• 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 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 2

    Exhibition of school work
  • 3 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 4 Hartland's invitation

  • 5 New shipyard on schedule

  • 6 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 7

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 8 Service with a smile

  • 9 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 10 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 11 All aboard the ark

  • 12 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 13 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 14 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 15 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 16 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 17 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 18 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 19 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 20 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 21 Penny for the guy

  • 22 Puppet characters introduced

  • 23 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 24

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 25 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 26 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 27 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 28 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 30 Last train from Torrington

  • 31 Six footed lamb

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

  • 33

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 34 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 35 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 36 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 37 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 38 Bideford loses training ship

  • 39 Recognise this resort?

  • 40 By pony and trap to market

  • 41 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 42 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 43 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 44 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 45 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 46 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 47 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 48 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 49 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 50

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 51 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 52 Life begins at 80

  • 53 Traditions and skills still there

  • 54 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 55 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 56 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 57 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 58 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 60 No laughing matter

  • 61 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 62

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 63 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 64 No sale of Springfield House

  • 65 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 66 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 67 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 68 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 69 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 70 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 71 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 72 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 73 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 74 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 75 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 76 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 77 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 78 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 79 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 80 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 81 Finished in 1876

  • 82 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 83 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 84 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 85 Cruising down the river

  • 86 New life for Hartland organ

  • 87 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 88 New Lundy stamps

  • 89 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 90 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 91 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 92 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 93 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 94 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 95 Bideford computer stars

  • 96 A man and his wheel

  • 97

    Was a missionary
  • 98 Pannier Market's future?

  • 99 Warmington's garage ad

  • 100 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 101 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 102 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 103 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 104 The cab at the corner>
  • 105 Hartland postman retires

  • 106 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 107 Emergency ferry services

  • 108 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 109 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 110 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 111 A roof-top view - where?

  • 112 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 113 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 114

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 115 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 116 Off on a great adventure

  • 117 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 118 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 119 Circus comes to town

  • 120 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 121 Happy Days!

  • 122 Centenary of Gazette

  • 123 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 124 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 125 Revenge in style

  • 126 In their new robes and hats

  • 127 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 128 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 129 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 130 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 131 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 132 So this is the mainland!

  • 133 They are parted pro-tem

  • 134

    Married in 1908
  • 135 Picking the pops

  • 136 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 137 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 138 Burnard family reunion

  • 139 Twenty-one yachts

  • 140 Appledore's largest

  • 141 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 142 Bideford regatta

  • 143 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 144 Picking the pops

  • 145 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 146 Some 240 exhibits

  • 147 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 148 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 149

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 150 Out of puff!

  • 151 Waldon Triplets
  • 152 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 153 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 154 Parkham plan realised

  • 155 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 156 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 158 Sweets derationing

  • 159 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 160 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 161 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 162 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 163 First ship in 8 years

  • 164 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 165 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 166 School's link with cargo ship

  • 167 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 168

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 169 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 170

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 171 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 172 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 173

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 174 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 175 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 176

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 177 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 178 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 179 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 180 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 181 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 182 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 183 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 184 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 185 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 186 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 187 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 188 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 189 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 190 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 191 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 193 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 194 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 195 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 196 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 197 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 198 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 199 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 200 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 201 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 202 Up-to-date Bideford!

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

  • 204 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 205 New choral society's growing response

  • 206 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 207 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 208 Peter poses for TV film

  • 209 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 210 Simple Item 138
  • 211 From Bobby to Brian

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

  • 213 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 214 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 215 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 216 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 217

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 218 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 219

    Bidefordians
  • 220 What's the time?

  • 221 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 222 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 223 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 224 New addition to Quay front

  • 225 Capers on the cobbles

  • 226 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 227 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 228 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 229 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 230 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 231 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 233 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 234 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 235 Mobile missionary

  • 236 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 237 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 238 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 239 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 240 It really was the 'last time'

  • 241 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 242 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 243 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 244 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 245 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 246 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 247 Sight of a lifetime

  • 248 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 249 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 250 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 251 113 years at Instow

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

  • 253 New look in the hayfields

  • 254 Variety in summer weather

  • 255 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 256 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 257 New Post Office

  • 258

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 259 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 260 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 261 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 263 Decontrol of meat

  • 264 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 265 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 266 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 267 Modern living at Bideford

  • 268 A bird of their own!

  • 269 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 270 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 271 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 272 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 273 For crying out loud!

  • 274

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 275 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 276 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 277 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 278 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 279 Torrington children build igloo
  • 280 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 281 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 282

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 283

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 284 The art of the thatcher

  • 285 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 286

    New gateway
  • 287 Ten year old scrambler

  • 288 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 289

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 290 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 291 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 292

    Relatives all over the world
  • 293 Riverside mystery

  • 294 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 295

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 296 Private home for public pump

  • 297 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 298 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 299

    First prize
  • 300 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 301 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 302 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 303 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 304 Some mushroom!

  • 305

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 306 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 307

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 308 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 309 Torrington in 1967

  • 310 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 311 Clovelly custom

  • 312 Just over a year old

  • 313 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 314 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 315 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 316 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 317 Artisans' Club

  • 318

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 319 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 320

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 321 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 322

    Building works
  • 323 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 324 Loads of black and white

  • 325 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 326 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 327 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 329 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 330 He beat the floods

  • 331 A story to tell!

  • 332

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 333 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 334 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 335 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 337 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 338 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 339 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 340 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 341 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 342 Can spring be far away?

  • 343 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 345 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 346 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 347 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 348 Bridging the stream

  • 349

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 350 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 351 Filming at Hartland

  • 352 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 353 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 354 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 355 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 356 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 357 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 358 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 359 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 360 School crossing patrol begins

  • 361 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 362 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 363 End of the line

  • 364 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 365 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 366 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 367 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 368 The Geneva marionettes

  • 369 New art gallery opened

  • 370 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 371 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 372 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 373 Hartland Dancers
  • 374 Police station view of Bideford

  • 375 Jumble sale fever

  • 376 Northam's almshouse

  • 377 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 378

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 379 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 380 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 381 New civic medallions

  • 382 Weare Giffard potato

  • 383 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 384 When horses score over the tractor

  • 385 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 386 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 387 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 388 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 389 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 390 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 391 All for the love of a lady!

  • 392 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 393 Littleham family's five generations

  • 394 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 395 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 396 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 397 North Devon Driving School

  • 398 Northam footballers of the future

  • 399 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 400 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 401 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 402 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 403 Torrington's new amenity

  • 404 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 405 Devil sent packing

  • 406 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 407 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 408 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 409 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 410 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 411 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 412 Ships at Bideford

  • 413 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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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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.

 

Torrington May Fair Queen

Torrington May Fair Queen and Attendants

Torrington May Fair Queen
 

Names from left to right: Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row) Jean Rowe; Brenda Copp; Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex; Pat Parkhouse; Robert Knight (Page)

The May Queen and retinue also took part in the Carnival procession.

 
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