• 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 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 2 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 3 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 4 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 5 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 6 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 7 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 9 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 10 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 11 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 12 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 13 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 14 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 15 Hartland's invitation

  • 16 New Lundy stamps

  • 17 New shipyard on schedule

  • 18 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 19 New civic medallions

  • 20 Decontrol of meat

  • 21 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 23 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 24 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 25 Ships at Bideford

  • 26 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 27 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 29

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 30

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 31 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 32 Bridging the stream

  • 33 Sweets derationing

  • 34 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 35 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 36 Devil sent packing

  • 37 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 38 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 39 New addition to Quay front

  • 40 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 42 Some 240 exhibits

  • 43 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 44 Life begins at 80

  • 45 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 46 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 47 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 48 When horses score over the tractor

  • 49 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 50 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 51 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 52 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 53 Can spring be far away?

  • 54 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 55 Sight of a lifetime

  • 56 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 57 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 58 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 59 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 60 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 61

    Relatives all over the world
  • 62 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 63 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 64 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 65

    Married in 1908
  • 66

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 67 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 68

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

  • 70

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 71 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 72 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 73 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 74 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 75

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 76 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 77 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 78 Out of puff!

  • 79

    Was a missionary
  • 80 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 81 New choral society's growing response

  • 82 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 83 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 84 A roof-top view - where?

  • 85 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 86 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 87 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 88 Traditions and skills still there

  • 89 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 90 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 92 Bideford computer stars

  • 93 Clovelly custom

  • 94 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 95 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 96 Off on a great adventure

  • 97 Picking the pops

  • 98

    Exhibition of school work
  • 99 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 100 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 101 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 102 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 103

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 104 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 105 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 106 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 107 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 108 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 109 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 110 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 111 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 112 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 113 Torrington in 1967

  • 114 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 115 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 116 Finished in 1876

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

  • 118 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 119 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 120 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 121 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 122 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 123 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 124 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 125 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 126 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 127 First ship in 8 years

  • 128 New look in the hayfields

  • 129 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 130 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 131 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 132

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 133 All aboard the ark

  • 134 Riverside mystery

  • 135 Just over a year old

  • 136 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 137 By pony and trap to market

  • 138 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 139 Jumble sale fever

  • 140 Happy Days!

  • 141

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 142 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 143 Picking the pops

  • 144 Bideford regatta

  • 145 Emergency ferry services

  • 146 Northam footballers of the future

  • 147 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 149 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 150 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 151 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 152 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 153 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 154 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 155 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 156 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 157 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 158 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 159 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 160 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 161 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 162 Circus comes to town

  • 163 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 164 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 165

    New gateway
  • 166 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 167 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 168 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 169 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 170 113 years at Instow

  • 171 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 172 The art of the thatcher

  • 173 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 174 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 175 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 176 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 177 Parkham plan realised

  • 178 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 179 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 180 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 181 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 182 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 184 Littleham family's five generations

  • 185 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 186 So this is the mainland!

  • 187 Capers on the cobbles

  • 188 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 189 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

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

  • 191 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 192 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 193 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 194 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 195 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 196 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 197 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 198 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 199 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 200 Recognise this resort?

  • 201 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 202 Clovelly nightmare

  • 203 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 204 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 205 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 206 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 207 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 208 Peter poses for TV film

  • 209 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 210 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 211 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 212 School crossing patrol begins

  • 213 Service with a smile

  • 214 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 215 School's link with cargo ship

  • 216 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 217 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 218 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 219 Torrington children build igloo
  • 220 Modern living at Bideford

  • 221 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 222 Mobile missionary

  • 223

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 224 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 225 Northam's almshouse

  • 226

    Building works
  • 227 Bideford loses training ship

  • 228 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 229 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 230 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 231 New life for Hartland organ

  • 232

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 233 Last train from Torrington

  • 234 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 236

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 237 All for the love of a lady!

  • 238

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 239 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 240 Centenary of Gazette

  • 241 Simple Item 138
  • 242 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 243 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 244 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 245 What's the time?

  • 246

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 247 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 248 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 249 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 250 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 251 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 252 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 253 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 254 The Geneva marionettes

  • 255 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 256 Some mushroom!

  • 257 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 258 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 259 For crying out loud!

