• 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 For crying out loud!

  • 2 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 3 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 4 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 5 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 6 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 7 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 8 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 9 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 10 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 11 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 12 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 13 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 14 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 15 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 16 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 17

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 18 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 19 Bideford loses training ship

  • 20 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 21 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 22 Littleham family's five generations

  • 23 Ships at Bideford

  • 24 Last train from Torrington

  • 25 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 26 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 27 Revenge in style

  • 28 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 29 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 30 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 31 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 32 A roof-top view - where?

  • 33 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 35

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 36 Jumble sale fever

  • 37 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 38 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 39 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 40 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 41 Ten year old scrambler

  • 42 Waldon Triplets
  • 43 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 44 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 45 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 46 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 47 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 48 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 49 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 50 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 51 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 52 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 53 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 54 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 55 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 56 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 57 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 58 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 59 Simple Item 138
  • 60

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 61 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 62 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 63 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 64 Torrington children build igloo
  • 65 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 66 He beat the floods

  • 67 Appledore's largest

  • 68 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 69 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 70 Twenty-one yachts

  • 71 Picking the pops

  • 72 By pony and trap to market

  • 73 Off on a great adventure

  • 74 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 75 Torrington's new amenity

  • 76 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 77 What's the time?

  • 78 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 79 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 80 New look in the hayfields

  • 81 Northam's almshouse

  • 82 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 83 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 84 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 85 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 86 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 87 Picking the pops

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

  • 89 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 90 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 91 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 92

    Was a missionary
  • 93 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 94 Circus comes to town

  • 95 Weare Giffard potato

  • 96 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 97 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 98 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 99 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 100 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 101 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 102 In their new robes and hats

  • 103 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 104 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 105 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 106 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 107 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 108

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 109 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 110 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 111 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 112 First ship in 8 years

  • 113

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 114 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 115 Northam footballers of the future

  • 116

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 117 Emergency ferry services

  • 118 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 119

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 120 Modern living at Bideford

  • 121 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 122 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 123 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 124 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 125 When horses score over the tractor

  • 126 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 127 New life for Hartland organ

  • 128 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 129 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 130 Peter poses for TV film

  • 131 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 132 Bideford computer stars

  • 133 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 134 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 135 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 136 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 137 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 138 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 139 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 140 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 141

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 142 Warmington's garage ad

  • 143 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 145 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 146 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 147 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 148 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 149 113 years at Instow

  • 150 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 151 No laughing matter

  • 152 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 153 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 154 Mobile missionary

  • 155 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 156

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 157 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 158 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 160 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 161 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 162 Devil sent packing

  • 163 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 164 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 165 Service with a smile

  • 166 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 167 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 168 Sight of a lifetime

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

  • 170 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 171 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 172

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 173 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 174 Parkham plan realised

  • 175 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 176 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 177 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 178 New civic medallions

  • 179 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 180 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 181 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 182 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 183 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 184 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 185 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 186 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 187 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 188 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 189 Hartland Dancers
  • 190

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 191 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 192 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 194 Capers on the cobbles

  • 195 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 196 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 197 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 198 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 199

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 200 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 201 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 202 Loads of black and white

  • 203 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 204 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 205 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 206 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 207 Some mushroom!

  • 208 Cruising down the river

  • 209 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 210 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 211 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 212 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 213 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 214

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 215 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 216 Hartland postman retires

  • 217 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 218 A man and his wheel

  • 219 They are parted pro-tem

  • 220 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 221

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 222

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 223 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 224 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 226

    New gateway
  • 227 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

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

  • 229 New art gallery opened

  • 230 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 231 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 232 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 233 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 234 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 235 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 236 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 237 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 238 Penny for the guy

  • 239 Can spring be far away?

  • 240 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 241 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 242 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 243

    First prize
  • 244 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 245 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 246 Police station view of Bideford

  • 247 New Lundy stamps

  • 248 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 249 School crossing patrol begins

  • 250 Just over a year old

  • 251 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 252

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 253 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 254 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 255 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 256 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 257 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 258 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 259 It really was the 'last time'

  • 260 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 261 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 262 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 263

    Building works
  • 264 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 265 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 266 Some 240 exhibits

  • 267 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 268 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 269 Private home for public pump

  • 270 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 271 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 272 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 273 So this is the mainland!

  • 274 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 275 End of the line

  • 276 Clovelly nightmare

  • 277 North Devon Driving School

  • 278 New addition to Quay front

  • 279 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 280

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 281 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 282 Riverside mystery

  • 283 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 284 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 285 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 286 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 287 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 288

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 289

    Exhibition of school work
  • 290 Recognise this resort?

  • 291 No sale of Springfield House

  • 292

    Relatives all over the world
  • 293

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 294 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 296 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 297 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 298 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 299 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 300

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 301 Clovelly custom

  • 302 All for the love of a lady!

  • 303 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 305 Pannier Market's future?

  • 306 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 307 Puppet characters introduced

  • 308 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 309 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 310

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 311 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 312 All aboard the ark

  • 313 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 314 The Geneva marionettes

  • 315 Out of puff!

