• 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 Appledore's largest

  • 2 A man and his wheel

  • 3 Emergency ferry services

  • 4 Police station view of Bideford

  • 5 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 6 Puppet characters introduced

  • 7

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 8 Pannier Market's future?

  • 9 Private home for public pump

  • 10 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 11 Bideford loses training ship

  • 12 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 13 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 14

    Was a missionary
  • 15 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 16 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 17 New look in the hayfields

  • 18 Peter poses for TV film

  • 19 Simple Item 138
  • 20 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 21 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 22 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 23 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 24 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 25 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 26 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 27 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 28 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 29 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 30 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 31 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 32 Riverside mystery

  • 33 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 34 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 35 Clovelly custom

  • 36 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 37 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 38 Can spring be far away?

  • 39 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 40

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 41 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 42 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 43 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 44 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 45 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 46 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 47 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 48 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 49 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 50 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 51 The Geneva marionettes

  • 52 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 53 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 54 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 55 Loads of black and white

  • 56

    Building works
  • 57 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 58 The art of the thatcher

  • 59 Northam's almshouse

  • 60 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 61 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 62 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 63 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 64 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 65

    Married in 1908
  • 66 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 67 Jumble sale fever

  • 68

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 69 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 70 New choral society's growing response

  • 71 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 72 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 73 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 74 In their new robes and hats

  • 75 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 76 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 78 Traditions and skills still there

  • 79 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 80 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 81 Burnard family reunion

  • 82

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

  • 84 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 85 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 86 He beat the floods

  • 87 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 88 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 89 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 90 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 91 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 92 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 93 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 94 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 95 So this is the mainland!

  • 96

    Relatives all over the world
  • 97 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 98 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 99 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 100 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 101 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 102 New shipyard on schedule

  • 103 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 104

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 105 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 106 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 107 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 108 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 109 Hartland's invitation

  • 110 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 111 A roof-top view - where?

  • 112 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 113 113 years at Instow

  • 114 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 115 From Bobby to Brian

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

  • 117 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 118

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 119 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 120 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 121 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 122 Warmington's garage ad

  • 123 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 124 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 126 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 127 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 128 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 129 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 130 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 131 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 132 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 133 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 134 Capers on the cobbles

  • 135 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 136 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 137 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 138 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 139 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 140 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 141 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 142 Service with a smile

  • 143 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 144 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 145

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 146 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 147 A bird of their own!

  • 148 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 149 Life begins at 80

  • 150 It really was the 'last time'

  • 151 Bideford regatta

  • 152 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 153 Centenary of Gazette

  • 154 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 155 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 156 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 157 New Estate's view of estuary activities

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

  • 159 Circus comes to town

  • 160 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 161 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 162 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 163

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 164 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 165 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 166 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 168 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 169 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 170 The cab at the corner>
  • 171 Ships at Bideford

  • 172 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 173 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 175 Happy Days!

  • 176 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 177 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 178 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 179 Just over a year old

  • 180 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 181 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 182

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 183 Some mushroom!

  • 184 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 185 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 186 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 187 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 188 Torrington in 1967

  • 189 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 190 Finished in 1876

  • 191 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 192 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 193 End of the line

  • 194 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 195 New Lundy stamps

  • 196 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 197 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 198 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 199 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 200 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 201 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 202 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 203 Parkham plan realised

  • 204 First ship in 8 years

  • 205 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 206 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 207 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 208 New art gallery opened

  • 209 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 210 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 211 All aboard the ark

  • 212 When horses score over the tractor

  • 213 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 214 Modern living at Bideford

  • 215 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 216 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 217 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 218

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 219 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 220 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 221 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 222 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 223 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 224

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 225 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 226 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 227

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 228

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 229 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 230

    First prize
  • 231 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 232 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 233 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 234 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 235 Variety in summer weather

  • 236

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 237 Out of puff!

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

  • 239 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 240 Picking the pops

  • 241 Clovelly nightmare

  • 242 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 243 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 244 Bideford computer stars

  • 245 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 246 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 247 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 248 Sight of a lifetime

  • 249 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 250

    Bidefordians
  • 251 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 252 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 253 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 254 Hartland Dancers
  • 255 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 256 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 257 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 258 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 259 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 260 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 261 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 262 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 263 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 264 Off on a great adventure

  • 265 Recognise this resort?

