• 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 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 2 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 3 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 5 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 6 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 7 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 8 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 9 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 10 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 11 A story to tell!

  • 12 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 13 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 14 Last train from Torrington

  • 15 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 16 New look in the hayfields

  • 17 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 19 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 20 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 21 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 22 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 23 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 24 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 25 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 26 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 27 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 28 Police station view of Bideford

  • 29 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 30 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 31

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 32 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 33 So this is the mainland!

  • 34 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 35 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 36 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 37 Appledore's largest

  • 38 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 39 A roof-top view - where?

  • 40 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 41 Designed and made in Bideford

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

  • 43 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 44

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 45 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 46 Just over a year old

  • 47 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 48 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 49 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 50 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 51 Northam footballers of the future

  • 52 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 53 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 54 Sight of a lifetime

  • 55 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 56 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 57 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 58 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 59

    New gateway
  • 60 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 61 He beat the floods

  • 62 Bideford computer stars

  • 63 Torrington children build igloo
  • 64 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 65 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 67

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 68

    Bidefordians
  • 69 Out of puff!

  • 70 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 71 Burnard family reunion

  • 72 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 73 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 74

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 75 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 76 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 77 Revenge in style

  • 78 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 79 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 80 New life for Hartland organ

  • 81 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 82 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 83 Six footed lamb

  • 84

    Building works
  • 85 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 86 Artisans' Club

  • 87 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 88 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 89 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 90 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 91 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 92 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 93 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 94 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 95 Sweets derationing

  • 96

    Was a missionary
  • 97

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 98

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 99

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 100 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 101 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 102 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 103 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 104 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 105 All for the love of a lady!

  • 106 Circus comes to town

  • 107 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 108 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 109 New Post Office

  • 110 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 111 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 112 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 113 New addition to Quay front

  • 114 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 115 Ships at Bideford

  • 116 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 117 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 118 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 119 What's the time?

  • 120 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 121 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 122 Emergency ferry services

  • 123

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 124 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 125

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 126 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 127 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 128 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 129 Torrington in 1967

  • 130 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 131 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 132 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 133 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 134

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 135 Twenty-one yachts

  • 136 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 138 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 139

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 140 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 141 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 142 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 143 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 144 Picking the pops

  • 145 The art of the thatcher

  • 146 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 147 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 148 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 149

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 150 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 151

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 152 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 153

    Relatives all over the world
  • 154 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 155 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 156 No laughing matter

  • 157 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 158 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 159 Finished in 1876

  • 160 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 161 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 162 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 163 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 164 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 165 By pony and trap to market

  • 166 A man and his wheel

  • 167 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 168 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 169 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 170 In their new robes and hats

  • 171 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 172 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 173 New civic medallions

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

  • 175

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 176 Riverside mystery

  • 177 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 178 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 179 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 180

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 181

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 182 New shipyard on schedule

  • 183 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 184 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 185 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 186 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 187 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 188 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 189

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 190 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 191 Modern living at Bideford

  • 192 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 193 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 194 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 195 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 196 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 197 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 198 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 199 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 200 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 201 School crossing patrol begins

  • 202 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 203 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 204 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 205 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 206 The cab at the corner>
  • 207 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 208 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 209

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 210 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 211 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 212 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 213 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 214 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 215 A bird of their own!

  • 216 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 217 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 218 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 219 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 220 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 221 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 222 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 223 First ship in 8 years

  • 224 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 225 No sale of Springfield House

  • 226 Peter poses for TV film

  • 227 Puppet characters introduced

  • 228 New Lundy stamps

  • 229 Recognise this resort?

  • 230 Weare Giffard potato

  • 231 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 232 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 233 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 234 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 235 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 236 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 237 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 238 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 239 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 240 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 242 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 243 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 244 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 245 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 246 Life begins at 80

  • 247 Hartland's invitation

  • 248 From Bobby to Brian

  • 249 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 250 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 252 113 years at Instow

  • 253 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 254 North Devon Driving School

  • 255 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 256

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 257 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 258 Capers on the cobbles

  • 259 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 260 All aboard the ark

  • 261 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 262 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 263 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 264 Littleham family's five generations

  • 265 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 266 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 267 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 268 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 269 New art gallery opened

  • 270 For crying out loud!

  • 271 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 272 Jumble sale fever

  • 273 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 274 They are parted pro-tem

  • 275 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 276 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 277 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 278 New choral society's growing response

  • 279 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 280 Picking the pops

  • 281 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 282 Parkham plan realised

  • 283 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 284 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 285 Northam's almshouse

  • 286 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 287

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 288 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 289 Some mushroom!

