• 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 Life begins at 80

  • 2

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 3 A man and his wheel

  • 4 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 5 Modern living at Bideford

  • 6 Mobile missionary

  • 7 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 8 North Devon Driving School

  • 9 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 10 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 11 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 12 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 13 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 14 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 15 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 16 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 17 The Geneva marionettes

  • 18

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 19 Clovelly nightmare

  • 20 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 21 Bideford computer stars

  • 22 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 23

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 24 First ship in 8 years

  • 25 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 26 Six footed lamb

  • 27 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 28 By pony and trap to market

  • 29 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 30 Bideford regatta

  • 31 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 32 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 33

    Was a missionary
  • 34 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 35 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 36 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 37 New life for Hartland organ

  • 38 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 39 Simple Item 138
  • 40 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 41 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 42 Loads of black and white

  • 43 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 44 A roof-top view - where?

  • 45 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 46 Police station view of Bideford

  • 47 Happy Days!

  • 48 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 49 School crossing patrol begins

  • 50 Torrington in 1967

  • 51 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 52 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 53 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 54 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 55 So this is the mainland!

  • 56

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 57 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 58 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 59 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 60 Some 240 exhibits

  • 61 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 62 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 63 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 64 What's the time?

  • 65 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 66 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 67 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 68 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 69 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 70 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 71 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 72 New look in the hayfields

  • 73 All for the love of a lady!

  • 74 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 75 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 77 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 78 Circus comes to town

  • 79 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 80 Can spring be far away?

  • 81

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 82

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 83 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 84 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 85 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 86 Ships at Bideford

  • 87

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 88 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 89 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 90

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 91 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 92 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 93 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 94 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 95 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 96 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 97 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 98 Peter poses for TV film

  • 99

    Relatives all over the world
  • 100 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 101 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 102 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 103 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 104 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 105 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 106 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 107 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 108 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 109

    First prize
  • 110 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 111 Out of puff!

  • 112 Picking the pops

  • 113 Parkham plan realised

  • 114 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 115 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 116 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 117 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 118 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 119 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 120 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 121 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 122 No sale of Springfield House

  • 123 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 124 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 125 Puppet characters introduced

  • 126 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 127 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 128 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 129 Sight of a lifetime

  • 130 Centenary of Gazette

  • 131 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 132 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 133 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 134 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 135 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 136 New civic medallions

  • 137 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 138 Jumble sale fever

  • 139 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 140 Appledore's largest

  • 141 Warmington's garage ad

  • 142 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 143 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 144 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 145 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 146 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 147 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 148 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 149 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 150 Penny for the guy

  • 151 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 152 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 153 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 154 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 155 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 156 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 157 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 158 Northam's almshouse

  • 159 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 160

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 161 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 162 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 163 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 164 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 165 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 166

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 167 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 168 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 169 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 170

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 171 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 172 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 173

    Married in 1908
  • 174 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 175 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 176 A story to tell!

  • 177 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 178

    Building works
  • 179 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 180 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 181 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 182 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 183 A bird of their own!

  • 184 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 185 New art gallery opened

  • 186 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 187 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 188 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 189 Finished in 1876

  • 190 New Post Office

  • 191 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 192

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 193 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 195 Service with a smile

  • 196 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 197 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 198 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 199 Private home for public pump

  • 200 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 201 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 202 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 203

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 204 New addition to Quay front

  • 205 Variety in summer weather

  • 206

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 207 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 208 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 209 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 210 Riverside mystery

  • 211 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 212

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 213 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 214 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 215 He beat the floods

  • 216 In their new robes and hats

  • 217

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 218 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 219 New shipyard on schedule

  • 220

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 221 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 222 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 223

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 224 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 225 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 226 For crying out loud!

  • 227 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 228 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 229 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 230 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 231

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 232 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 233 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 234 Hartland postman retires

  • 235 Capers on the cobbles

  • 236 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 237 Off on a great adventure

  • 238 Littleham family's five generations

  • 239 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 240 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 241 They are parted pro-tem

  • 242 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 243

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 244 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 245 Revenge in style

  • 246 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 247 Bideford country dancers on TV

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

  • 249 Burnard family reunion

  • 250 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 252 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 253 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 254 Clovelly custom

  • 255 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 256 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 257

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 258 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

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

  • 260 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 261 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 262 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 263 Bideford loses training ship

  • 264 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 265 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

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

  • 267 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 268 Picking the pops

  • 269 Cruising down the river

  • 270 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 271 No laughing matter

  • 272

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 273 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 274 Torrington's new amenity

  • 275 Hartland Dancers
  • 276 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 277 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 278 Weare Giffard potato

  • 279 Last train from Torrington

  • 280

    New gateway
  • 281 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 282 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 283 The art of the thatcher

  • 284 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 285 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 286

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 287 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 288 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 289 113 years at Instow

  • 290 New Lundy stamps

  • 291 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 292 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 293 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 294 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 295 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 297 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 298 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 299 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 301 Recognise this resort?

  • 302 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 303 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 304 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 305 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 306 School's link with cargo ship

  • 307 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 308 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 309 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 310 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 311 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 312 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 313 Northam footballers of the future

  • 314 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 315 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 316 All aboard the ark

  • 317 Torrington children build igloo
  • 318 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 319 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 320 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 321 Devil sent packing

  • 322 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 323 Artisans' Club

  • 324 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 325 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 326 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 327 End of the line

  • 328 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 329 Pannier Market's future?

  • 330 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 331 Decontrol of meat

  • 332 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 333 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 334 Bridging the stream

  • 335 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 336 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 337 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 338 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 339 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 340 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 341 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 342 Traditions and skills still there

  • 343 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 344

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 345 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 346

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 347 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 348 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 350 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 351 Ten year old scrambler

  • 352 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 353 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 355 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 356 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 357 Waldon Triplets
  • 358 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 359

    Bidefordians
  • 360 Hartland's invitation

  • 361 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 362 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 363 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 364 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 365 Emergency ferry services

  • 366 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 367 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 368 Just over a year old

  • 369 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 370 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 371 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 372 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 374 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 375 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 376 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 377

    Exhibition of school work
  • 378 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 379 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 380 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 381 When horses score over the tractor

  • 382 Some mushroom!

  • 383 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 385 Wishing well is pixielated

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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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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