• 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 Circus comes to town

  • 2 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 3 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 4 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 5

    New gateway
  • 6 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 7 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 8 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 9 All aboard the ark

  • 10 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 11 No laughing matter

  • 12 Clovelly nightmare

  • 13 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 14 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 15 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 16

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 17 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 18 North Devon Driving School

  • 19 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 20 In their new robes and hats

  • 21 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 23 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 24 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 25 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 26 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 27 End of the line

  • 28 Modern living at Bideford

  • 29 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 30 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 31 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 32 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 33 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 34 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 35 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 36 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 37 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 38

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 39 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 40 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 42 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 43 Penny for the guy

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

  • 45 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 47

    Relatives all over the world
  • 48 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 49 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 50 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 51

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 52 Parkham plan realised

  • 53 Decontrol of meat

  • 54 New Post Office

  • 55 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 56 Filming at Hartland

  • 57 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 58 For crying out loud!

  • 59 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 60

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 61 Service with a smile

  • 62 Peter poses for TV film

  • 63

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 64

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 65 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 66 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 67 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 68 Devil sent packing

  • 69 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 70 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 71 It really was the 'last time'

  • 72

    Exhibition of school work
  • 73

    First prize
  • 74 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 75 113 years at Instow

  • 76 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 77 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 78 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 79

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 80 No sale of Springfield House

  • 81 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 82 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 83 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 84 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 85 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 86 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 87 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 88 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 89

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 90 Bideford regatta

  • 91 So this is the mainland!

  • 92 Life begins at 80

  • 93 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 94 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 95 Cruising down the river

  • 96 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 97 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 98 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 99 Off on a great adventure

  • 100 Traditions and skills still there

  • 101 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 102

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 103 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 104 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 105 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 106 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 107 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 108 Simple Item 138
  • 109 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 110 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 111 Recognise this resort?

  • 112 New choral society's growing response

  • 113 Torrington in 1967

  • 114 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 115 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 116 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 117 Centenary of Gazette

  • 118 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 119 The cab at the corner>
  • 120 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 121 Revenge in style

  • 122 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 123 Ten year old scrambler

  • 124 Variety in summer weather

  • 125 Appledore's largest

  • 126 School crossing patrol begins

  • 127 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 128 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 129 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 131 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 132 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 133 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 134 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 135 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 136

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 137 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 138

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 139 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 140 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 141 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 142 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 143 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 144 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 145 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 146 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 147 Ships at Bideford

  • 148 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 149 Six footed lamb

  • 150 New addition to Quay front

  • 151 Picking the pops

  • 152 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 154 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 155 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 156 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 158 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 159 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 160 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 161 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 162 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 163 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 164 Twenty-one yachts

  • 165 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 166 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 167 Picking the pops

  • 168 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 169 Hartland postman retires

  • 170 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 171 Just over a year old

  • 172 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 173 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 174 Clovelly custom

  • 175 Sight of a lifetime

  • 176 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 177 Waldon Triplets
  • 178 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 179 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 180

    Bidefordians
  • 181 Can spring be far away?

  • 182 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 183 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 184 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 185 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 186 Some mushroom!

  • 187 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 188 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 189

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 190 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 191 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 192 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 193

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 194 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 195 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 196 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 197 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 198 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 199 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 200 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 201 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 202 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 203 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 204

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 205 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 206 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 207 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 208 Bridging the stream

  • 209 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 210 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 211 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 212 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 213 Weare Giffard potato

  • 214 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 215 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 216 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 217 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 218 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 219 Riverside mystery

  • 220 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 221 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 222

    Was a missionary
  • 223 Pannier Market's future?

  • 224 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 225 New civic medallions

  • 226 They are parted pro-tem

  • 227 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 228 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 229 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 230 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 231 New art gallery opened

  • 232

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 233 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 234 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 235 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 236 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 237 Puppet characters introduced

  • 238 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 239 A roof-top view - where?

  • 240 New shipyard on schedule

  • 241 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 242 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 243 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 244 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 245 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 246 Northam's almshouse

  • 247 He beat the floods

  • 248 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 249 A story to tell!

