• 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 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 2 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 3

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 4 All for the love of a lady!

  • 5 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 6 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 7 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 8 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 9 Devil sent packing

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

  • 11 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 12 Traditions and skills still there

  • 13 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 14 Service with a smile

  • 15 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 16 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 17 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 18 Riverside mystery

  • 19 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 20 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 21 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 22 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 23 Out of puff!

  • 24 Happy Days!

  • 25 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 26 New Lundy stamps

  • 27 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 28

    New gateway
  • 29 Torrington in 1967

  • 30 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 31 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 32 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 33 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 34 A bird of their own!

  • 35 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 36 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 37 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 38 New shipyard on schedule

  • 39 Can spring be far away?

  • 40 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 41 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 42 Some mushroom!

  • 43 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 44 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 45

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 46 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 47 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 48 Torrington children build igloo
  • 49 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 50 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 51 Pannier Market's future?

  • 52 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 53 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 54 Littleham family's five generations

  • 55 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 56 Northam footballers of the future

  • 57 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 58 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 59 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 60 Off on a great adventure

  • 61 When horses score over the tractor

  • 62 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 63 Hartland Dancers
  • 64 Puppet characters introduced

  • 65 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 67 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 68 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 69 Bideford regatta

  • 70 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 71 Peter poses for TV film

  • 72 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 73 By pony and trap to market

  • 74 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 75 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 76

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 77 A roof-top view - where?

  • 78 Cruising down the river

  • 79 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 80 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 81 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 82 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 83 Mobile missionary

  • 84 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 86

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

  • 88 Twenty-one yachts

  • 89 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 90 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 91 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 92 Revenge in style

  • 93 Decontrol of meat

  • 94 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 95

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 96 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 97 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 98 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 99 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 100 Centenary of Gazette

  • 101 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 102 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 103 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 104 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 105 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 106 Northam's almshouse

  • 107 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 108 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 109 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 110 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 111 New art gallery opened

  • 112 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 113 Police station view of Bideford

  • 114

    Bidefordians
  • 115

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 116

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 117 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 118 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 119 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 120 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 121 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 122

    Married in 1908
  • 123 Variety in summer weather

  • 124 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 125 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 126 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 127 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 128 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 130 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 131 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 132 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 133 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 134

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 135 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 136 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 137 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 138 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 140 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 141 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 142 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 143 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 144 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 145 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 146 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 147 Life begins at 80

  • 148 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 149 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 150 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 151

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 152 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 153 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 154 Penny for the guy

  • 155 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 156 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 157 Some 240 exhibits

  • 158 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 159 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 160

    Exhibition of school work
  • 161 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 162 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 163 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 164 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 165 What's the time?

  • 166 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 167 New life for Hartland organ

  • 168

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 169 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 170 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 171 Clovelly nightmare

  • 172 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 173 Ships at Bideford

  • 174

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 175 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 176 The art of the thatcher

  • 177 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 178 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 179 For crying out loud!

  • 180 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 181 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 182 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 183 Sight of a lifetime

  • 184 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 185 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 186 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 187 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 188 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 189 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 190 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 191 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 192 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 193 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 194 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 195 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 196 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 197 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 198 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 199 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 200 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 201 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 203 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 204 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 205 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 206 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 207 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 208 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 209 Artisans' Club

  • 210 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 211 Parkham plan realised

  • 212 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 213 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 214 Hartland's invitation

  • 215 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 216 Appledore's largest

  • 217

    Relatives all over the world
  • 218 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 219 School's link with cargo ship

  • 220 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 221 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 222 Warmington's garage ad

  • 223 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 224

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 225 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 226 Picking the pops

  • 227 Ten year old scrambler

  • 228

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 229 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 230 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 231 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 232 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 233 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 234 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 235 Clovelly custom

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

  • 237 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 238 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 239 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 240 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 241 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 242 Bideford loses training ship

  • 243 He beat the floods

  • 244 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 245 It really was the 'last time'

  • 246

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 247 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 248 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 249

