• 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 Hartland's invitation

  • 2 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 3 A bird of their own!

  • 4 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 5 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 6

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 7 Emergency ferry services

  • 8 Riverside mystery

  • 9 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 10 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 11 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 12 First ship in 8 years

  • 13 Bideford loses training ship

  • 14 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 15 The Geneva marionettes

  • 16 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 17

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 18 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 19 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 20 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 21 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 22 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 23 New civic medallions

  • 24 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 25 Torrington's new amenity

  • 26 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 27 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 28 Recognise this resort?

  • 29 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 30

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 31 Ships at Bideford

  • 32 When horses score over the tractor

  • 33 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 34 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 35 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 36 Some 240 exhibits

  • 37 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 38 He beat the floods

  • 39 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 40 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 41 Variety in summer weather

  • 42 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 43

    Married in 1908
  • 44 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 45 Littleham family's five generations

  • 46 New addition to Quay front

  • 47 Appledore's largest

  • 48 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 49 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 50 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 51 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 52 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 53 Service with a smile

  • 54

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 55 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 56 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 57 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 58 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 59 Northam's almshouse

  • 60 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 61 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 62 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 63 Bideford country dancers on TV

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

  • 65 Peter poses for TV film

  • 66 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 67 Jumble sale fever

  • 68 For crying out loud!

  • 69

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 70

    Relatives all over the world
  • 71 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 72 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 73 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 74 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 75 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 76 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 77 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 78 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 79 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 80 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 81 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 82 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 83 Bideford regatta

  • 84 Traditions and skills still there

  • 85 No sale of Springfield House

  • 86 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 87 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 88 Twenty-one yachts

  • 89 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 90 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 91 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 92

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 93 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 94 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 95 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 96 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 97 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 98 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 99 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 100 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 101 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 102 Modern living at Bideford

  • 103 Life begins at 80

  • 104 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 105 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 106 From Bobby to Brian

  • 107 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 108 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 109 Picking the pops

  • 110 Last train from Torrington

  • 111 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 112 Six footed lamb

  • 113 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 114

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 115 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 116 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 117

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 118

    Bidefordians
  • 119 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 120 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 121 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 122 Cruising down the river

  • 123 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 125 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 126 All aboard the ark

  • 127 By pony and trap to market

  • 128 North Devon Driving School

  • 129 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 130 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 131

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 132 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 133 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 134 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 135 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 136 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 137 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 138 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 139

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 140 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 141 Capers on the cobbles

  • 142 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 143 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 144 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 145 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 146 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 147 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 148 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 149 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 150

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 151 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 152

    Was a missionary
  • 153 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 154 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 155 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 156 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 157 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 158 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 159 Pannier Market's future?

  • 160 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 161 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 162 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 163

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 164 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 165 Weare Giffard potato

  • 166 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 167 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 168 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 169 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 170 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 171 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 173 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 174 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 175 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 176 Waldon Triplets
  • 177 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 178 Picking the pops

  • 179

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 180 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 181 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 182 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 183 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 184 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 185 Police station view of Bideford

  • 186 Filming at Hartland

  • 187 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 188 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 189 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 190 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 191 What's the time?

  • 192 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 193 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 194 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 195 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 196 New look in the hayfields

  • 197 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 198 New art gallery opened

  • 199 School's link with cargo ship

  • 200 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 201 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 202 Sight of a lifetime

  • 203 Warmington's garage ad

  • 204 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 205 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 206

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 207 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 208 A roof-top view - where?

  • 209 They are parted pro-tem

  • 210 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 211 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 212 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 213 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 214 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 215 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 216

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 217 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 218

    Building works
  • 219 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 220 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 221 New life for Hartland organ

  • 222 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 224 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 225 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 226 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 227 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 228 Torrington children build igloo
  • 229 A man and his wheel

  • 230 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 231 In their new robes and hats

  • 232 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 233 Ten year old scrambler

  • 234 113 years at Instow

  • 235 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 236 Circus comes to town

  • 237 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 238 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 239 New Lundy stamps

  • 240 Simple Item 138
  • 241 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 242 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 243 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 244 Out of puff!

  • 245

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 246 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 247 Finished in 1876

  • 248 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 249 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 250 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 251 Just over a year old

  • 252 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 253

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 254 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 255 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 256 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 257 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 258 Sweets derationing

  • 259 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 260 Bideford computer stars

  • 261 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 262 Puppet characters introduced

  • 263 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 264 Happy Days!

