• 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 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 2 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 3 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 4 Decontrol of meat

  • 5 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 6 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 7

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 8 Sweets derationing

  • 9 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 10 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 11 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 12 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 13 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 14 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 15 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 16 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 17 Capers on the cobbles

  • 18 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 19 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 20 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 21 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 22 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 23 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 24 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 25 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 26 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 27 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 28 Torrington in 1967

  • 29 Circus comes to town

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

  • 31 So this is the mainland!

  • 32 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 33 Penny for the guy

  • 34 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 35 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 36

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 37 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 38 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 39 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 40 When horses score over the tractor

  • 41 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 42 New civic medallions

  • 43 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 44 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 45 New Post Office

  • 46 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 47 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 48 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 49

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 50 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 51 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 52 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 53

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 54 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 55 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 56 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 57 Some 240 exhibits

  • 58 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 59 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 60 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 61 Sight of a lifetime

  • 62

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 63 New look in the hayfields

  • 64 Life begins at 80

  • 65 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 66 Torrington children build igloo
  • 67 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 68 Ten year old scrambler

  • 69 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 70 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 71 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 72 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 73 New life for Hartland organ

  • 74 Off on a great adventure

  • 75 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 76 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 77 First ship in 8 years

  • 78 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 79 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 80 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 81 It really was the 'last time'

  • 82 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 83 Weare Giffard potato

  • 84 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 85 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 87 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 88 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 89

    Bidefordians
  • 90 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 91 Bridging the stream

  • 92 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 93 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 94 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 95 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 96 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 97 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 98 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 99 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 100 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 101 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 102 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 103 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 104 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 105 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 106 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 107 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 108 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 109 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 110 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 111 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 112 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 113 Jumble sale fever

  • 114 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 115 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 116 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 117 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 119

    Relatives all over the world
  • 120 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 121 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 122 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 123

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 124 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 125 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 126 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 127 They are parted pro-tem

  • 128 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 129 Can spring be far away?

  • 130 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 131 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 132 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 133 Clovelly custom

  • 134 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 135 What's the time?

  • 136 Loads of black and white

  • 137 Picking the pops

  • 138 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 139 Riverside mystery

  • 140 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 141 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 142 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 143 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 144 Devil sent packing

  • 145 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 146 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 147 A roof-top view - where?

  • 148 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 149 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 150 The Geneva marionettes

  • 151 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 152 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 153 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 154 A bird of their own!

  • 155 Ships at Bideford

  • 156 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 157

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 158 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 159 Bideford loses training ship

  • 160 End of the line

  • 161 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 162

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 163 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 164 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 165 Picking the pops

  • 166 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 168 Hartland Dancers
  • 169

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 170 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 171 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 172 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 173 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 174 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 175 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 176 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 177 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 178 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 179 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 181 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 182 Puppet characters introduced

  • 183 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 184 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 185

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 186 Six footed lamb

  • 187 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 188 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 189 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 190 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 191 Service with a smile

  • 192 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 193 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 194 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 195 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 196 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 197 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 198 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 199

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 200 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 201

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 202 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 204 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 205 Northam footballers of the future

  • 206 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 207

    Exhibition of school work
  • 208 A story to tell!

  • 209 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 210 Out of puff!

  • 211 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 212 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 213 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 214

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 215

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 216 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 217 All for the love of a lady!

  • 218 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 219 Cruising down the river

  • 220 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 221 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 222 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 223 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 224

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 225 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 226 In their new robes and hats

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

  • 228 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 229 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 230 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 231 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 232 No laughing matter

  • 233 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 234 Emergency ferry services

  • 235 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 236 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 237 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 238 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 239 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 240 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 241 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 242 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 244 New addition to Quay front

  • 245 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 246 Pannier Market's future?

  • 247 New choral society's growing response

  • 248 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 249 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 251 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 252 Burnard family reunion

  • 253 Private home for public pump

  • 254 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 255 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 256 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 257 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 258 North Devon Driving School

  • 259 Revenge in style

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

  • 261 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 262 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 263 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 264 Hartland's invitation

  • 265 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 266 113 years at Instow

  • 267 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 268 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 269 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 270 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 271 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 272 A man and his wheel

  • 273

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 274 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 275 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 276 Appledore's largest

  • 277

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 278 Littleham family's five generations

  • 279 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 280 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 281 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 282 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 283 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 284 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 285 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 286

    First prize
  • 287 Bideford regatta

  • 288 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 289 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 290 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 291 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 292 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 293 Filming at Hartland

  • 294 Modern living at Bideford

  • 295 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 296 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 297

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 298 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 299 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 300 The cab at the corner>
  • 301 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 302 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 303 Some mushroom!

