• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 2 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 3 Northam's almshouse

  • 4 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 5 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 6 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 7 Hartland Dancers
  • 8 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 9 Ships at Bideford

  • 10 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 11 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 12 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 13 Some 240 exhibits

  • 14 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 15

    Married in 1908
  • 16 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 17 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 18 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 19

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 20 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

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

  • 22 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 23 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 24

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 25 School's link with cargo ship

  • 26

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 27 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 28 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 29 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 30 Finished in 1876

  • 31 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 32

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 33 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 35 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 36 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 37 Penny for the guy

  • 38 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 39 Capers on the cobbles

  • 40 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 41 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 42 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 43 Some mushroom!

  • 44 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 45 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 47 Bideford regatta

  • 48 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 49 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 50 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 51 Can spring be far away?

  • 52 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 53 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 54 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 55 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 57 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 58 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 59 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 60 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 61 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 62 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 63 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 64 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 65 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 66 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 67 Devil sent packing

  • 68 A story to tell!

  • 69 Centenary of Gazette

  • 70 Torrington children build igloo
  • 71 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 72 Decontrol of meat

  • 73 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 74 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 75 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 77 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 78 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 79 Six footed lamb

  • 80 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 81 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 82 A bird of their own!

  • 83 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 84 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 85 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 86 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 87 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 88 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 89 Modern living at Bideford

  • 90 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 91 Torrington in 1967

  • 92 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 93 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 94 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 95 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 96 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 97 Service with a smile

  • 98 Weare Giffard potato

  • 99 Picking the pops

  • 100 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 101 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 102 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 103 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 104 When horses score over the tractor

  • 105 It really was the 'last time'

  • 106 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 107 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 108 No laughing matter

  • 109 Clovelly custom

  • 110

    Was a missionary
  • 111

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 112 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 113 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 114

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 115 Peter poses for TV film

  • 116 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 117 The art of the thatcher

  • 118 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 119 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 120 He beat the floods

  • 121 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 122 In their new robes and hats

  • 123

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 124 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 125 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 126 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 127 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 128 Clovelly nightmare

  • 129 Mobile missionary

  • 130 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 131

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 132 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 133 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 134

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 135 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 136 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 137 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 138 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 139 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 140 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 141 Loads of black and white

  • 142 Puppet characters introduced

  • 143 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 144 Circus comes to town

  • 145 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 146 They are parted pro-tem

  • 147 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 148 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 149 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 150

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 151 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 152 For crying out loud!

  • 153 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 154 A man and his wheel

  • 155 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 156 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 157 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 158 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 159 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 160 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 161 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 162 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 164 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 165

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 166 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 167 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 168 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 169 End of the line

  • 170 Artisans' Club

  • 171 Pannier Market's future?

  • 172 Bridging the stream

  • 173 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 174 Appledore's largest

  • 175 Private home for public pump

  • 176 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 177 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 178 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 179

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 180 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 181

    New gateway
  • 182 Riverside mystery

  • 183 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 185 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 186 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 187 Hartland's invitation

  • 188 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 189

    Bidefordians
  • 190 New civic medallions

  • 191 Police station view of Bideford

  • 192 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 193 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 194 Cruising down the river

  • 195 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 196 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 197

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 198 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 199 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 200 Happy Days!

  • 201 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 202 All aboard the ark

  • 203 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 204 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 205 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 206 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 207 New Post Office

  • 208 Twenty-one yachts

  • 209 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 210 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 211 Waldon Triplets
  • 212 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 213 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 214 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 215 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 216 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 217 Just over a year old

  • 218

    First prize
  • 219 School crossing patrol begins

  • 220 Parkham plan realised

  • 221 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 222 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 223 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 224 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 225 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 226 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 227 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 228 A roof-top view - where?

  • 229 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 230 Bideford loses training ship

  • 231 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 232 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 233 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 234 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 235 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 236 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 237 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 238 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 239 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 240

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 241 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 242 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 243 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 244 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 245

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 246 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 247 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 249 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 250

    Relatives all over the world
  • 251 Bideford computer stars

  • 252 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 253 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 254 First ship in 8 years

  • 255 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 256 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 257 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 258 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 259 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 260 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 261 What's the time?

