• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 No sale of Springfield House

  • 2 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 3 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 4 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 5 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 6 School crossing patrol begins

  • 7 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 8 Some 240 exhibits

  • 9 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 10 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 11 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 12 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 13 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 14 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 15 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 16 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 17 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 18 Can spring be far away?

  • 19 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 20 No laughing matter

  • 21 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 22

    Married in 1908
  • 23 Centenary of Gazette

  • 24 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 25 Private home for public pump

  • 26 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 27 Ten year old scrambler

  • 28 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 29 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 30 Hartland's invitation

  • 31 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 32 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 33 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 34 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 36 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 37 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 38 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 39 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 40 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 41 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 42 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 43 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 44

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 45 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 47 All aboard the ark

  • 48 Puppet characters introduced

  • 49 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 50 Littleham family's five generations

  • 51 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 53 New civic medallions

  • 54 Simple Item 138
  • 55 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 56 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 57 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 58 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 59 Torrington's new amenity

  • 60 Northam footballers of the future

  • 61 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 62 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 63 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 64

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

  • 66 Six footed lamb

  • 67 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 68 Out of puff!

  • 69 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 70 New Lundy stamps

  • 71 Circus comes to town

  • 72 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 73 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 74

    New gateway
  • 75 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 76 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 77 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 78 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 79 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 80 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 81 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 82 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 83 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 84

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 85 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 86 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 87 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 88 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 89 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 90 Loads of black and white

  • 91 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 93 Decontrol of meat

  • 94 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 95 End of the line

  • 96

    Relatives all over the world
  • 97 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 98 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 99 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 100 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 101 Last train from Torrington

  • 102 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 103 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 104 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 105 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 106 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 107 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 108 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 109 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 110 School's link with cargo ship

  • 111 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 112 New addition to Quay front

  • 113 Burnard family reunion

  • 114

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 115 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 116 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 117 North Devon Driving School

  • 118 All for the love of a lady!

  • 119 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 120 Bideford regatta

  • 121 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 122 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 123 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 124 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 125 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 127 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 128 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 129 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 130

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 131 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 132 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 133

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 134 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 135 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 136 Jumble sale fever

  • 137 New art gallery opened

  • 138 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 139 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 140 113 years at Instow

  • 141 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 143 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 144 Weare Giffard potato

  • 145 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 146 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 147 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 148 Hartland Dancers
  • 149 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 150 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 151 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 152 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 153 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 155 Riverside mystery

  • 156

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 157 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 158 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 159 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 160 Picking the pops

  • 161 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 162 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 163 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 164 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 165 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 166 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 167 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 168 So this is the mainland!

  • 169 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 170 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 171 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 172 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 173 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 174 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 175 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 176 Revenge in style

  • 177 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 178 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 179 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 180 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 181 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 182

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 183 A story to tell!

  • 184 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 185 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 186 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 187 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 188 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 189 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 190 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 191 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 192 Torrington in 1967

  • 193 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 194 Penny for the guy

  • 195 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 196 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 197 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 198 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 199 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 200 What's the time?

  • 201 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 202 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 203 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 205

    Exhibition of school work
  • 206 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 207

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 208 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 209

    Bidefordians
  • 210 Police station view of Bideford

  • 211 When horses score over the tractor

  • 212 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 213 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 214

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 215 Parkham plan realised

  • 216 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 217 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 218 For crying out loud!

  • 219 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 220 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 221 Finished in 1876

  • 222 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 223 Ships at Bideford

  • 224 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 225 In their new robes and hats

  • 226 The Geneva marionettes

  • 227

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 228 He beat the floods

  • 229 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 230 Off on a great adventure

  • 231 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 232 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 233 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 234

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 235 Just over a year old

  • 236

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 237 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 238 Artisans' Club

  • 239 New look in the hayfields

  • 240 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 241 New shipyard on schedule

  • 242 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 243 Northam's almshouse

  • 244 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 245 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 246 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 247 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 248 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 249 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 250 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 251

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 252 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 253 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 254 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 255 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 256 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 257

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 258 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 259

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 260 Capers on the cobbles

  • 261 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 262

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 263 Bideford loses training ship

  • 264 Cruising down the river

  • 265 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 266 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 267 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 268 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 269

