• 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 Jumble sale fever

  • 2

    First prize
  • 3 All for the love of a lady!

  • 4 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 5 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 6 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 7 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 8

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 9 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 10 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 11 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 12 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 13 Weare Giffard potato

  • 14 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 15 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 16 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 17 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 18 A roof-top view - where?

  • 19 Private home for public pump

  • 20 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 21 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 22 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 23 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 24 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 25 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 26 Torrington children build igloo
  • 27 New choral society's growing response

  • 28 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 29 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 30

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 31 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 33 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 34 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 35 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 36 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 37

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 38 Bideford loses training ship

  • 39 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 40

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 41 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 42 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 43 Service with a smile

  • 44 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 45

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 46 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 47 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 48 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 49

    Exhibition of school work
  • 50 Loads of black and white

  • 51 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 52

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 53 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 54 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 55 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 56 Recognise this resort?

  • 57 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 58 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 59 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 60 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 61 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 62 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 63 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 64 Out of puff!

  • 65 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 66 Mobile missionary

  • 67 Burnard family reunion

  • 68 Puppet characters introduced

  • 69

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 70 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 71 New art gallery opened

  • 72 Hartland's invitation

  • 73 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 74 Modern living at Bideford

  • 75 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 76 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 77 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 78 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 79 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 80 Decontrol of meat

  • 81 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 82 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 83 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 84 Peter poses for TV film

  • 85 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 86 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 87 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 88 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 89 Emergency ferry services

  • 90 No laughing matter

  • 91 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 92 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 93 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 94 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 95 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 96 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 98 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 99 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 100 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 101 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 102 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 103 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 104 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 105 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 106 Clovelly nightmare

  • 107 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 108 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 109 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 110 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 111 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 112 113 years at Instow

  • 113 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 114 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 115 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 116 The art of the thatcher

  • 117 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 118 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 119 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 120 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 121 New civic medallions

  • 122 Finished in 1876

  • 123 First ship in 8 years

  • 124 Twenty-one yachts

  • 125 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 126 Six footed lamb

  • 127 Appledore's largest

  • 128 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 129 All aboard the ark

  • 130 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 132

    New gateway
  • 133 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 135

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 136 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 137 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 138 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 139 What's the time?

  • 140 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 141 Happy Days!

  • 142 Just over a year old

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

  • 144 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 145 Revenge in style

  • 146 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 147 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 148 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 149 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 150 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 151 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 152 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 153 Can spring be far away?

  • 154 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 155 Some 240 exhibits

  • 156 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 158 Some mushroom!

  • 159 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 160 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 161 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 162 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 163 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 164 School's link with cargo ship

  • 165 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 166 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 167 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 169 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 170 Clovelly custom

  • 171 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 172 Torrington's new amenity

  • 173 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 174 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 175 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 176

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 177 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 178 Devil sent packing

  • 179 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 180 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 181 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 182 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 183

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 184 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 185 Artisans' Club

  • 186 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 187 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 188

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 189 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 190 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 191 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 192 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 193 Riverside mystery

  • 194 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 195 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 196 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 197 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 198 Torrington in 1967

  • 199 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 200 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 201 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 202

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 203 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 204 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

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

  • 206

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 207 A bird of their own!

  • 208 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 209 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 210 Centenary of Gazette

  • 211 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 212

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 213 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 214 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 215 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 216 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 217 Bideford regatta

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

  • 219 Off on a great adventure

  • 220 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 221 No sale of Springfield House

  • 222 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 223 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 224 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 225 They are parted pro-tem

  • 226 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 227 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 228 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 229 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 230 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 231 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 232 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 233

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 234 Bridging the stream

  • 235 Filming at Hartland

  • 236 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 237 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 238 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 239 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 240 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 241 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 242 In their new robes and hats

  • 243 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 244 Penny for the guy

  • 245 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 246 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 247 Parkham plan realised

  • 248 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 249 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 250 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 251 Sweets derationing

  • 252

    Relatives all over the world
  • 253 Pannier Market's future?

  • 254 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 255 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 256 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 257 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 258 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 259 The cab at the corner>
  • 260 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 261 From Bobby to Brian

  • 262 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 263

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 264 A story to tell!

  • 265 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 266 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 267 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 268 Picking the pops

  • 269 Cruising down the river

  • 270 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 271 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 272 Ships at Bideford

  • 273 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 274 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 275 New look in the hayfields

  • 276 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 277 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 278 New life for Hartland organ

  • 279 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 280 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 281 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 282 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 283 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 284

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 285

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 286

    Building works
  • 287 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 288

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 289 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 290

    Married in 1908
  • 291 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 292 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 293 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 294 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 295 Bideford computer stars

  • 296 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 297 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 298 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 299 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 300 The Geneva marionettes

  • 301 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 302 So this is the mainland!

