• 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 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 2 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 3 Waldon Triplets
  • 4 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 5 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 6 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 7 Six footed lamb

  • 8 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 9 They are parted pro-tem

  • 10 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 11 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 12 The cab at the corner>
  • 13 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 14 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 15 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 16 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

  • 18 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 19 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 20 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 21 Hartland postman retires

  • 22 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 23 Finished in 1876

  • 24

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 25 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 26 By pony and trap to market

  • 27 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 28 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 29 Ships at Bideford

  • 30

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 31 Circus comes to town

  • 32 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 33 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 34

    Bidefordians
  • 35 Last train from Torrington

  • 36 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 37

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 38 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 39 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 40 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 41 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 42 Can spring be far away?

  • 43 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 44 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 45 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 46 Simple Item 138
  • 47 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 48 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 49 North Devon Driving School

  • 50 Bideford regatta

  • 51 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 52 Jumble sale fever

  • 53 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 54 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 55 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 56 No sale of Springfield House

  • 57

    Relatives all over the world
  • 58 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 59 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 60

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 61 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 62 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 63 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 64 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 65 School crossing patrol begins

  • 66 He beat the floods

  • 67 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 68 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 69 Just over a year old

  • 70 Off on a great adventure

  • 71 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 73 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 74 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 75 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 76 Modern living at Bideford

  • 77 The Geneva marionettes

  • 78

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 79 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 80

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 81 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 82 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 83

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 84 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 85 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 86 Hartland's invitation

  • 87 Warmington's garage ad

  • 88 Appledore's largest

  • 89 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 90 Penny for the guy

  • 91 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 93 New shipyard on schedule

  • 94 Bideford computer stars

  • 95 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 96 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 97 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 98 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 99 Devil sent packing

  • 100 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 101 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 102

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 103 Loads of black and white

  • 104 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 105

    Exhibition of school work
  • 106 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 107 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 108 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 109 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 110 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 111 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 112 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 113 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 114 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 115 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 116 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 117 Bideford loses training ship

  • 118 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 119 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 120 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 121 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 122 Some 240 exhibits

  • 123 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 124 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 125 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 126 From Bobby to Brian

  • 127 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 128 New look in the hayfields

  • 129 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 130 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 131 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 132 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 133 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 134 It really was the 'last time'

  • 135 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 136 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 137 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 138 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 139 Torrington's new amenity

  • 140 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 141 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 142 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 143 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 144 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 145 Weare Giffard potato

  • 146 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 147 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 148 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 149 Torrington children build igloo
  • 150 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 151 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 152 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 153 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 154

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 155 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 156 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 157 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 158 Life begins at 80

  • 159 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 160 In their new robes and hats

  • 161 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 162 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 163 Service with a smile

  • 164 Revenge in style

  • 165 Filming at Hartland

  • 166 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 167 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 168 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 169 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 170 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 171 So this is the mainland!

  • 172 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 173 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 174 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 175 Cruising down the river

  • 176 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 177 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 178 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 179

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 180 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 181 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 182 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 183 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 184 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 185 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 186 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 187 Decontrol of meat

  • 188 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 189 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 190 End of the line

  • 191 Burnard family reunion

  • 192 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 193 Traditions and skills still there

  • 194 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 195 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 196 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 197 The art of the thatcher

  • 198 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 199 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 200 Out of puff!

  • 201 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 202 Parkham plan realised

  • 203 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 204 Picking the pops

  • 205 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 206 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 207 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 208 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 209 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 210 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 211 Hartland Dancers
  • 212 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 213 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 214 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 215 A bird of their own!

  • 216 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 217 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 218 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 219

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 220 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 221 Emergency ferry services

  • 222 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 223 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 224 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 225 Clovelly custom

  • 226

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 227 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 228 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 230 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 232 No laughing matter

  • 233 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 234 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 235 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 236

    First prize
  • 237 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 238 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 239 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 240

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 241 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 242 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 243

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 244 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 245

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 246 New Post Office

  • 247 Bridging the stream

  • 248

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 249 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 250 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 251 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 252 Some mushroom!

  • 253 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 254 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 255 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 256 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 257 A story to tell!

  • 258 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 259 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 260 First ship in 8 years

  • 261 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 262 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 263 What's the time?