  • 250

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 251 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 252 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 253 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 254 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 255 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 256 New life for Hartland organ

  • 257 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 258 Finished in 1876

  • 259 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 260 The Geneva marionettes

  • 261 The art of the thatcher

  • 262 School's link with cargo ship

  • 263 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 264 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 265 Police station view of Bideford

  • 266 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 267 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 268 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 269

    Married in 1908
  • 270

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 271 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 272 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 273 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 274

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 275 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 276 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 277 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 278 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 279 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 280 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 281 Mobile missionary

  • 282 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 283 Hartland Dancers
  • 284 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 285 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 286 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 287 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 288 Jumble sale fever

  • 289 Happy Days!

  • 290 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 291 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 292 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 293 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 294 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 295 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

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

  • 297

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 298 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 299 A bird of their own!

  • 300 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 301 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 302 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 303 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 304 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 305 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 306

    Building works
  • 307 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 308 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 309

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 310 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 311 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 312 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 313 Torrington's new amenity

  • 314 Torrington children build igloo
  • 315 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 317 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 318 A man and his wheel

  • 319 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 320 Artisans' Club

  • 321 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 322 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 323 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 325 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 326 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 327 What's the time?

  • 328 New look in the hayfields

  • 329 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 330 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 331 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 332 Hartland's invitation

  • 333 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 334 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 335 Littleham family's five generations

  • 336 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 337 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 338 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 339 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 340 Northam footballers of the future

  • 341 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 342 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 343

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 344 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 345 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 346 Warmington's garage ad

  • 347 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 348 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 349 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 350 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 351 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 352 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 353 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 355 From Bobby to Brian

  • 356

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 357

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 358 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 359 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 360 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 361 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 362

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 363 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 365 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 366 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 367 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 368 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 369 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 370 Loads of black and white

  • 371 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 372 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 373 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 374 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 375 First ship in 8 years

  • 376 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 377 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 378 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 379 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 380 Last train from Torrington

  • 381 Sweets derationing

  • 382 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 383 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 384 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 385 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 386

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 387 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 388 Burnard family reunion

  • 389 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 390 When horses score over the tractor

  • 391 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 392 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 393 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 394 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 395 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 396 All for the love of a lady!

  • 397 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 398 Private home for public pump

  • 399 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 400 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 401 Bideford computer stars

  • 402 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 403 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 404 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 405 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 406 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 407 New Lundy stamps

  • 408 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 409 Out of puff!

  • 410 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 411 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 412 Some 240 exhibits

  • 413 Bideford loses training ship

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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  • 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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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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Bideford's New Bowling Green 9.12.1947

Bideford's New Bowling Green 9.12.1947

Bidefords New Bowling Green 9.12.1947

Sport. The Mayor of Bideford laid the first sod of Cumberland turf on the new bowling green being constructed in the Victoria Park and it was hoped the green would be completed in March 1948 at a cost of £1,831. Cllrs FT Upton, WH Chubb, JH Sharley, JH Bright, Mr FC Backway, Ald FE Whiting, Messrs Maxwell Hart, Mr Dunlop

Presentation at Bideford Ladies' Bowling Club Dinner 30.3.1951

Presentation at Bideford Ladies' Bowling Club Dinner 30.3.1951 

Presentation at Bideford Ladies Bowling Club Dinner 30.3.1951

Sport. A shield was presented to Bideford Ladies' Bowling Club at a dinner held at the Rose of Torridge Cafe, on Wednesday March 21st. Arthur McTaggart Short, Edwin Short, Mrs AC Fulford, Mrs SF Jameson, Mrs SA Luxton

Work Begins on New H.Q. for Bideford R.F.C. 6.12.1968

Work Begins on New H.Q. for Bideford R.F.C. 6.12.1968

Work Begins on new H.Q. for Bideford R.F.C. 6.12.1968

Sport. Before the end of the present season Bideford Rugby Club will be enjoying the amenities of one of the finest rugby headquarters in the Westcountry. Work on their new £10,000 clubhouse began on Monday. Completion date is scheduled for March 14th.  Peter Adams, Messrs Reginald Gale and Jaquiss, R.Harris and Son Ltd

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