• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 2 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 3 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 4 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 5 New Post Office

  • 6 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 7 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 8 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 9

    Married in 1908
  • 10 Some mushroom!

  • 11 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 12 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 13 New life for Hartland organ

  • 14 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 15 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 16 When horses score over the tractor

  • 17 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 18 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 19 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 20 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 21 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 22 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 23 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 24

    Building works
  • 25 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 26

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 27

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 28 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 29 Private home for public pump

  • 30 All aboard the ark

  • 31 Torrington children build igloo
  • 32 School crossing patrol begins

  • 33 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 34 New choral society's growing response

  • 35 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 36 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 37 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 38 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 39 A story to tell!

  • 40 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 41 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 42 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 43 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 44 So this is the mainland!

  • 45 Off on a great adventure

  • 46 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 47 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 48 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 49 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 50 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 51 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 52 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 53 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 54 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 55 Mobile missionary

  • 56 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 57 Puppet characters introduced

  • 58 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 59 Service with a smile

  • 60

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 61 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 62 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 63 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 64 Cruising down the river

  • 65

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 66

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 67

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 68 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 69 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 70 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 71 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 72 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 73 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 74 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 75

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 76 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 77 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 78 Appledore's largest

  • 79 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 80 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 81 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 82 Capers on the cobbles

  • 83 First ship in 8 years

  • 84 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 85 Simple Item 138
  • 86

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 87 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 88 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 89 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 90 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 91

    Exhibition of school work
  • 92 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 93 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 94

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 95 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 96 Penny for the guy

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

  • 98 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 99 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 100 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 101 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 102 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 103 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 104 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 105 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 106 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 107 Bideford loses training ship

  • 108 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 109 Devil sent packing

  • 110

    New gateway
  • 111 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 112 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 114 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 115 New shipyard on schedule

  • 116 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 117 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 118 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 119 Artisans' Club

  • 120 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 121

    Relatives all over the world
  • 122 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 124 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 125 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 126 New look in the hayfields

  • 127 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 128 He beat the floods

  • 129 New addition to Quay front

  • 130 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 131 Emergency ferry services

  • 132 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 133 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 134 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 135 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 136 What's the time?

  • 137 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 138 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 139 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 140 Can spring be far away?

  • 141 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 142 Hartland's invitation

  • 143 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 144 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 145 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 146 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 147 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 148 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 149 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 150 Warmington's garage ad

  • 151 Burnard family reunion

  • 152 By pony and trap to market

  • 153 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 154 New Lundy stamps

  • 155 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 156 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 157 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 158 Centenary of Gazette

  • 159

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

  • 161 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 162 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 163 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 164 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 165 New civic medallions

  • 166 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 167 Revenge in style

  • 168 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 169 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 170 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 171 Picking the pops

  • 172 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 173 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 174

    Bidefordians
  • 175 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 176 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 177 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 178 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 179

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 180 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 182 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 183 Torrington's new amenity

  • 184 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 185

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 186 Bideford regatta

  • 187

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 188 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 189 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 190 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 191 Northam footballers of the future

  • 192 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 193 It really was the 'last time'

  • 194 Peter poses for TV film

  • 195 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 196 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 197 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 198 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 199 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 200 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 201

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 202 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 203 113 years at Instow

  • 204 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 205 Pannier Market's future?

  • 206 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 207 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 208 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 209 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 211 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 212 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 213 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 214 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 215 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 216 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 217 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 218 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 219 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 220 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 221 Ships at Bideford

  • 222

    Was a missionary
  • 223 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 224 No laughing matter

  • 225 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 226 Northam's almshouse

  • 227 Littleham family's five generations

  • 228 A man and his wheel

  • 229 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 230 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 231 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 232 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 233 Sight of a lifetime

  • 234

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 235

    First prize
  • 236 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 237 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 238 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 239 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 240 Clovelly nightmare

  • 241 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 242 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 243 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 244

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 245 Decontrol of meat

  • 246 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 248 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 249 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 250 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 251 Waldon Triplets
  • 252 A bird of their own!

  • 253 School's link with cargo ship

  • 254 Picking the pops

  • 255 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 256

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 257 Hartland postman retires

  • 258 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 259 Traditions and skills still there

  • 260 Happy Days!

