• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 2 Torrington in 1967

  • 3

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 4 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 5 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 6

    Married in 1908
  • 7 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 8 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 9 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 10 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 11 Last train from Torrington

  • 12 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 13 Recognise this resort?

  • 14 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 15 No laughing matter

  • 16 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 18 Hartland postman retires

  • 19 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 20 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 21 End of the line

  • 22 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 23 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 24 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 25 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 26 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 27 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 28 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 29 Circus comes to town

  • 30 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 31 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 32 When horses score over the tractor

  • 33 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 35 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 36 Some 240 exhibits

  • 37 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 38 113 years at Instow

  • 39 Six footed lamb

  • 40 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 41 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 42 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 43 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 45 What's the time?

  • 46 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 47 Riverside mystery

  • 48 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 49 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 50 First ship in 8 years

  • 51 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 52 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 53 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 54 Loads of black and white

  • 55 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 56 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 57 Hartland Dancers
  • 58 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 59 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 60 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 61 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 62

    Bidefordians
  • 63 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 64 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 65 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 66 Police station view of Bideford

  • 67 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 68 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 69 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 70 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 71 Just over a year old

  • 72 New civic medallions

  • 73 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 74 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 75 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 76 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 77 Happy Days!

  • 78 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 79 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 80

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 81 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 82 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 83 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 84 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 85 Finished in 1876

  • 86 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 87 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 88 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 89 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 90 New life for Hartland organ

  • 91 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 92 Out of puff!

  • 93 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 94 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 95 New Lundy stamps

  • 96

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 97 Torrington children build igloo
  • 98 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 99 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 100

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 101 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 102 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 103 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 104 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 105 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 106 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 107 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 108 Weare Giffard potato

  • 109

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 110 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 111 Puppet characters introduced

  • 112 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 113 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 114 By pony and trap to market

  • 115 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 116 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 117

    Exhibition of school work
  • 118 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 119 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 120 So this is the mainland!

  • 121 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 122 Decontrol of meat

  • 123 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 124 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 125 Burnard family reunion

  • 126

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 127 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 128 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 129

    Relatives all over the world
  • 130

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 131 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 132 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 133 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 134 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 135 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 136 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 137 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 138

    Was a missionary
  • 139 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 140 In their new robes and hats

  • 141 Jumble sale fever

  • 142 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 144 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

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

  • 146 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 147 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 148

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 149

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 150 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 151 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 152 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 153 A man and his wheel

  • 154 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 155 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 156 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 157 Warmington's garage ad

  • 158 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 159 Peter poses for TV film

  • 160 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 161 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 162 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 163 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 164 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 165 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 166 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 167

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 168 New addition to Quay front

  • 169 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 170 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 171 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 172 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 173 Artisans' Club

  • 174 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 175 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 176 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 177 Parkham plan realised

  • 178 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 179 The art of the thatcher

  • 180 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 181 Some mushroom!

  • 182 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 183 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 184 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 185 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 186 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 187 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 188 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 189 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 190 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 191 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 192 Clovelly custom

  • 193 Simple Item 138
  • 194 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 195 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 196 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 197 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 198 New choral society's growing response

  • 199 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 200 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 201 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 202 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 203 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 205 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 206 A bird of their own!

  • 207 School crossing patrol begins

  • 208 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 209 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 210 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 211 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 212 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 213 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 214 New look in the hayfields

  • 215 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 216 Northam footballers of the future

  • 217 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 218 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 219 Torrington's new amenity

  • 220 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 221 Cruising down the river

  • 222 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 223 Twenty-one yachts

  • 224 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 225 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 226 No sale of Springfield House

  • 227

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 228 New Post Office

  • 229 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 230 For crying out loud!