  • 260 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 261 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 262 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 263 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 264 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 265 Weare Giffard potato

  • 266 Revenge in style

  • 267 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 268 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 269 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 270 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 271 End of the line

  • 272 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 273 New art gallery opened

  • 274 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 275 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 276

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 277 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 278 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 280 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 281 A story to tell!

  • 282 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 283 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 284 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 285 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 286 Private home for public pump

  • 287 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 288 They are parted pro-tem

  • 289 North Devon Driving School

  • 290 Warmington's garage ad

  • 291 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 292 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 293 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 294 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 295 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 296 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 297 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 298 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 299 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 300 Artisans' Club

  • 301 Appledore's largest

  • 302 He beat the floods

  • 303 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 304 A bird of their own!

  • 305 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 306 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 307

    Bidefordians
  • 308 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 309

    First prize
  • 310 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 311 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 312 Six footed lamb

  • 313 Cruising down the river

  • 314 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 315 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 316 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 317 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 318 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 319 In their new robes and hats

  • 320 Torrington's new amenity

  • 321 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 322 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 323

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 324

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 325 It really was the 'last time'

  • 326 Variety in summer weather

  • 327 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 328 The cab at the corner>
  • 329 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 330 Penny for the guy

  • 331 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 332 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 333 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 334 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 335 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 336 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 337 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 338 Waldon Triplets
  • 339 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 340 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 341 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 342 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 343 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 344 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 345 Loads of black and white

  • 346 A man and his wheel

  • 347 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 348 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 349 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 350 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 351 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 352

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 353 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 354 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 355 Puppet characters introduced

  • 356 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 357

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 358 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 359 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 360 Hartland postman retires

  • 361 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 362 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 363 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 364

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 365

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 366

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 367 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 368 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 369 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 370 Ten year old scrambler

  • 371 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 372

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 373 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 374

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 375 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 376 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 377 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 378 Pannier Market's future?

  • 379 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 380 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 381 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 382 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 383 No sale of Springfield House

  • 384 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 385 No laughing matter

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

  • 387 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 388 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 389 Twenty-one yachts

  • 390 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 391 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 392 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 393 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 394 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 395 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 396 Burnard family reunion

  • 397 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 398 Police station view of Bideford

  • 399 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 400 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 401 Hartland Dancers
  • 402 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 403 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 404 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 405 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 406 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 407 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 408 New Post Office

  • 409 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 410 From Bobby to Brian

  • 411 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 412 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 413

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
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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  • 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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  • 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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World War 1

Wedding At Northam
Heard-Cock

29.12.1918 Northam wedding

On Tuesday last, at Northam Parish Church, the marriage took place of Lieut W H Heard, RAF (technical branch), of Normanhurst, Bideford, and Florence Maud, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Frank Cock, of Norman Villa, Northam.
The ceremony was conducted by the Rev George Scholey, CF (Vicar of Appledore), in uniform a friend of the bride’s family, and was of the simplest character. The bride, who wore a travelling dress, was given away by her father, and the bridegroom’s brother, Mr A Norman Heard, acted as best man.
The contracting parties being well known the presents were both numerous and costly, and included handsome gifts from the staffs of Messrs Cock & Sons Ltd, Shipbuilders, of Appledore, and of Messrs Heard Brothers, Motor Engineers, of Bideford.
Almost immediately after the ceremony the happy couple left by motor car for the honeymoon.

Gazette article dated 29 December 1918

World War 1

Owing to the scarcity of men, dummy male guests will be substitued at parties.

Who will also be useful as dancing partners.

24.12.1918 cartoon

Gazette article dated 24 December 1918

World War 1

Women’s Employment In North Devon
Suggested Gloving School At Bideford

At a meeting of the Women’s Sub-Committee of the Barnstaple Local Advisory Committee the following were present: Alderman A J Reavell (in the chair), Mrs R Pinkham, Miss S Baulkwill, Miss B Jewell, Mrs T Gregory, Miss F B Wright, Mrs Heriz-Smith, and Mr J W Brannam.
It was agreed to recommend that the local industries, lace-net manufacture, glove, collar and basket making, and pottery manufacture should be included on Ministry of Pensions list of trades for which War widows might be trained.
Mr W Pinkham, of the National Glove Co., addressed the Committee on the possibilities of the glove trade as a field of employment for women. He said that there was a splendid opportunity of capturing German trade, and suggested that a technical school, to train workers for the glove industry, should be started at Bideford.

21.12.1918 Gloves

Gazette article dated 21 December 1918

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