• 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 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 2 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 3 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 4 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 5 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 6 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 7 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 8 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 9 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 10 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 11 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 12 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 13 Ships at Bideford

  • 14 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 15 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 16 Puppet characters introduced

  • 17 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 18 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 19 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 20 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 21 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 22 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 23 When horses score over the tractor

  • 24 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 25 Circus comes to town

  • 26

    Building works
  • 27 Devil sent packing

  • 28 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 29 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 30 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 31 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 32

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 33 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 34 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 35 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 36 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 37 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 38 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 39 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 40 Bideford loses training ship

  • 41 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 42 Centenary of Gazette

  • 43 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 44 New Lundy stamps

  • 45 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 47 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 48 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 49 Six footed lamb

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

  • 51 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 52 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 53 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 54 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 55 Peter poses for TV film

  • 56 Artisans' Club

  • 57 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 58

    New gateway
  • 59 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 60 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 61 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 63 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 64 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 65 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 66

    Relatives all over the world
  • 67 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 68 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 69

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 70 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 71 Ten year old scrambler

  • 72 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 73 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 74 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 75 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 76 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 77 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 78 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 79 Bideford regatta

  • 80 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 82 New civic medallions

  • 83 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 84 For crying out loud!

  • 85 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 86

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 87 Happy Days!

  • 88 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 89 Simple Item 138
  • 90 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 91 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 92 Variety in summer weather

  • 93 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 94 All for the love of a lady!

  • 95 New shipyard on schedule

  • 96 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 97 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 98 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 99 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 100 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 101 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 102 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 103 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 104 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 105

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 106 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 107 The art of the thatcher

  • 108 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 109 Twenty-one yachts

  • 110 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 111 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 112 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 113 Some mushroom!

  • 114 Mobile missionary

  • 115 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 116 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 117 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 118

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 119 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 120 Jumble sale fever

  • 121 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 122 Life begins at 80

  • 123 What's the time?

  • 124 Police station view of Bideford

  • 125 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 126 Service with a smile

  • 127 End of the line

  • 128 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 129 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 130 It really was the 'last time'

  • 131 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 132 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 134 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 135 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 136 North Devon Driving School

  • 137 New addition to Quay front

  • 138 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 139 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 140

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 141 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 142 Recognise this resort?

  • 143 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 144 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 145 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 146 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 147 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 148 Clovelly custom

  • 149 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 150 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 151 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 152 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 153 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 154 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 155 Modern living at Bideford

  • 156 Bridging the stream

  • 157 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 158 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 159 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 160 Pannier Market's future?

  • 161 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 162 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 163 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 164 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 165

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 166

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 167 In their new robes and hats

  • 168 Cruising down the river

  • 169 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 170 Northam's almshouse

  • 171 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 172 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 173 Clovelly nightmare

  • 174 Private home for public pump

  • 175

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 176 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 177 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 178 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 179 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 180 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 181

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 182 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 183 A man and his wheel

  • 184 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 185 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 186 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 187 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 188 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 189 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 190 Riverside mystery

  • 191 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 192 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 193 Warmington's garage ad

  • 194 Some 240 exhibits

  • 195 Traditions and skills still there

  • 196

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 197 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 198 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 199

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 200 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 201 Waldon Triplets
  • 202 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 203 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 204 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 205

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 206

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 207 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 208 So this is the mainland!

  • 209 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 210 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 211 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 212 All aboard the ark

  • 213 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 214 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 215 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 216 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 217 Emergency ferry services

  • 218 New art gallery opened

  • 219 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 220 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 221 Parkham plan realised

  • 222 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 223 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 224

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 225 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 226 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 227 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 228 Burnard family reunion

  • 229 By pony and trap to market

  • 230 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 231 Picking the pops

  • 232 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 233 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 234 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 235 Hartland Dancers
  • 236

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 237 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 238 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 240 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 241 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 242 First ship in 8 years

  • 243 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 244 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 245 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 246

    Exhibition of school work
  • 247

    Bidefordians
  • 248 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 249 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 250 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 251 Littleham family's five generations

  • 252 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 254 Appledore's largest

  • 255 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 256 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 257 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 258 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 259

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 260 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 261 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 262 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 263 A story to tell!

