• 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 The art of the thatcher

  • 2 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 3 Hartland postman retires

  • 4 Last train from Torrington

  • 5

    First prize
  • 6 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 7 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 8 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 9 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 10 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 11 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 12 Service with a smile

  • 13

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 14 Cruising down the river

  • 15 Waldon Triplets
  • 16 Bideford regatta

  • 17 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 18 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 19 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 20 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 21 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 23

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 24 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 25 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 26 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 27 Loads of black and white

  • 28 Torrington children build igloo
  • 29 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 30 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 31 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 32

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 33 Bideford loses training ship

  • 34 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 35 Simple Item 138
  • 36

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 37 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 39 Picking the pops

  • 40 It really was the 'last time'

  • 41 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 42 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 43 No sale of Springfield House

  • 44 They are parted pro-tem

  • 45 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 46 No laughing matter

  • 47 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 49 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 50 Finished in 1876

  • 51 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 52 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 53 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 54 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 55 First ship in 8 years

  • 56 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 57 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 59 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 60 Some 240 exhibits

  • 61 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 62

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 63 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 64 New choral society's growing response

  • 65 So this is the mainland!

  • 66

    Bidefordians
  • 67

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 68 Sweets derationing

  • 69 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 70 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 71 Variety in summer weather

  • 72 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 73 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 74 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 75 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 76 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 77 Weare Giffard potato

  • 78 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 79 Police station view of Bideford

  • 80 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 81 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 82 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 83 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 84 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 85 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 86 Emergency ferry services

  • 87 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 88 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 89 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 90 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 91 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 92 New civic medallions

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

  • 94 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 95 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 96 In their new robes and hats

  • 97 Capers on the cobbles

  • 98 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 99 North Devon Driving School

  • 100 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 101 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 102 Traditions and skills still there

  • 103 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 104 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 105 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 106 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 107 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 108 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 109 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 110 Some mushroom!

  • 111 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 112 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 113 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 114 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 115 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 116 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 117 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 118 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 119 The cab at the corner>
  • 120 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 121 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 122 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 123 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 124 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 125 Filming at Hartland

  • 126 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 127 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 128 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 129 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 130 Bridging the stream

  • 131 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 132 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 133 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 134 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 135 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

  • 137 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 138 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 139 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 140 New life for Hartland organ

  • 141 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 142 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 143 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 144 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 145 Warmington's garage ad

  • 146 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 147

    Exhibition of school work
  • 148 Pannier Market's future?

  • 149 Life begins at 80

  • 150 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 151 Artisans' Club

  • 152

    Was a missionary
  • 153 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 154 Modern living at Bideford

  • 155 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 156 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 157 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

  • 159 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 160 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 161

    Relatives all over the world
  • 162

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 163

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 164 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 165 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 166 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 167 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 168

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 169 All for the love of a lady!

  • 170

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 171 Clovelly custom

  • 172 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 173 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 174 Bideford computer stars

  • 175 Circus comes to town

  • 176 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 177 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 178 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 179 113 years at Instow

  • 180 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 181 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 182 He beat the floods

  • 183 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 184 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 185 New Post Office

  • 186 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 187 Hartland's invitation

  • 188 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 189 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 190 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 191 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 192 For crying out loud!

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

  • 194 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 196 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 197 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 198 Littleham family's five generations

  • 199

    Married in 1908
  • 200 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 201 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 202 New shipyard on schedule

  • 203 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 204 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 205 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 206 A roof-top view - where?

  • 207 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 208 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 209 Ten year old scrambler

  • 210

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 211 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 212

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 213 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 214 Parkham plan realised

  • 215 Happy Days!

  • 216

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 217 When horses score over the tractor

  • 218 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 219 Off on a great adventure

  • 220 Peter poses for TV film

  • 221 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 222 End of the line

  • 223 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 224 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 225 From Bobby to Brian

  • 226 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 227 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 228 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 229 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 230 Six footed lamb

  • 231 Northam footballers of the future

  • 232

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 233

    New gateway
  • 234 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 235 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 236 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 237 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 238 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 239

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 240 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 241 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 242 Riverside mystery

  • 243 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 244 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 245 Private home for public pump

  • 246 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 247 Can spring be far away?