  • 316 Burnard family reunion

  • 317 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 318 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 319 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 320 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 321 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 322 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 323 Bridging the stream

  • 324 Variety in summer weather

  • 325 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 326 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 327 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 328 Bideford regatta

  • 329 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 330 New Post Office

  • 331 Life begins at 80

  • 332 Hartland's invitation

  • 333 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 334 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 335 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 336 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 337 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 338 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 339 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 340 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 341 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 342

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 343 The art of the thatcher

  • 344 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 345 A story to tell!

  • 346

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 347 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 348 A bird of their own!

  • 349 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 350 Torrington in 1967

  • 351 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 352

    Bidefordians
  • 353 Happy Days!

  • 354

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 355

    Married in 1908
  • 356 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 357 Traditions and skills still there

  • 358 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 360 Centenary of Gazette

  • 361 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 362 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 363 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 364 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 365 Finished in 1876

  • 366 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 367 Decontrol of meat

  • 368 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 369 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 370 Six footed lamb

  • 371 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 372 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 373

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 374 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 375 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 376 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 377 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 379 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 380 Artisans' Club

  • 381 New choral society's growing response

  • 382 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 383 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 384 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 385 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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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Births, Engagements and Marriages

4 February 1977

4.2.1977 bmd

Granger – On January 29 1977 at the GP Unit, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, to Dee and Jim, a son Robin. Brother for Jamie.
Pengilly – On January 29 to Jennie (nee Parkhouse) and Keith, a son, Jason Keith.
Poole – On January 25 to Raymond and Mary (nee Marshall), a son Patrick Alan.
Potts – On February 1 at the NDDHMU to Barbara (nee Lang) and Terry, a daughter, Dawn Ruth. Sister for Rebecca.

Brinton-Martin – Mr and Mrs J Martin of Orchard Farm, Monkleigh, Bideford have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter Ann to David, son of Mr and Mrs C Brinton, 46 Bradley Avenue, Winterbourne, Bristol.
Hooper-Hood – The parents of both families have the pleasure of announcing the engagement between Susan Hood of 178 Stucley Road, Bideford, and Royston Hooper of 5 Churchill Road, Bideford.
Screech-Coulson – Both families have pleasure in announcing the engagement of Tony, only son of Mr and Mrs J Screech, 11 Barton Tors, Bideford, to Susan (nee Cowd), second daughter of Mr and Mrs E G Cowd, 12 Silver Street, Bideford.

Backway-Dearlove – On Saturday January 29 1977 at Harrow, Middlesex, Roger to Paulette.

Webb-Rivers – On February 4 1952 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, by The Rev M G Ball, Henry to Val. Present address: 37 Osborne Road.

Births, Engagements and Marriages

4 October 1968

4.10.1968


Hawkins – Wednesday, October 2nd 1968, to Mary and Ron, a daughter, Lynn Marie, a sister for Michael, Stephen and Angela.
Weeks – August 29th at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, to Ann (nee Blackmore) and Alan Weeks, a son, Philip Robert MacDonald.

Burrage-Symonds – Mr and Mrs E F Symonds, Lawnfield, Limers Lane, Northam, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter, Rosemary, to Colin, eldest son of Mr and Mrs C H Burrage, 2 Montague Place, Bideford.
Mellors-Carey – Mr and Mrs A J Carey have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their elder daughter, Melanie Jane, to William Charles, elder son of Major and Mrs W Mellors, of Nottingham.
Orman-Whewell – Mr and Mrs G H Orman, of Torrington, Devon, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only son, John, to Pamela, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Whewell, East Ayton, Yorkshire.
Penn-Dossetter – The engagement is announcing between Linda, second daughter of Mr and Mrs J W Dossetter, Buckleigh Lodge, Westward Ho! and Michael, younger son of Mr and Mrs J P Penn, Honestone Street, Bideford.
Sainsbury-Stacey – Mr and Mr W H Stacey, Town Park, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their daughter, Sylvia, to Roger, only son of Mr and Mrs Sainsbury, Moreton Park, Bideford.
Williams-Popham – Mr and Mrs A Popham, 21 Town Park, Torrington, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their only daughter, Dianne, to Edward, youngest son of Mr and Mrs I Williams, Canoe Cae, Penrhyndeudraeth, N Wales.

Babb-Stevens – September 28th at the Methodist Church, Bideford, by the Rev Denman K Martin, BD, Norman John Babb, of 114 Clovelly Road, Bideford, to Susan Jayne, only daughter of Mr and Mrs C Stevens, Chagford, 21 Royston Road, Bideford. Future address: 1 Brecon Close, Bideford.
Johns-Hooper – September 28th at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, Trevor, eldest son of Mr and Mrs C Johns, of 111 Well Street, Torrington, to Judith, only daughter of Mr and Mrs W Hooper, of 21 Bude Street, Appledore.
Morris-Beer - Saturday September 28th at St Nectan’s Church, Hartland, Susan Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs T Beer, of Cullen, Harton Cross, Hartland, to Geoffrey Christopher Morris, son of Mrs M Barter, Woking, Surrey.

Bideford Hospital Retirement Gifts

Retirement Gifts

4 May 1973 Marjorie Staddon

On her retirement at the weekend, after 26 years nursing service at Bideford and district hospital, Miss Marjorie Staddon, senior state enrolled nurse, was presented with parting gifts of a camera and accessories and a leather handbag.

These were handed to her on behalf of the doctors and staff by Dr I H Hewetson, consultant surgeon, who praised her services and conveyed their warm good wishes.

Gazette article dated 4 May 1973

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