• 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 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 2 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 3 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 4 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 5 Warmington's garage ad

  • 6 In their new robes and hats

  • 7 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 8 Circus comes to town

  • 9

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 10 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 11 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 12 North Devon Driving School

  • 13 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 14 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 15 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 16 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 17 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 18 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 19 Sweets derationing

  • 20 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 21 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 22

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 23 New addition to Quay front

  • 24 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 25 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 26 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 27 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 28 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 29 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 30

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 31 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 32 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 33 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 34 New shipyard on schedule

  • 35 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 36 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 37

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 38 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 39 Centenary of Gazette

  • 40 New civic medallions

  • 41 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 42 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 43 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 44 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 45 The Geneva marionettes

  • 46 From Bobby to Brian

  • 47 A story to tell!

  • 48 Bideford computer stars

  • 49 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 50

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 51 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 52 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 53

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 54 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 55 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 56 Simple Item 138
  • 57 Appledore's largest

  • 58 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 59 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 60 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 61 The art of the thatcher

  • 62 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 63 Peter poses for TV film

  • 64 Just over a year old

  • 65 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 66 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 67 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 68 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 69 Six footed lamb

  • 70 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 71 Devil sent packing

  • 72 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 73 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 74

    Building works
  • 75 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 76 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 77 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 78 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 79 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 80 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 81 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 83 Private home for public pump

  • 84 Life begins at 80

  • 85 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 86 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 87 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 88 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 89 Torrington's new amenity

  • 90 For crying out loud!

  • 91 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 92 Service with a smile

  • 93 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 94 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 95 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 96 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 97 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 98 Loads of black and white

  • 99 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 100 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 101 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 102 Mobile missionary

  • 103 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 104

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 105 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 106 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 107 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 108 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 110 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 111 Recognise this resort?

  • 112

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 113 Northam footballers of the future

  • 114 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 115 They are parted pro-tem

  • 116 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 117 No laughing matter

  • 118 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 119 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 120 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 121 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 122 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 123 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 124 Torrington in 1967

  • 125 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 126 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 127 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 128 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 129 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 130 Ten year old scrambler

  • 131 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 132 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 133 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 134 Puppet characters introduced

  • 135

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 136

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 137 Waldon Triplets
  • 138

    Relatives all over the world
  • 139 Ships at Bideford

  • 140

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 141 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 142 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 143 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 144 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 145 Littleham family's five generations

  • 146 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 147 Picking the pops

  • 148 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 149 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 150 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 151 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 152 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 153 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 154 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 155 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 156 Pannier Market's future?

  • 157 Torridge wins on time schedule

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

  • 159 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 160 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 161 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 162 New Post Office

  • 163 Parkham plan realised

  • 164 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 165 A man and his wheel

  • 166 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 167 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 168 No sale of Springfield House

  • 169 113 years at Instow

  • 170 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 171 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 172 Emergency ferry services

  • 173 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 174 Bideford loses training ship

  • 175 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 176 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 177 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 178 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 179 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 180 Torrington children build igloo
  • 181 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 182

    Married in 1908
  • 183 Artisans' Club

  • 184 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 185 Clovelly nightmare

  • 186

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 187 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 188 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 189 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 190 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 191

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 192 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 193 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 194 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 195 A bird of their own!

  • 196 End of the line

  • 197 Modern living at Bideford

  • 198 Riverside mystery

  • 199 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 200 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 201 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 202 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 203 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 204 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 205 Capers on the cobbles

  • 206 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 207 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 208 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 209

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 210 Bridging the stream

  • 211 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 212 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 213 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 214 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 215 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 216 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 217 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 218 Traditions and skills still there

  • 219 Some 240 exhibits

  • 220 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 221 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 222 Cruising down the river

  • 223 The cab at the corner>
  • 224 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 225 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 226

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 227 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 228 Jumble sale fever

  • 229 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 230 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 231 When horses score over the tractor

  • 232 Last train from Torrington

  • 233 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 234 Picking the pops

  • 235 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 236 Revenge in style

  • 237 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 238 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 239 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 240 All for the love of a lady!

