• 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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    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 2 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 3 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 4 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 5 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 6 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 7

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 8 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 9 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 10 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 11 First ship in 8 years

  • 12 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 13 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 14

    Was a missionary
  • 15 A man and his wheel

  • 16 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 17 By pony and trap to market

  • 18 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 19 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 20 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 21 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 22 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 23 Peter poses for TV film

  • 24 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 25 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 26 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 27

    Married in 1908
  • 28

    Bidefordians
  • 29 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 30 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 31 It really was the 'last time'

  • 32 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 33 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 34 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 35 Artisans' Club

  • 36 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 37 All aboard the ark

  • 38 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 39 Burnard family reunion

  • 40 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 41 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 42 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 43 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 44 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 45 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 46 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 47 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 48 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 49

    Exhibition of school work
  • 50 Torrington's new amenity

  • 51 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 52

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 53 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 54

    Building works
  • 55

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 56 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 57 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 58 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 59 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 60 Finished in 1876

  • 61 Appledore's largest

  • 62 No laughing matter

  • 63 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 64 New civic medallions

  • 65 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 66 Sight of a lifetime

  • 67 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 68 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 69 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 70 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 71 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 72 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 73 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 74 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 75 Bideford computer stars

  • 76 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 77 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 79 For crying out loud!

  • 80 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 81 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 82 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 83 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 84 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 85 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 87 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 88 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 89 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 90 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 91 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 92 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 93 So this is the mainland!

  • 94 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 95 Bideford regatta

  • 96 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 97 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 98 Hartland's invitation

  • 99 Revenge in style

  • 100 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 101 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 102 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 103 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 104 Torrington in 1967

  • 105 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 106 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 107 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 108 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 110 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 111 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 112 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 113 Riverside mystery

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

  • 115

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 116 The art of the thatcher

  • 117 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 118 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 119 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 120 Cruising down the river

  • 121 New addition to Quay front

  • 122 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 123 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 124 Decontrol of meat

  • 125 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 126 Puppet characters introduced

  • 127 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 128 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 129 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 130 Torrington children build igloo
  • 131

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 132 New look in the hayfields

  • 133 Private home for public pump

  • 134 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 135 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 136 A roof-top view - where?

  • 137 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 138 What's the time?

  • 139 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 140 Some 240 exhibits

  • 141 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 142 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 144 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 145 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 146

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 147 Devil sent packing

  • 148 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 149 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 151 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 152 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 153

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 154 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 155

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 156 Hartland Dancers
  • 157 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 158

    First prize
  • 159 Bideford loses training ship

  • 160 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 161 Filming at Hartland

  • 162 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 163 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 164 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 165

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 166 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 167 In their new robes and hats

  • 168 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 169

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 170

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 171 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 172 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 173 Modern living at Bideford

  • 174 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 175 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 176 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 178 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 179 New art gallery opened

  • 180 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 181

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 182 Clovelly nightmare

  • 183 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 184 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 185 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 186 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 187 Capers on the cobbles

  • 188 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 189 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 190 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 191 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 192 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 193 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 194 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 195 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 196 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 197 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 198 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 199 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 200 Can spring be far away?

  • 201 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 202 School crossing patrol begins

  • 203 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 204 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 205 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 206 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 207 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 208 Variety in summer weather

  • 209 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 210

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 211 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 212 A bird of their own!

  • 213 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 214 Life begins at 80

  • 215 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 216 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 217 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 218 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 219 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 220 New Post Office

  • 221 Parkham plan realised

  • 222 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 223

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 224 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 225 Bridging the stream

  • 226 Police station view of Bideford

  • 227 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 228 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 229 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 230 Littleham family's five generations

  • 231 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 232 Recognise this resort?

  • 233 Loads of black and white

  • 234 New shipyard on schedule

  • 235 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 236 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 237 He beat the floods

  • 238 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 239 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 240 Picking the pops

  • 241 Six footed lamb

  • 242 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 244 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 245 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 246 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 247 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 248 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 249 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 250 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 251 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 252 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 253 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 254 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 255 Weare Giffard potato

  • 256 Northam's almshouse

  • 257

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 258 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 259

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 260 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 261 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 262 The Geneva marionettes

  • 263 Happy Days!

  • 264 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 265 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 266

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 267 From Bobby to Brian

  • 268 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 269 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 270 Picking the pops

  • 271 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 272 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 273 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 274 Mobile missionary

  • 275 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 276 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 277 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 278 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 279 Emergency ferry services

  • 280 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 281 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 282 Ten year old scrambler

  • 283 New choral society's growing response

  • 284 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 285 Last train from Torrington

  • 286 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 287 A story to tell!

  • 288 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 289 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 290

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 291 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 292 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 294 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 295 North Devon Driving School

  • 296 Centenary of Gazette

  • 297 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 298 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 299 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 300

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 301 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 302 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 303 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 304 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 305 Warmington's garage ad

  • 306 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308 Circus comes to town

  • 309 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 310 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 311 113 years at Instow

  • 312 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 313 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 314 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 315 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 316 Northam footballers of the future

  • 317 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 318 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 319 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 321 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 322 They are parted pro-tem

  • 323

    Relatives all over the world
  • 324 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 325 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 326 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 327

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 328

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 329 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 330 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 331 No sale of Springfield House

  • 332 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 333 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 334 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 335

    New gateway
  • 336 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 338 School's link with cargo ship

  • 339 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 340 Twenty-one yachts

  • 341 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 342 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 343 Traditions and skills still there

  • 344 Sweets derationing

  • 345 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 346 Waldon Triplets
  • 347 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 348 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 349 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 350 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 351 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 352 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 353 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 354 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 355 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 356 New Lundy stamps

  • 357 Service with a smile

  • 358 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 360 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 361 All for the love of a lady!

  • 362 End of the line

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

  • 364 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 365 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 366 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 367 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 368 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 369 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 370 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 372 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 373 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 374 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 375 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 376 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 377 Penny for the guy

  • 378 The cab at the corner>
  • 379 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 380 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 381 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 382 New life for Hartland organ

  • 383 Some mushroom!

  • 384 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 385

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 386 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 387 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 388 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 389 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 390

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 391 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 392 Clovelly custom

  • 393 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 394 Off on a great adventure

  • 395 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 396 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 397 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 398 Simple Item 138
  • 399 Jumble sale fever

  • 400 Out of puff!

  • 401 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 402 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 403 Hartland postman retires

  • 404 Just over a year old

  • 405 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 406 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 407 Pannier Market's future?

  • 408 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 409 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 410

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 411 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 412 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 413 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

With appropriate ceremony the Union Jack is hoisted at Bideford Quayside, typical of the loyal displays made throughout our towns and villages.

5.6.1953 Bideford

Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

Here's Health Unto Her Majesty!

Pupils of Bideford Secondary Modern School raise their Coronation beakers as if in toast to Her Majesty...

5.6.1953 Bideford School

a photograph taken after the distribution of these souvenirs to the Bideford schoolchildren by the Mayor, Mr C A Grant. Standing at the back is the headmaster, Mr J E Down.
Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

Coronation Cameos

Mt Everest to the 'Fishermen of England'

5.6.1953 Appledore1

Time and tide wait for no man, not even for a Queen, but whether it be at Mt Everest, where Britishers had climbed the world's highest mountain, or at Appledore, where the 'Fisherman of England' were not missing the fine catch of salmon from the Torridge Estuary, mugs of beverage were raised in loyal toasts.... Brandy at Mt Everest and Beer at the 'George' and 'Beaver' at Appledore!

Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

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