• 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 What's the time?

  • 2 First ship in 8 years

  • 3 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 4 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 5 Burnard family reunion

  • 6 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 7 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 8 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 10 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 11 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 12 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 13 New look in the hayfields

  • 14 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 15 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 16 Twenty-one yachts

  • 17 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 18 Emergency ferry services

  • 19 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 20 No sale of Springfield House

  • 21 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 22 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 23 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 24 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 25 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 26 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 27 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 28 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 29 Bideford computer stars

  • 30 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 31 The art of the thatcher

  • 32 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 33 Picking the pops

  • 34 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 35 Torrington children build igloo
  • 36

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 37 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 38 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 39 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 40 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 41 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 42

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 43 Happy Days!

  • 44 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 45 Torrington's new amenity

  • 46 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 47 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 48 Train returns to Westleigh straight

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

  • 50 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 51 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 52 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 53 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 54 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 55 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 56 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 58 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 59 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 60 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 61 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 62 Hartland's invitation

  • 63 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 64 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 65 Sweets derationing

  • 66 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 67 Private home for public pump

  • 68 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 69 Just over a year old

  • 70 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 71 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 72 Bideford loses training ship

  • 73 They are parted pro-tem

  • 74 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 75 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 76 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 77 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 78 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 79 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 80 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 81 All for the love of a lady!

  • 82

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 83 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 84 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 85 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 86 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 87 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 88 For crying out loud!

  • 89 North Devon Driving School

  • 90 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 91 Riverside mystery

  • 92 Littleham family's five generations

  • 93 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 94 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 95 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 96 Out of puff!

  • 97 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 98 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 99 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 100 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 101 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 102 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 103

    Relatives all over the world
  • 104

    Married in 1908
  • 105 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 107 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 108 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 109 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 110 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 111 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 112 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 113 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 114 Bideford regatta

  • 115 Finished in 1876

  • 116 Artisans' Club

  • 117 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 118 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 119 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 121 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 122 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 123

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 124 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 125 When horses score over the tractor

  • 126 Variety in summer weather

  • 127 Sight of a lifetime

  • 128 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 129 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 130 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 131 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 132 Centenary of Gazette

  • 133 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 134 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 135 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 136 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 137 It really was the 'last time'

  • 138 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 139 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 140 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 142

    First prize
  • 143 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 144 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 145 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 146 Torrington in 1967

  • 147 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 148 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 149 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 150 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 152 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 153

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 154 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 155

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 156 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 157 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 158 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 159 New Lundy stamps

  • 160 Pannier Market's future?

  • 161 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 162

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 163 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 164 New choral society's growing response

  • 165 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 166 In their new robes and hats

  • 167 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 168 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 169 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 170 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 171 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 172 Mobile missionary

  • 173 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 174 Weare Giffard potato

  • 175 Recognise this resort?

  • 176

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 177 Picking the pops

  • 178 Some mushroom!

  • 179 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 180 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 181

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 182 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 183 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 184 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 185

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 186 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 187 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 188 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 189 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 190 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 191 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 192 Clovelly custom

  • 193

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 194 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 195 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 196

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 197 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 198 The cab at the corner>
  • 199 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 200 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 201 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 202

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 203 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 204 All aboard the ark

  • 205 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 206 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 207 The Geneva marionettes

  • 208 Circus comes to town

  • 209 113 years at Instow

  • 210

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 211 Ships at Bideford

  • 212 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 213 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 214 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 215 Loads of black and white

  • 216 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 217 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 218 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 219 Appledore's largest

  • 220 Parkham plan realised

  • 221 School's link with cargo ship

  • 222 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 223 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 224 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 225 Devil sent packing

  • 226

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 227

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 228 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 229 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 230

    New gateway
  • 231 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 232 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 233 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 234 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 235 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 236 No laughing matter

  • 237 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 238 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 239 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 240 Some 240 exhibits

  • 241 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 242 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 243

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 244 New art gallery opened

  • 245 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 246 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 247 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 248 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 249 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 250 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 251 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 252 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 253

    Was a missionary
  • 254 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 255 Off on a great adventure

  • 256 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 257 New civic medallions

  • 258 Waldon Triplets
  • 259 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 260 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 261 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 262 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 263 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 264 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 265 Decontrol of meat

  • 266 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 267 New addition to Quay front

  • 268 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 269 Jumble sale fever

  • 270 School crossing patrol begins

  • 271 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 272 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 273 New life for Hartland organ

  • 274 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 275 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 276 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 277 New shipyard on schedule

  • 278 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 279

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 280 Bridging the stream

  • 281

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 282 Hartland Dancers
  • 283 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 284 Cruising down the river

  • 285

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 286 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 287 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 288

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 289 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 290 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 291 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 292 A bird of their own!