  • 304 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 305 School's link with cargo ship

  • 306 From Bobby to Brian

  • 307 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 308 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 309 All aboard the ark

  • 310 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 311 Traditions and skills still there

  • 312 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 313 Bideford computer stars

  • 314 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 315 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 316

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 317

    Was a missionary
  • 318 New shipyard on schedule

  • 319 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 320 New art gallery opened

  • 321 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 322 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 323 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 324 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 325 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 326 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 327

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 328 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 329 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 330 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 331 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 332 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 333 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 334 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 335 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 336 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 337 Mobile missionary

  • 338 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 339 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 340 Peter poses for TV film

  • 341 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 342 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 343 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 344 Warmington's garage ad

  • 345 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 346 Police station view of Bideford

  • 347 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 348 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 349 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 350 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 351 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 352 Finished in 1876

  • 353 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 354 School crossing patrol begins

  • 355 Just over a year old

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

  • 357 Centenary of Gazette

  • 358

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 359

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 360 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 361 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 362 Artisans' Club

  • 363 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 364 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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

  • 366 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 367 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 368 Hartland postman retires

  • 369 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 370 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 371 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 372 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 373 Simple Item 138
  • 374 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 375 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 376 He beat the floods

  • 377 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 378 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 379 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 380 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 381 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 382 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 384 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 385

    Married in 1908
  • 386 No sale of Springfield House

  • 387 For crying out loud!

  • 388 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 389 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 390 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 391

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 392

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 393 Waldon Triplets
  • 394 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 395 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 396 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 397

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 398 Variety in summer weather

  • 399 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 400 The art of the thatcher

  • 401 Happy Days!

  • 402 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 403 Parkham plan realised

  • 404 Last train from Torrington

  • 405 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 406

    New gateway
  • 407

    Building works
  • 408 Recognise this resort?

  • 409 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 410 New Lundy stamps

  • 411 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 412 By pony and trap to market

  • 413 Twenty-one yachts

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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Mural in the Whimsical Mood

 Mural displayed at Bideford Trades Exhibition

Pictured are students of Bideford School of Art at work on a thirty-foot long mural now displayed at the Bideford District Trades exhibition.

15 June 1951 Mural in the whimsical mood

The mural represents, in whimsical manner, the Festivals of 1851 and 1951 and the trades of Bideford, with a centre theme showing Art coming into its own.

Gazette article 15 June 1951

 

 

Off on a great adventure

 Bideford pupils on a fortnight’s exchange visit to London

Twenty-three pupils of Bideford Secondary Modern School are in London for an educational visit. They come from a wide area served by the school, including Clovelly, Appledore and Northam as well as Bideford and are going on an exchange visit with the same number of children at the Kilmorie Secondary School, Forest Hill, London whose headmaster, Mr Robert B. Hills, was a teacher evacuated to Bideford Secondary Mordern School during the war.

25 May 1951 Off to a great adventure

If this visit is a success it is hoped to make others an annual feature of Bideford Secondary Modern School’s programme. The pupils are a cross-section of the school, ages ranging from 11 to 15. For many of the children it will be their first visit to London.

Gazette article 25 May 1951

 

 

Down at the ‘Donkey House’

Donkey painted on wall 

How the outline of a donkey had been painted on the wall of premises at Bank End, Bideford, overlooking the river was recalled at Bideford Manor Court. The original donkey had been painted in tar by fisherman who at that time had tarred their nets near the building before storing them for the winter. The photograph shows the old donkey painted in tar and the building became known as the ‘donkey house.

13 April 1951 Down at the donkey house

Following the re-erection of the building during the first world war, there was such an outcry for the donkey that a donkey cut in the stone had been placed over the doorway looking in the Appledore direction and still could be seen there.

Gazette article 13 April 1951

 

 

 

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