• 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 Centenary of Gazette

  • 2

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 3 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 4 School's link with cargo ship

  • 5 In their new robes and hats

  • 6 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 7 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 8 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 9

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 10 School crossing patrol begins

  • 11

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 12 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 13 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 14 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 15 Northam's almshouse

  • 16 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 17 The art of the thatcher

  • 18 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 19 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 20 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 21 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 22 What's the time?

  • 23 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 24 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

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

  • 26 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 27 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 28 Pannier Market's future?

  • 29 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 30

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 31 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 32 He beat the floods

  • 33 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 34 Torrington in 1967

  • 35

    Exhibition of school work
  • 36 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 37 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 38 Bideford loses training ship

  • 39 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 40 Northam footballers of the future

  • 41 No laughing matter

  • 42 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 43 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 44 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 45 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 46 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 47 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 48 Sight of a lifetime

  • 49 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 50 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 51 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 52 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 53

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 54

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 55 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 56 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 57 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 58 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 59 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 60 Sweets derationing

  • 61 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 62 Torrington children build igloo
  • 63 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 64 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 65 Modern living at Bideford

  • 66 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 67 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 68 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 69 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 70 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 71 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 72 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 73 Six footed lamb

  • 74 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 75 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 76 Simple Item 138
  • 77 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 78 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 79 Hartland's invitation

  • 80 New Post Office

  • 81

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 82 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 83 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 84 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 85 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 86 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 88 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 89 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 90 New shipyard on schedule

  • 91 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 92 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 93 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 94 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 95 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 96 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 98 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 99 When horses score over the tractor

  • 100 Private home for public pump

  • 101 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 102 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 104 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 105 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 107 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 108 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 109 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 110 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 111 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 112 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 113 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 114 New life for Hartland organ

  • 115 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 116 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 117 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 118 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 119 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 120 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 121 Devil sent packing

  • 122 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 123 New addition to Quay front

  • 124 Loads of black and white

  • 125 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 126 Out of puff!

  • 127 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 128 From Bobby to Brian

  • 129 Traditions and skills still there

  • 130 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 131 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 132 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 133

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 134 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 135 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 136 Riverside mystery

  • 137 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 138 End of the line

  • 139 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 140 No sale of Springfield House

  • 141 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 142 Peter poses for TV film

  • 143 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 144 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 145 A bird of their own!

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

  • 147 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 148 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 149 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 150 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 151 A man and his wheel

  • 152 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 153

    Building works
  • 154 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 155 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 156 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 157 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 158 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 159 A story to tell!

  • 160 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 161 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 162 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 163 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 164 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 165 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 166 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 167 By pony and trap to market

  • 168 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 169 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 170 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 171 Last train from Torrington

  • 172 Twenty-one yachts

  • 173 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 174 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 176

    First prize
  • 177 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 178 Burnard family reunion

  • 179 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 181 Recognise this resort?

  • 182 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 183 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 184 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 185 New civic medallions

  • 186 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 187 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 188 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 189 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 190

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 191 Police station view of Bideford

  • 192 Torrington's new amenity

  • 193 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 194 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 195

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

  • 197 A roof-top view - where?

  • 198

    Married in 1908
  • 199 Warmington's garage ad

  • 200 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 201 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 202 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 203 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 204 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 205 Waldon Triplets
  • 206 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 207 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 208 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 209 Ten year old scrambler

  • 210 New choral society's growing response

  • 211 Picking the pops

  • 212 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 213 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 214 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 215 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 216 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 217 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 218 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 219 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 220 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 221 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 222 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 223 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 224 New look in the hayfields

  • 225

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 226

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 227 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 228 Weare Giffard potato

  • 229

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 230 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 231 Jumble sale fever

  • 232 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 233 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 234 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 235 Ships at Bideford

  • 236 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 237 They are parted pro-tem

  • 238 The cab at the corner>
  • 239

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 240 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 241 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 242 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 243 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 244 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 245 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 246 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 247

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 248 Artisans' Club

  • 249

    Was a missionary
  • 250 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 251 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 252 Revenge in style

  • 253 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 254 Hartland postman retires

  • 255 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 256 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 258 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 259 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 260 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 261 Parkham plan realised

  • 262

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 263 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 264 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 265 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 266 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 267 Cruising down the river

  • 268 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 269 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 270 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 271 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 272 For crying out loud!