  • 241 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 242 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 243 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 244 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 245

    Exhibition of school work
  • 246

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 247 A roof-top view - where?

  • 248 New art gallery opened

  • 249 Hartland postman retires

  • 250

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 251 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 252 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 253 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 254 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 255 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 256 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 257 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 258 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 259

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 260 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 261 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 262 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 263 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 264 Northam's almshouse

  • 265 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 266 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 267 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

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

  • 270 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 271 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 272 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 273 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 274 Hartland Dancers
  • 275 New choral society's growing response

  • 276 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 277 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 278 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 279 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 280 He beat the floods

  • 281 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 282 New life for Hartland organ

  • 283 School crossing patrol begins

  • 284 All aboard the ark

  • 285 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 286 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 287 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 288 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 289

    New gateway
  • 290 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 291 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 292 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 293 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 294 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 295 Weare Giffard potato

  • 296

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 297 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 298 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 299

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 300 Finished in 1876

  • 301 Some mushroom!

  • 302 By pony and trap to market

  • 303 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 304 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 305 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 306 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 307 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 308 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 309 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 310 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 311 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 312 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 313 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 314 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 315 Out of puff!

  • 316 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 317 New Lundy stamps

  • 318 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 319 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 320 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 321 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 322 It really was the 'last time'

  • 323 Penny for the guy

  • 324 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 326 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 327 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 328 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 329 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 330 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 331 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 332 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 333 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 334

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 335 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 336 First ship in 8 years

  • 337 Twenty-one yachts

  • 338 Happy Days!

  • 339 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 340 Filming at Hartland

  • 341 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 342 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 343 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 344 So this is the mainland!

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

  • 346 Clovelly custom

  • 347 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 348 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 350 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 351

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 352 New look in the hayfields

  • 353 What's the time?

  • 354 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 355 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 356 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 358 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 359 Sight of a lifetime

  • 360 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 361 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 362 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 363 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 364

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 365 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 366 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 367 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 368 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 369 School's link with cargo ship

  • 370

    Was a missionary
  • 371 Can spring be far away?

  • 372 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 373 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 374

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 375 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 376 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 377 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 378 Decontrol of meat

  • 379 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 380 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 381 Variety in summer weather

  • 382

    First prize
  • 383 Bideford regatta

  • 384 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 385 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 386 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 387 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 388 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 389 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 390 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 391 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 392 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 393 Police station view of Bideford

  • 394 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 395 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 396 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 397 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 398 Burnard family reunion

  • 399 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 400 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 401 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 402 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 403 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 404

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 405 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 406

    Bidefordians
  • 407 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 408 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 409 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 410 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 412 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 413 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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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Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

Exhibition of stoneware

Art, pleasing design and usefulness are found happily blended in the exhibition of stoneware by Michael Leach, held in Bideford.

26 April 1968 Yelland potters exhibition at Bideford

Michael Leach, second son of Bernard Leach, of St Ives, established his own pottery at Yelland Manor 12 years ago.

Gazette article 26 April 1968

 

 

Colour TV salesman at eight

World's youngest colour TV demonstrator

At eight Andrew Hutchings (right) can lay a strong claim to being the world’s youngest colour TV demonstrator and salesman. And he can talk knowledgeably about the subject too, which makes him the envy of all his schoolfriends.

26 April 1968 Colour TV salesman at eight

Mr Michael Hutchings, principal of A.E. Hutchings Ltd., who lives in Bay View Road, Northam explained how it all came about. BBC 2 is available in North Devon but all the retailers’ shops in this locality are situated so low down geographically that none can demonstrate colour TV in them. His firm acquired a couple of sets and discovered that they would operate in his home. It was not always possible to send a demonstrator with those prospective customers and this was where Andrew came in.

Andrew is the third generation to be involved with broadcasting reception. With his grandfather it was sound radio, and as Mr Hutchings pointed out, most now in the trade have grown up with black and white TV.

Gazette article 26 April 1968

 

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

 

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