  • 262

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 263 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 264 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 265 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 266 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 267 New shipyard on schedule

  • 268 New choral society's growing response

  • 269 New art gallery opened

  • 270 All for the love of a lady!

  • 271 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 272 Revenge in style

  • 273 Simple Item 138
  • 274 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 275 No sale of Springfield House

  • 276 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 277

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 278 Northam footballers of the future

  • 279 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 280 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 281 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 282 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 283 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 284 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 285 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 286 Warmington's garage ad

  • 287 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 288 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 289 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 291 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 292 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 293

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 294 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 295

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 296 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 297 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 298 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 299 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 300

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 301 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 302 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 303 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 304 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 305 Sight of a lifetime

  • 306 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 307

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 308 Picking the pops

  • 309 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 310 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 311

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 312 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 313 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 314 Last train from Torrington

  • 315 Out of puff!

  • 316 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 317

    Building works
  • 318 Jumble sale fever

  • 319 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 320 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 321

    Exhibition of school work
  • 322 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 323

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 324 Emergency ferry services

  • 325 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 326 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 327 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 328 Burnard family reunion

  • 329 Train returns to Westleigh straight

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

  • 331 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 332 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 333 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 334 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 335 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 336 Recognise this resort?

  • 337 Life begins at 80

  • 338 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 340 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 341 Off on a great adventure

  • 342 New life for Hartland organ

  • 343 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 344 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 345 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 346 Variety in summer weather

  • 347 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 348 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 349 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 350 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 351 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 352 Ten year old scrambler

  • 353 The Geneva marionettes

  • 354 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 355 113 years at Instow

  • 356 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 357 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 358 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 359 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 360 Littleham family's five generations

  • 361 New addition to Quay front

  • 362 By pony and trap to market

  • 363 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 364 New Lundy stamps

  • 365

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 366 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 367 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 368 Torrington's new amenity

  • 369 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 370 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 371 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 372

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 373 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 374 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 375 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 376 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 377 So this is the mainland!

  • 378 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 379 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 380 Traditions and skills still there

  • 381 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 382 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 383 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 384 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 385 Brothers reunion 1947
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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Gloves fit for a king!

Largest pair of gloves ever made in Torrington

What is believed to be the largest pair of gloves ever made by a local firm has been supplied by Sudbury’s Gloves Ltd. to the King of Tonga in the South Pacific. Made in grey nylon fabric for use on formal occasions, they measured 6 inches across the palm. The average man’s palm measures 3½ to 3¾ inches.

King Taufa’ abau the Fourth of Tonga stands about six feet five inches tall and weighs some 25 stone. He succeeded his mother, the late Queen Salote who won so much affection from the British people when she attended the Queen’s coronation.

Gloves fit for a king

Because of their exceptional size, the gloves had to be hand-cut at Sudbury’s Torrington factory by Mrs Sylvia Gilbert (above) one of their most experienced workers as their set of knives could not be used to do so.

Gazette article 1 March 1974

 

Shebbear sign-post blunder

Known as Sceaft Beara in 1050

and Sepesberia in the Domesday Book, Shebbear has had its name spelt in at least seven different ways over the centuries. Devon County Council have found yet another variation for 1974!

Shebbear sign post blunder

Gazette article 8 February 1974

Panto time at Westward Ho!

Latest in a long line of productions

presented each year by the Westward Ho! Follies is ‘Dick Whittington’. Producer Mrs Ada Powell has written in some interesting extras. ‘The children love a surprise’ she explained.

Mrs Powell is especially pleased at the number of men who have come forward to take part this year, boosting the cast to around 30. There will be 10 performances on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Panto time at Westward Ho!

In the picture are Cathy Sales, Lesley Pugh, Julie Lamey, Elizabeth Meadows, Hanna Wrey, Linda and Caroline Eastman, Jackie Clements and Julie Hodgkins.

Gazette article 11 January 1974

  • 1

Login Form