  • 248 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 249 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 250 Out of puff!

  • 251 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 252 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 253 Mobile missionary

  • 254 Torrington in 1967

  • 255

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 256 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 257 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 258

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 259 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 260 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 261 A man and his wheel

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

  • 263 New addition to Quay front

  • 264 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 265 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 266 Jumble sale fever

  • 267 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 268 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 269 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 270 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 271 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 272 Burnard family reunion

  • 273 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 274

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 275 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 276 Just over a year old

  • 277 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 278 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 279 Picking the pops

  • 280 Decontrol of meat

  • 281 Centenary of Gazette

  • 282 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 283 New Lundy stamps

  • 284 Penny for the guy

  • 285 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 287 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 288 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 289 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 290 Puppet characters introduced

  • 291 By pony and trap to market

  • 292 Clovelly nightmare

  • 293 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 294 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 295

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 296 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 297 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 298 Torrington's new amenity

  • 299 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 300 Sight of a lifetime

  • 301 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 302 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 303 New art gallery opened

  • 304 Revenge in style

  • 305 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 306 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 307 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 308 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 309 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 310

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 311 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 312 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 313 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 314 All aboard the ark

  • 315 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 316 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 317 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 318 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 319 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 320 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 321 Hartland Dancers
  • 322 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 323 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 324 A story to tell!

  • 325 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 326 What's the time?

  • 327 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 328 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 329 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 330 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 331 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 332 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 333 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 334 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 335 Devil sent packing

  • 336 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 337 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 338 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 339 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 340 Ships at Bideford

  • 341

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 342 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 343 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 344 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 345 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 346 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 347 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 348 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 349 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 350 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 351 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 352 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 353 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 354

    Building works
  • 355 New look in the hayfields

  • 356 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 357

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 358 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 360 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 361 Northam's almshouse

  • 362 Appledore's largest

  • 363

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 364 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 365 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 366 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 367 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 368 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 369 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 370 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 371 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 372 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 373 Recognise this resort?

  • 374 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 375 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 376 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 377 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 378 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 379 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 380 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 381

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 382 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 383 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 384 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 385 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 386 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 387 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 388 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 389 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 390 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 391 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 392 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 393 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 394 School's link with cargo ship

  • 395 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 396 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 397 Fleet of foot and fair of face

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

  • 399 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 400 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 401 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 402 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 404 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 405 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 406 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 407 A bird of their own!

  • 408

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 409 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 410 The Geneva marionettes

  • 411 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 412 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 413 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
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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Littleham family’s five generations

Visitors around the chair

of 96-year-old Mrs Eliza Wise, a patient at the Torridge Hospital, Bideford, represent, with her, five generations of a Littleham family.

Littleham familys five generations

Mrs Wise will be 97 next month, is enjoying life and possesses all her faculties.

Her daughter is Mrs Mary Ann Beer of Mouth Pleasant, Littleham, who is 77. She and her husband John celebrated their golden wedding last April. Their son, 46 year old Mr Arthur Beer also lives at Mount Pleasant and has a daughter Mrs Margaret Ann Smale of the same address, who a month ago gave birth to a daughter, Mrs Wise’s great-great-grand-daughter, christened Mandy Sylvia Mary.

Gazette article 16 February 1962

 

Bideford country dancers on TV

Bideford country dancers ‘came to life’ on Westward Television in a recent programme.

Left is Mr Peter Trapnell with Mrs Jo Trapnell; in the centre is a dancer from Okehampton, whose partner is Miss Frances Turner of Bideford. On the right in the foreground are two dancers from Exeter and behind them is Mr Michael Gentry (Barnstaple) dancing with his partner (obscured) Miss Andy Thurston (Bideford).

Bideford country dancers on TV

Gazette article 19 January 1962

 

The battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

The dramatic scene on Friday morning,

shortly after the discovery of the breach in the Pebble Ridge near Sandymere, as bulldozers sought to narrow, if not close, the gap as the high tide whipped by gales, punched away all along the line.

Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

At Westward Ho! after a night which brought gusts of over 100 m.p.h. huts next to the cricket fields have been swept away and large pebbles thrown about like marbles.

Gazette article 19 January 1962

 

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