• 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 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 2 Northam's almshouse

  • 3 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 4 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 5 A bird of their own!

  • 6 Private home for public pump

  • 7 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 8 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 9 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 10 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 11 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 12 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 13 Emergency ferry services

  • 14 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 15 A roof-top view - where?

  • 16 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 17 Hartland Dancers
  • 18 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 19 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 21

    Relatives all over the world
  • 22 For crying out loud!

  • 23 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 24 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

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

  • 26 Bideford regatta

  • 27 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 28 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 29 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 30 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 31 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 32 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 33 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 34

    Building works
  • 35 New art gallery opened

  • 36 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 37 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 38 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 39 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 40 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 41 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 42 Penny for the guy

  • 43 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 44 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 45 Circus comes to town

  • 46 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 47 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 48 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 49 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 50 Torrington in 1967

  • 51 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 52 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 54 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 55 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 56

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 57 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 58

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 59 All for the love of a lady!

  • 60 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 61 A man and his wheel

  • 62 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 63 Police station view of Bideford

  • 64 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 65 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 66 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 67 Just over a year old

  • 68 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 69 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 70 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 71 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 72 New shipyard on schedule

  • 73 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 74 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 75 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 76 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 77 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 78 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 79 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 80 Six footed lamb

  • 81 Capers on the cobbles

  • 82 They are parted pro-tem

  • 83 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 84 All aboard the ark

  • 85 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 86 Artisans' Club

  • 87 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 88

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 89 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 90 Littleham family's five generations

  • 91 Decontrol of meat

  • 92 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 93 Cruising down the river

  • 94 School's link with cargo ship

  • 95 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 96 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 98

    Exhibition of school work
  • 99 No laughing matter

  • 100 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 101 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 102 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 103 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 104 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 105 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 106 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 107 First ship in 8 years

  • 108 He beat the floods

  • 109 New civic medallions

  • 110 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 111 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 112 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 113

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 114 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 115 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 116 Picking the pops

  • 117 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 118 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 119 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 120

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 121 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 122 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 123 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 124 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 125 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 126 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 127 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 128 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 129 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 130 Parkham plan realised

  • 131 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 133 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 134 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 135 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 136 Last train from Torrington

  • 137

    New gateway
  • 138 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 139 It really was the 'last time'

  • 140

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 141 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 142 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 143 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 144 Appledore's largest

  • 145

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 146 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 147 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 148 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 149 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 150 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 152 School crossing patrol begins

  • 153 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 155 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 156 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 157 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 158 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 159 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 160 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 161 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 162

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 163

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 164 Waldon Triplets
  • 165 Finished in 1876

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

  • 167 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 168 When horses score over the tractor

  • 169

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 170 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 171 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 172 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 173 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 174 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 175 Hartland postman retires

  • 176 Simple Item 138
  • 177 Mobile missionary

  • 178 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 179

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 180 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 181 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 182

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 183

    Was a missionary
  • 184 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 185 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 186 Devil sent packing

  • 187 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 188 Hartland's invitation

  • 189 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 190 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 191 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 192 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 193 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 194

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 195 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 196 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 197 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 198 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 199 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 200 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 201 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 202 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 203 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 204 Bridging the stream

  • 205 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 206

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 207 New choral society's growing response

  • 208 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 209

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 210 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 211 Bideford loses training ship

  • 212 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 213 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 214 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 215 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 216 Some mushroom!

  • 217 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 218

    Bidefordians
  • 219 Can spring be far away?

  • 220 Centenary of Gazette

  • 221 New look in the hayfields

  • 222 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 223 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 224 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 225 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 226 Out of puff!

  • 227 A story to tell!

  • 228 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 229 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 230 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 231 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 232 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 234

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 235 Torrington children build igloo
  • 236 Recognise this resort?

  • 237 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 238 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 239 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 240 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 241 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 242

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 243 New life for Hartland organ

  • 244 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 245 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 246 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 247 New Lundy stamps

  • 248 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 249 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 250 Warmington's garage ad

  • 251 Some 240 exhibits

  • 252 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 253 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 254 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 255 113 years at Instow

  • 256 Loads of black and white

  • 257 Revenge in style

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

  • 259 Peter poses for TV film

  • 260 Off on a great adventure

  • 261 So this is the mainland!

  • 262 Picking the pops

  • 263 North Devon Driving School

  • 264 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 265 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 266

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 267 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 268 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 269 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 270 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 271 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 272 Traditions and skills still there

  • 273 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 274 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 275 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 276 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 277 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 278 Torrington's new amenity

  • 279 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 280 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 281 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 282 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 283 Riverside mystery

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

  • 285 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 286 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 287 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 288 The art of the thatcher

  • 289 Ten year old scrambler

  • 290 Bideford computer stars

  • 291 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 292 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 293 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 294 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 295 The Geneva marionettes

  • 296 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 297 Variety in summer weather

  • 298 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 299 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 300 Twenty-one yachts

  • 301 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 302 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 303 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 304 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 305 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 306 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 307

    Married in 1908
  • 308 Clovelly custom

  • 309 Service with a smile

  • 310 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 311 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 312 Happy Days!

  • 313 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 314 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 315 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 316 No sale of Springfield House

  • 317 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 318 Sight of a lifetime

  • 319 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 320 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 321 Weare Giffard potato

  • 322 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 323 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 324 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 325 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 326 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 327

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 328 Burnard family reunion

  • 329

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 330 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 331 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 332 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 333 What's the time?

  • 334 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 335

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 336 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 337 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 338 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 339

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 340 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 341 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 342 In their new robes and hats

  • 343 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 344 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 345

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 346 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 347 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 348 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 349 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 350 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 351 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 352 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 353 Life begins at 80

  • 354 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 355 End of the line

  • 356

    First prize
  • 357 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 358 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 359 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 360 New addition to Quay front

  • 361 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 362 Clovelly nightmare

  • 363 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 364 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 365 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 366 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 367 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 368 Pannier Market's future?

  • 369

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 370 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 371 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 372 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 373 Ships at Bideford

  • 374 Northam footballers of the future

  • 375 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 376 Modern living at Bideford

  • 377

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 378 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 379 By pony and trap to market

  • 380 New Post Office

  • 381 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 382 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 383 Jumble sale fever

  • 384 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 385 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Seafield House (2)

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.

 

Seafield House

Seafield House

Seafield House
 

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.
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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