• 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

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 2

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 3 Sweets derationing

  • 4 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 5 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 6 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 7 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 8 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 9 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 10 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 11 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 12 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 13 Clovelly nightmare

  • 14 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 15 Finished in 1876

  • 16 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 17 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 18 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 20 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 21 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 22 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 23 Bideford computer stars

  • 24 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 25

    Relatives all over the world
  • 26 Can spring be far away?

  • 27 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 28 New Estate's view of estuary activities

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

  • 30 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 31 Emergency ferry services

  • 32 He beat the floods

  • 33 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 34 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 35

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 36 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 37 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 38

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 39 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 40 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 41 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 42 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 43 Waldon Triplets
  • 44 Hartland Dancers
  • 45 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 46 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 47 Appledore's largest

  • 48 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 49 Some mushroom!

  • 50 New civic medallions

  • 51 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 52 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 53 Torrington's new amenity

  • 54 Private home for public pump

  • 55 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 56 All for the love of a lady!

  • 57 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 58 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 59 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 60 No laughing matter

  • 61 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 62 By pony and trap to market

  • 63 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 64 School's link with cargo ship

  • 65 Loads of black and white

  • 66 Hartland's invitation

  • 67 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 68 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 69 Last train from Torrington

  • 70 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 71 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 72 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 73 New life for Hartland organ

  • 74 When horses score over the tractor

  • 75 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 76 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 77 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 78 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 79 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 80 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 81 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 82 Penny for the guy

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

  • 84 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 85 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 86

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 87 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 88 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 89 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 90 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 91 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 92 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 93 New choral society's growing response

  • 94 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 95 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 96 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 97 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 98 The art of the thatcher

  • 99 Variety in summer weather

  • 100 Torrington in 1967

  • 101 A man and his wheel

  • 102 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 103 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 104 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 106 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 107 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 108 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 109 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 110 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 111 Circus comes to town

  • 112 Capers on the cobbles

  • 113 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 114 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 115 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 116 Pannier Market's future?

  • 117 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 118 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 119

    Was a missionary
  • 120 First ship in 8 years

  • 121 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 122 Hartland postman retires

  • 123 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 124 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 125 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 126 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 127 It really was the 'last time'

  • 128 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 130 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 131 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 132 A story to tell!

  • 133 What's the time?

  • 134 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 135 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 136 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 137 Recognise this resort?

  • 138

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 139 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 140 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 141 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 142 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 143 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 144 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 145 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 146 Simple Item 138
  • 147 Decontrol of meat

  • 148 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 149 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 150 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 151 Some 240 exhibits

  • 152 North Devon Driving School

  • 153 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 154

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 155

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 156 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 157 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 158 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 159

    New gateway
  • 160 New art gallery opened

  • 161 Six footed lamb

  • 162 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 163 New Post Office

  • 164 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 165 So this is the mainland!

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

  • 167 Picking the pops

  • 168 Bridging the stream

  • 169

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 170

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 171 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 172 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 173 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 174 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 175 Service with a smile

  • 176 New look in the hayfields

  • 177 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 178 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 179 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 180 Just over a year old

  • 181 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 182 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 183 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 185 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 186 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 187 Northam footballers of the future

  • 188 Northam's almshouse

  • 189 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 191 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 192 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 193 All aboard the ark

  • 194 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 195 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 196 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 197 Artisans' Club

  • 198 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 199 No sale of Springfield House

  • 200 Picking the pops

  • 201 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 202 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 203 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 204 Mobile missionary

  • 205 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 206 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 207

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 208 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 209

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 210 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 211 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 212 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 214 Torrington children build igloo
  • 215 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 216 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 217 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 218 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 219 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 220 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 221 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 222 Police station view of Bideford

  • 223 Clovelly custom

  • 224 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 225 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 226 Warmington's garage ad

  • 227 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 228

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 229

    Married in 1908
  • 230 Centenary of Gazette

  • 231 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 232 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 233 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 234 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 235 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 236 Peter poses for TV film

  • 237 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 238

    Exhibition of school work
  • 239 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 240 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 241 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 242 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 243 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 244 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 245 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 246 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 247 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 248 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 249 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 250 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 251 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 252 New shipyard on schedule

  • 253 They are parted pro-tem

  • 254 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 255 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 256 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 257 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 258 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 259 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 260 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 261 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 262 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 264 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 265 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 266 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 267 Littleham family's five generations

  • 268 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 269 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 270 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 271 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 272 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 273 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 274 Riverside mystery

  • 275 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 276 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

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

  • 279 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 280 Weare Giffard potato

  • 281 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 282 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 283 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 285

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 286 For crying out loud!

  • 287 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 288 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 289 Jumble sale fever

  • 290 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 291 School crossing patrol begins

  • 292 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 293 Devil sent packing

  • 294 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 295

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 296 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 297 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 298 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 299

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 300 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 301 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 302 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 303 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 304 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 305 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 306 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 307 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 308 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 309 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 310 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 311 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 312

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 313 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 314 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 315 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 316 Bideford loses training ship

  • 317 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 318

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 319 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 320 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 321 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 322 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 323 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 324 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 325 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 326 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 327 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 328 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 329

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 330 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 331 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 332 New addition to Quay front

  • 333 A roof-top view - where?

