• 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 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 2 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 3 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 5

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 6 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 7 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 8 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 9 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 10 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 11 Out of puff!

  • 12 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 13 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 14 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 15 Hartland's invitation

  • 16 All for the love of a lady!

  • 17 School's link with cargo ship

  • 18

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 19 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 20 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 21 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 22 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 23

    Exhibition of school work
  • 24 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 25 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 26 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 27 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 29

    First prize
  • 30 What's the time?

  • 31 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 32 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 34 Just over a year old

  • 35 Off on a great adventure

  • 36 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 37 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 38 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 39 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 40 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 41 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 42 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 43 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 44 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 45 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 46 New look in the hayfields

  • 47 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 48 Appledore's largest

  • 49 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 50 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 51 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 52 The art of the thatcher

  • 53 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 54 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 55 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 56 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 57 Variety in summer weather

  • 58

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 59 Picking the pops

  • 60

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 61

    Relatives all over the world
  • 62 A story to tell!

  • 63 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 64 Recognise this resort?

  • 65 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 66 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 67 Some mushroom!

  • 68 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 69 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 70 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 71 Decontrol of meat

  • 72 Northam footballers of the future

  • 73 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 74 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 75

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 76 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 77

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 78 Life begins at 80

  • 79 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 80 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 81

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 82 Twenty-one yachts

  • 83

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 84 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 85 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 86 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 87 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 88 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 89 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 90 Picking the pops

  • 91 So this is the mainland!

  • 92 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 93 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 94 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 95 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 96

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 97 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 98 Six footed lamb

  • 99 Clovelly custom

  • 100 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 101 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 102 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 103 He beat the floods

  • 104 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 105 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 106 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 107 Jumble sale fever

  • 108 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 109 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 110 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 111 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 112 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 113 New shipyard on schedule

  • 114 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 116 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 117

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 118 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 119 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 120 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 121

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 122 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 123 Private home for public pump

  • 124 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 125 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 126 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 127

    Was a missionary
  • 128 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 129 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 130 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 131 New civic medallions

  • 132 Waldon Triplets
  • 133 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 135 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 136 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 138 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 139 All aboard the ark

  • 140 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 141 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 142 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 143 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 144 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 145

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 146 Riverside mystery

  • 147 Hartland postman retires

  • 148

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 149

    Building works
  • 150 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 151 By pony and trap to market

  • 152 Torrington's new amenity

  • 153 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 154 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 155 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 156 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 157 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 158 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 159 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 161

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 162 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 163 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 164 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 165 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 166

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 167 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 168

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 169 They are parted pro-tem

  • 170

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 171 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 172 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 174 113 years at Instow

  • 175 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 176

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 177 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 178 No laughing matter

  • 179 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 180

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 181 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 182 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 183 No sale of Springfield House

  • 184 It really was the 'last time'

  • 185 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 186 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 187 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 188 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 189 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 190 Littleham family's five generations

  • 191 Torrington in 1967

  • 192 A roof-top view - where?

  • 193 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 194 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 195 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 196 Ships at Bideford

  • 197 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 198 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 199 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 200 New art gallery opened

  • 201 Ten year old scrambler

  • 202

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 203 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 204 Northam's almshouse

  • 205 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 206 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 207 Bideford loses training ship

  • 208 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 209 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 210 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 211 Torrington children build igloo
  • 212 Happy Days!

  • 213 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 214 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 215 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 216 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 218 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 219 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 220 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 221 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 222 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 223

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 224 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 225 Mobile missionary

  • 226 Puppet characters introduced

  • 227 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 228 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 229 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 230 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 231 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 232 Emergency ferry services

  • 233 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 234 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 235 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 236 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 237 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 238 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 239 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 240 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 241 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 242 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 243 In their new robes and hats

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

  • 245 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 246 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 247 Weare Giffard potato

  • 248 Artisans' Club

  • 249 For crying out loud!

