• 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 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 2 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 3 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 4 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 5 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 6 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 7 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 8 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 9 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 10 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 11 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 12 Torrington in 1967

  • 13 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 14 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 15 Picking the pops

  • 16 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 17 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 19 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 20

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 21 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 22 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 23 Jumble sale fever

  • 24 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 25 Littleham family's five generations

  • 26 Capers on the cobbles

  • 27 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 28 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 29 Decontrol of meat

  • 30 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 31 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 32 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 33 New addition to Quay front

  • 34

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 35

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 36 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 37

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 38 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 39 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 40 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 41 Hartland Dancers
  • 42 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 43 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 44 Private home for public pump

  • 45 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 46

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 47 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 48 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 50 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 51 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 52

    Relatives all over the world
  • 53 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 54 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

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

  • 57 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 58 Six footed lamb

  • 59 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 61 Centenary of Gazette

  • 62 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 63 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 64 Loads of black and white

  • 65 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 66 Bideford loses training ship

  • 67 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 68 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 69 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 70

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 71 It really was the 'last time'

  • 72 Hartland postman retires

  • 73 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 74 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 75 From Bobby to Brian

  • 76

    New gateway
  • 77 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 78 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 79 End of the line

  • 80 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 81 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 82

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 83 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 84 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 85 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 86 Burnard family reunion

  • 87 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

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

  • 89 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 90 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 91

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 92 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 93 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 94 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 95 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 96 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 97 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 98 Bideford computer stars

  • 99 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 100

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 101 The art of the thatcher

  • 102 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 103

    Bidefordians
  • 104 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 105 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 106 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 107 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 108 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 109 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 110 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 111 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 113 Police station view of Bideford

  • 114 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 115 Circus comes to town

  • 116 Riverside mystery

  • 117 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 118

    First prize
  • 119

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

  • 121 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 123 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 124 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 125 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 126 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 127 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 129 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 130 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 131 Out of puff!

  • 132 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 133 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 134 Twenty-one yachts

  • 135 Modern living at Bideford

  • 136 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 137 In their new robes and hats

  • 138 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 139 Devil sent packing

  • 140

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 141 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 142 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 143 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 144 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 145 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 146 By pony and trap to market

  • 147 Bideford regatta

  • 148 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 149 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 150 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 151 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 152 Can spring be far away?

  • 153 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 154 A story to tell!

  • 155

    Was a missionary
  • 156 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 157 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 158 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 159 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 160 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 161 North Devon Driving School

  • 162 Recognise this resort?

  • 163 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 164 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 165 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 166 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 167 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 169 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 170 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 171 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 172 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 173 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 174 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

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

  • 176 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 177 So this is the mainland!

  • 178 Picking the pops

  • 179 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 180 Some mushroom!

  • 181 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 182 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 183 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 184 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 185 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 186

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 187 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 188 Sight of a lifetime

  • 189 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 190

    Exhibition of school work
  • 191 Simple Item 138
  • 192 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 193 All for the love of a lady!

  • 194 Waldon Triplets
  • 195 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 196 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 197 Torrington children build igloo
  • 198 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 199 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 200

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 201 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 202 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 203 No laughing matter

  • 204 New Post Office

  • 205 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 206 Life begins at 80

  • 207 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 208

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 209 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 210 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 211 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 212 For crying out loud!

  • 213 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 214 New Lundy stamps

  • 215 What's the time?

