• 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 Cruising down the river

  • 2 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 3 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 4 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 5 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 6 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 7 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 8 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 9

    Relatives all over the world
  • 10 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 11 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 12 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 13

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 14 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 15 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 16 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 17 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 18 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 19 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 20 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 21 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 22 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 23 Centenary of Gazette

  • 24 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 25 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 26 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 27 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 28

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 29 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 30 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 31 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 32 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 33 Jumble sale fever

  • 34 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 35 Ships at Bideford

  • 36 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 37 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 38 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 39 Appledore's largest

  • 40 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 41 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 42 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 43 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 44 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 45 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 46

    Exhibition of school work
  • 47 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 48 Sweets derationing

  • 49 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 50 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 51

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 52 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 53 Artisans' Club

  • 54 New Post Office

  • 55 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 56 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 57 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 58 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 59 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 60 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 61 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 62

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 63 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 64 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 65 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 66 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 67 Capers on the cobbles

  • 68 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 69 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 70 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 71 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 72 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 73 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 74

    First prize
  • 75 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 76 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 77 Torrington in 1967

  • 78 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 79 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 80 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 81 Police station view of Bideford

  • 82 School crossing patrol begins

  • 83 Picking the pops

  • 84 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 85 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 86 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 87 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 88 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 89 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 90 A bird of their own!

  • 91 The cab at the corner>
  • 92 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 93 New shipyard on schedule

  • 94 No laughing matter

  • 95

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 96 Waldon Triplets
  • 97 When horses score over the tractor

  • 98 Torrington children build igloo
  • 99 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 100 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 101 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 102 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 103 Hartland's invitation

  • 104

    New gateway
  • 105 School's link with cargo ship

  • 106 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 107 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 108 By pony and trap to market

  • 109 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 110

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 111 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 112 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 113 Simple Item 138
  • 114 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 115 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 116 A roof-top view - where?

  • 117 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 118 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 119 They are parted pro-tem

  • 120 Hartland postman retires

  • 121 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 122

    Bidefordians
  • 123 Service with a smile

  • 124 Traditions and skills still there

  • 125 Weare Giffard potato

  • 126 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 127 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 128

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 129

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 130 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 131 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 132 Clovelly custom

  • 133 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 134

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 135 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 136 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 137 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 138 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 139 Last train from Torrington

  • 140 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 141 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 142 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 143 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 144 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 145

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 146 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 147 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 149 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 150 Hartland Dancers
  • 151 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 152 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 153 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 154 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 155 Riverside mystery

  • 156 Ten year old scrambler

  • 157 Filming at Hartland

  • 158 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 159 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 160 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 161 Just over a year old

  • 162 For crying out loud!

  • 163

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 164 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 165 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 166 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 167 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 168 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 169 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 170 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 171 All aboard the ark

  • 172 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 173 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 174 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 175 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 176 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 177 End of the line

  • 178

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 179 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 180 A story to tell!

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

  • 182 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 183 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 184 First ship in 8 years

  • 185 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 186 Parkham plan realised

  • 187 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 188 So this is the mainland!

  • 189 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 190 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 191 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 192 Happy Days!

  • 193 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 194 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 195 He beat the floods

  • 196 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 197 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 198 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 199 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 200 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 201 New choral society's growing response

  • 202 Recognise this resort?

  • 203 The Geneva marionettes

  • 204 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 205 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 206 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 207 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 208 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 209 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 210 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 211 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 212 Out of puff!

  • 213 New look in the hayfields

  • 214 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 215 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 216 Finished in 1876

  • 217 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 218 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 219 Burnard family reunion

  • 220 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 222 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 223 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 224 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 225 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 226 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 227

    Married in 1908
  • 228 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 229 Northam footballers of the future

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

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

  • 232 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 233 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 234 It really was the 'last time'

  • 235 Revenge in style

  • 236 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 237 113 years at Instow

  • 238 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 239

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 240 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 241 New life for Hartland organ

  • 242 Mobile missionary

  • 243

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 244

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 245

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 246 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 247 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 248 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 249 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 250 Private home for public pump

  • 251 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 252 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 253 Bideford computer stars

  • 254 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 255 Littleham family's five generations

  • 256 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 257 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 258 Variety in summer weather

  • 259 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 260 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 261 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 262 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 263 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 264 Twenty-one yachts

  • 265 Modern living at Bideford

  • 266 From Bobby to Brian

  • 267 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 268 Torrington's new amenity

  • 269 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 270 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 271

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 272

    Was a missionary
  • 273 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 274 What's the time?

