• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

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  • 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 Private home for public pump

  • 2 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 3 When horses score over the tractor

  • 4 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 5 Northam footballers of the future

  • 6 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 7 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 8 The art of the thatcher

  • 9 Puppet characters introduced

  • 10 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 11 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 12 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 13

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 14 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 15 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 16 Twenty-one yachts

  • 17 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 18 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 19 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 20 A bird of their own!

  • 21 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 22 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 24 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 25 Bideford computer stars

  • 26 From Bobby to Brian

  • 27 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 28 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 30 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 31 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 32 New art gallery opened

  • 33 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 34

    Married in 1908
  • 35 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 36 In their new robes and hats

  • 37 New Lundy stamps

  • 38 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 39 He beat the floods

  • 40 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 41 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 42 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 43 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 44 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 45 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 46 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 47 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 48

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 49 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 51 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 52 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 53 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 54 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 55 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 56 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 57 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 58 New life for Hartland organ

  • 59 Mobile missionary

  • 60 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 61

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 62 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 63 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 64 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 65 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 66 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 67 No sale of Springfield House

  • 68 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 69 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 70 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 71 Revenge in style

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

  • 73 Jumble sale fever

  • 74 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 75 Police station view of Bideford

  • 76 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 77 Out of puff!

  • 78 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 79 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 80 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 81 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 82 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 83 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 84 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 85 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 86 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 87 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 88 Clovelly nightmare

  • 89 New addition to Quay front

  • 90 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 91 Sweets derationing

  • 92 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 93 New civic medallions

  • 94 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 95 Simple Item 138
  • 96 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 97 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 98 New Post Office

  • 99 Bideford loses training ship

  • 100 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 101

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 102 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 103 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 104 Circus comes to town

  • 105 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 106 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 107 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 108 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 109 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 110

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 111 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 112 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 113 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 114 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 115

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 116

    New gateway
  • 117 Traditions and skills still there

  • 118 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 119 Ten year old scrambler

  • 120 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 121 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 122 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 123 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 124 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 125 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 126 New look in the hayfields

  • 127 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 128

    Relatives all over the world
  • 129 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 130 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 131 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 132 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 133 Hartland Dancers
  • 134 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 135 Weare Giffard potato

  • 136 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 137 Finished in 1876

  • 138 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 139 Loads of black and white

  • 140 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 141 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 142 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 143 No laughing matter

  • 144 Ships at Bideford

  • 145 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 146 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

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

  • 148

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 149 Bideford regatta

  • 150 A story to tell!

  • 151 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 152 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 153 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 154 Peter poses for TV film

  • 155 What's the time?

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

  • 157 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 158 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 159 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 160 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 161 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 162 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 163 For crying out loud!

  • 164 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 165 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

  • 167 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 168 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 169 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 170 Life begins at 80

  • 171 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 172 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 173 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 174 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 176 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 177 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 178

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 179 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 180 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 181

    Exhibition of school work
  • 182 They are parted pro-tem

  • 183 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 184 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 185 Hartland postman retires

  • 186 School's link with cargo ship

  • 187 Decontrol of meat

  • 188 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 189 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 190 North Devon Driving School

  • 191 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 192 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 193 A roof-top view - where?

  • 194 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 195 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 196 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 198 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 199 Warmington's garage ad

  • 200 Waldon Triplets
  • 201

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 202 All aboard the ark

  • 203 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 204 Just over a year old

  • 205 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 206 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 207 Sight of a lifetime

  • 208 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 209 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 210 New choral society's growing response

  • 211 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 212 Torrington children build igloo
  • 213 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 214 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 215 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 216 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 217

    First prize
  • 218 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 219 Riverside mystery

  • 220 The Geneva marionettes

  • 221 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 222 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 223 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 224 Some mushroom!

  • 225 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 226

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 227 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 228

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 229 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 230 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 231

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 232 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 233 Six footed lamb

  • 234 Service with a smile

  • 235 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 236 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 237 School crossing patrol begins

  • 238 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 239 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 241 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 242 Penny for the guy

  • 243 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 244 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 245 By pony and trap to market

  • 246 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 247 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 248 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 249 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 250 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 251 Burnard family reunion

  • 252 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 253 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 255 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 256 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 257 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 258 Torrington's new amenity

  • 259 Appledore's largest

  • 260 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 261 Parkham plan realised

  • 262 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 263 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 264 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 265 Recognise this resort?

