• 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 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 2 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 3 He beat the floods

  • 4 New addition to Quay front

  • 5 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 6 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 7 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 8 Life begins at 80

  • 9 Centenary of Gazette

  • 10 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 11 Can spring be far away?

  • 12 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 13 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 14 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 15 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 17 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 18 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 19 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 20 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 21 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 22 Hartland's invitation

  • 23 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 24 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 25 Variety in summer weather

  • 26 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 27

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 28 Northam's almshouse

  • 29 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 30 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 31 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 32 Simple Item 138
  • 33 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 34 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 35 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 36 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 37 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 38

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 39 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 40 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 41 Riverside mystery

  • 42 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 43 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 44 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 45 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 46 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 47 What's the time?

  • 48 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 49 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 50 Clovelly nightmare

  • 51 Hartland postman retires

  • 52 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 53 Torrington children build igloo
  • 54 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 55 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 56 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 57 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 58 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 59 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 60 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 61 Emergency ferry services

  • 62 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 63 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 64 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 65 Off on a great adventure

  • 66 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 67 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 68 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 69 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 70 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 71 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 72

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 73 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 74 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 75 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 76 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 77 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 78 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 79 In their new robes and hats

  • 80

    Married in 1908
  • 81 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 82 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 83 Cruising down the river

  • 84 When horses score over the tractor

  • 85

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 86 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 87 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 88 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 89 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 90 Sight of a lifetime

  • 91 School crossing patrol begins

  • 92 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 93 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 94

    Was a missionary
  • 95 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 96 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 97 New choral society's growing response

  • 98 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 99 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 100

    Relatives all over the world
  • 101 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 102 Northam footballers of the future

  • 103

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 104 Six footed lamb

  • 105 Penny for the guy

  • 106 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 107 No laughing matter

  • 108 All aboard the ark

  • 109 Loads of black and white

  • 110 Modern living at Bideford

  • 111 Private home for public pump

  • 112 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 113 First ship in 8 years

  • 114 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 115 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 116 Warmington's garage ad

  • 117 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 118 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 119 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 120

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 121 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 122 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 123 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 124

    Building works
  • 125 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 126 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 127 Ten year old scrambler

  • 128 Jumble sale fever

  • 129 Appledore's largest

  • 130

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 131 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 132 Waldon Triplets
  • 133 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 134 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 135 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 136

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 137 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 138 Ships at Bideford

  • 139 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 140 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 141 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 143 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 144 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 145 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 146 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 147 Bideford computer stars

  • 148 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 149 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 150 Decontrol of meat

  • 151 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 152

    Bidefordians
  • 153 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 154 Some 240 exhibits

  • 155 Puppet characters introduced

  • 156 Bideford regatta

  • 157 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 158 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 159 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 160 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 161 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 162 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 163 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 164 113 years at Instow

  • 165 New Lundy stamps

  • 166 Bideford loses training ship

  • 167 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 168 Some mushroom!

  • 169 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 170 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 171 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 172 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 173 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 175 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 176 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 177 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 178 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 179

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 180 North Devon Driving School

  • 181 Torrington in 1967

  • 182 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 183 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 184 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 185 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 186 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 187 Weare Giffard potato

  • 188 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 189 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 190

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 191 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 192

    New gateway
  • 193 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 194 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 195 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 196 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 197 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 198 It really was the 'last time'

  • 199 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 200 Traditions and skills still there

  • 201 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 202 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 203 They are parted pro-tem

  • 204 Parkham plan realised

  • 205 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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

  • 207

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 208 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 209 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 210 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 211 For crying out loud!

  • 212 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 213

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 214 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 215 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 216 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 218 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 219 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 220 Littleham family's five generations

  • 221 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 222 By pony and trap to market

  • 223 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 225 New shipyard on schedule

  • 226 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 227 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 228

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 229 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 230 Bridging the stream

  • 231 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 232 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 233 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 234 New Post Office

  • 235 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 236 Service with a smile

  • 237 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 238 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

  • 240 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 241 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 242 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 243 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 244

    Exhibition of school work
  • 245 No sale of Springfield House

  • 246 Capers on the cobbles

  • 247 All for the love of a lady!

  • 248 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 249 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 250 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 251

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 252 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 253 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 255 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 256

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 257 The Geneva marionettes

  • 258 New civic medallions

  • 259 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 260 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 261 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 262 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 263 So this is the mainland!

