• 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 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 2 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 3 Centenary of Gazette

  • 4 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 5 Life begins at 80

  • 6 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 7 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 8

    Building works
  • 9 They are parted pro-tem

  • 10 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 11 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 12 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 13 Traditions and skills still there

  • 14 Filming at Hartland

  • 15

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 16 Hartland postman retires

  • 17 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 18 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 19 End of the line

  • 20 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 21 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 22 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 23 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 24

    Relatives all over the world
  • 25

    Married in 1908
  • 26 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 27 Service with a smile

  • 28 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 29 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 30 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 31

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 32 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 33 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 34 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 35 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 36 Burnard family reunion

  • 37 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 38

    Exhibition of school work
  • 39 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 40 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 41 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 42 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 43 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 44 So this is the mainland!

  • 45 New look in the hayfields

  • 46 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 47 Ten year old scrambler

  • 48 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 49

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 50 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 51

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 52

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 53 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 54 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 55 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 56 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 57 It really was the 'last time'

  • 58 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 59 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 60 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 61 All for the love of a lady!

  • 62 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 63 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 64 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 65 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 66 New Lundy stamps

  • 67 What's the time?

  • 68 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 69 Parkham plan realised

  • 70 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 71 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 72 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 73 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 74 New Post Office

  • 75 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 76 Bideford regatta

  • 77 Hartland Dancers
  • 78 Puppet characters introduced

  • 79 Capers on the cobbles

  • 80 Artisans' Club

  • 81

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 82 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 83 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 84

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 85 The art of the thatcher

  • 86 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 87 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 88 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 89 Cruising down the river

  • 90 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 91 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 92 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 93 A bird of their own!

  • 94 Pannier Market's future?

  • 95 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 96 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 97 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 98 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 99 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 100 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 101 East-the-Water's call for new school

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

  • 103 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 104 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 105 In their new robes and hats

  • 106 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 107 Circus comes to town

  • 108 The cab at the corner>
  • 109 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 110 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 111 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 112 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 113 Decontrol of meat

  • 114 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 115 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 116 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 117 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 118 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 119 Northam footballers of the future

  • 120 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 122 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 123 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 124 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 125 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 126 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 127 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 128 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 129

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 130 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 131 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 132 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 134 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 135 A man and his wheel

  • 136 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 137 Sweets derationing

  • 138 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 139 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 140

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 141 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 142 New choral society's growing response

  • 143

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 144

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 145 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 146 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 147 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 148 The Geneva marionettes

  • 149 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 150 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 151 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 152 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 153 Bideford loses training ship

  • 154 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 155 113 years at Instow

  • 156 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 157 Out of puff!

  • 158 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 159 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 160

    First prize
  • 161 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 162 No sale of Springfield House

  • 163 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 164 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 165 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 166 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 167

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 168 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 169 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 170 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 171 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 172 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 173 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 174 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 175 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 176 Warmington's garage ad

  • 177 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 178 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 179 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 180 Penny for the guy

  • 181 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 182 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 184 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 185

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 186 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 187 No laughing matter

  • 188 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 189 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 190 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 191 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 192 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 193 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 194 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 195 Last train from Torrington

  • 196 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 197 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 198 Modern living at Bideford

  • 199 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 200 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 201 Littleham family's five generations

  • 202 Torrington's new amenity

  • 203 All aboard the ark

  • 204 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 205 Bideford computer stars

  • 206 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 207 North Devon Driving School

  • 208 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 209 Some 240 exhibits

  • 210 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 211 School's link with cargo ship

  • 212 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

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

  • 214 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 215 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 216 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 217 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 218 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 219 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 220 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 221 First ship in 8 years

  • 222 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 223 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 224 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 225 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 226 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 227 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 228 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 229 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 230

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 231 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 233 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 234 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 235 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 236 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 237 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 238 Picking the pops

  • 239 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 240 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 241 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 242 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 243 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 244 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 245 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 246 Peter poses for TV film

  • 247 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 248 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 249 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 250 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 251 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 252 New shipyard on schedule

  • 253 Ships at Bideford

  • 254 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 255 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 256 Jumble sale fever

  • 257 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 258 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 259 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 260 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 261 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 262 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 263 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 264 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 265 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 266

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 267 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 268 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 269

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 270 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 271 New addition to Quay front

  • 272 Six footed lamb

  • 273 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 274 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 275 Variety in summer weather

  • 276 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 277 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 278 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 279 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 280 Torrington in 1967

  • 281 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 282 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 283 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 284 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 285

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 286 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 287 New civic medallions

  • 288 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 289

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 290 Riverside mystery

  • 291 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 292 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 293 Recognise this resort?

