• 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 When horses score over the tractor

  • 2 New look in the hayfields

  • 3 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 4 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 5 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 6 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 7 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 8 New addition to Quay front

  • 9

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 10 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 11 Off on a great adventure

  • 12 First ship in 8 years

  • 13 It really was the 'last time'

  • 14 Happy Days!

  • 15 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 16 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 17 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 18 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 19 The art of the thatcher

  • 20 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 21

    Married in 1908
  • 22 A bird of their own!

  • 23 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 24 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 25 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 26 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 27 No laughing matter

  • 28

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 29 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 30 He beat the floods

  • 31 Mobile missionary

  • 32 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 33 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 34 So this is the mainland!

  • 35 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 36 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 37 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 38 New choral society's growing response

  • 39 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 40 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 41 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 42 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 43 Twenty-one yachts

  • 44 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 45

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 46 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 47 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 48 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 49 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 50 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 51 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 52 Modern living at Bideford

  • 53 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 54 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 55 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 56 Picking the pops

  • 57 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 58 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 59 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 60 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 61 Service with a smile

  • 62 Parkham plan realised

  • 63 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 64 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 65 A story to tell!

  • 66 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 67 Variety in summer weather

  • 68 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 69 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 71 Northam's almshouse

  • 72 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 73

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 74 Some mushroom!

  • 75 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 76 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 77 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 78 Bideford loses training ship

  • 79 School crossing patrol begins

  • 80 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 81 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 82 Jumble sale fever

  • 83 Ships at Bideford

  • 84 Pannier Market's future?

  • 85 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 86 Puppet characters introduced

  • 87

    Exhibition of school work
  • 88 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 89 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 90 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 91 Northam footballers of the future

  • 92 North Devon Driving School

  • 93 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 94

    Relatives all over the world
  • 95 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 96 Recognise this resort?

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

  • 98 Circus comes to town

  • 99 Centenary of Gazette

  • 100 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 101 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 102

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 103 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 104 Revenge in style

  • 105 Decontrol of meat

  • 106

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 107 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 108 Capers on the cobbles

  • 109 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 110 Waldon Triplets
  • 111 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 112 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 113 Torrington children build igloo
  • 114 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 115 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 116 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 117 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 118 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 119 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 120 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 121 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 122 In their new robes and hats

  • 123 New art gallery opened

  • 124 Picking the pops

  • 125 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 126 Peter poses for TV film

  • 127 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 128 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 129 Ten year old scrambler

  • 130 Bideford computer stars

  • 131 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 132 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 133

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 134 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 135

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 136 Bideford regatta

  • 137 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 138

    Was a missionary
  • 139

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 140 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 141 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 142

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 143 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 144 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 145 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 146 No sale of Springfield House

  • 147 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 148

    Bidefordians
  • 149 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 150 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 151 By pony and trap to market

  • 152 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 153 Bridging the stream

  • 154 They are parted pro-tem

  • 155 Torrington's new amenity

  • 156 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 157 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 158 Sight of a lifetime

  • 159 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 161 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 162 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 163 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 164 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 166 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 167

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 168 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 169 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 170 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 171 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 172 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 173 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 174 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 175 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 176 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 177

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 178 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 179 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 180 What's the time?

  • 181 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 182 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 183

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 184 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 185 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 186 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 188 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 189 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 190

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 191 Hartland Dancers
  • 192 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 193 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 194

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 195 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 196 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 197 Emergency ferry services

  • 198 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 199 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 200 Littleham family's five generations

  • 201

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 202 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 203 113 years at Instow

  • 204 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 205 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 206 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 207 Weare Giffard potato

  • 208 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 209 Penny for the guy

  • 210 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 211 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 212 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 213 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 214 Some 240 exhibits

  • 215 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 216 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 217 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 218 New Lundy stamps

  • 219 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 220 New life for Hartland organ

  • 221 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 222 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 223 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 224 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 226 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 227 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 228 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 229 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 230 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 231 Life begins at 80

  • 232 New Post Office

  • 233 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 234 Warmington's garage ad

  • 235 Finished in 1876

  • 236 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 237 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 238 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 239 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 240 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 241 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 242 New civic medallions

  • 243 Loads of black and white

  • 244 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 245 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 246 All aboard the ark

  • 247 Riverside mystery

  • 248 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 249 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 250

    Building works
  • 251 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 252 The Geneva marionettes

  • 253 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 254 All for the love of a lady!

  • 255

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 256 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 257 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 258 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 259 A man and his wheel

  • 260 Devil sent packing

  • 261 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 262 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 263 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 264 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 265

    New gateway
  • 266 Out of puff!

  • 267 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 268 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 269 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 270

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 271 Clovelly custom

  • 272 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 273 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 274 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 275 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 276

    First prize
  • 277 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 279 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 280 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 281 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 282 Six footed lamb

  • 283

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 284 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 285 Traditions and skills still there

  • 286 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 287 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 288 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 289

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 290 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 291 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 292 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 293 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 294 New shipyard on schedule

  • 295 Private home for public pump

  • 296 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 297 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 298 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 299 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 300 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 301 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 302 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 303 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 304 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 305 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 306 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 307 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 308 Torrington in 1967

  • 309 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 310 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 311 Artisans' Club

  • 312 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 313 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 314 School's link with cargo ship

  • 315 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 316 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 317 Clovelly nightmare

  • 318 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 319 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 320 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 321 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 322 Hartland postman retires

  • 323 For crying out loud!

