• 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 Bideford computer stars

  • 2

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 3 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 4 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 5 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 6 Pannier Market's future?

  • 7 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 8 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 9 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 10 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 11 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 12 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 13 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 14 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 15 End of the line

  • 16 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 17

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 18 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 19 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 20 Ten year old scrambler

  • 21 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 22

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 23 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 24 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 25 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 26 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 27 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 28 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 29 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 30 Recognise this resort?

  • 31 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 32 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 33 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 34 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 35 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 36 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 37 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 38 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 39 Bideford loses training ship

  • 40 New shipyard on schedule

  • 41

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 42 Devil sent packing

  • 43 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 44 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 45 No sale of Springfield House

  • 46 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 47 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 48 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 49 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 50 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 51 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 52 Hartland Dancers
  • 53 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 54 Finished in 1876

  • 55 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 56 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 57 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 58

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 59 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 61 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 62 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 63 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 64 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 65 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 66 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 67 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 68 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 69 From Bobby to Brian

  • 70 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 71 A story to tell!

  • 72 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 73 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 74 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 75 The cab at the corner>
  • 76 Sweets derationing

  • 77

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 78 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 79 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 80 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 81

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 82 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 83 Clovelly custom

  • 84 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 85 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 86 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 88 New life for Hartland organ

  • 89 Appledore's largest

  • 90 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 91 Puppet characters introduced

  • 92 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 93 Bridging the stream

  • 94 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 95 Some mushroom!

  • 96 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 97 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 98 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 99 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 100 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 101 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 102 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 103 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 104 Littleham family's five generations

  • 105

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 106

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 107 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 108 No laughing matter

  • 109 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 110 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 111 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 112 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 113 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 114 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 115 New look in the hayfields

  • 116 The art of the thatcher

  • 117 Last train from Torrington

  • 118 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 119

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 120 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 121 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 122 Peter poses for TV film

  • 123

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 124

    Married in 1908
  • 125 Hartland's invitation

  • 126 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 127 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 128 Clovelly nightmare

  • 129 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 130

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 131 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 132 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 133 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 134 New civic medallions

  • 135 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 136 Off on a great adventure

  • 137 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 138 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 139 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 140 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 141 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 142 113 years at Instow

  • 143 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 144 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 145 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 146 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 147 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 148 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 149 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 150 The Geneva marionettes

  • 151 New Lundy stamps

  • 152 New Post Office

  • 153 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 154

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 155 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 156 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 157 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 158 In their new robes and hats

  • 159 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 160 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 161 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 162

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 163 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 164 Riverside mystery

  • 165 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 166 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 167 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 168 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 169 Hartland postman retires

  • 170 Loads of black and white

  • 171

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 172 Northam footballers of the future

  • 173 He beat the floods

  • 174 Emergency ferry services

  • 175

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 176 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 177 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 178 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 179 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 180 So this is the mainland!

  • 181 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 182 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 184 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 185 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 186 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 188 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 189

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 190 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 191 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 192 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 193 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 194

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 195 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 196 Variety in summer weather

  • 197 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 198 Waldon Triplets
  • 199 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 200 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 201 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 202 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 203 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 204 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 205 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 206 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 208 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 209 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 210 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 211 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 212 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 213 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 214 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 215 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 216

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 217

    New gateway
  • 218 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 219 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 220 Jumble sale fever

  • 221 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 222 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 223 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 224 Artisans' Club

  • 225 A bird of their own!

  • 226 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 227 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 228 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 229 School's link with cargo ship

  • 230 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 231 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 232

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 233 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 234 New addition to Quay front

  • 235 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 236 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 237 Service with a smile

  • 238 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 239

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 240

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 241 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 242 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 243 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 244 Twenty-one yachts

  • 245 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 246 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 247 Can spring be far away?

  • 248 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 249 School crossing patrol begins

  • 250 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 251 Six footed lamb

  • 252 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 253 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 254 It really was the 'last time'

  • 255 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 256 A roof-top view - where?

  • 257 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 258 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 259 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 260 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 261 They are parted pro-tem

  • 262 Out of puff!

  • 263 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 264 New art gallery opened

  • 265 Modern living at Bideford

  • 266 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 267 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 268 Life begins at 80

  • 269 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 270 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 271 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 272 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 273

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 274 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 275 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 276 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 277 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 278 Picking the pops

  • 279 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 280 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 281

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 282 Ships at Bideford

  • 283 Circus comes to town

  • 284 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 285 Torrington's new amenity

  • 286

    Building works
  • 287 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 288 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 289 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 290 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 291 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 292 Filming at Hartland

  • 293 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 294 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 295 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 296 When horses score over the tractor

  • 297 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 298 What's the time?

