• 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 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 2 The cab at the corner>
  • 3 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 4 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 5 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 6 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 7 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 8 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 9 Devil sent packing

  • 10 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 11 Six footed lamb

  • 12 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 13 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 14

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 15 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 17 Circus comes to town

  • 18 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 19 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 20 No sale of Springfield House

  • 21

    New gateway
  • 22 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 23 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 24

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 25 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 26 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 27 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 28 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 29 Peter poses for TV film

  • 30 It really was the 'last time'

  • 31 Picking the pops

  • 32 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 33 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 34 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 35 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 36 A bird of their own!

  • 37 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 38 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 39 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 40 Artisans' Club

  • 41 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 42 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 43 Parkham plan realised

  • 44 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 45 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 46 Hartland Dancers
  • 47 Police station view of Bideford

  • 48 Life begins at 80

  • 49 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 50 Appledore's largest

  • 51 Capers on the cobbles

  • 52 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 53

    First prize
  • 54 From Bobby to Brian

  • 55 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 56 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 57 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 58 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 59 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 60

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 61 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 62 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 63 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 64 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 65 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 66 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 67 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 68 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 69 Simple Item 138
  • 70 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 71 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 72 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 73 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 74 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 75 Puppet characters introduced

  • 76 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 77 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 78 Private home for public pump

  • 79 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 80

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 81 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 82 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 83 All aboard the ark

  • 84 New Lundy stamps

  • 85

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 86 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 87 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 88 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 89 When horses score over the tractor

  • 90 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 91 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 92

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 93 Waldon Triplets
  • 94 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 95 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 97 Last train from Torrington

  • 98 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 99 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 100 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 101

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 102 New addition to Quay front

  • 103 Some mushroom!

  • 104 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 105 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 106 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 107 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

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

  • 109

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 110 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 111 Twenty-one yachts

  • 112

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 113 Torrington in 1967

  • 114 He beat the floods

  • 115 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 116 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 117 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 118 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 119 Hartland's invitation

  • 120

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 121 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 122 Ten year old scrambler

  • 123 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 124 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 125 Penny for the guy

  • 126 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 127

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 128 New shipyard on schedule

  • 129 For crying out loud!

  • 130 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 131 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 132 New Post Office

  • 133 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 134 New look in the hayfields

  • 135

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 136 Clovelly nightmare

  • 137

    Building works
  • 138 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 139 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 140 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 141 The Geneva marionettes

  • 142 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 143 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 144 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 145 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 147 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 148 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 149 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 150 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 151 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 152 Service with a smile

  • 153 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 154 Torrington's new amenity

  • 155 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 156 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 157 End of the line

  • 158 Revenge in style

  • 159 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 160 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 161 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 162 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 163 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 164 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 165 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 166 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 167 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 168 Pannier Market's future?

  • 169 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 171 Bideford regatta

  • 172 Picking the pops

  • 173 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 174 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 175 All for the love of a lady!

  • 176 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 177 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 178 Riverside mystery

  • 179 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 180 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 181 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 182 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 183 Sight of a lifetime

  • 184 Some 240 exhibits

  • 185 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 186 What's the time?

  • 187 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 188 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 189 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 190 A roof-top view - where?

  • 191 A story to tell!

  • 192 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 193 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 194 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 195 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 196 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 197 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 198 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 199 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 201 Sweets derationing

  • 202 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 203 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 204 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 205 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 206

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 207 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 208

    Bidefordians
  • 209 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 210 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 211 In their new robes and hats

  • 212 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 213 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 214 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 215 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 216 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 217 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 218

    Exhibition of school work
  • 219 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 220 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 221 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 222 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 223 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 224

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 225 Bideford loses training ship

  • 226 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 227 Decontrol of meat

  • 228 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 229 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 230 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 231 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 232 Finished in 1876

  • 233 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 234 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 235 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 236 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 237

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 238

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 239 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 240

    Relatives all over the world
  • 241 By pony and trap to market

  • 242 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 243 Jumble sale fever

  • 244 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 245

    Married in 1908
  • 246 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 247 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 248 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 249 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 250 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 251 School crossing patrol begins

  • 252 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 253 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 254 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 255 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 256 Northam footballers of the future

  • 257 Torrington children build igloo
  • 258 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 259 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 260 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 261 A man and his wheel

  • 262 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 263 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 264 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 265 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 266

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 267 New choral society's growing response

  • 268 Bridging the stream

  • 269 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 270 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 271 Littleham family's five generations

  • 272 Just over a year old

  • 273 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 274 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 275 113 years at Instow

  • 276 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 277 New art gallery opened

  • 278 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 279 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 280

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 281 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 282 Can spring be far away?

