• 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 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 2 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 3 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 4 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 5 Penny for the guy

  • 6 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 7 Finished in 1876

  • 8

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 9 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 10 Torrington children build igloo
  • 11 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 12

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 13 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 14 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 15 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 16 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 17 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 18 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 19 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 20

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 21 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 22 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 23 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 24 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 25 Mobile missionary

  • 26 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 27 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 28 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 29 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 30 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 31

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 32 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 33 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 34 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 35

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 36 A roof-top view - where?

  • 37 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 38 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 39 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 40 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 41 Variety in summer weather

  • 42

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 43 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 44 Hartland postman retires

  • 45 Decontrol of meat

  • 46 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 47 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 48 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 49 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 50

    Married in 1908
  • 51 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 52 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 53 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 54 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 55 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 56 Sight of a lifetime

  • 57

    First prize
  • 58 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 59 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 60 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 61 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 62 Can spring be far away?

  • 63 A man and his wheel

  • 64 New addition to Quay front

  • 65 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 66 Littleham family's five generations

  • 67 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 68 Devil sent packing

  • 69 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 70 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 71 Warmington's garage ad

  • 72 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 73 New art gallery opened

  • 74 Weare Giffard potato

  • 75 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 76

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 77 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 78 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 79 He beat the floods

  • 80 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 81 Recognise this resort?

  • 82 Circus comes to town

  • 83 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 84 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 85 Just over a year old

  • 86 Jumble sale fever

  • 87 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 88 Pannier Market's future?

  • 89 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 90 Last train from Torrington

  • 91 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 92 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 93

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 94 Modern living at Bideford

  • 95 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 96 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 97 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 98

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 99 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 100 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 101 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 102 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 103 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 104 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 105 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 106 Sweets derationing

  • 107 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 108

    Was a missionary
  • 109 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 110 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 111 New choral society's growing response

  • 112 Off on a great adventure

  • 113 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 114 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 116 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 117 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 118 Ten year old scrambler

  • 119 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 120

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 121 When horses score over the tractor

  • 122 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 123 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 125 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 126 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 127 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 128 Puppet characters introduced

  • 129

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 130 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 131 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 132 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 133 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 134 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 135 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 136 Clovelly custom

  • 137 Northam footballers of the future

  • 138 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 139 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 140 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 141 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 142 A story to tell!

  • 143 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 144 All for the love of a lady!

  • 145

    Exhibition of school work
  • 146 New look in the hayfields

  • 147 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 148 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 149 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 150 Loads of black and white

  • 151 Revenge in style

  • 152 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 153 They are parted pro-tem

  • 154 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 155 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 156 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 157

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 158 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 159 113 years at Instow

  • 160 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 161 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 162 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 163 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 164 The cab at the corner>
  • 165 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 166 The Geneva marionettes

  • 167 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 168 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 169 Burnard family reunion

  • 170 Peter poses for TV film

  • 171 Hartland's invitation

  • 172 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 173 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 174 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 175 New Lundy stamps

  • 176

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 177 Some mushroom!

  • 178

    New gateway
  • 179 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 180 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 181 For crying out loud!

  • 182

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 183 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 184 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 185 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 186 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 187 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 188 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 189 Capers on the cobbles

  • 190 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 191 Bideford loses training ship

  • 192 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 193 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 194 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 195 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 196 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 197 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 198 Bideford regatta

  • 199 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 200

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 201 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 202 No laughing matter

  • 203 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 204 Picking the pops

  • 205 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 206 School crossing patrol begins

  • 207 Picking the pops

  • 208 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 210 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 211 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 212

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 213 Simple Item 138
  • 214 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 215 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 216 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 217 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 218 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 219 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 220 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 222 Filming at Hartland

  • 223 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 224 First ship in 8 years

  • 225

    Building works
  • 226 Bideford computer stars

  • 227 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 228 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 229 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 230 New Post Office

  • 231 North Devon Driving School

  • 232 No sale of Springfield House

  • 233

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 234 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 235

    Bidefordians
  • 236 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 237 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 238 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 239 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 240 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 241 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 242 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 243 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 244 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 245 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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

  • 247 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 249 By pony and trap to market

  • 250 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 251 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 253 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

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

  • 256 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 257 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 258 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 259 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 260 Riverside mystery

  • 261 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 262 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 263 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 264 New shipyard on schedule

  • 265 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 266

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 267 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 268 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 269 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 270 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 271 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 272 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 273 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 274 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 275 Northam's almshouse

  • 276 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 277 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 278 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 279 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 280 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 281 Artisans' Club

  • 282 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 284 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 285 Parkham plan realised

  • 286 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 287 What's the time?

