• 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 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 2 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 3 New Post Office

  • 4 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 5 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 6 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 7

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 8 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 9 First ship in 8 years

  • 10 The Geneva marionettes

  • 11 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 12 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 13 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 14 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 15 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 16 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 17 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 18 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 19 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 20 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 21 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 22 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 23 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 24 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 25

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 26 Decontrol of meat

  • 27 A roof-top view - where?

  • 28 Torrington's new amenity

  • 29 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 30 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 31 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 32

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 33 What's the time?

  • 34 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 35 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 36 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 37 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 38 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 39 New civic medallions

  • 40 Hartland Dancers
  • 41 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 42

    Bidefordians
  • 43 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 44 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 45 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 46 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 47 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 48 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 49 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 50 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 51 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 52 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 53 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 54 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 55 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 56 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 57 New art gallery opened

  • 58 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 59 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 60 Some 240 exhibits

  • 61 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 62 Last train from Torrington

  • 63

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 64 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 65 Warmington's garage ad

  • 66

    First prize
  • 67 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 68 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 69 113 years at Instow

  • 70 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 71

    Building works
  • 72 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 73 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 74 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 75 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 76 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 77 No laughing matter

  • 78 New life for Hartland organ

  • 79 New addition to Quay front

  • 80 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 81

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 82 Mobile missionary

  • 83 Out of puff!

  • 84 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 85 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 86 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 87 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 88 A bird of their own!

  • 89 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 90 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 91 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 92 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 93 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 94 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 95 Bideford loses training ship

  • 96 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 97 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 98

    Was a missionary
  • 99 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 100 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 101 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 102 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 103 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 104 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 105 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 106 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 107 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 108 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 109 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 110

    Relatives all over the world
  • 111 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 112 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 113 Traditions and skills still there

  • 114 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 115

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 116 The cab at the corner>
  • 117 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 118 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 119 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 120 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 121 A story to tell!

  • 122 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 123

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 124 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 125 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 127 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 128 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 129 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 131 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

  • 133 Puppet characters introduced

  • 134 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 135 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 136 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 137

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 138 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 139 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 140 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 141 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 142 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 143 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 144 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 145

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 146 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 147 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 148 Hartland postman retires

  • 149 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 150 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 151 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 152 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 153 Riverside mystery

  • 154 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 155 Devil sent packing

  • 156 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 157 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 158 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 159

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 160 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 161 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 162 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 163 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 164 New look in the hayfields

  • 165

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 166

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 167 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 168 Waldon Triplets
  • 169 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 170 Northam footballers of the future

  • 171 Picking the pops

  • 172 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 173 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 174 Artisans' Club

  • 175 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 176 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 177 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 178 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 179 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 180 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 181 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 182

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 183 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 184 Bideford regatta

  • 185 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 186 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 187

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 188 Loads of black and white

  • 189 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 190 Can spring be far away?

  • 191 Penny for the guy

  • 192 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 193 Service with a smile

  • 194 Bridging the stream

  • 195 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 196 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 197 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 198 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 199 Police station view of Bideford

  • 200 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 201 New shipyard on schedule

  • 202 Sight of a lifetime

  • 203 In their new robes and hats

  • 204 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 205 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 206 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 207 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 208 Some mushroom!

  • 209 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 210

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 211 They are parted pro-tem

  • 212 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 213 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 214 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 215 Ten year old scrambler

  • 216 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 217 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 218

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 219 Jumble sale fever

  • 220 Sweets derationing

  • 221 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 222 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 223 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 224 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 225 All for the love of a lady!

  • 226 Littleham family's five generations

  • 227 Clovelly nightmare

  • 228 From Bobby to Brian

  • 229 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 230 All aboard the ark

  • 231 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 232 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 233

    New gateway
  • 234 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 235 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 236 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 237 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 238 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 239 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 240 New Lundy stamps

  • 241 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 242 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 243 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 244 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 245 Filming at Hartland

  • 246 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 247 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 248 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 249 Bideford computer stars

  • 250 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 251 By pony and trap to market

  • 252 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 253 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 254 Happy Days!

