• 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 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 2 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 3 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 4 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 5 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 6 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 7 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 8 Ten year old scrambler

  • 9 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 10 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 11 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 12 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 13 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 14 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 15

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 16 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 17 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 18 Parkham plan realised

  • 19 They are parted pro-tem

  • 20 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 21 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 22 Northam's almshouse

  • 23 End of the line

  • 24 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 26 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 27 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 28 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 29

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 30 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 31 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 32 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 33 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 34 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 35 The art of the thatcher

  • 36 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 37 Cruising down the river

  • 38 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 39

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 40 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 41 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 42 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 43 He beat the floods

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

  • 45 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 46 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 47 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 48 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 49 Happy Days!

  • 50 All aboard the ark

  • 51 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 52 113 years at Instow

  • 53 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 54 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 55 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 56 Torrington in 1967

  • 57 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 58 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 59 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 60 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 61 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 62 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 63 Penny for the guy

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

  • 65 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 66 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 67 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 68 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 69 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 70 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 71 What's the time?

  • 72 Off on a great adventure

  • 73

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 74 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 75 Bideford regatta

  • 76 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 77 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 78 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 79 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 80 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 81 Finished in 1876

  • 82 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 84 Police station view of Bideford

  • 85 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 86 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 87 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 88 A story to tell!

  • 89 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 90 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 92 Picking the pops

  • 93 Some mushroom!

  • 94 Emergency ferry services

  • 95 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 96 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 97

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 98 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 99 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 100 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 101 Loads of black and white

  • 102 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 103

    Married in 1908
  • 104 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 105 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 106 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 107 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 108 New civic medallions

  • 109

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

  • 111 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 112 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 113 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 114 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 115 A bird of their own!

  • 116 Littleham family's five generations

  • 117 Hartland Dancers
  • 118 Mobile missionary

  • 119 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 120 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 121 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 122 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 123 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 124 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 125 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 126 Puppet characters introduced

  • 127 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 128 Can spring be far away?

  • 129 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 130 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 131 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 132 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 133 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 134 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 135 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 136 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 137 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 138 Jumble sale fever

  • 139 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 140 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 141

    First prize
  • 142 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 143

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 144 A roof-top view - where?

  • 145 In their new robes and hats

  • 146 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 147 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 148 No laughing matter

  • 149 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 150

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 151 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 152 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 153 Variety in summer weather

  • 154 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 155 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 156

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 157 Devil sent packing

  • 158 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 159 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 160 New look in the hayfields

  • 161 A man and his wheel

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

  • 163 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 164 Bideford loses training ship

  • 165 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 166 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 167

    Building works
  • 168 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 169 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 170 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 171 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 173 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 174 So this is the mainland!

  • 175

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 176 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 177 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 178 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 179 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 180 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 181 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 182 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 183 Clovelly custom

  • 184 New shipyard on schedule

  • 185 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 186 Weare Giffard potato

  • 187 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 188 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 189 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 190 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 191 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 192 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 193 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 194

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 195 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 196

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 197 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 198 New Post Office

  • 199 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 200 Picking the pops

  • 201 Riverside mystery

  • 202 It really was the 'last time'

  • 203 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 204 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 205 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 206 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 207 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 208 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 209 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 210 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 211 Centenary of Gazette

  • 212 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 213 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 214 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 215 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 216 Service with a smile

  • 217 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 218 Artisans' Club

  • 219

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 220 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 221 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 222 Appledore's largest

  • 223 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 224 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 225 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 226 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 227 New life for Hartland organ

  • 228 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 230 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 231 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 233 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 234 Northam footballers of the future

  • 235 Life begins at 80

  • 236 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 237 Just over a year old

  • 238 For crying out loud!

  • 239 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 240 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 241 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 242 Peter poses for TV film

  • 243 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 244

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 245 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 246 Out of puff!