  • 290 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 291 Service with a smile

  • 292 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 293 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 294 Hartland postman retires

  • 295 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 296 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 297 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 298 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 299 Hartland Dancers
  • 300 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 301 Centenary of Gazette

  • 302 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 303 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 304 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 305 Happy Days!

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

  • 307 School's link with cargo ship

  • 308 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 309 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 310 Clovelly nightmare

  • 311 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 312 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 313 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 314 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 315 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 316 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 317 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 318 Bridging the stream

  • 319 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 320 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 321 Devil sent packing

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

  • 323

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 324 Simple Item 138
  • 325 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 326 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 327 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 328 Filming at Hartland

  • 329 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 330 Loads of black and white

  • 331 Private home for public pump

  • 332 Decontrol of meat

  • 333 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 334 Clovelly custom

  • 335 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 336 Ten year old scrambler

  • 337 Mobile missionary

  • 338 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 340 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 341 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 342 Warmington's garage ad

  • 343 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 344

    Married in 1908
  • 345 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 346 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 347 Pannier Market's future?

  • 348 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 349 Bideford regatta

  • 350 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 351 Traditions and skills still there

  • 352 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 353 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 354 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 355 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 356 The Geneva marionettes

  • 357 Cruising down the river

  • 358 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 359 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 361 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 362 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 363 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 364

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 365 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 366 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 367 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 368 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 369 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 370 Some 240 exhibits

  • 371 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 372 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 373

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 374 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 375 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 376 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 377 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 378 It really was the 'last time'

  • 379 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 380 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 381 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 382 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 383 End of the line

  • 384 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 385 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 386 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 387 Can spring be far away?

  • 388 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 389 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 390 Off on a great adventure

  • 391 Torrington's new amenity

  • 392 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 393 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 394 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 395

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 396 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 397 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 398 When horses score over the tractor

  • 399 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 400 Waldon Triplets
  • 401 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 402 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 403 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 404 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 405

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 406 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 407 Penny for the guy

  • 408 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 409

    Exhibition of school work
  • 410 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 411 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 412

    First prize
  • 413 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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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Births, Engagements and Marriages

3 February 1950

3.2.1950 bmd

Rae – On January 29 1950 at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Ellen (nee Baldwin), wife of Alexander Rae, a sister for Bruce

Slee-Hill – the engagement is announced between Michael, only son of Mr and Mrs A Slee, of Sutton Raleigh, to Frances Jean, only daughter of Mr and Mrs H S Hill, of Holywell, Northam.

Gubb-Shepherd – On January 28 1950 at the Baptist Chapel, Bideford, Thomas B Gubb, second son of Mr and Mrs W C Gubb, 51 Meddon Street, to Gladys R Shepherd, third daughter of Mrs M J Shepherd and the late Mr L H Shepherd, 26 Higher Gunstone, Bideford.

Wellington-Lewis – On January 28 1950, at the Parish Church, Perranzable, Cornwall, William Clement of St Agnes, to Daisy, twin daughter of Mrs H Lewis and the late Mr A Lewis of Westward Ho!

Births and Marriages

3 April 1945

3.4.1945

 

Spry – March 26 1945 at the North Devon Infirmary, Barnstaple, to Gwyneth, wife of Mr George Spry, a daughter

Uglow – March 22 1945, to Olive (nee Vigers), wife of Philip L Uglow, 41 Ashleigh Crescent, a sister for Margaret, Helen

Hall-Fulford – March 31 1945 at High Street Methodist Church, Bideford, by the Rev T E Clarke, Richard Orson, son of the late Mr and Mrs F Harold Hall, Holford, Somerset, to Daisy Mary, daughter of Mr and Mrs A E Fulford, Southcott, Bideford

Smith-Titley – March 29 1945, quietly in London, Major Ralph M Smith, Devonshire Regt, son of Mr Cecil A Smith CIE, and the late Mrs Smith, The Flagstaff, Northam, to Dorothy L (Dodo) Titley, of Cleave Barton, Northam, widow of Flight-Lieut E G Titley and daughter of Mr S Whipp and of Mrs Whipp

Births And Ruby Wedding

 1 April 1977

1.4.1977 bmd

Chopping – On March 22 1977 at the Torbay Hospital, Torquay, to David and Janet (nee Smith), a daughter, Anna.

Gordon – On March 24 1977 at Penrice Maternity Unit, St Austell, to Janet and John, a daughter, Cheryl. Smith – On March 25 1977 at the NDDHMU, to Peter and Linda (nee Lamey), a son, Andrew Frederick, brother for Michelle.

Hockridge – On March 11 1937 at Alwington Methodist Church, by the Rev John Ford Reed, Stanley to Winifred. Present address St Crispins, 33 Glenfield Road, Bideford.

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