• 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 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 2 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 3 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 4 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 5 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 6 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 7 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 8 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 9 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 10

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 11 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 12 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 13

    Building works
  • 14 New Post Office

  • 15 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 16 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 17 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 18 Decontrol of meat

  • 19 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 20 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 21 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 22 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 23

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 24 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 25 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 26 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 27 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 29 Bideford regatta

  • 30 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 31 Simple Item 138
  • 32 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 33 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 34 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 35 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 36 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 37 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 38

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 39 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 40

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 41 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 42

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 43 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 44 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 45 Hartland's invitation

  • 46 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 47 Twenty-one yachts

  • 48 Torrington in 1967

  • 49 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 50 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 51 Loads of black and white

  • 52 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 53 All for the love of a lady!

  • 54 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 55 Traditions and skills still there

  • 56 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 57 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 58 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 59 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 60 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 61 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 62 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 63 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 64 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 65 Sight of a lifetime

  • 66 Torrington children build igloo
  • 67 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 68 Ships at Bideford

  • 69

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 70 Service with a smile

  • 71 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 72 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 73 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 74 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 75

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 76 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 77 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 78 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 79 Out of puff!

  • 80 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 81 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 83 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 84 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 85 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 86

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 87 Bideford loses training ship

  • 88 So this is the mainland!

  • 89 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 90 The Geneva marionettes

  • 91 Just over a year old

  • 92 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 93 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 94

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 95 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 96 No laughing matter

  • 97 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 98

    First prize
  • 99 They are parted pro-tem

  • 100 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 101 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 102

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 103 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 104 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 105 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 106 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 107 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 108 Variety in summer weather

  • 109 Hartland Dancers
  • 110 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 111 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 112 A man and his wheel

  • 113 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 114 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 115 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 116 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 117 School crossing patrol begins

  • 118 Riverside mystery

  • 119 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 120 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 121 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 122 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 123 In their new robes and hats

  • 124 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 125

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 126 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 127 School's link with cargo ship

  • 128

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 129 Cruising down the river

  • 130 Clovelly custom

  • 131 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 132 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 133

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 134 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 135 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 136 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 137 Picking the pops

  • 138 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 139 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 140

    Married in 1908
  • 141 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 142

    Was a missionary
  • 143 A bird of their own!

  • 144 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 145 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 146 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 147 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 148 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 149 Centenary of Gazette

  • 150 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 151 A roof-top view - where?

  • 152 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 153 Mobile missionary

  • 154 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 155 All aboard the ark

  • 156 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 157 Devil sent packing

  • 158 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 159 By pony and trap to market

  • 160 Picking the pops

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

  • 162 For crying out loud!

  • 163 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 164 Bideford computer stars

  • 165 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 166 Capers on the cobbles

  • 167 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 169 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 170

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 171 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 172 Some mushroom!

  • 173

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 174 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 175 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 176 Ten year old scrambler

  • 177 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 178 Artisans' Club

  • 179 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 180 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 181 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 182 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 183 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 184 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 185

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

  • 187 Puppet characters introduced

  • 188 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 189 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 190 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 191 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 192 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 193 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 194 Private home for public pump

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

  • 196 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 197 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 198 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 199

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 200 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 201 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 202 First ship in 8 years

  • 203 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 204 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 205 Warmington's garage ad

  • 206 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 207 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 208 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 209 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 210 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 211 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 212 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 213 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 214 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 215 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 216 What's the time?

  • 217 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 218 Can spring be far away?

  • 219 Littleham family's five generations

  • 220 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 221 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 222 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 223 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 224 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 225 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 226 Peter poses for TV film

  • 227 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 228 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 229 Some 240 exhibits

  • 230 Modern living at Bideford

  • 231 Life begins at 80

  • 232

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 233 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 235 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 236 Off on a great adventure

  • 237 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 238 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 239 Northam's almshouse

  • 240 Northam footballers of the future

  • 241 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 242 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 243 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 244 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 245 Circus comes to town

  • 246 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 247 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 248 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 249 113 years at Instow

  • 250 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 251

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 252 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 253 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 254 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 255 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 256 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 257 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 258 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 259 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 260 End of the line

  • 261 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 262 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

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

  • 264 Last train from Torrington

  • 265 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 266 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 267 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 268

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 269

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 270 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 271 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 272 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 273 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 274 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 275 Hartland postman retires

  • 276 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 277 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 278 New civic medallions

  • 279 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 280 When horses score over the tractor

  • 281 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 282 Police station view of Bideford

  • 283 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 284 Revenge in style

  • 285 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 286 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 288 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 289 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 290 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 291 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 292

    Bidefordians
  • 293

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 294 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 295 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 296 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 297 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 298 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 300 New addition to Quay front

  • 301 It really was the 'last time'

  • 302 North Devon Driving School

  • 303 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 304 Appledore's largest

  • 305 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 306 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 307 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 308 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 309 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 310 No sale of Springfield House

  • 311 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 312 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 313 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 314 Jumble sale fever

  • 315 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 316 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 317 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 318 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 319 Pannier Market's future?

  • 320 The art of the thatcher

  • 321 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 322

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 323

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 324 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 325 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 326 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 327 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 328 Happy Days!

  • 329 Clovelly nightmare

  • 330

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 331 A story to tell!

  • 332 New shipyard on schedule

  • 333 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 334 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 335 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 336 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 337 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 338 New look in the hayfields

  • 339 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 340 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 341 Six footed lamb

  • 342 Burnard family reunion

  • 343 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 344 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 345 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 346 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 348 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 349 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 350 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 351 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 352 Recognise this resort?

  • 353 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 354 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 355 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 356 Waldon Triplets
  • 357 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 358 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 359 Bridging the stream

  • 360 Finished in 1876

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

  • 362 Parkham plan realised

  • 363

    New gateway
  • 364

    Exhibition of school work
  • 365 New choral society's growing response

  • 366 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 367 New life for Hartland organ

  • 368 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 369 New art gallery opened

  • 370 Torrington's new amenity

  • 371 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 372 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 373 New Lundy stamps

  • 374 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 375 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 376 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 377 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 378

    Relatives all over the world
  • 379 Penny for the guy

  • 380 Emergency ferry services

  • 381 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 382 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 383 He beat the floods

  • 384 Weare Giffard potato

  • 385 Water Board mains spread through villages

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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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!

 

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