  • 266 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 267 Filming at Hartland

  • 268 Bridging the stream

  • 269 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 270 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 271 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 272 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 273 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 274

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 275 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 276 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 277 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 278 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 279

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 280 Devil sent packing

  • 281 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 282 113 years at Instow

  • 283 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 284 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 285 Off on a great adventure

  • 286 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 287 Cruising down the river

  • 288 Littleham family's five generations

  • 289 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 290 Picking the pops

  • 291 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 292 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 293 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 294 Variety in summer weather

  • 295 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 296 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 297 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 298 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 299

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 300 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 301 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 302 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 303 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 304

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 305 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 306 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 307 Torrington in 1967

  • 308 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 309 Centenary of Gazette

  • 310 It really was the 'last time'

  • 311 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 312 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 313 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 314 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 315 Northam's almshouse

  • 316 Modern living at Bideford

  • 317 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 318 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 319 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 320 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 321 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 322

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 323 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 324 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 326 So this is the mainland!

  • 327 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 328 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 329 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 330 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 331 Capers on the cobbles

  • 332 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 333 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 334 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 335 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 336 Picking the pops

  • 337 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 338 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 339 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 340 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 341 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 342 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 343 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 344

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 345

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 346 End of the line

  • 347

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 348 A man and his wheel

  • 349 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 350 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 351 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 352

    Was a missionary
  • 353 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 354

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 355 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 356 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 357 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 358 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 359 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 360 All for the love of a lady!

  • 361 Can spring be far away?

  • 362 Artisans' Club

  • 363 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 364 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 365 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 366 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 367 Hartland's invitation

  • 368 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 369 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 370 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 371 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 372 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 373

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 374 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 375

    Building works
  • 376 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 377

    Bidefordians
  • 378 First ship in 8 years

  • 379

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 380 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 381 New shipyard on schedule

  • 382 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 383 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 384 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 385 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 386 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 387 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 388 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 389 Pannier Market's future?

  • 390 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 391

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 392 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 393 Emergency ferry services

  • 394

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 395 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 396 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 397 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 398 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 399 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 400 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 401 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 402 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 403 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 404 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 405 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 406 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 407 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 408 The cab at the corner>
  • 409 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 410 Happy Days!

  • 411 Last train from Torrington

  • 412 Clovelly custom

  • 413 Championship Trophy for Hartland
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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Presentation to Mr Fred Vodden of Torrington in 1964

Presentations have been made to Mr Fred Vodden, of 11 Mill Street, Torrington, to mark his 50 years with the Torrington glove firm of William Vaughan and Sons.. and he is still going strong.

September 1964 Fred Vodden
On the right is the managing director, Mr Michael Vincent, who presented Mr Vodden with a cheque on behalf of the firm. From fellow employees, whose spokesman is on the left, Mr Vodden received a chiming clock.

September 1964 Vodden

Torrington Couple’s Celebration Lunch – 50 years wed

To celebrate their golden wedding last week, a Torrington couple, Mr and Mrs Thomas Newcombe, of 199 New Street, had lunch at an Exeter hotel before going on to visit their only daughter, Mrs Doris Tickle, at Topsham.

2 January 1959 Newcombe Golden Wedding

The day’s expenses were met by their grandson, David.The day’s expenses were met by their grandson, David.

Mr and Mrs Newcombe were married at St Michael’s Parish Church on December 23 1908 by the then Vicar of Torrington, the Rev Frank Emlyn Jones. Now aged 74, Mr Newcombe left school at Langtree at the age of 11 to work on his father’s farm, and continued on the land with Mr Woolacott, of Yarnscombe. After eight years he joined the staff at Torrington railway station where he served for 25 years until his retirement in 1947. Mrs Flossie Newcombe, who is 71, was formerly Miss Pantoll. A native of Torrington, she left school at 13 and worked for Mr Jackson making athletic and sports equipment before going to Messrs Vaughans, the glove manufacturers. She now runs a general store at their home. 

Their daughter, Mrs Tickle, was well known at a Bideford school teacher and a Sunday school teacher at Torrington.

Swimming Pool Project at Torrington 1972

Swimming Pool Project at Torrington 1972

Approval given for the construction of a heated indoor swimming pool

The heated indoor swimming pool is to be on the cattle market site, at an estimated cost of £36,000

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