• 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 Ships at Bideford

  • 2 He beat the floods

  • 3 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 4 Variety in summer weather

  • 5 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 6 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 7 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 8 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 9 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 10 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 11 All aboard the ark

  • 12 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 13 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 15 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 16 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 17 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 18 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 19 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 20 The art of the thatcher

  • 21 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 22 School crossing patrol begins

  • 23 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 24 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 25 Picking the pops

  • 26 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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

  • 28 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 29 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 30 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 31 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 32 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 33 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 34 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 35 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 36 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 37 Torrington children build igloo
  • 38 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 39 Sight of a lifetime

  • 40 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 41

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 42 Clovelly custom

  • 43 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 44 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 45 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 46 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 47 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 48 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 49 Waldon Triplets
  • 50 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 51 Simple Item 138
  • 52

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 53 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 54 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 55 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 56 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 57

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 58 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 59 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 60

    Married in 1908
  • 61 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 62 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 63 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 64 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 65 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 66 No sale of Springfield House

  • 67 Six footed lamb

  • 68 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 69 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 70 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 71 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 72 Peter poses for TV film

  • 73 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 74 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 75 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 76 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 77 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 78 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 79

    Was a missionary
  • 80 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 81 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 82 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 83 Capers on the cobbles

  • 84 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 85 School's link with cargo ship

  • 86 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 87 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 88 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 89 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 90

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 91 For crying out loud!

  • 92 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 93 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 94 Burnard family reunion

  • 95 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 96

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 97 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 98 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 99 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 100 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 101 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 102 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 103 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 104 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 105 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 106 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 107

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 108 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 109 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

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

  • 111 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 112 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 113 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 115 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 116

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 117 New life for Hartland organ

  • 118 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 119 No laughing matter

  • 120 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 121 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 122 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 123 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 124 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 125 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 126

    Relatives all over the world
  • 127 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 128 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 129 Out of puff!

  • 130 Puppet characters introduced

  • 131 Hartland's invitation

  • 132 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 133 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 134 Pannier Market's future?

  • 135 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 136 A story to tell!

  • 137 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 138 Penny for the guy

  • 139 Circus comes to town

  • 140 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 141 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 142 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 143

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 144 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 145 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 146 Hartland postman retires

  • 147 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 149 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 150 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 151 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 152 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 154 The cab at the corner>
  • 155 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 156

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 157 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 158 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 159 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 160 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 161 Appledore's largest

  • 162 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 163 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 164 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 165 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 166 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 167 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 168

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 169 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 170 Warmington's garage ad

  • 171 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 172 When horses score over the tractor

  • 173 A bird of their own!

  • 174 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 175 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 176 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 177 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

  • 179 New choral society's growing response

  • 180 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 181 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 182 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 183 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 184 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 185

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 186 Devil sent packing

  • 187 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 188 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 189 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 190 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 192 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 193 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 194 New Post Office

  • 195 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 196 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 197 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 198 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 199 Recognise this resort?

  • 200 113 years at Instow

  • 201 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 202 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 203 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 204 By pony and trap to market

  • 205 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 206 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 207 Clovelly nightmare

  • 208 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 209

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 210 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 211

    Bidefordians
  • 212 Can spring be far away?

  • 213 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 214 Bideford regatta

  • 215 Bideford loses training ship

  • 216 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 217 New look in the hayfields

  • 218 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 219 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 220 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 221

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 222 Picking the pops

  • 223

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 224 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 225 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 226 Torrington's new amenity

  • 227 Jumble sale fever

  • 228 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 229 Bideford computer stars

  • 230 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 231

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 232 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 233 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 234

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 235

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 236 New art gallery opened

  • 237 The Geneva marionettes

  • 238 Service with a smile

  • 239 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 240 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 241 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 242 Happy Days!

  • 243 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 244 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 245 What's the time?

  • 246 New addition to Quay front

  • 247 Cruising down the river

  • 248 Sweets derationing

  • 249 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 250 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 251 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 252 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 253

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 254 Finished in 1876

  • 255 Private home for public pump

  • 256 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 257 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 258 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 259 End of the line

  • 260 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 261

    New gateway
  • 262 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 263 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 264 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 265 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 266 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 267 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 268 Centenary of Gazette

  • 269 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 270 Just over a year old

  • 271 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 272 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 273 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 274 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 275 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 277 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 278 Some 240 exhibits

  • 279 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 280 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 281 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 282 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 283 Revenge in style

  • 284 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 285 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 286 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 287 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 288 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 289 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 290 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 292 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 293 Last train from Torrington

  • 294 Police station view of Bideford

  • 295 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 296 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 297 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 298 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 299 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 300 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 301 Riverside mystery

  • 302 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 303 Ten year old scrambler

  • 304 A roof-top view - where?

