• 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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    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 2 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 3 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 4 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 5 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 6 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 7 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 8 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 9 End of the line

  • 10

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 11 Torrington in 1967

  • 12 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 13 Warmington's garage ad

  • 14 Ten year old scrambler

  • 15 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 16 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 17 Police station view of Bideford

  • 18 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 19 Sight of a lifetime

  • 20 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 21

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 22

    Was a missionary
  • 23 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 24 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 25 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 26 New look in the hayfields

  • 27 By pony and trap to market

  • 28 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 29 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 30 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 31 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 32

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 33 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 34 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 35 Happy Days!

  • 36 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 37 Cruising down the river

  • 38 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 39 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 40 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 41 A bird of their own!

  • 42 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 43 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 44 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 45 New addition to Quay front

  • 46 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 47 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 48 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 49 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 50 Circus comes to town

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

  • 52 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 53 Weare Giffard potato

  • 54 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 55 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 56 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 57 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 58 When horses score over the tractor

  • 59 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 60 Bridging the stream

  • 61 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 62 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 63 What's the time?

  • 64

    Exhibition of school work
  • 65 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 66 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 67 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 68 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 69 Clovelly custom

  • 70 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 71 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 72 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 73 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 74 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 75 Life begins at 80

  • 76

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 77 Recognise this resort?

  • 78 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 79 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 80 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 81 School crossing patrol begins

  • 82 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 83 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 84 Simple Item 138
  • 85 Bideford computer stars

  • 86 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 87

    Relatives all over the world
  • 88 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 89 Clovelly nightmare

  • 90 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 91 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 92 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 93 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 94 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 95 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 96 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 97

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 98 Torrington's new amenity

  • 99 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 101 New art gallery opened

  • 102 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 103 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 104 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 105 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 106 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 107 In their new robes and hats

  • 108 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 109 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 110 Bideford regatta

  • 111 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 112 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 113 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 114 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 116 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 117 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 118 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 119 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 120 Six footed lamb

  • 121 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 122 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 123

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 124 They are parted pro-tem

  • 125 New shipyard on schedule

  • 126 113 years at Instow

  • 127 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 128 Out of puff!

  • 129

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

  • 131 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 132 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 133 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 134 North Devon Driving School

  • 135 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 136 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 137 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 138 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 139 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 140 Just over a year old

  • 141 Jumble sale fever

  • 142 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 143 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 144 Peter poses for TV film

  • 145 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 146 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 148 All for the love of a lady!

  • 149 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 150 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 151 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 152 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 153 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 154 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 155 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 156 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 157 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 158 Some 240 exhibits

  • 159 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 160 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 161 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 163

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 164 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 165 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 166 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 167 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 168 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 169 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 170 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 171 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 172 Can spring be far away?

  • 173 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 174 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 175

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 176 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 177 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 178 Bideford loses training ship

  • 179 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 180 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 181 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 182 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 183 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 184 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 185

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 186 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 187 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 188

    Building works
  • 189 Riverside mystery

  • 190 Private home for public pump

  • 191 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 192 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 193 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 194 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 195 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 196 Modern living at Bideford

  • 197 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 198 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 199 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 200

    Married in 1908
  • 201 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 202 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 203 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 204 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 205 Appledore's largest

  • 206 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 207

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 208 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 209 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 210 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 211 Northam's almshouse

  • 212 No sale of Springfield House

  • 213 Sweets derationing

  • 214 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 215 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 216 The cab at the corner>
  • 217 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 219 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 220 Pannier Market's future?

  • 221

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 222 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 223 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 224 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 225 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 226 A man and his wheel

  • 227 Revenge in style

  • 228

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 229 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 230 Centenary of Gazette

  • 231 Twenty-one yachts

  • 232 New life for Hartland organ

  • 233 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 234 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 235 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 236 Mobile missionary

  • 237 New choral society's growing response

  • 238 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 239 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 240 Parkham plan realised

  • 241 For crying out loud!

