• 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 Out of puff!

  • 2 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 3 Jumble sale fever

  • 4 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 5 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 6 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 7 Centenary of Gazette

  • 8 Appledore's largest

  • 9 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 10 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 11 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 12 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 13 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 14 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 15 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 16 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 17 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 18 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 19 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 20 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 21 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 22 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 23 New art gallery opened

  • 24 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 25 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 26 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 27 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 28 Waldon Triplets
  • 29 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 30 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 31 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 32 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 33 New look in the hayfields

  • 34 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 35 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 36

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 37

    Married in 1908
  • 38 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 39 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 40 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 41 New shipyard on schedule

  • 42 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 43

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 44 Last train from Torrington

  • 45 Northam's almshouse

  • 46 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 47 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 48 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 49 Private home for public pump

  • 50 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 52 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 53 Bridging the stream

  • 54 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 55 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 56 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 57 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 58 Puppet characters introduced

  • 59 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 60 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 61

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 62 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 63 Revenge in style

  • 64 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 65 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 66 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 67 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 68 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 69 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 70

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 71 Ships at Bideford

  • 72 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 73 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 74

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 75 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 76 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 77 Weare Giffard potato

  • 78 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 79 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 80

    Building works
  • 81 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 82 Simple Item 138
  • 83 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 84 Artisans' Club

  • 85 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 86 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 87 Recognise this resort?

  • 88 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 89

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 90 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 91 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 92 Capers on the cobbles

  • 93 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 94 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 95 Sweets derationing

  • 96 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 97 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 98 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 99 Warmington's garage ad

  • 100 Hartland postman retires

  • 101 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 102 Peter poses for TV film

  • 103 Modern living at Bideford

  • 104 A man and his wheel

  • 105

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 106 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 107 What's the time?

  • 108 Traditions and skills still there

  • 109 Clovelly nightmare

  • 110 The art of the thatcher

  • 111 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 112 Happy Days!

  • 113 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 114 Can spring be far away?

  • 115 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 116 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 117 End of the line

  • 118 Parkham plan realised

  • 119 Twenty-one yachts

  • 120 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 121 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 122 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 123 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 124 Devil sent packing

  • 125 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 126 All for the love of a lady!

  • 127 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 128 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 129 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 130 Torrington's new amenity

  • 131 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 132 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 133 Bideford computer stars

  • 134 North Devon Driving School

  • 135 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 136 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 137 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 138 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 139 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 140

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 141 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 142 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 143 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 144 Off on a great adventure

  • 145 Clovelly custom

  • 146 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 147

    First prize
  • 148 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 149 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 150 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 151 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 152 Some mushroom!

  • 153 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 154 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 155 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 156 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 157 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 159 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 160 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 161 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 162 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 163 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 164 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 165 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 166 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 167 He beat the floods

  • 168 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 169 First ship in 8 years

  • 170 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 171 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 172 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 173 Loads of black and white

  • 174 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 175

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 176 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 177 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 178 A bird of their own!

  • 179 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 180

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 181 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 182 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 183 Six footed lamb

  • 184 Riverside mystery

  • 185 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 186 Torrington in 1967

  • 187 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 188

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 189 The Geneva marionettes

  • 190 By pony and trap to market

  • 191 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 192 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 193 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 194 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 195 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 196 Penny for the guy

  • 197 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 198 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 199 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 200 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 202 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 203 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 204

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 205 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 206 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 207 Hartland's invitation

  • 208

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 209 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 210

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 211 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 212 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 213 Circus comes to town

  • 214 Service with a smile

  • 215 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 216 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 217 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 218 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 219 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 221 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 222 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 223 Police station view of Bideford

  • 224 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 225 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 226 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 227 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 228 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 229 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 230 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 231 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 232 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 233 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 234 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 235 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 236 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 237 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 238 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 239 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 241 Ten year old scrambler

  • 242 Finished in 1876

  • 243 A story to tell!

  • 244 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 245 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 246 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 247 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 248 Just over a year old

  • 249 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 250 Decontrol of meat

  • 251 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 252 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 253 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 254 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 255 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 256 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 258 In their new robes and hats

  • 259 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 260 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 261

    Relatives all over the world
  • 262 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 264 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 265 So this is the mainland!

  • 266 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 267 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 268 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 269 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 270 Variety in summer weather

  • 271 School's link with cargo ship

  • 272 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 273

    Was a missionary
  • 274 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 275 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 276 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 277 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 278 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 279 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 280 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 281 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 283 Sight of a lifetime

  • 284 113 years at Instow

  • 285 A roof-top view - where?

