• 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 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 2 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 3 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 4 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 5 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 6 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 7 New addition to Quay front

  • 8 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 9

    Exhibition of school work
  • 10 Modern living at Bideford

  • 11 Burnard family reunion

  • 12 Ten year old scrambler

  • 13

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 14 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 15 Life begins at 80

  • 16 Littleham family's five generations

  • 17 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 18 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 19

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 20 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 21 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 22 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 23 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 24 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 25 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 26 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 27 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 28 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 29 School's link with cargo ship

  • 30 It really was the 'last time'

  • 31

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 32 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 33 Revenge in style

  • 34 Meredith's ironmongers

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

  • 36 Traditions and skills still there

  • 37 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 38 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 39 Artisans' Club

  • 40 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 41 Parkham plan realised

  • 42 Centenary of Gazette

  • 43 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 44 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 45 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 46 Off on a great adventure

  • 47 School crossing patrol begins

  • 48 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 49 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 50 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 52 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 53 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 54 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 55 Bideford regatta

  • 56 Recognise this resort?

  • 57

    Bidefordians
  • 58 No laughing matter

  • 59

    Building works
  • 60 New art gallery opened

  • 61

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 62 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 63 Capers on the cobbles

  • 64 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 65 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 66 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 67 Some mushroom!

  • 68 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 69 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 71 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 72 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 73 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 74

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 75 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 76 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 77

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 78 Twenty-one yachts

  • 79 They are parted pro-tem

  • 80 Six footed lamb

  • 81 New look in the hayfields

  • 82

    Was a missionary
  • 83 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 84 Bideford computer stars

  • 85 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 86 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 87 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 88

    New gateway
  • 89 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 90 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 91

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 92 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 93 New civic medallions

  • 94 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 95 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 96 Private home for public pump

  • 97 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 98 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 99 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 100 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 101 Bridging the stream

  • 102

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 103 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 104 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 105 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 106 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 107

    First prize
  • 108 Circus comes to town

  • 109 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 110

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 111 Just over a year old

  • 112 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 113 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 114 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 115 113 years at Instow

  • 116 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 117 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 118 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 119 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 120 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 121 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 122 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 123 Police station view of Bideford

  • 124 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 125 Torrington's new amenity

  • 126 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 127 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 128 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 129 Sight of a lifetime

  • 130 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 131 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 133 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 134 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 135 Hartland's invitation

  • 136 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 137 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 138 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 139

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 140 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 141 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 142 Clovelly nightmare

  • 143 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 144 First ship in 8 years

  • 145 Out of puff!

  • 146 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 147 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 148 Penny for the guy

  • 149 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 150 Torrington children build igloo
  • 151 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 152 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 153 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 154 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 155 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 156 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 157 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 158 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 159 So this is the mainland!

  • 160 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 161 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 162 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 163 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 164 The cab at the corner>
  • 165 Puppet characters introduced

  • 166 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 167 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 169 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 170 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 171 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 172 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 173 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 174 All for the love of a lady!

  • 175 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 176 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 177 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 178 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 179 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 180 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 181 Filming at Hartland

  • 182 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 183

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 184 He beat the floods

  • 185 What's the time?

  • 186 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 187 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 188 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 189 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 190 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 191 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 192 All aboard the ark

  • 193 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 194 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 195 Weare Giffard potato

  • 196 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 197 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 198 Hartland postman retires

  • 199 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 200

    Married in 1908
  • 201 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 202 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 203 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 204 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 205

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 206 A bird of their own!

  • 207 When horses score over the tractor

  • 208 Northam's almshouse

  • 209 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 210 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 211

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 212 In their new robes and hats

  • 213 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 214 Pannier Market's future?

  • 215 Loads of black and white

  • 216 North Devon Driving School

  • 217 Simple Item 138
  • 218 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 219 Sweets derationing

  • 220 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 221 Jumble sale fever

  • 222 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 223 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 224 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 225 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 226 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 227 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 228 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 229 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 231 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 232 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 233 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 234 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 235 Can spring be far away?

  • 236 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 237 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 238 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 239 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 240 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 241 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 242

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 243 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 244 From Bobby to Brian

  • 245 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 246

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 247 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 248 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 249 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 250 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 251 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 252 Happy Days!

  • 253 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 254 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 255 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 256

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 257

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 258 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 259 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 260 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 261 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 262 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 263 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 264 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 265 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 266 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 267 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 268

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 269 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 270 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 271 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 272 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 273 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 274 For crying out loud!

  • 275 Service with a smile

  • 276 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 277 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 278 Variety in summer weather

  • 279 Decontrol of meat

  • 280 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 281 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 282 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 283 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 284 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 285 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 286 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 287 Picking the pops

  • 288 By pony and trap to market

  • 289 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 290 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 291 Picking the pops

  • 292 A story to tell!

  • 293

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 294 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 295 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 296 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 297 Bideford loses training ship

  • 298 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 299 Finished in 1876

  • 300 The Geneva marionettes

  • 301 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 302 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 304 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 305 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 306 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 307 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 308 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 309 Northam footballers of the future

  • 310 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 311 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 312 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 313 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 315 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 316 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 317 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 318 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 319 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 320 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 321

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 322 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 323 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 324

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 325 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 326 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 327 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 328 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 329 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 330 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 331 Clovelly custom

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

  • 333 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 334 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 335 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 336 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 337 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 338 A man and his wheel

  • 339 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 340 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 341 Devil sent packing

  • 342 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 343 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 344 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 345 End of the line

  • 346 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 347 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 348 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 349 New choral society's growing response

  • 350 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 351

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 352 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 353 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 354 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 356 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 357 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 358 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 359 Warmington's garage ad

  • 360 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 361 New life for Hartland organ

  • 362 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 363 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 364 Ships at Bideford

  • 365 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 366 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 367 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 368 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 369

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 370 Riverside mystery

  • 371 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 372 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 373 Waldon Triplets
  • 374 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 375 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 377

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 378 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 379 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 380 A roof-top view - where?

  • 381 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 382 The art of the thatcher

  • 383 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 384 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 385 Last train from Torrington

  • 386 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 387 Cruising down the river

  • 388 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 389 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 390 Hartland Dancers
  • 391 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 392 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 393 New Post Office

  • 394 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 395 No sale of Springfield House

  • 396 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 397 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 398 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 399 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 400 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 401 New Lundy stamps

  • 402 Mobile missionary

  • 403 Peter poses for TV film

  • 404 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 405 Appledore's largest

  • 406 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 407 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 408

    Relatives all over the world
  • 409 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 410

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 411 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 412 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 413 Landmark at Bradworthy

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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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.

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