• 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 New Post Office

  • 2 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 3 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 4 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 5 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 6 New life for Hartland organ

  • 7 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 8 Appledore's largest

  • 9

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 10 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 12 Ten year old scrambler

  • 13 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 14 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 15 Riverside mystery

  • 16 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 17 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 18 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 19 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 20 Clovelly nightmare

  • 21 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 22 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 23 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 25

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 26 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 27 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 28 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 29 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 30 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 31 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 32 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 34 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 35 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 36 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 37 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 38 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 39 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 40 A roof-top view - where?

  • 41 Variety in summer weather

  • 42 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 43 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 44

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 45 He beat the floods

  • 46 They set out for Bideford and became lost

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

  • 48 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 49 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 50 Sweets derationing

  • 51 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 52 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 53 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 54 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 55 It really was the 'last time'

  • 56 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 57

    First prize
  • 58 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 59

    Bidefordians
  • 60 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 61

    Was a missionary
  • 62 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 63 The art of the thatcher

  • 64 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 65 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 66 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 67

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 68 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 69 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 70 Can spring be far away?

  • 71 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 72 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 73 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 74 A man and his wheel

  • 75 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 76 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 77 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 78 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 79 Bideford loses training ship

  • 80 Police station view of Bideford

  • 81 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 82 Some mushroom!

  • 83 Clovelly custom

  • 84 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 85 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 86 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 87 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 88 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 89 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 90 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 91 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 92 Simple Item 138
  • 93 All aboard the ark

  • 94 Traditions and skills still there

  • 95 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 96 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 97 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 98 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 99 Six footed lamb

  • 100 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 101 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 102 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 103 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 104 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 105 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 106 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 108 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 109 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 110 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 111 Private home for public pump

  • 112 Bideford computer stars

  • 113 Bridging the stream

  • 114 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 115 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 116 Weare Giffard potato

  • 117 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 118 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 119

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 120 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 121 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 122 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 123 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 124 New shipyard on schedule

  • 125 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 126 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 127 The Geneva marionettes

  • 128 For crying out loud!

  • 129 Off on a great adventure

  • 130 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 131 The cab at the corner>
  • 132 Loads of black and white

  • 133 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 134 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 135

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 136

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 137 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 138 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 139 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 140

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 141 Cruising down the river

  • 142

    Married in 1908
  • 143 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 144 A bird of their own!

  • 145 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 146 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 147 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 148 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 149 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 150 From Bobby to Brian

  • 151

    Relatives all over the world
  • 152 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 153 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 154 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 155 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 156

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 157 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 158 Recognise this resort?

  • 159 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 160 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 161 New civic medallions

  • 162 Hartland postman retires

  • 163

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 164 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 165 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 166 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 167 All for the love of a lady!

  • 168 Northam's almshouse

  • 169 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 170 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 171 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 172 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 174 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 175 Ships at Bideford

  • 176 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 177 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 178 Warmington's garage ad

  • 179 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 180 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 181 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 182 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 183 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 184

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 185

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 186 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 187 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 188 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 189 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 190 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 191 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 192 Pannier Market's future?

  • 193 Happy Days!

  • 194 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 195

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 196

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 197

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 198 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 199 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 200 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 201 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 202 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 203 When horses score over the tractor

  • 204 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 205

    Building works
  • 206 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 207

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 208 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 209 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 210 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 211 Emergency ferry services

  • 212 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 213 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 214 Torrington children build igloo
  • 215 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 216 Jumble sale fever

  • 217 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 218 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 219 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 220 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 221 North Devon Driving School

  • 222 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 223 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 224 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 225 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 226

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 227

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 228 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 229 Artisans' Club

  • 230 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 231 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 232 So this is the mainland!

