• 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 has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 2 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 3 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 4 Variety in summer weather

  • 5 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 6 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 7 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 8 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 9 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 10 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 11 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 13 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 14 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 15 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 16 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 17 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 18 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 19 Can spring be far away?

  • 20 Centenary of Gazette

  • 21 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 22 Cruising down the river

  • 23 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 24 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 25 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 26 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 27 A story to tell!

  • 28 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 29 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 30 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 31 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 32 New art gallery opened

  • 33 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 34 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 35 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 36 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 37 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 38 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 39 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 40 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 41 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 42 Happy Days!

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

  • 44 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 45

    First prize
  • 46

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 47 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 48 Devil sent packing

  • 49 In their new robes and hats

  • 50 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 51 Picking the pops

  • 52

    Building works
  • 53 Riverside mystery

  • 54

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 55 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 56 They are parted pro-tem

  • 57

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 58

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 59 Hartland postman retires

  • 60 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 61 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 62 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 64 New civic medallions

  • 65 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 66 Emergency ferry services

  • 67 Bideford regatta

  • 68 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 69 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 70 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 71 Circus comes to town

  • 72 Some 240 exhibits

  • 73 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

  • 75 Peter poses for TV film

  • 76 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 77 School crossing patrol begins

  • 78 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 79 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 80 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 81 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 82 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 84 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 85 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 86 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 87 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 88 North Devon Driving School

  • 89 End of the line

  • 90 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 91 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 92 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 93 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 94 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 95 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 96 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 97 So this is the mainland!

  • 98 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 99 Ships at Bideford

  • 100 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 101 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 102 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 103 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 104

    Married in 1908
  • 105 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 106 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 107 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 108 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 109 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 110 Puppet characters introduced

  • 111 Police station view of Bideford

  • 112 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 113 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 114 School's link with cargo ship

  • 115 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 116 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 117 A roof-top view - where?

  • 118 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 119

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 120 New Post Office

  • 121 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 122 Service with a smile

  • 123 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 124

    Bidefordians
  • 125 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 126 113 years at Instow

  • 127 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 128 Finished in 1876

  • 129 New life for Hartland organ

  • 130 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 131 What's the time?

  • 132 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 133 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 134 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 135 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 136 Revenge in style

  • 137 New Lundy stamps

  • 138 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 139 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 140 Bridging the stream

  • 141

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 142 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 143 It really was the 'last time'

  • 144 Private home for public pump

  • 145 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 146 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 147

    Relatives all over the world
  • 148 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 149 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 150 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 151 Waldon Triplets
  • 152 New addition to Quay front

  • 153 Off on a great adventure

  • 154 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 155 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 157 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 158 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 159 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 160 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 161 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 162 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 163 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 164 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 165 Warmington's garage ad

  • 166 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 167 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 168 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 169 Last train from Torrington

  • 170 Parkham plan realised

  • 171 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 172 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 173 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 174 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 175 New choral society's growing response

  • 176 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 177 Clovelly custom

  • 178 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 179 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 180 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 181 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 182 Traditions and skills still there

  • 183 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 184 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 185 A bird of their own!

  • 186 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 187 All for the love of a lady!

  • 188 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 189 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 190 Mobile missionary

  • 191 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 192 Weare Giffard potato

  • 193 First ship in 8 years

  • 194 Torrington in 1967

  • 195 The Geneva marionettes

  • 196 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 197 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 198 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 199 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 200

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 201

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 202

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 203 Ten year old scrambler

  • 204 Artisans' Club

  • 205 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 206 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 207 Jumble sale fever

  • 208 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 209 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 210 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 211 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 212 By pony and trap to market

  • 213 Northam's almshouse

  • 214 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 215 Picking the pops

  • 216 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 217 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 218 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 219 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 220 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 221 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 222 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 223 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 224 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 225 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 226

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 227

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 228 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 229 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 230 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 231 New look in the hayfields

  • 232 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 233 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 234 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 235 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 236 Loads of black and white

  • 237 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 238

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 239 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 240

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 241 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 242 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 244

    New gateway
  • 245 Torrington's new amenity

  • 246 Life begins at 80

  • 247 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 248 Hartland's invitation

  • 249 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 250 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 251 Northam footballers of the future

  • 252

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 253 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 254 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 255 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 256 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 257 All aboard the ark

  • 258 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 259 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 260 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 261 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 262 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 263 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 264 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 265 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 266 Bideford computer stars

  • 267 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 268 Pannier Market's future?

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

  • 270 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 271 Burnard family reunion

  • 272 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 273 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 274 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 275 New shipyard on schedule

  • 276 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 277 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 278 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 279 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 280 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 281

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 282 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 283 Decontrol of meat

  • 284 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 285 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 286 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 287 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 288 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 289 No laughing matter

  • 290 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 291 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 292 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 293 No sale of Springfield House

  • 294

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 295 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 296 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 297 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 298 For crying out loud!

  • 299 Torrington children build igloo
  • 300 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 301 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 302 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 303 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 304 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 305 Capers on the cobbles

  • 306 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 307 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 308 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 309 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 310

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 311 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 312 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 313 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 315 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 316

    Exhibition of school work
  • 317 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 318 Sooty is quick on the draw

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

  • 320

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 321 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 322 Bideford loses training ship

  • 323 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 324 Clovelly nightmare

  • 325 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 326 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 327 Littleham family's five generations

  • 328 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 329 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 330 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 331 Sight of a lifetime

  • 332

    Was a missionary
  • 333 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 334 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 335 A man and his wheel

  • 336

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 337 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 338

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 339 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 340 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 341 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 342 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 343 Simple Item 138
  • 344

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 345 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 346 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 347 He beat the floods

  • 348

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 349 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 350 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 351 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 352 Modern living at Bideford

  • 353

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 354 Recognise this resort?

  • 355 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 356 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 357

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 358 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 359 Hartland Dancers
  • 360 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 361 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 362

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 363 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 364 Just over a year old

  • 365 Out of puff!

  • 366 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 367 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 368 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 369 Some mushroom!

  • 370 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 372 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 373 Appledore's largest

  • 374 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 375 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 376 When horses score over the tractor

  • 377 Six footed lamb

  • 378 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 379 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 380 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 381 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 382 Penny for the guy

  • 383 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 384 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 385 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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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  • 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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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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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.

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