• 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 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 2 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 3 Bridging the stream

  • 4 Northam footballers of the future

  • 5 New look in the hayfields

  • 6 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 7 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 8 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 10

    Bidefordians
  • 11

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 12 Littleham family's five generations

  • 13

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 14 Ships at Bideford

  • 15 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 17 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 18 New art gallery opened

  • 19 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 20 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 21 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 22 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 23 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 24 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 25 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 26 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 27

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 28 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 29 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 30 Just over a year old

  • 31 Bideford loses training ship

  • 32 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 33 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 34 Devil sent packing

  • 35 Torrington's new amenity

  • 36 Peter poses for TV film

  • 37 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 38 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 39 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 40 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 41 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 42 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 43 School's link with cargo ship

  • 44 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 45 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 46 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 47 Traditions and skills still there

  • 48 School crossing patrol begins

  • 49 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 50 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 51 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 52 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 53 Torrington in 1967

  • 54 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 55 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 56 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 57 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 58 Artisans' Club

  • 59 Clovelly custom

  • 60 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 61 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 62 North Devon Driving School

  • 63 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 64 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 65 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 66 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 67 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 68 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 69 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 70 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 71

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 72 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 73 Appledore's largest

  • 74 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 75 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 76 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 78

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 79

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 80 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 81 Filming at Hartland

  • 82 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 83 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 84 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 85 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 86 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 87 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 88 Last train from Torrington

  • 89 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 90 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 91 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 92 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 93 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 94 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 95 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 96 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 98 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 99 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 100 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 101 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 102 When horses score over the tractor

  • 103 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 104 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 105 Clovelly nightmare

  • 106 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 107 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 108 Finished in 1876

  • 109 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 110 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 111 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 112 Loads of black and white

  • 113 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 114 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 115 Waldon Triplets
  • 116 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 117

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 118 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 120 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 121

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 122 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 123 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 124 Revenge in style

  • 125 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 126 Some mushroom!

  • 127

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 128 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 129 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 130 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 131 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 132

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 133 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 134 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 135 Simple Item 138
  • 136 Warmington's garage ad

  • 137 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 138 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 139 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 140 First ship in 8 years

  • 141 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 142 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 143 Bideford computer stars

  • 144 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 145 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 146 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 147 The cab at the corner>
  • 148 He beat the floods

  • 149 Recognise this resort?

  • 150 Pannier Market's future?

  • 151 Circus comes to town

  • 152 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 153 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 154 Variety in summer weather

  • 155 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 156 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 157 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 158 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 159 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 160 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 161

    Married in 1908
  • 162 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 163 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 164 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 165

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 166 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 167 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 168

    First prize
  • 169 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 170 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 171 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 172 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 173 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 174 Ten year old scrambler

  • 175 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 176 No laughing matter

  • 177 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 178 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 179

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 180 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 181 Some 240 exhibits

  • 182 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 183 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 184 Puppet characters introduced

  • 185 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 186 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 187 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 188 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 189 For crying out loud!

  • 190 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 191 New civic medallions

  • 192 It really was the 'last time'

  • 193 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 194 They are parted pro-tem

  • 195 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 196

    New gateway
  • 197 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 198 Six footed lamb

  • 199 Penny for the guy

  • 200 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 201 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 202 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 203 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 204 From Bobby to Brian

  • 205 So this is the mainland!

  • 206 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 207 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 208 A story to tell!

  • 209 Off on a great adventure

  • 210 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 211 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 212 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 213 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 214 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 215 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 216 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 217 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 218 Twenty-one yachts

  • 219 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 220

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 221 Hartland postman retires

  • 222 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 223

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 224

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 225 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 226 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 227 By pony and trap to market

  • 228 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 229 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 230 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 231 A bird of their own!

  • 232 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 233 Emergency ferry services

  • 234 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 235 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 236 Private home for public pump

  • 237 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 238 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 239 Hartland's invitation

  • 240 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 241 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 242 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 243 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 244 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 245 New Lundy stamps

  • 246 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 247 Cruising down the river

  • 248 113 years at Instow

  • 249 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 250 Weare Giffard potato

  • 251

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 252 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 253

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 254 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 255 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 257 Capers on the cobbles

  • 258 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 259 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 260 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 261 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 262

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 263 Jumble sale fever

  • 264 New life for Hartland organ

  • 265 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 266 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 267 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 268 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 269 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 270 All aboard the ark

  • 271 Parkham plan realised

  • 272 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 273 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 274 Decontrol of meat

  • 275

    Relatives all over the world
  • 276 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 277 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 278 Riverside mystery

  • 279 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 280 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 281 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 282 Sight of a lifetime

  • 283 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 284 The art of the thatcher

  • 285 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 286 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 287 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 288 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 289 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 290 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 291 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 292 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 293 New choral society's growing response

  • 294 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 295 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 296 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 297 Hartland Dancers
  • 298 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 299 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 300 Life begins at 80

  • 301 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 302 New addition to Quay front

  • 303 A roof-top view - where?

  • 304 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 305 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 306 Picking the pops

  • 307 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 308 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 309 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 310 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 311 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 312 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 313 Out of puff!

  • 314 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 315 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

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

  • 317 New shipyard on schedule

  • 318 Sweets derationing

  • 319

    Was a missionary
  • 320 Picking the pops

  • 321 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 322

    Exhibition of school work
  • 323

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 324 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 325 Service with a smile

  • 326 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 327 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 328 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 330 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 331 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 332 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 333 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 334 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 335 Centenary of Gazette

  • 336 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 337 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 338 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 339 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 340 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 341 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 342 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 343 What's the time?

  • 344 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 345 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 346 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 347 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 348 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 349 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 350 Police station view of Bideford

  • 351

    Building works
  • 352 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 353 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 354 Bideford regatta

  • 355 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 356

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 357 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 358 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 359 Happy Days!

  • 360 A man and his wheel

  • 361 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 362 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 363 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 364 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 365 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 366 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 367 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 368 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 369 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 371 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 372 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 373 In their new robes and hats

  • 374 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 375

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 376 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 377 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 378

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 379 No sale of Springfield House

  • 380 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 381 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 382 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 383 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 384 All for the love of a lady!

  • 385 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 386 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 387 Modern living at Bideford

  • 388 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 389 Burnard family reunion

  • 390 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 391 Mobile missionary

  • 392

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 393 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 394 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 395 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 396 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 397 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 398 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 399

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 400 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 401 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 402

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 403 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 404 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 405 New Post Office

  • 406 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 407 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 408 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 409 The Geneva marionettes

  • 410 End of the line

  • 411 Torrington children build igloo
  • 412 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 413 Dismantling of wireless mast

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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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

 

 

School’s link with cargo ship

Bideford school 'adopts' ship

A cargo ship steaming across the Pacific Ocean is in contact with a Bideford school. The ship is the 10,000-ton Amalric which plies between New Zealand and the West Indies. Her master, Capt. Richmond, keeps the children of Westcroft Primary School who have ‘adopted’ the ship, well informed about her voyages.

4 June 1965 Schools link with cargo ship

Capt. Richmond corresponds with the school, sending details of cargoes, routes, photographs, colour slides and other items of interest, as well as answering written questions from the children. Our picture shows four children looking at some of the things sent by Capt. Richmond.

Gazette article 4 June 1965

 

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