• 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 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 2 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 3 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 4 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 5 Clovelly custom

  • 6 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 7 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 8 Hartland Dancers
  • 9 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 11 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 12 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 13 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 14 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 15 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 16 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 17 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 18

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 19 New addition to Quay front

  • 20 New civic medallions

  • 21 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 22 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 23 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 24 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 25 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 26 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 27 The art of the thatcher

  • 28 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 29 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 30 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 31 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 32 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 33 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 34 The Geneva marionettes

  • 35

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 36 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 37 Twenty-one yachts

  • 38 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 39 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 40 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 41 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 42

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 43 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 44 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 45 A bird of their own!

  • 46

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 47 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 48 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 49 Mobile missionary

  • 50 No laughing matter

  • 51 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 52 Northam footballers of the future

  • 53 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 54 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 55 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 56

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 57 Centenary of Gazette

  • 58 Picking the pops

  • 59 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 60 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 61 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 62 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 63 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 64 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 65 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 66 Ships at Bideford

  • 67 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 69 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 70 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 71 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 72 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 73 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 74 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 75

    Building works
  • 76 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 77 Service with a smile

  • 78 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 79 A story to tell!

  • 80 Capers on the cobbles

  • 81 Devil sent packing

  • 82 North Devon Driving School

  • 83 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 84 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 85 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 86

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 87

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 88 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 89 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 90 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 91 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 92 End of the line

  • 93 Emergency ferry services

  • 94 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 95 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 96 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 97 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 98 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 99 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 100

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 101 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 102 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 103 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 104 Six footed lamb

  • 105 Warmington's garage ad

  • 106 A roof-top view - where?

  • 107 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 108 By pony and trap to market

  • 109 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 110 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 111 New look in the hayfields

  • 112 Clovelly nightmare

  • 113 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 114

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 115 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 116 Dismantling of wireless mast

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

  • 118 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 119 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 120 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 121

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 122 Cruising down the river

  • 123 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 124 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 125

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 126 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 127 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 128 113 years at Instow

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

  • 130 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 131 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 132 New life for Hartland organ

  • 133 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 134 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 135 They are parted pro-tem

  • 136 Private home for public pump

  • 137 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 138 Weare Giffard potato

  • 139 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 140 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 141 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 142 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 143 Life begins at 80

  • 144 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 145 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 146 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 147 Riverside mystery

  • 148

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 149 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 150 Happy Days!

  • 151 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 152 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 153 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 154 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 155 Penny for the guy

  • 156

    Relatives all over the world
  • 157 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 159 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 160 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 161 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 162 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 163 Revenge in style

  • 164 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 165 Appledore's largest

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

  • 167 Torrington in 1967

  • 168 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 169 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 170 Decontrol of meat

  • 171 Finished in 1876

  • 172 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 173 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 174 Off on a great adventure

  • 175 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 176 Waldon Triplets
  • 177

    Bidefordians
  • 178 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 179 Artisans' Club

  • 180 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 182 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 183 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 184 In their new robes and hats

  • 185

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 186 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 187 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 188 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 189 Littleham family's five generations

  • 190 School's link with cargo ship

  • 191 Simple Item 138
  • 192 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 193 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 194 Torrington children build igloo
  • 195 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 196 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 197 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 198 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 199 Traditions and skills still there

  • 200 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 201 Just over a year old

  • 202 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 203 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 204 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 205 No sale of Springfield House

  • 206 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 207 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 208 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 209 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 210 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 211 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 212 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 213

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 214 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 215 Hartland postman retires

  • 216 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 217

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 218 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 219 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 220 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 221 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 222 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 223 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 224 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 225 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 226 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 227 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 228 Some mushroom!

  • 229 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 230 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 231 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 232 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 233 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 234 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 235 All aboard the ark

  • 236 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 237 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 239 Recognise this resort?

