• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Jumble sale fever

  • 2 He beat the floods

  • 3 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 4 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 5 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 6 New look in the hayfields

  • 7 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 8 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 9 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 10 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 12 Sweet success at Langtree School

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

  • 14 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 15

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 16 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 17 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 18

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 19 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 20 Torrington in 1967

  • 21 Finished in 1876

  • 22 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 23 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 24 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 25 Six footed lamb

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

  • 27 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 28 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 29 Service with a smile

  • 30 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 31 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 32 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 33

    First prize
  • 34 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 35 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 36 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 37 Cruising down the river

  • 38 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 39 A roof-top view - where?

  • 40 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 41 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 42

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 43 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 44 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 45 Littleham family's five generations

  • 46 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 47 Ships at Bideford

  • 48 Pannier Market's future?

  • 49 End of the line

  • 50

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 51 Decontrol of meat

  • 52 Northam's almshouse

  • 53 Clovelly custom

  • 54 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 55 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 56 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 57 Weare Giffard potato

  • 58 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 59

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 60 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 61 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 62 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 63 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 64 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 65 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 66 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 67 A bird of their own!

  • 68 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 69 Circus comes to town

  • 70 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 71

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 72 Penny for the guy

  • 73 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 74 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 75 Torrington's new amenity

  • 76 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 77 From Bobby to Brian

  • 78 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 79 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 80 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 81 Police station view of Bideford

  • 82 The Geneva marionettes

  • 83 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 84 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 85 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 86 Waldon Triplets
  • 87 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 88

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 89

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 90 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 91 School's link with cargo ship

  • 92 They are parted pro-tem

  • 93 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 94 A story to tell!

  • 95 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 96 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 97 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 98 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 99 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 100 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 101 New choral society's growing response

  • 102 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 103 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 104 North Devon Driving School

  • 105 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 106 Passing of a Torrington landmark

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

  • 108 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 109

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 110 A man and his wheel

  • 111 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 112 Bideford's new market opens next week

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

  • 114 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 115 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 116 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 117 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 118 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 119 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 120 Puppet characters introduced

  • 121 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 122 Last train from Torrington

  • 123 Parkham plan realised

  • 124 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 125 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 126 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 127

    Was a missionary
  • 128

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 129 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 130 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 131 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 132 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 133 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 134 New addition to Quay front

  • 135

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 136 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 137 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 138 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 139 Bridging the stream

  • 140 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 141 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 142 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 143 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 144 Life begins at 80

  • 145 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 146 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 147 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 148 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 149 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 150 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 151 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 152 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 153 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 154 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 155

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 156 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 157 Peter poses for TV film

  • 158 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 159 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 160 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 161 It really was the 'last time'

  • 162 No sale of Springfield House

  • 163 In their new robes and hats

  • 164 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 165 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 166 Warmington's garage ad

  • 167 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 168 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 169

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 170 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 171 113 years at Instow

  • 172 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 173 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 174 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 175 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 176 Just over a year old

  • 177 Bideford computer stars

  • 178 Bideford regatta

  • 179 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 180

    Exhibition of school work
  • 181 Hartland's invitation

  • 182 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 183 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 184 Devil sent packing

  • 185 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 186 By pony and trap to market

  • 187 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 188 Filming at Hartland

  • 189 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 190 Picking the pops

  • 191 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 192 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 193 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 194 New life for Hartland organ

  • 195 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 196 Private home for public pump

  • 197 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 198 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 199 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 200

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 201

    Building works
  • 202 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 203 School crossing patrol begins

  • 204 No laughing matter

  • 205 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 206 Artisans' Club

  • 207 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 208 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 209 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 210 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 211 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 212 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 213 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 214 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 215 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 216 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 217 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 218 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 219 Simple Item 138
  • 220

    Bidefordians
  • 221 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 222

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

  • 224 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 225 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 226 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 227

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 228 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 229 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 230 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 231 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 232 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 233 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 234 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 235 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 236 Traditions and skills still there

  • 237 Mobile missionary

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

  • 239 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 240 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 241 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 243 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 244 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 245 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 246 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 247 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 248 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 249 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 250 Torrington children build igloo
  • 251 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 253 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 254 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 255

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

  • 257 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 258 For crying out loud!

