• 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 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 2 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 3 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 4 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 5 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 6 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 7

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 8 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 9 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 10 First ship in 8 years

  • 11 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 12 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 13 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 14 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 15 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 16 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 17 Happy Days!

  • 18 Northam's almshouse

  • 19

    Exhibition of school work
  • 20 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 21

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 22 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 23

    Building works
  • 24 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 25

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 26 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 27 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 28 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 29 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 30 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 31 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 32 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 33 Circus comes to town

  • 34 Life begins at 80

  • 35 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 36 Ten year old scrambler

  • 37 Pannier Market's future?

  • 38 Hartland Dancers
  • 39 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 40 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 41 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 42

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 43 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 44 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 45 Sweets derationing

  • 46 Decontrol of meat

  • 47 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 48 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 50 What's the time?

  • 51 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 52 Warmington's garage ad

  • 53 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 54 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 55 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 56 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 57 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 58 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 59 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 60 Puppet characters introduced

  • 61 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 62 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 63 Mobile missionary

  • 64

    Married in 1908
  • 65 Littleham family's five generations

  • 66 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 67 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 68 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 69 Bideford regatta

  • 70 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 71 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 73 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 74 New shipyard on schedule

  • 75

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 76 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 77 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 78 Six footed lamb

  • 79 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 80 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 81 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 82 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 83 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 84

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 85 Riverside mystery

  • 86 113 years at Instow

  • 87 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 88 Simple Item 138
  • 89 End of the line

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

  • 91 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 92

    Was a missionary
  • 93 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 94 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 95 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 96 Just over a year old

  • 97 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 98

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 99 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 100 Bideford loses training ship

  • 101 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 102 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 103 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 104 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 105 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 106 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 107 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 108 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 109

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 110 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 111 Torrington's new amenity

  • 112 Torrington children build igloo
  • 113 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 114

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 115 New Lundy stamps

  • 116 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 117 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 118 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 119 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 120 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 121 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 122 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 123 Emergency ferry services

  • 124

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 125 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 126 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 127 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 129

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 130 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 131 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 132 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 133 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 134 For crying out loud!

  • 135 Picking the pops

  • 136 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 137 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 138 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 139 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 140 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 141 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 142 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 143 Sight of a lifetime

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

  • 145 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 146 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 147 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 148 Off on a great adventure

  • 149 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 150 Traditions and skills still there

  • 151 So this is the mainland!

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

  • 153 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 154 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 155 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 156 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 157 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 158 A roof-top view - where?

  • 159 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 160 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 161 Ships at Bideford

  • 162 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 163 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 164 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 165 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 166 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 167 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 168 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 169 A bird of their own!

  • 170 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 171 The cab at the corner>
  • 172 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 173 Modern living at Bideford

  • 174

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 175 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 176 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 177 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 178 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 179 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 180 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 181 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 182 Waldon Triplets
  • 183 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 184 Appledore's largest

  • 185 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 186 Recognise this resort?

  • 187 Weare Giffard potato

  • 188 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 189 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 190

    New gateway
  • 191 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 192 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 193 Last train from Torrington

  • 194 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 195 It really was the 'last time'

  • 196 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 197 Artisans' Club

  • 198 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 199 No laughing matter

  • 200 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 201 Northam footballers of the future

  • 202 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 203 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 204 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 205

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 206 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 207 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 208 Cruising down the river

  • 209 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 210 All aboard the ark

  • 211 Devil sent packing

  • 212 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 213 By pony and trap to market

  • 214

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 215 Bideford computer stars

  • 216 Twenty-one yachts

  • 217 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 218

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 219 Jumble sale fever

  • 220 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 221 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 222

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 223 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 224 Filming at Hartland

  • 225 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 226 When horses score over the tractor

  • 227 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 228

    Bidefordians
  • 229 Private home for public pump

  • 230 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 231 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 232 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 233 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 234 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 235 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 236 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 237

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 238 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 239 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 240 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 241 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 242 Clovelly custom

  • 243 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 244 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 245 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 246 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 247 Centenary of Gazette

  • 248 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 249 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 250 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 251 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 252 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 253 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 254 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 255 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 256 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 257

    Relatives all over the world
  • 258 The Geneva marionettes

  • 259 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 260 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 261 Bridging the stream

  • 262 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 263 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 264 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 265

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 266 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 267 Penny for the guy

  • 268 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 269 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 270 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 271 Some 240 exhibits

  • 272 A man and his wheel

  • 273 New life for Hartland organ

  • 274 New addition to Quay front

  • 275 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 277 A story to tell!