  • 303 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 304 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 305 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 306 Picking the pops

  • 307 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 308 Hartland postman retires

  • 309 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 310 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 311 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 312 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 313

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 314 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 315 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 316 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 317 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 318 New shipyard on schedule

  • 319 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 320 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 321 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 322 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 323 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 324 Variety in summer weather

  • 325 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 326 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 327 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 328

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 329 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 330 Warmington's garage ad

  • 331 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 332 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 333 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 335 By pony and trap to market

  • 336 Police station view of Bideford

  • 337 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 338 Traditions and skills still there

  • 339 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 340 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 341 Last train from Torrington

  • 342 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 343 Life begins at 80

  • 344 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 345 End of the line

  • 346 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 347 New Lundy stamps

  • 348 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 349 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 350 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 351 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 352 A man and his wheel

  • 353 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 354

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 355 For crying out loud!

  • 356 When horses score over the tractor

  • 357 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 359 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 360 Sight of a lifetime

  • 361 New addition to Quay front

  • 362 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 363 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 364 He beat the floods

  • 365 Northam footballers of the future

  • 366 Littleham family's five generations

  • 367 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 368 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 369

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 370 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 371 Hartland Dancers
  • 372 Waldon Triplets
  • 373 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 374 New Post Office

  • 375 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 376 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 377

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 378 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 379 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 380 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 381 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 382 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 383 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 384 School crossing patrol begins

  • 385 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 386 Simple Item 138
  • 387 Ten year old scrambler

  • 388 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 389

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 390 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 391 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 392

    Was a missionary
  • 393 Northam's almshouse

  • 394 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 396 Circus comes to town

  • 397 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 398 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 400 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 401 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 402 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 404 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 405 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 406 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 407 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 408

    Bidefordians
  • 409 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 410 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 411 It really was the 'last time'

  • 412 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 413 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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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Yeoldon House

Durrant Lane, Northam

13.1.1978 Yeoldon House Northam

Enjoy CORDON BLEU CUISINE
and FINE WINES in Quiet Comfort overlooking the River
On Sunday Night help yourself to our Candlelit Smorgasbord
Also Sunday Lunches

For bookings Tel Bideford 4400

Gazette article dated 13 January 1978

Elizabethan Club

WESTWARD HO!

13.1.1978 Elizabethan Club WHo

Sat, Jan 14

Freeway

Dancing from 8pm

Sun, Jan 15

Ronnie Wallis Trio

MEMBERS FREE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Guests (Saturday) 50p, Sunday Members only

 

Gazette dated 13 January 1978

The Penney's returning to Australia

Winkleigh Old-World ‘Pub’ As Prize?


8.6.1956 Winkleigh pub
It is understood that a leading London newspaper company with interests in commercial television are interested in the purchase of the old-world thatched public house, the Ring O’ Bells, Winkleigh, as a competition prize.

The present owner, Mr Bill Penney, told the Bideford Gazette he could not confirm or deny the rumours at the moment, although he mentioned that newspaper and television men had been there.

In recent weeks, a Derby race-horse, ‘Affiliation Order’ was given away as a prize in a newspaper sponsored competition.

The Ring o’ Bells, described by a resident as a ‘very comfortable little place to have a drink’ is one of those ‘pubs’ that novelists always feel bound to describe in Devonshire settings – with white-washed walls, thatched roof and oak-beamed bar, decorated with brasses, where the local brew of cider is still sold. In addition the Ring o’ Bells has around the bar walls aboriginal boomerangs and shields that give a clue to mine host, Mr Bill Penney, long before one hears his Australian accent.

Mr and Mrs Bill Penney met in this country when Mr Penney was over here with the Australian forces during the war. When the war ended they went to Australia and ran a large ‘Returned Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia’ Club in Sydney. The next six and a half years they spent at Papua in New Guinea, managing another club there for the first two years and then opening a native trade store. By 1954, when they decided to sell everything and leave New Guinea because of the heat and general conditions there, they had two stores and had built their own house in Papua. Mr and Mrs Penney came back to this country with the express intention of buying a ‘pub’ in Devon, Mrs Penney having fallen in love with what little she had seen of the country before going abroad.

Mrs Penney had visions of oak beams and brasses and at the Ring o’ Bells, Winkleigh, which is built adjoining the gateway to the parish church, she and her husband had the false ceiling stripped to reveal the original oak beams hidden underneath and made quite a number of other improvements although, of course, the brasses decorating the war and the old oak settle retained.

Mr and Mrs Penney are planning to return to Australia and are hoping to sail for Sydney next March.

Article dated 8 June 1956

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