• 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 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 2

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 3 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 4 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 5 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 6 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 7 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 8 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 9 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 11 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 12 Burnard family reunion

  • 13 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 14 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 15 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 16 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 17

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 18

    Relatives all over the world
  • 19 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 20 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 21 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 22 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 23 New art gallery opened

  • 24 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 25 Littleham family's five generations

  • 26 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 27 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 28 New choral society's growing response

  • 29 Waldon Triplets
  • 30 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 31 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 32 New Post Office

  • 33 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 34 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 35

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 36 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 37 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 38 Some 240 exhibits

  • 39 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 40 Sight of a lifetime

  • 41 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 42 Decontrol of meat

  • 43 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 44 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 45 All aboard the ark

  • 46 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 47

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 48 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 49 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 50 Puppet characters introduced

  • 51

    Exhibition of school work
  • 52 New life for Hartland organ

  • 53 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 54 113 years at Instow

  • 55 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 56

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 57 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 58 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 59 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 60 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 61 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 62 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 63 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 64 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 65 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 67 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 68 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 69 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 70 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 71 When horses score over the tractor

  • 72 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 73 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 74 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 75 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 76 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 77 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 78 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 79 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 80 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 81 New shipyard on schedule

  • 82

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 83 Happy Days!

  • 84 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 85 Finished in 1876

  • 86 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 87 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 88 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 89 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 90 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 91 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 92 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 93 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 94 New Lundy stamps

  • 95 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 96

    New gateway
  • 97 A man and his wheel

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

  • 99 Hartland's invitation

  • 100 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 101 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 102 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 103 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 104 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 105 Pannier Market's future?

  • 106 Weare Giffard potato

  • 107 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 108 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 109 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 110 Picking the pops

  • 111 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 112 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 113

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 114

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 115 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 116 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 118 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 119 Northam footballers of the future

  • 120 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 121

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 122 Hartland postman retires

  • 123 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 124 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 125 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 126

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 127 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 128 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 129 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 130 In their new robes and hats

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

  • 132 Ten year old scrambler

  • 133 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 134 Peter poses for TV film

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

  • 136 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 137 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 138 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 139 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 140 What's the time?

  • 141 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 142 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 143 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 144 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 145 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 146

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 147 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 148 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 149 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 150

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 151

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 152 Circus comes to town

  • 153 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 154 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 155 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 156 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 157

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 158 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 159 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 160 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 161 Bideford regatta

  • 162 Picking the pops

  • 163 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 164 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 165

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 166 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 167 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 168 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 169 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 170 Torrington children build igloo
  • 171 He beat the floods

  • 172 Out of puff!

  • 173 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 174

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 175 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 176 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 177 For crying out loud!

  • 178 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 179 Sweets derationing

  • 180 End of the line

  • 181 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 182 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 183 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 184 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 185 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 186 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 187 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 188 Private home for public pump

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

  • 190 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 191 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 192 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 193 Centenary of Gazette

  • 194

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 195 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 196 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 197 All for the love of a lady!

  • 198 New addition to Quay front

  • 199 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 200 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 201 The cab at the corner>
  • 202 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 203

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 204 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 205 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 206 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 207 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 208 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 209 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 211 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 212 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 213 Recognise this resort?

  • 214 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 215 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 216 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 217 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 218

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 219 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 220 Hartland Dancers
  • 221 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 222 Traditions and skills still there

  • 223 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 224 Off on a great adventure

  • 225 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 226 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 227 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 228 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 229 Artisans' Club

  • 230 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 231 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 232 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 233 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 234 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 235 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 236 The art of the thatcher

  • 237 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 238 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 239 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 240 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 241 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 242 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 243 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 244 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 245 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 246 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 247 Capers on the cobbles

  • 248 Warmington's garage ad

  • 249 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 250 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 251 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 252 Bideford loses training ship

  • 253 A roof-top view - where?

  • 254 Cruising down the river

  • 255 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 256 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 257 A bird of their own!

  • 258 New civic medallions

  • 259 Just over a year old

  • 260 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 261 Northam's almshouse

  • 262 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 263 Torrington's new amenity

  • 264 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 265 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 266

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 267 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 268 School crossing patrol begins

  • 269 Parkham plan realised

  • 270 No laughing matter

  • 271 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 273 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 274

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 275 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 276 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 277 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 278 By pony and trap to market

  • 279 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 280 Filming at Hartland

  • 281 A story to tell!

  • 282 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 283 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 284 The Geneva marionettes

  • 285 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 286 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 287 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 288 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 289 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 290 Ships at Bideford

  • 291 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 292 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 293 Variety in summer weather

  • 294 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 295 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 296 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 297 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 298

    Bidefordians
  • 299 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 300 Service with a smile

  • 301 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 302 Some mushroom!

  • 303 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 304 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 305 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 306 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 307 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 308 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 309 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 310 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 312 No sale of Springfield House

  • 313 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 314 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 315 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 316 Twenty-one yachts

  • 317 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 318 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 320 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 321 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 322 North Devon Driving School

  • 323 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 324 Clovelly nightmare

  • 325 First ship in 8 years

  • 326 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 327 Modern living at Bideford

  • 328 Simple Item 138
  • 329 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 330 Revenge in style

  • 331 Life begins at 80

  • 332 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 333 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 334 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 335 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 336 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 337 Riverside mystery

  • 338 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 339 New look in the hayfields

  • 340 They are parted pro-tem

  • 341 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 342 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 343 So this is the mainland!

  • 344 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 345 Jumble sale fever

  • 346

    First prize
  • 347 School's link with cargo ship

  • 348 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 349 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 350 Police station view of Bideford

  • 351 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 352 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 353 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 354 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 355

    Was a missionary
  • 356 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 357 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 358 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 359 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 360 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 361 Devil sent packing

  • 362 Loads of black and white

  • 363 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 364 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 365 Appledore's largest

  • 366 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 367 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 368 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 369 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 370 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 371 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 372 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 373 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 374 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 375 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 376

    Building works
  • 377 Last train from Torrington

  • 378 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 379 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 380 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 381 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 382 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 383 Bridging the stream

  • 384 Clovelly custom

  • 385 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 386 Bideford computer stars

  • 387 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 388 From Bobby to Brian

  • 389 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 390 It really was the 'last time'

  • 391 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 392 Six footed lamb

  • 393 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 394 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 395

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 396

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 397 Emergency ferry services

  • 398 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 399

    Married in 1908
  • 400 Mobile missionary

  • 401

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 402 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 403 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 404 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 405

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 406 Can spring be far away?

  • 407 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 408 Penny for the guy

  • 409 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 410 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 411 Torrington in 1967

  • 412 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 413 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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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