  • 264 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 265 Hartland Dancers
  • 266 Burnard family reunion

  • 267 Pannier Market's future?

  • 268 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 269 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 270 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 271 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 272 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 273 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 274 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 275 Torrington's new amenity

  • 276 Clovelly custom

  • 277 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 278 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 279 Mobile missionary

  • 280 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 281 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 282 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 283 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 284 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 285 Finished in 1876

  • 286 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 287 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 288 A roof-top view - where?

  • 289 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 290 Just over a year old

  • 291 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 292 A man and his wheel

  • 293 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 294 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 295 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 296 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 297 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 298 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 299 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 300 Out of puff!

  • 301 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 303 Artisans' Club

  • 304 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 305 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 306 Last train from Torrington

  • 307 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 308

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 309 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 310 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 311 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 312 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 313

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 314 Revenge in style

  • 315 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 316

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 317 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 318 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 319 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 320 Picking the pops

  • 321 New art gallery opened

  • 322 Peter poses for TV film

  • 323 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 324 Circus comes to town

  • 325 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 326 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 327 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 328 Recognise this resort?

  • 329 Happy Days!

  • 330

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 331 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 332 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 333 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 334 Picking the pops

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

  • 336 The art of the thatcher

  • 337 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 338 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 339

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 340

    First prize
  • 341 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 342 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 343 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 344 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 345 School's link with cargo ship

  • 346 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 347 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 348 New life for Hartland organ

  • 349 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 350 Twenty-one yachts

  • 351 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 352

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 353

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 354 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 355 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 356 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 357 Devil sent packing

  • 358 A story to tell!

  • 359 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 360 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 361 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 362 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 363 A bird of their own!

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

  • 365 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 366

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 367

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 368 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 369 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 370 End of the line

  • 371 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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

  • 373 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 374 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 375

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 376 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 377 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 378 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 379 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 380 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 381 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 382 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 383 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 384 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 385 New look in the hayfields

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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  • 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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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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Retires After 10 Years As Legion President

After 10 years as president of the Torrington branch of the British Legion Col J E Palmer has retired from the position and at the branch’s annual meeting, Mr W D Cockram, Mayor of Torrington, was appointed to fill the vacancy.

1970 J E Palmer

The meeting was held at the Globe Hotel, Torrington, by permission of Cap and Mrs J White.
Membership was now 90, six more than the previous year, it was reported.
Poppy sales of £191-8-0 were an increase of £24 over those of last year, reported the organiser, Mr R E Smith.
In addition to the president the following officers and committee were elected: Mr G H Buscombe; Mr B E Medley-Smith; Major R A Wickham; Mr F Morris; Mr J W P Hutchings; Mr E N Dymond; Rev P G Harrison; Mr R E Smith; Mr F Edwards; Messrs R S L Alexander, B Sussex, V V Thompson, R I Allin, Col F Stanley and Col Wadham.

The Gazette article is dated 27 November 1970

Yo! Ho! Ho! at Torrington Secondary School

At their Christmas end of term entertainment pupils of Torrington Secondary Modern School included a one act play, ‘Toddy in the Belfry’, a scene from which is portrayed.

1959 Torrington school

It was an exciting tale about smuggled rum, which eventually finds a hiding place in grandmother’s bed!
Appearing in the play were: Warren Golder; George John Davis; Emma, Barbara Huxtable; Hazel Seymour; Nigel Rogers; Thomas Raymond Lock; John Heard; Tony Gifford, Roger Baker, Gregory Rookes and David Reynolds.

The Gazette article is dated 2 January 1959

Trans-Atlantic Christmas Greetings at Torrington

Four people stayed up until 2 o’clock on Saturday morning, at the Newmarket Hotel, Torrington, waiting for the telephone to ring.

1959 Transatlantic call for Davey family

Then they listened to a voice they had not heard for twenty years. The words came all the way across the Atlantic, from Ontario, Canada.
This was the special Christmas present for three sisters, Mrs Polly Copp, Mrs Lily Parker and Mrs Beatrice Gordon. Sharing the treat with them was Mrs Copp’s husband, George.
Speaking at the Canadian end of a special trans-Atlantic telephone link-up was a brother of the three women, 51 years old Mr Harry Davey, whose home is at Longlac.
The full Gazette article is dated 2 January 1958.

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