  • 231 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 232 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 233 Bideford computer stars

  • 234 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 235

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 236 Penny for the guy

  • 237 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 238 Northam's almshouse

  • 239 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 240 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 241 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 242

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 243 The Geneva marionettes

  • 244 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 245 Littleham family's five generations

  • 246 North Devon Driving School

  • 247 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 248 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 249 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 250 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 251 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 252 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 253 Sight of a lifetime

  • 254 Appledore's largest

  • 255 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 256

    Building works
  • 257 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 259 Life begins at 80

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

  • 261 They are parted pro-tem

  • 262 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 263 Bridging the stream

  • 264 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 265 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 266 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 267

    New gateway
  • 268 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 269 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 270

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 271 Private home for public pump

  • 272 Ships at Bideford

  • 273 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 274 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 275 Waldon Triplets
  • 276 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 277

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 278

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 279 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 281 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 282 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 283

    First prize
  • 284

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 285 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 286 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 287 Picking the pops

  • 288 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 289 Pannier Market's future?

  • 290 Hartland's invitation

  • 291

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 292 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 293 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 294 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 295 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 296 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 297 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 298 Bideford loses training ship

  • 299 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 300 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 301 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 302 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 303 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 304 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 305 Off on a great adventure

  • 306 New art gallery opened

  • 307 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 308

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 309 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 310 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 311 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 312 Devil sent packing

  • 313 New shipyard on schedule

  • 314 Service with a smile

  • 315 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 316 Emergency ferry services

  • 317 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 318 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 320 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 321 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 322 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 323 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 324 Traditions and skills still there

  • 325 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 326 A story to tell!

  • 327 Capers on the cobbles

  • 328 All aboard the ark

  • 329 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 330

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 331

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 332 He beat the floods

  • 333 Modern living at Bideford

  • 334 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 335 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 336 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 337 All for the love of a lady!

  • 338 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 339 Centenary of Gazette

  • 340 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 341 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 342 A roof-top view - where?

  • 343 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 344 Variety in summer weather

  • 345 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 346 Picking the pops

  • 347 Revenge in style

  • 348

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 349 Ten year old scrambler

  • 350 Can spring be far away?

  • 351 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 352 Clovelly nightmare

  • 353

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 354

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 355 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 356 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 357 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 358 Bideford regatta

  • 359 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 360 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 361 Mobile missionary

  • 362 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 363 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 364 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 365 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 366 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 367 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 368 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 369 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 370 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 371 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 372 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 373 It really was the 'last time'

  • 374 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 375 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 376 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 377 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 379

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 380 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 381 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 382 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 383 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 384 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 385 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Police station view of Bideford

Policing in byegone days

Is it to be wondered at that Bideford is always favoured with a courteous, happy-tempered body of policemen? Facing them from their office windows is the charming view of the famous old bridge with a foreground of tree tops that, in spring, are a mass of bloom.

3 October 1952 Police station view of Bideford

From their Inspector downwards, Bideford’s police realise that one of Bideford’s chief functions is to welcome visitors and shoppers and within their strategic limits they exercise their discretion and good temper to the fullest extent.

Gazette article 3 October 1952

 

Riverside mystery

How many can fix this Bideford object?

Is it St George? Is it one of Caesar’s men? Does it depict the guarding spirit of a reputable centre of hospitality?

We know it is a familiar symbol above the main entrance to Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, where it commands the river stretch and Long Bridge.

29 August 1952 Riverside mystery

One supposition is that it was a ship’s figurehead from an old sailing vessel repaired in the port which found its way into the hands of a previous owner of the hotel. Mr Berale, the manager of the hotel, said he understood the legend to be that a sea captain who couldn’t pay his bill and left his ship’s figurehead in lieu in about 1865.

Gazette article 29 August 1952

 

Unique holiday adventure!

In the footsteps of Dr Johnson and Mr Boswell

James Boswell, the biographer of Dr Johnson, showed an admiration for literary men. He made a tour of the Hebrides with him in 1773, the Journal of which he afterwards published.

At the present moment, a Bidefordian, Miss E.F. (Betty) Stucley, daughter of Sir Hugh Stucley of Moreton, is following in the footsteps taken by that famous partnership nearly 200 years ago. She is accompanied by her adopted son, David, aged 8 and her companion.

15 August 1952 Unique holiday adventure

The picture above shows the disused Bideford motor ambulance which has been converted into a caravan for the tour at Messrs. Petherick’s Northam Road garage, Bideford. The name plate ‘Dr Johnson and Mr Boswell’ has pride of place on the front.

Gazette article 15 August 1952

 

  • 1

Login Form