• 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 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 2 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 3

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 4 Life begins at 80

  • 5 New choral society's growing response

  • 6 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 7 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 8 Torrington in 1967

  • 9 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 10 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 11 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 12 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 13 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 14 New look in the hayfields

  • 15 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 16

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 17 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 18 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 19 Torrington children build igloo
  • 20 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 21 Warmington's garage ad

  • 22 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 23 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 24 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 25 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 26 Bideford computer stars

  • 27 No laughing matter

  • 28 Northam footballers of the future

  • 29 Decontrol of meat

  • 30 End of the line

  • 31 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 32 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 33 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 34 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 35 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 36 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 37 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 38 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 39 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 40 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 41 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 42 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 43 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 44 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 45

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 46 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 47 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 48 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 49 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 50 They are parted pro-tem

  • 51 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 52

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 53 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 54 Happy Days!

  • 55 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 56 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 57 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 58 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 59

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 60 Hartland's invitation

  • 61 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 62 Loads of black and white

  • 63 Some mushroom!

  • 64 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 65 New Post Office

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

  • 67 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 68 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 69 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 70 Six footed lamb

  • 71

    Exhibition of school work
  • 72 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 73

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 74 Last train from Torrington

  • 75 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 76 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 77 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 78 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 79 Peter poses for TV film

  • 80 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 81

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 82 Emergency ferry services

  • 83 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 84 Capers on the cobbles

  • 85 Cruising down the river

  • 86 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 87 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 88 Northam's almshouse

  • 89 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 90 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 91 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 92 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 93

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 94 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 95 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 96 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 97 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 98 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 99 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 100

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 101 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 102 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 103 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 104 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 105 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 106 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 107 The Geneva marionettes

  • 108 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 109 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 110

    Was a missionary
  • 111 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 112 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 113 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 114 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 115 Recognise this resort?

  • 116

    Married in 1908
  • 117 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 118 Parkham plan realised

  • 119 New art gallery opened

  • 120

    First prize
  • 121 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 122 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 123 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

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

  • 125 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 126 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 127 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 128 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 129 Jumble sale fever

  • 130 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 131 Police station view of Bideford

  • 132 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 133 Bideford regatta

  • 134 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 135 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 136 Pannier Market's future?

  • 137 Penny for the guy

  • 138 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 139 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 141 Some 240 exhibits

  • 142

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 143 Hartland postman retires

  • 144 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 145 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 146 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 147 Torrington's new amenity

  • 148 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 150 When horses score over the tractor

  • 151 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 152 School's link with cargo ship

  • 153 Ships at Bideford

  • 154 All aboard the ark

  • 155 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 156 So this is the mainland!

  • 157 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 158 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 159 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 160 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 161 For crying out loud!

  • 162

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 163

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 164 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 165

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 166 What's the time?

  • 167 Clovelly nightmare

  • 168 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 169

    Relatives all over the world
  • 170 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 171 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 172 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 173 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 174 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 175 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 176 Circus comes to town

  • 177 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 178

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 179 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 180 First ship in 8 years

  • 181 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 182 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 183 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 184 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 185 A story to tell!

  • 186 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 187 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 188 Centenary of Gazette

  • 189 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 190 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 191 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 192 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 193 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 194 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 195 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 196 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 197 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 198 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 199 All for the love of a lady!

  • 200 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 201 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 202 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 203 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 204 In their new robes and hats

  • 205 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 206 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 207 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 208 Traditions and skills still there

  • 209 Picking the pops

  • 210 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 211 New shipyard on schedule

  • 212

    Building works
  • 213 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 214

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 215 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 216

    Bidefordians
  • 217 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 218 Ten year old scrambler

  • 219 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 220 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 221 Revenge in style

  • 222 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 223

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 224 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 225 A bird of their own!

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

  • 227

    New gateway
  • 228 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 229 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 230 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 231 Can spring be far away?