  • 233 New art gallery opened

  • 234 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 235 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 236 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 237 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 239 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 240 Finished in 1876

  • 241 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 242 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 243 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 244 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 245 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 246 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 247 Decontrol of meat

  • 248 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 249 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 250 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 251 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 252 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 253 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 255 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 256 Life begins at 80

  • 257 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 258 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 259 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 260 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 261 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 262 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 263

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 264 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 265 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 266 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 267 Waldon Triplets
  • 268

    Exhibition of school work
  • 269 Peter poses for TV film

  • 270 Just over a year old

  • 271 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 272 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 273 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 275 Hartland's invitation

  • 276 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 277

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 278 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 279 Filming at Hartland

  • 280 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 281 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 282 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 283 First ship in 8 years

  • 284 New addition to Quay front

  • 285 Sight of a lifetime

  • 286

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 287 Burnard family reunion

  • 288 Circus comes to town

  • 289 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 290 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 291 By pony and trap to market

  • 292 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 293 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 294 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 295 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 296 They are parted pro-tem

  • 297 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 298 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 299 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 301 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 302 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 303 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 304 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 305 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 307 Revenge in style

  • 308 Some 240 exhibits

  • 309 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 310 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 311

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 312 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 313 New Lundy stamps

  • 314 Centenary of Gazette

  • 315 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 316 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 317 Bideford regatta

  • 318 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 319

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 320 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 321 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 322 Hartland Dancers
  • 323 Modern living at Bideford

  • 324 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 325

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 326 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 327 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 328 New choral society's growing response

  • 329 Torrington's new amenity

  • 330 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 331 113 years at Instow

  • 332 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 333 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 334 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 335

    New gateway
  • 336 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 337 In their new robes and hats

  • 338 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 339 No sale of Springfield House

  • 340 Service with a smile

  • 341 Mobile missionary

  • 342 A story to tell!

  • 343 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 344 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 345 Puppet characters introduced

  • 346 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 347 Parkham plan realised

  • 348 Last train from Torrington

  • 349 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 350 Capers on the cobbles

  • 351 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 352 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 353 Penny for the guy

  • 354 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 355 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 356 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 357 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 358 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 359 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 360 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 361 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 362 Northam footballers of the future

  • 363 Littleham family's five generations

  • 364 School crossing patrol begins

  • 365 End of the line

  • 366 Out of puff!

  • 367 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 368 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 369 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 371 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 372 What's the time?

  • 373 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 374 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 375 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 376 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 377 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 378 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 379 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 381 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 382 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 383 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 384 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 385 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 386 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 387 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 389 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 390 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 391 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 392 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 393 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 394 Picking the pops

  • 395 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 396 New look in the hayfields

  • 397 No laughing matter

  • 398

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 399 Picking the pops

  • 400 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 401 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 402 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 403 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 404 Devil sent packing

  • 405 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 406 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 407 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 408 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 409 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 410 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 411 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 412 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 413 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Three Times Asked - Three Times Refused

Chips paper on pavement

Three times he had asked a fairground attendant to pick up a fish and chips bag the man had thrown onto the pavement in Allhalland Street and each time the request was refused,
Police Constable G Thrupp told Bideford magistrates on Tuesday.

13.9.1957 Hugh Henny fined

Before the court was Hugh Henny, whose address was given as c/o F Whitelegg's, The Fairground, Bideford, who pleaded 'guilty' to depositing litter on the highway in contravention of a Borough bye-law.

Henny, who told the magistrates he had nothing to say, was fined £2 with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment. He said he earned £6 a week and was paid on Sundays. He was allowed until September 23rd to pay.

Gazette article dated 13 September 1957

Drove tractor at Parkham without licence

When a police officer stopped Gerald Braund

driving a tractor through Parkham village and asked him to produce his driving licence, he replied “I haven’t got one but I would like to learn to drive as soon as I know if I am being kept on in this job or not.”

Braund was told by the Chairman of the Bench, Mr R B Blackmore, “We do not want to jeopardise your work so we have decided not to disqualify you as we could have done or perhaps we should have done.”

He was fined £7.

16.5.1958 Parkham Braund

Full article dated 16 May 1958

Detective's Jump From Window

Chasing Bideford Shop Intruder

21.2.1958 Tamplin Bideford

Answering a call, Detective-Constable E J Tamplin went to the shop owned by Miss F Hicks. Someone was heard making escape through the building and into the garden and Detective-Constable Tamplin jumped from the bathroom window at the rear of the building to the ground, but the intruder managed to escape.

Police Inspector W Bond said "We are hoping that inquiries will lead to the matter being satisfactorily settled."

Full article dated 21 February 1958

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