• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 2 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 3

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 4 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 5 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 6 Parkham plan realised

  • 7 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 8 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 9 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 10 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 11 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 12 Picking the pops

  • 13

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 14 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 15 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 16 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 17 New shipyard on schedule

  • 18 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 19 End of the line

  • 20 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 21 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 22 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 23 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 24 Modern living at Bideford

  • 25 When horses score over the tractor

  • 26 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 27 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 28 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 29 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 31 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 32 Torrington in 1967

  • 33 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 34 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 35 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 36 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 37 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 38 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 39 Some 240 exhibits

  • 40 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 41 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 42 Peter poses for TV film

  • 43 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 44 Traditions and skills still there

  • 45 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 46 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 47 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 48 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 49 It really was the 'last time'

  • 50 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 51 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 52 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 53 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 54 New life for Hartland organ

  • 55

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 56 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 57 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 58

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 59 Circus comes to town

  • 60 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 61 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 62 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 63 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 64 Last train from Torrington

  • 65 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 66 What's the time?

  • 67 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 68 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 69 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 70 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 71 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 72 Artisans' Club

  • 73 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 74 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 75 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 76 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 77

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 78 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 79 The cab at the corner>
  • 80 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 81 Revenge in style

  • 82 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 83 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 84 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 85 For crying out loud!

  • 86 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 87 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 88 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 89 Sight of a lifetime

  • 90

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 91 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 92 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 93 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 94 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

  • 96 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 97

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 98 Just over a year old

  • 99

    Bidefordians
  • 100 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 101 Penny for the guy

  • 102 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 103 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 104 Can spring be far away?

  • 105 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 106

    Married in 1908
  • 107 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 108 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 109 New Post Office

  • 110 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 111

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 112 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 113 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 114 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 115 Hartland Dancers
  • 116 A bird of their own!

  • 117 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 118 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 119 No laughing matter

  • 120 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 121 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 122

    New gateway
  • 123 Centenary of Gazette

  • 124 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 125 Hartland postman retires

  • 126 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 127 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 128 They are parted pro-tem

  • 129 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 130 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 131 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 132 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 133 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 134 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 135 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 136 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 137 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 138 Riverside mystery

  • 139 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 140

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 141 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 143 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 144 New art gallery opened

  • 145 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 146 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 147 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 148 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 149 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 150 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 151 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 152 Clovelly custom

  • 153 113 years at Instow

  • 154 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 155 New addition to Quay front

  • 156 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 157 Police station view of Bideford

  • 158 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 159 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 160

    Exhibition of school work
  • 161 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 162 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 163 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 164 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 165 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 166 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 168 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 169 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 170 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 171 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 172 Appledore's largest

  • 173 Six footed lamb

  • 174 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 175 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 176 Picking the pops

  • 177 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 178 Burnard family reunion

  • 179 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 180 Recognise this resort?

  • 181 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 182 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 183 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 184 Finished in 1876

  • 185 Puppet characters introduced

  • 186 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

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

  • 188

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 189 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 190

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 191 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 192 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 193 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 194 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 195 Waldon Triplets
  • 196

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 197 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 198 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 199 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 200 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 201 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 202 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 203 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 204 Filming at Hartland

  • 205 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 206 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

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

  • 209 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 210 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 211 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 212 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 213

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 214 North Devon Driving School

  • 215 Out of puff!

  • 216 Bideford loses training ship

  • 217 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 218 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 219 Jumble sale fever

  • 220 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 221

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 222 Bideford regatta

  • 223 Devil sent packing

  • 224 Pannier Market's future?

  • 225 In their new robes and hats

  • 226 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 227 Service with a smile

  • 228 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 229 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 230 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 231 Northam's almshouse

  • 232 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 233 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 234 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 235 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 236 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 237 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 238

    Building works
  • 239 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 240 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 241 Torrington's new amenity

  • 242 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 243 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 244 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 245 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 246 School's link with cargo ship

  • 247 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 248 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 249

    First prize
  • 250 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 251 Off on a great adventure

  • 252

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 253 Simple Item 138
  • 254 Life begins at 80

  • 255 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 256 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 257 Mobile missionary

  • 258 Littleham family's five generations

  • 259 Torrington children build igloo
  • 260 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 261 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 262 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 263 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 264 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 265 Ten year old scrambler

  • 266 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 267 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 268 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 269 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 270 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 271 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 272 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 273 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 274 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 275 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 276 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 277 Hartland's invitation

  • 278 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 279 Happy Days!