  • 240 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 241 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 242

    Exhibition of school work
  • 243 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 244 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 245 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 246 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 247 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 248 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 249 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 250 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 251 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 252 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 253 Parkham plan realised

  • 254 School crossing patrol begins

  • 255 Pannier Market's future?

  • 256 When horses score over the tractor

  • 257 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 258 Can spring be far away?

  • 259 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 260

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 261

    Was a missionary
  • 262 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 263 Bideford regatta

  • 264 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 266 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 267 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 268 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 269 Jumble sale fever

  • 270

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 271 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 272 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 273 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 274 Variety in summer weather

  • 275 Last train from Torrington

  • 276 First ship in 8 years

  • 277 Picking the pops

  • 278

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 279 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 280 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 281 Bridging the stream

  • 282 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 283 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 284 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 285 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 286 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 287

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 288 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 289 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 290

    First prize
  • 291 Sight of a lifetime

  • 292

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 293 Puppet characters introduced

  • 294

    New gateway
  • 295 Loads of black and white

  • 296

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 297 Torrington's new amenity

  • 298 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 299 New shipyard on schedule

  • 300 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 301 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 302 Northam's almshouse

  • 303 Ten year old scrambler

  • 304 Burnard family reunion

  • 305 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 306 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 307 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 308 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 309 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 310 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 311 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 312 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 313 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 314 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 315 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 316 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 317 Police station view of Bideford

  • 318 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 319 What's the time?

  • 320 Modern living at Bideford

  • 321 Bideford computer stars

  • 322 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 323 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 324 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 325 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 326 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 327 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 328 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 329 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 331 Bideford loses training ship

  • 332 For crying out loud!

  • 333 A man and his wheel

  • 334 New choral society's growing response

  • 335 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 336 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 337

    Married in 1908
  • 338 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 339 New Lundy stamps

  • 340 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 341 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 342 Some 240 exhibits

  • 343 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 344

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 345 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 346 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 347 Out of puff!

  • 348 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 349 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 350 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 351 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 352 Peter poses for TV film

  • 353 It really was the 'last time'

  • 354 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 355

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 356 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 357

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 358 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 359 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 360 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 361 New Post Office

  • 362 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 363 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 364 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 365 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 366 Hartland's invitation

  • 367 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 368 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 369 All for the love of a lady!

  • 370 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 371 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 372 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 373 He beat the floods

  • 374 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 375 New art gallery opened

  • 376 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 377 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 378 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 379 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 380 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 381

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 382 So this is the mainland!

  • 383 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 384 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 385 Circus comes to town

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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Marriage of Lang and Stevens

Marriage of Blake and Stevens

Marriage of Blake and Stevens 1945

 

Marriage of David Charles Blake Lang RAF son of Mr F G Lang and late Mrs Lang of Old Town Bideford, and Miss Daphne Grace Stevens daughter of Mr and Mrs J Stevens of Westward Ho! Rev T E Clarke officiated. Best Man was Frank Babb

Mr French awarded Degree

Mr French awarded Degree

10.2.1967 Alan French

Mr Alan French, 25 , son of Mr & Mrs SJ French of 3 Union Street Bideford awarded Master of Letters Degree at University of Bristol. Old boy of Bideford Grammar School. Dip Ed Exeter University.

Where Bideford rope makers walked

Where Bideford rope makers walked

Where Bideford rope makers walked

WHERE BIDEFORD ROPE-MAKERS WALKED

From the above photograph most readers will immediately recognise the Strand but fewer will recall the wooden posts which formed part of the extension to 'Rope' Walk which ran from the foreground of the picture back past the bottom of Chingswell Street, across the bottom of Willett Street to the Quay end of Bridgeland Street.
The ancient and principal ropewalk in Bideford, where ropes were made by hand, was owned from very early times by the Wren family, and later was acquired by Mr H M Restarick. It extended from the bottom of Bridgeland Street to the farther end of the Strand, shown above, and was covered by a slight roof for a distance of about 160 yards, measuring from the Bridgeland Street end, where the machine, which was worked by hand, was placed.

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