• 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 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 2 By pony and trap to market

  • 3 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 4 Bideford regatta

  • 5 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 6 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 7 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 8 Clovelly custom

  • 9 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 10 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 11 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 12 Pannier Market's future?

  • 13 Simple Item 138
  • 14 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 15

    First prize
  • 16 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 17

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 18 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 19 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 20

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 21 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 22 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 23 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 24 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 25 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 26 A story to tell!

  • 27 For crying out loud!

  • 28 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 29 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 30 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 31 Littleham family's five generations

  • 32

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 33

    New gateway
  • 34 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 35 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 36 Passing of a Torrington landmark

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

  • 38 Service with a smile

  • 39 New art gallery opened

  • 40 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 41 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 42 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 43 It really was the 'last time'

  • 44 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 45 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 46 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 47 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 48 Penny for the guy

  • 49 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 50 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 51 Clovelly nightmare

  • 52

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 53 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 54 Emergency ferry services

  • 55 So this is the mainland!

  • 56 Private home for public pump

  • 57 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 58 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 59 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 60 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 61 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 62 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 63 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 64 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 65 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 66 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 67 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 68 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 69 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 70 Last train from Torrington

  • 71

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 72 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 73 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 74 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 75 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 76 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 77 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 78 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 79 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 80

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 81 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 82 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 83 Modern living at Bideford

  • 84 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 85 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 86 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 87 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 89 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 90 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 91 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 92

    Was a missionary
  • 93 A bird of their own!

  • 94 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 95 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 96 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 97 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 98 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 99 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 100 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 101 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 102 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 103 Torrington in 1967

  • 104 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 105 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 106 Traditions and skills still there

  • 107 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 108 Torrington's new amenity

  • 109 A man and his wheel

  • 110 Bridging the stream

  • 111 Bideford loses training ship

  • 112 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 113 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 114 Hartland Dancers
  • 115 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 116 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 117 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 118

    Relatives all over the world
  • 119 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 120 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 121 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 122 School crossing patrol begins

  • 123

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 124 The art of the thatcher

  • 125

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 126 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 127 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 128 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 129 Variety in summer weather

  • 130 Life begins at 80

  • 131 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 132 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 133

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 134

    Building works
  • 135 New shipyard on schedule

  • 136 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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

  • 138 Twenty-one yachts

  • 139 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 141 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 142 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 143 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 144

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 145 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 146 A roof-top view - where?

  • 147 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 148 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 149 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 150 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 151 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 152 No laughing matter

  • 153 What's the time?

  • 154 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 156 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 157 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 158 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 159 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 160 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 161 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 162 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 163 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 164 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 165 New choral society's growing response

  • 166 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 167 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 168 Artisans' Club

  • 169 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 170 Circus comes to town

  • 171 Appledore's largest

  • 172 Mobile missionary

  • 173 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 174 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 175 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 176 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 177 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 178 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 179

    Exhibition of school work
  • 180 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 181

    Married in 1908
  • 182 Decontrol of meat

  • 183

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 184 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 185 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 186 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 187 Can spring be far away?

  • 188 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 189 Warmington's garage ad

  • 190 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 191 In their new robes and hats

  • 192 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 193 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 194 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 195

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 196 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 197 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 198 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 199 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 200 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 201 First ship in 8 years

  • 202 Recognise this resort?

  • 203 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 204 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 205 Northam's almshouse

  • 206 Finished in 1876

  • 207 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 208 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 209 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 210 Centenary of Gazette

  • 211 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 212 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 213 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 214 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 215 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 216 They are parted pro-tem

  • 217

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 218 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 219 Revenge in style

  • 220 New addition to Quay front

  • 221 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 222 Six footed lamb

  • 223 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 224 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 225 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 226 Sight of a lifetime

  • 227 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 228 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 229 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 230 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 231 All aboard the ark

  • 232 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 233 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 234 Jumble sale fever

  • 235 Some mushroom!

  • 236 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 237 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 238 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 239 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 240 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 241

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 242 Waldon Triplets
  • 243 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 244

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 245 He beat the floods

  • 246 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 247 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 248 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 249 Ten year old scrambler

  • 250

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 251 North Devon Driving School

  • 252 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 253 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 254

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 255 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 256 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 257 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 258 Bideford computer stars

  • 259 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 260 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 261 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 262 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 263 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 264 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 265 Parkham plan realised

  • 266 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 267 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 268 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 269 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 270 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 271

    Bidefordians
  • 272 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 273 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 274 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 275 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 276

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 277 Weare Giffard potato

  • 278 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 279 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 280 Peter poses for TV film

  • 281 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 282 Puppet characters introduced

  • 283 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 284 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 285 Northam footballers of the future

  • 286 New look in the hayfields

  • 287 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 288 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 289

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 290 Hartland postman retires

  • 291 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 292 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 293 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 294 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 296 When horses score over the tractor

  • 297

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 298 Burnard family reunion

  • 299 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 300 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 301 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 302 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 303 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 304 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

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

  • 306 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 307 Picking the pops

  • 308 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 309 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 310 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 311 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 312

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 313

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 314 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 315 A craftsman's 'potted' history

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

  • 317 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 319 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 320 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 321 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 322 School's link with cargo ship

  • 323 All for the love of a lady!

  • 324 Picking the pops

  • 325 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 326 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 327 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 328 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 329 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 330 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 331

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 332 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 333 Some 240 exhibits

  • 334 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 335 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 336 Happy Days!

  • 337 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 338 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 339 End of the line

  • 340 Out of puff!

  • 341 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 342 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 343 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 344 113 years at Instow

  • 345 Capers on the cobbles

  • 346 New civic medallions

  • 347 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 348 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 350 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 352

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 353 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 354 Cruising down the river

  • 355 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 356 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 357 Just over a year old

  • 358 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 359 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 360 New Post Office

  • 361 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 363 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 364 Torrington children build igloo
  • 365 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 366 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 367 Devil sent packing

  • 368 Ships at Bideford

  • 369 The Geneva marionettes

  • 370 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 371 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 372 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 373 Riverside mystery

  • 374 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 375 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 376 No sale of Springfield House

  • 377 Police station view of Bideford

  • 378 Hartland's invitation

  • 379 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 380 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 381

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 382 New life for Hartland organ

  • 383 New Lundy stamps

  • 384 Loads of black and white

  • 385 Off on a great adventure

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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