• 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 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 2 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 3 Service with a smile

  • 4 Circus comes to town

  • 5

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 6 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 7 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 8 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 9 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 10 Torrington in 1967

  • 11 New addition to Quay front

  • 12

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 13 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 14 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 15 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 16 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 18 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 19 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 20 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 21 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 22 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 23 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 24 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 25 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 26 Capers on the cobbles

  • 27 They are parted pro-tem

  • 28 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 29 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 30 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 31 Bideford computer stars

  • 32 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 33 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 34 Clovelly nightmare

  • 35 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 36 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 37 Life begins at 80

  • 38 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 39 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 40

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 41 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 42 Happy Days!

  • 43 Puppet characters introduced

  • 44 Emergency ferry services

  • 45 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 46 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 47 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 48 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 49 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 50 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 51 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 52 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 53 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 54 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 55 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 56 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 57 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 58 Decontrol of meat

  • 59 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 60 Centenary of Gazette

  • 61 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 62

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 63 Picking the pops

  • 64 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 65 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 66 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 67

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 68 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 69 He beat the floods

  • 70 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 71 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 72 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 73 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 74 So this is the mainland!

  • 75 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 76 Just over a year old

  • 77 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 78

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 79 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 80 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 81 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 82 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 83 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 84 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 85 The cab at the corner>
  • 86 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 87 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 88 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 89 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 90 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 91 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 92 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 93 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 95 Filming at Hartland

  • 96 Can spring be far away?

  • 97 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 98 Loads of black and white

  • 99 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 100 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 101 What's the time?

  • 102 All for the love of a lady!

  • 103 A roof-top view - where?

  • 104 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 105 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 106 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 107 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 108 Sight of a lifetime

  • 109 Hartland's invitation

  • 110 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 111 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 112 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 113 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 114 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 115 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 116 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 117 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 118 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 119 New choral society's growing response

  • 120 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 121 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 122 Appledore's largest

  • 123 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 124 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 125 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 126 A bird of their own!

  • 127 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 128 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 129 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 130 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 131 Warmington's garage ad

  • 132

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 133 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 134 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 135 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 136 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 137 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 138 When horses score over the tractor

  • 139 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 140 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

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

  • 143 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 144 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 145 Torrington's new amenity

  • 146 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 147 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 148 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 149 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 150 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 151 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 152 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 153 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 154 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 155 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 156 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 157 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 158 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 159 Riverside mystery

  • 160 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 161

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 162 Pannier Market's future?

  • 163

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 164 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 165 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 166 Cruising down the river

  • 167 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 169 North Devon Driving School

  • 170 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 171 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 172 Peter poses for TV film

  • 173 Some 240 exhibits

  • 174 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 175 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 176 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 177 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 178 New shipyard on schedule

  • 179 Northam's almshouse

  • 180 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 181 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 182

    First prize
  • 183 From Bobby to Brian

  • 184 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 185 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 186 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 187 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 188 In their new robes and hats

  • 189 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 190 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 191 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 192 For crying out loud!

  • 193 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 194 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 195 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

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

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

  • 198

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 199 Waldon Triplets
  • 200 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 201 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 202 Recognise this resort?

  • 203 Sweets derationing

  • 204 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 205

    Bidefordians
  • 206 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 207 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 208

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 209 Police station view of Bideford

  • 210 Private home for public pump

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

  • 212 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 213 Bideford loses training ship

  • 214 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 215 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 217 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 218 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 219 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 220 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 221 Mobile missionary

  • 222 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 223 New art gallery opened

  • 224 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 225 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 226 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 227 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 228 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 229 Clovelly custom

  • 230

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 231 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 232 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 233 School's link with cargo ship

  • 234

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 235 By pony and trap to market

  • 236 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 237 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 238 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 239 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 240 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 241 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 242 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 243 It really was the 'last time'

  • 244 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 245 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 246 A man and his wheel

  • 247 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 248 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 249 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 250 Modern living at Bideford

  • 251 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 252 A story to tell!

