• 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 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 3 New art gallery opened

  • 4

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 5 Warmington's garage ad

  • 6 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 7 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 8 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 9 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 10 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 12 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 13 Hartland's invitation

  • 14 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 15

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 16 Emergency ferry services

  • 17 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 18 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 19 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 20 It really was the 'last time'

  • 21 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 22 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 23 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 24 Burnard family reunion

  • 25 Torrington children build igloo
  • 26

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 27 They are parted pro-tem

  • 28 Simple Item 138
  • 29 Northam footballers of the future

  • 30 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 33 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 34 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 35 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 36 New life for Hartland organ

  • 37 No sale of Springfield House

  • 38 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 39 Puppet characters introduced

  • 40 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 41 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 42 Northam's almshouse

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

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

  • 45

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 46 Out of puff!

  • 47 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 48 Happy Days!

  • 49 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 50 End of the line

  • 51 In their new robes and hats

  • 52 Jumble sale fever

  • 53 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 54

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 55 Modern living at Bideford

  • 56 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 57 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 58 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 59 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 60 Recognise this resort?

  • 61 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 62 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 63 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 64 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 65 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 66 Riverside mystery

  • 67 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 68 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 69

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 70 New Post Office

  • 71 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 72 New addition to Quay front

  • 73 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 74 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 75 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 76 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 77 Clovelly custom

  • 78 Police station view of Bideford

  • 79 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 80 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 81 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 82 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 83 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 84 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 85 No laughing matter

  • 86 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 87 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 88 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 89 Penny for the guy

  • 90 Picking the pops

  • 91 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 92 So this is the mainland!

  • 93 Decontrol of meat

  • 94 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 95 New choral society's growing response

  • 96 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 97 Service with a smile

  • 98

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 99 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 100 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 101 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 102

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 103 Weare Giffard potato

  • 104 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 105 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 106 Six footed lamb

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

  • 108 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 109 Torrington's new amenity

  • 110 New shipyard on schedule

  • 111 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 112 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 113 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 114 New civic medallions

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

  • 116 By pony and trap to market

  • 117 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 119 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 120 Life begins at 80

  • 121 Traditions and skills still there

  • 122 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 123 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 124 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 125 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 126 Appledore's largest

  • 127

    Relatives all over the world
  • 128 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 129 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 130 A story to tell!

  • 131 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 132 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 133 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 134 Finished in 1876

  • 135 School crossing patrol begins

  • 136

    Bidefordians
  • 137 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 138 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 139 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 140 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 141 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 142 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 143 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 144

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 145 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 146 Sweets derationing

  • 147 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 148 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 149 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 150 Hartland postman retires

  • 151

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 152 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 153 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 154 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 155 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 156 Centenary of Gazette

  • 157 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 158 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 159 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 160 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 161 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 162 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 163 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 164 Off on a great adventure

  • 165 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 166

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 167 Hartland Dancers
  • 168 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 169 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 170 Private home for public pump

  • 171 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 172 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 173 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 174 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 175 Bideford regatta

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

  • 177 Loads of black and white

  • 178 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 179 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 180 New look in the hayfields

  • 181 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 182 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 183 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 184 Revenge in style

  • 185

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 186 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 187 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 188

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 189 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 190 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 191 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 192 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 194 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 195 Clovelly nightmare

  • 196 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 197

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 198 First ship in 8 years

  • 199 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 200 Picking the pops

  • 201

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 202 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 203 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 204 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 205 Peter poses for TV film

  • 206 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 207 Artisans' Club

  • 208 Cruising down the river

  • 209 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 210 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 211 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 212 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 213 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 214 Parkham plan realised

  • 215 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 216 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 217 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 218 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 219 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 220 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 221 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 222 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 223 Littleham family's five generations

  • 224 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 225 A man and his wheel

  • 226 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 227 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 228 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 229 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 230 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 231 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 232 From Bobby to Brian

  • 233 All aboard the ark

  • 234 Pannier Market's future?

  • 235 What's the time?

  • 236 North Devon Driving School

  • 237 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 238 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 239 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 240 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 241 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 242 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 243

    Building works
  • 244 A bird of their own!

