• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

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  • 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 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 2 A man and his wheel

  • 3 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 4 Variety in summer weather

  • 5

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 6 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 7 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 8 When horses score over the tractor

  • 9 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 10 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 11 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 12 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 13 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 14 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 15 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 17 New civic medallions

  • 18 Six footed lamb

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

  • 20 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 21 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 22 Riverside mystery

  • 23 Clovelly nightmare

  • 24 The Geneva marionettes

  • 25 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 26 Cruising down the river

  • 27

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 28 By pony and trap to market

  • 29 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 30 Some mushroom!

  • 31 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 32 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 33 Ten year old scrambler

  • 34 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 35 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 36 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 37 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 38 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 39 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 40 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 41 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 42 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 43 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 44 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 45 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 46 Hartland Dancers
  • 47

    Exhibition of school work
  • 48 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 49 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 50 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 51 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 52 Modern living at Bideford

  • 53

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 54 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 55 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 56 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 57 Ships at Bideford

  • 58 Mobile missionary

  • 59 Pannier Market's future?

  • 60 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 61 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 62

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 63 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 64 Northam's almshouse

  • 65 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 66 No sale of Springfield House

  • 67 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 68 Traditions and skills still there

  • 69 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 70 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 71 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 72 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 73 Hartland postman retires

  • 74 Sweets derationing

  • 75 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 76 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 77 Picking the pops

  • 78 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 79 New Lundy stamps

  • 80 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 81 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 82 First ship in 8 years

  • 83 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 84 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 85 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 86 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 87 All aboard the ark

  • 88 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 89 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 90 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 91 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 92 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 93 Jumble sale fever

  • 94 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 95 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 96 Clovelly custom

  • 97

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 98 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 99 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 100 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 101 Service with a smile

  • 102 New choral society's growing response

  • 103 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 104 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 105 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 106 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 107 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 108 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 110 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 111 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 112 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 113

    Was a missionary
  • 114 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 115 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 116 A roof-top view - where?

  • 117 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 118 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 119 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 120 Loads of black and white

  • 121 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 122 Emergency ferry services

  • 123

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 124 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 125 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 126 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 127

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 128 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 129 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 130 Can spring be far away?

  • 131 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 132 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 133 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 134 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 135 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 136 North Devon Driving School

  • 137 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 138 Private home for public pump

  • 139 Circus comes to town

  • 140 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 141 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 142 Decontrol of meat

  • 143 Out of puff!

  • 144 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 145 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 146

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 147 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 148 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 149 All for the love of a lady!

  • 150 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 151 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 152 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 153 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 154 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 155 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 156 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 157 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 158 Artisans' Club

  • 159 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 160 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 161 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 162

    Married in 1908
  • 163 Some 240 exhibits

  • 164 In their new robes and hats

  • 165 Penny for the guy

  • 166 Puppet characters introduced

  • 167 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 168 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 169 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 170 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 171 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 172 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 173 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 174 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 175

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 176 Revenge in style

  • 177 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 178 A story to tell!

  • 179 New look in the hayfields

  • 180 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 181 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 182

    Building works
  • 183 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 184

    Bidefordians
  • 185 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 186 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 187 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 188 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 190 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 191 Hartland's invitation

  • 192 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 193 Peter poses for TV film

  • 194 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 195 Sight of a lifetime

  • 196 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 197 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 198 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 199 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 200

    Relatives all over the world
  • 201 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 202 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 203 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 204 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 205 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 206 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 207

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 208 113 years at Instow

  • 209 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 210 Centenary of Gazette

  • 211 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 212 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 213 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 214 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 215

    New gateway
  • 216 Bideford regatta

  • 217 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 218 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 219 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 220 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 221 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 222 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 223 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 224

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 225 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 226 So this is the mainland!

  • 227 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 228 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 229 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 230 Twenty-one yachts

  • 231 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 232 Burnard family reunion

  • 233 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 234 It really was the 'last time'

  • 235 Northam footballers of the future

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

  • 237 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 238

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 239 Waldon Triplets
  • 240 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 242 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 243 Appledore's largest

  • 244 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 245 They are parted pro-tem

  • 246 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 247 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 248 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 249 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 250 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 251 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 253 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 254 New addition to Quay front

  • 255 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 256 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 257 Filming at Hartland

  • 258 What's the time?

  • 259 Recognise this resort?