  • 305 Filming at Hartland

  • 306 A man and his wheel

  • 307

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 308 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 309 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 310 Off on a great adventure

  • 311 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 312 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 313 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 314 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 315 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 316

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 317 All for the love of a lady!

  • 318 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 319 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 320 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 321 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 322 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 323 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 324 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 325 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 326 Northam's almshouse

  • 327 North Devon Driving School

  • 328 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 329 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 330 Decontrol of meat

  • 331 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 332 Hartland Dancers
  • 333 New shipyard on schedule

  • 334

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 335 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 336 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 337 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 338 In their new robes and hats

  • 339 Life begins at 80

  • 340 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 341 First ship in 8 years

  • 342 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 343 Littleham family's five generations

  • 344 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 345 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 346 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 347 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 348 Parkham plan realised

  • 349 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 350 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 352

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 353 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 354 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 355 Bridging the stream

  • 356 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 357 From Bobby to Brian

  • 358 So this is the mainland!

  • 359

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 360 Weare Giffard potato

  • 361 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 363

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 364 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 365 Northam footballers of the future

  • 366 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 367 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 368 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 369 Torrington in 1967

  • 370

    Building works
  • 371 Loads of black and white

  • 372 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 373 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 374 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 375 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 376 Traditions and skills still there

  • 377 Artisans' Club

  • 378 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 379 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 380 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 381 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 382 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 383 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 384 New Lundy stamps

  • 385 They are parted pro-tem

  • 386 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 387 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 388

    Exhibition of school work
  • 389 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 390 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 391 Twenty-one yachts

  • 392 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 393 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 394 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 395 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 396 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 397 It really was the 'last time'

  • 398 Emergency ferry services

  • 399 Mobile missionary

  • 400 New civic medallions

  • 401

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 402 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 403 Some mushroom!

  • 404 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 405 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 406 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 407 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 408 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 409 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 410 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 411 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 412

    First prize
  • 413 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

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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Royal Prince visits Torridge-side

Playing field opened

Scenes of tremendous enthusiasm welcomed HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on his visit to Bideford to open the King George’s Field extension to the Victoria Park. The Duke arrived in Bideford at noon and the great cheer of greeting at the borough boundary ceremony was repeated as, accompanied by the Mayor (Cllr. Mrs E.M. Cox) he came through the town.

31 October 1952 Royal prince visits Torridge side

The Duke and the Mayor each planted a tree at the conclusion of the opening ceremony and after a brief inspection of the playing field and plan, the Duke left by car for Tanton’s Hotel for a lunch and then left by car for Plymouth, travelling via Torrington (photograph).

Gazette article 31 October 1952

 

Council agree to demolition of Chanter’s Folly

In dangerous state and no funds available

Northam Council made a fateful decision last week concerning the future of Chanter’s Folly, the well-known landmark standing on the high promontory at Appledore. The tower commands wide sweeps of North Devon, the estuary and towards Bideford and on one side it stands at the edge of a sheer quarry face of about 100 feet.

17 October 1952 Council agree to demolition of Chanters Folly

The most likely story of its origin is that Mr Chanter, a Bideford merchant, erected the tower so that an employee living there might signal the arrival of one of his ships in the Bay. The signal could easily be seen from Bideford Quay and steps taken the provide labour at the quayside for the arrival of the vessel.

Gazette article 17 October 1952

 

 

Police station view of Bideford

Policing in byegone days

Is it to be wondered at that Bideford is always favoured with a courteous, happy-tempered body of policemen? Facing them from their office windows is the charming view of the famous old bridge with a foreground of tree tops that, in spring, are a mass of bloom.

3 October 1952 Police station view of Bideford

From their Inspector downwards, Bideford’s police realise that one of Bideford’s chief functions is to welcome visitors and shoppers and within their strategic limits they exercise their discretion and good temper to the fullest extent.

Gazette article 3 October 1952

 

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