  • 324

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 325 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 326 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 327 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 328 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 329 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 330 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 331 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 332 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 333 Appledore's largest

  • 334 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 335

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 336 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 337 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 338 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 339 Can spring be far away?

  • 340 Just over a year old

  • 341 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 342 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 343

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 344 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 345 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 346 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 347 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 348 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 349 Last train from Torrington

  • 350 End of the line

  • 351 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 352 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 353 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 354 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 355 Burnard family reunion

  • 356

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 357 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 358 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 359 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 360 Simple Item 138
  • 361 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 362 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 363 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 364 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 365 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 366 Police station view of Bideford

  • 367 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 368 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 369 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 371 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 372 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 373 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 374 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 375 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 376

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 377 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 378 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 379 A roof-top view - where?

  • 380 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 381 Cruising down the river

  • 382 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 383 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 384 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 385 Water Board mains spread through villages

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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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Torrington Sportsman’s Bride

Well known in the Torrington district

12.8.1941 Folland Westlake

as an amateur boxer and athlete, Gunner Joseph William Victor Folland RA, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Frank Folland, 88 Calf Street, Torrington, was married at St Mary’sChurch, Bideford, on August 2nd, to Miss Barbara Francis Westlake, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Samuel Westlake, 9 Bowden Green, Bideford.

The ceremony was performed by Rev R A B Chambers. The bridesmaid was Miss Joan Westlake. Mr R Cudmore carried out the duties of the best man.

Gazette article dated 12 August 1941

Births, Engagements and Marriages

1 November 1968

Burrow – October 24th 1968, to Nora and David, a daughter, Tanya Jane, a sister for Heather. Cox – October 24th at Battle Hospital, Reading, to John and Irene, a son, David Tyndal, brother for John and Fiona.

Shore-Shenton – The engagement is announced between Richard, eldest son of Mr and Mrs F M Shore, of Durrant Lane, Northam, and Joy, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs V Shenton, of Banwell Close, Bristol.

Sussex-Radford - Mr and Mrs W Radford wish to announce the engagement of their second daughter, Janette Elizabeth, of Lyndean, Stoneman’s Lane, Torrington, to Mr David John Sussex, eldest son of Mr and Mrs F Sussex, of 43 Town Park, Torrington.

White-Pickett – Mr and Mrs Pickett, 51 Morwenna Park, Norham, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their eldest daughter Mary, on the occasion of her 21st birthday, November 4th, to Patrick, only son of Mr and Mrs White, 6 Crosspark Crescent, Shirwell.

Blackmore-Pidgeon – On October 26th 1968 at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, Frank S K Blackmore, of Appledore, to Sheila, only child of Mr and Mrs Frank Pidgeon, Glenlea, Bideford.

Hockin-Wood – On October 19th at St Swithun’s Church, Littleham, Ernest John, eldest son of Mr and Mrs T Hockin, of 1 Glebelands, Parkham, to Wendy Ann, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs C Wood, of Dunn Farm, Littleham.

Kanteen-Mitchell – On October 26th at St Margaret’s Church, Northam, Gerald, only son of Mrs J and the late Mr F I Kanteen, of 11 Chantry Avenue, Bideford, to Pamela, only daughter of Mr and Mrs L G Mitchell, 4 Park View, Westward Ho!

Martin-Trayleen – On October 26th at St John’s Church, Old Coulsdon, Anthony Norman, son of Mr and Mrs N Martin, Bideford, to Frances Mary, daughter of Mr and Mrs Edgar Traylen, Coulsdon, Surrey.

1.11.1968

Births, Engagement and Marriages

1 March 1963

Lamey - February 24 1963 to Rosalind (nee Johns) and Leo, a daughter, a sister for Karen.

Pryor - February 24 1963 at Beckenham, Kent, to Frances and Arthur, a daughter, first grandchild for Mr and Mrs F Jarratt, Bridgeland Street, Bideford

Reynolds - February 18 1963 at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Mary (nee Taylor) and Colin, a daughter, Sally Louise

Woodland - February 11 1963 at the North Devon Infirmary, to Eileen and Bob, a daughter, Hazel Mary

Brown-Glossop - engagement is announced between Brian, son of Mrs D Brown and the late Mr G Brown, Hilbro, Bay View Road, Northam, and Joan, daughter of Mr and Mrs W Glossop, 25 Malvern Road, Chesterfield

Polley-Gardner - a marriage has been arranged and will take place on July 31 at Darfield, Yorks, between John Barton Polley, BA, son of Mr and Mrs George Polley, of Bideford, and Judith, daughter of Mr and Mrs Frank Gardner, Darfield, Yorkshire

Tithecott-Starkey - February 16 1963 at St Mary's Church, Bideford, Alan, son of Mr and Mrs J Tithecott, 15 Fort Terrace, to Margaret, daughter of Mr and Mrs E Starkey, 76 Meddon Street.

1.3.1963

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