  • 264 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 265 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 266 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 267 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 268 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 269 Littleham family's five generations

  • 270 Ten year old scrambler

  • 271 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 272

    Was a missionary
  • 273 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 274 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 276 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 277 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 278 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 279 Artisans' Club

  • 280

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 281 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 282 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 283 Police station view of Bideford

  • 284 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 285 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 286 Variety in summer weather

  • 287

    Married in 1908
  • 288 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 289

    New gateway
  • 290 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 291 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 292 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 293 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 294 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 295 New life for Hartland organ

  • 296 Centenary of Gazette

  • 297 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 298 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 299 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 300 New civic medallions

  • 301 Private home for public pump

  • 302 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 303 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 304 All aboard the ark

  • 305 113 years at Instow

  • 306 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 307 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 308 A roof-top view - where?

  • 309 New Lundy stamps

  • 310 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 311 Mobile missionary

  • 312 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 313 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 314 New art gallery opened

  • 315 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 316 Puppet characters introduced

  • 317 Happy Days!

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

  • 319 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 320 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 321

    Building works
  • 322 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 323 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 324 For crying out loud!

  • 325 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 327 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 328 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 329 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 330 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 331 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 332 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 333 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 334 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 335 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 336 Recognise this resort?

  • 337 All for the love of a lady!

  • 338 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 339 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 340 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 341 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 342 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 343 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 344 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 345 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 347 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 348 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 349

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 350 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 351 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 352 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 353 Clovelly nightmare

  • 354 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 355 Sweets derationing

  • 356 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 357 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 358 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 359 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 360 When horses score over the tractor

  • 361 A man and his wheel

  • 362 Torrington in 1967

  • 363 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 364 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 366 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 367 Pannier Market's future?

  • 368

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 369 New choral society's growing response

  • 370 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 371 Capers on the cobbles

  • 372

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 373 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 374 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 375

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 376 Northam's almshouse

  • 377 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 378 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 379 Twenty-one yachts

  • 380 Sight of a lifetime

  • 381 School's link with cargo ship

  • 382 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 383 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 384 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 385 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 386 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 387 Northam footballers of the future

  • 388 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 389 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 390 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 391 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 392 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 393

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 394 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 395 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 396 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 397

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 398 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 399 Picking the pops

  • 400 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 401 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 402 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 403 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 404 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 405 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 406 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 407 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 408 Peter poses for TV film

  • 409

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 410 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 411

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 412 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 413 Riverside mystery

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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Record pebble-throwing day at Westward Ho!

2,000 people lend a hand

Revived for the first time for 21 years, the annual potwallopers throwing back the pebbles day on Monday proved a record occasion, some 2,000 people, many of them holiday-makers taking part.

9 August 1957 Record pebble throwing day

No-one seems certain of the exact origin of this useful custom. It was once observed every year in the days when the custom was linked with Northam potwallopers. It was a day of holiday and enjoyment and families would picnic on the Burrows or sand while men-folk and children engaged in the task of throwing back the pebbles that had strayed onto the grazing and golfing land of the Burrows replacing the pebbles in positions to strengthen the natural breakwater of the ridge in anticipation of high tides and winter storms.

Gazette article 9 August 1957

 

Fish nearly pulled him in

Robin’s adventure

Proudly displaying a fish half as long as himself and weighing as many pounds as his years, which he caught at Westward Ho!, is six year old Robin Bright, son of Mr and Mrs Cyril Bright of 3 Cooper Street, Bideford.

19 July 1957 Fish nearly pulled him in

Last Sunday afternoon Robin accompanied his father and elder brother David on a fishing expedition at a gully near the old pier at Westward Ho! David called his father as he was having difficulty with his rod and Robin came to look after his father’s line, holding a rod for the first time in his life. In two minutes Robin cried ‘Daddy, daddy, there’s a fish pulling me in the water.’ There was a 6 lb. bass on the line and it took Mr Bright ten minutes to hall it in.

Gazette article 19 July 1957

 

Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

Landmarks struck by lightning

Two familiar Torridge landmarks were badly damaged in a thunderstorm that occurred during the summer heat of just 25 years ago. Lightning struck the same time at Chanter’s Folly, causing a vertical rift which resulted in its ultimate demolition a year or two ago, and destroyed the Clevland obelisk (as shown in the picture). The obelisk stood high over the river at Tapeley Park.

28 June 1957 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

The obelisk was erected in 1856 by public subscription in memory of Archibald Clevland, Cornet of the 17th Lancers, one of the three officers of his regiment to survive the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava but who fell victim to a shell early the next month at Inkerman.

Gazette article 28 June 1957

 

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