• 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 Some mushroom!

  • 2 Appledore's largest

  • 3 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 4 Peter poses for TV film

  • 5 A story to tell!

  • 6 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 7 Just over a year old

  • 8 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 9 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 10 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 11 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 12 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 13 Burnard family reunion

  • 14 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 15 Private home for public pump

  • 16 New choral society's growing response

  • 17 Simple Item 138
  • 18 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 19 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 20

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 21 Torrington in 1967

  • 22 Cruising down the river

  • 23 New look in the hayfields

  • 24 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 25 Hartland Dancers
  • 26 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 27 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 28 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 29 By pony and trap to market

  • 30 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 31 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 32 School crossing patrol begins

  • 33 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 34 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 35 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 36 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 37 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 38 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 39 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 40 Circus comes to town

  • 41

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 42 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 43 Sight of a lifetime

  • 44 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 45 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 46 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 47 Life begins at 80

  • 48 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 49 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 50 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 51 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 52

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

  • 54 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 55 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 56

    Bidefordians
  • 57 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 58 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 59 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 60 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 61 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 62 Bideford regatta

  • 63 Jumble sale fever

  • 64 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 65 Last train from Torrington

  • 66 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 67 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 68 Some 240 exhibits

  • 69 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 70

    New gateway
  • 71 When horses score over the tractor

  • 72 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 73 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 74 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 75 New Post Office

  • 76 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 77 Out of puff!

  • 78 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 79 All for the love of a lady!

  • 80

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 81 Picking the pops

  • 82 Torrington children build igloo
  • 83 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 84 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 85

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 86 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 87

    Building works
  • 88 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 89 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 90 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 91 North Devon Driving School

  • 92 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 93 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 94 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 95 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 96 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 97 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 98 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 99 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 100 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 101 Weare Giffard potato

  • 102 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 103 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 104 Hartland's invitation

  • 105 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 106 No sale of Springfield House

  • 107 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 108

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 109

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 110 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 111

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 112 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 113 Modern living at Bideford

  • 114 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 115 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 116 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 117 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 119 For crying out loud!

  • 120 He beat the floods

  • 121

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 122

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 123 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 124 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 125 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 126 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 127 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 128 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 129 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 130 Off on a great adventure

  • 131 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 132

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 133 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 134 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 135 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 136 Riverside mystery

  • 137 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 138

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 139

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 140 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 141 New shipyard on schedule

  • 142 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 143 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 144 New civic medallions

  • 145 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 146 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 147 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 148 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 149 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 150 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 151 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 152

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 153 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 154 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 155 Centenary of Gazette

  • 156 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 157 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 158 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 159 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 160 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 161 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 162 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 163 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 164 New art gallery opened

  • 165

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 166 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 167 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 168 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 169 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 170 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 171 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 172 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 173 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 174 Happy Days!

  • 175 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 176 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 177 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 178 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 179 Northam's almshouse

  • 180

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 181 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 182 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 183 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 184 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 185 The Geneva marionettes

  • 186 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 187 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 188 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 189

    Relatives all over the world
  • 190 A bird of their own!

  • 191

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 192 Service with a smile

  • 193

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 194 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 195 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 196 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 197

    First prize
  • 198 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 199 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 200 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 201 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 202 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 203 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 204 All aboard the ark

  • 205 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 206 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 207 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 208 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 209 End of the line

  • 210 The art of the thatcher

  • 211 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 212 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 213 Parkham plan realised

  • 214 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 215 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 216 Hartland postman retires

  • 217 Ten year old scrambler

  • 218 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 219

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 220 Police station view of Bideford

  • 221 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 222 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 223 New life for Hartland organ

  • 224 A roof-top view - where?

  • 225

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 226 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 227 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 228 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 230 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 231 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 232 Waldon Triplets
  • 233 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 234 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 235 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 236

    Married in 1908
  • 237 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 238 New addition to Quay front

  • 239 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 240 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 241 Mobile missionary

  • 242 Variety in summer weather

  • 243 In their new robes and hats

  • 244 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 245 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 246 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 247 Six footed lamb

  • 248 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 249 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 250 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 251 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 252 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 253 It really was the 'last time'

  • 254 Decontrol of meat

  • 255 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 256 School's link with cargo ship

  • 257 Devil sent packing

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

  • 259 Ships at Bideford

  • 260 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 261 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 262 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 263 Warmington's garage ad

  • 264

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 265 Northam footballers of the future

  • 266 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 267

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 268 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 269 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 270 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 271

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 272 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 273

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 274 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 275 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 276 Traditions and skills still there

  • 277 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 278 Capers on the cobbles

  • 279 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 280 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 281 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 282 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 283 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 284 Finished in 1876

  • 285 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 286 What's the time?

