• 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 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 2 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 3 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 4

    Was a missionary
  • 5 Out of puff!

  • 6 Torrington children build igloo
  • 7 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 8 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 9 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 10 New look in the hayfields

  • 11 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 12 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 13

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 14

    First prize
  • 15 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 16 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 17 Sweets derationing

  • 18 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 19 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 20 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 21 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 22

    New gateway
  • 23 In their new robes and hats

  • 24 School's link with cargo ship

  • 25 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 26 Pannier Market's future?

  • 27 Puppet characters introduced

  • 28 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 29 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 30 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 31 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 32 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 33

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 34 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 35 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 36 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 37 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 38 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 39 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 40 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 41 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 42 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 43 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 44 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 45 New shipyard on schedule

  • 46 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 47 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 48 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 49 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 50 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 51 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 52 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 53 Last train from Torrington

  • 54 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 55 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 56 Sight of a lifetime

  • 57 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 58 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 59 All aboard the ark

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

  • 61 Weare Giffard potato

  • 62

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 63 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 65 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 66 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 67

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 68 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 69 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 70

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 71 Littleham family's five generations

  • 72 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 73 Riverside mystery

  • 74 Warmington's garage ad

  • 75 Recognise this resort?

  • 76 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 77 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 78 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 79 Torrington in 1967

  • 80 Private home for public pump

  • 81 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 82 All for the love of a lady!

  • 83

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 84 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 85 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 86 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 87 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 88 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 89 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 90 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 91 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 92 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 93 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 94 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 95 Cruising down the river

  • 96 North Devon Driving School

  • 97

    Building works
  • 98 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 99 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 100 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 101 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 102

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 103 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 104 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 105

    Relatives all over the world
  • 106 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 107 113 years at Instow

  • 108 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 109 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 110

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 111 Decontrol of meat

  • 112 Waldon Triplets
  • 113 Torrington's new amenity

  • 114

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 115 Police station view of Bideford

  • 116

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 117 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 119 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 120 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 121

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 122 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 123 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 124 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 125 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 126 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 127

    Bidefordians
  • 128 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 129

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 130 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 131 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 133 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 134 He beat the floods

  • 135 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 136 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 137 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 138 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 139

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 140 Mobile missionary

  • 141 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 142 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 143 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 144 What's the time?

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

  • 146 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 147 First ship in 8 years

  • 148 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 149 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 150 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 151 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 152 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 153 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 154 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 155 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 156 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 157 Burnard family reunion

  • 158

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 159

    Married in 1908
  • 160 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 161 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 162 So this is the mainland!

  • 163 Modern living at Bideford

  • 164 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 165 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 166 Life begins at 80

  • 167 Picking the pops

  • 168 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 169 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 170 No sale of Springfield House

  • 171 Circus comes to town

  • 172 The Geneva marionettes

  • 173 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 174 School crossing patrol begins

  • 175 Bridging the stream

  • 176 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 177 New art gallery opened

  • 178 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 179

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 180 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 181 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 182

    Exhibition of school work
  • 183 Just over a year old

  • 184 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 185 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 186 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 187 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 188 A bird of their own!

  • 189 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 190 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 191

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 192 Appledore's largest

  • 193 Penny for the guy

  • 194 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 195 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 196 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 197 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 198 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 199 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 200 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 201 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 202 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 203 New Post Office

  • 204 Filming at Hartland

  • 205 Capers on the cobbles

  • 206 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 207 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 208 For crying out loud!

  • 209 The cab at the corner>
  • 210 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 211 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 212 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 213 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 214 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 215 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 216 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 217 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 218 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 219 Loads of black and white

  • 220 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 221 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 222

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 223 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 224 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 225 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 226

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 227 Picking the pops

  • 228 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 229 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 230 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 231 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 232 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 233 They are parted pro-tem

  • 234 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 235 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 236 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 237

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 238 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 239 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 240

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 241 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 242 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 243 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 244 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 245 Devil sent packing

  • 246 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 247 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 248 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 249 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 250 Emergency ferry services

  • 251 Clovelly custom

  • 252 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 253 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 254 Northam footballers of the future

  • 255 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 256 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 257 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 258 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 259 A man and his wheel

  • 260

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 261 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 262 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 263

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 264 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 265 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 266 When horses score over the tractor

  • 267 By pony and trap to market

  • 268 No laughing matter

  • 269 Hartland postman retires

  • 270 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 271 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 272 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 273 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 274 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 275 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 276 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 277 Peter poses for TV film

  • 278 Artisans' Club

  • 279 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 280

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 281 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 282 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 283

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 284 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 285 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 286 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

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

  • 288 Centenary of Gazette

  • 289 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 290 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 291 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 292 Happy Days!