  • 334 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 335 Life begins at 80

  • 336

    Building works
  • 337 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 338 Ten year old scrambler

  • 339

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 340 Burnard family reunion

  • 341 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 342 Bideford regatta

  • 343 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 344 Off on a great adventure

  • 345 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 346 Puppet characters introduced

  • 347 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 348 A bird of their own!

  • 349 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 350 Filming at Hartland

  • 351 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 352 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 353 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 354 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 355 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 356 End of the line

  • 357 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 358 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 359 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 360 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 361 Ships at Bideford

  • 362 113 years at Instow

  • 363

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 364 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 365 Out of puff!

  • 366 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 367 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 368 Cruising down the river

  • 369 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 371 The Geneva marionettes

  • 372 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 373 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 374 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 375 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 376 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 377 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 378 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 379 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 380 Revenge in style

  • 381 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 382 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 383 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 384 Happy Days!

  • 385

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 386 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 387 Sight of a lifetime

  • 388 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 389 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 390 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 391 New Lundy stamps

  • 392 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 393 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 394 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 395

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 396 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 397 Traditions and skills still there

  • 398 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 399 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 400 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 401 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 402 In their new robes and hats

  • 403 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 404 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 405

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

  • 407

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 408 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 409 The cab at the corner>
  • 410 From Bobby to Brian

  • 411 Parkham plan realised

  • 412

    Bidefordians
  • 413

    First prize
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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Sleeping Beauty

The well-known saying 

“Beyond the best there is a better” must have been foremost in the mind of Ada Powell when she first started putting the Westward Ho! Follies through their paces in October in preparation for their eighth annual pantomime “Sleeping Beauty” which is being presented at the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! all this week.

10.1.1958 WHo pantomime1

When she produced her first pantomime last year – Mother Goose’s Folly – audiences claimed it the best of the series they had seen to date. It may confidently be submitted that this year’s show is even better, judging by the reception given to it by enthusiastic audiences.

Continuity is a fault which sometimes tends to mar amateur productions such as this but Sleeping Beauty runs very smoothly and has been tightened up to a brisk show of about one and a half hours.

There are, naturally, pauses between scenes and acts but the audience is fully occupied listening to pianist Fred Verney, a former Church organist. The author of the show is Norah Gibbs who under the pen-name of ‘Claire Ritchie’ has written a series of novels.

If one could pick a star from this show the spotlight would fall on Jean Moon in her part as Dumkins. She receives excellent support from her partner, Count Borokwid (Graham Humphrey).

Muriel Eagle brilliantly portrays the sinister role of bad fairy. Carol Slaymaker makes a delightful Princess Bellarosa. Her opposite number, young Margaret Humphrey, as Prince Trulova, shows up well in her stage debut. Another young performer is Carol Grey, not the one of Archers fame, and she made a charming fairy. Three tiny tots – Thelma and Wendy Wathen and Margaret Jeffery – deserve a special mention.

Cast in order of appearance – Dorothy Lewis, Arthur Feron, Doris Hudson, Lee Lancaster, Carol Grey, Janet Moon, Patricia Fisher, Thelma and Wendy Wathen, Margaret Jeffery, Muriel Eagle, Carol Slaymaker, Rosemary Hosegood, Patricia Fisher, Jean Moon, Graham Humphrey, Margaret Humphrey, Arthur Eagle, Muriel Eagle.

Stage manager, A Eagle; electrician, T Ryan; props, P Alexander; stage staff, E and R Westoby, J Mouncey; dancing arrangements, Dorothy Taylor.

10.1.1958 WHo pantomime2

Full article dated 10 January 1958

His Shovel Struck Two Shells

Westward Ho! pool owner’s discovery

29.1.1965 WHo pool

Two 5.5 shells were dug up at Westward Ho! on Wednesday.

About two feet long, they were found by the owner of the Patio Swimming Pool, Mr Dennis Price, while digging up part of the concrete surround at the shallow end of the pool for new piping to be laid to a filter.

‘I saw what I thought was a piece of rusty piping sticking out’ said Mr Price. ‘Before I knew what the objects were I gave one of them a tremendous bang with a shovel’.

Police contacted an Army bomb disposal unit at Salisbury who came and blew up the shells on the beach yesterday.

Gazette article dated 29 January 1965

Free Holidays at Westward Ho!

A good trip

2.11.1962 Free holiday to Westward Ho!


To mark centenary year Northam Chamber of Commerce are paying for a grant of arms of the township, and to help raise funds they organised a draw, prizes given by members included free holidays in various types of accommodation at Westward Ho! in 1963 – centenary year. 

Mr Martin, caravan site proprietor, was among those who offered a holiday, as was his personal friend and secretary of the Chamber, Mr W Latter, who owns a guest house.

More than 1,000 tickets were sold and the week’s holiday to be given by Mr Latter was won by - Mr Martin. And so it is that Mr Martin is now on the look out for a deserving couple, possibly old-age pensioners and preferably from an industrial area, who would appreciate a week’s free accommodation at ‘glorious Westward Ho!’ and who would otherwise, not have a holiday.

Incidentally Mr Martin also sold another winning ticket in the draw – to someone in Torrington.

Full Gazette article dated 2 November 1962

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