• 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 No sale of Springfield House

  • 2 For crying out loud!

  • 3 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 4 The Geneva marionettes

  • 5 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 6 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 8 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 9 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 10 Centenary of Gazette

  • 11

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 12 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 13 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 14 He beat the floods

  • 15 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 16 New civic medallions

  • 17 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 18

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

  • 20 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 21 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 22 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 23 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 24 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 25 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 26 The cab at the corner>
  • 27 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 28 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 29 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 30 No laughing matter

  • 31 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 32 Hartland Dancers
  • 33 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 34 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 35 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 36 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 37 Littleham family's five generations

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

  • 39 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 40 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 41 Capers on the cobbles

  • 42 Cruising down the river

  • 43 Ships at Bideford

  • 44 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 45 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 46 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 47 So this is the mainland!

  • 48 Loads of black and white

  • 49 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 50 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 51

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 52 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 53 It really was the 'last time'

  • 54 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 55

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 56 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 57 Warmington's garage ad

  • 58 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 60 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 61 Waldon Triplets
  • 62 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 63 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 64 Bideford loses training ship

  • 65 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 66 Circus comes to town

  • 67 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 68 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 69 From Bobby to Brian

  • 70 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 71 Service with a smile

  • 72 Filming at Hartland

  • 73 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 74 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 75 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 76 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 77 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 78 Revenge in style

  • 79 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 80 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 82 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 83 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 84 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 85 Bideford regatta

  • 86 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 87 Out of puff!

  • 88 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 89 New addition to Quay front

  • 90 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 91 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 92 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 93 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 94 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 95 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 96 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 97 New choral society's growing response

  • 98 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 99 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 100 What's the time?

  • 101 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 102 New art gallery opened

  • 103 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 104 First ship in 8 years

  • 105

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 106 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 107 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 108 Police station view of Bideford

  • 109 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 110 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 111 Peter poses for TV film

  • 112

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 113 New life for Hartland organ

  • 114 Happy Days!

  • 115 Sight of a lifetime

  • 116 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 117 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 118

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 119 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 120 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 121 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 122 Six footed lamb

  • 123 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 124 Hartland's invitation

  • 125 They are parted pro-tem

  • 126 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 127

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 128

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 129 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 130

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 131

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 132 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 133 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 134 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 135 Clovelly nightmare

  • 136 New look in the hayfields

  • 137 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 139 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 140 Torrington children build igloo
  • 141 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 142 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 143 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 144 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 145 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 146 Torrington in 1967

  • 147

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 148 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 149 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 150 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 151 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 152 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 153 Torrington's new amenity

  • 154 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 155 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 156 Mobile missionary

  • 157 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 158 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 159 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 160 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 161 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 162 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 163 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 164 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 165 Artisans' Club

  • 166 Just over a year old

  • 167 The art of the thatcher

  • 168 A story to tell!

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

  • 170

    Was a missionary
  • 171 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 172 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 173 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 174

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 175 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 176 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 177 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 178 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 179

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 180 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 181

    Building works
  • 182 School's link with cargo ship

  • 183 A man and his wheel

  • 184 New Post Office

  • 185 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 186 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 187

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 188 Picking the pops

  • 189

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 190 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 191

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 192 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 193

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 194 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 195 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 196 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 197 New shipyard on schedule

  • 198 Recognise this resort?

  • 199 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 200 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 201 Clovelly custom

  • 202 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 203 End of the line

  • 204 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 205 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 206 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 207 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 208 School crossing patrol begins

  • 209 Private home for public pump

  • 210 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 211 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 212 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 213 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 214 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 215 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 216 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 217 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 218 Puppet characters introduced

  • 219

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 220 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 221 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 222 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 223 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 224 Northam footballers of the future

  • 225 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 226 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 227 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 228 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 229 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 230 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 231

    New gateway
  • 232 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 233 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 234 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 235 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 236 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 237 Hartland postman retires

  • 238 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 239 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 240 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 241 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 242 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 243 Riverside mystery

  • 244 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 245 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 247 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 248 By pony and trap to market

  • 249 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 250 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 251 Modern living at Bideford

  • 252 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 253 Last train from Torrington

  • 254 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 255 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 256 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 257 When horses score over the tractor

  • 258 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 259 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 260 Weare Giffard potato

  • 261 A roof-top view - where?

