• 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 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 2 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 3 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 4 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 5 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 6

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 7 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 8

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 9 For crying out loud!

  • 10 Just over a year old

  • 11 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 12 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 13

    First prize
  • 14 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 15 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 16 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 17 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 18

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 19 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 20 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 21 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 22 Waldon Triplets
  • 23 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 24 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 25 No sale of Springfield House

  • 26 Can spring be far away?

  • 27

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 28 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 29 He beat the floods

  • 30 Jumble sale fever

  • 31 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 32 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 33

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 34 Simple Item 138
  • 35 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 36 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 37 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 38 Cruising down the river

  • 39 School's link with cargo ship

  • 40 Fishermen of Greencliff

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

  • 42 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 43 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 44 Six footed lamb

  • 45 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 46 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 47 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 48 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 50 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 51 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 52 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 53 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 54 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 55 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 56 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 57 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 58 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 59 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 60 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 61 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 62 First ship in 8 years

  • 63 End of the line

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

  • 65 Hartland's invitation

  • 66 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 67 Hartland postman retires

  • 68 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 69 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 70 Out of puff!

  • 71 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 72 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 73 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 74 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 75 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 76 Last train from Torrington

  • 77 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 78 New choral society's growing response

  • 79 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 80 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 81

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 82 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 83 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 84 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 85

    New gateway
  • 86 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 87 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 88 Bridging the stream

  • 89 A bird of their own!

  • 90 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 91 Filming at Hartland

  • 92 All for the love of a lady!

  • 93 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 94 By pony and trap to market

  • 95 Clovelly custom

  • 96 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 97 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 98 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 99 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 100 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 101 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 102 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 103 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 104 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 105 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 106 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 107 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 108 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 109 No laughing matter

  • 110 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 111 When horses score over the tractor

  • 112 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 113 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 114 Parkham plan realised

  • 115 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 116 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 117 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 118 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 119 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 120 The Geneva marionettes

  • 121

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 122 Northam's almshouse

  • 123 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 124 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 125 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 127 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 128 New civic medallions

  • 129 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 130 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 131 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 132

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 133 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 134 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 135 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 136

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 137

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 138 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 139 Warmington's garage ad

  • 140 Traditions and skills still there

  • 141 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 142 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 143

    Exhibition of school work
  • 144 Sweets derationing

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

  • 146 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 147 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 148 Service with a smile

  • 149 New Post Office

  • 150 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 151 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 152 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 153 Puppet characters introduced

  • 154 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 155 New art gallery opened

  • 156 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 157 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 158 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 159 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 160 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 161 Picking the pops

  • 162 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 163 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 164 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 165 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 166 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 167 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 168 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 170 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 171

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 172 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 173 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 174 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 175 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 176 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 177 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 178 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 179 Private home for public pump

  • 180 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 181 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 182 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 183 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 184 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 185 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 186 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 187 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 188 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 190 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 191 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 192 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 193 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 194 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 195

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 196 Torrington's new amenity

  • 197 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 198 North Devon Driving School

  • 199 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 200 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 201

    Relatives all over the world
  • 202 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 203 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 204

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 205 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 206 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 207 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 208 Finished in 1876

  • 209 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 210 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 211 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 212 Bideford computer stars

  • 213 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 214 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 215 The art of the thatcher

  • 216 Twenty-one yachts

  • 217 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 218 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 219 Bideford loses training ship

  • 220

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 221 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 222 Variety in summer weather

  • 223 Bideford regatta

  • 224 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 225 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 226 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 227 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 228 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 229 Clovelly nightmare

  • 230 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 231 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 232 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 233 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 234

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 235 Torrington in 1967

  • 236 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 237 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 238 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 239 113 years at Instow

  • 240 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 241 Some mushroom!

  • 242 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 243 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 245 Northam footballers of the future

  • 246 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 248 Penny for the guy

  • 249 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 250 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 251 Weare Giffard potato

  • 252 Mobile missionary

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

  • 254 Revenge in style

  • 255 Hartland Dancers
  • 256 Modern living at Bideford

  • 257 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 258 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 259 New shipyard on schedule

  • 260 A story to tell!

  • 261 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 262

    Bidefordians
  • 263 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 264 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 265 Artisans' Club

  • 266 Ships at Bideford

  • 267 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 268 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 269 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 270 The cab at the corner>
  • 271 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 272 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 273 What's the time?