  • 283 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 284 Variety in summer weather

  • 285 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 286 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 287 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 288 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 289 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 290

    Was a missionary
  • 291 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 292 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 293 Traditions and skills still there

  • 294 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 295 Off on a great adventure

  • 296 Cruising down the river

  • 297 Recognise this resort?

  • 298 Mobile missionary

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

  • 300 They are parted pro-tem

  • 301 Emergency ferry services

  • 302 New life for Hartland organ

  • 303 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 304 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 305 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 306 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 307 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 308 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 309 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 310 Filming at Hartland

  • 311 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 312 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 313 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 314 Clovelly custom

  • 315 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 316 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 317 Out of puff!

  • 318 North Devon Driving School

  • 319 Happy Days!

  • 320 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 321 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 322 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 323 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 324 Bideford computer stars

  • 325 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 326 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 327 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 328 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 329 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 331 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 332 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 333 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 334 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 335

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 336 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 337 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 338 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 339 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 340 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 341 Northam's almshouse

  • 342

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 343 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 344 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 345 So this is the mainland!

  • 346 No laughing matter

  • 347

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 348 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 349 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 350 The art of the thatcher

  • 351 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 352 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 353 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 354 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 355 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 356 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 357 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 358 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 359 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 360 Burnard family reunion

  • 361 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 362 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 363 Warmington's garage ad

  • 364 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 365 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 366 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 367 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 368 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 369 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 370

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 371 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 372 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 373 Ships at Bideford

  • 374 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 375 School's link with cargo ship

  • 376

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 377 New civic medallions

  • 378 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 379 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 380 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 381 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 382

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 383 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 384 Loads of black and white

  • 385 Modern living at Bideford

  • 386 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 387 Weare Giffard potato

  • 388 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 389 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 390 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 391 Centenary of Gazette

  • 392 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 393 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 394 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 396 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 397 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 398

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 399 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 400 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 401 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 403 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 405 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 406 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 407 Hartland postman retires

  • 408 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

  • 410 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 411 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 412 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 413 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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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Born 1883, still going strong

Last ketch left at sea

The ketch Emma Louise, photographed recently upon the Hubbastone patent slip, Appledore, for repairs, is the last of the ships built at Westacott’s yard, Barnstaple, left at sea. In the eighteen eighties there were at least 30 of them.

6 June 1952 Born 1883 still going strong

Built in 1883 she was John Westacott’s last ship in his Barnstaple yard before moving to the river Torridge at Lower Cleavehouses. She is registered at Bideford and is owned at Minehead.

Gazette article 6 June 1952

 

400 Ton cargo landed at East-the-Water

Vessel at Clarence Wharf

No trading vessel of size had berthed at Clarence Wharf owned by the Devon Trading Company at East-the-Water, Bideford for eight years until the m.v. Futurity docked on Friday morning of last week.

16 May 1952 400 ton cargo landed at East the Water

The company decided to dredge an eight years accumulation of silt from the Quay wall at their wharf and to re-open it for heavier vessels. It is now possible for vessels up to 400 tons to come alongside.

The Futurity arrived from the Medway with 400 tons of cement at 5.45 a.m. and orders placed were already being delivered, some going to the East Yelland Power Station.

Gazette article 16 May 1952

 

 

Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

New headquarters for Rural Council

The photograph shows th new headquarters-to-be of Bideford Rural Council, the draft of the lease from Bideford Bridge Trust having been approved by their special committee and the tenancy dated from 9 May.

2 May 1952 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

The Western National Bus Co. had been tenants of Grenville House for ten years. At one time it was the private residence of a Dr Thompson. In those days it was known as ‘The Mansion House’. It is believed to be just over 100 years old. When repairs to the building were being carried out it was found that some of its bricks had been made at Cleavehouses, Northam.

Gazette article 2 May 1952

 

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