• 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 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 2 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 3 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 4 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 5 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 6 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 7 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 8 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 9 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 10 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 11 Pannier Market's future?

  • 12 Burnard family reunion

  • 13 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 14 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 15 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 16 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 17 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 18 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 19 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 20 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 21 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 22 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 23 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 24 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 25 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 26 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 27

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 28 New shipyard on schedule

  • 29 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 30 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 31 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 32 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 33 Torrington's new amenity

  • 34 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 35 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 36 Happy Days!

  • 37 Littleham family's five generations

  • 38 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 39

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 40 A story to tell!

  • 41 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 42 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 43 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 44 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 45 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 46 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 47 Capers on the cobbles

  • 48 Weare Giffard potato

  • 49 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 51 Loads of black and white

  • 52 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 53 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 54 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 55 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 56 Six footed lamb

  • 57 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 58 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 59 New choral society's growing response

  • 60 School's link with cargo ship

  • 61 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 62 Peter poses for TV film

  • 63 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 64 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 65 Traditions and skills still there

  • 66 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 67 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 68 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 69 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 70 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 71 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 72 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 73 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 74 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 75 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

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

  • 77 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 78 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 79 Hartland Dancers
  • 80 Puppet characters introduced

  • 81 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 82 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 83

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

  • 85

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 86 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 87 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 88 Finished in 1876

  • 89 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 90 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 91 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 92 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 93

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 94 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 95 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 96 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 97 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 99 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 100 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 101 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 102 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 103 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 104 Ten year old scrambler

  • 105

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 106 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 107 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 108 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 109 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 110 Bridging the stream

  • 111 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

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

  • 114 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 115 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 116 When horses score over the tractor

  • 117 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 118 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 119 Hartland's invitation

  • 120 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 121 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 122 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 124 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 125 Northam's almshouse

  • 126 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 127 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 128 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 129

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 130 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 131 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 133 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 134

    Building works
  • 135 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 136 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 137 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 138 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 139 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 140 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 141 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 142 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 143 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 144 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 145 So this is the mainland!

  • 146 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 147 No sale of Springfield House

  • 148 Last train from Torrington

  • 149 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 150 Twenty-one yachts

  • 151 Revenge in style

  • 152 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 153 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 154 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 155 Penny for the guy

  • 156 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 158 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 159 Jumble sale fever

  • 160 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 161 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 162 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 163 Clovelly custom

  • 164 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 165 Appledore's largest

  • 166

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 167 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 168 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 169

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 170

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 171 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 172 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 173 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 174 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 175

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 176 New life for Hartland organ

  • 177 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 178 School crossing patrol begins

  • 179 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 180 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 181 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 182 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 183 New Lundy stamps

  • 184

    Married in 1908
  • 185 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 186 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 187 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 188 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 189 For crying out loud!

  • 190

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 191 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 192 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 193 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 194 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 195 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 196 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 197 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 198 New art gallery opened

  • 199 Off on a great adventure

  • 200 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 201 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 202 Sight of a lifetime

  • 203 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 204 Parkham plan realised

  • 205 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 206 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 207 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 208 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 209 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 210 Riverside mystery

  • 211 A roof-top view - where?

  • 212 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 213 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 214 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 215 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 216

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 217 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 218 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 219 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 220 New civic medallions

  • 221 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 222 Warmington's garage ad

  • 223 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 224 Bideford loses training ship

  • 225 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 226 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 227 113 years at Instow

  • 228 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 229 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 230 Simple Item 138
  • 231 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 232 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 233 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 234 Picking the pops

  • 235 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 236 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 237 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 238 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 239 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 240 First ship in 8 years

  • 241 Ships at Bideford

  • 242 Private home for public pump

  • 243 From Bobby to Brian

  • 244 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 245 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 246 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 247 Centenary of Gazette

  • 248 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 249 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 250 Waldon Triplets
  • 251 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 252 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 253 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 255 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 256 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 257 Variety in summer weather

  • 258 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 259 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 260 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 261 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 262

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 263 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 264 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 265 New look in the hayfields

  • 266 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 267

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 268 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 269 The cab at the corner>
  • 270 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 271 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 272 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 273

    Relatives all over the world
  • 274 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 275

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 276

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 277 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 278

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 279 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 280 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 281 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 282 Life begins at 80

  • 283 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 284 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 285 It really was the 'last time'

  • 286 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 287

    New gateway
  • 288

    First prize
  • 289 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 290

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 291 In their new robes and hats

  • 292 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 293 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 294 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 295 Northam footballers of the future

  • 296 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 297 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 298 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 299 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 300 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 301 Some 240 exhibits

  • 302 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 303 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 304

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 305 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 306 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 307 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 308

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 309 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 310 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 311 End of the line

  • 312 Some mushroom!

  • 313 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 314 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 315 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 316 Modern living at Bideford

  • 317 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 318 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 319 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 320 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 322 Bideford regatta

  • 323 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 324

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 325 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 326 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 327 Just over a year old

  • 328 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 329 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 330 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 331 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 332 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 333 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 334 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 335 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 336 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 337 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 338 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 339 Devil sent packing

  • 340 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 341 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 342 Torrington children build igloo
  • 343 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 344 The Geneva marionettes

  • 345 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 346 Cruising down the river

  • 347 Picking the pops

  • 348 Emergency ferry services

  • 349 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 350 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 351 A man and his wheel

  • 352 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 353 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 354 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 355

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 356 Circus comes to town

  • 357 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 358 Mobile missionary

  • 359 New Post Office

  • 360

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 361 Service with a smile

  • 362 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 363 North Devon Driving School

  • 364 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 365 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 366 Torrington in 1967

  • 367 Police station view of Bideford

  • 368 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 369 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 370 He beat the floods

  • 371 Hartland postman retires

  • 372 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 373 No laughing matter

  • 374 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 375 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 376 All aboard the ark

  • 377 New addition to Quay front

  • 378

    Bidefordians
  • 379 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 380

    Was a missionary
  • 381 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 382 The art of the thatcher

  • 383 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 384 Sweets derationing

  • 385 A bird of their own!

  • 386

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 387 Decontrol of meat

  • 388 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 389 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 390 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 391 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 392 Recognise this resort?

  • 393 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 394 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 395 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 396 Out of puff!

  • 397

    Exhibition of school work
  • 398 Bideford computer stars

  • 399 All for the love of a lady!

  • 400 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 401 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 402 What's the time?

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

  • 404 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 405 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 406 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 407 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 408 They are parted pro-tem

  • 409 By pony and trap to market

  • 410 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 411 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 412 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 413 Artisans' Club

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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Young Country Dancers of Hartland

The Country dancers pictured are members of the Church Senior Club at Hartland, and were formed into a dancing group just one month ago.

1954 Hartland dancers


The dancers made their first public appearance at a Christmas Fair at Hartland, and can be seen in their Old English period costumes made by Mrs W K Somerton. Mrs A T H Jones is accompanist. On Monday they gave their second performance at the Hartland Church Club social.
In the picture are - J Fanson, J Heard, D Pollard, A Jeffery, N Beer, P O'Donnell, J Hopper, S Dayman, J Pomeroy, R Heard, H Dayman, P Burrows.

Appledore Juniors in third round of the Pickard Cup in 1954

Appledore Juniors, who are top of the Northern Division of the Kingsley League, are now in the third round of the Pickard Cup.

1954 Appeldore juniors football

Seen from left to right are: J Lamey, A Brennan, D Martin, S Cox, M Braund, H Birchall, A Lamey, Freddie Lamey, G Cornish, T Waters, L Lamey, R Hocking, G Wright and D Curtis

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. 
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