• 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 Hartland's invitation

  • 2 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 3 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 4 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 5 New art gallery opened

  • 6

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 7

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 8 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 9 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 10 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 11 Sweets derationing

  • 12 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 13 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 14 Out of puff!

  • 15 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 16 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 17 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 18 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 19 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 20 Bridging the stream

  • 21 Hartland Dancers
  • 22 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 23 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 24 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 25 What's the time?

  • 26 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 27 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 28 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 29

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 30 End of the line

  • 31 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 32 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 33

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 34 Six footed lamb

  • 35 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 36 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 37

    First prize
  • 38 Weare Giffard potato

  • 39 Decontrol of meat

  • 40 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 41 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 42 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 43 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 44 New look in the hayfields

  • 45 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 46 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 47 Cruising down the river

  • 48 New addition to Quay front

  • 49 New Post Office

  • 50 They are parted pro-tem

  • 51 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 52 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 53 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 54 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 55 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 56 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 57

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 58 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 59 Service with a smile

  • 60 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 61 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 62 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 63 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 64 Jumble sale fever

  • 65 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 66 For crying out loud!

  • 67 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 68 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 69 Simple Item 138
  • 70

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 71 When horses score over the tractor

  • 72 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 73 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 74 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 75 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 76 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 77 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 78 Happy Days!

  • 79 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 81

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 82

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 83 A story to tell!

  • 84 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 85 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 86 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 87 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 89 Riverside mystery

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

  • 91 By pony and trap to market

  • 92

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 93 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 94 It really was the 'last time'

  • 95 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 96 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 97 113 years at Instow

  • 98 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 99 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 100 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 101 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 102 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 103 Appledore's largest

  • 104 Sight of a lifetime

  • 105 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 106 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 107 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 108 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 110 Pannier Market's future?

  • 111 Off on a great adventure

  • 112 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 113 New life for Hartland organ

  • 114 No sale of Springfield House

  • 115

    Exhibition of school work
  • 116 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 117 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 118 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 119 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 120 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 121 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 122 The Geneva marionettes

  • 123 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 124 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 125

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 126 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 127 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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

  • 129

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 130 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 131 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 132 Modern living at Bideford

  • 133 Waldon Triplets
  • 134 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 135 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 136 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 137 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 138 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 139 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 140 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 141 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 142 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 143 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 144 Life begins at 80

  • 145 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 146 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 147 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 148 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 149 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 150 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 151 Capers on the cobbles

  • 152 Picking the pops

  • 153 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 154 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 155 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 156 Some mushroom!

  • 157 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 158 School's link with cargo ship

  • 159 The cab at the corner>
  • 160

    Bidefordians
  • 161 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 162

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 163 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 164 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 165 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 166 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 167 Some 240 exhibits

  • 168 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 169 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 170 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 171

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 172 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 173 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 174 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 175 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 176 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 177 A bird of their own!

  • 178 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 179

    New gateway
  • 180 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 181 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 182 Clovelly custom

  • 183 Northam footballers of the future

  • 184 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 185 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 186 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 187 In their new robes and hats

  • 188 Filming at Hartland

  • 189 School crossing patrol begins

  • 190

    Relatives all over the world
  • 191 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 192 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 193 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 194 Variety in summer weather

  • 195 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 196 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 197 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 198 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 199 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 200 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 202 Twenty-one yachts

  • 203 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 204 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 205 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 206 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 207 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 208 Puppet characters introduced

  • 209 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 210 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 211 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 212 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 213 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 214 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 215 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 216 Just over a year old

  • 217 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 218

    Building works
  • 219 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 220 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 221

    Was a missionary
  • 222 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 223 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 224 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 225 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 226 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 227 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 228 Police station view of Bideford

  • 229 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 230 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 231 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 232 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 233 Warmington's garage ad

  • 234 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 236 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 237 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 238 Ships at Bideford

  • 239 First ship in 8 years

  • 240 Littleham family's five generations

  • 241 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 242

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 243 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 244 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 245 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 246 Torrington in 1967

  • 247 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 248 So this is the mainland!

  • 249 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 250 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 251 Artisans' Club

  • 252 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 253 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 254 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 255 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 256 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 257 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 258 A roof-top view - where?

  • 259

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 260 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 261

    Married in 1908
  • 262 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 263 New shipyard on schedule

  • 264 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 265 Ten year old scrambler

  • 266 Clovelly nightmare

  • 267 Emergency ferry services

  • 268 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 269

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 270 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 271 Penny for the guy

  • 272 Bideford regatta

  • 273 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 274 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 275 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 276 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 277 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 278 The art of the thatcher

  • 279 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 280 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 281 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 282 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 283 Parkham plan realised

  • 284

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 285 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 286 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 287 Circus comes to town

  • 288 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 289 Torrington children build igloo
  • 290 He beat the floods

  • 291 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 292 Can spring be far away?

  • 293 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 294 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 295 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 296 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 297 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 298 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 299 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 300 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 301 Bideford loses training ship

  • 302

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 303 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 304 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 305 From Bobby to Brian

  • 306 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 307 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 308

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 309 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 310 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 311 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 312 Loads of black and white

  • 313 Finished in 1876

  • 314 Recognise this resort?

  • 315 Traditions and skills still there

  • 316 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 317 New civic medallions

  • 318 Hartland postman retires

  • 319 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 320 A man and his wheel

  • 321 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 322 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 324 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 325 Picking the pops

  • 326 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 327 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 328 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 329 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 330 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 331 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 332 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 333 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 334 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 335 Devil sent packing

  • 336 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 337

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 338 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 339 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 340 Peter poses for TV film

  • 341 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 342 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 343 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 344 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 345 Bideford computer stars

  • 346 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 347

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 348 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 349 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 350 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 351 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 352

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 353 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 354 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 355 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 356 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 357 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 358 Torrington's new amenity

  • 359

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 360 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 362 All for the love of a lady!

  • 363 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 364 Last train from Torrington

  • 365 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 366 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 367 All aboard the ark

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

  • 369 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 370 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 371 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 372 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 373 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 374 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 375 No laughing matter

  • 376 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 377 Burnard family reunion

  • 378 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 379 Private home for public pump

  • 380 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 381 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 383 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 384 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 385 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 386 North Devon Driving School

  • 387 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 388 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 389 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 390 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 392 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 393 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 394 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 395

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 396 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 397 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 398 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 399 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 400 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 401 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

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

  • 403 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 404

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 405 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 406 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 407 Mobile missionary

  • 408 Revenge in style

  • 409 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 410 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 411 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 412 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 413 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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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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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