• 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 Jumble sale fever

  • 2 Some 240 exhibits

  • 3 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 4 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 5 Bideford computer stars

  • 6

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 7 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 8 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 9 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 10 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 11 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 12 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 13 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 14 No sale of Springfield House

  • 15 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 16 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 17 Last train from Torrington

  • 18 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 19 North Devon Driving School

  • 20 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 21 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 22 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 23 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 24

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 25 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 26 Service with a smile

  • 27 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 28 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 30

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 31 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 32 Cruising down the river

  • 33 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 34 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 35 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 36 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 37 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 39 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 40 New look in the hayfields

  • 41 All aboard the ark

  • 42 For crying out loud!

  • 43 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 44 Clovelly custom

  • 45 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 46 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 47 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 48 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 49 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 50 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 51

    Bidefordians
  • 52 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 53 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 54 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 55 Torrington in 1967

  • 56 New shipyard on schedule

  • 57 Clovelly nightmare

  • 58

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 59 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 60 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 61 Finished in 1876

  • 62

    First prize
  • 63 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 65 It really was the 'last time'

  • 66 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 67 Private home for public pump

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

  • 69 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 70 The art of the thatcher

  • 71 First ship in 8 years

  • 72 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 73 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 74 Pannier Market's future?

  • 75 Penny for the guy

  • 76 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 77 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 78 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 79 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 80 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 81 Picking the pops

  • 82

    Relatives all over the world
  • 83 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 84 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 85 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 86 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 87 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 88 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 89 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 90 Northam footballers of the future

  • 91 A man and his wheel

  • 92 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 93 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 94 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 96 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 97 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 98 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 99 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 100 Waldon Triplets
  • 101 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 102 Variety in summer weather

  • 103 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 104 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 105 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 106 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 107 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 108 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 109 All for the love of a lady!

  • 110 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 111 So this is the mainland!

  • 112 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 113 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 114 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 115 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 116

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 117 Happy Days!

  • 118

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 119 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 120 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 121 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 122 New life for Hartland organ

  • 123

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 124 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 125 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 126

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 127 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 128 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 129 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 130 Peter poses for TV film

  • 131 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 132 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 133 New Post Office

  • 134 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 135 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 136 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 137 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 138 What's the time?

  • 139

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 140

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 141 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 142 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 143 Can spring be far away?

  • 144 Artisans' Club

  • 145 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 146 Hartland Dancers
  • 147 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 148 Bridging the stream

  • 149 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 150 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 151 Torrington's new amenity

  • 152 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 153 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 154 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 155 Appledore's largest

  • 156 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 157 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 158 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 159 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 160 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 161 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 162 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 164 Twenty-one yachts

  • 165 Warmington's garage ad

  • 166 No laughing matter

  • 167 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 168 Picking the pops

  • 169 Loads of black and white

  • 170 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 171 Bideford loses training ship

  • 172 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 173 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 174 Simple Item 138
  • 175 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 176 Decontrol of meat

  • 177 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 178 Out of puff!

  • 179 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 180 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 181 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 182 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 183 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 184 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 185 School crossing patrol begins

  • 186 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 187 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 188 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 189 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 190

    Was a missionary
  • 191 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 192 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 193 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 194 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 195 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 196 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 197 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 198 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 199 New choral society's growing response

  • 200 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 201 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 202 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 203 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 204 Traditions and skills still there

  • 205 Police station view of Bideford

  • 206 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 207 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 208 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 209 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 210 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 211 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 212 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 213 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 214 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 215 Sight of a lifetime

  • 216 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 217 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 218 Torrington children build igloo
  • 219 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 220 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 221 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 222 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 223 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 224 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 225 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 226 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 227 Hartland's invitation

  • 228 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 229 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 230 Revenge in style

  • 231 Off on a great adventure

  • 232 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 233 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 234 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 235 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 236 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 237 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 238 Six footed lamb

  • 239 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 240 A roof-top view - where?

  • 241 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 242

    Building works
  • 243 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 244 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 246 Littleham family's five generations

  • 247 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 248

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 249

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 250 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 251 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 252 By pony and trap to market

  • 253

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 254

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 255 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 256 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 257 He beat the floods

  • 258 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 259 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 260 Parkham plan realised

  • 261 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 262 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 263

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 264

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 265 Bideford regatta

  • 266

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 267 Hartland postman retires

  • 268 When horses score over the tractor

  • 269 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 271 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 272 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 273 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 274 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 275 Recognise this resort?

  • 276 Riverside mystery

  • 277 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 278 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 279 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 280 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 281 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 282

    Married in 1908
  • 283

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

  • 285 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 286 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 287 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 288 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 289 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 290 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 291 Ships at Bideford

  • 292 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 293 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 294 Capers on the cobbles

  • 295 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 296 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 297 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 298 Puppet characters introduced

  • 299

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 300 Burnard family reunion

  • 301 Modern living at Bideford

  • 302 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 303

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 304 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 305 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 306 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 307 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 308 Northam's almshouse

  • 309 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 310

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 311 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 312 New art gallery opened

  • 313 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 314 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 315 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 316 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 317 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 318 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 319 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 320 New civic medallions

  • 321 Ten year old scrambler

  • 322 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 323

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 324 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 325 They are parted pro-tem

  • 326 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 327 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 328 Mobile missionary

  • 329 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 331 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 332 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 333 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 334 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 335

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 336 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 337 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 338

    New gateway
  • 339

    Exhibition of school work
  • 340 Circus comes to town

  • 341 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 342 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 343 End of the line

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

  • 345 Weare Giffard potato

  • 346 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 347 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 348 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 349 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 350 A bird of their own!

  • 351 The Geneva marionettes

  • 352 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 353 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 354 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 355 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 356 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 357 Life begins at 80

  • 358 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 359 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 360 New addition to Quay front

  • 361 In their new robes and hats

  • 362 Just over a year old

  • 363 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 364 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 365 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 366 A story to tell!

  • 367

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 368 Devil sent packing

  • 369 School's link with cargo ship

  • 370 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 371

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 372 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 373 Centenary of Gazette

  • 374 113 years at Instow

  • 375 Ship-in-bottle world record

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

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

  • 378 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 379 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 380 Some mushroom!

  • 381 New Lundy stamps

  • 382 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 383 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 384 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 385 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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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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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