• 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 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 2 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 3 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 4

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 5 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 6 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 7 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 9 By pony and trap to market

  • 10 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 11 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 12 Parkham plan realised

  • 13 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 14 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 15 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 16 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 17 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 18 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 19 Northam footballers of the future

  • 20 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 21

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 22 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 23 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

  • 25 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 27 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 28 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 29 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 30 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 31 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 32 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 33

    Relatives all over the world
  • 34

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 35 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 36 Circus comes to town

  • 37 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 38 Ships at Bideford

  • 39 Devil sent packing

  • 40 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 41 School crossing patrol begins

  • 42

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 43 Riverside mystery

  • 44 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 45

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 46

    Bidefordians
  • 47 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 48 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 49 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 50 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 51 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 52 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 53 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 54 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 55 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 56 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 57 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 58 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 60 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 61

    Married in 1908
  • 62 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 63 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 64 North Devon Driving School

  • 65 Hartland Dancers
  • 66 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 67 Clovelly custom

  • 68 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 69 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 70 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 71 Recognise this resort?

  • 72 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 73 New shipyard on schedule

  • 74 Picking the pops

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

  • 76 Waldon Triplets
  • 77 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 78 Bridging the stream

  • 79 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 80 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 81 Traditions and skills still there

  • 82 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 83 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 84 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 85 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 86 Sight of a lifetime

  • 87 Hartland's invitation

  • 88 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 89 For crying out loud!

  • 90 Mobile missionary

  • 91 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 92 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 94 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 95 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 96 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 97 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 98 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 99 Happy Days!

  • 100 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 101 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 102 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 103 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 104 They are parted pro-tem

  • 105 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 106 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 107 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 108 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 109 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 110

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 111 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 112 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 113 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 114 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 115 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 116 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 117 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 118 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 119 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 120 Burnard family reunion

  • 121 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 122 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 123

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 124 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 125 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 126 113 years at Instow

  • 127 Warmington's garage ad

  • 128 It really was the 'last time'

  • 129

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 130 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 131 Littleham family's five generations

  • 132 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 133 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 134

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 135 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 136 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 137 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 138 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 139 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 140 First ship in 8 years

  • 141 New civic medallions

  • 142 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 143 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 145 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 146

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 147 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 148 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 149 Out of puff!

  • 150 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 151 In their new robes and hats

  • 152 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 153 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 154 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 155

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 156 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 157 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 158 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 159 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 160 Revenge in style

  • 161 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 162 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 163 No sale of Springfield House

  • 164 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 165 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 166 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 167 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 168 Last train from Torrington

  • 169 All aboard the ark

  • 170 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 171 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 172 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 173 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 174 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 175 Off on a great adventure

  • 176 No laughing matter

  • 177

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 178 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 179

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 180 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 181 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 182 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 183 All for the love of a lady!

  • 184 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 185 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 186 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 187 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 188 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 189 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 190 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 191 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 192 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 193 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 194 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 195 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 196 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 197 Capers on the cobbles

  • 198 Bideford regatta

  • 199 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 200 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 201

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 202 Pannier Market's future?

  • 203 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 204 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 205 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 206 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 207 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 208 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 209 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 210 School's link with cargo ship

  • 211 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 212 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 213 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 214 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 215 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 216 Bideford computer stars

  • 217 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 218 Ten year old scrambler

  • 219 Twenty-one yachts

  • 220 New Post Office

  • 221 Simple Item 138
  • 222 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 223 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 224 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 225 A man and his wheel

  • 226 Just over a year old

  • 227

    Building works
  • 228 Private home for public pump

  • 229 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 230 Variety in summer weather

  • 231 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 232 Clovelly nightmare

  • 233 Some mushroom!

  • 234

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 235 A bird of their own!