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 250 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 251 Picking the pops

  • 252 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 254 Modern living at Bideford

  • 255 They are parted pro-tem

  • 256 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 257 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 258 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 259 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 260 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 261 North Devon Driving School

  • 262 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 263 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 264 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 265

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 266 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 268 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 269 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 270 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 271

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 272 Weare Giffard potato

  • 273 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 274 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 275 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 277 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 278 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 279 No laughing matter

  • 280 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 281 Simple Item 138
  • 282 Bridging the stream

  • 283 Circus comes to town

  • 284 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 285 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 286 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 287 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 288 So this is the mainland!

  • 289 Last train from Torrington

  • 290 End of the line

  • 291 School crossing patrol begins

  • 292 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 293 All aboard the ark

  • 294

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 295 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 296

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 297 A man and his wheel

  • 298 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 299 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 300 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 301 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 302 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 303 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 304 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 305 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 306 Torrington's new amenity

  • 307 New civic medallions

  • 308 Burnard family reunion

  • 309 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 310

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 311 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 312 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 313 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 314 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 315 In their new robes and hats

  • 316 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 317 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 318 113 years at Instow

  • 319 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 320 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 321 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 322

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 323 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 324 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 325 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 326 Just over a year old

  • 327 Loads of black and white

  • 328 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 329 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 330 The Geneva marionettes

  • 331 A story to tell!

  • 332 New addition to Quay front

  • 333

    Building works
  • 334 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 335 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 336 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 337

    First prize
  • 338 New Post Office

  • 339 Private home for public pump

  • 340

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 341 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 342 Bideford computer stars

  • 343 Jumble sale fever

  • 344 New look in the hayfields

  • 345 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 346 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 347 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 348 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 349 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 350 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 351 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 352 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 353 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 354 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 355 No sale of Springfield House

  • 356 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 357 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 359 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 360 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 361 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 362

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 363 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 364 Six footed lamb

  • 365 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 366 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 367 First ship in 8 years

  • 368 New choral society's growing response

  • 369 Finished in 1876

  • 370 Recognise this resort?

  • 371 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 372 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 373 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 374

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 375 Waldon Triplets
  • 376 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 377 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 378 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 379

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 380 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 381 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 382

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 383 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 384 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 385 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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 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

Westward Ho! Gets ‘A Piece Of Cake’

The Great Day began for many people with the United Service of prayer and thanksgiving in Holy Trinity Church.

5.6.1953 WHo

Television revealed, as has never been possible before, the deeply religious significance of the Coronation Service, and none could fail to be impressed by our gracious young Queen’s beauty and dignity through the long hours of her consecration to the service of God and her people.
Despite strong wind, a crowd of happy children gathered in the Cricket Field for sports after lunch and later assembled in the gaily decorated Kingsley Hall for a truly royal feast of good things. Souvenir mugs were distributed, and the special broadsheets were presented to each child on leaving, together with a stick of rock, the latter being given by the Committee and Mr W Powell.
The gala social attracted a joyous crowd, and all joined in modern and old time dances, games and competitions, under the able leadership of Mr A Kelly, who acted as MC. A radio set having been kindly loaned by Mr A Kelly, those present were able to listen to the Queen’s broadcast. It was hoped that many people would come in fancy dress but only one youngster, Miss Ann Pooley, responded.
During the evening, the names of prize winners in the house and shop decoration competition were announced. This competition was judged by Mr Vernon Boyle and Mr J Keene, and the results were: Bobbie’s Wool Shop; Empire Stores and Mr Taylor’s hairdressing establishment; Mr M Tarrant, 14 Eastbourne Terrace; The Chalet.
Another feast of good things was served at 10pm. The Coronation cake, won in a competition by Mr Godfrey, 9 Westbourne Terrace, was cut. In a speech, Mr Wickham thanked all who had helped with the organisation, and then Miss Thelma Twose presented a spray of flowers to Mrs Hambly, head of the Catering Committee.
The full Gazette article is dated 5 June 1953.

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