  • 262 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 263 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 264 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 265 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 266

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 267 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 268 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 269 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 270 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 271 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 272 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 273 Pannier Market's future?

  • 274 Bridging the stream

  • 275 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 276 New Lundy stamps

  • 277 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 278 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 279 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 280 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 281 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 282 Jumble sale fever

  • 283

    Exhibition of school work
  • 284 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 285 Decontrol of meat

  • 286 Some 240 exhibits

  • 287 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 288 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 289 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 290 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 291 North Devon Driving School

  • 292 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 293 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 294 Penny for the guy

  • 295 Northam's almshouse

  • 296 Emergency ferry services

  • 297 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 298 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 300 All for the love of a lady!

  • 301 Twenty-one yachts

  • 302 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 303 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 304 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 305 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 306 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 307 Finished in 1876

  • 308 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 309

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 310 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 311

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 312 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 313 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 314 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 315 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 316

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 317 Ten year old scrambler

  • 318 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 319 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 320 113 years at Instow

  • 321 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 322 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 323 Bideford computer stars

  • 324 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 325 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 326 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 327 Variety in summer weather

  • 328 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 329 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 330 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 331 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 332 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 333 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 334 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 335 In their new robes and hats

  • 336

    Bidefordians
  • 337 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 338 Can spring be far away?

  • 339 Parkham plan realised

  • 340 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 341 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 342 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 343 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 344 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 345 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 346 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 347 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 348 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 349 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 350 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 351

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 352

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 353 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 354 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 355 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 356 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 357 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 358 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 359 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 360 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 361 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 362 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 363

    Married in 1908
  • 364 Off on a great adventure

  • 365 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 366 Picking the pops

  • 367

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 368 Simple Item 138
  • 369 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 370 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 371 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 372 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 373 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 374 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 375 All aboard the ark

  • 376 A bird of their own!

  • 377 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 378 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 379 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 380 Life begins at 80

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

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

  • 383 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 384 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 385 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 386 Appledore's largest

  • 387 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 388 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 389

    First prize
  • 390 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 391 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 392 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 393 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 394 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 395 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 396 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 397 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 398 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 399 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 400 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 401 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 402 Sweets derationing

  • 403 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 404 Some mushroom!

  • 405 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 406 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 407 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 408 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 409 Devil sent packing

  • 410 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 411 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 413 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

Dancing Benefits the Sick 19.6.1981

Dancing Benefits the Sick 19.6.1981

Dancing Benefits the Sick 19.6.1981

Charities. 6 years ago a group of farmers and their wives formed themselves into the Alwington Dance Club. Bideford and District Hospital benefit by some £4000. Mrs Pat Blight, Cyril Blight, John Barker

Lundy Canoeists Help Cancer Patients 28.8.1981

Lundy Canoeists Help Cancer Patients 28.8.1981

Lundy Canoeists Help Cancer Patients 28.8.81

Charities. A group of Torridge-side canoeists, including two policemen, a lighthouse keeper and a teacher plus 19 others raised £2000 for the Cancer and Leukemia in Childhood Trust. Chief Inspector Godfrey Matthews, Constable Jeff Blaydon, Frank Elson, Don Appleby, Mrs Pat Elson, Miss Samantha Elson, John Moore, Nick Walters

Houdini Effort at Bideford in 1975

The famous underwater escape of Houdina, the greatest escape artist of all time, is to be re-enacted in the river Torridge at Bideford next month.

1975 Houdini escape at Bideford

As a feature of the water festival being organised by Bideford Round Table in aid of local charities, Karl Bartoni of Blackpool, will be locked in several pairs of police handcuffs, secured in ankle stocks and chains, put into a padlocked canvas mailbag and then into a weighted packing case before being lowered to the bottom of the river.
The stunt, which almost cost the life of the famous Houdini in the frozen Hudson River 40 years ago, nearly put an end to Karl Bartoni too, when he tried to emulate the feat in Blackpool in 1970. But sure that he has found the secret that made Houdini the legend he is today Karl, an experienced stunt man with many circus and outdoor feats to his credit, says he is looking forward to attempting the experiment.
It is a particularly dangerous stunt for him as he is a non-swimmer and as soon as he surfaces, divers will have to get him ashore.
Other attractions at the water festival include sponsored raft races, side shows and a display by the Paragliders, water skiers from London.

  • 1

Login Form