• 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 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 2 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 3 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 4 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 5

    First prize
  • 6 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 8 New choral society's growing response

  • 9

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 10 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 11 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 12 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 13 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 14 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 15 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 16 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 17 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 18 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 19 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 20 End of the line

  • 21 For crying out loud!

  • 22 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 23 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 24 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 25 Torrington's new amenity

  • 26 New shipyard on schedule

  • 27 School's link with cargo ship

  • 28

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 29 Modern living at Bideford

  • 30 Sweets derationing

  • 31 Some 240 exhibits

  • 32 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 33 A bird of their own!

  • 34 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 35 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 36 Torrington children build igloo
  • 37

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 38 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 39 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 40 Happy Days!

  • 41

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 42 Peter poses for TV film

  • 43 Decontrol of meat

  • 44 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 45 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 46 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 47

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 48 New Lundy stamps

  • 49 Northam footballers of the future

  • 50 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 51

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 52 In their new robes and hats

  • 53 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 54

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 55 Warmington's garage ad

  • 56 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 57 New civic medallions

  • 58 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 59 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 60 Circus comes to town

  • 61 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 62

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 63 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 64 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

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

  • 66 Hartland Dancers
  • 67 The Geneva marionettes

  • 68 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 69 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 70 By pony and trap to market

  • 71

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 72 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 73 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 74

    Exhibition of school work
  • 75 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 76 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 77 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 78 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 80 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 81 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 82

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 83 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 84 Burnard family reunion

  • 85 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 86 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 87 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 88 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 89 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 90 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 91 All for the love of a lady!

  • 92 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 93 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 94 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 95 Mobile missionary

  • 96 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 97 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 98 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 99 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 100 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 101 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 102 Centenary of Gazette

  • 103 Emergency ferry services

  • 104 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 105 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 106 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 107 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 108 No sale of Springfield House

  • 109 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 110 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 111 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 112 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 113 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 114 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 115 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 116 The cab at the corner>
  • 117 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 118 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 119 The art of the thatcher

  • 120 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

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

  • 123

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 124 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 125 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 126 School crossing patrol begins

  • 127 Capers on the cobbles

  • 128 Filming at Hartland

  • 129 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 130 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 131 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 132 What's the time?

  • 133 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 134 Bideford loses training ship

  • 135 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 136 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 137 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 138 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 139 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 140 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 141 Northam's almshouse

  • 142 A man and his wheel

  • 143 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 144 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 145 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 146

    Building works
  • 147 A story to tell!

  • 148 Twenty-one yachts

  • 149 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 150 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 151 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 152 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

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

  • 154 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 155 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 156 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 157 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 158 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 159 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 160 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 161 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 162 Can spring be far away?

  • 163 Pannier Market's future?

  • 164 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 165 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 166 New art gallery opened

  • 167 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 168 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 169 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 170 So this is the mainland!

  • 171 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 172 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 173

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 174 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 175 Picking the pops

  • 176 Torrington in 1967

  • 177

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 178

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 179 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 180 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 181 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 182 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 183

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 184 Finished in 1876

  • 185 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 186 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 187 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 188 Appledore's largest

  • 189

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 190 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 191 New addition to Quay front

  • 192 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 193 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 194 Simple Item 138
  • 195 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 196

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 197 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 198 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 200 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 201 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 202 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 203 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 204 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 205 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 206 Clovelly custom

  • 207 Private home for public pump

  • 208 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 209 New look in the hayfields

  • 210 Ships at Bideford

  • 211 Cruising down the river

  • 212 Hartland's invitation

  • 213 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 214 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 215 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 216

    Was a missionary
  • 217 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 218 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 219 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 220 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 221 Recognise this resort?