  • 293 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 294 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 295 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 296 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 297 End of the line

  • 298 So this is the mainland!

  • 299

    Bidefordians
  • 300 Filming at Hartland

  • 301

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 302 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 303 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 304 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 305 Traditions and skills still there

  • 306 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 307 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 308 A roof-top view - where?

  • 309 He beat the floods

  • 310 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 311 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 312 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 313 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 314 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 316 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 317 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 318 Police station view of Bideford

  • 319 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 320 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 321 Revenge in style

  • 322 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 323 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 324 Service with a smile

  • 325 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 326 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 328 Ten year old scrambler

  • 329 Capers on the cobbles

  • 330 Modern living at Bideford

  • 331 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 333 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 334 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 335 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 336 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 337 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 338 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 339 Six footed lamb

  • 340 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 341 From Bobby to Brian

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

  • 343 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 344 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 345 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 346 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 347 Last train from Torrington

  • 348 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 349 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 350 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 351 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 352

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 353 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 354 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 355 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 356 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 357 Warmington's garage ad

  • 358 Life begins at 80

  • 359 Peter poses for TV film

  • 360 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 361 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 362

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 363 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 364 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 365 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 366

    Exhibition of school work
  • 367 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 368 A man and his wheel

  • 369 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 370 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 371 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 372 Hartland postman retires

  • 373 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 374

    Building works
  • 375 Clovelly nightmare

  • 376 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 377 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 378 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 379 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 380 Northam's almshouse

  • 381 Simple Item 138
  • 382 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 383 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 384 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 385 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 386 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 387 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 389 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 390 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 391 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 392 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 393 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 394 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 395 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 396 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 397 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 398 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 399 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 400 New Post Office

  • 401 Penny for the guy

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

  • 403 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 404 Northam footballers of the future

  • 405 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 406

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 407 A story to tell!

  • 408 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 409 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 410 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 411 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 413 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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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Golden Wedding, Stapleton - 1957

Golden Wedding, Stapleton - 1st November 1957

1.11.1957 Golden Wedding Stapleton
 

A Day of Memories...

Next Sunday will be a day of memories for Mr and Mrs Arthur Stapleton, of 70a Calf Street, Torrington - memories of fifty years of married life, for it is on that day that they celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
A family gathering at their home will mark the anniversary.
Mr and Mrs Stapleton were married in 1907, at Torrington Baptist Church by the Rev. Franklin Owen.
They have four surviving children, three sons and a daughter, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. One daughter died in 1914.
The sons are Messrs Reg Stapleton, of Torrington, and Fred and Bill Stapleton of London, and the daughter is Mrs Rene Mills, of Torrington.
Mr Arthur Stapleton, who is 73, left school at the age of 13 and worked on a farm at Peters Marland for 12 months before going to Croydon in the grocery business. He later moved to Teignmouth in the same business.
After returning to Torrington at 16 he worked for a short time at Clay Moor, at Marland and later was employed at the Devonport and then the Swansea dockyards before returning to this district to work again at Clay Moor. Just after his marriage, Mr Stapleton was working at Clay Moor for nine hours a day at 4d. an hour.
During the 1914-18 war he served with the R.A.M.C in France and Belgium and received the M.M. in 1917 at Ypres for rescuing wounded under heavy shell fire. After the war he resumed work at Clay Moor until his retirement at the age of 66.
Mrs Stapleton, formerly Miss Selina (Lena) Page, is 69. Leaving school at 13 she worked at a Torrington gloving factory for 2s 6d a week. After her marriage, at the age of twenty, she continued her work at the factory.
Both Mr and Mrs Stapleton enjoy fairly good health and they are both very active.
Like many people of the same age, Mr and Mrs Stapleton did not find things too "easy going" during their earlier married life but, looking back over the years, they both agree "We have no regrets or anything we would really have changed if we had had the chance."

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