• 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 New civic medallions

  • 2 No laughing matter

  • 3 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 4 Loads of black and white

  • 5 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 6 The Geneva marionettes

  • 7 Penny for the guy

  • 8

    Building works
  • 9 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 10 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 11 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 12 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 13 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 14 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 15 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 16 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 17 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 18 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 20 Hartland Dancers
  • 21 It really was the 'last time'

  • 22 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 23 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 24 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 25

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 26 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 27 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 28 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 29 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 30 Simple Item 138
  • 31 So this is the mainland!

  • 32 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 33 Capers on the cobbles

  • 34 No sale of Springfield House

  • 35 A man and his wheel

  • 36 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 37 Artisans' Club

  • 38 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 39 Hartland postman retires

  • 40 By pony and trap to market

  • 41

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 42 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 43 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 44 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 45 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 46

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 47 Bideford loses training ship

  • 48 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 49 Ten year old scrambler

  • 50 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 51 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 52 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 53 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 54 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 55 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 57 For crying out loud!

  • 58 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 59 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 60 New Post Office

  • 61 Decontrol of meat

  • 62 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 63 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 64 Circus comes to town

  • 65 New addition to Quay front

  • 66 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 68 Jumble sale fever

  • 69 End of the line

  • 70 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 71 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 72 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 73 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 74 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 75 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 76 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 77 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 78 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 79 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 80 Out of puff!

  • 81 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 82 New shipyard on schedule

  • 83 When horses score over the tractor

  • 84 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 85 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 86 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 87 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 88 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 89 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 90 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 91 New life for Hartland organ

  • 92 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 93 Finished in 1876

  • 94 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 95 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 96 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 97 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 98 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 99 Bridging the stream

  • 100 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 101 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 102

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 103 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 104 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 105 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 106 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 107 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 108 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

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

  • 111 First ship in 8 years

  • 112 The art of the thatcher

  • 113 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 114 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 115 Northam's almshouse

  • 116 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 117

    Married in 1908
  • 118 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 119 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 120 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 121 Some mushroom!

  • 122 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 123

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 124 Torrington children build igloo
  • 125 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 126 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 127

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 128 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 129 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 130 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 131 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 132 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 133 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 134 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 135 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 136 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 137 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 138 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 139 A story to tell!

  • 140 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 141 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 142 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 143 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 144 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 145

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 146 School crossing patrol begins

  • 147 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 148 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 149 New Lundy stamps

  • 150 School's link with cargo ship

  • 151 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 152 Riverside mystery

  • 153 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 154 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 155 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 156 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 157 Just over a year old

  • 158 All for the love of a lady!

  • 159 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 160 Sweets derationing

  • 161 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 162

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 163 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 164

    Relatives all over the world
  • 165 Bideford computer stars

  • 166 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 167 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 168 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 169

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 170 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 171 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 172

    Was a missionary
  • 173 Hartland's invitation

  • 174 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 175 Recognise this resort?

  • 176 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 177 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 178 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 179

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 180 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 181 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 182 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 184 Northam footballers of the future

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

  • 186 In their new robes and hats

  • 187 Traditions and skills still there

  • 188 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 189

    First prize
  • 190 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 191 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 192 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 193 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 194 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 195 He beat the floods

  • 196 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 197 113 years at Instow

  • 198 Torrington's new amenity

  • 199 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 200 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 201 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 202 Mobile missionary

  • 203 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 204 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 205 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 206 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 207 Parkham plan realised

  • 208 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 209 Pannier Market's future?

  • 210 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 211 All aboard the ark

  • 212 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 213 Life begins at 80

  • 214 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 215 Picking the pops

  • 216 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 217 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 218 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 219 Littleham family's five generations

  • 220 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 221 Can spring be far away?

  • 222 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 223 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 224 Modern living at Bideford

  • 225

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 226 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 227 Up-to-date Bideford!

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

  • 229 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 230 Puppet characters introduced

  • 231 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 232 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 233 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 234 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 235

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 236 Police station view of Bideford

  • 237 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 238 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 239 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 240 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 241 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 242 A bird of their own!

