• 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 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 2 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 3 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 4 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 5 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 6 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 7 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 8 New addition to Quay front

  • 9 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 10 Loads of black and white

  • 11 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 12 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 13 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 14 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 15 North Devon Driving School

  • 16 School crossing patrol begins

  • 17 No sale of Springfield House

  • 18 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 19 Six footed lamb

  • 20 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 21 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 22 Traditions and skills still there

  • 23 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 24

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 25 Decontrol of meat

  • 26 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 27 New civic medallions

  • 28 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 29 Artisans' Club

  • 30

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 31 Torrington children build igloo
  • 32 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 33 Centenary of Gazette

  • 34

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 35 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 36 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 37 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 38 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 39 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 40

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 41 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 42 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 43 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 45 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 46

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 47 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 48 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 49 Waldon Triplets
  • 50 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 51

    Relatives all over the world
  • 52 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 53 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 54 A roof-top view - where?

  • 55 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 56 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 57 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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

  • 59 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 60 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 61 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 62 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 63

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 64

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 65 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 66 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 67 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 68 Bideford regatta

  • 69 Weare Giffard potato

  • 70 Emergency ferry services

  • 71

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 72 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 73 Picking the pops

  • 74 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 75 Out of puff!

  • 76 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 77

    Was a missionary
  • 78 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 79 Off on a great adventure

  • 80 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 81 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 82 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 83 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 84 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 85 Hartland postman retires

  • 86 Some 240 exhibits

  • 87 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 88 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 89 Riverside mystery

  • 90 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 91 Ships at Bideford

  • 92 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 93 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 94 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 95 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 96 Just over a year old

  • 97 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 98 All for the love of a lady!

  • 99 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 100 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 101 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 102 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 103 Devil sent packing

  • 104 What's the time?

  • 105 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 106 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 107

    Bidefordians
  • 108 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 109 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 110 New shipyard on schedule

  • 111 Penny for the guy

  • 112 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 113

    Married in 1908
  • 114 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 115 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 117 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 118 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 119 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 120 Bridging the stream

  • 121 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 122 Northam's almshouse

  • 123 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 124 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 125 Revenge in style

  • 126 Mobile missionary

  • 127 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 128 New choral society's growing response

  • 129 Circus comes to town

  • 130 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 131 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 132 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 133 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 134 A bird of their own!

  • 135 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 136 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 137 The art of the thatcher

  • 138 End of the line

  • 139 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 140 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 141 Bideford loses training ship

  • 142 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 143 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 144 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 145 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 146

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 147 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 148 Recognise this resort?

  • 149 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 150 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 151 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 152

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 153 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 154 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 155 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 156 Clovelly nightmare

  • 157 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 158 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 160 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 161 Service with a smile

  • 162 Hartland's invitation

  • 163 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 164 A man and his wheel

  • 165 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 166 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 167 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 168 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 169 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 170 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 171 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 172 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 173 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 174 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 175 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 176 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 177

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 178 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 179 When horses score over the tractor

  • 180 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 181

    Exhibition of school work
  • 182

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

  • 184 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 185 Ten year old scrambler

  • 186 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 187 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 188 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 190 New Post Office

  • 191 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 193 Simple Item 138
  • 194 Sight of a lifetime

  • 195 By pony and trap to market

  • 196 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 197 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 198 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 199 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 200 New look in the hayfields

  • 201 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 202

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 203 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 204 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 205 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 206 Last train from Torrington

  • 207 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 208 Northam footballers of the future

  • 209

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 210 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 211 Police station view of Bideford

  • 212 Twenty-one yachts

  • 213 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 214 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 215 Picking the pops

  • 216 No laughing matter

  • 217 Puppet characters introduced

  • 218 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 219 Life begins at 80

  • 220 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 221 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 222 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 223 In their new robes and hats

  • 224 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 225 Happy Days!

  • 226 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 228 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 229 Hartland Dancers
  • 230 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 231 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 232 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 233 Variety in summer weather

  • 234 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 235 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 236 For crying out loud!

