• 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 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 2 All aboard the ark

  • 3 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 4 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 5 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 6 Traditions and skills still there

  • 7 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 8 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 9 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 11 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 12 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 13 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 14 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 15 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 16 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 17 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 18 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 19 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 20 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 21 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 22 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 23 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 24 New Post Office

  • 25 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 26 End of the line

  • 27 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 28 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 29

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 30 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 31 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 32 New look in the hayfields

  • 33 113 years at Instow

  • 34

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 35 Finished in 1876

  • 36 Pannier Market's future?

  • 37 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 38 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 40 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 41 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 42 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 43 The art of the thatcher

  • 44 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 45 Service with a smile

  • 46 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 47 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 48 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 49 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 50 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 51 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 52 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 53 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 54 Peter poses for TV film

  • 55 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 56 Can spring be far away?

  • 57 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 58 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 59 Variety in summer weather

  • 60 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 61 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 62 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 63 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 64 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 65 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 66 Circus comes to town

  • 67 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 68 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 69 Bideford computer stars

  • 70 Some mushroom!

  • 71 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 72 Northam's almshouse

  • 73 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 74 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 75 Appledore's largest

  • 76 Emergency ferry services

  • 77 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 78

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 79 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 81 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 82 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 83 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 84 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 85

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 86

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 87

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 88 Simple Item 138
  • 89

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 90 Bideford loses training ship

  • 91 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 92 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 93 He beat the floods

  • 94

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 95 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 96

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 97 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 98

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 99 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 100 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 101 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 102 North Devon Driving School

  • 103

    Relatives all over the world
  • 104

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 105 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 106 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 107 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 108 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 109 Torrington's new amenity

  • 110 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

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

  • 112 Capers on the cobbles

  • 113 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 114

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 115 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 116 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 117 Clovelly nightmare

  • 118 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 119 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 120 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 121 Centenary of Gazette

  • 122 Artisans' Club

  • 123 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 124 Ten year old scrambler

  • 125 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 126 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 127 First ship in 8 years

  • 128 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 129 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 130 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 131 Just over a year old

  • 132 New choral society's growing response

  • 133 Sight of a lifetime

  • 134 Picking the pops

  • 135 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 136

    New gateway
  • 137 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 138

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 139 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 140 Decontrol of meat

  • 141 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 142 By pony and trap to market

  • 143 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 144 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 145 Torrington in 1967

  • 146 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 147 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 148

    Bidefordians
  • 149 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 150 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 151 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 152 New art gallery opened

  • 153 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 154

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 155 Clovelly custom

  • 156 Happy Days!

  • 157 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 158 Warmington's garage ad

  • 159

    Was a missionary
  • 160 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 161 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 162 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 163

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 164 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 165 In their new robes and hats

  • 166 Ships at Bideford

  • 167

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 168 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 169 When horses score over the tractor

  • 170

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 171 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 172 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 173 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 175 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 176 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 177 Weare Giffard potato

  • 178 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 179 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 180 So this is the mainland!

  • 181 Cruising down the river

  • 182 New civic medallions

  • 183 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 185 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 186 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 187 For crying out loud!

  • 188 Modern living at Bideford

  • 189 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 190 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 191 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 192 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 193 New Lundy stamps

  • 194 Off on a great adventure

  • 195 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 196 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 197

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 198 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 199 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 200 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 202 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 203 School crossing patrol begins

  • 204 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 205 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 206

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 207 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 208 Riverside mystery

  • 209 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 210 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 211 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 212 Puppet characters introduced

  • 213 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 214 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 215 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 216 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 217 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 219 Loads of black and white

  • 220 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 221 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 222 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 223 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 224 Bridging the stream

  • 225 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 226 A man and his wheel

  • 227 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 228 Revenge in style

  • 229 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 230 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 231

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 232 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 233

    Building works
  • 234 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 235 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 236 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 237 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 238 Mobile missionary

  • 239 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 240

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 241 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 242 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 243 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 244 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 245 A bird of their own!

