• 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 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

  • 3 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 4 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 5 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 6 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 7 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 9 Simple Item 138
  • 10

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 11 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 12

    Relatives all over the world
  • 13 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 14

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 15 Northam footballers of the future

  • 16 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 17 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 18

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 19 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 20 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 21 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 22 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 23 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 24 Service with a smile

  • 25 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 26 Mobile missionary

  • 27 When horses score over the tractor

  • 28 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 29 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 30 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 31 Just over a year old

  • 32 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 33 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 34 North Devon Driving School

  • 35 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 36 Revenge in style

  • 37 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 38 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 39

    Was a missionary
  • 40 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 41 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 42 Riverside mystery

  • 43 Hartland postman retires

  • 44 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 45 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 46 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 47 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 48 First ship in 8 years

  • 49 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 50 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 51 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 52 The cab at the corner>
  • 53 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 54 Hartland's invitation

  • 55 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 56 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 57 Six footed lamb

  • 58 Some mushroom!

  • 59 Pannier Market's future?

  • 60 New civic medallions

  • 61 Torrington in 1967

  • 62 New art gallery opened

  • 63 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 64 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 65 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 66 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 67 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 68 New look in the hayfields

  • 69 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 70 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 71 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 72 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 73 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 74 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 75 Police station view of Bideford

  • 76 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 77 Artisans' Club

  • 78 From Bobby to Brian

  • 79 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 80 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 81 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 82 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 84 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 85 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 86 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 87 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 88 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 89 Loads of black and white

  • 90

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 91 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 92 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 93 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 94 Sweets derationing

  • 95

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 96 Variety in summer weather

  • 97 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 98

    Building works
  • 99 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 100 Filming at Hartland

  • 101

    New gateway
  • 102 Sight of a lifetime

  • 103 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 104 Decontrol of meat

  • 105 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 106 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 107 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 108 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 109 The art of the thatcher

  • 110 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 111 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 112 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 113 For crying out loud!

  • 114 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 115 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 116 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 117

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 118

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 119 Warmington's garage ad

  • 120 Capers on the cobbles

  • 121 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 122 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 123 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 124 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 125 Can spring be far away?

  • 126 Jumble sale fever

  • 127 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 128 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 129 Ships at Bideford

  • 130 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 131 Private home for public pump

  • 132 It really was the 'last time'

  • 133 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 134

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 135 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 136 Northam's almshouse

  • 137 Burnard family reunion

  • 138 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 139 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 140 Floral dancing at Appledore

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

  • 142 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 143 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 144

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 145 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 146 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 147 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 148 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 149 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 150 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 151 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 152 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 153 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 154 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 155

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 156

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 157 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 158 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 159 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 160 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 161 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 162 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 163 A story to tell!

  • 164 Weare Giffard potato

  • 165 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 166 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 168 Torrington children build igloo
  • 169 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 170 New Post Office

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

  • 172 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 173 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 174 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 175 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 176 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 177 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 178 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 179

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 180 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 181 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 182 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 183

    Bidefordians
  • 184 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 185 The Geneva marionettes

  • 186 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 187

    Married in 1908
  • 188 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 189 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 190 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 191

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 192 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 193 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 194

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 195 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 196 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 197 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 198 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 199 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 200 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 201 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 202 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 203 New shipyard on schedule

  • 204 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 205 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 206 No laughing matter

  • 207

    Exhibition of school work
  • 208 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 209 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 210 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 211 Bideford regatta

  • 212 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 213 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 214 A bird of their own!

  • 215 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 216 Modern living at Bideford

  • 217 Parkham plan realised

  • 218 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 219 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 220 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 221 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 222 Bideford computer stars

  • 223 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 224 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 225 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 226 By pony and trap to market

  • 227 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 228 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 229 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 230 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 231 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 232 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 233 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 234

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 235 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 236 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 237 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 238 School's link with cargo ship

  • 239 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 240 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 241 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 242 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 243 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 244 So this is the mainland!

  • 245 Picking the pops

  • 246 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 247 Ten year old scrambler

  • 248 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 249 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 250 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 251 In their new robes and hats

  • 252 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 253 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 254 Waldon Triplets
  • 255 113 years at Instow

  • 256 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 257 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 258

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 259 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 260 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 261 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 262 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 263 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 264 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 265 Twenty-one yachts

  • 266 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 267 New Lundy stamps

  • 268 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 269 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 270 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 271 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 272 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 273

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 274 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 275 Circus comes to town

  • 276

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 277 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 278 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 279 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 280 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 281 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 282 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 283 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 284 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 285 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 286 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 287 Hartland Dancers
  • 288

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 289 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 290 He beat the floods

  • 291 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 292 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 293 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 294 Some 240 exhibits

  • 295

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 296 Happy Days!

  • 297 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 298 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 299 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 300 Bideford loses training ship

  • 301 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 302 Devil sent packing

  • 303 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 304 Cruising down the river

  • 305 Out of puff!

  • 306 End of the line

  • 307 No sale of Springfield House

  • 308 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 309 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 310 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 311 Appledore's largest

  • 312 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 313 What's the time?

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

  • 315 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 316 Centenary of Gazette

  • 317 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 318 New choral society's growing response

  • 319 Last train from Torrington

  • 320 Torrington's new amenity

  • 321 Clovelly donkey film star

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

  • 323 New life for Hartland organ

  • 324 Puppet characters introduced

  • 325 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 326 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 327 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 328 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 329 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 330 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 331 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 332 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 333 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 334 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 335 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 336 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 337 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 338 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 339

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 340

    First prize
  • 341 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 342 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 343 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 344

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 345 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 346 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 347 Life begins at 80

  • 348 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 349 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 350 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 351 Littleham family's five generations

  • 352 Recognise this resort?

  • 353 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 354 Finished in 1876

  • 355 Clovelly nightmare

  • 356 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 357 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 358 Clovelly custom

  • 359 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 361 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 362 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 363 Picking the pops

  • 364

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 365 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 366 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 367 A man and his wheel

  • 368 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 370 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 371 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 372 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 373 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 374 Penny for the guy

  • 375 Peter poses for TV film

  • 376 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 377 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 378 Off on a great adventure

  • 379 A roof-top view - where?

  • 380 They are parted pro-tem

  • 381 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 382 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 383 Traditions and skills still there

  • 384 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 385 School crossing patrol begins

  • 386 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 387 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 388 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 389 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 390 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 391 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 392 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 393 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 394 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 396 Emergency ferry services

  • 397 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 398 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 399

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 400

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 401 Bridging the stream

  • 402 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 403 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 404 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 405 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 406 All for the love of a lady!

  • 407 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 408 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 409 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 410 All aboard the ark

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

  • 412 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 413 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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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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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