• 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 The art of the thatcher

  • 2 Finished in 1876

  • 3

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 4 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 5 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 6 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 7 Some mushroom!

  • 8 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 9 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 10 Torrington's new amenity

  • 11

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 12 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 13 Recognise this resort?

  • 14 Littleham family's five generations

  • 15 By pony and trap to market

  • 16 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 17 Bideford country dancers on TV

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

  • 19

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 20 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 21 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 22 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 23 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 24 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 25 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 26 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 27 Riverside mystery

  • 28 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 29 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 30 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 31 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 32 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 33 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 34 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 35 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 36 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 37 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 38 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 39

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 40 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 41 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 42 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 43 Bridging the stream

  • 44 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 45 Capers on the cobbles

  • 46 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 47 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 48 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 49 Off on a great adventure

  • 50 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 51 Ten year old scrambler

  • 52 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 53 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 54 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 55

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 56 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 57 For crying out loud!

  • 58 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 59 Circus comes to town

  • 60 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 61 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 62

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 63 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 64 Centenary of Gazette

  • 65 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 66 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 67

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 68 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 69 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 70 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 71 North Devon Driving School

  • 72 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 73 Last train from Torrington

  • 74

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 75 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 76 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 77 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 78 When horses score over the tractor

  • 79 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 80 Hartland's invitation

  • 81 Peter poses for TV film

  • 82

    Was a missionary
  • 83 Out of puff!

  • 84 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 85 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 86 All for the love of a lady!

  • 87 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 88 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 89 Modern living at Bideford

  • 90 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 91 A bird of their own!

  • 92 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 93 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 94 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 95 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 96 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 97 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 98 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 99

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 100 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 101 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 102 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 103

    Bidefordians
  • 104 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 105 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 106 In their new robes and hats

  • 107 Waldon Triplets
  • 108

    Relatives all over the world
  • 109 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 110 Sight of a lifetime

  • 111 The Geneva marionettes

  • 112 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 113 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 114 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 115 Weare Giffard potato

  • 116 It really was the 'last time'

  • 117 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 118 He beat the floods

  • 119 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 120 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 121 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 123 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 124 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 125 Bideford computer stars

  • 126 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 127 Torrington children build igloo
  • 128 Sweets derationing

  • 129 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 130 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 131 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 132 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 133 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 134

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 135 Clovelly nightmare

  • 136 Devil sent packing

  • 137 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 138 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 139 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 140 Simple Item 138
  • 141 A roof-top view - where?

  • 142 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 143

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 144 Can spring be far away?

  • 145 Revenge in style

  • 146 Happy Days!

  • 147 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 148 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 149 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 150 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 151 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 152 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 153 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 154 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 155

    Exhibition of school work
  • 156

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 157 Some 240 exhibits

  • 158 New choral society's growing response

  • 159

    New gateway
  • 160 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 161 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 162 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 163 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 164 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 165 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 166

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 167 Torrington in 1967

  • 168 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 169

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 170 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 171 Northam footballers of the future

  • 172 Just over a year old

  • 173 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 174 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 175 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 176 Puppet characters introduced

  • 177 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 178 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 179 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 180 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 181 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 182 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 183 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 184 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 185 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 186 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 187 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 188 Bideford loses training ship

  • 189 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 191 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 192 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 193 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 194 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 195 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 196 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 197 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 198 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 199 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 200

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 201 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 202 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 203 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 204 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

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

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

  • 208 Penny for the guy

  • 209 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 210 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 211 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 212 Loads of black and white

  • 213 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 214 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 215 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 216 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 217 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 218 The cab at the corner>
  • 219 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 220 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 221 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 222 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 223 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 224 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 225 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 226 Private home for public pump

  • 227 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 228 Pannier Market's future?

  • 229 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 230 Traditions and skills still there

  • 231 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 232 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 233 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 234 New art gallery opened

  • 235 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 236 They are parted pro-tem

  • 237 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 238 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 239 Cruising down the river

  • 240

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 241 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 242 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 243 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 244 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 245 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 246 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 247 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 248 Hartland Dancers
  • 249 New addition to Quay front

  • 250 No sale of Springfield House

  • 251 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 252 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 253 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 254 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 255 End of the line

  • 256 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 257 New civic medallions

  • 258 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 259 Decontrol of meat

  • 260 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 261 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 263 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 264

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 265 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 266 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 267 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 268

    Building works
  • 269 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 270 New Post Office

  • 271 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 272 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 273 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 274 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 275 Twenty-one yachts

  • 276 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 277 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 278 Parkham plan realised

  • 279 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 280 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 281 Filming at Hartland

  • 282 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 283 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 284 Appledore's largest

  • 285 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 286 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 287 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 288

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 289 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 290 A man and his wheel

  • 291 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 292 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 293 Police station view of Bideford

  • 294 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 295 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 296 Warmington's garage ad

  • 297 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 298 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 299 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 300 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 301 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 302 Burnard family reunion

  • 303 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 304 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 306 Six footed lamb

  • 307 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 308 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 309 Service with a smile

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

  • 311 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 312 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 313 Hartland postman retires

  • 314 Life begins at 80

  • 315 Northam's almshouse

  • 316 From Bobby to Brian

  • 317 Bideford regatta

  • 318 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 319 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 320 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 321 Clovelly custom

  • 322 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 323 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 324 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 325 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 326 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 327 Picking the pops

  • 328 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 329 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 330 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 331 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 332 New look in the hayfields

  • 333 Emergency ferry services

  • 334 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 335 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 336 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 337

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 338 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 339 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

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

  • 341 Picking the pops

  • 342 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 344 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 345 New shipyard on schedule

  • 346

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 347 A story to tell!

  • 348 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 349 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 350 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 351 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 352 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 353 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 354 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 355 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 356 What's the time?

  • 357

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 358 New life for Hartland organ

  • 359 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 360 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 361 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 362 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 364 So this is the mainland!

  • 365

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 366 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 367 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 368 Mobile missionary

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

  • 370

    Married in 1908
  • 371 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 372 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 373 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 374 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 375 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 376 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 377 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 378 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 379 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 380 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 381 New Lundy stamps

  • 382 First ship in 8 years

  • 383 Ships at Bideford

  • 384 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 385 Jumble sale fever

  • 386 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 387 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 388 No laughing matter

  • 389 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 390 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 391 School's link with cargo ship

  • 392 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 393 113 years at Instow

  • 394 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 395 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 396 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 397 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 398 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 400 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 401 Artisans' Club

  • 402 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 403 School crossing patrol begins

  • 404

    First prize
  • 405

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 406 All aboard the ark

  • 407 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 408 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 409 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 410

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 411 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 412 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 413

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
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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  • 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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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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