  • 250 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 251 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 252 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 253 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 254 Cruising down the river

  • 255 Last train from Torrington

  • 256 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 258 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 259 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 260 Sight of a lifetime

  • 261 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 262 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 263 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 264 Hartland Dancers
  • 265 Police station view of Bideford

  • 266 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 267 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 268 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 269 Burnard family reunion

  • 270 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 271 New addition to Quay front

  • 272 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 273 A bird of their own!

  • 274 Loads of black and white

  • 275 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 276 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 278 Devil sent packing

  • 279 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 280

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 281 Peter poses for TV film

  • 282 Penny for the guy

  • 283 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 284 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 285 New Lundy stamps

  • 286

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 287 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 288 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 289 Bideford computer stars

  • 290 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 291 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 292 Capers on the cobbles

  • 293 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 294 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 295 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 296

    Bidefordians
  • 297 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 298 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 299 Simple Item 138
  • 300 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 301 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 302 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 303 Service with a smile

  • 304 Revenge in style

  • 305 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 306 School crossing patrol begins

  • 307 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 308 Modern living at Bideford

  • 309 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 310 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 311 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 312 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 313 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 314 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 315 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 316 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 317

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 318 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 319 North Devon Driving School

  • 320 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 321 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 322 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 323 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 324 Circus comes to town

  • 325 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 326 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 327 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 328 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 329 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 330 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 331 Bideford regatta

  • 332 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 333 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 334 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 335 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 336 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 337 When horses score over the tractor

  • 338 The Geneva marionettes

  • 339 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 340 Traditions and skills still there

  • 341 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 342 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 343 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 344 Parkham plan realised

  • 345 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 346 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 347 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 348 Warmington's garage ad

  • 349 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 350 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 351 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 352 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 353 Can spring be far away?

  • 354 Centenary of Gazette

  • 355

    Married in 1908
  • 356 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 357 Pannier Market's future?

  • 358 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 359 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 360 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 361 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 362 New Post Office

  • 363 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 364 End of the line

  • 365 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 366 Finished in 1876

  • 367 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 368 Bridging the stream

  • 369 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 370 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 371

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 372 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 373 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 374 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 375 Clovelly nightmare

  • 376 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 377 First ship in 8 years

  • 378

    New gateway
  • 379 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 380 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 381 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 382 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 383 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 384 A man and his wheel

  • 385 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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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  • 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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  • 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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Peter Sands and Henry Hopkins meet abroad

Service In Borneo - Meets fellow officer from Northam in Singapore

1963 Borneo

18.1.1963 Borneo

A 27 year old RAF officer from Northam, Flight-Lieut Peter Sands, has recently been serving with the British Far East Forces engaged fighting rebel troops in Borneo. 

Last week Flight-Lieut Sands, son of Mr and Mrs Reginald Sands, of Restharrow, Higher Clevelands, Northam, returned to Singapore where he was posted in Traffic Control 18 months ago, and where he was accompanied by his wife, When he returned from Brunei he found he was living in the same block of flats Flight-Lieut Henry Hopkins, son of Mr and Mrs Hopkins, 9 Seaview Terrace, Morwenna Park, Northam who has been stationed at Singapore with his wife, Brenda, and two children. The two officers had not previously known each other.
The full Gazette article is dated 18 January 1963

Princess Anne 'Let Off' Quoted

In a letter to Bideford magistrates on Tuesday a 21 year olf Northam shipwright, Robert Sydney Stevens, of 6 Honey Street, asked why Princess Anne was let off with a caution for speeding instead of receiving the punishment he would probably receive.

1972 Robert Stevens

'We may not be high-class or Royal Family, but that does not mean that she should not receive the same punishment as I and other citizens will probably get' he added.
The magistrate did not answer his question, but fined him £20 and endorsed his licence for exceeding the speed limit at Instow on his motorcycle.

Former Northam Postmistress is 95

Celebrating her 95th birthday on Sunday was Miss C M Davis, former sub postmistress of Northam.

1.12.1972 Miss C M Davis

Although her health does now permit her to venture beyond her home, The Cairns, Windmill Lane, Miss Davis continues her alert interest in local affairs. Five years ago she published a history of her native Northam.

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