• 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 Peter poses for TV film

  • 2 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 3 Northam's almshouse

  • 4 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 5 Some mushroom!

  • 6 Private home for public pump

  • 7 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 8 For crying out loud!

  • 9 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 10 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 11 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 12 The Geneva marionettes

  • 13 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 14 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 15 Just over a year old

  • 16 Can spring be far away?

  • 17 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 18 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 19 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 20 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 21 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 22 New life for Hartland organ

  • 23 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 24 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 25 Hartland postman retires

  • 26 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 27 New addition to Quay front

  • 28 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 29 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 31 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 32 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 33 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 34 Bideford loses training ship

  • 35 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 36 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 37 By pony and trap to market

  • 38 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 39

    Bidefordians
  • 40 The art of the thatcher

  • 41 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 42 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 43 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 44 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 45 No sale of Springfield House

  • 46 A story to tell!

  • 47 School's link with cargo ship

  • 48 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 49 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 50 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 51 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 52

    Was a missionary
  • 53 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 54 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 55 Out of puff!

  • 56 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 58 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 59 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 60

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 61 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 62 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 63 A man and his wheel

  • 64 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 65 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 66 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 67 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 68 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 69 New Post Office

  • 70 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 71 The cab at the corner>
  • 72 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 73 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 74 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 75

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 76

    Relatives all over the world
  • 77

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 78 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 79 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 80 Ten year old scrambler

  • 81 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 82

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 83 Hartland Dancers
  • 84 New art gallery opened

  • 85 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 86 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 87 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 88 So this is the mainland!

  • 89 End of the line

  • 90 Cruising down the river

  • 91 Centenary of Gazette

  • 92 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 93 No laughing matter

  • 94 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 95 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 96 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 97 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 99 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 100 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 101 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 102 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 103 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 104 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 105 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 106 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 107 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 109 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 110 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 111 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 112 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 113 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 114 New Lundy stamps

  • 115 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 116 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 117 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 118 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 119 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 120 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 121 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 122 New shipyard on schedule

  • 123

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 124 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 125 It really was the 'last time'

  • 126 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 127 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 128 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 129 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 130 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 131 Filming at Hartland

  • 132 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 133 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 134

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 135 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 136 Ships at Bideford

  • 137 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 138 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 139

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 140 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 141 Torrington children build igloo
  • 142 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 143 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 144 Traditions and skills still there

  • 145 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 146 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 147 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 148 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 149 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 150 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 151 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 152 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 153 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 154 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 155 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 156 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 157 New choral society's growing response

  • 158

    New gateway
  • 159

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 160 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 161 Pannier Market's future?

  • 162 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 163 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 164 Picking the pops

  • 165 Warmington's garage ad

  • 166 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 167 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 168

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 169 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 170 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 171 Simple Item 138
  • 172 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 173 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 174 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 175 Decontrol of meat

  • 176 113 years at Instow

  • 177 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 178 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 180 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 181 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 182

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 183 Off on a great adventure

  • 184 North Devon Driving School

  • 185 Emergency ferry services

  • 186 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 187 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 188 Clovelly custom

  • 189 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 190 A bird of their own!

  • 191

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 192 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 193 Bideford regatta

  • 194 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 195 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 196

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 197 Waldon Triplets
  • 198

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 199 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 200 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 201 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 202 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 203 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 204 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 206 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 207

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 208 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 209 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 210 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 211 Littleham family's five generations

  • 212 Finished in 1876

  • 213

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 214 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 215 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 216 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 217

    First prize
  • 218

    Exhibition of school work
  • 219 Loads of black and white

  • 220 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 221 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 222 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 223 Torrington's new amenity

  • 224 All aboard the ark

  • 225 Appledore's largest

  • 226 Riverside mystery

  • 227 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 228 Revenge in style

  • 229 New civic medallions

  • 230 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 231

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 232 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 233 Service with a smile

  • 234 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 235

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 236 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 237 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 238 Police station view of Bideford

  • 239 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 240 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 241 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 242

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 243 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 244 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 245 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 246 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 247 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 248 New look in the hayfields

  • 249 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 250 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 251 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 252 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 254 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 255 Happy Days!

  • 256 Clovelly nightmare

  • 257 Variety in summer weather

  • 258 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 259 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 260 Puppet characters introduced

  • 261 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 262 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 263 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 264 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 265 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 266 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 267 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 268 Capers on the cobbles

  • 269 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 270 Twenty-one yachts

  • 271 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 273 He beat the floods

  • 274 All for the love of a lady!

