• 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 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 2 Bideford loses training ship

  • 3 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 4 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 5 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 6 Torrington children build igloo
  • 7 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 8 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 9 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 10 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 11 Northam's almshouse

  • 12 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 13 Sight of a lifetime

  • 14 North Devon Driving School

  • 15 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 16 Hartland's invitation

  • 17 Torrington in 1967

  • 18 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 19 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 20 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 21 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 22 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 23 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 24 New art gallery opened

  • 25 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 26 They are parted pro-tem

  • 27 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 28 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 29 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 30 Last train from Torrington

  • 31 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 32 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 33 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 34 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 35 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 36 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 37 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 38 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 39 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 40 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 41 Weare Giffard potato

  • 42 School crossing patrol begins

  • 43 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 44 Gloves fit for a king!

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

  • 46 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 47 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 48 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 49

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 50 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 51 Burnard family reunion

  • 52 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 53 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 54 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 55 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 56 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 57 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 58 Warmington's garage ad

  • 59 Some mushroom!

  • 60 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 61 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 62 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 63 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 64 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 65 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 66 Some 240 exhibits

  • 67 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 68

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 69 Circus comes to town

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

  • 71 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 72 New look in the hayfields

  • 73 In their new robes and hats

  • 74 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 75 Littleham family's five generations

  • 76 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 77 Ten year old scrambler

  • 78 Can spring be far away?

  • 79 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 80 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 81 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 82 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 83 Ships at Bideford

  • 84 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 85 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 86 Penny for the guy

  • 87 It really was the 'last time'

  • 88 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 89 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 90 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 91 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 92 Centenary of Gazette

  • 93 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 94 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 95 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 96 Mobile missionary

  • 97 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 98 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 99 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 100 Off on a great adventure

  • 101 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 102 Jumble sale fever

  • 103 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 104 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 105 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 106 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 107

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 108 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 109 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 110 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 111 Torrington's new amenity

  • 112 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 113 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 114 New choral society's growing response

  • 115 Capers on the cobbles

  • 116 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 117 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 118 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 119 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 120 Police station view of Bideford

  • 121 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 122

    Relatives all over the world
  • 123 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 125 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 126 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 127 New addition to Quay front

  • 128 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 129 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 130 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 131 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 132 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 133 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 134 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 135 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 136 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 137

    Building works
  • 138 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 139 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 140 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 141 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 142 Clovelly custom

  • 143 Twenty-one yachts

  • 144 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 146 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 147 Finished in 1876

  • 148 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 149

    Married in 1908
  • 150 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 152 Parkham plan realised

  • 153 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 154 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 155 When horses score over the tractor

  • 156 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 157

    Was a missionary
  • 158 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 159

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 160 Picking the pops

  • 161 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 162 New Post Office

  • 163

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 164 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 165 Cruising down the river

  • 166 He beat the floods

  • 167 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 168 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 169

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 170 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 171 No sale of Springfield House

  • 172 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 173 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 174 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 175 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 176 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 177 Variety in summer weather

  • 178

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 179

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 180 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 181 New shipyard on schedule

  • 182 Emergency ferry services

  • 183 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 184 Clovelly nightmare

  • 185 Bridging the stream

  • 186 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 187 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 188 Devil sent packing

  • 189 Waldon Triplets
  • 190 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 191 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 192 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 193

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 194 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 195 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 196 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 197 For crying out loud!

  • 198 A story to tell!

  • 199 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 200 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 201 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 202 Bideford regatta

  • 203

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 204 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 206 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 207

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 208 Private home for public pump

  • 209 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 210 Hartland postman retires

  • 211 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 212

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 213 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 214 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 215 Northam footballers of the future

  • 216 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 217 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 218 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 219 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 220 Traditions and skills still there

  • 221 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 222 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 223 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 224 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 225 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 227 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 228 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 229 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 230 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 231 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 232 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 233 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 234 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 235 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 236 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 237 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 238

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 239 All for the love of a lady!

  • 240 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 241 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 242

    Bidefordians
  • 243 Recognise this resort?

  • 244

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 245 113 years at Instow

  • 246 Happy Days!

  • 247

    New gateway
  • 248 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 249 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 250 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 251

    Exhibition of school work
  • 252 Puppet characters introduced

  • 253 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 254 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 255 Peter poses for TV film

  • 256 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 257

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 258 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 259 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 260 The art of the thatcher

  • 261 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 262 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 263 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 264

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 265 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 266 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 267 End of the line

  • 268 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 269 Just over a year old

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

  • 271 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 272 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 273 A bird of their own!

