• 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 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 2 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 3 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 4 Parkham plan realised

  • 5 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 6 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 7 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 8 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 9 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 10 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 11 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 12 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 13 Traditions and skills still there

  • 14 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 16 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 17 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 19 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 20 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 21 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 22 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 23 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 24 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 25 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 26 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 27 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 28 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 29 No laughing matter

  • 30 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 31 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 32 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 33 New look in the hayfields

  • 34 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 35 Sight of a lifetime

  • 36 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 37 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 38 School's link with cargo ship

  • 39 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 40 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 41 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 43 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 44 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 45 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 46 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 47 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 48 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 49 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 50 He beat the floods

  • 51 No sale of Springfield House

  • 52 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 53 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 54 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 55 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 56 Jumble sale fever

  • 57

    New gateway
  • 58 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 59 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 60 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 61 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 62

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 63 A bird of their own!

  • 64 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 65 113 years at Instow

  • 66 Last train from Torrington

  • 67 Picking the pops

  • 68 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 69 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 70 Burnard family reunion

  • 71 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 72 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 73 Life begins at 80

  • 74 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 75 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 76 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 77 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 78 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 79 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 80 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 81 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 82 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 83 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 84 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 85 Devil sent packing

  • 86 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 87 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 88 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 89 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 90 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 91 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 92 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 93 Artisans' Club

  • 94 Ships at Bideford

  • 95 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 96 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 97

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 98 Police station view of Bideford

  • 99 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 100 New Lundy stamps

  • 101 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 102 New life for Hartland organ

  • 103 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 104 Twenty-one yachts

  • 105 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 106 New art gallery opened

  • 107 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 108 Weare Giffard potato

  • 109 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 110 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 111 Bideford regatta

  • 112 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 113 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 114 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 115

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 116 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 117 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 118 North Devon Driving School

  • 119 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 120 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 121 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 122 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 123 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 124 Simple Item 138
  • 125 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 126 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 127 Penny for the guy

  • 128 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 129 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 130 New Post Office

  • 131 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 132 Northam footballers of the future

  • 133 Waldon Triplets
  • 134 End of the line

  • 135

    Exhibition of school work
  • 136 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 137 Some 240 exhibits

  • 138 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 139 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 140 New civic medallions

  • 141 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 142 They are parted pro-tem

  • 143 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 144 Happy Days!

  • 145 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 146 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 147

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 148 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 149 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 150 What's the time?

  • 151 Torrington's new amenity

  • 152 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 154 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 155 Clovelly nightmare

  • 156 Riverside mystery

  • 157 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 158 Revenge in style

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

  • 160 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 161 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 162 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 163

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 164 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 165 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 166 For crying out loud!

  • 167 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 168 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 169 Littleham family's five generations

  • 170 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 171 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 172 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 173 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 174 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 175 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 177 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 178 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 179

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 180 Variety in summer weather

  • 181 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 182 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 183

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 184 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 185 Peter poses for TV film

  • 186 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 187 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 188 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 189 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 190 Hartland Dancers
  • 191 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 192 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 193 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 194 Loads of black and white

  • 195 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 196

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 197

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 198 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 199 Some mushroom!

  • 200 Ten year old scrambler

  • 201 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 202 Bideford computer stars

  • 203 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 204 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 205

    Building works
  • 206 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 207 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 208 Circus comes to town

  • 209 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 210 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 211 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 212 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 213 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 214 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 215 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 216 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 217 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 218 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 219 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 220

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 221 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 222 A roof-top view - where?

  • 223 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 224 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 225 Bideford loses training ship

  • 226 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 227 So this is the mainland!

  • 228 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 229 Finished in 1876

  • 230 When horses score over the tractor

  • 231 Pannier Market's future?

  • 232

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 233 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 234 A story to tell!