  • 261 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 263 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 264 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 265 Hartland Dancers
  • 266 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 267 End of the line

  • 268 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 269 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 270 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 271 Jumble sale fever

  • 272 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 274 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 276 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 277 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 278 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 279 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 280

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 281 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 282 Police station view of Bideford

  • 283 The Geneva marionettes

  • 284 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 285

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 286 Clovelly custom

  • 287 New art gallery opened

  • 288 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 289 Just over a year old

  • 290 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 291 Six footed lamb

  • 292 In their new robes and hats

  • 293 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 294 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 295 No sale of Springfield House

  • 296 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 297 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 298 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 299 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 300 Last train from Torrington

  • 301

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 302 All for the love of a lady!

  • 303 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 304

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 305 Some 240 exhibits

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

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

  • 308

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 309 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 310 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 311 Torrington in 1967

  • 312 Weare Giffard potato

  • 313 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 314 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 315 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 317 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 318 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 319 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 320 Out of puff!

  • 321 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 322 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 323 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 324 Loads of black and white

  • 325 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 326 Parkham plan realised

  • 327 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 328 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 329

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 330 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 331 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 332 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 333 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 334 Ten year old scrambler

  • 335 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 336 For crying out loud!

  • 337 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 338 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 339 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 340 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 341 Finished in 1876

  • 342 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 343 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 345 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 346 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 347 Modern living at Bideford

  • 348 The art of the thatcher

  • 349 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 350 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 351 Recognise this resort?

  • 352 North Devon Driving School

  • 353 Circus comes to town

  • 354 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 355 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 356 Twenty-one yachts

  • 357 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 358 Bideford computer stars

  • 359

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 360 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 361 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 362 Bridging the stream

  • 363 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 364 Life begins at 80

  • 365 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 366 Riverside mystery

  • 367

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 368 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 369 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 370 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 371 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 372 A roof-top view - where?

  • 373 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 374 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 375 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 376 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 377 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 378 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 379 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 380 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 381 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 382 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 383 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 384 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 385 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Home-Made Jelly Scarce At Monkleigh

Monkleigh WI store cupboards could only produce one pot of home-made jelly for the competition of the month

and this was exhibited by Miss G Cox, one of the junior members.

10.6.1960 Monkleigh

Mrs L Grigg presided over the meeting, which was held in the Village Hall.

Mrs Lennard gave a very interesting talk on the duties of a JP and was thanked on behalf of members by Mrs Westaway.

Mrs J Gilbert, helped by Mesdames Westaway, Smith and Miss N Gilbert, was tea hostess.

This week the Institute received its annual outing, Dartmouth and Torquay being the venue.

Gazette article dated 10 June 1960

Monkleigh Women's Institute

An enjoyable whist drive organised by Monkleigh Women’s Institute took place in the Village Hall.

1959 Monkleigh


The door steward was Mr Wainwright, and the MC, Mr A Lawrence.
Prizes were won by Mrs Hill, Mrs Johns, Mrs Prance, Miss Evelyn Brooks, Master John Gilber, Mr J Gilbert, Mr Wainwright, Master Alan Prance.
A competition for groceries, in the charge of Mrs E Wicks, was won by Mr W Grigg.
Mrs Smith (President) thanked everyone for their support. Proceeds after deducting expenses amounted to just over £4.
Gazette article dated 3 April 1959

Mr L R Smale and Miss B M Gilbert

The wedding took place at St George’s Church, Monkleigh, on March 10th, of Mr Leslie Roy Smale, second son of Mr and Mrs J R Smale, 6 Kimberley Terrace, Northam, and  Miss Bronwen Margaret Gilbert, second daughter of Mr and Mrs W Gilbert, 10 Saltrens Cottages, Monkleigh. 

30.3.1951 Monkleigh Smale Gilbert wedding

The service was conducted by Rev R P Newton and the organist was Miss Redcliffe. The chief bridesmaid was Gwyneth, younger sister of the bride, and the two smaller bridesmaids were Jennifer, niece of the bride, and Angela, niece of the bridegroom. Duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Wilfred Smale, brother of the bridegroom. 

After a reception held at the Parish Hall, Monkleigh, the happy couple left for their honeymoon which was being spent at St Ives, Cornwall. The three tiered cake was made by the bride’s mother. Flowers were supplied by Mr Beer, Kingsley Nursery, Bideford. 

The full Gazette article is dated 30 March 1951

  • 1

Login Form