  • 259 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 260 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 261 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 262 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 263 Emergency ferry services

  • 264 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 265

    New gateway
  • 266 The cab at the corner>
  • 267 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 268 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 269 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 270 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 271 Burnard family reunion

  • 272 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 273 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 274

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 275 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 276 Centenary of Gazette

  • 277

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 278 Riverside mystery

  • 279 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 280 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 281 Hartland postman retires

  • 282 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 283 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 284 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 285 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 286 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 287 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 288 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 289 Some mushroom!

  • 290 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 291

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 292 Hartland Dancers
  • 293 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 294 Sight of a lifetime

  • 295 When horses score over the tractor

  • 296 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 297 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 298 New shipyard on schedule

  • 299 What's the time?

  • 300

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 301 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 302 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 303

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 304 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 305 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 306 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 307 Happy Days!

  • 308 Twenty-one yachts

  • 309 Ten year old scrambler

  • 310 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 311 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 312 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 313 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 314 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 315 Off on a great adventure

  • 316 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 317

    Relatives all over the world
  • 318 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 319 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 320 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 321 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 322 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 323 Picking the pops

  • 324 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 325 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 326 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 327 Clovelly nightmare

  • 328 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 329 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 331 Loads of black and white

  • 332 New civic medallions

  • 333 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 334 Variety in summer weather

  • 335 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 336 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 337 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 338 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 339 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 340 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 341 Northam footballers of the future

  • 342 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 343 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 344 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 345 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 346 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 347 New Lundy stamps

  • 348 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 349 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 350 The art of the thatcher

  • 351 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 352 Out of puff!

  • 353 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 354 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 355 Recognise this resort?

  • 356 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 357 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 358 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 359 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 360

    Married in 1908
  • 361 Appledore's largest

  • 362 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 363

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 364

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 365 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 366 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 367 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 368 New art gallery opened

  • 369 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 370 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 371 Modern living at Bideford

  • 372 New Post Office

  • 373 Capers on the cobbles

  • 374 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 375 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 376 Can spring be far away?

  • 377 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 378 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 379 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 380 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 381 All for the love of a lady!

  • 382 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 383 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 384 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 385 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 386 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 387

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 388 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 389 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 390 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 391 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 392 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 393 So this is the mainland!

  • 394 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 395 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 396 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 397 Sweets derationing

  • 398 First ship in 8 years

  • 399 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

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

  • 402 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 403 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 404 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 405 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 406 All aboard the ark

  • 407 Revenge in style

  • 408 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 409 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 410 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 411 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 412 Some 240 exhibits

  • 413 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Blending With The Countryside

Blending With The Countryside - 6th January 1948

6 January 1948 Airey type Council houses
 

These are the first 'Airy' type Council houses to be constructed in Bideford Rural District. They are also understood to be the first of their type in England to have colour-washed exteriors and tarred plinths to blend with the countryside.
These houses, which are at Monkleigh and have been named Lee Avenue as a tribute to Mr W G Lee (Monkleigh representative on the Rural District Council), have aroused the special interest of the Ministry of Health. Representatives of the Ministry are shortly to inspect them with a view to considering the adoption of the external finish technique elsewhere. It is expected the houses will be completed early in the New Year.

Mystery Fire Shuts Westward Ho! Cafe

Mystery Fire Shuts Westward Ho! Cafe - 4th June 1971

4.6.1971 Fire at WHo
 

The cause of a fire that did thousands of pounds of damage at the Malibu Restaurant in Westbourne Terrace, Westward Ho! at about 8am on Saturday remains a mystery. The alarm was given by staff members when the outbreak occurred in the kitchen and firemen from Appledore and Bideford (the latter with two appliances) had to wear breathing apparatus because of the smoke. It was thought that damage had largely been confined to that caused by smoke, but subsequent examination revealed that although this was so on the first floor, formica walls and ceilings downstairs were so badly affected that they have to be renewed. Mr and Mrs K C Tarrant, of Bognor Regis, took over the business from Mr J W Needs about a month ago. 'My wife and I had worked from early morning until late at night to set the place as we wanted it,' said Mr Tarrant. 'We had started trading, were doing well and everything was just right.' Even if things go well, it will be a month before the business reopens. The new centre of the cafe was a fish and chip range, which was destroyed, and the makers have given a delivery date in August. Mr and Mrs Tarrant, who do not live on the premises, have been overwhelmed by the kindness of fellow traders who had offered practical help, including equipment and stock. 'We are deeply grateful' said Mr Tarrant. 'Until this time we had felt outsiders. It has helped us to that extent.'

  • 1

Login Form