• 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 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 2 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 3 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 4 All aboard the ark

  • 5 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 6 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 7 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

  • 9 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 10 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 11 He beat the floods

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

  • 13

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 14

    Building works
  • 15 Riverside mystery

  • 16 Pannier Market's future?

  • 17

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 18 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 19 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 20 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 21 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 23 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 24 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 25 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 26 Recognise this resort?

  • 27 Bideford computer stars

  • 28

    New gateway
  • 29 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 30 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 31

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 32 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 33 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 34 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 35 Torrington children build igloo
  • 36 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 37 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 38 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 39 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 40 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 41 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 42 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 43 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 44 Private home for public pump

  • 45 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 46 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 47 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 48 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 49 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 50 Penny for the guy

  • 51 No sale of Springfield House

  • 52 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 53

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 54 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 55 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 56 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 57 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 58 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 59 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 60 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 61 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 62 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 63 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 64 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 65 Littleham family's five generations

  • 66 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 67 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 68

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 69 Parkham plan realised

  • 70 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 71 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 72 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 73 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 74 Twenty-one yachts

  • 75 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 76 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 77

    First prize
  • 78 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 79 Finished in 1876

  • 80

    Was a missionary
  • 81 Centenary of Gazette

  • 82 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 83 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 84 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 85

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 86 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 87 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 88 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 89 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 90 Just over a year old

  • 91 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 92

    Bidefordians
  • 93 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 94 Appledore's largest

  • 95 A roof-top view - where?

  • 96 Simple Item 138
  • 97 No laughing matter

  • 98 Variety in summer weather

  • 99 Loads of black and white

  • 100 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 101

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 102 A bird of their own!

  • 103

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 104 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 105 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 106 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 107 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 108 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 109 Service with a smile

  • 110 Decontrol of meat

  • 111 So this is the mainland!

  • 112 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 114

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 115 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 116 New art gallery opened

  • 117 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 118 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 119

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 120 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 121 Warmington's garage ad

  • 122 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 123 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 124 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 125 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 126 Revenge in style

  • 127 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 128

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 129 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 130

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 131 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 132 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 133 In their new robes and hats

  • 134

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 135 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 136 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 137 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 138 New Lundy stamps

  • 139 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 140 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 141 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 142 Waldon Triplets
  • 143 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 144 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 145 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 147 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 148 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 149 Artisans' Club

  • 150 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 151 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 152 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 153 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 154 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 155 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 156 Traditions and skills still there

  • 157 Happy Days!

  • 158 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 159 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 160 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 161 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 162 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 163 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 164 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 165 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 166 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 167 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 168 Bideford loses training ship

  • 169 Weare Giffard potato

  • 170 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 171 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 172 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 173 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 174 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 175 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 176 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 177 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 179 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 180 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 181 Ten year old scrambler

  • 182 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 183 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 184 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 185 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 186 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 187 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 188 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 189 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 190 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 191 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 192 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 193 It really was the 'last time'

  • 194 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 195 A story to tell!

  • 196 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 197 New addition to Quay front

  • 198 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 199 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 200

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 201

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 202 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 203

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 204 The art of the thatcher

  • 205 School's link with cargo ship

  • 206 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 207 The Geneva marionettes

  • 208 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 209 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 210

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 211 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 212 Northam footballers of the future

  • 213 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 214 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 215 What's the time?

  • 216 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 218 New shipyard on schedule

  • 219 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 220 Hartland postman retires

  • 221 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 223 For crying out loud!

  • 224 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 225 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 226

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 227 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 228 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 229 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 230 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 231 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 232 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 233 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 234 A man and his wheel

  • 235 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 236 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 237 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 238 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 239 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 240 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 241 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 242 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 243 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 244 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 245

    Relatives all over the world
  • 246 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 247 Picking the pops

  • 248

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 249

    Exhibition of school work
  • 250 Peter poses for TV film

  • 251 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 252 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 253 Some 240 exhibits

  • 254 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 255 School crossing patrol begins

  • 256 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 257 New choral society's growing response

  • 258

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 259 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 260 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 261 Police station view of Bideford

  • 262 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 263 Picking the pops

  • 264 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 265 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 266 Some mushroom!

  • 267 New life for Hartland organ

  • 268 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 269 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 270 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 271 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 272 Bideford regatta

  • 273 Clovelly custom

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

  • 275 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 276 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 277 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 278 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 280 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 281 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 282

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 283 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 284 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 285 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 286 Can spring be far away?

  • 287 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 288 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 289 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 290 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 291 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 292 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 293 North Devon Driving School

  • 294 All for the love of a lady!

  • 295 Hartland's invitation

  • 296 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 297 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 298 Life begins at 80

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

  • 300 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 301 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 302 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 303 Capers on the cobbles

  • 304 First ship in 8 years

  • 305 Devil sent packing

  • 306 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 307 Emergency ferry services

  • 308 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 309 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 310 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 311 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 312 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 313 Jumble sale fever

  • 314 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 315 Torrington in 1967

  • 316 Ships at Bideford

  • 317 New civic medallions

  • 318 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 320 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 321 Bridging the stream

  • 322 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 323 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 324 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 325

    Married in 1908
  • 326 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 327 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 328

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 329 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 330 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 331 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 332 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 333 By pony and trap to market

  • 334

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 335

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 336 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 337 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 338 113 years at Instow

  • 339 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 340 Mobile missionary

  • 341 Hartland Dancers
  • 342 Off on a great adventure

  • 343 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 344 Burnard family reunion

  • 345 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 346 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 347 Circus comes to town

  • 348 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 349 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 350

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 351 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 352 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 353 End of the line

  • 354 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 355 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 356 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 358 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 359 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 360 When horses score over the tractor

  • 361 Northam's almshouse

  • 362 New Post Office

  • 363 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 364 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 365 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 366 Six footed lamb

  • 367 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 368 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 369 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 370 Puppet characters introduced

  • 371 Clovelly nightmare

  • 372 Last train from Torrington

  • 373 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 374 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 375 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 376 Sight of a lifetime

  • 377 Modern living at Bideford

  • 378 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 379 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 380 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 381 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 382 Out of puff!

  • 383 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 384 Cruising down the river

  • 385 New look in the hayfields

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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