• 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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    Building works
  • 2 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 3 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 4 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 5 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 6 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 7 Loads of black and white

  • 8 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 9 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 10 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 11

    Was a missionary
  • 12 Hartland's invitation

  • 13 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 14 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 15 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 16 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 17 Artisans' Club

  • 18 Police station view of Bideford

  • 19 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 20 Ten year old scrambler

  • 21 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 22

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 23 Bridging the stream

  • 24 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 25 New choral society's growing response

  • 26 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 27 Recognise this resort?

  • 28 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 30 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 31 Devil sent packing

  • 32 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 33 Picking the pops

  • 34 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 35 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 36

    First prize
  • 37 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 38 So this is the mainland!

  • 39 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 40 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 41 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 42 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 43 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 44 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 45 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 47

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 48 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 49 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 50 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 51 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 52 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 53 Northam footballers of the future

  • 54 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 55 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 56 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 57 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 58 Happy Days!

  • 59 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 60

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 61 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 62 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 63 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 65 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 66 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 67 Cruising down the river

  • 68 The art of the thatcher

  • 69 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 70 New Post Office

  • 71 Clovelly nightmare

  • 72 Torrington Church's new organ

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

  • 74

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 75 Weare Giffard potato

  • 76 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 77 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 78 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 79 Some 240 exhibits

  • 80 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 81 Out of puff!

  • 82 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 83

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 84 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 85 Filming at Hartland

  • 86 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 87 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 89 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 90 Emergency ferry services

  • 91 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 92 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 93 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 94 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 95 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 96 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 97 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 98

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 99 Decontrol of meat

  • 100 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 101

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 102 Sweets derationing

  • 103 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 104

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 105 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 106 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 107 In their new robes and hats

  • 108 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 109 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 110 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 111 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 112 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 113 When horses score over the tractor

  • 114 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 115 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 116 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 117 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 118 North Devon Driving School

  • 119 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 120 A bird of their own!

  • 121 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 122 Clovelly custom

  • 123 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 124 Centenary of Gazette

  • 125 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 126 Traditions and skills still there

  • 127 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 128 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 129 Hartland postman retires

  • 130 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 131 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 132

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 133 What's the time?

  • 134 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 135 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 136 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 137 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 138 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 139 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 140 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 141 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 142 New look in the hayfields

  • 143 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 144 Can spring be far away?

  • 145 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 146 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 147 Picking the pops

  • 148 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 149 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 150 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 151 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 152 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 153 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 154 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 155 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 156

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 157

    Exhibition of school work
  • 158 Private home for public pump

  • 159 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 160 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 161

    Relatives all over the world
  • 162 The cab at the corner>
  • 163 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 164 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 165 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 166 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 167 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 168 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

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

  • 170 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 171

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 172 A man and his wheel

  • 173

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 174 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 175 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 176 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 177 New addition to Quay front

  • 178 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 179 New Lundy stamps

  • 180 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 181 Twenty-one yachts

  • 182 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 183 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 184 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 185 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 186 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 187 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 188 A roof-top view - where?

  • 189 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 190 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 191 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 192 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 193 No laughing matter

  • 194 Peter poses for TV film

  • 195

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 196 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 197 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 198 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 200 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 201 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 202 Puppet characters introduced

  • 203 Ships at Bideford

  • 204 All aboard the ark

  • 205 Just over a year old

  • 206 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 208 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 209 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 210 No sale of Springfield House

  • 211 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 212 By pony and trap to market

  • 213 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 214 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 215 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 216 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 218 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 219 New art gallery opened

  • 220 Revenge in style

  • 221 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 222 From Bobby to Brian

  • 223 Finished in 1876

  • 224 School's link with cargo ship

  • 225 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 226 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 227 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 228 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 229 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 230 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 231 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 232

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 233 Service with a smile

  • 234 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 235 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 236 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 237 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 238

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 239 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 240 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 241 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 242 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 243 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 244 Torrington children build igloo
  • 245 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 246 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 247 First ship in 8 years

  • 248 Sight of a lifetime

  • 249 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 250 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 251 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 252 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 253 Torrington in 1967

  • 254 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 255 End of the line

  • 256 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 257 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 258

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 259

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 260 New life for Hartland organ

  • 261 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 262 Pannier Market's future?

