• 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 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 2 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 3 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 4 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 5 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 6 The Geneva marionettes

  • 7 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 8 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 9 Can spring be far away?

  • 10 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 11 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 12 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 13 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 14 Off on a great adventure

  • 15 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 16 Picking the pops

  • 17 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 18 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 19 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 20

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 21 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 22 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 23 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 25 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 26 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 28 Appledore's largest

  • 29 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 30 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 31 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 33 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 34 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 35 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 36 Hartland Dancers
  • 37 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 38 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 39 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 40

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 41 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 42 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 43

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 44 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 45 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 46 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 47 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 48 Service with a smile

  • 49 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 50 Decontrol of meat

  • 51 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 52 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 53 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 54 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 56

    Relatives all over the world
  • 57 A bird of their own!

  • 58 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 59 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 60 New choral society's growing response

  • 61 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 62 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 64 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 65 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 67 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 68 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 69 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 70 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 71 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 72 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 73 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 74 Finished in 1876

  • 75 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 76 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 77 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 78 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 79 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 80 All aboard the ark

  • 81

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 82 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 83 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 84 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 85

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 86 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 87 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 88 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 89 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 90 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 91 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 92 Sight of a lifetime

  • 93 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 94 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 95 Modern living at Bideford

  • 96 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 97 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 98 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 99 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 100 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 101 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 102 New shipyard on schedule

  • 103 Jumble sale fever

  • 104 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 105 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 106

    Bidefordians
  • 107 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 108 Circus comes to town

  • 109 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 110 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 111 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 112 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 113 They are parted pro-tem

  • 114 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 115 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 116 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 117

    First prize
  • 118 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 119 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 120

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 121 Bideford loses training ship

  • 122 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 123 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 124 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 125 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 126 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 127 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 128 Some 240 exhibits

  • 129 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 130 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 131 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 132 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 133 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 134 Revenge in style

  • 135 New art gallery opened

  • 136 Artisans' Club

  • 137 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 138 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 139

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 140 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 141 A story to tell!

  • 142 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 143 Northam's almshouse

  • 144 Out of puff!

  • 145

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 146 Ships at Bideford

  • 147 Clovelly custom

  • 148 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 149 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 150 Weare Giffard potato

  • 151 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 152 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 153 So this is the mainland!

  • 154 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 155 Cruising down the river

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

  • 157 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 158

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 159 In their new robes and hats

  • 160 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 161 It really was the 'last time'

  • 162 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 163 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 164 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 165 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 166 Waldon Triplets
  • 167 Twenty-one yachts

  • 168 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 169 No sale of Springfield House

  • 170 Loads of black and white

  • 171 Torrington's new amenity

  • 172 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 173 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 174 For crying out loud!

  • 175 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 176 Puppet characters introduced

  • 177 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 178 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 179 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 180 New look in the hayfields

  • 181 Last train from Torrington

  • 182 End of the line

  • 183 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 184 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 185 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 186 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 187 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 188 Bideford computer stars

  • 189 Simple Item 138
  • 190 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 191 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 192

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 193 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 194 First ship in 8 years

  • 195 New Lundy stamps

  • 196 Peter poses for TV film

  • 197 Variety in summer weather

  • 198 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 199 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 200 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 201 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 202 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 203 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 204 Traditions and skills still there

  • 205 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 206 Torrington children build igloo
  • 207 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 208 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 209 Devil sent packing

  • 210 Burnard family reunion

  • 211 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 212 Pannier Market's future?

  • 213 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 214

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 215 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 216 Bridging the stream

  • 217 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 218 By pony and trap to market

  • 219 Happy Days!

  • 220 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 221

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 222 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 223 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 224

    Married in 1908
  • 225 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 226 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 228 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 229 Six footed lamb

  • 230 New addition to Quay front

  • 231 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 232 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 233 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 234 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 235 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 236 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 237 Riverside mystery

  • 238 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 239 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 240 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 241 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 242 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 243 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 244 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 246 Police station view of Bideford

  • 247 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 248 New Post Office

  • 249 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 250 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 251 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 252 Some mushroom!