  • 280 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 281 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 282 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 283 No sale of Springfield House

  • 284 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 285 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 286 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 287 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 288 Warmington's garage ad

  • 289

    Was a missionary
  • 290 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 291 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 292 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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

  • 294

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 295 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 296 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 297 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 298

    Relatives all over the world
  • 299 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 300 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 301 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 302 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 303 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 304 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 305 New choral society's growing response

  • 306 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 307 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 308 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 309 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 310 Variety in summer weather

  • 311

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 312 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 313

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 314 Some mushroom!

  • 315 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 316 All aboard the ark

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

  • 318 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 319 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 320

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 321 Sweets derationing

  • 322 Cruising down the river

  • 323 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 324 Bridging the stream

  • 325 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 326

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 327 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 328 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 329 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 330 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 331 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 332 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 333 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 334 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 335 Capers on the cobbles

  • 336 Decontrol of meat

  • 337 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 338 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 339 Weare Giffard potato

  • 340

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 341 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 342 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 343 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 344 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 345 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 346 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 347 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 348 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 349 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 350 A roof-top view - where?

  • 351 A man and his wheel

  • 352 So this is the mainland!

  • 353 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 354

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 355 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 356 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 357 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 358 Private home for public pump

  • 359 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 360 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 361 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 362 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 363 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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

  • 365 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 366 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 367 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 368 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 369 Emergency ferry services

  • 370 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 371

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 372 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 373

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 374 A story to tell!

  • 375 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 376 Loads of black and white

  • 377 First ship in 8 years

  • 378 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 379 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 380 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 381 Northam footballers of the future

  • 382 Ships at Bideford

  • 383 Bideford computer stars

  • 384 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 385 School crossing patrol begins

  • 386 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 387 Clovelly nightmare

  • 388 All for the love of a lady!

  • 389 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 390 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 391 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 392 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 394 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 395 The art of the thatcher

  • 396 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 397 He beat the floods

  • 398 By pony and trap to market

  • 399 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 400 Twenty-one yachts

  • 401 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 402 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 403 New civic medallions

  • 404 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 405 From Bobby to Brian

  • 406 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 407 New Lundy stamps

  • 408

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 409 New look in the hayfields

  • 410 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 411 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 412 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 413 The Geneva marionettes

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

No – not Bideford’s answer to the Moon Rocket!

Fuel tank for scrap-yard

It’s just something for the scrap-yard. It is a 6½-ton fuel tank being loaded on to a railway waggon at Bideford Goods Yard. The tank is from the old Bideford Electricity Company’s works at East-the-Water and it is the last of three.

2 May 1958 No Not Bidefords answer to the moon rocket

As Mr Stanley Jones drove a diesel-powered lorry, carrying the tank to the goods station he recalled when, 25 years ago, his late father drove the horse-drawn waggon which transported the tank on delivery to Bideford electricity station.

And as Mr Jack Easterbrook, the goods yard supervisory foreman took charge of the loading of the tank onto the train he remembered how, 25 years ago, his late father, also as foreman, supervised the unloading of the tank at the yard.

Gazette article 2 May 1958

 

 

Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

Solitary cauliflower in Torrington field

In a field belonging to Mr George Copp, of South Street, Torrington, stands one solitary cauliflower. All the stalks have been ploughed up from what was a field full of these plants except for this one, underneath which is a thrush’s nest with four eggs inside it. The nest was found during the ploughing and at the time the thrush was sitting on the eggs. Not wanting to disturb it Mr Copp ploughed all around but left the one cauliflower.

25 April 1958 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

‘We will leave it as long as possible but before tilling will see if it can be moved without disturbing the bird too much,’ said Mrs George Copp. ‘This is the first time I have ever heard of a thrush building its nest on the ground,’ she added.

Gazette article 25 April 1958

 

Surgery in stone

Repairs to statue

Mr Charles Morris (right), a Bideford stonemason, repairs the broken finger on Charles Kingsley’s statue on the River Bank, assisted by Mr Ron Dymond. At the same time a new
nib was fitted to the statue’s quill pen.

18 April 1958 Surgery in stone

Gazette article 18 April 1958

 

  • 1

Login Form