  • 274 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 275

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 276 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 277 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 278 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 279 Hartland Dancers
  • 280 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 281 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 282 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 283 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 284

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 285 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 286 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 287

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 288 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 289 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 291 New civic medallions

  • 292 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 293 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 294 A man and his wheel

  • 295 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 296 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 297 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 298 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 299 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 300 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 301 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 302 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 303 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 304 The Geneva marionettes

  • 305 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 306 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 307 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 308 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 309 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 310 Decontrol of meat

  • 311 Simple Item 138
  • 312 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 313 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 314 Service with a smile

  • 315 Pannier Market's future?

  • 316 New Lundy stamps

  • 317 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 318 All aboard the ark

  • 319 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 320 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 321 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 322 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 323 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 324 Modern living at Bideford

  • 325 Six footed lamb

  • 326 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 327 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 328 New life for Hartland organ

  • 329 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 330 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 331 Appledore's largest

  • 332 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 333 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 334 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 335 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 336

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 337 Revenge in style

  • 338 So this is the mainland!

  • 339 Loads of black and white

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

  • 341 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 342 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 343

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 344 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 345 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 346 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 347 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 348 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 349 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 350 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 351 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 352

    First prize
  • 353 What's the time?

  • 354 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 355 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 356 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 357 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 358

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 359 School's link with cargo ship

  • 360 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 361

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 362

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 363 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 364 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 365 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 366 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 367 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 368 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 369

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 370 Life begins at 80

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

  • 372 A roof-top view - where?

  • 373 By pony and trap to market

  • 374 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 375 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 376 Picking the pops

  • 377 Artisans' Club

  • 378 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 379 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 380 No laughing matter

  • 381 Riverside mystery

  • 382 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 383 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 384 Out of puff!

  • 385 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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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Veteran Alderman Starts Big Scheme

Work began on a £60,000

widening scheme on the Back Road, Instow, and Ald Tom Anstey, vice-chairman of Devon Roads Committee and chairman of the Northern Division Roads Committee, informally inaugurated the scheme.

2.7.1965 Instow road widening Anstey

Ald Anstey climbed into a cabin of a Devon County Council diesel driven loader and trench digger, and, with a bit of help from the operator, Mr Mervyn Prust, of Pilton, switched on the engine and sent the bucket biting into the earth to scoop up a cwt. or so of soil.

For over 30 years he has been campaigning for the road widening. The widened road will run for three quarters of a mile.

Ald Anstey admitted that they had waited a long, long time. Since he has been made an alderman his successor, Mr John Andrew, had carried on the good work. Devon County Council had had to acquire 52 plots of land and use compulsory powers.

He warned villagers there were likely to be temporary difficulties. Because of the urgency it had been decided to start right away, now that the land was available. “Don’t grumble; we cannot do this work in the winter” he said.

Children of Instow School had time off to watch the ceremony, and among the guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Mrs E J Brown and Mrs L B Galliford.

Gazette article 2 July 1965

All On A Summer's Day

An 'artistic' moment at Instow during the presentation of the comedy "All on a summer's day" during an entertaining evening in aid of the Cancer Campaign funds, reported last week.

6.6.1958 Instow


The play was written by Mrs P Dreyer, of Instow. Seen in the photograph are: Miss Beckwith, Mrs Green, Mr Alan Bowyer, Mrs Weaver, Mrs Forster, Mrs Harvey and Miss Pilkington.

Gazette article dated 6 June 1958

Chieftain Tank Under The Torridge!

Some of the peacetime backroom development that has followed as a natural progression to the waterproofing of vehicles which helped in the wartime landings on enemy coasts was in evidence in the Torridge estuary last week.

7 May 1971 Chieftain tank

Observers from the Ministry of Defence in London, together with those from other experimental and development units in the UK, watched as a 50-ton Chieftain tank, which has been converted into an armoured recovery vehicle, went completely underwater, except for a snorkel, from the beach at Instow across the river bed to Crow Point.
The new equipment in use has been developed at the Fording Trials Branch of REME at Instow and the trials were concerned with the ability of the Chieftain ARV to support tanks in a river crossing environment.
Gazette article dated 7 May 1971

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