• 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 Sight of a lifetime

  • 2 Last train from Torrington

  • 3 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 4 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 5 No laughing matter

  • 6 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 7 Hartland postman retires

  • 8 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 9

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 10 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 11 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 12 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 13 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 14 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 15 New Post Office

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

  • 17

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 18 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 19 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 20 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 21 It really was the 'last time'

  • 22 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 23 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 24 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 25 Puppet characters introduced

  • 26 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 27 Some mushroom!

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

  • 29 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 30 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 31 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 32 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 33 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 34 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 35 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 37 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 38 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 39

    New gateway
  • 40 School's link with cargo ship

  • 41 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 42 Traditions and skills still there

  • 43 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 44 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 45 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 46

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 47 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 48 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 49 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 50 Hartland's invitation

  • 51

    Building works
  • 52

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 53 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 54 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 55 New look in the hayfields

  • 56 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 57 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 58 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 59 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 60 Parkham plan realised

  • 61 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 62 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 63 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 64 New choral society's growing response

  • 65 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 67 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 68 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 69 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 70 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 71 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 72

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 73 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 74

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 75 Six footed lamb

  • 76 Modern living at Bideford

  • 77 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 78 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 79 Ten year old scrambler

  • 80 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 81 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 82 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 83 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 84 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 85 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 86 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 87 Torrington in 1967

  • 88 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 89 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 90 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 91 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 92 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 93 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 94 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 95 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 96 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 98 Emergency ferry services

  • 99 Off on a great adventure

  • 100 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 101 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 102 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 103 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 104 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 105 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 106 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 107 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 108 Torrington's new amenity

  • 109 Simple Item 138
  • 110 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 111 Life begins at 80

  • 112 New addition to Quay front

  • 113 End of the line

  • 114 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 115 Pannier Market's future?

  • 116 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 117 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 118 North Devon Driving School

  • 119 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 120 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 121 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 122

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 123 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 124 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 125 Clovelly nightmare

  • 126

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

  • 128 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 129 Recognise this resort?

  • 130 Riverside mystery

  • 131 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 132 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 133 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 134 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 135 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 136 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 137 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 138

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 139 113 years at Instow

  • 140 Torrington children build igloo
  • 141 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 142 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 143

    First prize
  • 144 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 145 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 146

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 147 New art gallery opened

  • 148 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 149 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 150 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 151 Jumble sale fever

  • 152 Devil sent packing

  • 153 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 154 Waldon Triplets
  • 155 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 156 A bird of their own!

  • 157 Penny for the guy

  • 158 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 159 What's the time?

  • 160

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 161 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 162 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 163 Out of puff!

  • 164 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 166 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 167 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 168 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 169 The Geneva marionettes

  • 170 Mobile missionary

  • 171 Picking the pops

  • 172 For crying out loud!

  • 173 Circus comes to town

  • 174 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 175 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 176

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 177

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 178 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 179 Northam footballers of the future

  • 180 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 181 New shipyard on schedule

  • 182 The art of the thatcher

  • 183 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 184 Weare Giffard potato

  • 185

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 186 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 187 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 188 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 189 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 190 Happy Days!

  • 191 Warmington's garage ad

  • 192 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 193 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 194 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 195

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 196 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 197 Bideford computer stars

  • 198

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 199 Picking the pops

  • 200 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 201 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 202 Artisans' Club

  • 203 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 204 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 205 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 206 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 207 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 208 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 209 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 210 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 211 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 212 In their new robes and hats

  • 213 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 214 Clovelly custom

  • 215 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 216 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 217 A roof-top view - where?

  • 218 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 220 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 221 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 222 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 223 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 224 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 225 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 226 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 227 Can spring be far away?

  • 228 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 229 Appledore's largest

  • 230 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 231 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 232 Bideford loses training ship

  • 233 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 234

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 235 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 236 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 237 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 238 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 239 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 240 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 241 Just over a year old

  • 242

    Was a missionary
  • 243 Fishermen of Greencliff

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

  • 245 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 247 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 249 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 250 Decontrol of meat

  • 251 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 252 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 253 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 254 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 255 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 256 Service with a smile

  • 257 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 258 All for the love of a lady!

