• 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 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 2 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 3 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 4 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 5 All for the love of a lady!

  • 6 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 7

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 8 Variety in summer weather

  • 9 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 10 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 11 Mobile missionary

  • 12 New shipyard on schedule

  • 13 Recognise this resort?

  • 14 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 15

    Relatives all over the world
  • 16 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 17 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 18 North Devon Driving School

  • 19 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 20 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 21 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 22 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 23 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 24 The Geneva marionettes

  • 25 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 26 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 27 The cab at the corner>
  • 28 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 29 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 30 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 31

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 32

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 33 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 34 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 35 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 36 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 37 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 38 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 39 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 40 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 41 Peter poses for TV film

  • 42 Clovelly custom

  • 43 Sweets derationing

  • 44 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 45 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 46 Pannier Market's future?

  • 47 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 48 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 49 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 50 Private home for public pump

  • 51 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 52 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 53

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 54 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 55 A man and his wheel

  • 56 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 57 Revenge in style

  • 58 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 59 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 60 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 61 In their new robes and hats

  • 62

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 63 A story to tell!

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

  • 65

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 66 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 67 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 68 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 69 Parkham plan realised

  • 70 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 71 School's link with cargo ship

  • 72 First ship in 8 years

  • 73 Police station view of Bideford

  • 74 Life begins at 80

  • 75 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 78 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 79 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 80 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 81 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 82 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 83 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 84 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 85 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 86 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 87 Some mushroom!

  • 88 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 89 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 90

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 91 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 92

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 93

    Exhibition of school work
  • 94 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 95 The art of the thatcher

  • 96 Torrington children build igloo
  • 97 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 98 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 99 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 100 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 101 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 102 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 103 Emergency ferry services

  • 104 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 105 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 106 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 107 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 108 A bird of their own!

  • 109 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 110

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 111 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 112 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 113 End of the line

  • 114 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 115 Service with a smile

  • 116 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 118 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 119 Last train from Torrington

  • 120 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 121 New choral society's growing response

  • 122 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 123 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 124 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 125 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 126 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 127 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 128

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 129

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 130 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 131 Six footed lamb

  • 132 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 133 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 134 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 135 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 136

    Bidefordians
  • 137 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 138 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 139 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 140 Littleham family's five generations

  • 141 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 142 Twenty-one yachts

  • 143 A roof-top view - where?

  • 144 For crying out loud!

  • 145 Waldon Triplets
  • 146 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 147 New Lundy stamps

  • 148 By pony and trap to market

  • 149 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 150 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 151 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 152 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 153 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 154 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 156

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 157 Centenary of Gazette

  • 158 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 159 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 160 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 161 Riverside mystery

  • 162 Cruising down the river

  • 163 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 164 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 165

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 166 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 167

    New gateway
  • 168

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 169 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 170 Northam's almshouse

  • 171 New life for Hartland organ

  • 172 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 173 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 174 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 175 New art gallery opened

  • 176

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 177 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 178 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 179 New addition to Quay front

  • 180 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 181

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 182 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 183 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 184 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 185 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 186 He beat the floods

  • 187 Torrington in 1967

  • 188

    Was a missionary
  • 189

    Building works
  • 190 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 191 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 192 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 193 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 194 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 195 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 196 Hartland postman retires

  • 197 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 198 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 199 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 200 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 201 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 202 Penny for the guy

  • 203 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 204 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 205 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 206 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 207 Finished in 1876

  • 208 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 210 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 211 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 212 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 213 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 214 No sale of Springfield House

  • 215 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 216 Picking the pops

  • 217 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 218 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 219 Picking the pops

  • 220 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 221 Capers on the cobbles

  • 222 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 223 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 224 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 225 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 226 Simple Item 138
  • 227 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 228 Bideford loses training ship

  • 229 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 230

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 231 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 232 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 233 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 234 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 235 New Post Office

  • 236 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 237 Out of puff!

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

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

  • 240 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 241 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 242 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 243 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 244 Traditions and skills still there

  • 245 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 246 Warmington's garage ad

  • 247 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 248 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 249 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 250 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 251 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 253 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 254 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 255

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 256 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 257 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 258

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 259 Sight of a lifetime

  • 260 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 261 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 263 Decontrol of meat

  • 264 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 265 Just over a year old

  • 266 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 267 Filming at Hartland

  • 268 Northam footballers of the future

  • 269 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 270 Hartland's invitation

  • 271 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 272 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 273 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 274 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 275 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 276 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 277 Clovelly nightmare

  • 278 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 279 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 280 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 281 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 282 From Bobby to Brian

  • 283 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 284 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 285 Artisans' Club

  • 286 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 287 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 288 Ten year old scrambler

  • 289 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 290 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 291 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 292 New civic medallions

  • 293 They are parted pro-tem

  • 294 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 295 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 296 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 298 Modern living at Bideford

  • 299 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 300 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 301

    Married in 1908
  • 302

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 303 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 304 New look in the hayfields

  • 305 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 306 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 307 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 308

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 309 Happy Days!

