• 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 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 3 From Bobby to Brian

  • 4 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 5 Torrington children build igloo
  • 6

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 7 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 8 He beat the floods

  • 9 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 10 Decontrol of meat

  • 11 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 12 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 13 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 14 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 15 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 16 Northam footballers of the future

  • 17 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 18 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 19 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 20 Circus comes to town

  • 21 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 22 New addition to Quay front

  • 23 School's link with cargo ship

  • 24 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 25 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 26

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 27 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 28 Cruising down the river

  • 29 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 30

    Exhibition of school work
  • 31 Ships at Bideford

  • 32 Clovelly nightmare

  • 33

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 34 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 35 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 36 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 37 Variety in summer weather

  • 38 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 39 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 40 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 41 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 42 Devil sent packing

  • 43

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 44 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 45 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 46 So this is the mainland!

  • 47 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 48 No laughing matter

  • 49 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 50 Revenge in style

  • 51 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 52 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 53

    Building works
  • 54 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 55 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 56

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 57 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 58

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 59 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 60 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 61 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 62 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 63 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 64 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 65

    Relatives all over the world
  • 66 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 67 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 68 Pannier Market's future?

  • 69 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 70 New Post Office

  • 71 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 72 For crying out loud!

  • 73 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 74 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 75 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 76 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 77 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 78 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 79

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 80 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 81 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 82 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 83 Private home for public pump

  • 84 New look in the hayfields

  • 85 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 87 New art gallery opened

  • 88 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 89 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 90 The art of the thatcher

  • 91 A bird of their own!

  • 92 When horses score over the tractor

  • 93 Artisans' Club

  • 94 Capers on the cobbles

  • 95 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 96 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 97 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 98 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 99 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 100 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 101 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 102 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 103 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 104 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 105 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 106 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 107 Mobile missionary

  • 108 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 109 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 110 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 111 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 112 Some mushroom!

  • 113

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 114 Bideford regatta

  • 115 Some 240 exhibits

  • 116 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 117 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 118 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 119 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 120 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 121 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 122 Six footed lamb

  • 123 Record pebble-throwing day

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

  • 125 North Devon Driving School

  • 126 Designed and made in Bideford

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

  • 128 Picking the pops

  • 129 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 131 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 133 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 134 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 135 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 136 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 137 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 138 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 139 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 140 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 141 Can spring be far away?

  • 142 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 143 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 144 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 145

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 146 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 147 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 148 New choral society's growing response

  • 149 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 150 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 151 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 152 Traditions and skills still there

  • 153 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 155 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 156 Bideford computer stars

  • 157 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 158

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 159 New life for Hartland organ

  • 160 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 161 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 162 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 163 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 164 A man and his wheel

  • 165 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 166 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 167 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 168 Filming at Hartland

  • 169 Littleham family's five generations

  • 170 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 171 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 172

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 173 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 174 All for the love of a lady!

  • 175 Centenary of Gazette

  • 176 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 177 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 178 Modern living at Bideford

  • 179 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 180 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 181 First ship in 8 years

  • 182 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 183 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 184 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 185

    New gateway
  • 186 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 187 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 188

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

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

  • 191 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 192 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 193 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 194 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 195 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 196 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 197 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 198

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 199 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 200 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 201 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 202 Weare Giffard potato

  • 203 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 204 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 205

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 206 Parkham plan realised

  • 207 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 208 End of the line

  • 209 113 years at Instow

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

  • 211 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 212 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 213 Sweets derationing

  • 214 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 215 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 216

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 217 Hartland's invitation

  • 218 Hartland postman retires

  • 219 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 220 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 221 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 222 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 223 New civic medallions

  • 224 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 225 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 226 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 227 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 228 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 229 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 230 Peter poses for TV film

  • 231 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 232 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 233 Northam's almshouse

  • 234 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 235 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 236 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 237 They are parted pro-tem

  • 238

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 239 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 240 The Geneva marionettes

  • 241

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 242 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 243 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 244 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 245 The cab at the corner>
  • 246 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 247

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 248 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 249 Emergency ferry services

  • 250 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 251 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 252 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 253 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 254 A story to tell!

  • 255 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 256 New shipyard on schedule

  • 257 What's the time?

  • 258 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 259 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 260 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 261

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 262 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 263 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 264 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 265 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 266 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 267 Clovelly custom

  • 268 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 269 New Lundy stamps

  • 270 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 271 Waldon Triplets
  • 272 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 273 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 274 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 275 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 276 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 277 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 278 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 279 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 280 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 281 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 282 Torrington in 1967

  • 283 Loads of black and white

  • 284 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 285 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 286 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 287 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 288

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 289 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 290 Recognise this resort?

