• 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 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 2

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 3 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 4 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 5 Some 240 exhibits

  • 6 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 7 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 8 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 9 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 10 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 11 Weare Giffard potato

  • 12 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 13 New choral society's growing response

  • 14

    Married in 1908
  • 15 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 16 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 17 Hartland's invitation

  • 18 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 19 Life begins at 80

  • 20

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 21 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 22 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 23 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 24 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 25 Northam footballers of the future

  • 26 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 27 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 28 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 29 Simple Item 138
  • 30 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 31

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 32 Capers on the cobbles

  • 33 End of the line

  • 34 Picking the pops

  • 35

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 36

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 37 No laughing matter

  • 38 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 39 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 40 Revenge in style

  • 41 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 42 Ships at Bideford

  • 43 New shipyard on schedule

  • 44 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 45

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 46 Devil sent packing

  • 47 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 48 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 49 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 50 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 51 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 52 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 53 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 54 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 55 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 56 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 57 Off on a great adventure

  • 58 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 59

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 60 Picking the pops

  • 61 All aboard the ark

  • 62 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 63 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 64 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 65 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 66 Finished in 1876

  • 67

    Was a missionary
  • 68 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 69 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 70 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 71 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 72 Clovelly custom

  • 73 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 74 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 75 113 years at Instow

  • 76 The Geneva marionettes

  • 77

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 78 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 79 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 80 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 81 School's link with cargo ship

  • 82 Bideford regatta

  • 83 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 84 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 85

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 86 New addition to Quay front

  • 87

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 88 Warmington's garage ad

  • 89 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 90 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 91 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 92 They are parted pro-tem

  • 93 Penny for the guy

  • 94

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 95 In their new robes and hats

  • 96 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 97 School crossing patrol begins

  • 98

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 99 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 100 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 101 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 102 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 103 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 104 Circus comes to town

  • 105 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 106

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 107 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 108 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 110 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 111 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 112 Peter poses for TV film

  • 113 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 114 Six footed lamb

  • 115 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 116 Last train from Torrington

  • 117 Modern living at Bideford

  • 118 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 119 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 120 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 122 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 123 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 124 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 125 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 126 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 127 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 128 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 129 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 130 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 131 All for the love of a lady!

  • 132 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 133 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 134 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 135 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 136 Bideford loses training ship

  • 137 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 138 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 139 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 140

    Bidefordians
  • 141 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 142 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 143 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 144 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 145 A man and his wheel

  • 146 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 147 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 148 A bird of their own!

  • 149

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 150 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 151 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 152

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 153 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 154 Recognise this resort?

  • 155 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 156 Just over a year old

  • 157 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 158 Puppet characters introduced

  • 159 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 160 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 161 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

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

  • 163 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 164 It really was the 'last time'

  • 165 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 166 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 167 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 168 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 169 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 170 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 172 Traditions and skills still there

  • 173 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 174 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 175 Variety in summer weather

  • 176 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 177 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 178 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 179

    Building works
  • 180 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 181 First ship in 8 years

  • 182 New look in the hayfields

  • 183 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 184 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 185 So this is the mainland!

  • 186 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 187 New civic medallions

  • 188 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 189 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 190 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 191 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 192 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 193 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 194 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 195 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 196 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 197 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 198 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 199 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 200 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 201 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 202 Hartland Dancers
  • 203 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 204 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 205 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 206 Torrington children build igloo
  • 207 Centenary of Gazette

  • 208 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 209 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 211 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 212 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 213 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 214 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 215 Service with a smile

  • 216 New art gallery opened

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

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

  • 219 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 220 Private home for public pump

  • 221 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 222 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 223 Pannier Market's future?

  • 224 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 225 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 226 He beat the floods

  • 227 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 228 Ten year old scrambler

  • 229 New life for Hartland organ

  • 230

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 231 Emergency ferry services

  • 232 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 233 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 234 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 235 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 236 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 237 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 238 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 239

    Exhibition of school work
  • 240 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 242 Loads of black and white

  • 243 Some mushroom!

  • 244 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 245 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 246 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 248 Mobile missionary

  • 249 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 250 Sight of a lifetime

  • 251 Torrington in 1967

  • 252 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 253 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 254 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 255 Torrington's new amenity

  • 256 No sale of Springfield House

  • 257 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 258 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 259 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 260 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 262 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 264 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 265 Appledore's largest

  • 266 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 267 North Devon Driving School

  • 268 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 269 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 270 Bideford computer stars

  • 271 Jumble sale fever

  • 272

    Relatives all over the world
  • 273 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 274 For crying out loud!

  • 275 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 276 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 277 A roof-top view - where?

  • 278 The art of the thatcher

  • 279 Police station view of Bideford

  • 280

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 281 Decontrol of meat

  • 282 New Post Office

  • 283 Hartland postman retires

  • 284

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 285 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 286 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 287 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 288 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 289 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 290 Bridging the stream

  • 291 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 292 Twenty-one yachts

  • 293 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 294 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 295 When horses score over the tractor

  • 296 Happy Days!

  • 297 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 298 What's the time?

  • 299

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 300 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 301 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 302 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 303 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 304 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 305 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 306 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 307 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 308 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 309 Can spring be far away?

