• 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 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 2 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 3 A story to tell!

  • 4

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 5 By pony and trap to market

  • 6 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 7 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 8 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 9 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 10 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 11 Torrington children build igloo
  • 12 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 13 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 14

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 15 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 16 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 17 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 18 Bridging the stream

  • 19 Police station view of Bideford

  • 20 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 21

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 22 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 23 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 24 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 25 Service with a smile

  • 26 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 27 Northam's almshouse

  • 28 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 29

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 30 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 31 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 32 First ship in 8 years

  • 33 Cruising down the river

  • 34 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 35 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 36 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 37 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 38 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 39 Appledore's largest

  • 40 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 41

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 42 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 43 Torrington's new amenity

  • 44 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 45 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 46 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 47 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 48 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 49 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 50 Some mushroom!

  • 51 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 52 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 53 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 54 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 55 The cab at the corner>
  • 56

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 57 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 58 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 59 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 60 Centenary of Gazette

  • 61 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 62 Torrington in 1967

  • 63 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 64 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 65 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 66 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 67 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 68

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 69 Riverside mystery

  • 70 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 71 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 72 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 73

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 74

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 75 Waldon Triplets
  • 76 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 77 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 78 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 80

    New gateway
  • 81 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 83 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 84 Six footed lamb

  • 85 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 87 Puppet characters introduced

  • 88 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 89 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 91 All for the love of a lady!

  • 92 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 93

    First prize
  • 94 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 95 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 96 All aboard the ark

  • 97 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 98 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 99

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 100 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 101 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 102 When horses score over the tractor

  • 103 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 105 A roof-top view - where?

  • 106 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 107 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 108 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 109 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 110 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 111

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 112 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 113 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 114 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 115 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 116 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 117 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 118 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 119 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 120 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 121

    Bidefordians
  • 122 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 123

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 124 Revenge in style

  • 125 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 126 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 127 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 128 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 129 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 130 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 131 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 132 Life begins at 80

  • 133 Modern living at Bideford

  • 134 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 135 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 136 School's link with cargo ship

  • 137 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 138 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 139

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 140 Littleham family's five generations

  • 141 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 142 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 143 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 144 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 145 Traditions and skills still there

  • 146 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 147 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 148 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 149 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 150 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 151 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 152 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 153 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 154 Last train from Torrington

  • 155 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 156 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 157 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 158 Out of puff!

  • 159 For crying out loud!

  • 160

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 161 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 162 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 163 What's the time?

  • 164 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 165 Decontrol of meat

  • 166 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 167 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 168 Loads of black and white

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

  • 170 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 171 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 172 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 173 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 174

    Married in 1908
  • 175 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 176 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 177 New art gallery opened

  • 178 Clovelly nightmare

  • 179 No sale of Springfield House

  • 180 No laughing matter

  • 181 Circus comes to town

  • 182 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 183 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 184 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 185 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 186 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 187 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 188 Jumble sale fever

  • 189 It really was the 'last time'

  • 190 Peter poses for TV film

  • 191 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 192 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 193 Weare Giffard potato

  • 194 Variety in summer weather

  • 195 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 196 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 197 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 198 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 199 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 200 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 202 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 203 Warmington's garage ad

  • 204 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 205 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 207 New life for Hartland organ

  • 208

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 209 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 210 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 211 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 212 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 213 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 214 New addition to Quay front

  • 215 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 216 North Devon Driving School

  • 217

    Was a missionary
  • 218 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 219 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 220 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 222 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 223 Bideford computer stars

  • 224 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 225 The Geneva marionettes

  • 226 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 228 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 229 New civic medallions

  • 230 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 231 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 232 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 233 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 234 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 235

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 236 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 237 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 238 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 239 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 240 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 241 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 242 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 243 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 244 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 245 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 246 Private home for public pump

  • 247 Penny for the guy

  • 248 Clovelly custom

  • 249 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 250

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 251 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 253 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 254 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 255 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 256 Emergency ferry services

  • 257 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 258 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 259 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 260 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 261 Artisans' Club

  • 262 Mobile missionary

  • 263 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 264 Hartland Dancers
  • 265 Twenty-one yachts

  • 266 From Bobby to Brian

  • 267 Sight of a lifetime

  • 268 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 269 So this is the mainland!