  • 232 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 233 Finished in 1876

  • 234 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 235 By pony and trap to market

  • 236 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 237 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 238 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 239 Picking the pops

  • 240 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 241 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 242 A roof-top view - where?

  • 243 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 244 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 245 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 246 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 247 Simple Item 138
  • 248 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 249 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 250 Devil sent packing

  • 251 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 252 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 254 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 255 It really was the 'last time'

  • 256 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 257 Off on a great adventure

  • 258 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 259 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 260 Mobile missionary

  • 261 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 262 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 263 Just over a year old

  • 264 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 265 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 266 A man and his wheel

  • 267 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 268 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 269 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 270 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 271 New addition to Quay front

  • 272 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 273

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 274 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 275 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 276 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 278

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 279 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 280 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 281 He beat the floods

  • 282 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 283 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 284 Hartland Dancers
  • 285 Artisans' Club

  • 286 Variety in summer weather

  • 287 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 288

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 289 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 291 Modern living at Bideford

  • 292 The art of the thatcher

  • 293 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 294 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 295 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 296 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 297 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 299 Clovelly custom

  • 300 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 301 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 302 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 303 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 304

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 305 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 306

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 307 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 308 Private home for public pump

  • 309 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 310 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 311 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 312 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 313 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 314 New life for Hartland organ

  • 315 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 316 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 317 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 318 Burnard family reunion

  • 319 113 years at Instow

  • 320 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 322 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 323 Twenty-one yachts

  • 324 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 325 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 326 Bridging the stream

  • 327 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 328 New Lundy stamps

  • 329 No sale of Springfield House

  • 330 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 331 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 332 Out of puff!

  • 333 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 334

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 335 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 336 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 337 Puppet characters introduced

  • 338 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 339 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 340 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 341 Riverside mystery

  • 342 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 343 Waldon Triplets
  • 344 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 345 New civic medallions

  • 346 Weare Giffard potato

  • 347 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 348 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 349 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 350 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 351 Sight of a lifetime

  • 352 Appledore's largest

  • 353 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 354 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 355 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 356 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 357 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 358 Bideford loses training ship

  • 359 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 360 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 361 Littleham family's five generations

  • 362 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 363 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 364

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 365 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 366 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 367 North Devon Driving School

  • 368 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 369 Service with a smile

  • 370 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 371 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 372 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 373 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 374 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 375 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 376 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 377 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 378 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 379 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 380

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 381 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 382 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 383 School crossing patrol begins

  • 384

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 385 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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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Recognise this resort?

Westward Ho! in the past

Believe it or not, it is Westward Ho! a venue for town planners past and present.

4 April 1952 Recognise this resort

The artist who made the drawing reproduced above, has apparently used a considerable amount of licence, but one or two of the buildings can be definitely identified. The large building on the right is the then Royal Hotel (now the Golden Bay) and next to it is the Church and the small building beyond is Manorville.

Gazette article 4 April 1952

 

A roof-top view – where?

Firstly, where is it; secondly, from what vantage point was it taken?

The scene is Stoke, Hartland, and nesting in the valley of wooded slopes is Hartland Abbey. Founded in the reign of Henry II, it continued as an abbey until its surrender by the 16th abbot in February 1539. Subsequently it became a private residence and is now the home of Major D.F.B. Stucley.

29 February 1952 A roof top view where

The photograph was taken from the top of the handsome tower of St Nectan’s Church.

Gazette article 29 February 1920

 

Homage to a well-lived sovereign

Bideford’s tribute to a great sea king

Memorial services to his late majesty King George VI were held throughout the district on Friday and during the weekend and great congregations to a well-loved sovereign.

22 February Homage to a well loved sovereign

Two minutes’ silence was observed in town street and village lane and in a number of instances as at Bideford Parish Church, the passing bell was tolled 56 times, once for each year of King George’s life, before memorial services.

Gazette article 22 February 1952

 

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