• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 2 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 3 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 4

    Was a missionary
  • 5 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 6 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 7 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 8 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 9 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 10 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 11 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 12 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 13 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 14 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 15 No laughing matter

  • 16 Devil sent packing

  • 17 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 18 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 19 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 20 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 21 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 22 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 23 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 24 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 25 Burnard family reunion

  • 26 Bideford regatta

  • 27 A bird of their own!

  • 28 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 29 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 30 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 31 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 32 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 33 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 34 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 35 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 36 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 37 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 38

    Bidefordians
  • 39

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 40 Appledore's largest

  • 41 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 42 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 43 Private home for public pump

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

  • 45

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 46 New shipyard on schedule

  • 47 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 48 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 49 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 50 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 51 Traditions and skills still there

  • 52 Police station view of Bideford

  • 53

    Relatives all over the world
  • 54 Ships at Bideford

  • 55 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 56 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 57

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 58 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 59 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 60 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 61 Bideford computer stars

  • 62 Life begins at 80

  • 63 Warmington's garage ad

  • 64

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 65 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 66 Littleham family's five generations

  • 67 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 68 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 69 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 70 Filming at Hartland

  • 71 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 72 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 73

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 74 In their new robes and hats

  • 75

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 76 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 77 Penny for the guy

  • 78 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 79 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 80 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 82 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 83

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 84 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 85 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 86 Off on a great adventure

  • 87 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 88 North Devon Driving School

  • 89 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 90 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 91 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 92 All for the love of a lady!

  • 93 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 94 School crossing patrol begins

  • 95

    First prize
  • 96 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 97 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 98 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 100

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 101 Capers on the cobbles

  • 102 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 103 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 104

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 105 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 106 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 107 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 108 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 109 They are parted pro-tem

  • 110 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 111 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 112 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 113 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 114 Hartland's invitation

  • 115 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 116 New addition to Quay front

  • 117 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 118 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 119

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 120 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 121 Finished in 1876

  • 122 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 123 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 124 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 125 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 126 Waldon Triplets
  • 127 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 128 Some mushroom!

  • 129

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 130 Mobile missionary

  • 131 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 132

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 133 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 134 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 135 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 136 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 137 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 138 So this is the mainland!

  • 139 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 140 New choral society's growing response

  • 141 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 142 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 143 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 144 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 145 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 146 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 147 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 148 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 149 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 150 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 151 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 152 All aboard the ark

  • 153 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 154 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 155 Northam's almshouse

  • 156 Can spring be far away?

  • 157

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 158 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 159 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 160 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 161 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 162 Sweets derationing

  • 163 New life for Hartland organ

  • 164 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 165 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 166 When horses score over the tractor

  • 167

    Exhibition of school work
  • 168 School's link with cargo ship

  • 169 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 170 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 171 Northam footballers of the future

  • 172 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 173 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 174 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 175 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 176 Decontrol of meat

  • 177 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 178 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 179 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 180 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 181

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 182 Weare Giffard potato

  • 183 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 184 Six footed lamb

  • 185 Cruising down the river

  • 186

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 187 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 188 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 189 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 190 Picking the pops

  • 191 Torrington in 1967

  • 192 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 193 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 194 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 195 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 197 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 198 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 199 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 200 Recognise this resort?

  • 201 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 202 From Bobby to Brian

  • 203 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 204 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 205 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 206 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 207 Circus comes to town

  • 208 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 209 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 210 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 211 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 212 Just over a year old

  • 213 Centenary of Gazette

  • 214 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 215 By pony and trap to market

  • 216 Out of puff!

  • 217 New art gallery opened

  • 218 Clovelly custom

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

  • 220 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 221 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 222 Hartland postman retires

  • 223 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 224 Polish custom on Pancake Day

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

  • 226 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 227 Simple Item 138
  • 228 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 229 Emergency ferry services

  • 230

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 231 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 232 New Lundy stamps

  • 233 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 234 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 235 Variety in summer weather

  • 236 New Post Office

  • 237 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 238 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 239 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 240 He beat the floods

  • 241 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 242 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 243 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 244 Bridging the stream

  • 245 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 246 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 248 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 249 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 250 For crying out loud!

  • 251 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 252 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 253 A roof-top view - where?