  • 253

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 254 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 255

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 256 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 257 Parkham plan realised

  • 258 Penny for the guy

  • 259 Picking the pops

  • 260 Clovelly nightmare

  • 261

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 262 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 263 The art of the thatcher

  • 264 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 265 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 266

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 267 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 268 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 269 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 270 Littleham family's five generations

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

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

  • 273 Recognise this resort?

  • 274 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 275 Hartland's invitation

  • 276 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 277 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 278 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 279 New civic medallions

  • 280 Bideford regatta

  • 281

    Was a missionary
  • 282 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 283 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 284

    Building works
  • 285 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 286 Life begins at 80

  • 287

    New gateway
  • 288 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 289 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 290 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 291 Warmington's garage ad

  • 292 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 293 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 294 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 295 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 296 North Devon Driving School

  • 297 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 298

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 299 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 300 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 301 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 302 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 303 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 304 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 305 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 306 New life for Hartland organ

  • 307

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 308 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 309 Hartland postman retires

  • 310 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 311

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 312

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 313 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 314 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 315 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 316 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 317 Capers on the cobbles

  • 318 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 319 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 320 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 321 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 322

    Exhibition of school work
  • 323 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 324 Emergency ferry services

  • 325 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 326

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 327 No laughing matter

  • 328 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 329 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 330 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 331 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 332 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 333 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 334 School crossing patrol begins

  • 335 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 336 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 337 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 338

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 339 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 340 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 341 A roof-top view - where?

  • 342 School's link with cargo ship

  • 343 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 344 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 345 Centenary of Gazette

  • 346

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 347 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 348 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 349 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 350 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 351 All for the love of a lady!

  • 352 Just over a year old

  • 353 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 354 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 355 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 356 Mobile missionary

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

  • 358 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 359 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 360 Private home for public pump

  • 361 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 362 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 363 Ten year old scrambler

  • 364 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 365 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 366 A man and his wheel

  • 367 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 368

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 369 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 370 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 371 Torrington in 1967

  • 372 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 373 When horses score over the tractor

  • 374

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 375 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 376 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 377 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 378 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 379 113 years at Instow

  • 380 He beat the floods

  • 381 What's the time?

  • 382 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 383 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 384 Northam footballers of the future

  • 385 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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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Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! is transformed

The Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! was transformed into an ancient barn for the country fayre held there on Wednesday week by the local Women’s Institute.

November 1962 WHO Kingsley HallNovember 1962 WHO Kingsley Hall

The atmosphere was enhanced by the traditional costumes worn by the helpers at the attractive stalls and by country dancing by Anne Thurston’s group.
Refreshments were served under the supervision of Mrs Cole and competitions were won by Mrs Goodall, Mrs Davy, Mrs Richards, Mrs Ware and Mrs Watts.
Nearly £50 was raised for funds.

Westward Ho! Mourns Cheery Personality

With the passing of John Beer, Westward Ho! has lost one of its most interesting and popular personalities.

1950 John Beer WHo

It was amazing what a wealth of stories he could tell of past events – the old days when the United Services College occupied Kingsley Terrace; the erection of the Pier; the light railway along the cliffs – all these things and a host of others.
But it is less for his knowledge of local history than for his cheery smile of greeting that we shall miss him. I am sure no one could meet and speak to him, as he travelled roads with his bag of letters, without feeling happier for that encounter.
Through the gloomy days when the war news was most depressing; on dark, bitterly cold mornings; or on days when the rain fell unceasingly from a grey-clouded sky, I never knew him to be without a smile and a pleasant greeting. It was better than any tonic to open the door of a morning, and hear his cheery voice as he handed in the letters. Quiet, unassuming, and a friend to everyone, John Beer was one of our blessings, and we shall remember him, as I am sure he would have wished, with warmth at our hearts and a smile.

The Cutty Sark Sold

The Cutty Sark, a lock-up gift shop at Westward Ho! was withdrawn from auction at £14,500 but sold immediately afterwards to a local buyer at an increased figure. 

1972 Cutty Sark

Auctioneers were Messrs Price, Ogden and Stubbs.

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