  • 245 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 246 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 247 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 248 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 249 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 250 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 251 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 252 Torrington in 1967

  • 253 School's link with cargo ship

  • 254 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 255 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 256 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 257 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 258 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 259 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 260 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 261 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 262

    Was a missionary
  • 263 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 264

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 265 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 266 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 267 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 268 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 269 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 270 New Lundy stamps

  • 271

    New gateway
  • 272 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 273 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 274 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 275 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 276 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 277 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 278 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 279 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 280 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 281 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 282 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 283 Sailing to victory at Appledore

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

  • 285 Bridging the stream

  • 286 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 287 Circus comes to town

  • 288 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 289 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 290

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 291 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 292 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 293 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 294 Just over a year old

  • 295 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 296 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 297 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 298 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 299 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 300 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 301 A roof-top view - where?

  • 302 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 303 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 304

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 305 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 306 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 307 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 308 Devil sent packing

  • 309

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 310 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 311 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 312 Bideford computer stars

  • 313 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 314 Bideford loses training ship

  • 315 Can spring be far away?

  • 316 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 317 Variety in summer weather

  • 318 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 319 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 320 Last train from Torrington

  • 321 Ten year old scrambler

  • 322

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 323 Mobile missionary

  • 324 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 325 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 327 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 328 He beat the floods

  • 329

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 330 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 331 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 332 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 333 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 334 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 335 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 336 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 337 Some 240 exhibits

  • 338 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 339 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 340 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 341

    First prize
  • 342 For crying out loud!

  • 343 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 344 Some mushroom!

  • 345 When horses score over the tractor

  • 346 The art of the thatcher

  • 347 Capers on the cobbles

  • 348

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 349

    Exhibition of school work
  • 350 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 351 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 352 Filming at Hartland

  • 353 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 354 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 355 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 356 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 357 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 358 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 359 Sight of a lifetime

  • 360

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 361

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 362

    Married in 1908
  • 363 113 years at Instow

  • 364 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 365 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 366 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 367 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 368 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 369 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 370 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 371 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 372 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 373 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 374 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 375 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 376 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 377 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 378 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 379 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 380 Ships at Bideford

  • 381 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 382 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 383 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 384 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 385 Twenty-one yachts

  • 386 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 387 Waldon Triplets
  • 388 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 389 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 390 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 391 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 392 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 393 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 394 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 395 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 396 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 398 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 399 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 400 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 401 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 402 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 403 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 404 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 405 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 406 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 407 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 408 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 409 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 410 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 411

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 412 The cab at the corner>
  • 413 All for the love of a lady!

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

Littleham Wedding

Pickard-Heywood

17.9.1918 Littleham wedding

A pretty wedding was solemnized on Sept 11th at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Littleham, specifically licensed for the occasion, the contracting parties being Mr Percy Pickard of Littlehampton, Sussex (third son of Mr and Mrs W B Pickard, Queen Anne’s, Bideford) and Louisa Matilda Heywood (second daughter of Mr A J Heywood, and the late Mrs Heywood, of Littleham Court).
The officiating minister was the Rev J T Tyreman, Superintendent Minister of the Circuit. The bridesmaid was Miss Elizabeth Heywood and Mr Ralph Pickard, in the absence of his brother, Mr A Pickard, ERA, off active service, acted as ‘best man’.
A reception of immediate friends was held at Littleham Court after the wedding and later in the day the happy couple left for Exeter en route to Littllehampton, Sussex.
The bouquets were supplied by Mr R H Yeo, High Street, Bideford, and the carriages by Messrs R Blackmore and Son.
Gazette article dated 17 September 1918

 

World War 1

Bideford Innkeeper and His Lease

17.9.1918 Bideford innkeeper

At Bideford County Court on Wednesday the application was further considered of J T Arberry to determine the least of the Joiners’ Arms, Bideford, now held under Mrs C J Wiley. The case had been adjourned to see what could be done when applicant joined the Army, which was the reason of his application, he having no one to carry on, and being unable to obtain a tenant at the same rent.
It was reported that the furniture had been sold and the place closed down. Arberry was not represented, and his Honour Judge Lindley dismissed his application, the lease remaining in existence with Arberry liable for the rent.

Gazette article dated 17 September 1918

World War 1

Bideford Weekly Gazette
Tuesday September 10, 1918

10.9.1918 War weapons

Bideford and Districts’ very successful War Weapons Week, when it raised £40,500, exceeding the amount asked for by £5,500, has been officially recognised by letters of congratulation from the National War Savings Committee in London, and from the County Organising Secretary (Mr J E Holden) to Mr J H Osborn, the local Secretary, and to Mr F A Searle, temporary Secretary. “We warmly congratulate you and your co-workers upon the success achieved and would ask you to be good enough to convey to all concerned our hearty thanks for their co-operation” runs the letter from Headquarters.

 

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