  • 291 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 292 Warmington's garage ad

  • 293 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 294

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 295 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 297 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 298 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 299 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 300 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 301 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 302 Simple Item 138
  • 303 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 304 Puppet characters introduced

  • 305 Off on a great adventure

  • 306 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 307 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 308 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 309 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 310 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 311 Service with a smile

  • 312 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 313 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 314

    First prize
  • 315 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 316 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 317 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 318

    Bidefordians
  • 319 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 320 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 321 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 322 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 323 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 324 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 325 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 326 No sale of Springfield House

  • 327 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 328 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 329 Bideford loses training ship

  • 330

    Was a missionary
  • 331 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 332 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 333 Torrington's new amenity

  • 334 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 335 In their new robes and hats

  • 336

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 337 Appledore's largest

  • 338 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 339 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 340 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 341 Police station view of Bideford

  • 342 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 343 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 344

    Married in 1908
  • 345 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 346 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 347 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 348 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 349 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 350 Just over a year old

  • 351 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 352 Life begins at 80

  • 353

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 354 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 355 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 356 Jumble sale fever

  • 357 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 358 All aboard the ark

  • 359 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 360 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 361 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 362 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 363 Sight of a lifetime

  • 364 Ten year old scrambler

  • 365 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 366 A roof-top view - where?

  • 367 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 368 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 369 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 370 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 371 It really was the 'last time'

  • 372 Out of puff!

  • 373 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 374 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 375 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 376 Picking the pops

  • 377 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 378 Penny for the guy

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

  • 380 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 381 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 382 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 383 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 384 Twenty-one yachts

  • 385

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 386 Hartland Dancers
  • 387 Bridging the stream

  • 388 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 390 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 391 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 392 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 393 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 394 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 395 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 396 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 397

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 398 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 399 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 400 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 401 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 402 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 403 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 404 Happy Days!

  • 405 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 406 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 407 Last train from Torrington

  • 408 Finished in 1876

  • 409 Riverside mystery

  • 410 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 411 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 412 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 413 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

20 Sunday Schools Took Scripture Examination

All but five Sunday schools affiliated to the Bideford and Torridge district Sunday School Union took part in the Scripture examination last year, Mrs J Vanstone told the Sunday school union’s annual meeting at Lavington Congregational Church.

1.3.1963 Scriptures

Mrs Vanstone said they were pleased to receive entries from Dolton and Frithelstock Baptist Sunday schoosl and a welcome return was made by Abbotsham.
The temperance examination secretary, Mr A E Pettitt, said that four Bideford Sunday schools participated in the temperance exams in November and the results were satisfying.
The general secretary, Miss Delia Jones, pointed out that in October 1962, in the 25 schools associated in the union, there were 907 scholars, 24 fewer than the previous year, and 192 teachers (one less). Of the 156 scholars who left during the year 21 joined the teaching staff.
Treasurer Mr F R Hoyle reported they had a bank balance of nearly £24.
Election of officers: Mrs Goodwin; Miss R Lang; Mr F R Hoyle; Mr Evely; Mr A E Pettitt; Mrs J Vanstone; Mrs Pettitt; Miss D Jones; Mr S G Squire; Mr F Burrow.
Mrs Goodwin was appointed representative to the committee of the Bideford and District Association for the Handicapped and Mr Squire appointed to the Mayor of Bideford’s ‘Freedom from hunger’ campaign committee.
Solos and a duet were sung by Mrs J Granger and Miss G Copp, pianist being Miss Marie Bird. Prayers were led by the minister, Rev Gladys Smith, and guest speaker was Rev Bernard Chart, of Heavitree Congregational Church.
A vote of thanks to the speaker was proposed by Mr Rosekilly.
Full Gazette article dated 1 March 1963

Langtree Methodist’s Jubilee Effort

External and internal renovations have been carried out at the Methodist Chapel at Langtree to mark the golden jubilee of the opening of the building and a very successful re-opening day was held on Thursday of last week.

Friends from a wide area gave their support.

1954 Langtree Methodist

The re-opening was performed by Mrs E Johns, of Sutcombe, who was associated with the chapel in its early days and was the first bride to be married from it.
Seen from left to right in the picture are: Rev Harold Sharrett (Hatherleigh), Rev A Olds, Pamela Daniel, Mrs Johns and Pastor C C Capener. After the service there was a public tea, followed by a meeting over which Mr W E Short (Burrington) presided. Rev H Sharrett gave an address and Mr T Squire (Northam) contributed personal recollections of the opening of the building fifty years ago. The Rector, Rev T R Gibby, was among those present at the tea and evening meeting.
Soloist at the afternoon and evening gatherings were Mr Henry Ford.
Proceeds of the day, with those of a gift night earlier and other donations, went towards the renovation fund. In the region of £173 has been raised to the time of writing.
Gazette article dated 5 November 1954

Coming soon!

 

  • 1

Login Form