• 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 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 2 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 3 Peter poses for TV film

  • 4 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 5 Centenary of Gazette

  • 6 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 7 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 8 Revenge in style

  • 9 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 10 Happy Days!

  • 11 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 12 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 14 Twenty-one yachts

  • 15 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 16 Ships at Bideford

  • 17 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 18 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 19 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 20 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 21 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 22 The art of the thatcher

  • 23 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 24 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 25 What's the time?

  • 26 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 27 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 28 Northam's almshouse

  • 29 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 31 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 32 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 33 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 34 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 35 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 36 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 37 Decontrol of meat

  • 38 Devil sent packing

  • 39 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 40 Capers on the cobbles

  • 41 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 42 Private home for public pump

  • 43 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 44 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 45 A bird of their own!

  • 46 For crying out loud!

  • 47 New Lundy stamps

  • 48 Some 240 exhibits

  • 49 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 50 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 51 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 52 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 53 Bideford computer stars

  • 54

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 55 New addition to Quay front

  • 56 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 58 Sight of a lifetime

  • 59 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 60 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 61 A story to tell!

  • 62 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 63 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 64 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 65 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 66 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 67 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 68

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 69 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 70 Riverside mystery

  • 71 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 72 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 73 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 74

    Exhibition of school work
  • 75 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 76 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 77 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 78 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 79 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 80 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 81 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 82 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 83 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 84 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 85 Torrington's new amenity

  • 86 Parkham plan realised

  • 87 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 88 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 89 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 90 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 91 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 92 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 93 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 94

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 95 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 96 Waldon Triplets
  • 97

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 98 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 99 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 100 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 101 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 102

    Was a missionary
  • 103 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 104 Penny for the guy

  • 105 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 106 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 107

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 108

    Relatives all over the world
  • 109 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 110 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 111 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 112 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 113 Cruising down the river

  • 114 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 115 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 116 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 117

    First prize
  • 118 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 119 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 120 Traditions and skills still there

  • 121 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 122 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 123 In their new robes and hats

  • 124 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 125 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 126 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 127 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 128 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 129

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 130 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 131 New life for Hartland organ

  • 132 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 133 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 134 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 135 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 136 No laughing matter

  • 137 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 138 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 139 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 140

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 141 All aboard the ark

  • 142 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 143 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 145 Loads of black and white

  • 146 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 147 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 148 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 149 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 150 New art gallery opened

  • 151 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 153 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 154 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 155

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 156 Just over a year old

  • 157 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 158 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 159 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 160 No sale of Springfield House

  • 161 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 162 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 164 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 165 113 years at Instow

  • 166 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 167

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 168 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 169 First ship in 8 years

  • 170 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 171 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 172 Can spring be far away?

  • 173 The Geneva marionettes

  • 174 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 175

    Bidefordians
  • 176 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 177 Clovelly custom

  • 178 Service with a smile

  • 179 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 180 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 181 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 182 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 183 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 184 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 185 Recognise this resort?

  • 186 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 187 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 188 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 189 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 190

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 191 North Devon Driving School

  • 192 Bideford loses training ship

  • 193 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 194 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 195 Warmington's garage ad

  • 196 All for the love of a lady!

  • 197 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 198 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 200 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 201 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 202 By pony and trap to market

  • 203

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 204 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 205 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 206 New Post Office

  • 207 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 208 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 209 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 210 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 211 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 212 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 213 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 214 Out of puff!

  • 215

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 216 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 217

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 218

    New gateway
  • 219 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 220

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 221 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 222 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 223 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 224 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 225 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 226 Weare Giffard potato

  • 227 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 228 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 229 Emergency ferry services

  • 230 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 231 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 232 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 233 End of the line

  • 234 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 235 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 236 New choral society's growing response

  • 237

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 238 A roof-top view - where?

  • 239 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 240 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 242 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 243 Pannier Market's future?