  • 236 Loads of black and white

  • 237 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 238 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 239 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 240 Penny for the guy

  • 241 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 242

    Was a missionary
  • 243 End of the line

  • 244 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 245 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 246

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 247 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 248

    First prize
  • 249 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 251

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 252

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 253 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 254

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 255 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 256 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 257 Finished in 1876

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

  • 259 Service with a smile

  • 260 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 261 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 262 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 263 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 264 New art gallery opened

  • 265 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 266 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 267 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 268 Police station view of Bideford

  • 269 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 270 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 271 Torrington in 1967

  • 272 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 273 Some 240 exhibits

  • 274 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 275 Emergency ferry services

  • 276 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 277

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 278 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 279 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 280 So this is the mainland!

  • 281

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 282 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 283 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 284 A craftsman's 'potted' history

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

  • 286 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 287 Northam's almshouse

  • 288 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 289 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 290 The art of the thatcher

  • 291 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 292 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 293 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 294 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 295 A story to tell!

  • 296 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 297 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 298 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 299 Life begins at 80

  • 300

    New gateway
  • 301 New addition to Quay front

  • 302 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 303 Torrington children build igloo
  • 304 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 305 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 306 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 307 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 308 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 309 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 310 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 311 Modern living at Bideford

  • 312 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 313

    Exhibition of school work
  • 314 Bideford loses training ship

  • 315 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 316 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 317 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 318 Artisans' Club

  • 319 He beat the floods

  • 320 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 321 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 322 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 323 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 324 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 325 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 326 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 327 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 328 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 329 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 330 When horses score over the tractor

  • 331 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 332 A roof-top view - where?

  • 333

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 334 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 335 Centenary of Gazette

  • 336 New Lundy stamps

  • 337 Jumble sale fever

  • 338 New choral society's growing response

  • 339 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 340

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 341 Can spring be far away?

  • 342 The Geneva marionettes

  • 343 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 344 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 345 Torrington's new amenity

  • 346 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 347 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 348 What's the time?

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

  • 350 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 351 Puppet characters introduced

  • 352 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 353 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 354 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 355

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 356

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 357 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 358 Appledore's largest

  • 359 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 360 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 361 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 362 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 363 Six footed lamb

  • 364 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 365 Hartland postman retires

  • 366 Cruising down the river

  • 367 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 368 New life for Hartland organ

  • 369 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 370 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 371 Picking the pops

  • 372 Peter poses for TV film

  • 373 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 374 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 375 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 376 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 377 Weare Giffard potato

  • 378 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 379 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 380 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 381 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 382 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 383 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 384 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 385 Decontrol of meat

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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  • 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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  • 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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Bideford Bridge re-opens

Traffic flowing again

Traffic has been flowing over the bridge since the repaired section passed with flying colours a stringent test on Friday morning. A full 150 tons in the form of 10 loaded lorries were stationed on the span while surveyors with level measured the deflection on each side of the bridge. They found it to be about a quarter of an inch, which they described as highly satisfactory.

5 April 1968 Bideford Bridge re opens

There was no formal opening, but the Mayor (Mr Harold Blackmore) was among the first to drive across and back again. It was a happy day for the people of Bideford, he said.

Gazette article 5 April 1968

 

Malibu boys are all-the-year round surfers

Surfing season has no end

Cutting winter winds sweep across the beach at Westward Ho! and the sea is icy – but across the sand any weekend when the surf is up the black-clad figures of surfers can be seen hurtling beachwards on the walls of the Atlantic rollers. These are the Malibu boys.

For the Malibou enthusiasts the surfing season has no end – the arrival of winter only means the arrival of the bigger surf with better and more exciting rides.

22 March 1968 Malibou boys are all the year round surfers

Seen carrying their boards back up the beach after a two hour session at the weekend are (left to right): Bert Gorrell of Northam; Mike Pett of Orchard Hill, Northam; Terry Lloyd of Bideford; and Pete Griffey of Cross Street, Northam.

Gazette article 22 March 1968

 

Private home for public pump

Pump at Orchard Hill

This survival of a bygone age, the disused public pump at Orchard Hill, is to be preserved.

15 March 1968 Private home for public pump

Northam Urban Council have told Mr B.D. Hughes of ‘Kitty Bassett’s Cottage,’ Fore Street, Northam, that he can have it subject to his paying the cost of removal and agreeing that he will not sell it.

Gazette article 15 March 1968

 

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