  • 235 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 236 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 237 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 238 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 239 By pony and trap to market

  • 240 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 241 Cruising down the river

  • 242 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 243 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 244 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 245 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 246 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 247

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 248 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 249 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 250 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 251

    Married in 1908
  • 252 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 253 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 254 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 255 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 256

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 257

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 258 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 259 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 260 A man and his wheel

  • 261 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 262 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 263 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 265 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 266 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 267 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 268 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 269 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 270

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 271 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 272 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 273

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 274 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 275 Modern living at Bideford

  • 276 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 277 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 278 New choral society's growing response

  • 279 Northam's almshouse

  • 280 Torrington in 1967

  • 281

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 282 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 283 Private home for public pump

  • 284 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 285 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 286 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 287 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 288

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 289 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 290 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 291 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 292 Hartland postman retires

  • 293 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 294 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 295 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 296 In their new robes and hats

  • 297 Mobile missionary

  • 298 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 299 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 300 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 301 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 302 The art of the thatcher

  • 303 All aboard the ark

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

  • 305 Capers on the cobbles

  • 306 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 307 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 308 Hartland's invitation

  • 309 Emergency ferry services

  • 310 School crossing patrol begins

  • 311 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 312 The Geneva marionettes

  • 313 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 314

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 315 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 316 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 317

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 318 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 319

    Bidefordians
  • 320 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 321 Centenary of Gazette

  • 322 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 323 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 324 Clovelly custom

  • 325 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 326

    Relatives all over the world
  • 327 Bridging the stream

  • 328 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 329 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 330 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 331 Out of puff!

  • 332 It really was the 'last time'

  • 333 All for the love of a lady!

  • 334 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 335 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 336 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 337 Appledore's largest

  • 338 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 339

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 340 Torrington children build igloo
  • 341

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 342 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 344 Picking the pops

  • 345 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 346 Six footed lamb

  • 347 Off on a great adventure

  • 348 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 349 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 350 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 351 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 352 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 353 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 354 Warmington's garage ad

  • 355 Recognise this resort?

  • 356 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 357 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 359 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 360

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 361 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 362 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 363 New shipyard on schedule

  • 364 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 365 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 366 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 367 Decontrol of meat

  • 368 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 369 Puppet characters introduced

  • 370 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 371 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 372

    First prize
  • 373 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 374 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 375 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 376 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 377 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 379 Just over a year old

  • 380

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 381

    Was a missionary
  • 382 Service with a smile

  • 383 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 384 First ship in 8 years

  • 385

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
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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Future of Torrington Almshouses

Offer from Clinton Estates

Torrington Town Council are exploring further an offer by the Clinton (Devon) Estates Co. to hand over to the Council free, subject to the Council paying legal costs, the six almshouses held by the estate in New Street.

19 December 1958 Future of Torrington almshouses

Members of the Council are at present considering the extent of improvements contemplated. One of the agreed conditions will be that the houses shall continue to be let to old people.

Gazette article 19 December 1958

 

 

‘Out of Appledore’ sailing memories

Local sailing memories

Now in the hands of the publishers and expected to be available next April is a book entitled ‘Out of Appledore’ dealing with the life of youngsters, who went to sea locally between 50 and 60 years ago in coastal schooners and ketches, of the hardships and experiences they had to endure before they became masters of their own ships.

Its author is Capt. W.J. Slade of Bridgeland Street, Bideford and the basis of his writing is his own experience and that of his contemporaries. It represents an era that has nearly passed but at Appledore the trading links still linger.

14 November 1958 Out of Appledore sailing memories

The photograph above, taken a couple of years ago, shows moored alongside Appledore Quay, the Kathleen and May (schooner), Irene (ketch), Agnes (ketch) and Garlandstone (ketch). Of these, only the first two now come to Appledore.

Gazette article 14 November 1958

 

Calf thinks of mare as mum

Calf and mare inseparable

In a field owned by farmer Mr George Copp, of South Street, Torrington, an eight week old calf and a nine years old mare are inseparable. Ever since the calf was taken away from its mother in the usual way a few days after birth it has been sucked by the mare.

15 August 1958 calf thinks of mare as num

‘It all started when I let the calf and horse run in the same field,’ explained Mr Copp. Now I can’t get them to leave each other. If I put the horse in the next field, the calf breaks through the hedge. Each evening after feeding from a bucket of milk, the calf goes to the horse.

Gazette article 15 August 1958

 

 

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