  • 244 Littleham family's five generations

  • 245 Six footed lamb

  • 246 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 247 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 248 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 249 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 250 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 251 Torrington in 1967

  • 252 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 253 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 254 Mobile missionary

  • 255 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 256 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 257 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 258 Last train from Torrington

  • 259 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 260

    Married in 1908
  • 261 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 262 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 263 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 264 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 265 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 266 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 267 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

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

  • 269 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 270 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 271 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 272 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 273 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 274 They are parted pro-tem

  • 275 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 276 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 277 School's link with cargo ship

  • 278 School crossing patrol begins

  • 279 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 280 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 281 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 282

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 283 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 284 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 285 Hartland's invitation

  • 286 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 287 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 288 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 289 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 290

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 291 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 292 Bideford regatta

  • 293 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 294 Appledore's largest

  • 295 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 296 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 297 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 298 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 299 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 300 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 301 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 302 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 303 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 304

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 305 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 306

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 307

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 308 Picking the pops

  • 309 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 310 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 311

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 312 Finished in 1876

  • 313 Artisans' Club

  • 314 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 315 Some mushroom!

  • 316 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 318 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 319 Circus comes to town

  • 320 Picking the pops

  • 321 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 322 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 323 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 324

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

  • 326 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 327

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 328

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 329 It really was the 'last time'

  • 330 A man and his wheel

  • 331 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 332 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 333 Torrington children build igloo
  • 334 Simple Item 138
  • 335 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 336 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 337 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 338 New shipyard on schedule

  • 339 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 340 Modern living at Bideford

  • 341 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 342 When horses score over the tractor

  • 343 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 344

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 345 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 346 Hartland postman retires

  • 347 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 348 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 349 Jumble sale fever

  • 350 Northam footballers of the future

  • 351 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 352 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 353 Bridging the stream

  • 354 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 355 Burnard family reunion

  • 356 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 357 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 358 He beat the floods

  • 359 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 360 Puppet characters introduced

  • 361 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 362 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 363 So this is the mainland!

  • 364 Ten year old scrambler

  • 365 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 366 New look in the hayfields

  • 367 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 368 New civic medallions

  • 369 Life begins at 80

  • 370 Variety in summer weather

  • 371 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 372 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 373 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 374 Clovelly nightmare

  • 375 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 376 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 377 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 378 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 379 Off on a great adventure

  • 380 Hartland Dancers
  • 381 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 382 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 383 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 384

    Building works
  • 385 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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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  • 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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  • 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 Appoints New Town Clerk

A former Town Clerk of Livingstone, Zambia, Mr Allan Fitt, aged 42, has been appointed Town Clerk of Torrington.

7 May 1971 Torrington Town Clerk

He will take over on June 1st from Mr S J Parkes who has held the post for 25 years.
Married with three young children, Mr Fitt is a native of Bournemouth and is at present living with his family at Boscombe. He is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Member of the British Institute of Management.
The full Gazette article is dated 7 May 1971

Rehearsing For Their Great Day

The young May Queen, Josephine Squire, and her retinue take part in a rehearsal last weekend for their leading parts in yesterday’s celebrations at Torrington.

2.5.1958 Torrington Carnival

With her is the crowner, Caroline Bastin, and her attendants Angela Vanstone, Lesley Folland, Sally Darch, Lynn Jury, Susan Copp, Jennifer Lock, Sandra Davis and Trudy Hobson. 

Boys have an equally important part to play in the ceremony but as their uniforms were still awaited the two heralds, Raymond Drayton and Kenneth Cobbledick, are not in the photograph.

Gazette article dated 2 May 1958

Tomorrow’s Carnival Belles

Torrington May Fair Carnival Queen, Mrs Doreen Mills of Langtree, surrounded by her attendants, will lead tomorrow evening’s carnival procession at Torrington.

2.5.1958 Carnival Belles

She is seen here in the centre with her attendants – Miss Rosemary Mitchell, Petrockstowe; Miss Pamela Barkwell, Shebbear; Miss M Watkins, Little Torrington; Miss Jean Moore, Weare Giffard. 

Gazette article dated 2 May 1958

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