  • 273 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 274 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 275 113 years at Instow

  • 276 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 277 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 278 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 279 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 280 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 282

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 283 Some mushroom!

  • 284 Variety in summer weather

  • 285

    Relatives all over the world
  • 286 Life begins at 80

  • 287 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 288 Puppet characters introduced

  • 289 Can spring be far away?

  • 290 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 291 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 292 All for the love of a lady!

  • 293 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 294 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 295 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 296 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 297 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 298 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 299 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 300 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 301 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 302 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 303 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 304 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 305 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 306 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 307 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 309 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 310 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 311 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 312 The Geneva marionettes

  • 313 Clovelly nightmare

  • 314 So this is the mainland!

  • 315 Happy Days!

  • 316 All aboard the ark

  • 317 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 318 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 319 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 320 New Lundy stamps

  • 321 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 322 Just over a year old

  • 323 Finished in 1876

  • 324 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 325 Bridging the stream

  • 326 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 327 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 328 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 329

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 330 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 331 Service with a smile

  • 332 Picking the pops

  • 333 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 334 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 335 Littleham family's five generations

  • 336 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 337 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 338

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 339 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 340 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 341 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 342 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 343 Bideford regatta

  • 344 Emergency ferry services

  • 345 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 346 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 347 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 348

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 349

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 350 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 351 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 352 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 353 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 354 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 355 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 356 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 357

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 358

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 359 New art gallery opened

  • 360 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 361 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 362 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 363 It really was the 'last time'

  • 364 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 365 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 366 First ship in 8 years

  • 367 Hartland Dancers
  • 368 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 369 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 370 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 371 Clovelly custom

  • 372 North Devon Driving School

  • 373 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 374 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 375 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 376 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 377 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 378 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 379

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 380 Appledore's largest

  • 381 Circus comes to town

  • 382 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 383 Bideford computer stars

  • 384 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 385 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 386 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 387 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 388 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 389

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 390 Down at the 'Donkey House'

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

  • 392 Capers on the cobbles

  • 393 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 394 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 395 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 396 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 397 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 398 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 399 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 400 Some 240 exhibits

  • 401 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 402

    New gateway
  • 403 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 404 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 405 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 406 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 407 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 408 Mobile missionary

  • 409 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 410 Penny for the guy

  • 411

    Bidefordians
  • 412 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 413 Landmark at Bradworthy

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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Where Bideford Rope-Makers Walked

Where Bideford Rope-Makers Walked

Rope Walk
 

From the photograph most readers will immediately recognise the Strand but fewer will recall the wooden posts which formed part of the extension to "Rope" Walk which ran from the foreground of the picture back past the bottom of Chingswell Street, across the bottom of Willett Street to the Quay end of Bridgeland Street.
The ancient and principal ropewalk in Bideford, where ropes were made by hand, was owned from very early times by the Wren family, and later was acquired by Mr H M Restarick.

 

Has designed all furnishings of new chapel

Has Designed All Furnishings of New Chapel

Reginald Lloyd
 

Bideford artist Reginald Lloyd and his work featured in a recent issue of "Canvas," Westward Television's monthly magazine of the arts.
In the new chapel at the Stella Maris Convent School at Bideford he is doing something he believes no other artist has had the chance to do - design every article and piece of furniture and paint the pictures. This will include the altar, the ironwork, altar rails and screen, the pews, the candlesticks and the painting of the crucifixion.

 

The crowning of Hartland's Carnival Queen

The crowning of Hartland's Carnival Queen in August 1972

11081972 Hartland Carnival Queen
 

In the picture (left to right) are: Miss Shirley Heard (attendant), the Carnival Queen (Miss Susan Heard), last year's Queen (Miss Pat Dennis) who performed the crowning, and Mrs Rosemary Westlake (attendant). Miss Heard and her two attendants will have the place of honour at the Carnival.

 
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