• 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 Out of puff!

  • 2 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 3 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 4 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 5 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 6 New Lundy stamps

  • 7 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 8 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 9

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 10 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 11

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 12 Jumble sale fever

  • 13 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 15 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 17 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 18 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 19 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 20 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 21 The Geneva marionettes

  • 22 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 23 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 24 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 25 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 26 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 27 New civic medallions

  • 28 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 29 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 30

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 31 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 32 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 33 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 34 Peter poses for TV film

  • 35

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 36 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 37 School crossing patrol begins

  • 38 Hartland postman retires

  • 39 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 41 Variety in summer weather

  • 42

    Married in 1908
  • 43 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 44 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 45 All aboard the ark

  • 46

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 47 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 48 Picking the pops

  • 49 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 50 Mobile missionary

  • 51

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 52 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 53 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 54 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 55 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 56 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 57

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 58 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 59

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 60 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 61 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 62 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 63 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 64 New art gallery opened

  • 65 Torrington children build igloo
  • 66 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 67 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 68 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 69 A bird of their own!

  • 70 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 71 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 72 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 73 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 74 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 75

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 76 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 77 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 78 The art of the thatcher

  • 79 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 80 Twenty-one yachts

  • 81 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 82 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 83 It really was the 'last time'

  • 84 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 85 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 86 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 87 Artisans' Club

  • 88 New shipyard on schedule

  • 89 Last train from Torrington

  • 90 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 91 School's link with cargo ship

  • 92 Decontrol of meat

  • 93

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 94 All for the love of a lady!

  • 95 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 96

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 97 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 98

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 99 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 101 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 102 Torrington Church's new organ

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

  • 104 Ships at Bideford

  • 105 Appledore's largest

  • 106

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 107 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 108 Service with a smile

  • 109

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 110 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 111 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 112 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 113 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 114 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 115 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 116 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 117 Pannier Market's future?

  • 118 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 119 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 120 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 121 New look in the hayfields

  • 122 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 123 End of the line

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

  • 125 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 126 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 127 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 128 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 130 Simple Item 138
  • 131 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 132 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 133 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 134 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 135 Weare Giffard potato

  • 136 Bideford regatta

  • 137 Finished in 1876

  • 138 Modern living at Bideford

  • 139 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 140 Circus comes to town

  • 141

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 142 113 years at Instow

  • 143 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 144 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 145 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 146 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 147 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 148 Six footed lamb

  • 149

    Exhibition of school work
  • 150 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 151 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 152 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 153 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 154 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 155 Capers on the cobbles

  • 156 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 157 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 158 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 159 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 160 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 161 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 162 Puppet characters introduced

  • 163 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 164 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 165 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 166 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 167 Sweets derationing

  • 168 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 169 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 170 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 171

    First prize
  • 172

    New gateway
  • 173

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 174 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 175 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 176 Bideford loses training ship

  • 177

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 178 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 179 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 180 A story to tell!

  • 181

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 182 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 183 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 184 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 185 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 186 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 187 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 188 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 189 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 190 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 191 Police station view of Bideford

  • 192 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 193 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 195 Torrington in 1967

  • 196 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 197 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 198 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 199 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 200 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 201

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 202 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 203 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 204 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 205 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 206 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 207 A man and his wheel

  • 208 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 209 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 210 Penny for the guy

  • 211 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 212 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 213 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 214 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 215 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 216 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 217 Off on a great adventure

  • 218 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 219 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 220 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 221 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 222 Clovelly custom

  • 223 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 224 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 225

    Bidefordians
  • 226 A roof-top view - where?

  • 227 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 228 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 229 For crying out loud!

  • 230 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 231 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 232 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 233 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 234 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 235 Riverside mystery

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

  • 237 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 238 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 239 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 240 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 241 Filming at Hartland

  • 242 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 243 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 245 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 246 Traditions and skills still there

  • 247 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 248 Hartland's invitation

  • 249 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 250 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 251 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 252 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 253

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 254 Warmington's garage ad

  • 255 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 256 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 257 Cruising down the river

  • 258 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 259

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 260 What's the time?

