• 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 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 2 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 3 Bideford loses training ship

  • 4 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 5 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 6 Some mushroom!

  • 7 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 8 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 9 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 10

    Building works
  • 11 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 12 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 13 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 14 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 15 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 16 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 17 New look in the hayfields

  • 18

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 19 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 20 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 21 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 22 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 23 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 24 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 25 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 26 Simple Item 138
  • 27 Peter poses for TV film

  • 28 What's the time?

  • 29

    Married in 1908
  • 30 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 31 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 32

    First prize
  • 33 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 34 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 35 Sight of a lifetime

  • 36 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 37 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 38 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 39 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 41 New shipyard on schedule

  • 42 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 43 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 44

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 45 Puppet characters introduced

  • 46 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 47 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 48 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 49 Warmington's garage ad

  • 50

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 51 So this is the mainland!

  • 52 Circus comes to town

  • 53 Hartland postman retires

  • 54 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 55 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 56 Happy Days!

  • 57 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 58 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 59 Capers on the cobbles

  • 60 Artisans' Club

  • 61 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 62 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 63 Cruising down the river

  • 64 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 65 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 66 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 67 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 68 The Geneva marionettes

  • 69 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

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

  • 71 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 72 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 73 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 74 Recognise this resort?

  • 75

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 76 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 77 Revenge in style

  • 78 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 79

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 80 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 81 Six footed lamb

  • 82 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 83

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 84 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 85 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 86 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 87 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 88 Littleham family's five generations

  • 89 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 90 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 91 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 92 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 93 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 94 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 95 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 96 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 97 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 98 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 99 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 100 Devil sent packing

  • 101 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 102 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 103 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 104 Torrington's new amenity

  • 105 Out of puff!

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

  • 107 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 108 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 109 New choral society's growing response

  • 110 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 111 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 112 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 113 No laughing matter

  • 114 He beat the floods

  • 115 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 116 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 118 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 119 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 120 By pony and trap to market

  • 121 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 122 Parkham plan realised

  • 123

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 124 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 125 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 126 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 127 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 128 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 129

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 130 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 132 School's link with cargo ship

  • 133 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 134 New Lundy stamps

  • 135

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 136 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 137 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 138 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 139 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 140 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 141 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 142 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 143 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 144 Bideford computer stars

  • 145 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 146 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 147 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 148 Weare Giffard potato

  • 149 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 150 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 151 The art of the thatcher

  • 152 Torrington in 1967

  • 153 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 154

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 155 Finished in 1876

  • 156 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 157 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 158 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 159 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 160 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 161 Off on a great adventure

  • 162 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 163 Variety in summer weather

  • 164 New Post Office

  • 165 A story to tell!

  • 166 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 167 Clovelly custom

  • 168 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 169 First ship in 8 years

  • 170 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 171 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 172 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 173 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 174 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 175 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 176 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 177

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 178 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 179 113 years at Instow

  • 180 All aboard the ark

  • 181 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 182 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 183 Last train from Torrington

  • 184 School crossing patrol begins

  • 185 Northam footballers of the future

  • 186 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 187 Hartland Dancers
  • 188 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 189 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 190 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 191 In their new robes and hats

  • 192 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 193 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 194 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 195

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 196 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 197 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 198 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 199 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 200 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 201 Ten year old scrambler

  • 202 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 203 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 204 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 205 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 206 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 207 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 208 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 209 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 210

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 211 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 212 Burnard family reunion

  • 213

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 214 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 215

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 216 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 217 Filming at Hartland

  • 218 Can spring be far away?

  • 219 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 220 Police station view of Bideford

  • 221 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 222 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 223 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 224 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 225 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 226 Some 240 exhibits

  • 227 Bridging the stream

  • 228 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 229 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 230 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 231 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 232 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 233 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 234 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 235 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 236 Torrington children build igloo
  • 237 Service with a smile

  • 238 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 239 Mobile missionary

  • 240 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 241 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 242 Bideford regatta

  • 243 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 244 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 245 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 246 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 247 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 248 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 249 A roof-top view - where?

  • 250 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 251 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 252 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 253

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 254 Decontrol of meat

  • 255 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 256 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 257

    Was a missionary
  • 258 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 259 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 260 For crying out loud!

  • 261 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 263 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 264 Penny for the guy

  • 265 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 267 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 268 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 269 Modern living at Bideford

  • 270 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 271 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 272

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 273 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 274 All for the love of a lady!

