• 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 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 2 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 3 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 4 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 5 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 6 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 7 A roof-top view - where?

  • 8 Bideford computer stars

  • 9 Torrington in 1967

  • 10 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 11

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 12 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 13 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 14 When horses score over the tractor

  • 15 Penny for the guy

  • 16 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 17 Picking the pops

  • 18 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 19 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 20 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 21 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 22

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 23 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 24 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 25 New shipyard on schedule

  • 26 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 27 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 28 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 29 Out of puff!

  • 30 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 31 Waldon Triplets
  • 32 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 33

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 34 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 35 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 36 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 37 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 38 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 39 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 40 Ships at Bideford

  • 41 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 42 Mobile missionary

  • 43 It really was the 'last time'

  • 44 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 45 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 46 Recognise this resort?

  • 47 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 48 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 49 A bird of their own!

  • 50

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 51 Ten year old scrambler

  • 52 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 53 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 54 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 55 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 56 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 57 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 58 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 59 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 60

    Married in 1908
  • 61 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 62 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 63 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 64 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 65 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 66 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 67 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 68 Circus comes to town

  • 69 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 70 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 71

    New gateway
  • 72 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 73 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 74 All aboard the ark

  • 75 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 76

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 77 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 78 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 79 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 80 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 81 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 82

    Building works
  • 83 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 84 Some 240 exhibits

  • 85 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 86 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 87 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 88 Hartland Dancers
  • 89 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 90

    Relatives all over the world
  • 91 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 92

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 93 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 94 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 95 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 96 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 97 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 98 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 99 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 101 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 102 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 103 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 105 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 106 New life for Hartland organ

  • 107 Northam footballers of the future

  • 108 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 109 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 110 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 111 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 112 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 113 Bridging the stream

  • 114 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 115 Six footed lamb

  • 116 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 117 A story to tell!

  • 118 New addition to Quay front

  • 119 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 120 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 121

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 122 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 123 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 124 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 125 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 126 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 127 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 128 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 129 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 130 Just over a year old

  • 131 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 132

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 133 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 134 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 135 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 136 Service with a smile

  • 137 New look in the hayfields

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

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

  • 140 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 141 Capers on the cobbles

  • 142 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 143 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 144 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 145 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 146 Picking the pops

  • 147 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 148 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 149 Appledore's largest

  • 150 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 151 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 152 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 153 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 154 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 155 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 156 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 157 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 158 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 159 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 160

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 161 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 162 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 163 No sale of Springfield House

  • 164 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 165 Happy Days!

  • 166 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 167 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 168 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 169 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 170 Sweets derationing

  • 171 First ship in 8 years

  • 172 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 173 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 175 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 176 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 177 In their new robes and hats

  • 178 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 179 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 180 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 181 School's link with cargo ship

  • 182 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 183 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 184 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 185 From Bobby to Brian

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

  • 187 Finished in 1876

  • 188 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 189 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 190 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 191 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 192 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 193 Some mushroom!

  • 194 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 195 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 196 Devil sent packing

  • 197

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 198 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 199

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 200 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 201 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 202 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 203 Warmington's garage ad

  • 204 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 205 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 206 Modern living at Bideford

  • 207 Hartland's invitation

  • 208 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 209 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 210 School crossing patrol begins

  • 211 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 212 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 213 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 214 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 215 Variety in summer weather

  • 216 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 217

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 218 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 219 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 220

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 221 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 222 Loads of black and white

  • 223 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 224

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 225 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 226 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 227 Life begins at 80

  • 228 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 229 Littleham family's five generations

  • 230 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 231 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 232 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 234 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 235 Twenty-one yachts

  • 236 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 237 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 238 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 239 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 240 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 241 Jumble sale fever

  • 242 Filming at Hartland

  • 243 Clovelly custom

  • 244 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 245

    Was a missionary
  • 246 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 247 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 248 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 249 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 250 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 251 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 252 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 253

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 254 Private home for public pump

  • 255 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 256 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 258 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 259 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 260 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 261

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 262 End of the line

  • 263 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 264 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 265 The art of the thatcher

  • 266

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 267 New choral society's growing response

  • 268 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 269 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 270 A man and his wheel

  • 271 Bideford regatta

  • 272 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 273 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 274

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 275 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 277 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 278 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 279

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 280 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 281 All for the love of a lady!

  • 282 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 283 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 284 Revenge in style

  • 285 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 286 So this is the mainland!

