• 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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    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 2 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 3 Pannier Market's future?

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

  • 5 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 6 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 7 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 8

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 9 Clovelly custom

  • 10 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 11 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 12 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 13 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 14 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 15 Bideford computer stars

  • 16 Out of puff!

  • 17 Simple Item 138
  • 18 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 19 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 20 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 21 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 22 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 23 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 24 Ships at Bideford

  • 25 Bridging the stream

  • 26 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 27 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 28 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 29 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 30 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 31 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 32 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 33 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 34 Picking the pops

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

  • 36 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 37 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 38 All aboard the ark

  • 39 Cruising down the river

  • 40 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 41 Torrington children build igloo
  • 42 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 43 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 44

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 45

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 46 A bird of their own!

  • 47 New civic medallions

  • 48

    Relatives all over the world
  • 49 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 50

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 51 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 52 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 53 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 54 From Bobby to Brian

  • 55 Police station view of Bideford

  • 56 They are parted pro-tem

  • 57 New addition to Quay front

  • 58 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 59

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 60

    First prize
  • 61 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 62 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 63 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 64 By pony and trap to market

  • 65 Riverside mystery

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

  • 67 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 68 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 69 A story to tell!

  • 70 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 71 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 72 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 73 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 74 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 75 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 76 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 77 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 78 No sale of Springfield House

  • 79 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 80 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 81 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 82 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 83 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 84 School's link with cargo ship

  • 85

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 86 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 87 Last train from Torrington

  • 88 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 89 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 90 Northam's almshouse

  • 91 Torrington in 1967

  • 92 Penny for the guy

  • 93

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 94 Loads of black and white

  • 95

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 96 Can spring be far away?

  • 97 Clovelly nightmare

  • 98 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 99 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 100 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 101 Puppet characters introduced

  • 102 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 103 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 104 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 105 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 106 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 107 Some mushroom!

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

  • 109 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 110 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 111 New Lundy stamps

  • 112 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 113 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 114 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 115 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 116 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 117 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 118 Life begins at 80

  • 119

    New gateway
  • 120 Hartland Dancers
  • 121 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 122 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 123 Off on a great adventure

  • 124 Emergency ferry services

  • 125 Bideford regatta

  • 126 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 127 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 128 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 129 Hartland's invitation

  • 130 What's the time?

  • 131 Variety in summer weather

  • 132 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 133 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 134 School crossing patrol begins

  • 135 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 136 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 137 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 138 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 139 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 140

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 141 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 142 He beat the floods

  • 143 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 144 Modern living at Bideford

  • 145 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 146 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 147 In their new robes and hats

  • 148 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 149 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 150 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 151 Just over a year old

  • 152 Devil sent packing

  • 153 New shipyard on schedule

  • 154 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 155 Decontrol of meat

  • 156 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 157 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 158 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 159 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 160 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 161 New choral society's growing response

  • 162 Recognise this resort?

  • 163 Hartland postman retires

  • 164

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 165 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 166 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 167 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 168 A roof-top view - where?

  • 169 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 170 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 171 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 172 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 173 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 174 Appledore's largest

  • 175 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 176 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 177 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 178 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 179 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 180 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 181

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 182 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 183

    Bidefordians
  • 184 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 185 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 186 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 187 Weare Giffard potato

  • 188 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 189 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 190 Happy Days!

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

  • 192 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 193 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 194 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 195

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 196 Littleham family's five generations

  • 197 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 198 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 199 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 200 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 201 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 202 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 203 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 204 A man and his wheel

  • 205 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 206 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 207

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 208 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 209 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 210 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 211 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 212 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 213 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 214 Picking the pops

  • 215 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 216 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 217 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 218 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 219 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 220 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 221 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 222 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 223 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 224

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 225 Sweets derationing

  • 226 New art gallery opened

  • 227 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 228 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 229

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 230 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 231 End of the line

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

  • 233 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 234 North Devon Driving School

  • 235 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 236 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 237 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 238 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 239 Peter poses for TV film

  • 240 New Post Office

  • 241 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 242 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 243 Mobile missionary

  • 244 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 245 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 246 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 247 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 248 Torrington's new amenity

  • 249 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 250 Private home for public pump

  • 251 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 252

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 253 The cab at the corner>
  • 254 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 255 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 256 First steel ship built at Bideford

