• 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 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 2

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 3 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 4 When horses score over the tractor

  • 5 Torrington in 1967

  • 6 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 7 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 8 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 9 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 11 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 12 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 13 Finished in 1876

  • 14 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 15 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 16 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 17 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 18 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 19 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 20 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 21 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 22 What's the time?

  • 23 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 24 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 25 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 26 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 27 New life for Hartland organ

  • 28 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 29 No sale of Springfield House

  • 30 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 31 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 32 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 33 Circus comes to town

  • 34 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 35 A roof-top view - where?

  • 36 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 37 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 38 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 39 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 40 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 41 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 42

    Married in 1908
  • 43 Waldon Triplets
  • 44 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 45 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 46 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 47 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 48

    New gateway
  • 49 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 50 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 51 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 52 Artisans' Club

  • 53 New art gallery opened

  • 54 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 56 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 57 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 58 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 59

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 60 A man and his wheel

  • 61 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 62 Torrington children build igloo
  • 63 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 64 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 65

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 66 Happy Days!

  • 67 He beat the floods

  • 68 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 70 Capers on the cobbles

  • 71 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 72 Littleham family's five generations

  • 73 All aboard the ark

  • 74 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 75

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 76 Picking the pops

  • 77 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 79 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 80 New choral society's growing response

  • 81 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 82 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 83 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 84 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 85 Variety in summer weather

  • 86 In their new robes and hats

  • 87 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 88 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 89 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 90 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 91 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 92 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 93 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 94 Torrington's new amenity

  • 95 Life begins at 80

  • 96 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 97 Service with a smile

  • 98 The cab at the corner>
  • 99 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 100 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 101 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 102 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 103 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 104 New Lundy stamps

  • 105 Devil sent packing

  • 106 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 107 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 108 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 109 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 110 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 111 Ten year old scrambler

  • 112 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 113 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 114 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 115 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 116 Colour TV salesman at eight

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

  • 118 New shipyard on schedule

  • 119 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 120 Twenty-one yachts

  • 121 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 122 Mobile missionary

  • 123 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 124

    Bidefordians
  • 125 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 126 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 127 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 128 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 129 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 130 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 131 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 132 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 133 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 134 New look in the hayfields

  • 135 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 136 Can spring be far away?

  • 137 New addition to Quay front

  • 138 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 139 Traditions and skills still there

  • 140

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 141 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 142 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 143

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 144 Bideford loses training ship

  • 145 Peter poses for TV film

  • 146

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 147 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 148 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 149 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 150 Bridging the stream

  • 151 Out of puff!

  • 152 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 153 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 154 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 155 A bird of their own!

  • 156 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 157 Private home for public pump

  • 158 Bideford computer stars

  • 159 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 160 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 161 Clovelly custom

  • 162 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 163 Burnard family reunion

  • 164 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 165 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 166 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 167 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 168 A story to tell!

  • 169 By pony and trap to market

  • 170 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 171 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 172 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 173 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 174 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 175

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 176 Warmington's garage ad

  • 177

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 178 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 179 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 180 Some mushroom!

  • 181 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 183 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 184 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 185 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 186 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 187 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 188 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 189 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 190 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 191 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 192 For crying out loud!

  • 193 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 194

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 195 Pannier Market's future?

  • 196

    Building works
  • 197 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 198

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 199 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 200 Last train from Torrington

  • 201 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 202

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 203 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 204 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 205

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 206 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 207 The art of the thatcher

  • 208 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 209 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 210 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 211 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 212 Hartland Dancers
  • 213

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 214 Revenge in style

  • 215 All for the love of a lady!

  • 216 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 217 Picking the pops

  • 218 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 219 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 220 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 221 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 222 Recognise this resort?

