• 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 Emergency ferry services

  • 2 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 3

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 4 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 5 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 6 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 7 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 8 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 9 Hartland postman retires

  • 10 Capers on the cobbles

  • 11 Warmington's garage ad

  • 12 Just over a year old

  • 13 Bideford computer stars

  • 14 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 15 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 16 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 17

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 18 Northam's almshouse

  • 19 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 20 Some 240 exhibits

  • 21 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 22 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 23 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 24 Six footed lamb

  • 25 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 26 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 27 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 28 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 29 Sight of a lifetime

  • 30 113 years at Instow

  • 31 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 32 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 33 Can spring be far away?

  • 34 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 35 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 36 No sale of Springfield House

  • 37 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 38 Appledore's largest

  • 39 Hartland Dancers
  • 40 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 41 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 42 Penny for the guy

  • 43 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 44 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 45 Bideford's private wharves busier

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

  • 47 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 48 Waldon Triplets
  • 49 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 50 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 51 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 52 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 53 Revenge in style

  • 54 School crossing patrol begins

  • 55 Private home for public pump

  • 56 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 57 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 58 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 59 Modern living at Bideford

  • 60 Recognise this resort?

  • 61 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 62 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 63 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 64 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 65 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 66 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 67 Ships at Bideford

  • 68 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 69 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 70 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 72 Centenary of Gazette

  • 73 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 74 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 75 First ship in 8 years

  • 76 Traditions and skills still there

  • 77 Pannier Market's future?

  • 78 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 79 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 80

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 81 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 82

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

  • 84 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 85 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 86 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 87 Torrington children build igloo
  • 88 The Geneva marionettes

  • 89 By pony and trap to market

  • 90 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 91

    New gateway
  • 92 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 93 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 94 New shipyard on schedule

  • 95 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 96 Peter poses for TV film

  • 97 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 99 Bideford regatta

  • 100 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 101 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 102 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 103 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 104 Twenty-one yachts

  • 105

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 106 Hartland's invitation

  • 107 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 108 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 109 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 111 It really was the 'last time'

  • 112

    Building works
  • 113

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 114 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 115 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 116 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 117 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 118 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 119 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 120 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 121 School's link with cargo ship

  • 122 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 123 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 124 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 125 Photo of town's first car wins prize

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

  • 127

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 128 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 129 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 130 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 131 Ten year old scrambler

  • 132

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 133 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 134 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 135 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 136 For crying out loud!

  • 137 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 138 A bird of their own!

  • 139 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 140 Service with a smile

  • 141 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 142 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 143 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 144 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 145 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 146 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 147 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 148 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 149 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 150 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 151 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 152 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 153 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 154 Torrington in 1967

  • 155

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 156

    Relatives all over the world
  • 157 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 158 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 159 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 160 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 161 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 162 From Bobby to Brian

  • 163

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 164

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 165 Weare Giffard potato

  • 166 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 167 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 168 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 169 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 170 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 171 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 172 Cruising down the river

  • 173 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 174 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 175

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 176 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 177 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 178 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 179

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 180 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 181 Last train from Torrington

  • 182 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 183 Finished in 1876

  • 184 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 185 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 186 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 187 Picking the pops

  • 188 Loads of black and white

  • 189 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 190 North Devon Driving School

  • 191 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 192 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 193 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 194 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 195 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 197

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 198 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 199

    Married in 1908
  • 200 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 201 Variety in summer weather

  • 202 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 204

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 205 No laughing matter

  • 206 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 207 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 208 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 209

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 210 In their new robes and hats

  • 211 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 212 Burnard family reunion

  • 213 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 214 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 215 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 216 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 217 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 218 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 219 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 220 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 221 Torrington's new amenity

  • 222 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 223 What's the time?

  • 224

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 225 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 226 They are parted pro-tem

  • 227 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 228 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 229 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 230 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 231 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 232 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 233 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 234 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 235 Littleham family's five generations

  • 236

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 237 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 238 Happy Days!