  • 243 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 244 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 245 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 246 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 247 Ships at Bideford

  • 248 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 249 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 250 Torrington in 1967

  • 251 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 252 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 253 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 254

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 255 Appledore's largest

  • 256

    Bidefordians
  • 257 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 258 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 259 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 260

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 261 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 262 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 264 Weare Giffard potato

  • 265 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 266 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 267 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 268 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 269 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 270 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 271 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 273

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 274 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 275 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 276 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 277 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 278 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 279 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 280 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 281 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 282 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 283 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 284 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 285 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 286 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 287

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 288 The cab at the corner>
  • 289 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 290

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 291 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 292 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 293

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 294 Filming at Hartland

  • 295 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 296 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 297 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 298 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 299

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 300 Cruising down the river

  • 301 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 302 Warmington's garage ad

  • 303 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 304 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 305 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 306 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 307 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 308 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 309 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 310

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 311 Burnard family reunion

  • 312 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 313 Centenary of Gazette

  • 314 Emergency ferry services

  • 315 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 316 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 317 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 318 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 319

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 320 North Devon Driving School

  • 321 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 322 New art gallery opened

  • 323 Clovelly nightmare

  • 324 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 325 Service with a smile

  • 326 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 327 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 328 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 329 Twenty-one yachts

  • 330 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 331 From Bobby to Brian

  • 332 Six footed lamb

  • 333 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 334 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 335 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 336 Some 240 exhibits

  • 337 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 338 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 339 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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

  • 341 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 342 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 343

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 344 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 345 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 346 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 347 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 349 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 350 Happy Days!

  • 351 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 352 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 353 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 354 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 355 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 356 Clovelly custom

  • 357 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 358 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 359 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 360 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 361 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 362 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 363 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 364 What's the time?

  • 365 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 366 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 367 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 368

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 369 A roof-top view - where?

  • 370 Bideford regatta

  • 371 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 372 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 373 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 374 They are parted pro-tem

  • 375 Devil sent packing

  • 376 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 377 Peter poses for TV film

  • 378 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 379 New choral society's growing response

  • 380 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 381 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 382 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 383 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 384 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 385 Sight of a lifetime

  • 386 Revenge in style

  • 387 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 388

    Exhibition of school work
  • 389 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 390 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 391 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 392 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 393 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 394 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 395 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 396 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 397 Private home for public pump

  • 398 Picking the pops

  • 399 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 400 Last train from Torrington

  • 401

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 402 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 403 Waldon Triplets
  • 404

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 405 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 406

    New gateway
  • 407 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 408 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 410 Variety in summer weather

  • 411 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 412 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 413 Designed and made in Bideford

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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  • 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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  • 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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Spring-cleaning the Ridge

Tons of tar removed

Although there was a somewhat poor response last week to Northam Council’s appeal for voluntary help in the task of cleaning tar from Westward Ho! pebbleridge, some seven tons of tar, tarred seaweed and pebbles were collected.

25 April 1954 Spring cleaning the Ridge

The ‘popular’ part of the ridge from the Slipway to Sandymere is now almost completely clear of tar.

Gazette article 25 April 1952

 

A lost Bideford ‘island’

Old houses in Bideford

The shop and two houses in the photograph were demolished about 60 years ago and used to stand at the top of High Street just in front of the Rectory Wall and face towards Providence Row.

10 April 1952 A lost Bideford island

The group of buildings were colloquially known as ‘The Island’. Their actual position can be seen by the lamp post which stands on the same spot as the present post which is on a small island in the middle of the roadway between the top of Pitt Lane and High Street.

Gazette article 10 April 1952

 

Recognise this resort?

Westward Ho! in the past

Believe it or not, it is Westward Ho! a venue for town planners past and present.

4 April 1952 Recognise this resort

The artist who made the drawing reproduced above, has apparently used a considerable amount of licence, but one or two of the buildings can be definitely identified. The large building on the right is the then Royal Hotel (now the Golden Bay) and next to it is the Church and the small building beyond is Manorville.

Gazette article 4 April 1952

 

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