• 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 Bideford computer stars

  • 2 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 3 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 4 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 5 When horses score over the tractor

  • 6 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 7 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 8 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 9 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 10 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 11 Waldon Triplets
  • 12 Private home for public pump

  • 13 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 14 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 15 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 16 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 17 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 18 New civic medallions

  • 19 New look in the hayfields

  • 20

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 21 Burnard family reunion

  • 22 Torrington in 1967

  • 23 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 24 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 25 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 27 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 28

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 29 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 30

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 31 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 32 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 33 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 34 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 35 First ship in 8 years

  • 36 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 37 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 38 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 39

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 40 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 41 Recognise this resort?

  • 42 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 43 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 44 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 45 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 46 Cruising down the river

  • 47 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 48 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 49 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 50 A man and his wheel

  • 51 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 52 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 53 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 54 Picking the pops

  • 55 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 56 Mobile missionary

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

  • 58 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 59 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 60 He beat the floods

  • 61 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 62 New art gallery opened

  • 63

    Married in 1908
  • 64 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 65 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 66 Littleham family's five generations

  • 67 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 68 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 69 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 70 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 71 No sale of Springfield House

  • 72 No laughing matter

  • 73 Hartland's invitation

  • 74 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 75 It really was the 'last time'

  • 76 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 77 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 78 Hartland Dancers
  • 79 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 80 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 81 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 82 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 83 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 84 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 85 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 86 Devil sent packing

  • 87

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 88

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 89 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 90 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 91 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 92 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 93 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 94 End of the line

  • 95 Peter poses for TV film

  • 96 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 97 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 98 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 99 Loads of black and white

  • 100 Just over a year old

  • 101 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 102 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 103 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 104 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 106 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 107 Torrington children build igloo
  • 108 Twenty-one yachts

  • 109 Hartland postman retires

  • 110 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 111 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 112 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 113 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 114

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 115 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 116

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 117 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 118 Weare Giffard potato

  • 119 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 120 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 121 New shipyard on schedule

  • 122 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 123 Capers on the cobbles

  • 124 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 125 Centenary of Gazette

  • 126 New life for Hartland organ

  • 127 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 128 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 129 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 130 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 131 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 132 New Lundy stamps

  • 133 They are parted pro-tem

  • 134 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 135 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 136 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 137 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 138 Northam footballers of the future

  • 139 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 140 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 141 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 142 Artisans' Club

  • 143 Torrington's new amenity

  • 144 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 145 Life begins at 80

  • 146 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 147 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 148 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 149 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 150 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 151 113 years at Instow

  • 152 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 153 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

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

  • 155 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 156 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 157 A roof-top view - where?

  • 158 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 159 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 160 New Post Office

  • 161 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 162

    New gateway
  • 163 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 164 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 165 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 166 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 168 Northam's almshouse

  • 169 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 170 Appledore's largest

  • 171 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 172 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 173 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 174 Ships at Bideford

  • 175 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 176 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 177 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 178 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 179 New addition to Quay front

  • 180 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 181 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 182

    Exhibition of school work
  • 183 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 184 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 185 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 186 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 187 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 188 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 189 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 190 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 191 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 192 Penny for the guy

  • 193 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 195 Pannier Market's future?

  • 196 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 197 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 198 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 199 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 200 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 201 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 202 Ten year old scrambler

  • 203 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 204 Last train from Torrington

  • 205 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 206 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 207 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 208

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 209 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 210 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 211 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 212 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 213 Revenge in style

  • 214 Six footed lamb

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

  • 216 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 217

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 218 Happy Days!

  • 219 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 220

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 221 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 222 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 223 In their new robes and hats

  • 224 Simple Item 138
  • 225 Police station view of Bideford

  • 226 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 227

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 228 Emergency ferry services

  • 229 All aboard the ark

  • 230 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 231 Sight of a lifetime

  • 232 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 233 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 234 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 235 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 236 Parkham plan realised

  • 237

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 238 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 239 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 240 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 241 The Geneva marionettes

  • 242 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 243 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 244 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 245 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 246 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 247

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 248

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 249

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 250 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 251 North Devon Driving School

  • 252 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 253

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 254

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 255 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 256 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 257 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 258 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 259 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 260 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 261 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 262 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 263 A bird of their own!