  • 239 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 240 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 241 Northam footballers of the future

  • 242 Police station view of Bideford

  • 243 All for the love of a lady!

  • 244 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 245 A roof-top view - where?

  • 246 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 247 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 248 So this is the mainland!

  • 249 All aboard the ark

  • 250 The cab at the corner>
  • 251 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 252 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 253

    First prize
  • 254 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 255 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 256 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 258 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 259 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 260 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 261 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 262 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 263 Puppet characters introduced

  • 264 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 265 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 266 Artisans' Club

  • 267 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 268 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 269 Decontrol of meat

  • 270 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 271

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 272 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 273 Simple Item 138
  • 274 When horses score over the tractor

  • 275 Clovelly nightmare

  • 276 The art of the thatcher

  • 277 New art gallery opened

  • 278 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 279 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 280 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 281 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 282 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 283 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 284 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 285 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 286 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 287 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 288

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 289 New look in the hayfields

  • 290 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 291 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 292 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 293 New life for Hartland organ

  • 294

    Was a missionary
  • 295 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 296 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 297 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 298 Riverside mystery

  • 299 Jumble sale fever

  • 300 New addition to Quay front

  • 301 Life begins at 80

  • 302 New Post Office

  • 303 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 304 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 305 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 306 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 307 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 308 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 309 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 310 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 311 Bideford loses training ship

  • 312 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 313 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 314 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 315 Mobile missionary

  • 316 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 317 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 318 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 319

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 320 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 321 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 322 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 323 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 324 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 325 Picking the pops

  • 326 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 328 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 329 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 330 Devil sent packing

  • 331 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 332 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 333 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 334 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 335 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 336 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 337 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 338 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 339 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 340 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 341 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 342 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 344 Bridging the stream

  • 345 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 346 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 347 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 348

    Bidefordians
  • 349 New choral society's growing response

  • 350 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 351 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 352 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 353 Out of puff!

  • 354 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 355 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 356 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 357 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 358 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 360 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 361 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 362 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 363 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 364 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 365 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 366 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 367 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 368 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 369

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 370 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 371 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 372 Filming at Hartland

  • 373 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 374 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 375 Clovelly custom

  • 376 New civic medallions

  • 377 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 378 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 379

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 380 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 381 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 382 He beat the floods

  • 383 A man and his wheel

  • 384 End of the line

  • 385 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 386 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 387 Circus comes to town

  • 388 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 389 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 390 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 391 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

  • 393 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 394 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 395 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 396 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 397 Sweets derationing

  • 398 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 399

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 400 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 401 Parkham plan realised

  • 402 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 403 Off on a great adventure

  • 404 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 405 A story to tell!

  • 406

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 407 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 408 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 409 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 410 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 411 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 412 Some mushroom!

  • 413

    Exhibition of school work
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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Coronation Day 1953

Typical of the happy Coronation Street teas was this gathering in Elm Grove, Bideford.

12.6.1953 Elm Grove

At the head of the tables are Miss H Goaman, Mrs E M Cox, Mrs Grant, Mr C A Grant, Mr A Kingdom, Mrs Backway and Mr F C Backway.
Gazette dated 12 June 1953.

Coronation Scenes At Northam And Appledore

Dr and Mrs C J Carey judge the fancy dress entries in the Square, which provided part of Northam’s festive air on Coronation day.

12.6.1953 Coronation scenes Northam and Appledore

Youthful dancers at Appledore enjoying themselves in Marine Parade on the evening of Coronation day.
First prize for the best decorated street at Appledore went to the residents of Tomouth Terrace and Crescent. They were summoned by bugle at 6am on Coronation day for decoration duty and right well they did their work. As our photograph shows they erected a splendid Gothic arch of evergreens decorated with crowns and the Royal Cipher, flanked by life sized wooden Guardsmen in scarlet tunics and bearskins with rifles and fixed bayonets.
Gazette article dated 12 June 1953

Strand Cinema, Bideford

The Coronation in Gevacolor

12.6.1953 Cinema

Full length Coronation News Reel

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