  • 287 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 288 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 289

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 290 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 291 Hartland postman retires

  • 292 What's the time?

  • 293 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 294 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 295 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 296 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

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

  • 298 Torrington's new amenity

  • 299 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 300 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 301 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 302 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 303 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 304 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 305 He beat the floods

  • 306 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308 Pannier Market's future?

  • 309 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 311 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 312 Last train from Torrington

  • 313 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

  • 315 Puppet characters introduced

  • 316 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 317 Centenary of Gazette

  • 318 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 319 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 320 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 321 They are parted pro-tem

  • 322 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 323 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 324 New Post Office

  • 325

    Exhibition of school work
  • 326

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 327

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 328 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 329 No laughing matter

  • 330 Riverside mystery

  • 331

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 332 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 333 Artisans' Club

  • 334 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 335 Can spring be far away?

  • 336 The cab at the corner>
  • 337 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 338 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 339 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 340

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 341 Simple Item 138
  • 342 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 343 Off on a great adventure

  • 344 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 345 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 346 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 347 Peter poses for TV film

  • 348 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 349 New art gallery opened

  • 350 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 351 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 352 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 353 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 354 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 355 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 356

    First prize
  • 357 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 358 Emergency ferry services

  • 359 New civic medallions

  • 360 113 years at Instow

  • 361 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 362 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 363 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 364 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 365 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 366 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 367 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 368 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 370 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 371 Torrington children build igloo
  • 372

    Bidefordians
  • 373 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 374 Bideford loses training ship

  • 375 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 376 Burnard family reunion

  • 377 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 378 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 379 Northam's almshouse

  • 380 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 381 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 382 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 383 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 384 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 385 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 386 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 387 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 388 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 389 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 390 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 391 Police station view of Bideford

  • 392 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 393 Decontrol of meat

  • 394 Sight of a lifetime

  • 395 Weare Giffard potato

  • 396 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 397 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 398 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 399 Cruising down the river

  • 400 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 401 Traditions and skills still there

  • 402 North Devon Driving School

  • 403

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 404 New Lundy stamps

  • 405 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 406 Clovelly nightmare

  • 407 For crying out loud!

  • 408 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 409 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 410 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 411 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 412 By pony and trap to market

  • 413 Born 1883 - still going strong

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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  • 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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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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Torrington May Fair 1955

May Fair at Torrington concludes with the Carnival

At a dance last week the Carnival Queen and her attendants were chosen as seen above with the Queen - Miss Margaret Parish of Torrington - being crowned by the Mayoress, Mrs J H Long.

6.5.1955 Torrington Carnival Queen

From left to right: Miss Jane Sanders (High Bickington), Miss Agnes Vanstone (Shebbear), the Mayoress, the Carnival Queen, Miss Phyllis Sanders (Langtree), the Mayor and Miss Roslyn Mitchell (Little Torrington).

Gazette article dated 6 May 1955

Council to buy Torrington Drill Hall

Torrington Town Council are to purchase

the town's Drill Hall which is not now required for Territorial Army purposes.

5.1.1968 Torrington Drill Hall

Following a letter from the District Valuer, the Council have agreed to pay £3,600 for the unexpired term of the 99-year lease expiring December 25th, 2010. It is proposed to use the building, which is centrally situated in Fore Street, for recreational and social purposes.

Application is being made to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for consent to the raising of a loan for the purchase.

Gazette dated January 5, 1968

Last From Torrington To Get This Medal?

Mr Reginald T Jones,

seen in the centre of the picture wearing the Imperial Service Medal, could conceivably be the last of Torrington Post Office staff to receive the decoration.

30.5.1965 Torrington Imperial Service Medal

No one seems to know whether the award, from the Queen, made for meritorious service, will be discontinued under the forthcoming changes in administration.

Mr Jones has just retired after completing 45 years in the Post Office service, beginning as a messenger and finishing as postman higher grade.

The medal was presented by the head postmaster of Barnstaple, Mr J Eddleston. Mr W S Hutchings, the then Mayor, and also on the Torrington Post Office staff, on their behalf presented an electric clock. Miss Avril M Beer, postal and telegraph officer, handed Mr Jones a barometer, the gift of Torrington and Bideford Sports and Social Club.

In the photograph with Mr Jones are Mr H R F Young, Mr B E J Quick, Mr D A Gould, Mr P Ellis, Miss M L Bissett, Miss E Hoyle, Mr W J Page and Mr L Steer.

Gazette article dated 30 May 1965

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