• 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 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 2 Clovelly custom

  • 3 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 4 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 5 Ships at Bideford

  • 6 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 7 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 8 Northam's almshouse

  • 9 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 10 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 11 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 12 Service with a smile

  • 13 What's the time?

  • 14 Peter poses for TV film

  • 15 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 16 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 17 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 18 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 19 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 20 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 21 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 22 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 23 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 24 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 25

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 26 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 27 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 28 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 29 Traditions and skills still there

  • 30 Revenge in style

  • 31 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 32 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 33 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 34 Off on a great adventure

  • 35 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 36

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 37 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 38 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 39 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 40 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 41 Six footed lamb

  • 42 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 43 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 44 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 45 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 46 New civic medallions

  • 47 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 48 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 49 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 50 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 52 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 53 New look in the hayfields

  • 54

    Exhibition of school work
  • 55 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 56 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 57 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 58 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 59 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 60 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 61 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 62 Devil sent packing

  • 63 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 64 End of the line

  • 65

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 66 113 years at Instow

  • 67 Penny for the guy

  • 68 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 69

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 70 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 71 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 72 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 73 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 74 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 76 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 77 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 78 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 79 New Post Office

  • 80 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 81 When horses score over the tractor

  • 82 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 83 No sale of Springfield House

  • 84 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 85 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 86 Hartland Dancers
  • 87 New shipyard on schedule

  • 88 Torrington in 1967

  • 89 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 90 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 91 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 92 Private home for public pump

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

  • 94 In their new robes and hats

  • 95 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 96 Police station view of Bideford

  • 97

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 98 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 99 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 100

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 101 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 102 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 103 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 104 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 105 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 106 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 107 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 108 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 109 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 110 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 111 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 112 Jumble sale fever

  • 113 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 114 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 115 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 116 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 117 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 118 Waldon Triplets
  • 119 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 120 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 121 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 122

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 123 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 124 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 125 By pony and trap to market

  • 126 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 127 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 128 Picking the pops

  • 129 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 130 Variety in summer weather

  • 131 Littleham family's five generations

  • 132 Hartland's invitation

  • 133 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 134 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 135 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 136

    New gateway
  • 137 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 138 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 139 New life for Hartland organ

  • 140 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 141 Pannier Market's future?

  • 142 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 143 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 144 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 145

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 146 Warmington's garage ad

  • 147 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 148 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 149

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 150 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 151 The Geneva marionettes

  • 152

    Married in 1908
  • 153 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 154

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 155 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 156 Weare Giffard potato

  • 157 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 158 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 159 He beat the floods

  • 160 All for the love of a lady!

  • 161 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 162 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 163 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 164 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 165 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 166 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 167 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 168 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 169 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 170 Cruising down the river

  • 171 New art gallery opened

  • 172

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 173

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 174 So this is the mainland!

  • 175 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 176 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 177 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 178 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 179 School crossing patrol begins

  • 180 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 181 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 182 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 183 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 184 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 185

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 186 Torrington's new amenity

  • 187 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 188

    First prize
  • 189 Mobile missionary

  • 190 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 191 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 192 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 193 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 194 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 195 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 196 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 197 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 198 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 199 Circus comes to town

  • 200

    Relatives all over the world
  • 201 Can spring be far away?

  • 202

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 203 Twenty-one yachts

  • 204 Parkham plan realised

  • 205 New addition to Quay front

  • 206 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 207 Artisans' Club

  • 208 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 209

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 210 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 211 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 212 Out of puff!

  • 213 They are parted pro-tem

  • 214 Life begins at 80

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

  • 216 Emergency ferry services

  • 217 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 218 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 219 Decontrol of meat

  • 220 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 221 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 222 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 223 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 224 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 225 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 226 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 227 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 228 Modern living at Bideford

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

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

  • 231 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 233 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 234 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 236 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 237 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 238 Torrington children build igloo
  • 239 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 240 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 241

    Building works
  • 242 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 243 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 244 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 246 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 247 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 248 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 249 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 250 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 251 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 252 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 253 Recognise this resort?

  • 254

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 255 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 256 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 257

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 258 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 259 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 260

    Was a missionary
  • 261 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 262 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

  • 264 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 265 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 266 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 267 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 268 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 269 Simple Item 138
  • 270 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 271 Up-to-date Bideford!

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

  • 273 Burnard family reunion

  • 274 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 275

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 276 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 277 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 278 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 279 A bird of their own!

  • 280 Bideford regatta

  • 281 Bideford loses training ship

  • 282 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 283 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 284 For crying out loud!

