• 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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    Bidefordians
  • 2 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 3 Some 240 exhibits

  • 4 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 6 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 7

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 8 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 9 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 10 Traditions and skills still there

  • 11

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 12 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 13 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 14 New Lundy stamps

  • 15 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 16 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 17 Emergency ferry services

  • 18 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 19 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 20 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 21 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 22 Cruising down the river

  • 23 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 24 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 25 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 26 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 27 Ships at Bideford

  • 28 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 29

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 30 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 31 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 32 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 33 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 35 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 37 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 38 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 39 Sight of a lifetime

  • 40 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 41 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 42 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 43 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 44 For crying out loud!

  • 45 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 46 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 47 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 48 No laughing matter

  • 49 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 50 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 51 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 52

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 53 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 54 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 55 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 56 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 57 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 58 Clovelly custom

  • 59 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 60 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 61 Can spring be far away?

  • 62 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 63 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 64 Finished in 1876

  • 65 They are parted pro-tem

  • 66 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 67 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 68 Puppet characters introduced

  • 69 So this is the mainland!

  • 70 113 years at Instow

  • 71 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 72 Littleham family's five generations

  • 73 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 74 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 75 Torrington children build igloo
  • 76 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 77 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 78 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 79 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 80 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 81 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 82 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 83 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 84 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 85 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 86 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 87 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 88 Northam footballers of the future

  • 89

    Relatives all over the world
  • 90 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 91 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 92 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 93

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 94 Mobile missionary

  • 95 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 96 New art gallery opened

  • 97 Clovelly nightmare

  • 98 Modern living at Bideford

  • 99 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 100 Waldon Triplets
  • 101 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 102 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 103 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 104 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 105 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 106 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 107 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 108 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 109 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 110 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 111 North Devon Driving School

  • 112 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 113 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 114 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 115 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 116 Sweets derationing

  • 117 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 118 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 119 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 120 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 121

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 122 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 123 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 124 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 125 Centenary of Gazette

  • 126 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 127 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 128 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 129 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 130 New look in the hayfields

  • 131 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 132 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 133 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 134 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 135 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 136

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 137 Burnard family reunion

  • 138 New addition to Quay front

  • 139 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 140 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 141 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 142 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 143 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 144 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 145 Happy Days!

  • 146 It really was the 'last time'

  • 147 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 148 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 149 No sale of Springfield House

  • 150 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 151 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 152

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 153 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 154 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 155 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 156 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 157

    First prize
  • 158 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 159 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 160 Pannier Market's future?

  • 161 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

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

  • 164 Just over a year old

  • 165 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 166 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 167 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 168 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 170 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 171 Twenty-one yachts

  • 172

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 173 Recognise this resort?

  • 174 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 175 Ten year old scrambler

  • 176 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 177 Capers on the cobbles

  • 178 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 180 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 181

    New gateway
  • 182 From Bobby to Brian

  • 183 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 184 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 185 The art of the thatcher

  • 186 Weare Giffard potato

  • 187 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 188 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 189 Peter poses for TV film

  • 190 Riverside mystery

  • 191 Bideford computer stars

  • 192 In their new robes and hats

  • 193 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 194 He beat the floods

  • 195 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 196 Jumble sale fever

  • 197 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 198 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 199 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 200 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 201 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 202 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 203

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 204 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 205 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 206 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 207 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 208 Hartland postman retires

  • 209

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 210 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 211 A man and his wheel

  • 212 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 213 Northam's almshouse

  • 214 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 215 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 216 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 217 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 218 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 219 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 220

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 221 A bird of their own!

  • 222 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 224 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 225 Circus comes to town

  • 226

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 227

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 228 Some mushroom!

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

  • 230 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 231 First ship in 8 years

  • 232 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 233 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 234 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 235 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 236 Penny for the guy

  • 237 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 238 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 239 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 240 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 241 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 242 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 243 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 244 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 245 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 246 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 247 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 248 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 249

    Married in 1908
  • 250 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 251 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 252 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 253 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 254 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 255 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 256 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 257 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 258 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 260 Life begins at 80

  • 261

    Was a missionary
  • 262 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 263 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 264 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 265 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 266 Private home for public pump

  • 267 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 268 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 269 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 270 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 272 Revenge in style

  • 273 Bridging the stream

  • 274 All aboard the ark

  • 275 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 276 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 277 New choral society's growing response

  • 278 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 279 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 280 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 281 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 282 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 283 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 284 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 285 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 286 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 287 All for the love of a lady!

  • 288 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 289 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 290 When horses score over the tractor

  • 291 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 292 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 293 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 294 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 295 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 296 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 297

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 298 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 299 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 300 Last train from Torrington

  • 301

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 302 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 303 Picking the pops

  • 304 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 305 Off on a great adventure

  • 306

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 307 By pony and trap to market

  • 308 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 309 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 310 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 311 New shipyard on schedule

  • 312 Decontrol of meat

  • 313 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 314 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 315 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 317 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 318 The Geneva marionettes

  • 319 Picking the pops

  • 320 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 321 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 322 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 323 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 324 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 325 New Post Office

  • 326 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 327 Hartland Dancers
  • 328 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 329 Police station view of Bideford

  • 330 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 331 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 332 Torrington in 1967

  • 333 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 334 Simple Item 138
  • 335 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 336 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 337 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 338 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 339 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 340 The cab at the corner>
  • 341 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 342 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 343 Loads of black and white

  • 344

    Exhibition of school work
  • 345 Parkham plan realised

  • 346 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 347

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 348 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 349 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 350 Devil sent packing

  • 351 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 352 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 353 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 354 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 355 Appledore's largest

  • 356 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 357 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 358 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 359 Warmington's garage ad

  • 360 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 361

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 362 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 363 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 364 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 365 Variety in summer weather

  • 366 School's link with cargo ship

  • 367 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 368 School crossing patrol begins

  • 369

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 370 Out of puff!

  • 371 A roof-top view - where?

  • 372 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 373 Torrington's new amenity

  • 374 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 375

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 376 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 377 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 378

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 379 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 380 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 382 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 383 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 384 Bideford regatta

  • 385 New life for Hartland organ

  • 386 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 387 New civic medallions

  • 388 Six footed lamb

  • 389 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 390

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 391 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 392 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 393 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 394 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 395 What's the time?

  • 396

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 397 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 398 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 399 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 400 End of the line

  • 401 Hartland's invitation

  • 402 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 403 Service with a smile

  • 404 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 405 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 406 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 407

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 408 Artisans' Club

  • 409

    Building works
  • 410 Bideford loses training ship

  • 411 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 412 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 413 A story to tell!

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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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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