• 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 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 2 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 3 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 4 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 5 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 6

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 7 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 8 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 9 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 10 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 11 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 12 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 13 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 14 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 15 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 16 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 17 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 18 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 19 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 20 Six footed lamb

  • 21 Centenary of Gazette

  • 22 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 23 They are parted pro-tem

  • 24 Bridging the stream

  • 25 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 26 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 27 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 28 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 29 Ten year old scrambler

  • 30

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 31 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 32 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 33 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 34 Parkham plan realised

  • 35 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 36 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 37 Warmington's garage ad

  • 38 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 39 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 40 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 41 Sight of a lifetime

  • 42 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 43

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 44

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 45 The Geneva marionettes

  • 46 Torrington children build igloo
  • 47 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 48 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 49 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 50 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 51

    Was a missionary
  • 52 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 53 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 54 Devil sent packing

  • 55 North Devon Driving School

  • 56 Hartland postman retires

  • 57 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 58 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 59 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 60 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 61 Torrington's new amenity

  • 62 No laughing matter

  • 63 New shipyard on schedule

  • 64

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 65 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 66 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 67 What's the time?

  • 68 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 69 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 70

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 71 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 72 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 73 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 74 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 75 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 76 New Lundy stamps

  • 77 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 78 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 79 By pony and trap to market

  • 80 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 81 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 82 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 83 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 84 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 85 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 86 Last train from Torrington

  • 87 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 88 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 89 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 90 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 91 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 92 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 93 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 94 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 95 No sale of Springfield House

  • 96 He beat the floods

  • 97 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 98 Modern living at Bideford

  • 99 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 100 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 101 Filming at Hartland

  • 102 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 103 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 105 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 106

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 107 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 108 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 109

    Relatives all over the world
  • 110 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 111 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 112 School crossing patrol begins

  • 113 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 114 The art of the thatcher

  • 115 Bideford loses training ship

  • 116 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 117

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 118 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 119 Decontrol of meat

  • 120 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 121 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 122 Emergency ferry services

  • 123 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 124 Waldon Triplets
  • 125 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 126 Circus comes to town

  • 127

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 128 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 129 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 130 New life for Hartland organ

  • 131 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 132 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 133 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 134 A bird of their own!

  • 135 Simple Item 138
  • 136 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 137 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 138 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 139 Hartland's invitation

  • 140 When horses score over the tractor

  • 141 Littleham family's five generations

  • 142 Life begins at 80

  • 143

    First prize
  • 144 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 145 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 146 Loads of black and white

  • 147 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 148 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 149 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 150 End of the line

  • 151 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 152 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 153 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 154 Clovelly nightmare

  • 155 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 156 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 157 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 158 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 159 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 160 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 161 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 162 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 163 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 164 Jumble sale fever

  • 165 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 166 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 167

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 168 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 169 Passing of a Torrington landmark

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

  • 171 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 172 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 173 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 174

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 175 Ships at Bideford

  • 176 113 years at Instow

  • 177 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 178 The cab at the corner>
  • 179 Happy Days!

  • 180 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 181

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 182 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 183 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 184 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 185 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 187 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 188 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 189 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 190 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 191 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 192 A roof-top view - where?

  • 193 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 194 All aboard the ark

  • 195 Appledore's largest

  • 196 New art gallery opened

  • 197 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 198 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 199 Police station view of Bideford

  • 200 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 201 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 202 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 203 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 204 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 206 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 207

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 208

    Building works
  • 209 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 210 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 211 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 212 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 214 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 215 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 216 So this is the mainland!

  • 217 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 218

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 219 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 220 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 221 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 222 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 223 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 224

    Married in 1908
  • 225 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 226 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 227 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 228

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 229 Picking the pops

  • 230 Torrington in 1967

  • 231

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 232 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 233 For crying out loud!

  • 234 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 235 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 236 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 237 First ship in 8 years

  • 238 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 239 Variety in summer weather

  • 240

    New gateway
  • 241 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 242 Sweets derationing

  • 243 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 244 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 245

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 246 Some 240 exhibits

  • 247 New choral society's growing response

  • 248 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 249

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 250

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 251 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 252 Finished in 1876

  • 253 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 254 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 255 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 257 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 258 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 260 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 261 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 262 Recognise this resort?

  • 263 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 264 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 265 Some mushroom!