  • 253 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 254

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 255 Variety in summer weather

  • 256 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 257 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 258 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 259

    Was a missionary
  • 260 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 261 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 262 Clovelly donkey film star

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

  • 264

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 265 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 266 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 267 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 268 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 269 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 270 Six footed lamb

  • 271 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 272

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 273 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 274 113 years at Instow

  • 275 Torrington children build igloo
  • 276 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 277 Revenge in style

  • 278 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 279 Northam footballers of the future

  • 280 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 281 No sale of Springfield House

  • 282 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 283 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 284 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 285 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 286 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 287 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 288 Finished in 1876

  • 289 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 290

    Relatives all over the world
  • 291 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 292 Ten year old scrambler

  • 293 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 294

    Married in 1908
  • 295 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 297 Hartland postman retires

  • 298 Devil sent packing

  • 299 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 300 Littleham family's five generations

  • 301 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 302 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 303 Jumble sale fever

  • 304

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 305 The art of the thatcher

  • 306 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 307 No laughing matter

  • 308 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 309

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 310 Artisans' Club

  • 311 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 312 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 313 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 314 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 315 New Post Office

  • 316 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 317 All aboard the ark

  • 318 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 320 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 321 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 322 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 323 New life for Hartland organ

  • 324 Out of puff!

  • 325 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 326

    New gateway
  • 327 Bideford regatta

  • 328 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 329 Penny for the guy

  • 330 Traditions and skills still there

  • 331 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 332 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 333 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 334 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 335 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 336 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 337 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 338 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 339

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 340 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 341 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 342 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 343 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 344 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 345 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 346 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 347 Ships at Bideford

  • 348 Weare Giffard potato

  • 349 Bridging the stream

  • 350 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 351 The Geneva marionettes

  • 352 School crossing patrol begins

  • 353 End of the line

  • 354 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 355 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 356 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 357 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 358 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 359 Parkham plan realised

  • 360 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 361 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 362 Off on a great adventure

  • 363 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 364 Simple Item 138
  • 365 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 366 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 367 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 368 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 369 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 370 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 371 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 372

    Exhibition of school work
  • 373 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 374 Burnard family reunion

  • 375 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 376 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 377

    Building works
  • 378 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 379 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 380 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 381 New look in the hayfields

  • 382 First ship in 8 years

  • 383 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 384 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 385 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 386 Some mushroom!

  • 387

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 388 Hartland Dancers
  • 389 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 390 New civic medallions

  • 391 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 392

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 393 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 394

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 395 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 396 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 397 Picking the pops

  • 398 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 399 New Lundy stamps

  • 400 Last train from Torrington

  • 401 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 402 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 403 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 404 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 405

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 406

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 407 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 409 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 410 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 411

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 412 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 413 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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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One hundred and three this week

Celebrations for 103rd birthday

Formerly of Torrington, where she lived for 67 years, Mrs Mary Mills, now of North Tawton, celebrated her 103rd birthday on Wednesday.

One hundred and three this week

Mrs Mills was born at Weare Giffard. In her nineties she learnt to crochet and she is at present busy making squares for blankets for refugees.

Before moving to North Tawton she was at Dolton for several years.

Gazette article 2 February 1973

 

Opening of new Lounge Bar at Bideford Liberal Club

Jeremy Thorpe opens new lounge bar

Liberal leader Mr Jeremy Thorpe officially opened the new £2,500 lounge bar at Bideford Liberal Club on 9 January. He congratulated Mr Reg Trott, chairman, and committee on their vision in bringing about “this wonderful improvement”. He also paid tribute to Mr W.G. Potten who not only dispenses the drinks but also played a large part in the drawing up of the plans.

Opening Liberal club lounge bar

Mr Thorpe then ‘pulled’ the first pints.

Gazette article 12 January 1973

 

 

 

Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

Trawler Goliath went ashore at Hartland Point

Two French seamen, ship’s engineer Francoise Lautrant and deck hand Christian Stephan, lost their lives when the trawler ‘Goliath’ went ashore south of Hartland Point on 17 March.

Nothing was known of the tragedy until four of the survivors who had scrambled barefoot up the cliffs, arrived at farms up to a mile away. Two awakened Mr Stanley Gifford and his family at Southole. Mr Gifford and his two sons Colin and Kenneth, went in search of the wreck. The ‘Goliath’ had ploughed through a reef of rocks about 100 yards offshore. A hole had been torn in her port side. Driven in by the sea, she had stopped on her starboard side near the base of the 500 ft. high Sandor Cliffs. The other two survivors arrived at Elmscott Farm, surprising Mr John Goaman and workman Mr Lew Rowe. The alarm was raised and the Coastguards, unaware of the wreck, called the Clovelly lifeboat but neither she, nor the R.A.F. rescue helicopter could do anything, the helicopter being defeated by wind conditions.

Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

Since the above picture was taken soon after the tragedy, the trawler, battered by the seas and swept almost to the base of the cliff, has begun to disintegrate.

Gazette article dated 21 March 1969

 

 

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