  • 288 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 289 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 290 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 291 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 292 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 293 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 294 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 295 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 296 Traditions and skills still there

  • 297 Hartland Dancers
  • 298 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 299 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 300

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 301 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 302 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 303 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 304 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 305 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 306 Police station view of Bideford

  • 307 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 308 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 309

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 310 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 311 Cruising down the river

  • 312 Twenty-one yachts

  • 313 From Bobby to Brian

  • 314 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 315 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 316 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 317 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 318 Bridging the stream

  • 319 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 320 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 321 Emergency ferry services

  • 322 A bird of their own!

  • 323 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 324 Some 240 exhibits

  • 325 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 326 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 327 New civic medallions

  • 328 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 330 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 331 Service with a smile

  • 332 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 333 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 334 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 335 In their new robes and hats

  • 336

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 337 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 338 New life for Hartland organ

  • 339 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 340 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 341 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 342 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 343 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 344 Centenary of Gazette

  • 345 School's link with cargo ship

  • 346 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 347 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 349

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 350 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 351 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 352 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 353 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 354 The art of the thatcher

  • 355 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 356 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 357 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 358 Waldon Triplets
  • 359 All aboard the ark

  • 360 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 361 End of the line

  • 362 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 363

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 364 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 365 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 366 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 367 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 368 Six footed lamb

  • 369 Out of puff!

  • 370 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 371

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 372 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 373 Appledore's largest

  • 374 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 375 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 376 Torrington in 1967

  • 377

    Relatives all over the world
  • 378 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 379 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 380

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 381 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 382 Torrington's new amenity

  • 383 Life begins at 80

  • 384 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 385 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 386 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 387 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 388 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 389 So this is the mainland!

  • 390 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 391 Private home for public pump

  • 392 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 393 Ships at Bideford

  • 394 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 395 Happy Days!

  • 396 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 397 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 398 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 399 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 400 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 401 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 402 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 403 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 404 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 405 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 406 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 407 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 408 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 409 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 410 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 411 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 412 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 413 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

All 12 Pass Cycling Test

All 12 pupils from Appledore Primary School who took a safe cycling training course at the school gained the cycling proficiency award.

The successful young cyclists, who received their certificates from the headmaster, Mr Emlyn Williams, were: Brian Tricker, Kim Bowden, Mark Ellis, Robbie Graham, Alan Cox, Ursula Day, Michelle Peters, Dawn Fisher, John Bartlett, Andrew Pascoe, Simon Jones and Michael Wigmore.

21.1.1977 Appledore cyclists

Gazette article dated 21 January 1977

Nilgala School

Bideford, Devon

20.7.1951 Bideford Nilgala School

Day and Boarding School for Boys up to the age of 14.

Boys prepared for the Common Entrance Examination for Public Schools and Royal Navy.

For Prospectus and vacancies apply:- THE HEADMASTER, Major J N H Bacon, MA, FRSA, MRST

Kindergarten boys and girls are accepted daily in the Pre-preparatory department under the care of Mrs C Salter.

There is a Special Class for Girls up to the age of 11, applications for which should be made to Mrs Salter personally.

Gazette dated 20 July 1951

School Re-opens

And Closes Again

18.1.1963 Hartland school

After four days’ extra holiday Hartland County Primary School re-opened on Monday morning, but not for long.

Very soon the canteen water system was spurting water seemingly at every joint.

It was found that the water supply was frozen underground long before it reached the toilets. So the school closed again.

After the bus children had been given a hot meal – prepared under conditions of extreme difficulty by the canteen staff – the buses took the children home.

The staff were pleased to see that over 80 of the 140 pupils made the effort to get to school. Despite the fact there was a hearty cheer when it was announced that the school was to be closed until at least Wednesday.

It was thanks to efforts on the part of some of the school staff and the caretaker in spreading salt and borrowing oil heaters and lamps that the school was able to open on Monday.

The Gazette article is dated 18 January 1963

  • 1

Login Form