  • 310 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 311 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 312

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 313 Puppet characters introduced

  • 314

    First prize
  • 315 Bridging the stream

  • 316 Circus comes to town

  • 317 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 318 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 319 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 320 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 321 All aboard the ark

  • 322 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 323

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 324 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 325 Appledore's largest

  • 326 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 327 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 328 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 329 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 330 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 331

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 332 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 333 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 334 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 335 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 336 Ships at Bideford

  • 337 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 338 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 339 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 340 It really was the 'last time'

  • 341 Jumble sale fever

  • 342 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 343 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 344 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 345 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 346 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 347 Devil sent packing

  • 348 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 349 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 350 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 351 When horses score over the tractor

  • 352 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 353 Loads of black and white

  • 354 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 355 What's the time?

  • 356 Torrington's new amenity

  • 357 School crossing patrol begins

  • 358 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 359 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 360 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 361

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 362 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 363 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 364 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 365 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 366 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 368 Bideford computer stars

  • 369 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 370 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 371 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 372 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 374 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 375 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 376 Hartland Dancers
  • 377 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 378 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 379 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 380 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 381 Some 240 exhibits

  • 382 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 383 113 years at Instow

  • 384 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 385 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 386 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 388 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 389 Bideford regatta

  • 390 Burnard family reunion

  • 391 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 392 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 393 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 394 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 395 So this is the mainland!

  • 396 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 397 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 398 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 399 Weare Giffard potato

  • 400 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 401 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 402 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 403 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 404 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 405 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 406 Can spring be far away?

  • 407 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 408 No laughing matter

  • 409 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 410 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 411 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 412 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 413 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
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

Andrew bread distribution to end after 370 years 27.12.1974

Andrew  bread distribution to end after 370 years - 27.12.1974

  

Andrew bread distribution to end after 370 years 27.12.1974

Local Government re-organisation has put an end to the distribution of bread to the aged and sick of Bideford under the will of a Bideford merchant, John Andrew, who died in 1605.

For centuries the distribution has been made on New Year's Day by the Mayor and since the early 1960s, butter has been added. But last year only 13 loaves were distributed, due, it was suggested, to the day having been changed because for the first time January 1 was a public holiday.

The clerk of the Town Council, Mr Albert Blatchford, told the Gazette that it was doubtful if the council could continue with the custom. Although the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Frank Colwill, would no doubt be prepared to continue the custom, there was no staff to help them. The former town clerk of Bideford, Mr Leslie Galliford, recalled there had been talk some years ago of discontinuing the distribution because of the failure of those entitled to the bread to turn up to claim it. 

It was the same John Andrew who left he rent of what are now Love Lane allotments for the relief of the poor of the parish and around this time each year, the eight trustees distribute money at their discretion.

One of Bideford's historic charities.

Charities

Bideford Bridge Trust - Early Preparations

Bideford Bridge Trust - Early Preparations

Early preparations med
 

From information in a Bridge Trust Ledger of 1688-1738, it appears that plans really began in March 1690 when the then Feoffees paid one Nathaniel Gascoyne £4.6.0 for 'drawing a design of the new street'. Payment was also made to a John Courtise and labourers for work done in 'digging down the hedges and clearing a way for the building to go on'. In the same year, 'Crangs house' was bought for demolition to provide a passage into the street. A year later, on March 25 1691, £134.14.15d was paid to buy 'house, orchard, gardens and outhouses, the property of Robert Dacy, in order to build the new street'. In 1692 a yard and two cellars, the property of Mr Robert Gozen was purchased for the purpose of making an outlet from the new street to the Quay. At Christmas 1692 'Can and Lang's houses' owned by Richard Pincombe were purchased for demolition. In 1693 Nathaniel Gascoyne was paid £223 for building 70ft of Quay and slip, at the end of the proposed new street and William Lennox was paid for providing the necessary stones.
In 1716 an entry states that Margaret Gascoyne pays rent to the Bridge Trust, so it appears that the Gascoyne family lived for a while in the street which he had designed.
In a lease for ? Bridgeland Street William Linex is given as a brick maker. As he provided the necessary stones did he make the bricks that were required in some of the other specifications.

  • 1

Login Form