  • 270 Off on a great adventure

  • 271 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 272

    Exhibition of school work
  • 273 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 274 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 275 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 276 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 277 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 278 In their new robes and hats

  • 279 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 280 Ten year old scrambler

  • 281 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 282 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 283 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 284 A man and his wheel

  • 285 End of the line

  • 286 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 287 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 288 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 289 Picking the pops

  • 290 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 291

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 292 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 293 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 294 Finished in 1876

  • 295 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 296 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 297 Sweets derationing

  • 298 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 299 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 300 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 301 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 302 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 303 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 304 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 305 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 306 Some 240 exhibits

  • 307 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 308 He beat the floods

  • 309 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 310 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 311 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 312 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 313 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 314 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 315 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 316 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 317 Burnard family reunion

  • 318 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 319 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 320

    Relatives all over the world
  • 321 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 322 A bird of their own!

  • 323 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 324 Picking the pops

  • 325 113 years at Instow

  • 326 Devil sent packing

  • 327 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 328 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 329 Recognise this resort?

  • 330 Hartland postman retires

  • 331 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 332 Ships at Bideford

  • 333 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 334 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 335 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 336 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 337 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 339

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 340 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 341 They are parted pro-tem

  • 342 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 343 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 344 New look in the hayfields

  • 345 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 346 New Lundy stamps

  • 347 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 348 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 349 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 350 Pannier Market's future?

  • 351

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 352 Parkham plan realised

  • 353 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 354 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 355 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 356 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 357 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 358 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 359 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 360 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 361 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 362 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 363 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 364 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 365

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 366 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 367 Hartland's invitation

  • 368 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 369 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 370 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 371 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 372 School crossing patrol begins

  • 373 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 374 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 375 Simple Item 138
  • 376 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 377

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 378 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 379 Northam footballers of the future

  • 380 Bideford regatta

  • 381 Bideford loses training ship

  • 382

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 383 New choral society's growing response

  • 384 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 385

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 386 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 387 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 388 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 389 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 390 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 391 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 392

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 393 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 394 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 395 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 396 New shipyard on schedule

  • 397 Happy Days!

  • 398 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 399 New Post Office

  • 400 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 402 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 403 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 404 Just over a year old

  • 405 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 406 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 407 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 408 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 409 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 410

    Building works
  • 411 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 412 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 413 Can spring be far away?

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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Revenge in style!

Mayor gets his revenge

Surprise highlight of the Youth Week judo and boxing exhibition held at Bideford Pannier Market was when the Mayor of Bideford (Mr Ron Lake) was called upon to present a cup to one of the members of the North Devon Judokwai.

The audience gasped when the Mayor on shaking hands with the club leader, Mr John Davies, was thrown over Mr Davies’ shoulder, ending on his back on the mat. Smiling and unconcerned, the Mayor rose from the floor, again offered his hand to Mr Davies who found himself receiving the same treatment, as the photograph illustrates.

26 May 1961 Revenge in style

The Mayor confessed afterwards that in fact he himself had made the suggestion that he should join in the occasion in this way. He told the audience that he had had some secret practice the night before – but only for half an hour.

Gazette article 26 May 1961

 

Watch the dicky bird!

Blackbirds' nest in old camera

The traditional ‘watch the dicky bird’ of the old-time photographer is brought right up to date by a pair of blackbirds. They have made their nest in an old camera in a garden shed at photographer Mr A.C. Littlejohns’ home in Mill Street, Bideford.

14 April 1961 Watch the dicky bird

When this picture was taken mother blackbird with her tail comfortably eased through the hole where the lens once was, was sitting in four eggs. News of the hatching is eagerly awaited.

Gazette article 14 April 1961

 

Huntshaw TV Mast

New TV mast

Five hundred feet high and standing at Huntshaw Cross, which is 677 feet above sea level, this new mast relaying ITV programmes can be seen over a wide area of the Torridge and Taw Valleys.

12 January 1968 Huntshaw TV mast

Use of this new slender landmark will remove black sports in North Devon where neither the Caradon Hill nor the Stockland Hill transmitters relaying the Westward programmes are receivable at good strength.

Gazette article 12 January 1968

 

 

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