• 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 First ship in 8 years

  • 2 Mobile missionary

  • 3 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 4 Six footed lamb

  • 5 They are parted pro-tem

  • 6 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 7 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 8 A man and his wheel

  • 9 New Lundy stamps

  • 10

    First prize
  • 11 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 12 Torrington in 1967

  • 13 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 14 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 15 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 16 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 17 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 18 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 19 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 20 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 21 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 22 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 23 All for the love of a lady!

  • 24 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 25

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 26 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 27 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 28 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 29 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 30 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 31

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 32 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 33 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 34 School's link with cargo ship

  • 35 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 36 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 37 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 38 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 39 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 40 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 41 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 42 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 43 A story to tell!

  • 44 New shipyard on schedule

  • 45 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 46 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 47 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 49 Life begins at 80

  • 50 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 51 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 52 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 53

    Building works
  • 54

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

  • 56 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 57 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 58 Out of puff!

  • 59

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 60 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 61 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 62 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 63 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 64 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 65

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 66 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 67 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 68 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 70 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 72 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 73

    New gateway
  • 74 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 75 Circus comes to town

  • 76 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 77 Bridging the stream

  • 78 New Post Office

  • 79 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 80 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 81 Puppet characters introduced

  • 82 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 83 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 84 Hartland's invitation

  • 85 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 86 Twenty-one yachts

  • 87 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 88 No laughing matter

  • 89 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 90 Some mushroom!

  • 91 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 92 New art gallery opened

  • 93 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 94 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 95 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 96 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 97 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 98

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 99 Loads of black and white

  • 100 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 101 North Devon Driving School

  • 102 Police station view of Bideford

  • 103 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 104 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 105 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 106 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 107 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 108

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 109 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 110 Can spring be far away?

  • 111 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 112 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 113 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 114

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 115 Torrington children build igloo
  • 116 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 117 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 118 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 119 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 120 Centenary of Gazette

  • 121 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 122 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 123 No sale of Springfield House

  • 124 Ships at Bideford

  • 125 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 126 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 127 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 128 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 129 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 130 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 131 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 132 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 133

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 134 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 135 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 136 Penny for the guy

  • 137

    Bidefordians
  • 138 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 139 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 140 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 141

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 142 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 143 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 144 It really was the 'last time'

  • 145 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 146 Northam footballers of the future

  • 147 Picking the pops

  • 148 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 149 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 150 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 151 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 152 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 153 New choral society's growing response

  • 154 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 155

    Relatives all over the world
  • 156 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 157 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 158 School crossing patrol begins

  • 159 New civic medallions

  • 160 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 161 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 162 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 163 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 164 New look in the hayfields

  • 165 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 166 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 167 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 168 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 169 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 170 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 171 End of the line

  • 172 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 173 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 174 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 176 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 177 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 178

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 179 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 180 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 181 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

  • 183 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 184 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 185 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 186 Artisans' Club

  • 187 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 188 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 189 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 190 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 191 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 192 Bideford loses training ship

  • 193 Bideford regatta

  • 194 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 195 113 years at Instow

  • 196 Last train from Torrington

  • 197

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 198 Waldon Triplets
  • 199 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 200 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 201 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 202 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 203

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 204 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 206 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 207 Some 240 exhibits

  • 208 Torrington's new amenity

  • 209 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 210 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 211 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 212 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 213

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 214 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 215 What's the time?

  • 216 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 217

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 218

    Was a missionary
  • 219

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 220 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 221 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 222 Clovelly nightmare

  • 223 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 224 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 226 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 227 When horses score over the tractor

  • 228 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 229 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 230 New Estate's view of estuary activities

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

  • 232 Recognise this resort?

  • 233 Clovelly custom

  • 234 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 235 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 236 Just over a year old

  • 237 Appledore's largest

  • 238 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 240 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 241 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 242 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 243 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 244 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 245 Ten year old scrambler

  • 246 All aboard the ark

  • 247 A roof-top view - where?

