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

  • 2 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 3 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 4 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 5 School's link with cargo ship

  • 6 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 7 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 8

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 9 Life begins at 80

  • 10 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 11

    Was a missionary
  • 12

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 13 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 14 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 15 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 16 New life for Hartland organ

  • 17 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 18 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 19 Private home for public pump

  • 20 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 21

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 22

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 23 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 24 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 26 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 27 The cab at the corner>
  • 28 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 29 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 30 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 31 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 32 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 33 Littleham family's five generations

  • 34 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 35

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 36

    Bidefordians
  • 37 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 38

    Building works
  • 39 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 40

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 41 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 42 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 43 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 44 Devil sent packing

  • 45

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 46 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 47 Capers on the cobbles

  • 48 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 49 Emergency ferry services

  • 50 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 51 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 52 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 53 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 54 North Devon Driving School

  • 55 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 56 Can spring be far away?

  • 57 New addition to Quay front

  • 58 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 59 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

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

  • 61 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 62 New Post Office

  • 63 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 64

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 65 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 66

    Exhibition of school work
  • 67 Filming at Hartland

  • 68 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 69 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 70 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 72 Hartland Dancers
  • 73 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 74 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 75 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 76 Waldon Triplets
  • 77 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 78 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 79 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 80 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 82 End of the line

  • 83 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 84 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 85 In their new robes and hats

  • 86 Northam's almshouse

  • 87 Bideford computer stars

  • 88 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 89 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 90 Cruising down the river

  • 91

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 92 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 93 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 94

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 95 Last train from Torrington

  • 96 Circus comes to town

  • 97 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 98 Out of puff!

  • 99 Off on a great adventure

  • 100 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 101 Twenty-one yachts

  • 102 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 103 Happy Days!

  • 104 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 105 First ship in 8 years

  • 106 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 107 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 108 Hartland's invitation

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

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

  • 111 Some mushroom!

  • 112 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 113 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 114 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 115 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 116 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 117 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 118 Decontrol of meat

  • 119 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 120 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 121 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 122 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 123

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 124 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 125 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 126 When horses score over the tractor

  • 127 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 129 Ships at Bideford

  • 130 Peter poses for TV film

  • 131 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 132 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 133 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 134 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 135 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 136 All aboard the ark

  • 137 New civic medallions

  • 138 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 139 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 140 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 141 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 142 New look in the hayfields

  • 143

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 144 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 145 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 146 Appledore's largest

  • 147

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 148 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 149 The art of the thatcher

  • 150 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 151 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 152 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 153 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 154 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 155 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 156 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 157 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 158 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 159 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 160 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 161 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 162 Ten year old scrambler

  • 163 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 164 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 165 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 166 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 167 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 168 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 169 Centenary of Gazette

  • 170 Just over a year old

  • 171 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 172 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 173 Sight of a lifetime

  • 174 Some 240 exhibits

  • 175 All for the love of a lady!

  • 176 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 177 Meredith's ironmongers

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

  • 179

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 180 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 181 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 182 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 183 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 184 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 185 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 186 A story to tell!

  • 187 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 188 What's the time?

  • 189 Riverside mystery

  • 190 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 191 Warmington's garage ad

  • 192 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 193 Torrington children build igloo
  • 194 Bideford regatta

  • 195 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 196 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 197 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 198 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 199 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 200 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 201 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 202 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 203 New Lundy stamps

  • 204 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 205 Jumble sale fever

  • 206 A man and his wheel

  • 207 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 208

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 209 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 210 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 211 Police station view of Bideford

  • 212 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 213 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 214 Sweets derationing

  • 215 From Bobby to Brian

  • 216 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 217 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 218 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 219 Modern living at Bideford

  • 220 Burnard family reunion

  • 221 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 222 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 223 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 224 Recognise this resort?

  • 225 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 226 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 227 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 228 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 229 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 230 Parkham plan realised

  • 231 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 232 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 233 Six footed lamb

  • 234 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 235 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 236 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 237 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 238 It really was the 'last time'

  • 239

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 240 He beat the floods

  • 241 Penny for the guy

  • 242 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 243 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 244 Loads of black and white

  • 245 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 246 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 247 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 248 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 249 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 250 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 251 Picking the pops

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

  • 253 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 254 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 255 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 256 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 257 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 258 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 259

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 260 Artisans' Club

  • 261 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 262

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 263 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 264 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 265 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

  • 267 Clovelly nightmare

  • 268 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 269 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 270 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 271 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 272 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 273 Hartland postman retires

  • 274 A roof-top view - where?

  • 275 Picking the pops

  • 276 Clovelly custom

  • 277 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 278 Bridging the stream

  • 279 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 280 New shipyard on schedule

  • 281 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 282 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 283 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 284 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 285 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 286 Pannier Market's future?

  • 287 Traditions and skills still there

  • 288 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 289

    New gateway
  • 290 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 292 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 293 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 294 So this is the mainland!

  • 295 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 296 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 297 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 298 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 299

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 300 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 301 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 302 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 303

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 304 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 305

    Relatives all over the world
  • 306 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 307 Finished in 1876

  • 308 No sale of Springfield House

  • 309 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 310 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 311 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 312 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 313 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 314 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 315 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 316 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 317 Puppet characters introduced

  • 318 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 319 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 320 Simple Item 138
  • 321 Torrington's new amenity

  • 322 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 323 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 324 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 325 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 326

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 327 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 328 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 329 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 330 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 331 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 332 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 333 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 334 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 335 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 336 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 337 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 339 Torrington in 1967

  • 340 Revenge in style

  • 341 Weare Giffard potato

  • 342 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 343 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 344 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 345 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 346 No laughing matter

  • 347 School crossing patrol begins

  • 348 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 349 Northam footballers of the future

  • 350 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 351 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 352 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 353 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 354 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 355 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 356 For crying out loud!

  • 357 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 358 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 359

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 360 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 361 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 362 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 363 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 364 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 365 Mobile missionary

  • 366 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 367 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 368 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 369 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 370 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 371 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 372

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 373

    Married in 1908
  • 374 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 375 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 376 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 377 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 378 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 379

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 380 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 381 The Geneva marionettes

  • 382 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 383 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 384 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 385 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 386 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 387 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 388

    First prize
  • 389 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 390 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 391 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 392 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 393 Variety in summer weather

  • 394 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 395 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 396 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 397 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 398 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 399 New art gallery opened

  • 400 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 401 Bideford loses training ship

  • 402 New choral society's growing response

  • 403 Service with a smile

  • 404 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 405 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 406 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 407 113 years at Instow

  • 408 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 409 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 410 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 411 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 412

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 413 A bird of their own!

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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East and West Putford

East and West Putford are combining to celebrate the Coronation and some £62 for this purpose was raised from a house to house collection and donations. 

29.5.1953 Putford

Mr J Walter, chairman of the organising committee, has lent a field for the afternoon children’s sports which follow the combined service in the Parish Church to be conducted by the Vicar, assisted by Mr Walling (Methodist). Putford’s Women’s Institute have taken over the arrangements for the parish tea in the Methodist Schoolroom and the children will be presented with their souvenir mugs as they leave. Sports for the grown-ups take place in the evening and a social and dance in the Council schoolroom ends the day. 

At various times during the day the bells of the Parish Church will be adding their contribution to the celebrations.

Full Gazette article dated 29 May 1953

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

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