  • 299 For crying out loud!

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

  • 301 Happy Days!

  • 302 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 303 Some 240 exhibits

  • 304 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 305 New choral society's growing response

  • 306 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 307 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 308 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 309 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 311 By pony and trap to market

  • 312 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 313 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 314 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 315 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 316 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 317 Just over a year old

  • 318 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 319 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 320 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 321 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 322 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 323 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 324 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 325 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 326

    Exhibition of school work
  • 327 Simple Item 138
  • 328 Weare Giffard potato

  • 329 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 330 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 331 Private home for public pump

  • 332 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 333 Centenary of Gazette

  • 334 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 335 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 336 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 337 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 338

    Bidefordians
  • 339 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 340 Revenge in style

  • 341 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 342 First ship in 8 years

  • 343 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 344 North Devon Driving School

  • 345 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 346 Penny for the guy

  • 347 Mobile missionary

  • 348 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 349 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 350 Parkham plan realised

  • 351 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 352 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 353 Burnard family reunion

  • 354 Picking the pops

  • 355 Bideford regatta

  • 356 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 357 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 358 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 359 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 360 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 362 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 363 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 364 All for the love of a lady!

  • 365 Warmington's garage ad

  • 366 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 367 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 368 Decontrol of meat

  • 369 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 370 Sight of a lifetime

  • 371 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 372 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 373 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 374

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 375

    First prize
  • 376 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 377 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 378 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 379 Torrington children build igloo
  • 380 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 381

    Was a missionary
  • 382 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 384 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 385 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 386 Cruising down the river

  • 387 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 388 Northam's almshouse

  • 389 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 390 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 391 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 392 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 393 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 394 Capers on the cobbles

  • 395 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 396 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 397 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 399 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 400 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 401 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 402 All aboard the ark

  • 403

    Relatives all over the world
  • 404 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 405 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 407 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 408 Police station view of Bideford

  • 409 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 410 Traditions and skills still there

  • 411 A man and his wheel

  • 412 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 413 Torrington in 1967

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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  • 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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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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Faithful To The Work

W.V.S and C.D Medals

When, at the start of Bideford Town Council meeting, the Mayor, Cllr Mrs Ethelwynne Brown, presented long service (15 year) medals to WVS workers, she said it was especially gratifying in these days when Civil Defence was often decried and hounded down as unnecessary that there were people with sufficient foresight to remain faithful to the work.

It had been intended that she should present six medals, but only three of five WVS members were present. And Mr Roy Ellis, who was to receive a C.D medal was ill. The Mayor visited his home to present it.

6 May 1966 WVS medals Ethelwynne Brown Mayor

In the photograph are Mrs J Latham, Mrs R Croft, Mrs T P Keene, Miss J M Phillipps, Major J E Briscoe, Miss A E Lee, Mrs A J Wensley and Mrs A E Turner

Awards were presented to Mrs A E Turner, Mrs J Latham, and Mrs A J Wensley. Unable to attend were Miss M Pound and Mrs A R Bowen.

Gazette article dated 6 May 1966

Bideford Cadets Soar From Bottom to Top

After languishing at or near the bottom of the list for 16 years,

3.4.1964 Cadets St Johns

Bideford St John Ambulance Cadets have won the North Devon championship.

Not only was their victory in the inter-unit competition, staged at South Molton, a triumph for pertinacity, but it was an overdue award for Cadet Supt G B Clarke who has refused to be daunted by defeat or by odds that were often heavy.

In the competition, the team – Michael Hammett, Peter Jury, John Braund, Roger Birch, with Nigel Skinner reserve – well and truly toppled Barnstaple from top position.

To set the seal, their No. 2, Peter Jury, carried off the Hoerman individual cup.

In the team event, competitors had to deal with a mock accident. The judge was Dr P Bush, while Dr W McIntosh of Northam and Dr T O Candler of Bideford judged the individual tests.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1964

Centuries Old Tradition

Dating back to 1605 from a bequest made by a wealthy local merchant named John Andrew, 40 New Year loaves were distributed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford (Mr and Mrs Pat Hughes) at the Town Hall on Monday morning.  

7.1.1972 tradition

This year the oldest recipient attending was 91 year old Mr Tom Johns, of Barton Tors.
Those who were unable to attend in person had the gifts delivered to them by the Mayoress and her daughter Suzanne, as seen in the picture above.
Gazette article dated 7 January 1972

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