  • 285 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 286 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 287 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 288

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 289 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 290 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 291 Just over a year old

  • 292 Northam footballers of the future

  • 293 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 294 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 295 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 296 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 297 Some 240 exhibits

  • 298 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 299 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 300 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 301

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 302 Bideford computer stars

  • 303

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 304 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 305 The art of the thatcher

  • 306 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 307 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 308 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 309 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 310 Capers on the cobbles

  • 311 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 312 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 313 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 314 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 315 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 316

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 317 Some mushroom!

  • 318 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 319 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 320 A roof-top view - where?

  • 321 It really was the 'last time'

  • 322 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 323 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 324 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 325 A story to tell!

  • 326 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 327

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 328 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 329 Last train from Torrington

  • 330 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 331 Centenary of Gazette

  • 332 Loads of black and white

  • 333 Riverside mystery

  • 334 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 335 Happy Days!

  • 336 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 337 Clovelly nightmare

  • 338 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 339 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 340 Finished in 1876

  • 341 Puppet characters introduced

  • 342 New choral society's growing response

  • 343 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 344 Ten year old scrambler

  • 345 A man and his wheel

  • 346 First ship in 8 years

  • 347 No laughing matter

  • 348 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 349 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 350 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 351 Appledore's largest

  • 352 North Devon Driving School

  • 353 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 354 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 355 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 356 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 357 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 358

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 359 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 360 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 361

    Bidefordians
  • 362 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 363 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 364 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 365 Sight of a lifetime

  • 366 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 367 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 368 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 369 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 370 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 371 Bridging the stream

  • 372 Hartland postman retires

  • 373 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 374

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 375 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 376 School's link with cargo ship

  • 377 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 378 All aboard the ark

  • 379 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 380 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 381 Picking the pops

  • 382 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 383 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 384 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 385 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
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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  • 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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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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She Calls Time at The Ship!

Many foreign tourists dream of finding the ‘Typical British Pub’

visualising it as old and cosy, gleaming with polished wood and brass, filled with good company and presided over by a genial landlord. But now that so many breweries are pursuing ‘modernisation’ policies that de-humanise their premises, visitors are more likely to encounter an atmosphere of clinical artificiality. But not so at one little house at East-the-Water, Bideford. Oh no! where a tradition of national hospitality rests safe in the hand of a licensee who has been in the business for 30 years.

April 1975 Bideford Ship on Launch Bond

Mrs Ella Bond took over ‘The Ship On Launch’ when her mother-in-law died, so an unusual sequence of female management had been sustained for 60 years. Mrs Bond junr became licensee when her late husband joined the RAF in World War II. When he returned home, she continued to take her full share of the work. Though ably supported by her daughter and son-in-law, who live on the premises, and by other helpers, Mrs Bond’s day starts at 7.30am and ‘it is always gone midnight before get to bed.’

As one would expect, Mrs Bond’s premises are spick and span – sparkling with rows of hanging glass tankards, and shining with copper and brass. There is parquet flooring underfoot, a high-backed settle here and there, and wood-topped Victorian tables with decorative cast-iron tables. Round beams support the low ceilings – obviously masts from the shipyard which used to be opposite, and from which the house derives its most unusual name.

April 1975 Bideford Ship on Launch Bond2

“I could write a book about my experiences” she smiled – but pressed for details, was too discreet to divulge any. “We hold a Harvest Festival service here when customers bring in produce that is later auctioned for the blind, and for the funds of St Peter’s Church. Then at Christmas time, the Rector of Bideford conducts carols in the bar.”

1975 is ‘European Heritage Year’ What could be more worthy of preservation, and more typical of our way of life, that the genuine family occupied, well-run, characteristic ‘local’ as exemplified by Mrs Bond and her fascinating ‘Ship On Launch.;

Gazette article dated April 1975

Mr Hobbs retires

Leaves Toy Works Ltd

Mr Bill Hobbs, who has retired after 30 years with Toy Works Ltd, of Handy Cross, Bideford, with the car radio presented to him by workmates, some of long standing and some comparatively new.

27.3.1975 Bideford Toy Works

He began to work for the father of the present chairman and managing director, Mr L Holzer, in Marlow at the end of World War II and after 20 years was one of the employees who opted to ‘go West’ when the company transferred to Bideford in 1965.

But in retirement he is returning ‘home.’

Gazette article April 1975

John Short Braddick

Guaranteed Absolutely Pure

Braddicks Meat Bideford

Under council news it was clear that the advert was the result of a petition to close the slaughterhouse due to bad smells.

Gazette advert dated 2 December 1913

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