  • 259 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 260 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 261 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 262 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 263 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 264 Centenary of Gazette

  • 265 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 266 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 267 They are parted pro-tem

  • 268

    Exhibition of school work
  • 269 Loads of black and white

  • 270 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 271 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 272 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 273 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 274 Hartland Dancers
  • 275 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 276 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 277 Bridging the stream

  • 278 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 279 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 280 Ships at Bideford

  • 281 Littleham family's five generations

  • 282 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 283 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 284 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 285 Bideford regatta

  • 286 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 287

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 288 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 289 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 290 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 291 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 292 He beat the floods

  • 293 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 294

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 295 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 296 New life for Hartland organ

  • 297 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 298 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 299 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 301 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 302 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 303

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 304 By pony and trap to market

  • 305 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 306 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 307 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 308 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 309 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 310 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 311 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 312

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 313 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 314 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 315 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 316 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 317 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 318 So this is the mainland!

  • 319 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 320 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 321 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 323 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 324 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 325 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 326

    Bidefordians
  • 327 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 328 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 329 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 330 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 331 Private home for public pump

  • 332 Variety in summer weather

  • 333 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 334 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 335

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 336 Some 240 exhibits

  • 337

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 338 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 339 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 340 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 341 First ship in 8 years

  • 342

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 343 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 344 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 345 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 346 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 347

    Relatives all over the world
  • 348

    Married in 1908
  • 349 Finished in 1876

  • 350 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 351 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 352 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 353 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 354 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 355 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 356 A man and his wheel

  • 357 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 358 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 359 School crossing patrol begins

  • 360 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 361 When horses score over the tractor

  • 362 Revenge in style

  • 363

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 364 Twenty-one yachts

  • 365 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 366 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 367 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 368 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 369 All aboard the ark

  • 370 Peter poses for TV film

  • 371 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 372 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 373 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 374 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 375 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 376 New Lundy stamps

  • 377 A story to tell!

  • 378 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 379 Capers on the cobbles

  • 380 New civic medallions

  • 381 Cruising down the river

  • 382 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 383 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 385 Appledore schooner broadcast

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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Down at the ‘Donkey House’

Donkey painted on wall 

How the outline of a donkey had been painted on the wall of premises at Bank End, Bideford, overlooking the river was recalled at Bideford Manor Court. The original donkey had been painted in tar by fisherman who at that time had tarred their nets near the building before storing them for the winter. The photograph shows the old donkey painted in tar and the building became known as the ‘donkey house.

13 April 1951 Down at the donkey house

Following the re-erection of the building during the first world war, there was such an outcry for the donkey that a donkey cut in the stone had been placed over the doorway looking in the Appledore direction and still could be seen there.

Gazette article 13 April 1951

 

 

 

In their new robes and hats

 Generous gifts to his native town

Bideford Manor Court was further enriched on Saturday when members of the Borough Council sitting as Lords of the Manor made their first public appearance in their new robes of claret edged with black velvet for the aldermen and blue edged with claret for the councillors.

6 april 1951 In their new robes and hats

The robes formed part of a gift to the town by Mr Arthur McTaggart Short, a Bideford-born Cardiff business man. The gifts commemorate the mayoralty of his brother, Collr., W.H. Short.

Gazette article 6 April 1951

 

 

Bideford schoolboy’s courage recognized

Attempted dog rescue 

Before the whole school, Alan J. Hewett, aged 10, of Barton Tors, Bideford, was presented with the RSPCA Certificate of Merit and a book on animals by the Mayor of Bideford (Mr W. H. Short) at East-the-Water County Primary School, Bideford, last Tuesday.

30 March 1951 Bideford schoolboys courage recognised

The presentation was in recognition of his courage in attempting to rescue a dog from a stream near Bideford on 28 January.

Gazette article 30 March 1951

 

 

 

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