  • 246 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 247 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 248 Some 240 exhibits

  • 249 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 250 Littleham family's five generations

  • 251 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 252 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 253 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 254 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 255 The Geneva marionettes

  • 256 New life for Hartland organ

  • 257 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 258 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 259 Jumble sale fever

  • 260 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 261 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 262 All for the love of a lady!

  • 263 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 264 No sale of Springfield House

  • 265 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 266 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 267 Burnard family reunion

  • 268 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 269 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 270 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 271 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 272 They are parted pro-tem

  • 273 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 274 Last train from Torrington

  • 275 Twenty-one yachts

  • 276 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 277 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 278 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 280 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 281 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 282 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 283 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 284 New shipyard on schedule

  • 285

    Married in 1908
  • 286 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 287 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 288 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 289 Northam footballers of the future

  • 290 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 291 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 292 Waldon Triplets
  • 293 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 294 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 295 What's the time?

  • 296 Devil sent packing

  • 297 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 298

    First prize
  • 299 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 300 Out of puff!

  • 301 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 302 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 303 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 304 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 305 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 306 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 307 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 308 It really was the 'last time'

  • 309 No laughing matter

  • 310 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 311 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 312 A story to tell!

  • 313 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 314 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 315 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 316 Picking the pops

  • 317 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 318 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 319 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 320 Life begins at 80

  • 321 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 322 Recognise this resort?

  • 323

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 324 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 325 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 326 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 327 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 328 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 329 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 330 Six footed lamb

  • 331 Bideford regatta

  • 332 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 333 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 335 Police station view of Bideford

  • 336 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 337 Hartland postman retires

  • 338 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 339 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 340 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 341

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 342 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 343 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 344 A roof-top view - where?

  • 345 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 346 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 347

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 348 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 349 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 350 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 351 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 352

    Exhibition of school work
  • 353 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 354 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 355 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 356

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 357 School's link with cargo ship

  • 358 Hartland Dancers
  • 359 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 360 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 361 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 362 New addition to Quay front

  • 363 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 364 Parkham plan realised

  • 365 Torrington children build igloo
  • 366 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 367 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 368 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 369 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 370 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 371 Penny for the guy

  • 372 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 373 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 374 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 376 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 377 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 378 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 379 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 380 Private home for public pump

  • 381 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 383 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 384 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 385 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

Safe Driving Awards At Torrington

Forty-eight drivers employed by Torridge Vale Dairies (Devon) Ltd, Torrington, have been presented with safe driving awards.

1958 Torrington safe driving awards

In the past year over 1½ million miles were covered by drivers at the Torrington factory.

Six of the drivers received a 10-years medal (inscribed clock or watch) and the rest awards for other years of safe driving.
Police Supt G H Jewell made the presentations. Mr K P Dowling, a director and general manager of the Company presided and others present included Mr W Stacey and Mr W Paddon.
The full Gazette article is dated 3 January 1958

Christmas Babies At Torrington

The birth of two babies at Torrington Cottage Hospital – one on Christmas Eve and the other on Boxing Day – added to the joy of patients there at Christmas.

29 December 1948 Torrington Christmas babies

Although there was a fair number of patients in the Hospital and some shortage of staff, the Matron, Miss L M Bray, and her nurses spared no efforts to make it a happy Christmas for the patients. The wards and entrance hall had been gaily decorated and each patient had presents from the staff on their breakfast trays and off the Christmas tree.
There was goose and plum pudding for Christmas Day dinner and patients each entertained two visitors to tea. On Boxing Day there was a turkey, the gift of Dr G A Y West for dinner.
Visitors to the Hospital at Christmas included the choirs of the Parish Church and the Methodist Church, who sang carols.
Gazette article dated 29 December 1948

Britain in Bloom

Torrington's Mayor, Dr Harry Cramp, shows the plaque the town won in the Britain in Bloom Competition to Mr W Jeffery, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, and Mr L R Randall, Torrington area foreman of Torridge Council's parks department.

27.10.1978 Britain in Bloom

Also in the picture, Town Clerk, Mr M C F Howe.

Gazette article dated 27 October 1978

  • 1

Login Form