  • 264 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 265 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 266 Decontrol of meat

  • 267 All for the love of a lady!

  • 268 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 269 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 270 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 271 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 272 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 273

    Building works
  • 274 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 275 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 276 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 277 Warmington's garage ad

  • 278 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 279 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 281 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 282 So this is the mainland!

  • 283 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 284 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 285

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 286 Out of puff!

  • 287 Variety in summer weather

  • 288 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 289

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 290 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 291 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 292 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 293 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 294 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 295 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 296 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 297 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 298

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 299 School crossing patrol begins

  • 300 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 301 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 302 Finished in 1876

  • 303 Service with a smile

  • 304 Clovelly custom

  • 305 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 306

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 307 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 308 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 309 Some 240 exhibits

  • 310 Riverside mystery

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

  • 312

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 313

    Was a missionary
  • 314 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 315 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 316 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 317 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 318 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 319 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 320

    Bidefordians
  • 321 New choral society's growing response

  • 322

    First prize
  • 323 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 324 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 325 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 326 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 327 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 329 Picking the pops

  • 330 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 331 Bridging the stream

  • 332 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 333 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 334 Bideford regatta

  • 335 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 336 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 337 For crying out loud!

  • 338 What's the time?

  • 339 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 340 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 341 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 342 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 344 Some mushroom!

  • 345 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 346 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 347 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 348 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 349 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 350 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 351 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 352 By pony and trap to market

  • 353

    Relatives all over the world
  • 354 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 355 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 356 Puppet characters introduced

  • 357 Clovelly nightmare

  • 358 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 359 Off on a great adventure

  • 360 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 361 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 362 A story to tell!

  • 363 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 364 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 365 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 366 Circus comes to town

  • 367 Can spring be far away?

  • 368 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 369 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 371 Bideford loses training ship

  • 372 Modern living at Bideford

  • 373 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 374

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 375 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 376 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 377 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 378 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 379

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 380 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 381 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 382 School's link with cargo ship

  • 383 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 385 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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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  • 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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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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Photo of town’s first car wins prize

Bideford's first motor car

This was Bideford’s first motor car. A belt-driven Benz of 4½ horse power made in 1902. It belonged to the late Dr E.J. Toye. When first driven through the streets by Dr Toye’s chauffeur, Mr W. Jewell, it caused quite a stir.

Newsagent Mr Dick Keates, now 75, remembers how, as a young boy, he and his pals would run from swimming on the sand banks of the river to push the car up Barnstaple hill, for which they would receive a penny.

22 October 1965 Photo of towns first car wins prize

The picture above, of Mr Jewell in the car, belongs to Mr Jewell’s daughter Mrs W. McCarthy, now of Cardiff. Recently it gained second prize out of over 200 entries in a photographic competition for veteran and vintage cars.

Gazette article 22 October 1965

Farewell to passenger trains

Last passenger train to Barnstaple

There was a civic farewell at Bideford railway station on Saturday evening for the last regular passenger train on the up line to Barnstaple.

The Mayor (Mrs Ethelwynne Brown) escorted by the Stationmaster (Mr H.J. Mock) went into the signal box where, under the supervision of the signal man, Mr Fred Harvey, she pulled the lever to signal the train to Bideford from Torrington. Before the arrival of the train, she thanked the railway staff past and present for their services to the public.

8 October 1965 Farewell to passenger trains

On the return journey from Barnstaple a few farewell detonators were exploded by the train and an effigy of Dr Beeching made its appearance.

Gazette article 8 October 1965

 

 

Death – and birth – of a telephone exchange

Subscriber trunk dialling comes to Bideford

For a few minutes next Wednesday every G.P.O. telephone in Bideford and Northam will be dead. Thereafter never again will local subscribers be asked by Bideford Exchange ‘Number please’.

The changeover to subscriber trunk dialling is scheduled for 1.30 p.m.

9 July 1965 Death and birth of a telephone exchange

The new service will be officially inaugurated by the Mayor (Mrs E.J. Brown) at about 6 p.m. that day. At a reception at the Town Hall she will dial the London number of an official of the London-Bidefordian Society. Amplifiers will enable all at the reception to hear the conversation.

Gazette article 9 July 1965

 

 

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