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 270 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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

  • 272 Torrington children build igloo
  • 273 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 274 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 275 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 276

    First prize
  • 277 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 278 Devil sent packing

  • 279 Peter poses for TV film

  • 280 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 281 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 282 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 283 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 284 New Post Office

  • 285 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 286 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 287 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 288 Fishermen of Greencliff

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

  • 290 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 291 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 292 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 293 Clovelly custom

  • 294 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 295 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 296 Picking the pops

  • 297 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 298 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 299 Life begins at 80

  • 300 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 301 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 302 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 303

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 304 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 305 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 306 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 307 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 308 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 309 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 310

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 311 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 312 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 313 Hartland postman retires

  • 314 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 315 First ship in 8 years

  • 316 Some mushroom!

  • 317 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 318

    Was a missionary
  • 319 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 320 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 321 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 322 Traditions and skills still there

  • 323 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 324 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 325 Appledore's largest

  • 326 Recognise this resort?

  • 327 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 328 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 329 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 330 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 331 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 332 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 333

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 334 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 335 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 336 Pannier Market's future?

  • 337 A bird of their own!

  • 338 Service with a smile

  • 339 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 340 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 341 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 342 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 343

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 344 Warmington's garage ad

  • 345 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 346 Clovelly nightmare

  • 347 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 348 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 350 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 351 It really was the 'last time'

  • 352 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 353

    Building works
  • 354 Waldon Triplets
  • 355 Emergency ferry services

  • 356 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 357 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 358 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 359 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 360 A man and his wheel

  • 361 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 362 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 363 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 364 Twenty-one yachts

  • 365 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 367 Bridging the stream

  • 368 Happy Days!

  • 369 A roof-top view - where?

  • 370 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 371 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 372 New choral society's growing response

  • 373 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 374

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 375 Modern living at Bideford

  • 376 New life for Hartland organ

  • 377

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 378 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 379 By pony and trap to market

  • 380 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 381 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 382 Sight of a lifetime

  • 383 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 384

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 385 The art of the thatcher

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Blackmore's Diamond Wedding - 1965

Blackmore's Diamond Wedding - 20th April 1965

15.10.1965 Blackmore diamond wedding
15.10.1965 Blackmore diamond wedding
 

Bideford Veteran Sportsman's Diamond Wedding

William Blackmore first began to date Florence Lee after Sunday evening service at Bideford Parish Church. On Tuesday, Mr and Mrs Blackmore of 20 Rockmount Terrace, Pitt Lane, Bideford, celebrated their diamond wedding.
Mr Blackmore has always been a sportsman. He rowed for Bideford Reds before the first world war. Rugby also claimed his athletic attention, for some years he played for Bideford Scarlets at Sentry Corner. With advancing years, Mr Blackmore took to bowling, and it remains his main sporting interest.
Mr Blackmore spent the whole of his working life in the building trade. For over 30 years he was foreman with Messrs H Glover and Sons, of Bideford and also worked with Messrs Stacey's. One of the buildings he helped construct was High Street Methodist Church. For 18 years Mr Blackmore was a fireman in the town brigade.
Mr and Mrs Blackmore have a family of four - Messres Arthur, John and Alan Blackmore, and Mrs Freda Cross. There are three grandchildren.

Free Men - 1971

Free Men - 17th December 1971

17.12.1971 Free men
 

Five More Honorary Freemen of Bideford

Bideford will have five more honorary freemen if a unanimous recommendation of the Town Council's General Purpose Committee is adopted by the Council.
They are Col Sir Michael Ansell, Ald. Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood, Mr Harold Blackmore, Ald. P J V Fulford and Dr I H Hewetson.

Local Wills

Local Wills - 4th March 1977

4.3.1977 Wills
 

Kate Hewson Bate, 13 Park Avenue, Bideford, who died in August, left £5,213 gross, net the same.
Winifred Alice Jarvis, of 58 Yelland Road, Yelland, who died in December, left £16,979 gross, £16,744 net.
Ada Caroline Jutte, of Castle House Nursing Home, Torrington, who died in December, left £16,370 gross, £15,915 net.
Mary Hannah Gibbons, Silver Threads, Instow, who died in December, left £8,908 gross, £8,728 net.

  • 1

Login Form