  • 223 They set out for Bideford and became lost

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

  • 225 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 226 They are parted pro-tem

  • 227 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 228 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 229 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 230 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 231 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 232 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 233 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 234 New Post Office

  • 235 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 236 Loads of black and white

  • 237 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 238 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 239

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 240 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 241 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 242 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 243 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 244 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 245 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 246 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 247 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 248 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 249 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 250 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 251 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 252 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 253 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 254

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 255 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 256 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 257 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 258 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 259 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 260 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 261 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 262 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 263 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 264

    Relatives all over the world
  • 265 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 267 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 268 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 269 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 270 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 271 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 272 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 274 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 275 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 276 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 277 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 278 Emergency ferry services

  • 279 Just over a year old

  • 280 End of the line

  • 281 Six footed lamb

  • 282 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 283 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 284 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 285 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 286

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 287 Cruising down the river

  • 288 Police station view of Bideford

  • 289 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 290 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 291 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 292 School's link with cargo ship

  • 293 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 294

    Exhibition of school work
  • 295 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 296 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 297

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 298 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 299 Penny for the guy

  • 300 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 301 Northam footballers of the future

  • 302 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 303 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 304

    First prize
  • 305

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 306 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 307 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 308 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 309 Jumble sale fever

  • 310 Simple Item 138
  • 311 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 313

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 314 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 315 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 316 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 317 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 318 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 319 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 320 The Geneva marionettes

  • 321 Appledore's largest

  • 322 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 323 Some 240 exhibits

  • 324 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 326 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 327 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 329 Northam's almshouse

  • 330 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 331 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 332 New civic medallions

  • 333 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 334 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 335 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 336 Sweets derationing

  • 337 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 338 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 339 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 340 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 341 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 342 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 343 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 345 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 346 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 347 Parkham plan realised

  • 348 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 349 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 350 Filming at Hartland

  • 351

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 352 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 353 Puppet characters introduced

  • 354 Modern living at Bideford

  • 355 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 356

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 357 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 358 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 359 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 360 North Devon Driving School

  • 361 From Bobby to Brian

  • 362 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 363 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 364 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 365 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 366 Hartland postman retires

  • 367 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 368 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 369

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 370 Riverside mystery

  • 371 Ships at Bideford

  • 372 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 373 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 374 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 375 Clovelly nightmare

  • 376 No laughing matter

  • 377 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 378 Sight of a lifetime

  • 379

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 380

    Was a missionary
  • 381 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 382 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 383 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 384 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 385 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 386 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 387 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 388 It really was the 'last time'

  • 389 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 390 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 391 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 392 First ship in 8 years

  • 393 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 394 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 395 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 396 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 397 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 398 Bideford regatta

  • 399 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 400 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 401 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 402 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 403 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 404 113 years at Instow

  • 405 School crossing patrol begins

  • 406

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 407 So this is the mainland!

  • 408 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 409 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 410 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 411 Weare Giffard potato

  • 412 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 413 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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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Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

Strand School of Dancing Challenge

This game of hockey between the girls and boys of the Strand School of Dancing, Bideford, played last Sunday on Westward Ho! beach originated from a challenge which was made a few months ago.

20 February 1959 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

Miss Ann Thurston was teaching a boy a rather intricate dancing step and a remark was made to the effect that girls learnt to dance more quickly. ‘I’d like to see you on a rugby field,’ was the answer. Miss Thornton replied that the girls of the school would challenge the boys to a hockey match instead, thinking this would be an easy win for the girls as the boys do not play hockey. The result? After one hour of play a 14-0 win for the boys.

Gazette article 20 February 1959

 

Polish custom on Pancake Day

Ceremonial toss

It was Pancake Day on Tuesday but this was an old Polish custom of coupling a toast to the ship-builders with a ceremonial toss into the air.

13 February 1959 Polish custom on Pancake Day

Mr Gordon Harris found himself the recipient of this surprise tribute at the formal handing over that day of the tug ‘Tur’ built by P.K. Harris and Sons Ltd., of Appledore for the Polish Government.

Gazette article 13 February 1959

 

Birds’ convalescent home at Instow

Fish for fulmar, worms for snipe

When attacked by a cat last week in Bideford, a blackbird lost about four inches of its tail. However it was lucky, for Miss B. Shelmerdine, the local secretary of the RSPCA found it and took it to Mrs Katharine Tottenham of Southside, Instow, who will look after it until it grows another tail.

23 January 1959 Birds convalscent home at Instow

People from all over the district bring injured birds and animals to her and she estimates that she handles about 40 bird cases a year alone. Since a girl she has been interested in animals and restoring the casualties brought to her back to good health and their place in their natural surroundings. The magpie ‘Piper’ is an exception in that it has remained a family pet, easily perching on heads and arms.

The fulmar was found starving in Bude and will stay in the Tottenham household until it has recovered its buoyancy. A wounded snipe given recently would eat nothing but worms – at the rate of 20 or so a day.

Gazette article 23 January 1959

 

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