• 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 Recognise this resort?

  • 2 Sweets derationing

  • 3

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 4 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 5 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 6 Peter poses for TV film

  • 7 Emergency ferry services

  • 8 In their new robes and hats

  • 9 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 10 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 11 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 12 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 13 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 15 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 16

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 17 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 18

    New gateway
  • 19 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 20 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 21 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 22 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 23 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 24 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 25 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 26 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 27 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 28 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 29 Traditions and skills still there

  • 30 Off on a great adventure

  • 31 No laughing matter

  • 32 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 33 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 34 Circus comes to town

  • 35 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 36 Happy Days!

  • 37 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 38 End of the line

  • 39 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 40 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 41 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 42 No sale of Springfield House

  • 43 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 44 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 45 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 46 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 48 New choral society's growing response

  • 49

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 50 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 51 New Post Office

  • 52 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 53 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 54 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 55 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 56 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 57 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 59 He beat the floods

  • 60 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 61 Northam's almshouse

  • 62 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 63

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 64 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 65 Riverside mystery

  • 66

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 67 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 68 Northam footballers of the future

  • 69 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 70 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 71 What's the time?

  • 72 Ships at Bideford

  • 73 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 74 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 75 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 76

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 77 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 78 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 79 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 80 Six footed lamb

  • 81 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 82 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 83 Some mushroom!

  • 84 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 85 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 86 Service with a smile

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

  • 88 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 89

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 90 Littleham family's five generations

  • 91 Twenty-one yachts

  • 92 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 93 Just over a year old

  • 94 It really was the 'last time'

  • 95 Puppet characters introduced

  • 96 Picking the pops

  • 97 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 98 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 99 Ten year old scrambler

  • 100 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 101 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 102 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 103 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 104 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 105 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 106 Bridging the stream

  • 107

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 108 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 109 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 110 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 111 Torrington children build igloo
  • 112 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 113 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 114 New shipyard on schedule

  • 115 Sight of a lifetime

  • 116 Jumble sale fever

  • 117 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 118 From Bobby to Brian

  • 119

    First prize
  • 120 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 121

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 122 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 123 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 124 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 125 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 126 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 127 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 128 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 129 Hartland's invitation

  • 130 Polish custom on Pancake Day

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

  • 132 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 133 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 134 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 135 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 136 Clovelly custom

  • 137 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 138 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 139 Artisans' Club

  • 140 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 141 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 142 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 143 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 144 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 145 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 146 Weare Giffard potato

  • 147 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 148

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 149 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 150 When horses score over the tractor

  • 151 New civic medallions

  • 152

    Was a missionary
  • 153 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 154 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 155 A man and his wheel

  • 156 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 157 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 158 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 159 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 160 Revenge in style

  • 161 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 162 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 163 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 164 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 165 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 166 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 167 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 168 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 169 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 171

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 172 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 173 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 174 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 175

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 176 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 177 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 178 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 179

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 180

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 181 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 182 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 183 All aboard the ark

  • 184 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 185 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 186 The cab at the corner>
  • 187 School crossing patrol begins

  • 188 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 189 Filming at Hartland

  • 190 By pony and trap to market

  • 191

    Building works
  • 192 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 193 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 194 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 195 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 196 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 197 Life begins at 80

  • 198 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 199 Police station view of Bideford

  • 200 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 201 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 202 Picking the pops

  • 203 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 204 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 205 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 206

    Married in 1908
  • 207 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 208 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 209 Pannier Market's future?

  • 210 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 211 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 212 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 213 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 214 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 215 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 216 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 217

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 218 Simple Item 138
  • 219 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 220 Parkham plan realised

  • 221 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 222 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 223 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 224 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 225 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 226 Private home for public pump

  • 227 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 228 113 years at Instow

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

  • 230 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 231 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 232 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 233 School's link with cargo ship

  • 234

    Exhibition of school work
  • 235

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 236 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 237 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 238 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 239 Bideford loses training ship

  • 240

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 241 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 242

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 243 Devil sent packing

  • 244 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 245 Variety in summer weather

  • 246 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 247 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 248 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 249 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 250 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 251

    Bidefordians
  • 252 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 253 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 254 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 255 Bideford computer stars

  • 256 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 257 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 258 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 259 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 260 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 261 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 262 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 263 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 264 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 265 The Geneva marionettes

  • 266 New Lundy stamps

  • 267 Torrington in 1967

  • 268 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 269 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 270 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 271 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 272 Hartland postman retires

  • 273 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 274 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 275 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 276 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 277 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 278 Modern living at Bideford

  • 279 Hartland Dancers
  • 280 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 281

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 282 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 283 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 284 Capers on the cobbles

  • 285 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 286 Cruising down the river

  • 287 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 288 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 289 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 290 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 291 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 292 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 293 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 294 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 295 Bideford regatta

  • 296 Last train from Torrington

  • 297 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 298 North Devon Driving School

  • 299 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 300

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 301 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 302 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 304 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 305 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 306 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 307 A roof-top view - where?

