 81 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 82 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 83 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 84 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 85 So this is the mainland!

  • 86 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 87 Sight of a lifetime

  • 88 Last train from Torrington

  • 89 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 91 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 92 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 93 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 94 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 95 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 96

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 97 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 98 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 99 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 100 Decontrol of meat

  • 101 Centenary of Gazette

  • 102

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 103 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 104 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 105 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 106 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 107 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 108 Variety in summer weather

  • 109 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 110

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 111 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 112 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 113 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 114 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 115 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 116 New civic medallions

  • 117 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 118

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 119

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 120 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 121 Hartland Dancers
  • 122

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 123 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 124 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 125

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 126 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 127 From Bobby to Brian

  • 128 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 129 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 130 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 131 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 132 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 133 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 134 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 135

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 136 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 137 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 138 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 140 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 141 Private home for public pump

  • 142 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 143 Out of puff!

  • 144 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 145 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 146 Peter poses for TV film

  • 147 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 148

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 149 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 150 No sale of Springfield House

  • 151 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 152 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 153 New addition to Quay front

  • 154 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 155 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 156 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 157 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 158

    Married in 1908
  • 159 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 160 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 161 For crying out loud!

  • 162 He beat the floods

  • 163 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 164 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 165

    Bidefordians
  • 166 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 168 Ships at Bideford

  • 169 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 170 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 172 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 173 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 174 Riverside mystery

  • 175 Off on a great adventure

  • 176 Warmington's garage ad

  • 177 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 178 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 179 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 180 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 181 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 182 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 183 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 184 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 185 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 186

    Relatives all over the world
  • 187 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 188 A story to tell!

  • 189 Pannier Market's future?

  • 190 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 191 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 192 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 193 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 194 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 195 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 196 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 197 Loads of black and white

  • 198

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 199 Weare Giffard potato

  • 200 Ten year old scrambler

  • 201 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 202 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 203 Bideford computer stars

  • 204 Hartland postman retires

  • 205 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 206 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 207 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 208 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 209 Just over a year old

  • 210 When horses score over the tractor

  • 211 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 212 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 213 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 214 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 215 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 216 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 217

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 218 Recognise this resort?

  • 219 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 220 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 221 Picking the pops

  • 222 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 224 By pony and trap to market

  • 225 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 226 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 227 Traditions and skills still there

  • 228 Can spring be far away?

  • 229 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 230 Clovelly nightmare

  • 231 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 232 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 233 Torrington in 1967

  • 234 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 236 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 237 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 238 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 239 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 240 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 241 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 242 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 243 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 244 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 245 Parkham plan realised

  • 246

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 247 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 248 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 249 Six footed lamb

  • 250 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 251 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 252 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 253 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 254 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 255 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 256 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 257 Some mushroom!

  • 258 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 259 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 260 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 261 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 262 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 263 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 264 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 265 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 266 Northam's almshouse

  • 267 Sweets derationing

  • 268

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 269 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 270 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 271 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 272 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 273 End of the line

  • 274 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 275 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 276 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 277 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 278 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 279 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 280 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 281 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 282 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 283 Twenty-one yachts

  • 284 Hartland's invitation

  • 285 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 286 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 287 All aboard the ark

  • 288 Burnard family reunion

  • 289 Service with a smile

  • 290 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 291 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 292 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 293

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 294

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 295

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 296 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 297

    Was a missionary
  • 298 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 299

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 300 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 301 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 302 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 303 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 304 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 305

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 306 Revenge in style

  • 307 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 308 A man and his wheel

  • 309 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 310 New look in the hayfields

  • 311 New choral society's growing response

  • 312 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 313 Bideford loses training ship

  • 314 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 315 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 316 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 317 Some 240 exhibits

  • 318 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 319 Filming at Hartland

  • 320 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 321 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 322

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 323 Simple Item 138
  • 324 First ship in 8 years

  • 325 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 326

    First prize
  • 327 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 328 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 329 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 330 A bird of their own!

