• 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 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 2 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 3 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 4 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 5 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 6 So this is the mainland!

  • 7 No sale of Springfield House

  • 8 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 9 What's the time?

  • 10 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 11 Pannier Market's future?

  • 12 A story to tell!

  • 13 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 14 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 15 Sweets derationing

  • 16 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 17

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 18 Warmington's garage ad

  • 19 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 20 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 21 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 22 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 23 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 24 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 25 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 26 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 27 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 28 Sight of a lifetime

  • 29 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 30 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 31 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 32 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 33

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 34 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 35 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 36 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 37

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 38 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 39 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 40 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 41 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 42 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 43 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 44 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 46 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 47 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 48 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 49

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 50 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 51 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 52 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 53 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 55 Twenty-one yachts

  • 56

    First prize
  • 57 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 58 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 59 School's link with cargo ship

  • 60 Last train from Torrington

  • 61 Waldon Triplets
  • 62 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 63 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 64 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 65 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 66 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 67 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 68 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 69 They are parted pro-tem

  • 70 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 72 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 73 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 74 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 75 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 76 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 77 Burnard family reunion

  • 78 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 79

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 80 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 81 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 82 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 83 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 84 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 85

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 86 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 87

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 88 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 89 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 90

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 91 All aboard the ark

  • 92 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 93 Traditions and skills still there

  • 94 Picking the pops

  • 95

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 96 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 97 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 98 Off on a great adventure

  • 99 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 100 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 101 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 102 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 103 Northam footballers of the future

  • 104 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 105 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 106 New Lundy stamps

  • 107 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 108 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 109 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 110

    Married in 1908
  • 111 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 112 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 113 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 114 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 115 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 116 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 117 Loads of black and white

  • 118 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 119 Bridging the stream

  • 120 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 121 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 122 End of the line

  • 123 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 124 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 125 Emergency ferry services

  • 126 Clovelly nightmare

  • 127 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 128 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 129 Penny for the guy

  • 130 Circus comes to town

  • 131 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 132

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 133 For crying out loud!

  • 134 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 135 No laughing matter

  • 136 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 137

    Relatives all over the world
  • 138 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 139 When horses score over the tractor

  • 140

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 141 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 142 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 143 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 144 Some 240 exhibits

  • 145 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 146 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 147 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 148 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 149 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 150 Peter poses for TV film

  • 151

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 152 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 153 Bideford computer stars

  • 154 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 155 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 156 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 157 Artisans' Club

  • 158 Bideford regatta

  • 159 Clovelly custom

  • 160 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 161 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 162 Just over a year old

  • 163 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 164 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 165 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 166 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 167 Finished in 1876

  • 168 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 169 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 170

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 171 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 172 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 173 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 174 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 175 A man and his wheel

  • 176 Riverside mystery

  • 177 Hartland postman retires

  • 178 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 179 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 180 Mobile missionary

  • 181 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 182 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 183 Modern living at Bideford

  • 184 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 185 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 186 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 187 Torrington in 1967

  • 188 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 189 Torrington children build igloo
  • 190 Police station view of Bideford

  • 191 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 192 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 193 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 194 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 195 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 196 Can spring be far away?

  • 197 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 198 He beat the floods

  • 199 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 200 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 201 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 202 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 203 Hartland's invitation

  • 204 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 205 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 206 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 207 North Devon Driving School

  • 208 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 209 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 211 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 212 Torrington's new amenity

  • 213 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 214 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 215 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 216 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 218 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 219 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 220 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 221 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 222 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 223 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 224 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 225 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 226

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 227

    New gateway
  • 228 The art of the thatcher

  • 229 Littleham family's five generations

  • 230 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 231

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 232 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 233 First ship in 8 years

  • 234 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 235 Picking the pops

  • 236 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 237 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 238

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 239

    Building works
  • 240 Filming at Hartland

  • 241 School crossing patrol begins

  • 242 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 243 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 244 Simple Item 138
  • 245 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 246 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 247 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 248 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 249 Capers on the cobbles

  • 250 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 251

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 252 Ten year old scrambler

  • 253

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 254 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 255 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 256 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 257 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 258 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 260 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 261 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 262 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 263 New shipyard on schedule

  • 264 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 265 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 266

    Bidefordians
  • 267 Jumble sale fever

  • 268 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 269 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 270 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 271 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 272 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 273 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 274 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 275

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 276 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 277 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 278 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 279 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 280 Out of puff!

  • 281 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 282 From Bobby to Brian

  • 283 Revenge in style

  • 284 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 285 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 286 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 287 Northam's almshouse

  • 288 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 289 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 291

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 292 Life begins at 80

  • 293 Cruising down the river

  • 294 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 295 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 296

    Exhibition of school work
  • 297 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 298 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 299 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 301 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 302 New civic medallions

  • 303 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 304 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 305 Devil sent packing

  • 306 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 307 113 years at Instow

  • 308 By pony and trap to market

  • 309 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 310 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 311 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 312 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 313 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 314 Bideford loses training ship

  • 315 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 316 Decontrol of meat

  • 317

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 318 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 319 Hartland Dancers
  • 320 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 321

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 322 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 323 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 324 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 325 A roof-top view - where?

  • 326 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 327 The cab at the corner>
  • 328 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 329 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 330 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 331 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 332 A bird of their own!

  • 333 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 334 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 335 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 336 Variety in summer weather

  • 337 Private home for public pump

  • 338 New addition to Quay front

  • 339 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 341 New life for Hartland organ

  • 342 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 343 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 344 Puppet characters introduced

  • 345 Ships at Bideford

  • 346 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 347 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 348 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 349 New choral society's growing response

  • 350

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 351 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 352 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 353 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 354 Appledore's largest

  • 355 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 356 In their new robes and hats

  • 357 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 358 Service with a smile

  • 359

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 360 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 361 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 362 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 363 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 364 Parkham plan realised

  • 365 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 366 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 367 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 368 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 369 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 370 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 371 It really was the 'last time'

  • 372 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 373

    Was a missionary
  • 374 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 375 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 376 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 377 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 378 Happy Days!

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

  • 380 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 381 New Post Office

  • 382 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 383 Six footed lamb

  • 384 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 385 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 386 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 387 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 389 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 390 Some mushroom!

  • 391 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 392 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 393 Recognise this resort?

  • 394 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 395 New art gallery opened

  • 396 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 397 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 398 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 399 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 400 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 401 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 402 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 404 All for the love of a lady!

  • 405 New look in the hayfields

  • 406 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 407 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 408 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 409

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 410 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 411 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 412 Weare Giffard potato

  • 413 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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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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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