  • 310

    New gateway
  • 311 By pony and trap to market

  • 312 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 313 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 314 Out of puff!

  • 315 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 316

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 317 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 318 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 319

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 320

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 321 Parkham plan realised

  • 322 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 323 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 324 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 325 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 326 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 327 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 328 Cruising down the river

  • 329 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 330 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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

  • 332 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 333

    First prize
  • 334 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 335 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 336 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 337 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 338

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 339 Burnard family reunion

  • 340 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 341 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 342 Waldon Triplets
  • 343

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 344 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 345 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 346 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 347 Northam's almshouse

  • 348 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 349 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 350 Artisans' Club

  • 351 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 352 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 353 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 354 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 355 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 356 Clovelly nightmare

  • 357 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 358 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 359 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 360 Riverside mystery

  • 361 New Lundy stamps

  • 362 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 363 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 364 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 365 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 366 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 367 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 368 Littleham family's five generations

  • 369 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 370 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 371 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 372

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 373 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 374 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 375 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 376 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 377 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 378 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 379 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 380 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 381 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 382 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 383 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 384 A story to tell!

  • 385 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

8 March 1963

Dark – March 2 1963 to George and Phyllis (nee Adams), a daughter, Teresa Doris Edith, a sister for Derek and Trevor.
Dymond – February 27 at Park Nursing Home, Claremont Terrace, Glasgow, to Esme (nee Passmore) and Derek, a sister for Andrew.
Garner – March 5 at Bromley, Kent, to Hazel (nee Prance) and Ken, a son, a brother for Barry.
Taylor – March 5 at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Fay (nee Pearce) and Michael, a daughter, Karen Fay, a sister for Denise.
Tucker – March 6 at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Marie (nee Woolf) and Alex, Tanporte, Westward Ho!, a daughter.

Rendle-Poole – engagement announced between Dorothy Jean, daughter of Mr and Mrs Poole, 61 High Street, Bideford, and Robert William, son of Mr and Mrs Rendle, 9 Myra Court, Appledore.

Kittermaster-Walker – February 14 1963 in New York, Dr A R Kittermaster, son of the late Sir Harold Kittermaster, KCMG, KBE, and Lady Kittermaster, Beaconfield, to Jean Rosemary Younger, daughter of Mr and Mrs Eric E Walker, Beaconside, Bideford.
White-Dann – February 23 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Joseph Mark, son of the late Mr and Mrs J A White, Cork, Eire, to Brenda Maureen, daughter of Mr and Mrs A J Dann, 41 Clovelly Road, Bideford.

 

8.3.1963

Births, Engagement and Marriages

31 July 1945

Hobbs – July 13 at Aultmohr, Rhu, Edinburgh, to Adeline, wife of W/O Hobbs, J H, RAF, a daughter, Pamela Margaret
Johns – July 23 at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Barbara (nee Featherstone), wife of Sgt G B Johns, a son, David Alan
Underhill – July 25 at the Cottage Hospital, Torrington, to Marjorie (nee Huxtable), wife of Ernest George Underhill, Barfield, Frithelstock, a son, William John
White – July 29 at 25 Barnstable Street, Bideford, to Winifred (nee Sherborne), wife of Leonard White, Northam, a daughter, Gillian Margaret

Gifford-Bowden – engagement is announced between Christine (ATS), daughter of Mr and Mrs A C Bowden, Terminus Inn, Bideford, and Stephen (RN), son of Mr and Mrs F Gifford, The Crown, Eltham, London

Graham-Thisby – July 25 at Bideford, George M Graham, late of Redland, Bristol, to Rose Thisby (widow), 4 New Street, Bideford
Hollinghead-Tucker – July 19 at Bideford, PFC Danny Hollinghead, son of Mr and Mrs Hollinghead, Florida, USA, to Margaret, daughter of Mr and Mrs W Tucker, 5 Sunnyside, Bideford East
Prince-Grant – July 23 at Northfield, Birmingham, Gordon Marquiss, son of Mr J M Prince, 65 Mill Street, Bideford, to Heather June, daughter of Mr and Mrs J D Grant, 1339 Bristol Road, South Birmingham
Smith-Kelly – July 7 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, by Rev Preb W N Manning, Arthur John (Jack) Smith, son of Mr and Mrs A Smith, St Mary Avenue, Humberstone, Leicester, to Dorothy Belle Kelly, daughter of Mrs E Kelly, 11 Providence Row, Bideford

Hooke-Braunton – August 3 1920 at Instow Church, by Rev Jenkins, Bertie, son of the late Mr and Mrs Hooke, Otterton, and Edith, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Braunton, Glebe Cottage, Instow. Present address: Cleave Lodge, Northam
Tucker-Lamey – July 31 1920 at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, by Rev G Scholey, John Henry Tucker to Hetty Lamey. Present address: Devonia, 67 Botwell Lane, Hayes

31.7.1945

Westward Ho! Wedding

Sergt/Observer Alfred Leonard Bragg, RAF, elder son of Mr and Mrs A Bragg of Sherborne, and Miss Barbara May Arlett, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W H Arlett, Pilgrim's Way, Westward Ho! are photographed after their wedding on March 25th at Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho!

11.4.1944 Bragg

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