  • 275 Six footed lamb

  • 276 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 277 Picking the pops

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

  • 279 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 280 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 281 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 282 New civic medallions

  • 283 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 284 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 285 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 286 All for the love of a lady!

  • 287 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 288 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 289 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 290 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 291 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 292 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 294 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 295 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 297

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 298

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 299

    Building works
  • 300 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 301 Loads of black and white

  • 302 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 303 Sight of a lifetime

  • 304 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 305 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 306 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 307 Pannier Market's future?

  • 308 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 309 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 310 No sale of Springfield House

  • 311

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 312 The art of the thatcher

  • 313 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 314 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 315 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 316 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 317 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 318 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 319 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 320 Peter poses for TV film

  • 321 Bideford loses training ship

  • 322 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 323 New Lundy stamps

  • 324 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 325 Bridging the stream

  • 326 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 327 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 328

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 329 Northam's almshouse

  • 330 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 331 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 332

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 333 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 334 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 335 Decontrol of meat

  • 336 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 337 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 338 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 339 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 340 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 341 Warmington's garage ad

  • 342 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 343 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 344 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 345 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 346 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 347 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 348 A man and his wheel

  • 349

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 350 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 351 Penny for the guy

  • 352 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 353 Puppet characters introduced

  • 354 New addition to Quay front

  • 355 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 356 Emergency ferry services

  • 357 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 358 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 359 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 360 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 361 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 362 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 363

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 364 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 365 Life begins at 80

  • 366 Devil sent packing

  • 367 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 368 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 369 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 370 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 371 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 372 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 373 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 374 Clovelly nightmare

  • 375 North Devon Driving School

  • 376 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 377 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 378 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 379 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 380 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 381 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 382 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 383 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 384 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 385 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 386 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 387 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 388 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 389 Off on a great adventure

  • 390 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 391

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 392 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 393 Bideford regatta

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

  • 395 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 396 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 397 New art gallery opened

  • 398 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 399 Some 240 exhibits

  • 400 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 401 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 402 Some mushroom!

  • 403 Designed and made in Bideford

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

  • 405 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 406 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 407 Circus comes to town

  • 408 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 409 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 410 In their new robes and hats

  • 411 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 412 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 413 Repair work on Long Bridge
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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  • 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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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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Shebbear Woman’s Award

A 31-year-old Shebbear mother learned from the Gazette this week that the Royal Humane Society is to present her with an award.

1973 Moast Shebbear

Mrs Jennifer Moast, of Battle Down, Shebbear, had not heard officially of the award when the Gazette telephoned her with the news.
Capt S Gorrell, of Northam, who brought to the notice of the authorities Mrs Moast’s action, was given news of the award in a letter from the Royal Humane Society.
The full Gazette article is dated 5 January 1973

Ringers Gather at Shebbear

For the first time Shebbear College Society of Change-ringers was host on Saturday to the annual meeting of the North-West branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.

1962 Shebbear ringers

The school society started the afternoon’s ringing in the parish church. Later, guild members took their turn on the ropes.

It was the first time the guild has met at Shebbear. The college has about 30 boys in its Change-Ringing Society. The youngest of these is 11 year old Peter Denton, of Dolton, who took an active part in Saturday’s ringing. Following the afternoon’s ringing a short service was held in the church, conducted by the Vicar of Shebbear, the Rev H A Robins. There was further ringing during the evening.

Shebbear Young Farmers' Club Celebrates Coming-of-Age in 1959

Mrs Nankivell, wife of Mr John Nankivell, President of Shebbear Young Farmers’ Club, cut a cake decorated with 21 candles at a dinner held in Buckleigh Filleigh Parish Hall to mark the ‘coming-of-age’ of the club.

1959 Shebbear YFC

Mr John Nankivell proposed the loyal toast at the dinner, which was attended by about 150 members and friends. Mr Charles Bellew proposed the toast ‘Shebbear YFC’ which was responded to by Mr Jack Quance. ‘The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ was proposed by Mr Alan Bewes, and was acknowledged by Mr John Yelland. Among those present at the dinner was Mr W Wilson, County Organiser.
Afterwards a ball was held at Shebbear Village Hall.

1959 Shebbear YFC

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