• 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 Traditions and skills still there

  • 2 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 3 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 4 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 5 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 6 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 7 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 8 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 9 Devil sent packing

  • 10 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 11 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 12 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 13 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 14 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 15 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 17 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 18 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 19 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 20 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 22 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 23 Mobile missionary

  • 24 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 25 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 26 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 27 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 28

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 29 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 30 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 31 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 32

    Building works
  • 33 Picking the pops

  • 34 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 35 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 36 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 37 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 38 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 39 Life begins at 80

  • 40 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 41 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 42 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 43 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 44 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 45 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 46 Loads of black and white

  • 47 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 48 Simple Item 138
  • 49 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 50 Centenary of Gazette

  • 51 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 52 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 53 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 54 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 55 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 56 North Devon Driving School

  • 57 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 58 Ten year old scrambler

  • 59 When horses score over the tractor

  • 60 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 61 New life for Hartland organ

  • 62 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 63 Finished in 1876

  • 64 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 65 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 66 Capers on the cobbles

  • 67 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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

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

  • 70 First ship in 8 years

  • 71 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 72 The art of the thatcher

  • 73 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 74

    Was a missionary
  • 75 Revenge in style

  • 76 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 77 Sight of a lifetime

  • 78

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 79 Recognise this resort?

  • 80 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 81 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 82 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 83 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 84 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 85 Filming at Hartland

  • 86 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 87 New Post Office

  • 88 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 89 Torrington in 1967

  • 90 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 91 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 92 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 94 A man and his wheel

  • 95 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 96

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 97 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 98 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 99 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 101 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 102

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 103 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 105 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 106 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 107 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 108

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 109 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 110 Littleham family's five generations

  • 111 Bideford computer stars

  • 112 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 113 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 114 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 115

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 116 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 117 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 118 The Geneva marionettes

  • 119 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 120 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 121

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 122 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 123 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 124 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 125 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 126 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 127 New shipyard on schedule

  • 128 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 129 Artisans' Club

  • 130 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 131 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 132 So this is the mainland!

  • 133 All for the love of a lady!

  • 134 Penny for the guy

  • 135 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 136 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 137 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 138 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 139 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 140 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 141 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 142 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 143 No laughing matter

  • 144 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 145 New choral society's growing response

  • 146 Off on a great adventure

  • 147 Cruising down the river

  • 148 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 149 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 150 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 151

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 152 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 153

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 154 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 155 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 156 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 157 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 158 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 159 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 160 Hartland's invitation

  • 161 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 162 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

  • 164 Police station view of Bideford

  • 165 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 166 Emergency ferry services

  • 167 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 168 New art gallery opened

  • 169 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 170 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 171 Private home for public pump

  • 172 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 173 Pannier Market's future?

  • 174 Happy Days!

  • 175 A story to tell!

  • 176 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 177 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 178 Circus comes to town

  • 179 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 180 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 181 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 182 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 183 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 184 Riverside mystery

  • 185 Parkham plan realised

  • 186

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 187 Service with a smile

  • 188 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 189

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 190 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 191 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 192 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 193 Peter poses for TV film

  • 194 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 195 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 196 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 197 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 198 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 199 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 200 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 201 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 202 Modern living at Bideford

  • 203 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 204 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 205 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 206 No sale of Springfield House

  • 207 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 208 Can spring be far away?

  • 209 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 210 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 211 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 212 Some mushroom!

  • 213

    Bidefordians
  • 214

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 215 New look in the hayfields

  • 216 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 217 Picking the pops

  • 218

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 219 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 220 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 221 Bideford loses training ship

  • 222

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 223 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 224 Northam's almshouse

  • 225 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 226 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 227 Bideford regatta

  • 228 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 229 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 230 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 231 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 232 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 233 Six footed lamb

  • 234 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 235 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 236 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 237 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 239

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 240 Burnard family reunion

  • 241 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 242 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 243 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 244 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 245 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 246 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 247 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 248 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 249 What's the time?

  • 250 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 251 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 252 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 253 A bird of their own!

  • 254 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 255 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 256 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 257 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 258 Hartland Dancers
  • 259

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 260 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 261 They are parted pro-tem

  • 262 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 263 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 264 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 265 Water Board mains spread through villages

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

  • 267 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 268 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 269 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 270 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 271 New Lundy stamps

  • 272 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 273 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 274 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 275

    Exhibition of school work
  • 276 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 277 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 279 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 280 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 281 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 282 By pony and trap to market

  • 283 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 284 Torrington's new amenity

  • 285 Ships at Bideford

  • 286 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 287 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 288 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 289 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 290 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 291 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 292 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 293 Sweets derationing

  • 294

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 295 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 296 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 297 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 298 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 299 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 300 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 301

    Relatives all over the world
  • 302

    First prize
  • 303 113 years at Instow

  • 304 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 305 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 306

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 307 School crossing patrol begins

  • 308 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 309 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 310 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 311 Just over a year old

  • 312 Bridging the stream

  • 313 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 314 Last train from Torrington

  • 315 Northam footballers of the future

  • 316 School's link with cargo ship

  • 317 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 318 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 319 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 320 The cab at the corner>
  • 321 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 322 In their new robes and hats

  • 323 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 324 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 325 Torrington children build igloo
  • 326 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 327 He beat the floods

  • 328 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 329 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 330 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 331 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 332 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 333 Out of puff!

  • 334 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 335 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 336 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 337 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 338

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 339 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 340

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 341 From Bobby to Brian

  • 342 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 343 All aboard the ark

  • 344 Puppet characters introduced

  • 345 End of the line

  • 346 Twenty-one yachts

  • 347 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 348 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 349 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 350

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 351 Clovelly custom

  • 352 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 353 Hartland postman retires

  • 354 Waldon Triplets
  • 355 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 356 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 357 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 358 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 359 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 360 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 361 A roof-top view - where?

  • 362 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 363 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 365 Clovelly nightmare

  • 366 Appledore's largest

  • 367

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 368 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 369 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 370 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 371 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 372 Decontrol of meat

  • 373 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 374 New addition to Quay front

  • 375 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 376

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 377 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 378 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 379 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 380 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 381 Weare Giffard potato

  • 382

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 383 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 384 Some 240 exhibits

  • 385 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 386

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 387 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 388 For crying out loud!

  • 389 Variety in summer weather

  • 390 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 391

    New gateway
  • 392 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 393 Warmington's garage ad

  • 394 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 395 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 396 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 397 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 398 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 399 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 400 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 401 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 402 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 403 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 404 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 405 New civic medallions

  • 406 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 407 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 408 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 409 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 410 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 411 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 412 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 413

    Married in 1908
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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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