  • 266 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 267 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 268 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 269 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 270 Picking the pops

  • 271 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 273 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 274 Revenge in style

  • 275 Artisans' Club

  • 276 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 277 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 278 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 279 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 280 Northam's almshouse

  • 281 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 282 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 283 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 284 Burnard family reunion

  • 285 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 286 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 287 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 288 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 289 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 290 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 291 Penny for the guy

  • 292 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 293 A story to tell!

  • 294 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 295 Traditions and skills still there

  • 296 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 298 A man and his wheel

  • 299 Clovelly custom

  • 300 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 301 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 302 Mobile missionary

  • 303 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 304 In their new robes and hats

  • 305 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 306 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 307

    Bidefordians
  • 308 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 309 Off on a great adventure

  • 310 Capers on the cobbles

  • 311 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 312 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 313 Puppet characters introduced

  • 314

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 315

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 316 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 317 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 318 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 319 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 320 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 321 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 322 New Post Office

  • 323 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 324 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 325 New addition to Quay front

  • 326 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 327

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 328 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 329 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 330 Riverside mystery

  • 331 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 332

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 333 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 334 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 335 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 336 Cruising down the river

  • 337 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 338 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 339 Twenty-one yachts

  • 340 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 341 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 342 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 343 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 344 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 345 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 346 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 347 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 348 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 350 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 351 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 352 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 353 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 354 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 355 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 356 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 357 Pannier Market's future?

  • 358 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 359 From Bobby to Brian

  • 360 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 361 Bideford regatta

  • 362 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 363 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 364 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 365 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 366 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 367 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 368 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 369 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 370 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 371 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 372 All for the love of a lady!

  • 373 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 374 Can spring be far away?

  • 375 It really was the 'last time'

  • 376

    Exhibition of school work
  • 377 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 378 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 379 School's link with cargo ship

  • 380

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 381 Peter poses for TV film

  • 382 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 383 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 385 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 386 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 387 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 388 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 389 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 390 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 391 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 392 Private home for public pump

  • 393 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 394 Bideford computer stars

  • 395 New civic medallions

  • 396 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 397 Hartland Dancers
  • 398 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 399 New look in the hayfields

  • 400 Northam footballers of the future

  • 401 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 403 Service with a smile

  • 404

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 405 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 406 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 407 Out of puff!

  • 408 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 409 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 410 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 411 Just over a year old

  • 412 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 413 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

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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  • 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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  • 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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Retirement Presentations to Bideford Headmaster

Two presentations

29.7.1960 Down retirement

On the last day of his 19 years as headmaster of Bideford County Secondary School and his retirement after 35 years as a teacher, Mr J E Down is seen her with Mr A C Lavers, senior master, and head girl and boy, Elizabeth Pidler and Kenneth Hocking, and the school’s prefects.

Both presentations followed the normal morning assembly, and both were greeted by thunderous applause.

29.7.1960 Down retirement1

The full Gazette article is dated 29 July 1960

Their Fun Extended A Helping Hand

The charm and zest of children ‘dressing up’ is ever new.

14.7.1950 school dressing up

What fun it can be to them, and how entertaining to friends of their own age and grown-ups. These pupils of Strathmore School, Bideford, not only enjoyed themselves, and gave enjoyment, when they took part in the Dr Barnado’s Helpers’ League concert at Rosehill, Northam, on Saturday, but they also had the extra satisfaction of knowing they were helping children less fortunate than themselves.

Strathmore pupils gave a performance of ‘The Rhyming Princess’ and those taking part were: A Gordon, P Hearn, M Hardman, M Lane, B Harding, M Lee, D Wadey, D Squire, V Broad, J Baglow, M Whitefield, A Blackhurst, J Harding.

Gazette article dated 14 July 1950

Even Better Than Mother Makes!

This mouth-watering display of Christmas cakes is not the work of skilled chefs, but of fourth-year girls of Torrington County Secondary School. The sweets, no less appetising, were made by first-year girls.

18.12.1959 Torrington School1

Cookery has a large part in their curriculum, which is as it should be in a farming community.

The domestic science teacher, Miss M. Stevens, told the Gazette that there was a basic recipe so that the cakes were of an economic size, but apart from that the girls were allowed to use their own ingenuity. That they had certainly done, some even having manufactured the decorations,

Most of the pupils in 4a had successfully undertaken elaborate piping, but many of the snow scenes chosen by 4b pupils were no less effective. In the picture, in addition to Miss Stevens, are some of the girls and their mothers who, on Monday, were invited to inspect the pupils’ handiwork. Some of them agreed that the cakes were even better than those mother makes.

Gazette article dated 18 December 1959

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