  • 216 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 217 New art gallery opened

  • 218 Finished in 1876

  • 219 Puppet characters introduced

  • 220 113 years at Instow

  • 221 Northam's almshouse

  • 222 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 223 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 224 Torrington's new amenity

  • 225 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 226 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 227 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 228 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 229 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 230 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 231 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 232 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 233 Last train from Torrington

  • 234 They are parted pro-tem

  • 235 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 236

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 237 Revenge in style

  • 238 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 239 Weare Giffard potato

  • 240 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 241 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 242 The Geneva marionettes

  • 243 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 244 New civic medallions

  • 245 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 246 Sweets derationing

  • 247 New choral society's growing response

  • 248 Variety in summer weather

  • 249 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 250 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 251 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 252 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 253 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 254 Parkham plan realised

  • 255

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 256 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 257 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 258 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 259 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 260

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 261 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 262 New life for Hartland organ

  • 263 Traditions and skills still there

  • 264 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 265 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 266 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 267 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 268 New shipyard on schedule

  • 269 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 270 He beat the floods

  • 271 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 272 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 273 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 274 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 275 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 276 Service with a smile

  • 277 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 278 Bridging the stream

  • 279

    Building works
  • 280 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 281 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 282 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 283 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 284 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 285 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 286 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 287 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 288 Peter poses for TV film

  • 289 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 290 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 292 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 293 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 294 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 295 A man and his wheel

  • 296 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 297 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 298 Clovelly custom

  • 299 No sale of Springfield House

  • 300 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 301 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 302 School crossing patrol begins

  • 303 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 304

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 305 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 306 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 307 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 308 Ships at Bideford

  • 309 New look in the hayfields

  • 310 Penny for the guy

  • 311 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 312 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 313 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 314 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 315 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 316 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 317 A bird of their own!

  • 318 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 319 Cruising down the river

  • 320 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 321 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 322 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 323 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 324 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 325 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 326 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 327 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 328 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 329 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 330 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 331 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 332 Warmington's garage ad

  • 333

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 334 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 335 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 336 Artisans' Club

  • 337 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 338 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 339

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 340 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 341 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 342 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 343 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 344 Ten year old scrambler

  • 345 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 346 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 347 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 348 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 349 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 350 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 351 Some 240 exhibits

  • 352 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 353 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 354 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 355

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 356 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 357 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 358 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 359 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 360 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 361 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 363 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 364 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 365 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 366

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 367 Just over a year old

  • 368 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 369 Pannier Market's future?

  • 370 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 371 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 372 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 373

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 374 The cab at the corner>
  • 375 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 376 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 377 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 378

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 379 Hartland's invitation

  • 380 Happy Days!

  • 381 First ship in 8 years

  • 382 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 383 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 384 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 385 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 386 A roof-top view - where?

  • 387 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 388 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 389 Northam footballers of the future

  • 390 Appledore's largest

  • 391 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 392 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 393 Mobile missionary

  • 394 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 395 Emergency ferry services

  • 396 Filming at Hartland

  • 397 When horses score over the tractor

  • 398 All aboard the ark

  • 399

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 400

    Married in 1908
  • 401 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 402 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 403 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 404 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 405 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 406 Off on a great adventure

  • 407 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 408 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 409 School's link with cargo ship

  • 410 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 411 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 412 Clovelly nightmare

  • 413 Children's procession with foxgloves

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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  • 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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  • 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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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

Instow's Beekeeping Rector

Widely recognised as one of the experts of the beekeeping world, the 68 year old Rector of Instow, the Rev Herbert Leonard Hustwayte, who keeps 20 hives, has retired after 15 years at hon. secretary of the Devon Beekeepers' Association.

7.4.1961 Instow bee keeper

His successor is Mr L Thoday, of Croyde. Mr Hustwayte is to continue as editor of Beekeeping, the Devon Association's journal. In September he is attending the 18th International Beekeepers' Congress at Madrid.

The full Gazette article is dated 7 April 1961

Christmas entertainment

COMMODORE HOTEL DINING AND DANCING

19.12.1975 Christmas

For that special night out for your party - large or small - the following bands will be playing (we are fully booked this Saturday)
Friday December 19 - Johnny Andrews
Tuesday December 23 - Ray and his Blue Stars
Christmas Eve - Music and Imagination
Boxing Night - Green Velvet
Choose your date, make a booking and enjoy a good night out
Telephone Instow 347

Gazette article dated 19 December 1975

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