• 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 Centenary of Gazette

  • 2 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 3 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 4 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 5 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 6 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 7 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 8 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 9 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 10

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 11 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 12 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 13 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 14 Northam's almshouse

  • 15 Bideford computer stars

  • 16 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 17 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 18 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 19 Weare Giffard potato

  • 20 Last train from Torrington

  • 21 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 22 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 23 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 24 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 25 Jumble sale fever

  • 26 Six footed lamb

  • 27 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 28 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 29 New civic medallions

  • 30 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 31 Emergency ferry services

  • 32 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 33 New life for Hartland organ

  • 34 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 35 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 36 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 37 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 38 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 39 New art gallery opened

  • 40 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 41 Clovelly custom

  • 42 Riverside mystery

  • 43 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 45

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 46 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 47 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 48 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 49 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 50 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 51 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 52 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 53 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 54 When horses score over the tractor

  • 55 Life begins at 80

  • 56 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 57 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 58 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 59 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 60 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 61 Cruising down the river

  • 62

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 63 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 64 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 65 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 66 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 67 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 68 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 69 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 70

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 71 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 72 Simple Item 138
  • 73

    Exhibition of school work
  • 74

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 75 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 76 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 77

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 78 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 80

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 81 Happy Days!

  • 82 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 83 School crossing patrol begins

  • 84 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 85 No laughing matter

  • 86 Hartland's invitation

  • 87 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 88 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 89 No sale of Springfield House

  • 90 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 91 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 92 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 93 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 94 Twenty-one yachts

  • 95 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 96 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 97 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 98 New look in the hayfields

  • 99 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 100 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 102 Artisans' Club

  • 103 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 104 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 105 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 106 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 107

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 108 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 109 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 110 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 111

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 112 A man and his wheel

  • 113 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 114 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 115 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 116 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 117 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 118 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 119 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 120 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 121 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 122 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 123 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 124 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 125 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 126 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 127 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 128 The Geneva marionettes

  • 129 North Devon Driving School

  • 130 Bideford loses training ship

  • 131 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 132 Sight of a lifetime

  • 133 Revenge in style

  • 134 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 135 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 136 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 137 Some 240 exhibits

  • 138 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 139 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 140 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 141 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 142 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 143 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 144 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 145 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 146 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 147 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 148

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 149 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 150 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 151

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 152 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 153 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 154 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 156 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 157 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 158 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 159 113 years at Instow

  • 160 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 161 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 162 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 163 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 164 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 165 Capers on the cobbles

  • 166

    Relatives all over the world
  • 167 Bridging the stream

  • 168 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 169 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 170 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 171 By pony and trap to market

  • 172

    Building works
  • 173 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 174

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 175 Torrington in 1967

  • 176

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 177 Devil sent packing

  • 178 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 179 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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

  • 181

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 182 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 183 Parkham plan realised

  • 184

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 185 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 186

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 187 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 188

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 189 Out of puff!

  • 190 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 191 Northam footballers of the future

  • 192 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 193 Torrington children build igloo
  • 194 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 195 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 196 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 197 Peter poses for TV film

  • 198 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 199 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 200 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 201 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 202 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 203 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 204 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 205 Waldon Triplets
  • 206 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 207 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 208 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 209 Littleham family's five generations

  • 210

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 211 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 212 All for the love of a lady!

  • 213 Just over a year old

  • 214 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 215 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 216 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 217 Appledore's largest

  • 218 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 219 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 220 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 221 New Post Office

  • 222 A story to tell!

  • 223 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 224 Picking the pops

  • 225 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 226 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 227 Ships at Bideford

  • 228 School's link with cargo ship

  • 229 Torrington's new amenity

  • 230 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 231 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 232 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 233 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 234 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 235 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 236 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 237 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 238 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 239 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 240 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 241 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 242 New shipyard on schedule

  • 243 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 244 Bideford regatta

  • 245 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 246 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 247 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

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

  • 250

    Bidefordians
  • 251 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 252 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 253 Penny for the guy

  • 254 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 255 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 256 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 257 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 259 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 261 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 262 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 263 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 264 Loads of black and white

  • 265

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 266 What's the time?