  • 294 Off on a great adventure

  • 295 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 296

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 297 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 298 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 299 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 300 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 301 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 302

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 303 Sight of a lifetime

  • 304 A roof-top view - where?

  • 305 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 306 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 307 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 308 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 309 Picking the pops

  • 310 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 312 Clovelly custom

  • 313 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 314 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 315 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 316 Clovelly nightmare

  • 317 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 318 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 319 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 320 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 321 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 322 Torrington children build igloo
  • 323 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 324 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 325 By pony and trap to market

  • 326 Just over a year old

  • 327 Mobile missionary

  • 328 From Bobby to Brian

  • 329 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 330 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 331 Revenge in style

  • 332 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 333 Can spring be far away?

  • 334 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 335 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 336 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 337 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 338 Northam's almshouse

  • 339 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 340 Police station view of Bideford

  • 341 Simple Item 138
  • 342 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 343 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 344 Finished in 1876

  • 345 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 346 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 347 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 348 Some mushroom!

  • 349

    New gateway
  • 350 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 351 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 352 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 353 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 354 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 355 Waldon Triplets
  • 356

    Bidefordians
  • 357 Emergency ferry services

  • 358 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 359 Loads of black and white

  • 360 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 361 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 362 Appledore's largest

  • 363 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 364 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 365 Weare Giffard potato

  • 366 Happy Days!

  • 367 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 368 A story to tell!

  • 369 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 370 School crossing patrol begins

  • 371

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 372 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 373 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 374 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 375 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 376 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 377 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 378 Bridging the stream

  • 379 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 380 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 382 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 383

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 384

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 385 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 386 Devil sent packing

  • 387

    Was a missionary
  • 388 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 389 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 390 Private home for public pump

  • 391 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 392

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 393 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 395 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 396 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 397 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 398 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 399 For crying out loud!

  • 400 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 402 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 403 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 404 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 405 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 406 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 407 He beat the floods

  • 408 New life for Hartland organ

  • 409 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 410 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 411 New art gallery opened

  • 412

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 413 Hartland's invitation

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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  • 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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  • 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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Bideford’s private wharves busier

Shipping at Bideford

Bideford’s private wharves were at their busiest since the war when the picture was taken. The latest to be deepened for coastal vessels is that of Messrs. I. Baker and Sons Ltd. in the foreground where m.v. ‘Celebrity’ is discharging cement. At the Devon Trading Co., Ltd. in the background the m.v. ‘Stan Woolaway’ is discharging gravel.

29 March 1956 Bidefords private wharves busier

If need be, Bideford, including its municipal quays, can now accommodate five vessels of aggregate tonnage of 3,500 at the same time and handles sea-cargoes averaging 2,000 tons weekly.

Gazette article 29 March 1956

 

Water Board mains spread through villages

Now approaching Weare Giffard

The North Devon Water Board’s mains are seen here approaching Weare Giffard. By the end of May many of the villages will be enjoying a piped supply to their homes for the first time. The pipe line through the village comes via Monkleigh as a branch off the trunk main and the total cost is estimated at £23,900.

27 January 1956 Water Board mains spread through villages

In other parts of the district the branch main from Little Torrington had now been laid to beyond Buckland Brewer with offshoots to Frithelstock and Monkleigh. Mains were laid in Parkham and the link between Buckland Brewer and Parkham would be completed by the end of May.

Gazette article 27 January 1956

 

 

Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

Orders worth £15,000 already received

Manufacture of a paint that is claimed to be the answer to the home decorator’s prayer – the tin can be knocked over and the paint will not spill – has been begun by a Bideford firm, Devon Paints Ltd. at its factory at the Pill, Bideford.

13 January 1956 Bideford firm develolps new non spill paint

Experiments to produce the new paint began when the firm’s managing director, Mr E.N. Osborne, heard of two new types of jelly varnish produced in America. The firm will be building up a production of a thousand gallons a week at the first stage and nine men are employed at the factory at present. A new store is in the process of erection in the vicinity to cope with the demand for the new paint.

Gazette article 13 January 1956

 

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