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

  • 276 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 277 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 278 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 279 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 280 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 281 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 282 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 283 Burnard family reunion

  • 284 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 285 Sweets derationing

  • 286 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 287 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 288 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 289 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 290 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 291 Bridging the stream

  • 292

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 293 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 294 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 295 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 296

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 297 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 298 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 299 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 300 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 301 Life begins at 80

  • 302 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 303 Northam footballers of the future

  • 304

    Married in 1908
  • 305

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 306 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 307 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 308 Hartland's invitation

  • 309 They are parted pro-tem

  • 310 First ship in 8 years

  • 311 School crossing patrol begins

  • 312 Devil sent packing

  • 313 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 314 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 315

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 316 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 317 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 319 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 320 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 321 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 322 Torrington in 1967

  • 323 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 324 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 325 Weare Giffard potato

  • 326 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 327 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 328 Some 240 exhibits

  • 329 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 330 What's the time?

  • 331 Parkham plan realised

  • 332 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 333 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 334 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 335 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 336 Picking the pops

  • 337 Artisans' Club

  • 338 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 339

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 340

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 341 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 342 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 343 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 344 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 345 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 346 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 347 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 348 Last train from Torrington

  • 349 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

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

  • 351 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 352 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 353 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 354 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 355 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 356 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 357 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 358 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 359

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 360 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 361 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 362 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 363

    Building works
  • 364 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 365 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 366 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 367 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 368 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 369 Sight of a lifetime

  • 370 In their new robes and hats

  • 371 Mobile missionary

  • 372 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 373 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 374 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 375 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 376 Recognise this resort?

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

  • 378 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 379 From Bobby to Brian

  • 380 Circus comes to town

  • 381 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 382 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 383 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 384 Bideford computer stars

  • 385 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

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

  • 387 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 388 Six footed lamb

  • 389 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 390 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 391 When horses score over the tractor

  • 392 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 393 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 394 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 395 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 396 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 398 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 399 A roof-top view - where?

  • 400 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 401 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 402 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 403 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 404 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 405 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 406 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 407 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 408 Jumble sale fever

  • 409 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 410 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 411 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 412 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 413 Penny for the guy

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Appledore builds tug for Persian Gulf State 10th April 1953

Appledore builds tug for Persian Gulf State 10th April 1953

Appledore builds tug for Persion Gulf StateRapidly taking shape in the Richmond dry dock at the Appledore ship building yard of Messrs P K Harris & Sons, is a diesel tug being built to the orders of the government of Kuwait on the Persian Gulf. 

Photograph shows the first plate being fitted into its positon towards the bow of the vessel and inside the ship are two members of the rivetting team.

'Pirate spirit' goes 'down the hatch' 16th June 1950

'Pirate spirit' goes 'down the hatch' 16th June 1950

Pirate spirit goes down the hatchPirates were taking the Treasure Island film ship Hispaniola on her last voyage from Appledore to Scarborough where the ship will become part of the town's maritime display.  The Hispaniola was commended by Lieut Commander S Gorrell and manned by 2 Appledore seamen, Messrs E Bignell and Kelly Eastman, and a number of amateur sailors, Messrs W Glover, S Sanders, T R Davies and Wing Commander Johnson.

At Scarborough Mrs Pat Pulleyn, wife of the Chairman of Scarborough Harbour Committee, was first on board.  A mayoral reception was accorded the crew and among those present were Lee Savold (who was then in Scarborough preparing for his fight with Bruce Woodcock), Jimmy Wilde and Nat Fleischer.

Mr Ernest Bignell was met on his arrival by his siter, Mrs J Parkin.

Corvette becomes fishing and depot ship 5th April 1949

Corvette becomes fishing and depot ship 5th April 1949

Corvette becomes fishing and depot ship

Described by Messrs P K Harris and Sons as the biggest conversion job they have done, the ex "Flower" class corvette Anchusia, now being converted at Appledore into a fishing and depot ship renamed Silver Lord, is nearing completion.  Wheel-house of the ship and the bridge deck are built of teak taken from HMS Warspite when she was broken up.  Alongside the Silver Lord is another former corvette, now named Silver King.  Work on this vessel has not yet commenced.

  • 1

Login Form