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

  • 248 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 249

    Exhibition of school work
  • 250 Modern living at Bideford

  • 251 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 252 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 253 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 254 School's link with cargo ship

  • 255

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 256 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 257

    Bidefordians
  • 258 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 259 New choral society's growing response

  • 260 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 261

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 262

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 263 Capers on the cobbles

  • 264 Sight of a lifetime

  • 265 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 266 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 267 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 268 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 269

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 270 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 271 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 272 Recognise this resort?

  • 273 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 274 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 275 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 276 Bridging the stream

  • 277 New art gallery opened

  • 278 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 279 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 280 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 281 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 282

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 283 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 284 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 285 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 286 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 287 Private home for public pump

  • 288 By pony and trap to market

  • 289 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 290 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 291 North Devon Driving School

  • 292

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 293 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 294 Six footed lamb

  • 295 Hartland's invitation

  • 296 Simple Item 138
  • 297 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 298 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 299 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 300 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 301 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 302 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 303 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 304 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 305 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 306 Waldon Triplets
  • 307 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 308 Last train from Torrington

  • 309 School crossing patrol begins

  • 310 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 311 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 312 Record pebble-throwing day

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

  • 314 Bideford computer stars

  • 315 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 316 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 317 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 318 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 319 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 320 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 321 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 322

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 323 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 324 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 326

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 327 No sale of Springfield House

  • 328 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 329 Warmington's garage ad

  • 330 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 331 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 332 All for the love of a lady!

  • 333

    Relatives all over the world
  • 334 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 335 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 336 Clovelly nightmare

  • 337 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 338 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 339 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 340 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 341 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 342

    New gateway
  • 343 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 344 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 345 First ship in 8 years

  • 346 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 347 Circus comes to town

  • 348 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 349 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 350 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 351 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 352 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 353 Torrington children build igloo
  • 354 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 355 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 356 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 357 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 358 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 359 Hartland postman retires

  • 360 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 361 Burnard family reunion

  • 362 Revenge in style

  • 363 Some 240 exhibits

  • 364 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 365 Torrington's new amenity

  • 366 The Geneva marionettes

  • 367 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 368 New Lundy stamps

  • 369

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 370 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 371 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 372 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 373 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 374

    Was a missionary
  • 375

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 376 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 377 When horses score over the tractor

  • 378 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 379 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 380 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 381

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 382 New addition to Quay front

  • 383 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 384 Pannier Market's future?

  • 385 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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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Lake Chapel Re-Opens Following £13,000 Improvements

Shebbear Rejoicing and Generosity

4.7.1958 Lake Chapel Shebbear4

Completion of an improvement scheme estimated to cost nearly £14,000 at Lake Methodist Chapel, Shebbear, was marked on Tuesday with a full day of celebrations, commencing with re-opening and dedication.
Proceeds of the day's celebrations, together with previous gifts, grants and promised gifts, amounted to £12,423 6s. 8d.
Work on the scheme, which was required to meet present day demands, began last October. While it has been in progress Sunday morning services have been held in Shebbear Parish Church and evening meetings in the Village Hall.

The full Gazette article is dated 4 July 1958

Sehbbear?

Known as Sceaft Beara in 1050 and Sepesberia in the Domesday Book, Shebbear has had its name spelt in at least seven different ways over the centuries.

8.2.1974 Shebbear

Devon County Council have found yet another variation for 1974!
Article published in the Gazette 8 February 1974

Shebbear Village’s ‘Ample’ Land For Housing

There would seem to be ample land for housing available within the village of Shebbear to meet general needs, say Department of the Environment inspector Mr W R Arnold. 

4.5.1973 Shebbear

And he has dismissed an appeal by Mr M J Moast against the refusal of the local planning authority to permit the erection of four houses at Bottledown Cross there. Their provision, he adds, would constitute an undesirable and unacceptable intensification of sporadic development in the countryside outside the reasonable limits of the village. The appeal site, the inspector points out, is about three quarters of a mile from the village and 400ft north of a small group of buildings around Bottledown Cross, west of the site on the other side of the class III road are the grounds of Shebbear College. But says the inspector, he cannot agree with the contention that the college and the appeal site should properly be regarded as within the reasonable limits of the village. 

Gazette article dated 4 May 1973

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