  • 274 Capers on the cobbles

  • 275 Pannier Market's future?

  • 276 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 277 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 278 From Bobby to Brian

  • 279 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 280 Devil sent packing

  • 281 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 282 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 283 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 284 Recognise this resort?

  • 285 Police station view of Bideford

  • 286 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 287 Life begins at 80

  • 288 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 289 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 290 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 291 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 292 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 293 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 294 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 295 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 296 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 297

    Was a missionary
  • 298 New look in the hayfields

  • 299 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 300 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 301 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 302 Picking the pops

  • 303 Appledore's largest

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

  • 305 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 306 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 307 Littleham family's five generations

  • 308 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 309 Sight of a lifetime

  • 310 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 311 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 312 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 313 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 314 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 315

    Building works
  • 316 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 317 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 318 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 319

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 320 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 321 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 322 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 323 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 324 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 325

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 326 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 327 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 328 In their new robes and hats

  • 329 A roof-top view - where?

  • 330 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 331 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 332 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 333 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 334 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 335 It really was the 'last time'

  • 336 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 337 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 338 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 339 A man and his wheel

  • 340 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 341

    Married in 1908
  • 342 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 343 New life for Hartland organ

  • 344 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 345

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 346

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 347 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 349 Torrington children build igloo
  • 350 Ten year old scrambler

  • 351 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 352 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 353 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 354

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 355 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 356 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 357 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 358 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 359 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 360

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 361 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 362 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 363 They are parted pro-tem

  • 364 Loads of black and white

  • 365 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 366 New addition to Quay front

  • 367 Happy Days!

  • 368 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 369 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 370 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 371 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 372

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 373 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 374 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 375 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 376 Peter poses for TV film

  • 377 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 378 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 379 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 380 Circus comes to town

  • 381 Off on a great adventure

  • 382 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 383 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 384 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 385 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 386 Burnard family reunion

  • 387 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 388 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 389 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 390 New Lundy stamps

  • 391 All aboard the ark

  • 392 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 393 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 394 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 395

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 396 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 397 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 398

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 399 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 400 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 402 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 403 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 404 Riverside mystery

  • 405 So this is the mainland!

  • 406

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 407 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 408 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 409 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 410 Decontrol of meat

  • 411 Centenary of Gazette

  • 412 Emergency ferry services

  • 413 Some 240 exhibits

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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In their new robes and hats

 Generous gifts to his native town

Bideford Manor Court was further enriched on Saturday when members of the Borough Council sitting as Lords of the Manor made their first public appearance in their new robes of claret edged with black velvet for the aldermen and blue edged with claret for the councillors.

6 april 1951 In their new robes and hats

The robes formed part of a gift to the town by Mr Arthur McTaggart Short, a Bideford-born Cardiff business man. The gifts commemorate the mayoralty of his brother, Collr., W.H. Short.

Gazette article 6 April 1951

 

 

Bideford schoolboy’s courage recognized

Attempted dog rescue 

Before the whole school, Alan J. Hewett, aged 10, of Barton Tors, Bideford, was presented with the RSPCA Certificate of Merit and a book on animals by the Mayor of Bideford (Mr W. H. Short) at East-the-Water County Primary School, Bideford, last Tuesday.

30 March 1951 Bideford schoolboys courage recognised

The presentation was in recognition of his courage in attempting to rescue a dog from a stream near Bideford on 28 January.

Gazette article 30 March 1951

 

 

 

What’s the time?

 Ask the policeman!

At the bottom left is the Policeman who is getting tired of being asked the time. Above is the hand-less clock attached to the Bideford Post Office. The clock was not working satisfactorily (owing to electricity cuts) so the hands were taken off.

9 March 1951 Whats the time

Bideford Bridge Trustees provide and maintain the clock. Mr Frank E. Whiting (Bridge Warden) explained that the original mechanism of weights and pendulums ‘gave out’ during the war. The new electric mechanism installed at the end of the war at a cost of £80 was satisfactory until the power cuts disrupted the timing. A battery-worked mechanism would cost about £130 to fix but that it could not be guaranteed, so it seemed they would have to wait until the new power station got going!

Gazette article 9 March 1951

 

 

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