• 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 Out of puff!

  • 2

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 3 113 years at Instow

  • 4 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 5 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 6 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 7 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 8 Bridging the stream

  • 9 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 10 Decontrol of meat

  • 11 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 13 Northam's almshouse

  • 14 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 15 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 16 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 17 In their new robes and hats

  • 18 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 19 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 20 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 21 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 22 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 23 They are parted pro-tem

  • 24 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 25 Bideford loses training ship

  • 26 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 27 It really was the 'last time'

  • 28

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 29 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 30 Picking the pops

  • 31 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 32 Centenary of Gazette

  • 33 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 34 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 35 Picking the pops

  • 36 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 37 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 38 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 39

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 40 Filming at Hartland

  • 41 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 42 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 43

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 44 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 45 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 46 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 47 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 48 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 49 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 50 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 51 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 52 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 53 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 54 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 55 Recognise this resort?

  • 56 Just over a year old

  • 57 Devil sent packing

  • 58 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 59 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 60 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 62 Off on a great adventure

  • 63 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 64 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 65 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 66 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 67 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 68 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 69 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 70 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 71 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 72 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 73 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 74 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 76 Hartland's invitation

  • 77

    Relatives all over the world
  • 78 Twenty-one yachts

  • 79 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 80 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 81

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 82 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 83 All aboard the ark

  • 84

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 85 First ship in 8 years

  • 86 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 87 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

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

  • 89 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 90 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 91 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 92 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 93 Service with a smile

  • 94 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 95 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 96 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 97 Finished in 1876

  • 98 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 99

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 100 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 101 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 102 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 103 Mobile missionary

  • 104 Last train from Torrington

  • 105 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 106 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 107 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 108 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 109 A story to tell!

  • 110 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 111 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 112 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 113 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 114 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 115 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 116 Parkham plan realised

  • 117 Traditions and skills still there

  • 118 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 119 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 120 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 121 A man and his wheel

  • 122

    First prize
  • 123 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 124 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 125 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 126 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 127 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 128 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 129 The art of the thatcher

  • 130

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 131 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 132 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 133 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 134 New Lundy stamps

  • 135 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 136

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 137 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 138 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 139 Bideford regatta

  • 140 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 141 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 142 Hartland Dancers
  • 143 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 144 Bideford computer stars

  • 145 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 146 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 147 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 148 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 149

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 150 Ships at Bideford

  • 151 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 152

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 153 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 154 Ten year old scrambler

  • 155 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 156 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 157 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 158 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 160 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 161 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 162 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 163 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 164 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

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

  • 166

    Exhibition of school work
  • 167 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 168 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 170 Puppet characters introduced

  • 171 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 172 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 173 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 174 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 175 Emergency ferry services

  • 176 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 177 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 178 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 179 Burnard family reunion

  • 180 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 181 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 182 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 183 Sight of a lifetime

  • 184 Waldon Triplets
  • 185 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 186 School's link with cargo ship

  • 187 What's the time?

  • 188 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 189 Jumble sale fever

  • 190 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 191 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 192 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 193 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 194 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 195 End of the line

  • 196 From Bobby to Brian

  • 197 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 198 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 199 Hartland postman retires

  • 200 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 201 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 202 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 203 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 204 When horses score over the tractor

  • 205 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 206 Private home for public pump

  • 207 Some mushroom!

  • 208 New choral society's growing response

  • 209

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 210 North Devon Driving School

  • 211

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 212 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 213 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 214 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 215 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 216 Life begins at 80

  • 217 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 218 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 219 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 220 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 221 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 222 Peter poses for TV film

  • 223 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 224

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 225 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 226 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 228 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 229 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 230

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 231 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 232 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 233 Pannier Market's future?

  • 234 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 235 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 236 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 237 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 238 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 239 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 240 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 241 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 242 New look in the hayfields

  • 243 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 244 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 245 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 246 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 247 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 248

    Building works
  • 249 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 250 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 251 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 253 Torrington's new amenity

  • 254 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 255 Variety in summer weather

  • 256 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 257 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 258 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 259 Happy Days!

  • 260

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 261 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 262 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 263 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 264 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 265 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 266

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 267 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 268 New Post Office

  • 269 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 270 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 271 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 272 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 273 Clovelly nightmare

  • 274 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 275 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 276 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 277 Circus comes to town

  • 278 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 279 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 280 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 281 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 282 Riverside mystery

  • 283 Police station view of Bideford

  • 284

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 285 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 286 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 287 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 288 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 289 New shipyard on schedule

  • 290 Appledore's largest

  • 291 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 292 Warmington's garage ad

  • 293 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 294 Cruising down the river

  • 295 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 296 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 297 New art gallery opened

  • 298 So this is the mainland!

  • 299 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 300 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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

  • 302 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 303 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 304 New life for Hartland organ

  • 305 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 306 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 307 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 308 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 309

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 310 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 311 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 312 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 313 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 314 A bird of their own!

  • 315 Artisans' Club

  • 316 All for the love of a lady!

  • 317 Clovelly custom

  • 318 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 319 Northam footballers of the future

  • 320 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 321 He beat the floods

  • 322 Penny for the guy

  • 323 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 324 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 325 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 326 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 327 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 328

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 329 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 330 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 331 Modern living at Bideford

  • 332 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 333

    Was a missionary
  • 334 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 335 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 336 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 337 The cab at the corner>
  • 338 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 339 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 340 School crossing patrol begins

  • 341 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 342

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 343 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 344

    Married in 1908
  • 345 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 346 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 347 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 348 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 349 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 350

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 351 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 352 For crying out loud!

  • 353 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 354 New civic medallions

  • 355 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 356 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 357

    New gateway
  • 358 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 359 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 360 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 361 New addition to Quay front

  • 362 The Geneva marionettes

  • 363

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 364 By pony and trap to market

  • 365 Torrington children build igloo
  • 366 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 367 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 368 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 369 Some 240 exhibits

  • 370 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 371 Sweets derationing

  • 372 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 373

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 374 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 375 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 376 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 377 Six footed lamb

  • 378 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 379 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 380 Capers on the cobbles

  • 381 Revenge in style

  • 382 Loads of black and white

  • 383 No sale of Springfield House

  • 384 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 385 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 386 Simple Item 138
  • 387 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 388 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 389 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 390 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 392 No laughing matter

  • 393 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 394 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 395 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 396 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 397

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 398 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 399

    Bidefordians
  • 400 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 402 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 403 Weare Giffard potato

  • 404 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 405 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 406 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 407 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 408 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 409 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 410 Can spring be far away?

  • 411 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 412 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 413 Littleham family's five generations

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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