• 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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    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 2 Twenty-one yachts

  • 3 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 4 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 5 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 6 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 7 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 8 New shipyard on schedule

  • 9 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 10 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 11

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 12 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 13 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 14 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 15 Some 240 exhibits

  • 16 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 17 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 18 Torrington children build igloo
  • 19 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 20 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 21 School's link with cargo ship

  • 22 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 23 Out of puff!

  • 24

    New gateway
  • 25 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 26 New civic medallions

  • 27 Life begins at 80

  • 28 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 29 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 30 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 31 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 32 Simple Item 138
  • 33

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 34 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 35 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 36 When horses score over the tractor

  • 37 Bridging the stream

  • 38 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 39 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 40 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

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

  • 42 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 43 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 44 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 45 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 46 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 47 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 48

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 49

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 50 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 52 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 53 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 54 Waldon Triplets
  • 55 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 56 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 57 Hartland postman retires

  • 58 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 59 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 60 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 61 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 62 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 63 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 64 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 65 New art gallery opened

  • 66 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

  • 68

    Exhibition of school work
  • 69 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 70 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 71 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 73

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 74 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 75 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 76 Picking the pops

  • 77 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 78 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 79 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 80 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 81 Variety in summer weather

  • 82 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 83 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 84 Service with a smile

  • 85 A story to tell!

  • 86 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 87 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 89 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 90 End of the line

  • 91 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 92 Clovelly nightmare

  • 93 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 94 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 95 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 96 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 97 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 98 Hartland Dancers
  • 99 Some mushroom!

  • 100 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 101 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 102 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 103 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 104 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 105 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 106

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 107 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 108

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 109 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 110

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 111 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 112 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 113 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 114 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 115 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 116 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 117

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 118 A roof-top view - where?

  • 119 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 120

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 121 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 122 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 123 No sale of Springfield House

  • 124 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 125 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 126 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 127 New life for Hartland organ

  • 128 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 129 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 130 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 131 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 132 Parkham plan realised

  • 133

    Bidefordians
  • 134 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 135

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 136 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 137 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 138

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 139 New choral society's growing response

  • 140 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 141 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 142 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 143 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 144 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 145 School crossing patrol begins

  • 146 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 147 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 148 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 149 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 150 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 151 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 152 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 153 North Devon Driving School

  • 154 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 155 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 156 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 157 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 158 Bideford loses training ship

  • 159 First ship in 8 years

  • 160 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 161 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 162 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 163 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 164 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 165 Jumble sale fever

  • 166 All for the love of a lady!

  • 167 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 168 Ships at Bideford

  • 169 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 170 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 171 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 172 Filming at Hartland

  • 173 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 174 He beat the floods

  • 175 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 176 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 177 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 178 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 179 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 180 Modern living at Bideford

  • 181 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 182 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 183

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 184 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 185 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 186 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 187 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 188 A man and his wheel

  • 189 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 190

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 191 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 193 Northam footballers of the future

  • 194 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 195 Ten year old scrambler

  • 196 A bird of their own!

  • 197 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 198 Appledore's largest

  • 199 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 200 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 201 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 202 Circus comes to town

  • 203 113 years at Instow

  • 204 Happy Days!

  • 205 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 206 So this is the mainland!

  • 207 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 208 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 209 Devil sent packing

  • 210 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 211 The art of the thatcher

  • 212 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 213 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 214

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 215 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 216 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 217 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 218 Littleham family's five generations

  • 219 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 220 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 221 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 222 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 223 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 224 Sweets derationing

  • 225 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 226 Artisans' Club

  • 227 Clovelly custom

  • 228 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 230 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 231 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 232 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 233

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 234 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 235 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 236 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 237 Burnard family reunion

  • 238 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 239 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 240 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 241 Centenary of Gazette

  • 242 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 243 Just over a year old

  • 244 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 245 Private home for public pump

  • 246

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 247 Can spring be far away?

  • 248 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 249 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 251 Cruising down the river

  • 252 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 253 Emergency ferry services

  • 254 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 255 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 256 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 257 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 258 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 259 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 260 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 262 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 263 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 264 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 266 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 267 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 268 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 269 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 270 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 271 Traditions and skills still there

  • 272 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 273 No laughing matter

  • 274 The cab at the corner>
  • 275 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 276

    First prize
  • 277 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 278 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 279 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 280 For crying out loud!

  • 281 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 282 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 283 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 284 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 285 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 286 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 287 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 288 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 289

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 290 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 291 New look in the hayfields

  • 292 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 293 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 294 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 295 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 296

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 297 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 298 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 299 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 300 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 301 What's the time?

  • 302 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 303 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 304 From Bobby to Brian

  • 305 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 306 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 307 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 308 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 309 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 310 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 311 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 312 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 313 Torrington in 1967

  • 314

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 315 Sight of a lifetime

  • 316 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 317 Recognise this resort?

  • 318 Peter poses for TV film

  • 319 All aboard the ark

  • 320 New addition to Quay front

  • 321 Bideford regatta

  • 322 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 323 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 324 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 325 In their new robes and hats

  • 326 The Geneva marionettes

  • 327 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 328 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 329 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 330 Torrington's new amenity

  • 331 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 332 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 333 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 334 Weare Giffard potato

  • 335 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 336 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 337

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 338 Last train from Torrington

  • 339 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 340 Capers on the cobbles

  • 341

    Building works
  • 342 Bideford computer stars

  • 343 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 344 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

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

  • 347 Mobile missionary

  • 348 Northam's almshouse

  • 349 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 350 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 351 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 352 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 353 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 354 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 355 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 356 It really was the 'last time'

  • 357 Penny for the guy

  • 358

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 359 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 360 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 361 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 362 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 363

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 364 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 365 They are parted pro-tem

  • 366 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 367 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 368 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 369 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 370 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 371 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 372 New Lundy stamps

  • 373 Warmington's garage ad

  • 374 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 375 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 376 Finished in 1876

  • 377 Picking the pops

  • 378

    Was a missionary
  • 379 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 380 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 381 Riverside mystery

  • 382 Puppet characters introduced

  • 383 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 384 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 385 Pannier Market's future?

  • 386 Police station view of Bideford

  • 387

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 388 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 389 By pony and trap to market

  • 390 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 391 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 392 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 393 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 394 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 395 Six footed lamb

  • 396 Loads of black and white

  • 397 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 398 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 399 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 400

    Married in 1908
  • 401 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 402

    Relatives all over the world
  • 403 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 404 Revenge in style

  • 405 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 407 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 409 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 410 New Post Office

  • 411 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 412 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 413 Gloves fit for a king!

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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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.

Coronation Day 1953

Symbolising the Coronation spirit of pulling together is this hearty scene from Westleigh's celebrations where in the tug-o-war competitions the village beat Trayhill, Southcott and farmers' teams.

5.6.1953 Westleigh
Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

Coronation Day 1953

Erecting some of the decorations with which Torrington greeted the great day.

5.6.1953 Torrington

This photogrpah was taken outside Messrs James Tapscott's glove factory.

Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

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