  • 263 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 264 It really was the 'last time'

  • 265 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 266 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 268 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 269 Simple Item 138
  • 270 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 271 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 272 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 273 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 274 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 275 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 276 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 277 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 278 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 279 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 280 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 281 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 282

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 283 Variety in summer weather

  • 284 He beat the floods

  • 285 Circus comes to town

  • 286 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 287 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 288 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 289 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 290 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 291 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 292 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 293 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 294 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 295 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 296 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 297 Hartland Dancers
  • 298 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 299 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 300 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 301 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 302 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 303 New civic medallions

  • 304 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 305 For crying out loud!

  • 306 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 307 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 308

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 309 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 310 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 311 Capers on the cobbles

  • 312 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 313 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 314

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 315 New shipyard on schedule

  • 316 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 317 Life begins at 80

  • 318 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 319 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 320 113 years at Instow

  • 321 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 322 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 323 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 324 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 325 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 326 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 327 Riverside mystery

  • 328 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 329 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 330 Jumble sale fever

  • 331 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 332 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 333 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 334 Burnard family reunion

  • 335 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 336 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 337 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 338 Bideford computer stars

  • 339

    Married in 1908
  • 340 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 341 Littleham family's five generations

  • 342

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 343 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 344 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 345 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 346 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 347 School crossing patrol begins

  • 348 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 349 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 350 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 351 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 352 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 353 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 354 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 355 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 356 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 357 Penny for the guy

  • 358 Modern living at Bideford

  • 359 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 360 Sooty is quick on the draw

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

  • 362 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 363 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 364 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 365 They are parted pro-tem

  • 366 Last train from Torrington

  • 367

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 368 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 369

    Bidefordians
  • 370 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 371

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 372 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 374 All for the love of a lady!

  • 375 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 376 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 377 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 378 Mobile missionary

  • 379 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 380 Waldon Triplets
  • 381 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 382 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 383 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 384 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 385 Some mushroom!

  • 386 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 387

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 388 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 390 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 391 Torrington's new amenity

  • 392 Bideford loses training ship

  • 393 Six footed lamb

  • 394 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 395 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 396 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 397

    New gateway
  • 398 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 399 Appledore's largest

  • 400 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 401 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 402

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 403 Bideford regatta

  • 404 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 405 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 406 A story to tell!

  • 407 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 408 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 409 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 411 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 412 The Geneva marionettes

  • 413 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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For the villagers of Shebbear it is a moving time

November 5 means more than bonfires and fireworks for the people of Shebbear. 

1975 Shebbear boulder
Every years 'since the mind of man runneth not to the contrary' the village bellringers have ensured that the Devil is driven from the district. 
They ring discordant peals on the bells and then move outside the Church to turn the 'Devil's Stone'. This is a massive boulder weighing more than a ton, which, with the aid of crowbards, they turn over, a task that must be symbolic of wrestling with the prince of darkness and it ensures that he is kept away for another year. 
Geologists are interested in the origin of the stone. Some Shebbear people have no doubt. They swear that it was dropped by the Devil when he was descending from heaven to hell.
And even during the war the villagers took no chances. They managed to keep the stone on the turn. 

Spring Quins

Spring Quins - 19th March 1965

19.3.1965 Sheep quins 1
19.3.1965 Sheep quins 2
 

A Closewool sheep belonging to Mr P Jenkinson of Alscott Farm, Shebbear, had quins on March 9th, and this week Mr Jenkinson told the Gazette that all were doing well, though necessitating artificial feeding every two hours. Mrs Jenkinson, Nigel and Sarah, are pictured keeping the proud mother company with her five children.

Shebbear Turns The Boulder

Shebbear Turns The Boulder - 11th November 1960

11.11.1960 Shebbear boulder
 

Hundreds of onlookers gathered around Shebbear Square on Saturday and witnessed the village's ancient tradition of turning over the "Devil's Boulder", a giant stone weighing about 5-cwt and lying beneath a 700-year-old oak near the entrance to the Parish Church.
The ceremony was performed by six stalward bell-ringers. First, five local ringers, brothers Will and George Ackland, cousin Walter, Will Haine, the captain, and Robert Mill. They were reinforced by a visiting ringer, Mr Lake, of Torrington. A discordant jangle on the bells was sounded in order to exorcise the Devil. The stone turning took two minutes to accomplish amid "heave-ho's" and cheers from the crowd. Mr Mill, the 73-year-old senior ringer, pleaded for more recruits so that the village could again have a team of its own. Mr Mills has been a ringer for over 50 years.
A beef barbeque, organised by Shebbear A.F.C, concluded the occasion.

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