  • 248 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 249 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 250 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 251 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 252 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 253 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 254 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 255 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 256 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 257 Traditions and skills still there

  • 258 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 259 Weare Giffard potato

  • 260

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 261

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 262 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 263 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 264 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 265 Revenge in style

  • 266 By pony and trap to market

  • 267 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 268

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 269 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 270 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 271 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 272 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 273 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 274 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 275 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 276 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 277 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 278 Peter poses for TV film

  • 279 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 280 Finished in 1876

  • 281 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 282 A bird of their own!

  • 283 Hartland postman retires

  • 284 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 285 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 286 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 287 The art of the thatcher

  • 288 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 289 Simple Item 138
  • 290 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 291 Decontrol of meat

  • 292 In their new robes and hats

  • 293 Cruising down the river

  • 294 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 295 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 296 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 297 Modern living at Bideford

  • 298 Variety in summer weather

  • 299 Bideford computer stars

  • 300 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 302 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 303 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 304 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 306 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 307 Hartland Dancers
  • 308 Service with a smile

  • 309 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 311 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 312 He beat the floods

  • 313 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 314 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 315 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 316 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 317 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 318 Capers on the cobbles

  • 319 Picking the pops

  • 320 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 321 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 322 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 323 Burnard family reunion

  • 324 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 325 Parkham plan realised

  • 326

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 327 Devil sent packing

  • 328 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 329

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 330 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 331 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 332 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 333 Northam's almshouse

  • 334 Sight of a lifetime

  • 335 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 336 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 337 Pannier Market's future?

  • 338 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 339

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 340 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 341 So this is the mainland!

  • 342

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 343 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 344 The Geneva marionettes

  • 345 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 346 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 347 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 348 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 349 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 350 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 351

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 352 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 353 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 354 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 355 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 356 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 357 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 358 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 359 Happy Days!

  • 360 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 361 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 362 Jumble sale fever

  • 363 New addition to Quay front

  • 364 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 365 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 366 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 367 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 368 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 369 Warmington's garage ad

  • 370 Emergency ferry services

  • 371

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 372

    Exhibition of school work
  • 373 Off on a great adventure

  • 374

    Married in 1908
  • 375 Private home for public pump

  • 376 Riverside mystery

  • 377 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 378 New life for Hartland organ

  • 379 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 380 Littleham family's five generations

  • 381 For crying out loud!

  • 382 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 383 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 384 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 385 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Cattle On The Road

‘I plead guilty, although it was no fault of mine’ wrote John Colwill, of Ford Farm, Hartland, when he was summoned before Bideford Magistrates on Tuesday for allowing seven yearling cattle to stray on the Hartland-Baxworthy Cross road on January 30th.

4.3.1955 Hartland cattle

Police Constable Richards told the Bench the cattle were straying a mile from Colwill’s farm. Defendant’s son had said the cattle had been in the orchard and had admitted there was no fence at the top of the road bank. Witness added that he found a path of some standing down over the bank to the road.
In a letter to the Bench, Colwill stated the yearlings had not been in the orchard – he and his son had each thought the other had pastured them there – but had been in the farmyard. The cattle had strayed because someone had left the yard gate open.
The magistrates imposed a fine of 10s.
Gazette article dated 4 March 1955

Crime

Cars without lights

Five local people were each fined £4 by Bideford magistrates for leaving their cars at night without lights.

1972 fines for people driving cars without lights

The five – Desmond Joseph Thorn of 2 Silver Street, Appledore; Rodney James Burland of 12 Forresters Road, Holsworthy; Andrew John Pedrick of 30 Brookfield Street, Bideford; David Harvey of 2 Quay House, Appledore; Christen Ronny Rudolf Svensson of 7a Dartinton Fields – all pleaded guilty.
For a similar offence John William Hacker of 4 Myrtle Grove, Bideford, was fined £3.

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