• 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 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 2 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 3 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 4 Torrington in 1967

  • 5 Circus comes to town

  • 6 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 7 Simple Item 138
  • 8 Traditions and skills still there

  • 9 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 10 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 11

    Relatives all over the world
  • 12 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 13

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 14 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 15 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 16 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 17

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 18 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 19 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 20 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 21 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 22 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 23 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 24 Can spring be far away?

  • 25 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 26 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 27 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 28 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 29 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 30 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 31 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 32 Service with a smile

  • 33 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 34 Some 240 exhibits

  • 35 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 36 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 37 New civic medallions

  • 38 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 39 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 40 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 41 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 42 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 43 Police station view of Bideford

  • 44 New Post Office

  • 45 All for the love of a lady!

  • 46 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 47

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 48

    Exhibition of school work
  • 49 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 50 Ten year old scrambler

  • 51 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 52 Just over a year old

  • 53 Six footed lamb

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

  • 55

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 56 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 57

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 58 Filming at Hartland

  • 59 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 60

    Married in 1908
  • 61 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 62 Private home for public pump

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

  • 64 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 65 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 66

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 67 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 68 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 69 New addition to Quay front

  • 70 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 71 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 72 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 73 Puppet characters introduced

  • 74 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 75 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 76 By pony and trap to market

  • 77 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 78 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 79 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 80 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 81 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 82 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 83 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 84 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 85 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 86 No laughing matter

  • 87 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 89

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 90 Mobile missionary

  • 91

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 92 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 93 No sale of Springfield House

  • 94 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 95 Bideford regatta

  • 96 A man and his wheel

  • 97 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 98 Northam footballers of the future

  • 99 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 100 Loads of black and white

  • 101 Hartland Dancers
  • 102 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 103 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 104 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 105 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 106 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 107 Centenary of Gazette

  • 108 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 109 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 110 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 111 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 113 Modern living at Bideford

  • 114 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 115 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 116 From Bobby to Brian

  • 117 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 118 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 119 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 120 They are parted pro-tem

  • 121 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 122 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 123 Appledore's largest

  • 124 A roof-top view - where?

  • 125 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 126 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 127 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 129 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 130 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 131 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 132 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 133 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 134 Waldon Triplets
  • 135 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 136 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 137

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 138 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 139

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 140 When horses score over the tractor

  • 141 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 142 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 143 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 144 Bridging the stream

  • 145 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 147

    First prize
  • 148 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 149 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 150

    New gateway
  • 151 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 152 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 153 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 154 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 155 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 156 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 157 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 158 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 159 Life begins at 80

  • 160 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 161 North Devon Driving School

  • 162 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 163 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 165

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 166 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 167 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 168 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 169 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 170 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 171 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 172 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 173 Variety in summer weather

  • 174 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 175 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 176 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 177 New choral society's growing response

  • 178 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 180 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 181 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 182 Hartland postman retires

  • 183 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 185 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 186 Littleham family's five generations

  • 187 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 188 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 189 Picking the pops

  • 190 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 191 Cruising down the river

  • 192 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 193

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 194 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 195 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 196 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 197 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 198 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 199 Finished in 1876

  • 200 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 201 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 202 New shipyard on schedule

  • 203 End of the line

  • 204 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 205 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 206 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 207 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 208 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 209 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 210 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 211 Off on a great adventure

  • 212 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 213 Picking the pops

  • 214 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 215 Torrington children build igloo
  • 216 For crying out loud!

  • 217 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 218 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 219 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 220 Riverside mystery

  • 221 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 222 Devil sent packing

  • 223 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 224 School crossing patrol begins

  • 225 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 226

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 227 Peter poses for TV film

  • 228 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 229 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

  • 231 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 232 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 233 Penny for the guy

  • 234 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 236 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 237 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 238 Revenge in style

  • 239 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 240

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 241 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 242 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 243 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 244 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 245 Ships at Bideford

  • 246 It really was the 'last time'

  • 247 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 248 Happy Days!