  • 237 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 238 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 239 Clovelly custom

  • 240 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 241 They are parted pro-tem

  • 242 He beat the floods

  • 243

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 244 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 245 113 years at Instow

  • 246 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 247 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 248 Capers on the cobbles

  • 249 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 250 Torrington's new amenity

  • 251

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 252 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 253 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 254 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 255 Appledore's largest

  • 256 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 257 Parkham plan realised

  • 258 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 259 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 260 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 261 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 262 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 263 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 264 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 265 Modern living at Bideford

  • 266 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 268 Burnard family reunion

  • 269 Torrington in 1967

  • 270 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 271

    New gateway
  • 272 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 273 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 274 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 275 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 276 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 277 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 278 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 279

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 280 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 281 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 282 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 283 Private home for public pump

  • 284 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 285 Jumble sale fever

  • 286

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 287 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 289

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 290 Peter poses for TV film

  • 291 New art gallery opened

  • 292 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 293 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 294 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 295 Littleham family's five generations

  • 296 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 297 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 298 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 299 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 300 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 301 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 302

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 303 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 304 Cruising down the river

  • 305 First ship in 8 years

  • 306 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 307 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 308 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 309 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 310 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 311 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 312 Bideford computer stars

  • 313 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 314 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 315 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 316 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 317

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 318 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 319 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 320 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 321 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 322

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 323 Pannier Market's future?

  • 324

    First prize
  • 325 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 326 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 327 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 328 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 329 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 330 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 331 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 332 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 333 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 334 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 335 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 336 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 337 Warmington's garage ad

  • 338 It really was the 'last time'

  • 339 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 340 New Lundy stamps

  • 341 A story to tell!

  • 342 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 343 New life for Hartland organ

  • 344 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 345 The Geneva marionettes

  • 346 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 347 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 348 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 349 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 351 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 352 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 353 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 354 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 355 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 356 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 357 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 358 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 359 Finished in 1876

  • 360 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 361 All aboard the ark

  • 362

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 363 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 364 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 365 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 366 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 367 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 368 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 369 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 370 Can spring be far away?

  • 371 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 372 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 373

    Building works
  • 374 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 375 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 376 Some mushroom!

  • 377

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 378 So this is the mainland!

  • 379 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 380 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 381 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 382 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 383

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 384 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 385 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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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Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

Schoolchildren go on holiday

Its true enough, 400 Bideford residents are leaving town this week and the picture shows one of several lorries of luggage that need to be handled at Bideford railway station. Six times a year the railway staff face this transport item for it reflects the to and fro of 400 boy and girl boarders at Bideford schools from holidays at home.

28 March 1958 Four hundred residents leave Bideford

Seen in the photograph are (left to right) the Stationmaster Mr W.J.O. Hatherell, Porter A.G. Steer, and Leading Porter A. Ware.

Gazette article 28 March 1958

 

 

In the tortoise nursery

Eight hatched at Bideford

Eight tiny tortoises hatched from eggs that were buried in sand in an airing cupboard for three months of Misses Rosemary and Joy Greenslade of The Nook, Chudleigh Avenue, Bideford E.

28 February 1958 In the tortoise nursery

Last summer one of the 13 large tortoises in the garden laid her eggs.

Gazette article 28 February 1958

 

 

Torrington school’s sundial

Fashioned by Headmaster

Clocks and watches at Barley Grove Primary School, Torrington, are neglected for the children have a much more interesting way of finding out what time it is – they just go out into the playground and look up at the front porch of the school building.

14 February 1958 Torrington schools sundial

Attached to the top of the porch-way is a sundial made and inscribed by the school’s headmaster, Mr J.W. Hicks seen with some of the pupils in the above picture.

This is the wording on the sundial ‘I am a clock that never ticks. Fashioned by J.W. Hicks For the Blue Coat School at Torrington, Devon in 1957.’

Gazette article 14 February 1958

 

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