• 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 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 2 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 3 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 4 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 5 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 6 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 7 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 8 Revenge in style

  • 9 Bideford regatta

  • 10 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 12 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 13 No laughing matter

  • 14 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 15 No sale of Springfield House

  • 16 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 17 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 18 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 19 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 20 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 21 Cruising down the river

  • 22 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 23 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 24 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 25 Out of puff!

  • 26

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 27

    First prize
  • 28 Torrington's new amenity

  • 29 Warmington's garage ad

  • 30 Sight of a lifetime

  • 31 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 32 Pannier Market's future?

  • 33 In their new robes and hats

  • 34

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 35 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 36 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 38 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 39 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 40 First ship in 8 years

  • 41 Traditions and skills still there

  • 42 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 43 Peter poses for TV film

  • 44 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 45 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 46 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 47 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 48

    Was a missionary
  • 49 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 50 A bird of their own!

  • 51 Last train from Torrington

  • 52

    New gateway
  • 53 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 54 Penny for the guy

  • 55 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 56 Finished in 1876

  • 57 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 58 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 59 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 60 New addition to Quay front

  • 61 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 62 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 63 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 64 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 65 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

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

  • 67 Meredith's ironmongers

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

  • 69 Clovelly custom

  • 70 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 71 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 72 New Lundy stamps

  • 73 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 74 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 75 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 76 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 77

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 78 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 79

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 80 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 81 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 82

    Building works
  • 83 Bideford computer stars

  • 84 North Devon Driving School

  • 85 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 86 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 87

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 88 All for the love of a lady!

  • 89 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 90 New life for Hartland organ

  • 91 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 92 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 93 When horses score over the tractor

  • 94 Riverside mystery

  • 95 School crossing patrol begins

  • 96 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 97

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 98 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 99 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 100 Torrington children build igloo
  • 101 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 102 Hartland postman retires

  • 103 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 104 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 105 Twenty-one yachts

  • 106 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 107 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 108 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 109 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 110 New art gallery opened

  • 111 Simple Item 138
  • 112 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 113 113 years at Instow

  • 114 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 115 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 116 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 117 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 118 Private home for public pump

  • 119 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 120

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 121 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 122 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 123 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 124

    Married in 1908
  • 125 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 126 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 127 Clovelly nightmare

  • 128 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 129 Ten year old scrambler

  • 130 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 131 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 132 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 133 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 134 He beat the floods

  • 135 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 136 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 137 Northam footballers of the future

  • 138

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 139 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 140 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 141 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 142 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 143 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 144 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 145 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 146 Circus comes to town

  • 147 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 148 Picking the pops

  • 149 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 150 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 151 Puppet characters introduced

  • 152 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 153 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 154 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 155 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 156 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 157 What's the time?

  • 158

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 159 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 160 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 161 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 162 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 163 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 164 Off on a great adventure

  • 165 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 166 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 167 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 168 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 169 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 170 Centenary of Gazette

  • 171 New shipyard on schedule

  • 172

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 173 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 174 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 175 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 176

    Relatives all over the world
  • 177 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 178 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 179 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 180 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 181 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 182 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 183 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 184 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 185 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 186 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 187 All aboard the ark

  • 188 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 190 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 191

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 192 Variety in summer weather

  • 193 Can spring be far away?

  • 194 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 195

    Bidefordians
  • 196 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 197 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 198 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 200 Jumble sale fever

  • 201 Capers on the cobbles

  • 202

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 203 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 204 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 205 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 206 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 207 Bideford loses training ship

  • 208 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 209 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

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

  • 212 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 213 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 214 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 215 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 216 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 217 Loads of black and white

  • 218 A roof-top view - where?

  • 219 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 220 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 221 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 222 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 223 Mobile missionary

  • 224 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 225 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 226 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 227 New civic medallions

  • 228 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 229

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 230 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 231 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 232 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 233 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 234 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 235 Picking the pops

  • 236 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 237 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 238 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 239 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 240 Parkham plan realised

  • 241 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 242 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 243 School's link with cargo ship

  • 244 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 245 Six footed lamb

  • 246 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 247 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 248 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 249 Some mushroom!