  • 254 Sight of a lifetime

  • 255 Clovelly nightmare

  • 256 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 257 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 258 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 259 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 260 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 261 Peter poses for TV film

  • 262 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 263 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 264 Some 240 exhibits

  • 265 First ship in 8 years

  • 266 Twenty-one yachts

  • 267 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 268 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 269 Hartland Dancers
  • 270 Bideford loses training ship

  • 271 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 272

    Building works
  • 273 A story to tell!

  • 274 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 275 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 276 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 277 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 278 Ten year old scrambler

  • 279 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 280 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 281 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 282 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 283 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 284 Sooty is quick on the draw

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

  • 286 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 287 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 288 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 289 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 290 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 291 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 292 What's the time?

  • 293 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 294 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 295 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 296 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 297 The Geneva marionettes

  • 298 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 299 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 300 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 301 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 302 The cab at the corner>
  • 303 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 304 It really was the 'last time'

  • 305 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 306

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 309 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 310 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 312 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 313 Happy Days!

  • 314 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 315 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 316 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 317 Modern living at Bideford

  • 318 Jumble sale fever

  • 319 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 320 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 321 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 322 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 323 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 324

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 325 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 326 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 327 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 328 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 329

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 330 Artisans' Club

  • 331 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 332 Parkham plan realised

  • 333 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 334 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 335 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 336 Riverside mystery

  • 337 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 338

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 339 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 340

    Married in 1908
  • 341 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 342 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 344 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 345

    New gateway
  • 346 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 347 The art of the thatcher

  • 348 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 349 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 350 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 351 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 352 Last train from Torrington

  • 353

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 354 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 355

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 356 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 357 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 358 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 359 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 360 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 361 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 362 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 363 Picking the pops

  • 364 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 365 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 366 113 years at Instow

  • 367

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 368

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 369 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 370 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 371 No sale of Springfield House

  • 372 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 373 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 374 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 375 New look in the hayfields

  • 376 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 377 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 378 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 379 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 380 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 381 Revenge in style

  • 382 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 383 End of the line

  • 384 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 385 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 386 Loads of black and white

  • 387 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 388 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 389 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 390 Service with a smile

  • 391 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 392 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 393 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 394 New civic medallions

  • 395 Pannier Market's future?

  • 396 Torrington's new amenity

  • 397 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 398 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 399 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 400 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 401 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 402 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 403 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 404 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 405 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 406 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 407 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 408 Torrington children build igloo
  • 409

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 410 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 411 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 412 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 413 A man and his wheel

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Council’s Tress Felled By Mistake

Trees on land at Kipling Tors owned by Northam Urban Council had been felled by Braddicks in the belief that the ground belonged to them, members were told.

10.3.1972 Braddicks

The Council expressed concern and agreed that as 20 trees had been damaged, Braddicks should be required to finance their replacement and maintenance.
It was suggested that the 24 replacement trees should consist of three or four varieties of pine and sycamore.
What had happened was regrettable, said Mr P R Galliford, stressing that any doubts about ownership of land should be referred to the Council. The Trees sub-committee tried to preserve trees in the general interest, she pointed out.
Gazette article dated 10 March 1972

Beer Garden Planned For Westward Ho!

A plan to convert the station hall at Westward Ho! into a beer garden style public house was approved by Northam Council – but only on the vote of the chairman, Mr John Smith.

1.3.1974 WHo beer garden

The outline planning application had originally been recommended for refusal by the council but the County Council disagreed with them. Mrs F M Hilder said she felt very strongly that the council had ‘missed the boat’ by not acquiring this property. She added ‘it would have been ideal for us, providing a much needed shelter which we have wanted in Westward Ho! for years and years’. Other members agreed but Mr R F Hill pointed out they had not been able to get the capital allocation. What about the old people at The Chalet home? Asked Mrs E M V Patt. Mrs Hilder alleged that on two occasions the discotheque had been closed by the police.
Lieut-Cmdr M B C Sumner contented ‘If a lot of money is being spent in making a good class place they are not going to be bad neighbours. I think the thing should be given a chance. Mr H S Clements moved that they should refer the matter to the Torridge District Council for refusal but Mr G W Harrison declared that there was a demand for this sort of thing.
The full Gazette article is dated 1 March 1974

Jack and the Beanstalk at Westward Ho!

Three of the cast of the forthcoming Westward Ho! pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk' hard at work on the costumes.

14.2.1972 WHo play1


From left to right - Jean Cockell, Jacqueline Wilkey and Judy Sherborne.
Gazette article dated 14 February 1972

14.2.1972 WHo play2

  • 1

Login Form