  • 275 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 276 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 277 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 278 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 279 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 280 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 281

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 282 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 283 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 284 Pannier Market's future?

  • 285 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 286

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 287 A bird of their own!

  • 288 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 289 Jumble sale fever

  • 290 It really was the 'last time'

  • 291

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 292

    Bidefordians
  • 293 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 294 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 295 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 296 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 297 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 298 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 299 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 300 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 301 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 302 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 303 Centenary of Gazette

  • 304 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 305 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 306 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 307

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 308 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 309 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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

  • 311 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 312 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 313 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 314 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 315 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 316 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 318 Ships at Bideford

  • 319 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 320 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 321 North Devon Driving School

  • 322 Loads of black and white

  • 323 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 324 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 325 The cab at the corner>
  • 326 End of the line

  • 327 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 328 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 329 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 330 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 331 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 332 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 333 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 334 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 335 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 336 Appledore's largest

  • 337 Emergency ferry services

  • 338 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 339 A man and his wheel

  • 340 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 341

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 342 Waldon Triplets
  • 343 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 344 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 345 Riverside mystery

  • 346 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 347 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 348 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 349 New civic medallions

  • 350 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 351 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 352 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 353 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 354

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 355 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 356 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 357 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 358 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 359 Private home for public pump

  • 360 From Bobby to Brian

  • 361 New life for Hartland organ

  • 362 Twenty-one yachts

  • 363 Hartland's invitation

  • 364 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 365 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 366 Sweets derationing

  • 367 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 368 Traditions and skills still there

  • 369 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 371

    New gateway
  • 372 Picking the pops

  • 373 Picking the pops

  • 374 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 375 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 376 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 377 Life begins at 80

  • 378

    Relatives all over the world
  • 379 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 380 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 381 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 382 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 383

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 384

    Exhibition of school work
  • 385 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 386 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 387 When horses score over the tractor

  • 388 Polish custom on Pancake Day

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

  • 390 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 392 New art gallery opened

  • 393 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 395 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 396 Just over a year old

  • 397

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 398 No sale of Springfield House

  • 399 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 400 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 401 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 402 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 403 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 404 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 405 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 406 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 407 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 408 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 409 They are parted pro-tem

  • 410 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 411 Clovelly nightmare

  • 412 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 413 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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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  • 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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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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Riverside mystery

How many can fix this Bideford object?

Is it St George? Is it one of Caesar’s men? Does it depict the guarding spirit of a reputable centre of hospitality?

We know it is a familiar symbol above the main entrance to Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, where it commands the river stretch and Long Bridge.

29 August 1952 Riverside mystery

One supposition is that it was a ship’s figurehead from an old sailing vessel repaired in the port which found its way into the hands of a previous owner of the hotel. Mr Berale, the manager of the hotel, said he understood the legend to be that a sea captain who couldn’t pay his bill and left his ship’s figurehead in lieu in about 1865.

Gazette article 29 August 1952

 

Unique holiday adventure!

In the footsteps of Dr Johnson and Mr Boswell

James Boswell, the biographer of Dr Johnson, showed an admiration for literary men. He made a tour of the Hebrides with him in 1773, the Journal of which he afterwards published.

At the present moment, a Bidefordian, Miss E.F. (Betty) Stucley, daughter of Sir Hugh Stucley of Moreton, is following in the footsteps taken by that famous partnership nearly 200 years ago. She is accompanied by her adopted son, David, aged 8 and her companion.

15 August 1952 Unique holiday adventure

The picture above shows the disused Bideford motor ambulance which has been converted into a caravan for the tour at Messrs. Petherick’s Northam Road garage, Bideford. The name plate ‘Dr Johnson and Mr Boswell’ has pride of place on the front.

Gazette article 15 August 1952

 

Television comes to Torridge District

Thanks to new Wenvoe station

Official opening planned for 15 August. During the past few weeks test signals have been sent out daily, giving local radio dealers an opportunity to adjust sets to this frequency.

Mr Leslie Braddick of Westward Ho! was completely satisfied with results obtained in Northam and Westward Ho!. Reception in Bideford was reported last week as fair. Isolated instances of poor reception will no doubt occur but these will be gradually cleared-up.

8 August 1952 Television comes to Torridge district

Television is virtually new to the district with only a few scattered sets being installed.

Gazette article 8 August 1952

 

 

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