  • 278 Clovelly nightmare

  • 279 New art gallery opened

  • 280 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 281 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 282 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 283 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 284 In their new robes and hats

  • 285 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 286 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 287 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 288 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

  • 290 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 291 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 292 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 293 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 294 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 295 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 296 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 297 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 298 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 299 Some mushroom!

  • 300 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 302 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 303 They are parted pro-tem

  • 304 New civic medallions

  • 305

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 306 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 307 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 308 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 309 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 310 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 311 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 312 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 313 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 314 Hartland's invitation

  • 315 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 316 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 317 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 318 New Post Office

  • 319 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 320 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 321 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 322 New look in the hayfields

  • 323 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 325 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 326 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 327 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 328 Up-to-date Bideford!

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

  • 330 He beat the floods

  • 331 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 332 Parkham plan realised

  • 333 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 334 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 335 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 336 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 337 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 338 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 339

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 340 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 341 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 342 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 343

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 344 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 345 Burnard family reunion

  • 346 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 347 Service with a smile

  • 348 School crossing patrol begins

  • 349 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 350 New choral society's growing response

  • 351 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 352 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 353

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 354 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 355 Police station view of Bideford

  • 356 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 357 All for the love of a lady!

  • 358

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 359 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 360 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 361 From Bobby to Brian

  • 362

    First prize
  • 363 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 364 The art of the thatcher

  • 365 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 366 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 367 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 368 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 369 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 370 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 371 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 372 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 373 North Devon Driving School

  • 374 Loads of black and white

  • 375

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 376 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 377 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 378

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 379 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 381 Out of puff!

  • 382 Variety in summer weather

  • 383 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 384 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 385 Revenge in style

  • 386 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 387 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 388 Picking the pops

  • 389 Can spring be far away?

  • 390 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 391 Torrington in 1967

  • 392 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 393 Finished in 1876

  • 394 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 395 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 396 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 397 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 398 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 399 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 400 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 401 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 402 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 403 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 404 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 405 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 406 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 407 Hartland postman retires

  • 408 School's link with cargo ship

  • 409 Peter poses for TV film

  • 410 Bideford's new market opens next week

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

  • 412 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 413 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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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Bideford proclaims Queen Elizabeth

Hopes at Bideford ceremony

Ald. W.E. Ellis seconded a resolution paying homage to her Majesty and pledging the unswerving loyalty of the Borough Council at a special meeting of the Council at Bideford Town Hall following the reading of the official proclamation.

15 February 1952 Bideford proclaims Queen Elizabeth

A fanfare of trumpets by members of Bideford Town Silver Band followed the call of the Town Crier (Mr S. Braund) for silence.

After the proclamation had been read by the Town Clerk (Mr F.C. Blackway) from the Town Hall balcony, a prayer for the new Queen was spoken by the Mayor’s Chaplain (Rev. Isaac Bond) and the Rector of Bideford (Preb. J.A. Durling) led the singing of the hymn ‘O God our help in ages past.’

Gazette article 15 February 1952

 

Bideford triplets’ first birthday party

Birthday cake specially made

Bideford’s triplets, children of Mr and Mrs H.S. Waring of Barton Tors, Bideford, became one year old last week and a birthday cake with three candles was specially made for the occasion.

1 February 1952 Bideford triplets first birthday party

Mrs Waring shows the triplets their first birthday cake. From left to right the triplets are Margaret, Brian and Elizabeth.

Except for minor colds, the triplets had a clean bill of health over the past twelve months. Elizabeth and Margaret now tip the scales at 20 lb. and 18 lb. respectively. Brian now weighs 15 lb. but has an advantage over his sisters in that he now has ten teeth, compared with Elizabeth’s eight and Margaret’s five.

Gazette article 1 February 1952

Dismantling of wireless mast

At Appledore end of Burrows

One of the smaller steel lattice wireless masts which, for about ten years, have been a prominent feature in that corner of Northam Burrows between Northam and Appledore, is in the process of being dismantled.

1 February 1952 Distmantling of wireless mast

The mast, which is 325 feet high, is being taken down in 21-feet sections and will be re-assembled in Wales to replace a similar mast damaged in the recent gales.

Gazette article 1 February 1952

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