  • 222 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 223 Sight of a lifetime

  • 224 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 225 Littleham family's five generations

  • 226 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 227 New Post Office

  • 228

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 229 Last train from Torrington

  • 230 Puppet characters introduced

  • 231 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 232 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 233 Artisans' Club

  • 234 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 235 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 236 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 237 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 238 It really was the 'last time'

  • 239 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 240 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 241 Bridging the stream

  • 242 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 243 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 244 From Bobby to Brian

  • 245 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 246 Life begins at 80

  • 247 Police station view of Bideford

  • 248 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 249 Hartland postman retires

  • 250 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 251 Parkham plan realised

  • 252 A roof-top view - where?

  • 253 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 254 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 255 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 256 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 257 Service with a smile

  • 258 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 259

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 260 Traditions and skills still there

  • 261 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 262 113 years at Instow

  • 263 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 264 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 265

    New gateway
  • 266 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 267 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 268 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 269 They are parted pro-tem

  • 270 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 271

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 272 Bideford regatta

  • 273 All aboard the ark

  • 274

    Married in 1908
  • 275 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 276 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 277 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 278 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 279 First ship in 8 years

  • 280 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 281

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 282 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 283 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 284 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 285 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 286 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 287 New life for Hartland organ

  • 288 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 289 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 290 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 291

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 292 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 293 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 294 Out of puff!

  • 295 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 296 Six footed lamb

  • 297

    Bidefordians
  • 298 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 299 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 300 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 301 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 302 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 303 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 304 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 305 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 306 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 307 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 308 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 309 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 310 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 311 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 312

    Relatives all over the world
  • 313 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 315 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 316 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 317 Clovelly nightmare

  • 318 North Devon Driving School

  • 319 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 320 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 321 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 322 Picking the pops

  • 323 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 324 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 325 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 326 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 327 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 329 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 330 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 331

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 332 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 333 Train returns to Westleigh straight

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

  • 335 Just over a year old

  • 336 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 337 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 338 Devil sent packing

  • 339 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 340 Bideford computer stars

  • 341 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 342 Riverside mystery

  • 343 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 344 Loads of black and white

  • 345 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 346 Ten year old scrambler

  • 347 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 348 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 349 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 350 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 351 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 352 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 353 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 354 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 355 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 356 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 357 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 359 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 360 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 361 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 362 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 363 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 365 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 366 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 367 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 368 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 369 Waldon Triplets
  • 370 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 371 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 372 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 373 He beat the floods

  • 374 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 375 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 376 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 377 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 378 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 379 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 380 Variety in summer weather

  • 381 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 382 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 383 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 384 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 385 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 386 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 387 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 388 Jumble sale fever

  • 389 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 390 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 391 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 392 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 393 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 394 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 395 Revenge in style

  • 396

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 397 No laughing matter

  • 398 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 399 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 400 Penny for the guy

  • 401 Weare Giffard potato

  • 402 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 403 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 404 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

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

  • 407 Some mushroom!

  • 408 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 409 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 410 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 411

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 412 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 413 Record player of 80 years ago

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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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

 

Reed threshing ‘putting the clock back’ at Weare Giffard

Reed-threshing at Weare Giffard

The last time reed-threshing was seen in the village of Weare Giffard was about 30 years ago and it could be another 30 years before it is seen again.

Mr John Moore of Riversdale, Weare Giffard, heard of a sudden demand for thatch to re-roof some of the several remaining thatched buildings in the area. As it was proving difficult to obtain, Mr Moore decided to put the clock back temporarily to when reed-threshing was commonplace and hired a ‘reed comber’ (the machine which threshes the wheat seen in the photo) from Messrs. Murch of Little Torrington and set to work with a dozen or so helpers.

1 December 1967 Reed threshing at Weare Giffard

Four men were all ‘reed-threshing’ veterans, starting when in their early teens and all expect this to be the last time they will do the operation. Two, Messrs. Bill and Charlie Marshall, used to follow the ‘reed comber’ around the local countryside as it was hired out to the various farms.

Gazette article 1 December 1967

 

 

 

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