  • 287 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 288 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 289 First ship in 8 years

  • 290 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 291 Loads of black and white

  • 292 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 293 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 294 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 295 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 296 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 297 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 298 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 299 Pannier Market's future?

  • 300 Twenty-one yachts

  • 301 113 years at Instow

  • 302 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 303 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 304 Clovelly custom

  • 305

    Was a missionary
  • 306 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 307 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

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

  • 310 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 311 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 312 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 313 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 314 Bideford computer stars

  • 315 Recognise this resort?

  • 316 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 317 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

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

  • 319

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 320 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 321 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 322 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 323 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 324 Can spring be far away?

  • 325 Clovelly nightmare

  • 326 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 327 Picking the pops

  • 328 Revenge in style

  • 329 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 331 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 332 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 333 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 334 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 336 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 337 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 338 Artisans' Club

  • 339 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 341 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 342 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 343 Emergency ferry services

  • 344 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 345 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 346 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 347 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 348

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 349 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 350 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 351 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 352 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 353 A man and his wheel

  • 354 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 355 New Lundy stamps

  • 356 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 357 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 358 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 359 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 360 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 361 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 363 Puppet characters introduced

  • 364 So this is the mainland!

  • 365 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 366 Torrington's new amenity

  • 367 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 369 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 370 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 371 Bideford loses training ship

  • 372 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 373 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 374 No laughing matter

  • 375 Penny for the guy

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

  • 377 They are parted pro-tem

  • 378 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 379 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 380 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 381 Littleham family's five generations

  • 382 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 383 Bridging the stream

  • 384 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 385 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Richards Brothers' Reunion in 1947

A happy reunion for the Richards brothers, mostly of Bideford, took place at Exeter recently.

1947 Richards Brothers reunion
Samuel Richards, J B Richards, Harry Richards and John Richards are sons of the late Mr and Mrs John Richards of Dolton. 

Featured Articles

Seafield House

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.

Seafield House
 

The house was built as a summer residence by Brinsley de Courcey Nixon (5 May 1825-18 April 1903) whose occupation on the 1881 Census was a ‘banker’ from London. Of Irish and Scottish descent he was born in Edinburgh and died in 1903 whilst on holiday at Seafield. There were 4 children from his marriage to Frances Evelyn Hampton – Charlotte; Gladys; Fergus and Brinsley (1884-1971). He entered the house of Messrs W R Robinson and Co. Russian Merchants, London but because his interest was in studying other habits, customs and resources of European nations, as well as the American continent, considerable time was spent abroad. He was one of the founders of the London and Provincial Bank and for several years, an officer in the West Somerset Yeomanry. He stood as a Liberal politician, first at West Bristol, but on the introduction of the Home Rule Bill, he seceded from the Liberal Party and contested Dundee as a Unionist. He was unsuccessful in both campaigns. The Spectator described Mr Nixon as an ‘upright and straightforward politician, if ever there was one’.

In 1906, the youngest son, Brinsley, married Elizabeth Hughes who was born in the Ukraine, and spent much of her younger life in Russia. On marrying, she lived at Seafield with her maid and he visited her once a week preferring to live with his sister in Bay View Road.

During the war years the house was accommodation for British officers and the field became a prison for Italians, though Elizabeth was horrified at Seafield being requisitioned and painted grey. She would walk from Diddywell each day to see the house. Elizabeth died on 13 March 1950 with the service being held at Holy Trinity Church, Westard Ho! and conducted by the Vicar of Northam, Rev. E B Bridger. A private cremation was held at Plymouth.

Seafield House was put up for auction at the Tantons Hotel on Wednesday 31 May but was sold by Private Treaty. In the early 50s, it became a bed and breakfast establishment.

 
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