  • 308 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 309 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 310 Can spring be far away?

  • 311 Out of puff!

  • 312

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 313 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 314 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 315 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 316 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 317 New look in the hayfields

  • 318 New life for Hartland organ

  • 319 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 320 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 321 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 322 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 323 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 324 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 325 Clovelly nightmare

  • 326 Centenary of Gazette

  • 327 All for the love of a lady!

  • 328 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 329 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 330 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 331 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 332 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 333 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 334 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 335 First ship in 8 years

  • 336 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 337 Appledore's largest

  • 338

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 339 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 340 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 341 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 342 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 343 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 344

    Relatives all over the world
  • 345 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 346 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 348 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 349 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 350

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 351 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 352

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 353 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 354 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 355 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 356 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 357 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 359 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 360 A story to tell!

  • 361 For crying out loud!

  • 362 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 363 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 364 A bird of their own!

  • 365 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 366 Decontrol of meat

  • 367 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 368 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 369 The art of the thatcher

  • 370 Mobile missionary

  • 371 They are parted pro-tem

  • 372 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 373 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 374 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 375 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 376 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 377 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 378 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 379 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 380 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 381 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 382 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 383 Warmington's garage ad

  • 384 Penny for the guy

  • 385 New art gallery opened

  • 386 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 387 Burnard family reunion

  • 388 Torrington's new amenity

  • 389 Waldon Triplets
  • 390 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 391 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 392 So this is the mainland!

  • 393 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 394 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 396 New addition to Quay front

  • 397 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 398 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 399 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 401 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 402 Finished in 1876

  • 403 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 404 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 405 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 406 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 408 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 409 Loads of black and white

  • 410

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 411 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 412 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 413 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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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Back again after 100 years

Pillars returned to Bideford Parish Church

When Bideford Parish Church was rebuilt exactly 100 years ago many items, including old stone pillars from the 13th century building, became dispersed.

One pair of pillars became the entrance posts of the gateway to Forest Hill House on the Torrington Road approach to the town. In recent months an extensive road improvement scheme has been in progress in that vicinity, necessitating the removal of the gateway and the new owner of Forest Hill, Mr A. Lusty, indicated his willingness to give the pillars back to the church.

Back again after 100 years

The pillars were deposited outside the east (chancel) window on Monday afternoon. Among those watching the return of the pillars were (left) Churchwardens Messrs. C.C. Longstaff and W.J. 0xenham and the secretary of the Parochial Church Council, Mr G.P. Crabb (centre)

Gazette article 17 January 1964

 

 

 

 

Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

Two Monkleigh boys have squirrels as pets.

They are 14 year old Brian Whitlock, son of Mr and Mrs W. Whitlock of Saltrens Cottages, and his pal, 13 year old Graham Curtis (below) son of Mr and Mrs E. Curtis of 2 Lee Avenue.

Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

Both squirrels were found in nearby woods, which was once their home. Now they live in the comfort of a cage and an outhouse respectively.

Brian’s pet is particularly tame. He has spent many hours during the past months in training it. Graham’s a little wilder but is gradually becoming ‘civilised.’ Both animals are evidently enjoying life with their young masters.

Gazette article 6 December 1963

 

Bideford’s first triplets for 12 years

Triplets born to Bideford wife

Triplets – all girls- were born to a 20 year old Bideford wife at the North Devon Infirmary, Barnstaple, last Friday.

Since former glove factory worker Mrs Gillian Waldon was admitted to hospital six weeks ago, she and her 26 year old husband Brian have been preparing for the arrival of twins. By 10.30 on Friday night Mr Waldon found himself the father of three.

Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

Born prematurely, the girls – the first triplets to be born to a Bideford couple for 12 years - are all progressing well. They have been named Tracie Ann, Jackie Elizabeth and Donna Sue respectively.

Gazette article 29 November 1963

 

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