  • 286 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 287 Mobile missionary

  • 288 It really was the 'last time'

  • 289

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 290 Emergency ferry services

  • 291 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 292

    Bidefordians
  • 293 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 294 New choral society's growing response

  • 295

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 296 Pannier Market's future?

  • 297 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 298 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 299 Life begins at 80

  • 300 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 301 The cab at the corner>
  • 302 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 303 School crossing patrol begins

  • 304 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 305 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 306 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 307 For crying out loud!

  • 308 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 309 No sale of Springfield House

  • 310 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 311 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 312

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 313 Bideford regatta

  • 314 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 315 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 316

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 317 Hartland Dancers
  • 318 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 319 Burnard family reunion

  • 320 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 321 Littleham family's five generations

  • 322 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 323 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 324 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 325

    New gateway
  • 326 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 327 All aboard the ark

  • 328 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 329 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 330 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 331 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 332

    Exhibition of school work
  • 333 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 334 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 335 Water Board mains spread through villages

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

  • 337 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 338 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 339 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 340 Picking the pops

  • 341

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 342 New addition to Quay front

  • 343 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 344

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 345 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 346 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 347 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 348 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 349 New civic medallions

  • 350 Filming at Hartland

  • 351 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 352 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 353 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 354 From Bobby to Brian

  • 355 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 356 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 357 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 358 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 359 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 360 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 361 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 362

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 363 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 364 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 365 Bideford loses training ship

  • 366

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 367 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 368 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 369 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 370 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 371 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 372 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 373 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 374 New Post Office

  • 375 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 376

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 377 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 378 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 379 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 380 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 382 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 383 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 384 Picking the pops

  • 385 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 386 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 387 Some 240 exhibits

  • 388 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 389 New life for Hartland organ

  • 390 No laughing matter

  • 391 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 393 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 394 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 395 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 396 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 397 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 398 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 399 They are parted pro-tem

  • 400 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 401 Cruising down the river

  • 402 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 403 When horses score over the tractor

  • 404 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 405 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 406 Northam footballers of the future

  • 407 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 408

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 409 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 410

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 411 Torrington children build igloo
  • 412 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 413 New fire and ambulance stations

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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Silver Jubilee - Mrs Coote

Silver Jubilee - Mrs Coote - 1977

Silver Jubilee Mrs Coote
 

As her special tribute to the Queen's Silver Jubilee year, Bideford housewife Mrs Esta Coote painted the front door of her house in a red, white and blue Union Jack design.
Mrs Coote, who has a nine-year-old daughter, Katrina, and two sons, Andrew and Leigh, said "I am not particularly patriotic, but I thought I ought to make an effort and it is nice for the children". She lives with her husband, John, on the Heathfield Estate at East-the-Water.

Coronation - Abbotsham - 1937

Coronation - Abbotsham - 11th May 1937

Coronation Abbotsham - 1937
 

Abbotsham

Coronation Day will commence early at Abbotsham where a service will be heldt in the Church at 8am. School children will be presented with mugs in the morning, and at 2pm sports for adults and children will be held. At 4pm a football match will be played. A free tea is to be provided for all parishioners at 5pm, and half-an-hour later a skittles competition will take place. A social in the Parish Hall commences at 7pm and at 10pm the huge bonfire will be lite and a display of fireworks given. Funds were raised by public subscription and amounted to £15. Mr D Grahame is chairman and hon. treasurer of the Celebrations Committee. The ladies' committe for the tea and social comprises Mesdames de Las Casas, Grahame, Bale, Stapledon, Facey, Jewell, Manning, Glover, and J Hockin.

Coronation - Alwington - 1937

Coronation - Alwington - 11th May 1937

11.5.1937 Coronation Alwington
 

Alwington

Arrangements have been made at Alwington for all to listen-in to the broadcast of the Coronation Ceremony in the Day School. Over £20 were raised by subscriptions and the committee, of which the Rector (Rev. R W Groom) is chairman, Mr J Wickett, hon. secretary, and Mr Stanley Beale, hon. treasurer, have been able to draw up a fine programme of events, which will make Coronation Day, 1937, a memorable one for parishioners of Alwington. At 2.15pm there will be a service in the Church, followed at 3pm by children's sports in a field near the Village Hall, by kind permission of Mr Stoneman. At 4.15pm there will be a free high tea for all parishioners, and teas will be sent to those who are unable to attend. Tea over, sports for adults will be held and at 8.30pm, a short entertainment will be given in the hall. The grand finale comes with a bonfire to be lit at night by Mrs Stanley Beale, in Coronation Field, by kind permission of Mr J Ford.

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