• 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 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 2 All aboard the ark

  • 3 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 5 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 6 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 7 No laughing matter

  • 8 New civic medallions

  • 9

    Relatives all over the world
  • 10 Hartland's invitation

  • 11 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 12 Bideford loses training ship

  • 13 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 14 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 15 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 16 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 17 Private home for public pump

  • 18 Finished in 1876

  • 19 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 20 New Post Office

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

  • 22 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 23 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 24 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 25 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 26 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 27 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 28 First ship in 8 years

  • 29 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 30 Bideford regatta

  • 31 Picking the pops

  • 32 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 33 A story to tell!

  • 34 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 35 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 36 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 37 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 38 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 39 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 40 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 41 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 42 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 43 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 44 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 45 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 46 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 47 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 48 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 49 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 50 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 51 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 52 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 53 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 54 School's link with cargo ship

  • 55 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 56 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 57 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 58 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 59 Northam footballers of the future

  • 60 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 61 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 62 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 63 Centenary of Gazette

  • 64 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 65 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 66 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 67 Circus comes to town

  • 68 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 69

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 70 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 71 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 72 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 73

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 74 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 75 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 76 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 77 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 78

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 79 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 80 Traditions and skills still there

  • 81 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 82 Service with a smile

  • 83 Recognise this resort?

  • 84 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 85

    Exhibition of school work
  • 86

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 87 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 88 Revenge in style

  • 89 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 90 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 91 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 92 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 93 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 94 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 95 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 96 Out of puff!

  • 97 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 98 Decontrol of meat

  • 99 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 100 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 101 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 102 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 103 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 104 Bridging the stream

  • 105 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 106 A roof-top view - where?

  • 107 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 108 Picking the pops

  • 109

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 110 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 111 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 112 Clovelly nightmare

  • 113 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 114 Six footed lamb

  • 115 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 116 Simple Item 138
  • 117 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 118 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 119 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 120 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 121 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 122 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 123

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 124 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 125 Last train from Torrington

  • 126 Torrington children build igloo
  • 127 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 128 He beat the floods

  • 129 When horses score over the tractor

  • 130 School crossing patrol begins

  • 131 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 132 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 133 Sight of a lifetime

  • 134 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 135 Hartland postman retires

  • 136 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 137 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 138

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 139

    New gateway
  • 140 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 141 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 142

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 143 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 144 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 145 No sale of Springfield House

  • 146 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 147 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 148 Warmington's garage ad

  • 149 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 150 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 151 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 152 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 153 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 154 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 155 It really was the 'last time'

  • 156 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 157 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 158 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 159

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 160 Littleham family's five generations

  • 161 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 162 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 163 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 164 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 165

    Was a missionary
  • 166 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 167 End of the line

  • 168 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 169 In their new robes and hats

  • 170 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 171

    First prize
  • 172 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 173 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 174 New choral society's growing response

  • 175 So this is the mainland!

  • 176 Weare Giffard potato

  • 177 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 178 New addition to Quay front

  • 179

    Married in 1908
  • 180 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 181 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 182 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 184 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 185 Modern living at Bideford

  • 186 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 187 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 188 A bird of their own!

  • 189

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 190 Artisans' Club

  • 191

    Bidefordians
  • 192

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 193 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 194 Life begins at 80

  • 195 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 196 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 197 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 198

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 199

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 200

    Building works
  • 201 For crying out loud!

  • 202 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 203 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 204

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 205 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 206 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 207 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 208 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 209 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 210 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 211 New look in the hayfields

  • 212 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 213 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

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

  • 216 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 217 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 218

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 219 Emergency ferry services

  • 220 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 221 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 222 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 223 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 224 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 225 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 226 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 227 Capers on the cobbles

  • 228 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 229 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 230 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 231 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 232 What's the time?