  • 260

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 261 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 262 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 263 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 264 Devil sent packing

  • 265

    First prize
  • 266 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 267 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 268 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 269 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 270 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 271 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 272 End of the line

  • 273 Bideford computer stars

  • 274

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

  • 276 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 277

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 278 School crossing patrol begins

  • 279

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 280 Just over a year old

  • 281 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 282 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 283 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 284 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 285 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 286 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 287 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 288 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 289 The art of the thatcher

  • 290 Littleham family's five generations

  • 291 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 292 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 293 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 295 The cab at the corner>
  • 296 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 297 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 298 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 299 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 300 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 301 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 303 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 304 Bideford loses training ship

  • 305 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 306 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 309 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 310 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 311 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 312 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 313 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 314 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 315 New art gallery opened

  • 316 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 317 Police station view of Bideford

  • 318 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 319 A bird of their own!

  • 320 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 321

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 322 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 323 No laughing matter

  • 324 Simple Item 138
  • 325 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 326 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 327 Bridging the stream

  • 328 Parkham plan realised

  • 329 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 331 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 332 Life begins at 80

  • 333 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 334 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 335 Finished in 1876

  • 336 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 337 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 338 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 339 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 340 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 341 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 342

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 343 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 344

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 345 Weare Giffard potato

  • 346 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 347 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 348 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 349 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 350 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 351 New shipyard on schedule

  • 352 He beat the floods

  • 353 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 354 Torrington children build igloo
  • 355 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 356

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 357 From Bobby to Brian

  • 358 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 359 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 360 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 361 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 362 Capers on the cobbles

  • 363 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 364 New life for Hartland organ

  • 365 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 366 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 367

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 368 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 369 Off on a great adventure

  • 370 Last train from Torrington

  • 371 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 372 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 373 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 374 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 375 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 376 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 377 Picking the pops

  • 378 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 379 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 380 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 381 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 382 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 383 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 384 School's link with cargo ship

  • 385

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 386 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 387 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 388 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

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

  • 391 Torrington's new amenity

  • 392 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 393 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 394 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 395 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 396 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 397

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 398 For crying out loud!

  • 399

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 400 Torrington in 1967

  • 401 Bideford country dancers on TV

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

  • 403 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 404 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 405 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 406

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 407 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 408 New Post Office

  • 409 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 410 Warmington's garage ad

  • 411 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 412 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 413 Happy Days!

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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  • 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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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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Retirement of Bideford Railway Official in 1938

Mr C T Wesley, Senior

3 May.1938 Mr C T Wesley Senior retires from Bideford Railway

After nearly half a century’s work in connection with the railway, Mr  C T Wesley, of Alton, Alexandra Terrace, Bideford, retired on Saturday from the position of senior good clerk at the Bideford South Railway Station, having reached the age limit of sixty. Well-known and highly respected by Bidefordians, Mr Wesley has been at Bideford for close on 27 years, actually coming to North Devon, in August 1911 as goods clerk, on what was then the London and South Western Railway. Born at Southwick, near Portsmouth, Hampshire, Mr Wesley joined the railway staff in the audit office at Waterloo Station in 1893. He remained there only two years and then went over to the goods side, his first appointment being at Farnham, Surrey, where he was for about five years, and where he met his wife, formerly Miss Vicary, who a native of that place. From Farnham he came nearer to Devon, namely at Chard, Somerset, remaining there for three years, before going to Windsor for two years, to Alton (after which is house is named) for six years and finally to Bideford. The time spent at Bideford has proved very happy for Mr and Mrs Wesley, so much so that in their retirement they will live on here among the many friends they have made during their twenty-seven years sojourn in the Torridge district. Apart from his work on the railway, Mr Wesley’s chief interest has been in the North Road Gospel Hall, of which he has been a member ever since coming to the town. He was connected with similar places of worship in the other districts in which he was stationed. To revert to is railway work. When asked if he had seen many strange ‘goods’ during his career as goods clerk, Mr Wesley replied that so many strange loads were dealt with that one got used to them so that they became no longer strange! Mr Wesley’s son, Mr Victor Wesley, who is married, is also connected with the railway, and is employed in the divisional superintendent’s office at Southampton. There is also a daughter who lives at Bideford. His many friends, pleased to hear than in his retirement he will remain with them, will join in extending to Mr Wesley their best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

New vicar of Buckland Brewer 1947

The Rev Leonard Woolcott, rector of Langton Malton, Yorks, since 1929, has been appointed to the vicariate of Buckland Brewer, rendered vacant recently by the resignation of the Rev J F Beamish.

11.3.1947 Reverend Leonard Woolcott

A Devonian, Mr Woolcott received early education at the Episcopal School, Exeter. He was ordained in 1914. Writing in the March issue of Hartland Deanery Magazine, Rev. L Woolcott says ‘Although it will be some few weeks before I shall be officially inducted to the benefice of Buckland Brewer, I felt I would take this early opportunity of sending you, on behalf of my wife and myself, our warmest greetings. We are much looking forward to living among you, sharing your joys and sorrows, your friendship and goodwill.’

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