  • 255 Sweet success at Langtree School

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

  • 257 School's link with cargo ship

  • 258 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 259 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 260 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 261 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 262 Ships at Bideford

  • 263 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 264 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 265 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 266 New choral society's growing response

  • 267 Revenge in style

  • 268 Variety in summer weather

  • 269 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 270

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 271 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 272 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 273 End of the line

  • 274 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 275 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 276 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 277

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 278 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 279 Appledore's largest

  • 280 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 281 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 282 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 283 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 284 Twenty-one yachts

  • 285 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 286 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 288 It really was the 'last time'

  • 289 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 290 Northam's almshouse

  • 291 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 292 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 293 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 294 Picking the pops

  • 295 North Devon Driving School

  • 296 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 297 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 298 Six footed lamb

  • 299 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 300 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 301

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 302 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 303 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 304 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 305 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 306 A man and his wheel

  • 307 So this is the mainland!

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

  • 309 No sale of Springfield House

  • 310 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 311 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 312 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 313 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 314

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 315 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 316 Burnard family reunion

  • 317 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 318 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 319 Life begins at 80

  • 320 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 321 Parkham plan realised

  • 322 Cruising down the river

  • 323 Just over a year old

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

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

  • 326 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 328

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 329 Capers on the cobbles

  • 330 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 331

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 332 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 333 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 334 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 335 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 336 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 337 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 338 Centenary of Gazette

  • 339 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 340 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 341 Peter poses for TV film

  • 342 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 343 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 344 Hartland's invitation

  • 345 When horses score over the tractor

  • 346 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 347 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 348 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 349 For crying out loud!

  • 350 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 351 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 352 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 353 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 354 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 355 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 356 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 357 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 358 Recognise this resort?

  • 359 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 360 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 361 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 362 Finished in 1876

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

  • 364 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 365 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 366 School crossing patrol begins

  • 367 Modern living at Bideford

  • 368 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 369 Pannier Market's future?

  • 370 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 371 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 372 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 373 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 374 Torrington in 1967

  • 375 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 376 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 377 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 378 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 379

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 380 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 381

    Exhibition of school work
  • 382 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 384 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 385 Simple Item 138
  • 386 Off on a great adventure

  • 387 The art of the thatcher

  • 388 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 389 Private home for public pump

  • 390 Clovelly custom

  • 391 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 392

    Married in 1908
  • 393 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 394 Circus comes to town

  • 395 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 396 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 397 Emergency ferry services

  • 398 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 399 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 400 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 401 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 402 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 403 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 404 He beat the floods

  • 405 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 406 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 407

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 408 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 409 Torrington children build igloo
  • 410 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 411 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 412 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 413

    Successful motor cycling team
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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No Rise For 20 Years

Bideford harbour master’s salary has not been increased for 20 years, Ald R D D Birdwood told the Town Council.

2 April 1971 Harbour Master salary

And because of harbour finances, no application had been made by the official. Job evaluation by the County Council management services unit was to be carried out in June, it was pointed out, and it was generally agreed that the case of the harbour master should not be dealt with in isolation. Other recommendations for review of gradings had bene deferred pending the Organisation and Methods report.The Council agreed to await the report. 

Gazette article published 2 April 1971

Stranded off Westward Ho!

Hundreds of people have been making a daily trek to Westward Ho! to look at the stranded C711, a former Admiralty auxiliary tender which went ashore on the sands near Sandymere after her anchor chain had snapped while waiting near the Fairway Buoy to go into Appledore.

stranded ship 1970


The Pebble Ridge has provided a natural grandstand for spectators to watch the efforts made to re-float the vessel, which has two men on board.

The tanker, Bideford, is too big for the Torridge

In the past, big outside shipping firms, including the Reardon-Smith Line, have registered large vessels at Bideford which have never had a hope of coming up the Torridge.

1959 Bideford tanker too big

Lloyds Register of Shipping for 1958 features the 40,900 ton tanker ‘Bideford’ built by Kockums MV at Malmo for the Bideford Tanker Co. Ltd and registered in London.
Messrs Fred Dessen and Co. Ltd, of London, who manage the Bideford Company are also managers of the Blandford Shipping Co. Ltd, owners of the Blandford and Bedford. The principals thought it fitting to name their company and first vessel after a port which has such well known traditions at sea.

1959 Bideford tanker too big

Gazette article 1959

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