  • 250 So this is the mainland!

  • 251 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 253 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 254 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 255 Waldon Triplets
  • 256 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 257

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 258 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 259 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 260 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 261

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 262 A story to tell!

  • 263 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 264 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 265 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 266 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 267 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 268 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 269 They are parted pro-tem

  • 270 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 271 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 272 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

  • 274 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 275 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 276 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 277 Littleham family's five generations

  • 278 Artisans' Club

  • 279 End of the line

  • 280 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 281 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 282 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 283 Hartland's invitation

  • 284 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 285 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 286

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 287

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 288 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 289

    Exhibition of school work
  • 290 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 291

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 292 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 293 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 294 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 295 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 296 Burnard family reunion

  • 297 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 298 Police station view of Bideford

  • 299 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 300 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 301 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 302 Hartland Dancers
  • 303 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 304 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 305 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 306 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 307 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 308 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 309

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 310 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 311 Bridging the stream

  • 312 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 313

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 314 Devil sent packing

  • 315 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 316 Emergency ferry services

  • 317 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 318 Life begins at 80

  • 319 Service with a smile

  • 320 Recognise this resort?

  • 321 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 322 Modern living at Bideford

  • 323 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 324 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 325 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 326

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 327 Torrington in 1967

  • 328 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 329 It really was the 'last time'

  • 330 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 331 New look in the hayfields

  • 332 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 333 Just over a year old

  • 334 The Geneva marionettes

  • 335

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 336 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 337 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 338 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 339 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 340 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 341

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 342 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 343

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 344 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 345 A man and his wheel

  • 346 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 347 Weare Giffard potato

  • 348 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 349 Happy Days!

  • 350 Some 240 exhibits

  • 351 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 353 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 354 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 355 By pony and trap to market

  • 356 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 357 Appledore's largest

  • 358 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 359 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 360 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 361 Ships at Bideford

  • 362 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 363 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 364 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 365 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 366 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 367 For crying out loud!

  • 368 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 369 Northam's almshouse

  • 370 New choral society's growing response

  • 371 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 372 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 373 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 374 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 375

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 376 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 377 New Post Office

  • 378 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 379 Decontrol of meat

  • 380 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 381 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 382 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 383 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 384 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 385 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Joe the ginger tabby is 21

Bideford cat comes of age

Joe, belonging to Mr and Mrs L.H. (‘Jack’) Gorrell of 6 Church Walk, Bideford is 21 years old and has received congratulations from the RSPCA on his ‘coming of age’. A friend of two decades of children attending the Church School, Joe spends his time nowadays in the house or just outside sunning himself, but although he is not so active as he used to be he is as intelligent as ever.

13 June 1952 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

Fourteen-years-old Gyp, a Lakeland terrier, is his constant companion at home and they share each other’s chair and basket. Gyp queues behind Joe at mealtimes.

Gazette article 13 June 1952

 

Born 1883, still going strong

Last ketch left at sea

The ketch Emma Louise, photographed recently upon the Hubbastone patent slip, Appledore, for repairs, is the last of the ships built at Westacott’s yard, Barnstaple, left at sea. In the eighteen eighties there were at least 30 of them.

6 June 1952 Born 1883 still going strong

Built in 1883 she was John Westacott’s last ship in his Barnstaple yard before moving to the river Torridge at Lower Cleavehouses. She is registered at Bideford and is owned at Minehead.

Gazette article 6 June 1952

 

400 Ton cargo landed at East-the-Water

Vessel at Clarence Wharf

No trading vessel of size had berthed at Clarence Wharf owned by the Devon Trading Company at East-the-Water, Bideford for eight years until the m.v. Futurity docked on Friday morning of last week.

16 May 1952 400 ton cargo landed at East the Water

The company decided to dredge an eight years accumulation of silt from the Quay wall at their wharf and to re-open it for heavier vessels. It is now possible for vessels up to 400 tons to come alongside.

The Futurity arrived from the Medway with 400 tons of cement at 5.45 a.m. and orders placed were already being delivered, some going to the East Yelland Power Station.

Gazette article 16 May 1952

 

 

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