  • 264 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 265 The Geneva marionettes

  • 266 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 267 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 268

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 269 Can spring be far away?

  • 270 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 271 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 272 113 years at Instow

  • 273 Northam footballers of the future

  • 274 Hartland postman retires

  • 275 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 276 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 277 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 278 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 279 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 280 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 282 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 283 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 284 Penny for the guy

  • 285

    Was a missionary
  • 286 Torrington in 1967

  • 287 He beat the floods

  • 288 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 289 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 290 Weare Giffard potato

  • 291 Bideford computer stars

  • 292 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 293 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 294 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 295 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 296 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 297 Just over a year old

  • 298

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 299 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 300 Revenge in style

  • 301 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 302 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 303 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 304 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 305 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 306 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 307 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 309 Hartland's invitation

  • 310 School's link with cargo ship

  • 311 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 312 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 313 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 314 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 315 A bird of their own!

  • 316 They are parted pro-tem

  • 317 Last train from Torrington

  • 318 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 319 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 320 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 321 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 322 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 323 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 325 New look in the hayfields

  • 326 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 327 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 328 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 329 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 330

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 331 Torrington's new amenity

  • 332 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 333 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 334 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 335 Decontrol of meat

  • 336 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 337 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 338 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 339

    First prize
  • 340 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 341 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 342

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 343 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 344 A roof-top view - where?

  • 345 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 346 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 347 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 348 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 349 No laughing matter

  • 350 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 351

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 352 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 353 Out of puff!

  • 354

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 355 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 356 New Post Office

  • 357 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 358 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 359

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 360 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 361 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 362 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 363 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 364 Off on a great adventure

  • 365 New life for Hartland organ

  • 366 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 367 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 368 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 369 Torrington children build igloo
  • 370 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 372 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 373

    Married in 1908
  • 374 Sight of a lifetime

  • 375 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 376 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 377 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 378 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 379 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 380 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 381

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 382 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 383 Finished in 1876

  • 384 Picking the pops

  • 385 Loads of black and white

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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  • 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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  • 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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Signl W D French and Miss D K Pennington

The wedding was solemnised at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on April 11th,

21.4.1942 French Pennington

of Signalman William D French, Royal Corps of Signals, son of Mrs Frenceh and the late Mr French, of Church Walk, Bideford, and Miss Daisy Kathleen Pennington, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles F Pennington, of Highborough, Pinecroft Terrace, Clovelly Road, Bideford.

The ceremony was conducted by the Rev R Y Stone.

The full Gazette article is dated 21 April 1942

Wedding At Bideford

Mr W F H Grant and Miss D A M Blackmore

20.1.1942 Blackmore Grant

On Saturday January 10th, the wedding took place at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, of Mr William Frederick Hookway Grant, son of Mr and Mrs William Grant, 6 Kingsley Terrace, Bideford, and Miss Dorothy Alice May Blackmore, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Ernest Blackmore, 12 North Road, Bideford.

The Rev R A B Chambers officiated and Mr R Harper was at the organ. There were two bridesmaids – Miss Doreen Harding and Miss Joyce Vine. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Jack Newcombe, Mr J Pile and Mr W Harding acted as ushers at the church.

The full Gazette article is dated 20 January 1942

Westward Ho! Bride

 Many friends attend ceremony

16.3.1943 Montague Hutchings

There was much local interest and a large attendance of friends at the wedding at Westward Ho! Church on March 4, of Pte John James Montague, Military Pioneer Corps, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J Montague of Glasgow, and Miss Doris Myrtle Hutchings, only child of Cllr and Mrs G W G Hutchings, of 5 Westbourne Terrace, Westward Ho!

The Rev H Hancox officiated at the ceremony and Mrs Kelly was at the organ. The bride was attended by Misses Violet and Edith Ellis and Pearl Montague and the best man was Mr Harry Montague. Misses Evon and Edith Ellis and Patsy Hocking presented silver horseshoe tokens.

Flowers for bouquets were supplied by Messrs Braund Bros, High Street, Bideford and the dresses by Messrs Heywood and Cock, Grenville Street, Bideford.

The full Gazette article is dated 16 March 1943

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