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

  • 262 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 263 No laughing matter

  • 264 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 265 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 266 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 267 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 268 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 269 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 270 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 271 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 272 Loads of black and white

  • 273 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 274 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 275 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

  • 277 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 278 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 279 Centenary of Gazette

  • 280 Bideford computer stars

  • 281 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 282 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 283 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

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

  • 285 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 286 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 287 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 288 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 289 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 290 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 291 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 292 Private home for public pump

  • 293

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 294 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 295 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 296 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 297 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 298 Just over a year old

  • 299 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 300 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 301 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 302 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 303 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 304 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 305 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 306 Bridging the stream

  • 307 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 308 Some 240 exhibits

  • 309 New addition to Quay front

  • 310 They are parted pro-tem

  • 311 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 312 Clovelly nightmare

  • 313 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 314 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 315 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 316 Some mushroom!

  • 317 Northam footballers of the future

  • 318 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 319 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 320 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 321 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 322 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 323 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 324 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 325 New Post Office

  • 326 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 327 Parkham plan realised

  • 328 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 329 When horses score over the tractor

  • 330 By pony and trap to market

  • 331 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 332 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 333 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 334 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 335 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 336 Emergency ferry services

  • 337 New life for Hartland organ

  • 338 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 339 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 340

    Was a missionary
  • 341

    Building works
  • 342 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 343 He beat the floods

  • 344

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 345 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 346 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 347 Waldon Triplets
  • 348 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 349 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 350 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 351

    Relatives all over the world
  • 352 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 353 Recognise this resort?

  • 354 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 355 In their new robes and hats

  • 356 Picking the pops

  • 357 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 358 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 359 Devil sent packing

  • 360 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 361 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 362 First ship in 8 years

  • 363 Northam's almshouse

  • 364 Life begins at 80

  • 365 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 366 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 367 Littleham family's five generations

  • 368 Ten year old scrambler

  • 369

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 370 Happy Days!

  • 371 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 372 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 373 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 374 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 375 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 376 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 377 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 378 Burnard family reunion

  • 379 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 380 The cab at the corner>
  • 381 No sale of Springfield House

  • 382 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 383 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 384

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 385 From Bobby to Brian

  • 386 Revenge in style

  • 387 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 388 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 389 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 390 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 391 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 392 Sight of a lifetime

  • 393 So this is the mainland!

  • 394 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 395 Can spring be far away?

  • 396 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 397 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 398 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 399 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 400 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 401 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 402 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 403 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 404 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 405 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 406 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 407 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 408 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 409 Hartland Dancers
  • 410 North Devon Driving School

  • 411 Torrington's new amenity

  • 412 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 413 Childrens' model of Torrington

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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A Weare-Giffard speciality – delicious strawberries

Height of strawberry season

This is the height of the strawberry season and pickers on the well-known beds at Weare-Giffard are busy.

The days of floating up by boat on the tide from Bideford for strawberries and cream at Weare Giffard and returning on the ebb have perhaps gone for good but the fine-flavoured strawberries are in as eager demand as ever.

20 June 1952 A Weare Giffard speciality

This group of pickers on the allotments at Weare Giffard busily picking for last Saturday’s market shows Mrs Hunt, Mrs V. Smart, Mr A. Curtis and Mr W. Short.

Gazette article 20 June 1952

 

Bideford-Torrington road gets ‘carpet coat’

New surface for main road

Motorists have been enthusiastic in their welcome to the bituminous ‘carpet coat’ surface which Devon county Council have laide on the Bideford-Torrington main road.

20 June 1952 Bideford Torrington road gets carpet coat

Our photograph shows men at work with the Barber-Greene machine (right) and a steam roller laying the ‘carpet’. Use of the laying machine has meant a considerable saving in time and labour as it is possible to put down over 250 tons of material a day with only a small gang of men, while by hand those men would only lay between 30 and 40 tons during the same period. There will be no need for surface dressing for at least six years.

Gazette article 20 June 1952

Joe the ginger tabby is 21

Bideford cat comes of age

Joe, belonging to Mr and Mrs L.H. (‘Jack’) Gorrell of 6 Church Walk, Bideford is 21 years old and has received congratulations from the RSPCA on his ‘coming of age’. A friend of two decades of children attending the Church School, Joe spends his time nowadays in the house or just outside sunning himself, but although he is not so active as he used to be he is as intelligent as ever.

13 June 1952 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

Fourteen-years-old Gyp, a Lakeland terrier, is his constant companion at home and they share each other’s chair and basket. Gyp queues behind Joe at mealtimes.

Gazette article 13 June 1952

 

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