• 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 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 2 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 3 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 4 Traditions and skills still there

  • 5 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 7 Service with a smile

  • 8 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 9 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 10 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 11 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 12

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 13 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 14 Centenary of Gazette

  • 15 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 16 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 17 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 18 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 19 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 21 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 22 Life begins at 80

  • 23

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 24 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 25 New addition to Quay front

  • 26 Last train from Torrington

  • 27

    Married in 1908
  • 28 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 29 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 30 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 31 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 32 Hartland's invitation

  • 33

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 34

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 35 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 36 Waldon Triplets
  • 37 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 38 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 39 A roof-top view - where?

  • 40 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 41 Bideford regatta

  • 42 Happy Days!

  • 43 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 44 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 45 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 46 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 47 Some mushroom!

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

  • 49 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 50 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 51 New civic medallions

  • 52 New choral society's growing response

  • 53 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 54

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 55 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 56 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 57 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 58 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 59 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 60

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 61 Mobile missionary

  • 62 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 63 By pony and trap to market

  • 64 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 65 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 66 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 67

    Building works
  • 68 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 69 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 70 So this is the mainland!

  • 71 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 72 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 73 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 74 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 75 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 76 Cruising down the river

  • 77 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 78 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 79 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 80 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 81

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 82 Parkham plan realised

  • 83

    Bidefordians
  • 84 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 85

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 86 The art of the thatcher

  • 87 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 89 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 90 They are parted pro-tem

  • 91 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 92 New Post Office

  • 93 A bird of their own!

  • 94 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 95 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 96 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 97 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 98 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 99 Private home for public pump

  • 100 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 101 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 102 Twenty-one yachts

  • 103 End of the line

  • 104 Loads of black and white

  • 105 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 106 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 107 Torrington in 1967

  • 108 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 109 New art gallery opened

  • 110 New life for Hartland organ

  • 111 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 112 Northam footballers of the future

  • 113 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 114

    Exhibition of school work
  • 115 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 116 First ship in 8 years

  • 117 A story to tell!

  • 118 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 119 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 120 Jumble sale fever

  • 121 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 123 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 124 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 125 Sight of a lifetime

  • 126 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 127 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 128 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 129 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 130 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 131 Simple Item 138
  • 132 Off on a great adventure

  • 133 Finished in 1876

  • 134 Just over a year old

  • 135 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 137 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 138 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 139 Variety in summer weather

  • 140 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 141 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 142 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 143 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 144 It really was the 'last time'

  • 145

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 146 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 147 Penny for the guy

  • 148 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 149 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 150 113 years at Instow

  • 151 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 152 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 153 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 154 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 155 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 156 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 157 Clovelly nightmare

  • 158 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 159 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 160 Recognise this resort?

  • 161 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 162 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 163 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 164 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 166 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 167 Out of puff!

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

  • 169 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 170 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 171 For crying out loud!

  • 172 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 173 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 174 New Lundy stamps

  • 175 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 176 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 177 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 178 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 179 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 180 Six footed lamb

  • 181 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 182 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 183

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 184 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 185 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 186 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 187 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 188 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 189 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 190 Weare Giffard potato

  • 191 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 192 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 193 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 194 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 195 Bridging the stream

  • 196 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 197 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 198 Dismantling of wireless mast

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

  • 200

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 201

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 202 Hartland postman retires

  • 203 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 204 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 205

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 206 Riverside mystery

  • 207 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 208 He beat the floods

  • 209 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 210 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 211 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 212 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 213 A man and his wheel

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

  • 215 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 216 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 217 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 218 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 219 Police station view of Bideford

  • 220 When horses score over the tractor

  • 221 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 222 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 223 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 224 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 225 Revenge in style

  • 226 Devil sent packing

  • 227 Modern living at Bideford

  • 228 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 229 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 230 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 231

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 232 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 233 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 234 Appledore's largest

  • 235 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 236 Northam's almshouse

  • 237 School's link with cargo ship

  • 238 North Devon Driving School

  • 239 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 240 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 241 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 242 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 243 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 244 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 245 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 246 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 247 Littleham family's five generations

  • 248 All for the love of a lady!