  • 267 Can spring be far away?

  • 268 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 269 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 270 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 271 In their new robes and hats

  • 272 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 273 Burnard family reunion

  • 274 So this is the mainland!

  • 275 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 276 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 277 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 278 They are parted pro-tem

  • 279 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 280 For crying out loud!

  • 281 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 282 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 283 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 284 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 285 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 286 A bird of their own!

  • 287 Decontrol of meat

  • 288 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 289 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 290 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 291 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 292 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 293 Modern living at Bideford

  • 294 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 295 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 296 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 297 Private home for public pump

  • 298 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 299 Service with a smile

  • 300 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 301

    First prize
  • 302 All aboard the ark

  • 303 Hartland postman retires

  • 304 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 305 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 306 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 309 End of the line

  • 310 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 311

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 312 Picking the pops

  • 313 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 314 Recognise this resort?

  • 315

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 316

    Was a missionary
  • 317 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 318 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 319 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 320 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 321 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 322 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 323 New Lundy stamps

  • 324 Mobile missionary

  • 325 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 326

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 327 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 328 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 329 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 330 Traditions and skills still there

  • 331 Pannier Market's future?

  • 332 A roof-top view - where?

  • 333 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 334 The art of the thatcher

  • 335 New choral society's growing response

  • 336 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 337 New addition to Quay front

  • 338 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 340 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 341 Hartland Dancers
  • 342 Finished in 1876

  • 343 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 344 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 345 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 346

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 347 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 348 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 349 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 350 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 351 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 352 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 353 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 354 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 355

    Married in 1908
  • 356 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 357 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 358

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 359 He beat the floods

  • 360 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 361 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 362 Some mushroom!

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

  • 364 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 365 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 366 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 367 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 369 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 370 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 371 Puppet characters introduced

  • 372 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 373 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 374 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 375 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 376 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 377 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 378 Variety in summer weather

  • 379 Circus comes to town

  • 380 Warmington's garage ad

  • 381 First ship in 8 years

  • 382 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 383 Off on a great adventure

  • 384

    New gateway
  • 385 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

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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  • 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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  • 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 Bridging Needs Petition

Bideford’s Bridging Needs Petition - February 1968

Bideford’s Bridging Needs Petition
 

On 23 February 1968, the Gazette published a picture of County Councillor Mrs Vivian Patt, accompanied by Mrs Kitty Blackmore, handing a petition about Bideford’s bridging needs to Mr Peter Mills. Over 15,000 signatures had been collected for the petition which went to the Minister of Transport.

 

Bideford Plumber Wins Holiday Prize

Bideford Plumber Wins Holiday Prize - February 1968

Bideford Plumber Wins Holiday Prize
 

Unsure what prize he had won from Nibco Ltd until being called on stage by the compere at the presentation dinner, Mr W Grant, a plumber from Bideford, won an eight-day holiday, by jet, to Majorca. Mr and Mrs Grant live in Meddon Street, Bideford.

 

Wedding of Kenneth Hocking, 1968

Wedding of Kenneth Hocking & Jennifer Rundle - February 1968

Wedding of Kenneth Hocking, 1968
 

In the Gazette on 16 February 1968, there’s a picture and article about the wedding of Mr Kenneth John Hocking of Bideford and Miss Jennifer Rundle from Northam. The wedding cake, made by the bride’s aunt, was decorated with 21 candles as the bride was also celebrating her 21st birthday. The bridesmaids, Misses Dawn Partridge and Ann Govier, wore white velvet dresses with red velvet trimming, and the pageboy, Jeremy Tolley, wore red velvet trousers and waistcoat. After a reception at the Durrant House Hotel, Mr and Mrs Hocking travelled to London for their honeymoon.

 
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