  • 233 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 234 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 235 Parkham plan realised

  • 236 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 237 Sweet success at Langtree School

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

  • 239 The Geneva marionettes

  • 240 The art of the thatcher

  • 241 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 242 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 243 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 244 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 245 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 246 Appledore's largest

  • 247 They are parted pro-tem

  • 248 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 249 By pony and trap to market

  • 250 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 251 Some 240 exhibits

  • 252 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 253 Devil sent packing

  • 254 Police station view of Bideford

  • 255 Loads of black and white

  • 256

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 257 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 258 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 259 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 260 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 261 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 262 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 264 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 265 Hartland Dancers
  • 266

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 267 Cruising down the river

  • 268 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 269 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 270

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 271 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 272 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 273 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 274 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 275 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 276 New shipyard on schedule

  • 277 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 278 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 279 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 280 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 282 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 283 All for the love of a lady!

  • 284 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 285

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 286 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 287 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 288 A man and his wheel

  • 289 Mobile missionary

  • 290

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 291 Waldon Triplets
  • 292 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 293 Twenty-one yachts

  • 294 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 295 Ten year old scrambler

  • 296 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 297 Clovelly custom

  • 298 Pannier Market's future?

  • 299 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 300 Off on a great adventure

  • 301 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 302 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 303 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 304 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 305 Northam's almshouse

  • 306 Just over a year old

  • 307

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 308 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 309 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 310 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 311 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 312 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 313 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 315 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 317

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 318 Jumble sale fever

  • 319 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 320 Bideford computer stars

  • 321 Some mushroom!

  • 322 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 323 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 324 North Devon Driving School

  • 325 Peter poses for TV film

  • 326 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 327 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 328 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 330 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 331 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 332 Puppet characters introduced

  • 333

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 334 Torrington's new amenity

  • 335 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 336 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 337 Penny for the guy

  • 338 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 339 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 340 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 341 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 342

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 343 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 344 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 345 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 346 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 347 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 348 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 349 Happy Days!

  • 350 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 351 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 352 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 353 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 354 113 years at Instow

  • 355 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 356 Torrington in 1967

  • 357 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 358 New Lundy stamps

  • 359 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 360

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 361 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 362 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 363 New life for Hartland organ

  • 364 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 365 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 366 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 367 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 368 New art gallery opened

  • 369 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 370 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 371 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 372 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 373 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 374 Can spring be far away?

  • 375 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 376 Riverside mystery

  • 377 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 378 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 379 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 380 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 381 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 382 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 383 Ships at Bideford

  • 384 Burnard family reunion

  • 385 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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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  • 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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  • 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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Fancy Dress Parade at Parkham

A fancy dress parade in the school playground with good prizes and classes for all ages will be a highlight of celebrations at Parkham. 

29.5.1953 Parkham

Over £70 has been collected to meet the expenses of the day.

A United service in the Parish Church at 2.30pm will be followed by sports. All parishioners are to be entitled to a free tea in the schoolroom. To conclude the day there will be a social in the school in the evening. Rev J Williams is chairman of the Parish Coronation Committee; Mr M Honey, secretary; and Mr G Jacob, treasurer. 

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

A Toast on Lundy

While the islanders of Lundy will probably be busy catering for the enjoyment of others – one of the Bristol Channel white funnel steamers is scheduled to call at the island on Coronation day – every endeavour will be made to make the day one of enjoyment and festivity writes the Resident Agent, Mr F W Glade.

29.5.1953 Lundy

‘Without doubt, we shall drink to the health, happiness and long life of our charming and wholly delightful young Queen and that of her equally charming Consort.’The Marisco Tavern will be decorated and the Union Jack will fly at masthead and also at the mast heads of the Lundy North and Lundy South lighthouses. 

There is to be a special issue of seven Lundy stamps.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

Souvenir Gift At Littleham

Mrs Mansell, of Hallsannery, is providing souvenir mugs for Littleham’s schoolchildren and he will present these and those provided for the other children in the Parish by the Coronation committee, at the free tea in the Parish Hall. 

29.5.1953 Littleham

The Rector of Littleham, Rev A J Clark, will be conducting the united service in the Parish Church at 2.30pm. Children’s sports follow in the field adjoining the Parish Hall until 5pm. Sports for adults take place in the period between tea and the whist drive in the school and the social in the Parish Hall at 8pm.

Donations and a house to house collection in the parish brought in a total of £50 and a whist drive increased the sum available for celebrations by another £30.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

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