• 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 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 2 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 3 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 4

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 5 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 6 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 7 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 8 Bridging the stream

  • 9 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 10 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 11 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 12 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 13 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 14 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 15 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 16 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 17 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 18 Loads of black and white

  • 19 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 20 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 21 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 22 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 23 Simple Item 138
  • 24 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 25 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 26 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 27 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 28 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 29 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 30 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 31 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 32 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 33

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 34 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 35 Ten year old scrambler

  • 36 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 37 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 38 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 40 Bideford regatta

  • 41 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 42 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 43

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 44 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 45 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 46 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 47 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 48

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 49 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 50 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 51 Sight of a lifetime

  • 52 New addition to Quay front

  • 53 Bideford loses training ship

  • 54 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 55 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 56 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 57 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 58 Emergency ferry services

  • 59 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 60 Waldon Triplets
  • 61 Six footed lamb

  • 62 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 63 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 64 Picking the pops

  • 65 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 66

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 67 They are parted pro-tem

  • 68

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 69

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 70 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 71 Hartland Dancers
  • 72 Last train from Torrington

  • 73

    Exhibition of school work
  • 74 No laughing matter

  • 75 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 76 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 77 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 78 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 79 A roof-top view - where?

  • 80 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 81 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 82 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 83 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 84

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 85 Cruising down the river

  • 86 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 87 New shipyard on schedule

  • 88

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 89 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 90 For crying out loud!

  • 91 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 92 No sale of Springfield House

  • 93 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 94 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 95 Can spring be far away?

  • 96 All aboard the ark

  • 97

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 98 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 99 A story to tell!

  • 100 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 101 113 years at Instow

  • 102 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 103 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 104 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 105

    Bidefordians
  • 106 New life for Hartland organ

  • 107 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 108 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 109 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 110 Jumble sale fever

  • 111 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 112 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 113

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 114 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 115 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 116 Warmington's garage ad

  • 117 What's the time?

  • 118 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 119 Penny for the guy

  • 120 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 121 By pony and trap to market

  • 122 Finished in 1876

  • 123 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 124 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 125

    Married in 1908
  • 126 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 127 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 128 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 129 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 130 Torrington children build igloo
  • 131 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 132 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 133 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 134 Modern living at Bideford

  • 135 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 136 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 137 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 138 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 139 Revenge in style

  • 140 Parkham plan realised

  • 141 Northam footballers of the future

  • 142

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 143 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 144

    First prize
  • 145 Some 240 exhibits

  • 146 Picking the pops

  • 147 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 148 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 149

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 150 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 151 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 152 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 153 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 154 In their new robes and hats

  • 155 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 156 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 157 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 158 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 159 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 160 So this is the mainland!

  • 161 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 162 When horses score over the tractor

  • 163 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 164

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 165 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 166 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 167 Mobile missionary

  • 168 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 169 Private home for public pump

  • 170 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 171 Just over a year old

  • 172 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 173

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 174 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 175 Hartland's invitation

  • 176 Happy Days!

  • 177 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 178 First ship in 8 years

  • 179 Capers on the cobbles

  • 180 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 181

    Building works
  • 182 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 183 Weare Giffard potato

  • 184 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 185 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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

  • 187 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 188 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 189 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 190 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 191 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 192 Clovelly nightmare

  • 193 Out of puff!

  • 194 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 195

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 196 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 197 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 198 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 199 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 200 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 201 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 202 The Geneva marionettes

  • 203 North Devon Driving School

  • 204 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 205 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 206 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 207 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 208 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 209 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 210 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 211 A bird of their own!

  • 212 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 213 Torrington's new amenity

  • 214

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 215 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 216 Police station view of Bideford

  • 217

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 218 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 219 Traditions and skills still there

  • 220 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 221 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 222 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 223 He beat the floods

  • 224 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 226 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 227 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 228 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 229 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 230 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 231 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 232 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 233 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 234 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 235 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 236 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 237 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 238 Centenary of Gazette

  • 239

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 240 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 241 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 242 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 243 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 244 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 245 A man and his wheel

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

  • 247 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 248 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 249 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 250 Variety in summer weather

  • 251 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 252 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 253 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 254 Hartland postman retires

  • 255 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 256 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 257 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 258 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 259 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 261 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 262 Life begins at 80

  • 263 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 264 Clovelly custom

  • 265 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 266 Burnard family reunion

  • 267 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 268 Devil sent packing

  • 269 New civic medallions

  • 270 It really was the 'last time'

  • 271 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 272 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 273 School crossing patrol begins

  • 274 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 275 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 276

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 277 End of the line

  • 278 Artisans' Club

  • 279 New choral society's growing response

  • 280 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 281 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 282 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 283 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 284

    Relatives all over the world
  • 285 Appledore's largest

  • 286 Peter poses for TV film

  • 287 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 288 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 289 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 290 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 291 New art gallery opened

  • 292 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 293 Circus comes to town

  • 294 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 295 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 296 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 297 Recognise this resort?

  • 298 Ships at Bideford

  • 299 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 300 Pannier Market's future?

  • 301 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 302 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 303 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 304

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 305 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 306 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 307 Service with a smile

  • 308 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 309 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 310 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 311 Decontrol of meat

  • 312 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 314

    Was a missionary
  • 315 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 316

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 317 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 318 Off on a great adventure

  • 319 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 320 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 321

    New gateway
  • 322 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 323 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 324 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 325 The art of the thatcher

  • 326 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 327 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 329 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 330 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 331 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 332 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 333 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 334 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 335 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 336 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 337 Some mushroom!

  • 338 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 339 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 340 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 341 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 342 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 344 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 345 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 346 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 347 New look in the hayfields

  • 348

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 349 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 350 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 351 Puppet characters introduced

  • 352 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 353 Northam's almshouse

  • 354 Littleham family's five generations

  • 355

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 356 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 357 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 358 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 359 New Post Office

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

  • 361 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 362 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 363 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 364

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 365 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 366 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 367 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 368 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 369 School's link with cargo ship

  • 370 Torrington in 1967

  • 371 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 372 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 373 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 374 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 375 All for the love of a lady!

  • 376 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 377 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 378 Steep street of old Bideford

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

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

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

  • 382 Riverside mystery

  • 383 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 384 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 385 Light reading for the lighthouse

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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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.’

Names

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