  • 249 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 250 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 251 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 252 Twenty-one yachts

  • 253 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 254 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 255

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 256 Jumble sale fever

  • 257 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 258 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 259 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 260 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 261 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 262 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 263 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 264 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 265 All aboard the ark

  • 266 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 267 Weare Giffard potato

  • 268 Sweets derationing

  • 269 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 270 Artisans' Club

  • 271

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 272 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 273 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 274 Pannier Market's future?

  • 275 Decontrol of meat

  • 276 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 277 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 278 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 279 Recognise this resort?

  • 280 Parkham plan realised

  • 281 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 282 Out of puff!

  • 283

    Was a missionary
  • 284 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 285 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 286 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 287 New art gallery opened

  • 288

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 289 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 290 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 291 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 292 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 293 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 294 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 295 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 296 The Geneva marionettes

  • 297 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 298 So this is the mainland!

  • 299 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 300 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 301 Northam's almshouse

  • 302

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 303 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 304 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 305 Bideford computer stars

  • 306 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 307 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 308 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 309 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 310 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 311 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 312 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 313 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 314 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 315 113 years at Instow

  • 316 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 317 What's the time?

  • 318 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 319 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 320 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 321 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 322 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 323 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 324 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 325 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 326 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 327 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 328 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 329 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 330 A bird of their own!

  • 331 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 332 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 333 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 334 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 335 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 336 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 337 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 338 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 339 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 340 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 342 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 343

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 344

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 345 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 346 Clovelly custom

  • 347 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 348 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 349 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 350 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 351

    Building works
  • 352 Sight of a lifetime

  • 353 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 354 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 355 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 356 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 357 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 358 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 359 A story to tell!

  • 360 First ship in 8 years

  • 361 New look in the hayfields

  • 362 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 363 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 364 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 365 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 366 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 367 Clovelly nightmare

  • 368 He beat the floods

  • 369 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 370 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 371 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 372 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 373 Some mushroom!

  • 374 New Lundy stamps

  • 375 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 376

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 377 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 378 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 379 New life for Hartland organ

  • 380 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 381 The art of the thatcher

  • 382 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 383 Last train from Torrington

  • 384 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 385 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 386 Burnard family reunion

  • 387 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 388 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 389 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 390 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 391 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 392 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 393 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 394 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 395 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 396 Emergency ferry services

  • 397

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 398 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 399 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 400

    Bidefordians
  • 401 In their new robes and hats

  • 402 The cab at the corner>
  • 403 School's link with cargo ship

  • 404

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 405 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 406

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 407 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 408 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 409 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 410 Torrington's new amenity

  • 411

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 412 Capers on the cobbles

  • 413 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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113 Years at Instow

North Devon Cricket Club is fourth oldest in country

The club was founded at Barnstaple in 1823 with ground acquired at Pottington for pursuit of the game. In 1837 the club moved to its present quarters overlooking the Taw and Torridge estuary.

1 September 1950 113 years at Instow

The original deed box contains the earliest known match record, that of a game between the club, then ‘The Gentlemen of North Devon,’and Devon County School, now West Buckland School, played in 1845. The Gentlemen’s team comprised six parsons and five officers on that occasion.

Gazette article 1 September 1950

 

Capers on the cobbles

Carnival charm at Clovelly

There was plenty of carnival charm and humour at Clovelly on Bank Holiday Monday.

Mounted on a gaily caparisoned donkey, the Carnival Queen (11 year old Beryl Johns) had two stalwart male escorts as well as her young attendants as she rode down the cobbled street.

18 August 1950 Capers on the cobbles

Left to right: Mr W.A. Pickard, Lorna Jewell, Beryl Johns, Moyra Pickard and Mr R.W. Tridgell.

Gazette article 18 August 1950

 

Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

Accommodation sold out

On Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday the sun shone brightly and attracted visitors and residents alike. This picture shows the popularity of Westward Ho!

11 August 1950 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

Spare accommodation is very scarce in the district and people have been sleeping out in their cars. At least one family spent a rather cramped uncomfortable night in this manner on Bideford Pill, having arrived without booking accommodation and then being unable to find any.

Gazette article 11 August 1950

 

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