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

  • 266 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 267 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 268 The art of the thatcher

  • 269 All for the love of a lady!

  • 270 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 271 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 272

    First prize
  • 273 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 274 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 275 Loads of black and white

  • 276 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 277 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 278 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 279 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 280 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 281 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 282

    Exhibition of school work
  • 283 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 284 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 285 Some mushroom!

  • 286 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 287 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 288 Centenary of Gazette

  • 289 End of the line

  • 290

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 291 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 292 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 293 New choral society's growing response

  • 294 Parkham plan realised

  • 295 Artisans' Club

  • 296

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 297 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 298

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 299 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 300 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 301 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 302 So this is the mainland!

  • 303 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 304 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 305 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 306 Private home for public pump

  • 307 Burnard family reunion

  • 308 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 309 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 310 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 311 Mobile missionary

  • 312 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 313 Can spring be far away?

  • 314 New shipyard on schedule

  • 315 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 316 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 317 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 318 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 319 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 320 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 321 Torrington in 1967

  • 322 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 323

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 324 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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

  • 326 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 327 Clovelly nightmare

  • 328 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 329 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 330 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 331

    New gateway
  • 332 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 333 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

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

  • 335 New Post Office

  • 336 Bridging the stream

  • 337 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 338 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 339 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 340 Decontrol of meat

  • 341

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 342 No laughing matter

  • 343 Hartland postman retires

  • 344 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 345 Northam footballers of the future

  • 346 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 347 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 348 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 349 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 350 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 351 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 352 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 353 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 354 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 355 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 356 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 357 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 358 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 359 Hartland Dancers
  • 360 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 361 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 362 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 363 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 364 Devil sent packing

  • 365 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 366 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 367 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 368 Penny for the guy

  • 369 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 370 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 371 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 372 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 373 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 374 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 375

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 376 Revenge in style

  • 377 The cab at the corner>
  • 378 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 379 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 380 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 382 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 384

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 385 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 386 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 387 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 388 A story to tell!

  • 389 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 390

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 391 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 392 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 393 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 394 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 395 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 396 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 397 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 398 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 399 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 400 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 401 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 402 Off on a great adventure

  • 403 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 404 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 405 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 406 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 407 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 408 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 409 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 410 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 411 It really was the 'last time'

  • 412 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 413 Clovelly custom

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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  • 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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  • 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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At Bideford Arts Ball

Bideford Art School students enjoy ball

Four of the fancy dress costumes which presented such a gay sight at the Arts Ball organised by Bideford Art School students at Westward Ho! Holiday Centre. The ball proved a very popular occasion for the many associated with the school and their friends and much ‘artistic’ humour was displayed in the array of fancy dress.

23 December 1949 At Bideford Arts Ball

On the left in the photograph above is Mr N.H. Chope (Bideford). On the right is Mr Bizzell (Westward Ho!) and next to him Miss Peggy Moppett (Torrington).

Gazette article 23 December 1949

 

 

Mayor becomes engine driver

‘Torrington’ naming ceremony: schoolchildren given rides

A self-confessed ‘engine spotter’ in his youth, the Mayor of Torrington, Ald. E.A. Holwill, was the envy of the large crowd of schoolchildren at Torrington Station last week, when he drove the new Westcountry class engine ‘Torrington’ which he had just named out of the station with whistle tooting.

2 December 1949 Mayor becomes engine driver

Following the naming ceremony, schoolchildren from the Torrington Secondary Modern School, the County Primary and the Blue Coat Church schools were taken for rides in the engine cab.

Gazette article 2 December 1949

 

From Bobby to Brian

Schoolboy plays Jim Hawkins

Long John Silver, parrot on shoulder, puts a protecting arm around young Jim Hawkins.

In the photograph taken during the filming at Appledore of shots in the film ‘Treasure Island’ are Mr William Harding as Long John Silver and schoolboy Brian Tilke as Jim Hawkins. Also in the group, second from left, is Mr A. Huxtable, also of Appledore.

2 December 1949 From Bobby to Brian

Young Brian, who lives at 6 Tomouth Road, Appledore, has since received a photograph of Bobby Driscoll, the American boy film star who played the part of Jim Hawkins.

Gazette article 2 December 1949

 

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