  • 331 New art gallery opened

  • 332 New life for Hartland organ

  • 333 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 334 Mobile missionary

  • 335 They are parted pro-tem

  • 336 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 337 Cruising down the river

  • 338 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 339 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 340 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 341

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 342 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 343 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 344 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 346 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 347 All for the love of a lady!

  • 348 Artisans' Club

  • 349 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 351 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 352

    New gateway
  • 353 113 years at Instow

  • 354 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 355 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 356 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 357

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 358 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 359 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 360 Waldon Triplets
  • 361 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 362 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 363 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 364 Finished in 1876

  • 365 Devil sent packing

  • 366 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 367 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 368 Clovelly custom

  • 369 The art of the thatcher

  • 370 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 371 Puppet characters introduced

  • 372 New Post Office

  • 373 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 374 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 375 School crossing patrol begins

  • 376 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 377 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 378 Penny for the guy

  • 379 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 380 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 381 Picking the pops

  • 382 North Devon Driving School

  • 383 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 384 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

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

  • 386 Appledore's largest

  • 387 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 388 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 389 It really was the 'last time'

  • 390 Northam footballers of the future

  • 391 No laughing matter

  • 392 Littleham family's five generations

  • 393 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 394 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 395 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 396 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 397 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 398 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 399 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 400 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 401 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 402 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 403

    Building works
  • 404 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 405 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 406 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 407 Circus comes to town

  • 408 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 409 Police station view of Bideford

  • 410 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 411 Jumble sale fever

  • 412 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 413 Quads at Thornhillhead

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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  • 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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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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Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

Pat Smythe and Wilf White

Two of the greatest show jumping riders in Britain – Pat Smythe and Wilf White – both Olympic bronze medallists – will be among those competing at this year’s Bideford and District Horse Show, to be held at Porthill on Wednesday next.

17 August 1956 Olympic riders to compete

This, the oldest purely horse show in the Westcountry, is the 118th in the series, a wonderful record.

Gazette article 17 August 1956

 

Open-air art exhibition by ‘under 40’ group

New group of young artists in Bideford

A new association of young artists known as the Waterside Group has been formed in Bideford. To qualify for membership of the group an artist must be under 40. The group has held its first open-air exhibition. Paintings were hung on the park railings in the hope of attracting people who would not normally go inside an art gallery.

Explained a member: ‘Our idea is to exhibit paintings here on the river bank which will produce a positive reaction and not just conventional admiration for a pretty-pretty picture. We want to bring art in the modern style to the attention of ordinary people. We hope even the Teddy Boys will stop and have a look when they come along’.

29 June 1956 Open air exhibition by under 40 group

Those exhibiting were Brian Chugg, Barbara Vincent, June Strick, Josephine Spence, Mary Chugg, Jan Reynolds and Ken Doughty.

Gazette article 29 June 1956

 

 

On her ‘maiden trip’ from Bideford

Former trawler is new link with Lundy

This photograph looks down on the deck of the ‘Lundy Gannet’ preparing to make her maiden trip to Lundy as the new link between the mainland and the Island. Before she left on Wednesday’s morning tide the Rev. R.C. Dixon (Vicar of Appledore and Priest-in-charge of Lundy) blessed the vessel on its new mission.

29 June 1956 On her maiden trip from Bideford

Those in the picture, gathered round the hold from left to right are: Mr Dan Crawford, retired trawler skipper, who brought the craft round from Scarborough; Mr W. Pickett, Customs and Excise Officer at Appledore; Mr Peter M. Lecky, deckhand; Mr Trevor Davey, of Bucks, coxswain of the Clovelly lifeboat, who is the new skipper; Mr Stanley Smith, who manages the Marisco Tavern on Lundy and the Rev. R.C. Dixon.

Gazette article 29 June 1956

 

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