  • 293 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 294 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 295 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 296

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 297 Traditions and skills still there

  • 298 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 299 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 300 Northam's almshouse

  • 301 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 302 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 303 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 304 Ten year old scrambler

  • 305 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 306 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 307 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 308 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 309 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 310 Six footed lamb

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

  • 312 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 313 Simple Item 138
  • 314 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 315 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 316 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 317 New civic medallions

  • 318 New addition to Quay front

  • 319 From Bobby to Brian

  • 320 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 321 Some 240 exhibits

  • 322 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 323 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 324 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 325 Service with a smile

  • 326 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 327 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 328 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 329 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 330 Can spring be far away?

  • 331 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 332 Finished in 1876

  • 333 Bideford regatta

  • 334 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 335 Ships at Bideford

  • 336 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 337 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 338 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 339 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 340 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 341 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 342 A roof-top view - where?

  • 343 New choral society's growing response

  • 344 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 345 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 346 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 347 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 348 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 349 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 350 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 351 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 352 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 353 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 354 It really was the 'last time'

  • 355 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 356 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 357 End of the line

  • 358 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 359 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 360 Jumble sale fever

  • 361 Revenge in style

  • 362 Bideford loses training ship

  • 363 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 364 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 365 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 366 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 367 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 368 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 369 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 370 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 371 New life for Hartland organ

  • 372 Hartland Dancers
  • 373 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 375 New Lundy stamps

  • 376 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 377 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 378 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

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

  • 380 The art of the thatcher

  • 381 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 382 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 383 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 384 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 385 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 386 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 387 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 388 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 389 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 391 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 392 Bideford computer stars

  • 393 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 394 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 395 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 396 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 397 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 398 Designed and made in Bideford

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

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

  • 401 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 402 Variety in summer weather

  • 403 Parkham plan realised

  • 404 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 405 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 406 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 407 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 408 Twenty-one yachts

  • 409 A story to tell!

  • 410 Some mushroom!

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

  • 412 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 413 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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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All Looking Forward To Their Great Day

These are the children who will be the centre of attraction when the crowning of the  May Queen takes place at Torrington May Fair on May 7th. 

3 April 1959 Torrington May Fair1

Seated in the front centre is this year’s May Queen, Elizabeth Somerfield. 

Pictured are Alan Combes, Pauline Burridge, Rodney Oke, Janet Symons, Elaine Morris, Jacqueline Stacey, Pauline Jenkins, Isabel Downing, Diane Ward, Elizabeth Somerfield, Elizabeth Webb, Pauline Hooker.

3 April 1959 Torrington May Fair2

Full Gazette article dated 3 April 1959

Torrington To Have Its First Woman Mayor

Miss Florence L Lake accepts Council’s unanimous invitation.

7.4.1955 Torrington Woman Mayor1

For the first time in its history Torrington will have a woman as Mayor when Miss Florence L Lake, of Windyridge, Furzebeam Terrace, Torrington, the only woman ever to have been elected to the Borough Council, takes office in May. 

Announcement that Miss Lake had accepted the invitation of the Council to succeed Cllr J H Long, Mayor for the past two years, was made at Monday night’s Council meeting. Miss Lake’s energies in the political field earned her the honour of being elected President of the South West Area Liberal National Council in earlier days and the leading part she played locally in the merging of the National Liberal and Conservative causes has been recognised by her election as Dame President of the Torrington Division United Liberal and Conservative Association. 

Second daughter of the late Mr and Mrs W Lake, of Beam Farm, Torrington, Miss Lake has an intimate knowledge of the town in which she has spent all her life and a great many of its inhabitants can speak at first hand of her kindliness and readiness to help. A sympathetic interest characterised her work as a member, and later as Vice-Chairman, of the Bideford-Torrington Guardians Committee, as a member of which she followed in the steps of her late father with whom she was a frequent visitor at the Torrington Institution. Care for the young has also claimed her interest and she was a member of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Committee. During the war and after she was local hon. Secretary of the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association. 

Miss Lake will have a younger sister, Mrs B Howard, Penlea, Queen’s Terrace, New Street, Torrington, as Mayoress during her year of office. Through another sister, Mrs F J Webber, West House, New Street, Torrington, the Mayor and Mayoress elect have a link with the Mayoralty for Mrs Webber’s father-in-law, Mr Silvanus Webber, was Mayor of Torrington in 1893, 1913 and 1914. 

7.4.1955 Torrington Woman Mayor

The full Gazette article is dated 7 April 1955.

Preparing For Their Great Day

Nicola Creighton (seated) who is to be this year’s May Fair queen at Torrington, with her crowner, Crystal Heaver. 

16.3.1973 Torrington May Fair1

Both are pupils of Torrington County Primary School, are 10 years old and live in New Street, Torrington. May Fair is Thursday May 3. 

Gazette article dated 16 March 1973

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