  • 249 Capers on the cobbles

  • 250 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 251 Artisans' Club

  • 252

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 253 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 254 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 255 Circus comes to town

  • 256 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 257 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 258

    Relatives all over the world
  • 259 Ten year old scrambler

  • 260 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 261 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 262 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 263 Puppet characters introduced

  • 264 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 265 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 266 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 267 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 268 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 269 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 270 New look in the hayfields

  • 271 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 272 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 273 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 274 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 275 Picking the pops

  • 276 Some 240 exhibits

  • 277 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 278 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 279 What's the time?

  • 280 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 281 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 282

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 283 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 284 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 285 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 286 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 287 No laughing matter

  • 288 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 289 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 290

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 291 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 292 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 293 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 294

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 295 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 296 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 298 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 299 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 300 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 301 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 302 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 303 Torrington children build igloo
  • 304 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 305

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 306 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 307

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 308 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 309 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 310 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 311 Bideford loses training ship

  • 312 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 313 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 314 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 315 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 316 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 317 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 318 The Geneva marionettes

  • 319

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 320 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 321 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 322 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 323

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 324 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 325 Warmington's garage ad

  • 326 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 327 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 328 Clovelly custom

  • 329

    New gateway
  • 330 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 331 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 332 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 333 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 334 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 335 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 336

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 337 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 338 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 339 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 340

    Was a missionary
  • 341 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 342 New shipyard on schedule

  • 343 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 344 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 345 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 346 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 347 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 348 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 349 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 350 Decontrol of meat

  • 351 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 352 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 353 Picking the pops

  • 354

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 355 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 356

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 357 Emergency ferry services

  • 358 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 359 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 360 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 361 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 362 All aboard the ark

  • 363 Peter poses for TV film

  • 364 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 365 No sale of Springfield House

  • 366 In their new robes and hats

  • 367 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 368 Hartland Dancers
  • 369 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 370 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 371 Pannier Market's future?

  • 372 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 373 Burnard family reunion

  • 374 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 375 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 376 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 377 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 378 Can spring be far away?

  • 379 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 380

    First prize
  • 381 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 382 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 383 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 384 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 385 Bideford computer stars

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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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Miss Pat Ward goes on a Grand Tour in 1967

Grand tour left money to spare!

1967 Grand Tour

A Bideford girl and her friend who left this country two months ago taking little more than a small tent and two sleeping bags have just returned after having seen quite a bit of the world.
And each brought back a few pounds of her travel allowance.
Miss Pat Ward, daughter of Mr and Mrs T G Ward of Clovelly Road, Bideford, and an Old Girl of Edgehill College, and Miss Veronica Smith of London, having passed their final examinations as medical laboratory technicians, decided they had earned an extended holiday. They set out at the end of June travelling by sea to Lisbon. By hitch hiking and public transport they visited Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, then crossed to North Africa to Rabat and Casablanca. Back they came to Spain, and the South of France, and took boat to Corsica, Sardinia, South Italy, Corfu, Greece and Thassos. The homeward journey was via Yugoslavia, North Italy, Switzerland and France.

Bideford’s Health Centre to open next month - 1972

Bideford’s £127,000 health centre in Abbotsham Road, which will accommodate all the existing general practitioners in the town, is to open on October 2nd.

1972 Bideford Health Centre to open

It has nine consulting and examination suites and it will also accommodate the local health authority services, which will be transferred from the sub-standard clinic accommodation now in use in Coronation Road. In addition to accommodation for chiropodists, health visitors and the local authority doctor, there will be a health education room and facilities for ante-natal and child health sessions, cervical cytology, ophthalmic and speech therapy, and family planning advice.
The centre will also have a dental suite and rooms for an educational psychologist and an education welfare officer, as well as interview facilities for other departments.
The £127,000 cost includes furniture and equipment.
On the same day another centre is to be opened at Kingskerswell. Both have been designed by the County Architect, Mr Ben Thompson, and his staff and they bring to 32 the total provided by Devon County Council. This is more than any other local authority in the country.

Bideford's Regatta Queen in 1967

This year's (1967) Bideford Regatta Queen is 16 year old Ruth Portus, a laboratory technician at Bideford Dairies.

1967 Bideford Regatta Queen


Ruth, daughter of Mr and Mrs W Portus, 36 Clovelly Road, Bideford, was chosen last week at the Royal Hotel, Bideford. Judges were guests at the hotel - Mr and Mrs J Houghton of Billericay and Mr and Mrs Webster of Sheffield. She was invested with her sash of office at the London-Bidefordian Reunion dinner at the New Inn last Friday.

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