  • 266 School's link with cargo ship

  • 267 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 268 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 269 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 270 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 271 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 272 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 273 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 274

    New gateway
  • 275 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 276 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 277 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 278 All for the love of a lady!

  • 279 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 280 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 281 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 282 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 283 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 284 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 285 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 286 Twenty-one yachts

  • 287 New civic medallions

  • 288 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 289 Weare Giffard potato

  • 290 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 291 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 292 Torrington children build igloo
  • 293 Artisans' Club

  • 294 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 295 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 296 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 297

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 298 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 300 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 301 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 302 Sweets derationing

  • 303 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 304 What's the time?

  • 305 Northam footballers of the future

  • 306 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 307 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 308 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 309 Hartland postman retires

  • 310 Penny for the guy

  • 311 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 312 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 313 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 314 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 315 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 316 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 318

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 319 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 320 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 321 Mobile missionary

  • 322 They are parted pro-tem

  • 323 Waldon Triplets
  • 324 Bridging the stream

  • 325

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 326 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 327 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 328 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 329 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 330

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 331 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 332 North Devon Driving School

  • 333 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 334 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 335

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 336 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 337

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 338 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 339 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 340 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 341 Revenge in style

  • 342 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 343

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 344 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 345 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 346 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 347 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 348 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 349 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 350 For crying out loud!

  • 351 School crossing patrol begins

  • 352 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 353 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 354 New Post Office

  • 355 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 356 No laughing matter

  • 357 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 358

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 359 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 360 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 361 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 362 Littleham family's five generations

  • 363 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 364 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 365 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 366 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 367 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 368 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 369 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 370 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 371 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 372 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 373 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 375 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 376 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 377 Picking the pops

  • 378

    Exhibition of school work
  • 379 Last train from Torrington

  • 380 A story to tell!

  • 381

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 382 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 383 Filming at Hartland

  • 384 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 385 Ten year old scrambler

  • 386 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 387 Torrington's new amenity

  • 388 New addition to Quay front

  • 389 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 390 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 391 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 392 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 393 Decontrol of meat

  • 394

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 395 Devil sent packing

  • 396 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 397 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 398

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 399 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 400 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 401 Six footed lamb

  • 402 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 403 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 405 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 406 Cruising down the river

  • 407 By pony and trap to market

  • 408 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 409 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 410 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 411 Some 240 exhibits

  • 412 New life for Hartland organ

  • 413 At Bideford Arts Ball>
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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  • 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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  • 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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Alwington School closing after 120 years

Village school closing

At the end of this term the Alwington School closes and the children will be transferred to Abbotsham School and only the slate tablet recording ‘This building was erected in 1836 by Mrs and the Miss Morrisons with the sanction of the Lord Bishop of Exeter, for the education of the children of Alwington parish in the principles of the Established Church,’ will recall the days when the village had its own school.

29 March 1957 Alwington School closing after 120 years

Headmistress is Mrs G.A. Elston which has been associated with the school since 1926. Her assistant is Mrs E.A. Geen of Bideford who will be joining the staff of Abbotsham School next term.

Gazette article 29 March 1957

 

 

So this is the mainland!

Newborn calf from Lundy

One of the calves which, last week, was landed at Bideford from Lundy, gazes at a new world while being hoisted to the top of the quay from the ‘Lundy Gannet.’ The vessel brought five bullocks and three calves which were sold at Woolsery auction.

8 March 1957 So this is the mainland

Gazette article 8 March 1957

 

Bideford skifflers, they’re no ‘squares’

New skiffle group

The ‘Hound Dogs’ at one of their rehearsals are no ‘squares’ but specialise in rock’n’roll and skiffle. Leader of the group is 23 year old Bill Barnes, seen playing the guitar. Others are: Ken Tryon (20, drums; Alan Curtis (19) piano, Ron Burrage (17) bass; Bill Stoneman (35) and Cyril Cole (24), piano accordians.

22 March 1957 Bideford skifflers theyre no squares

Only two members of the ‘Hound Dogs’ – Alan Curtis and Bill Stoneman – can read music. The others play by ear. Eighteen year old David Beer, who acts as the groups compere, plays a skiffle board – just an ordinary washing board. The East-the-Water Community Centre gave the group their first break at a recent dance.

Gazette article 22 March 1957

 

 

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