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

  • 258 Ten year old scrambler

  • 259 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 260 New life for Hartland organ

  • 261 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 262 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 263 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 264 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 265 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 266 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 267 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 269 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 270 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 271 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 272 Traditions and skills still there

  • 273 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 274 Revenge in style

  • 275 113 years at Instow

  • 276 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 277 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 278 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 279 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 280 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 281 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 282 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 283 Northam footballers of the future

  • 284 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 285 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 286 Waldon Triplets
  • 287 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 288 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 289 Parkham plan realised

  • 290

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 291 Centenary of Gazette

  • 292 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 293 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 294 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 295 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 296 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 297 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 298 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 299 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 300 Burnard family reunion

  • 301 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 302 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 303 Filming at Hartland

  • 304 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 305 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 306 Six footed lamb

  • 307 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 308 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 309

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 310 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 311 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 312 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 313 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 314 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 315 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 316 For crying out loud!

  • 317 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 318 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 319 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 320 Twenty-one yachts

  • 321 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 322

    Exhibition of school work
  • 323 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 324 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 325 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 326 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 327 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 328 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 329 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 330 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 331 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 332

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 333

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 334 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 335 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 336 Warmington's garage ad

  • 337 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 338 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 339 It really was the 'last time'

  • 340 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 341 Service with a smile

  • 342 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 343 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 344 Sight of a lifetime

  • 345

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 346 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 347 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 348 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 349

    Married in 1908
  • 350 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 351 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 352 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 353 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 354 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 355 Some 240 exhibits

  • 356 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 357 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 358 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 359 No laughing matter

  • 360 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 361 New look in the hayfields

  • 362 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 363 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 364 Photo of town's first car wins prize

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

  • 366 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 367 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 368 All for the love of a lady!

  • 369 Finished in 1876

  • 370 Capers on the cobbles

  • 371 Artisans' Club

  • 372

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 373

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 374 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 375

    Building works
  • 376 So this is the mainland!

  • 377 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 378 The art of the thatcher

  • 379 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 381 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 382 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 383 Bideford loses training ship

  • 384 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 385 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 386 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 387

    Was a missionary
  • 388 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 389 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 390 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 391 First ship in 8 years

  • 392 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 393 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 394 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 395 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 396 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 397 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 398 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 399 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 400 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 401 When horses score over the tractor

  • 402 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 403 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 404 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 405 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 406 Circus comes to town

  • 407 Jumble sale fever

  • 408 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 409 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 410 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 411 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 412 The Geneva marionettes

  • 413

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
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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Filming at Hartland

‘Treasure Island’ in Technicolor

At Hartland Quay on Monday a pirate crew wearing pigtails and carrying an assortment of weapons landed by rowing boat but their activities were cut short by rain – the first that had fallen in North Devon for weeks.

8 July 1949 Filming at Hartland

This was the start of the filming in this district of exterior scenes for Walt Disney’s production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic ‘Treasure Island’.

There was plenty of activity at the Hartland Quay Hotel, an old building adjoining, which is being transformed into the ‘Admiral Benbow Inn’. The landing of the pirate crew, who were all ‘extras’ recruited locally, were watched with keen interest by many holidaymakers and residents.

Gazette article 8 July 1949

 

Afternoon tea in the park

Mayor opens cafe in Victoria Park

8 July 1949 Afternoon tea in the park

Above you will see a happy informal photograph taken when a civic send-off was given to our new departure in Victoria Park, Bideford, where we are now serving afternoon teas.

What could be more pleasant than afternoon tea in the lovely surroundings of our own park and what more charming for your visiting friends.

Here after a spell of bowls or a round of putting you can sit down quietly in warm sunshine and enjoy the delightful teas provided at reasonable cost by C.M. Mitchell (Bideford) Ltd. who hope you will take full advantage of their extended Café service.

Gazette ad. 8 July 1949

 

Prizewinning babies at Torrington

Show at Torrington Church Fete

This bonny group of babies shows the prizewinners in the class aged 1-2, at the Baby Show at Torrington Church Fete.

1 July 1949 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

Left to right: 1. Pauline Quick; 2. Julian Edgecombe; equal 3. David Puddicombe, Christopher Hopkins and Richard Bennett.

Gazette article 1 July 1949

 

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