  • 242 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 243 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 244 He beat the floods

  • 245 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 246 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 247

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 248 Waldon Triplets
  • 249 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 250 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 251 Hartland postman retires

  • 252 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 253 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 254 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 255 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 256 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 257 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 258 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 259 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 260 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 261 So this is the mainland!

  • 262 The art of the thatcher

  • 263 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 264 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 266 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 267 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 268 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 269

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 270 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 271 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 272 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 274 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 275 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 276 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 277

    New gateway
  • 278 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 279 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 280 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 281 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 282 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 283 It really was the 'last time'

  • 284 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 285 Filming at Hartland

  • 286 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 287

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 288 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 289 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 290 Picking the pops

  • 291 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 292

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 293 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 294 New Lundy stamps

  • 295 Littleham family's five generations

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

  • 297 Puppet characters introduced

  • 298 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 299 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 300 Decontrol of meat

  • 301 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 302 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 303 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 304 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 305 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 306 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 307 Off on a great adventure

  • 308 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 309 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 310 Variety in summer weather

  • 311 Picking the pops

  • 312 Traditions and skills still there

  • 313 A story to tell!

  • 314 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 315 Some mushroom!

  • 316 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 317 Burnard family reunion

  • 318 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 319 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 320

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 321 Penny for the guy

  • 322 Hartland's invitation

  • 323

    Bidefordians
  • 324 All aboard the ark

  • 325 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 326 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 327 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 328 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 329 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 330 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 331 Artisans' Club

  • 332 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 333 Emergency ferry services

  • 334 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 335 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 336 New civic medallions

  • 337 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 338 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 339 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 340 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 341 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 342 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 343 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 344 The Geneva marionettes

  • 345 New Post Office

  • 346 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 347 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 348 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 349 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 350 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 351

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 352 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 353

    First prize
  • 354 Hartland Dancers
  • 355 From Bobby to Brian

  • 356 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 357 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 358 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 359 Devil sent packing

  • 360 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 361 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 362

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 363 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 364 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 365 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 366 Capers on the cobbles

  • 367 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 368 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 369 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 370 Service with a smile

  • 371 Loads of black and white

  • 372 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 373 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 374 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 375 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 376 A roof-top view - where?

  • 377 Torrington children build igloo
  • 378 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 379 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 380 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 381 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 382 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 383 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 384 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 385

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 386 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 387 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 388 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 389 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 390 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 391 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 392 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 393 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 394 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 395 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 396 First ship in 8 years

  • 397 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 399 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 400

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 401 No laughing matter

  • 402

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 403

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 404 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 405 Finished in 1876

  • 406 School's link with cargo ship

  • 407 Northam footballers of the future

  • 408 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 409 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 410 Last train from Torrington

  • 411 Television comes to Torridge District

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

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

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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New fire and ambulance stations

Bideford's new fire and ambulance stations

Bideford now has a brand new fire and ambulance station side by side on the site in Old Town which they formerly occupied but with old and inconvenient premises.

5 November 1965 New fire and ambulance stations

Total cost of the fire station is £22,000 and includes a watch room, drill tower, recreation-cum-lecture room and bay accommodation for three appliances.

There is accommodation for two ambulances and the usual staff facilities. In addition to three full-time men there, services of St John Ambulance volunteers are available.

Gazette article 5 November 1965

 

Weare Giffard potato

Rabbit in Weare Giffard

Weare Giffard is famous for its strawberries and, it would seem, for its potatoes too. Here is an intriguing ‘spud’ shaped like a rabbit and grown by Mr and Mrs Walter Hedden of The Barton, Weare Giffard. Their nephew, 16 year old Michael, son of Mr and Mrs Penn, 2 Honestone Street, Bideford, thought it worth noting by Weare Giffard’s local paper!

29 October 1965 Weare Giffard potato

Gazette article 29 October 1965

 

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

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