• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 2 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 3

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 4 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 6 Life begins at 80

  • 7

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 8

    Building works
  • 9 Happy Days!

  • 10 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 11 Ships at Bideford

  • 12 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 13 Off on a great adventure

  • 14

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 15 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 16 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 17 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 18 Ten year old scrambler

  • 19 Service with a smile

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

  • 21 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 22 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 23 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 24 Hartland Dancers
  • 25 Last train from Torrington

  • 26 Some mushroom!

  • 27 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 28

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 29

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 30

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 31 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 32 Jumble sale fever

  • 33 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 35 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 36 The art of the thatcher

  • 37

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 38 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 39 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 41 A man and his wheel

  • 42 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 43 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 44 Capers on the cobbles

  • 45 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 46 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 47 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 48 Bideford computer stars

  • 49 From Bobby to Brian

  • 50 Clovelly custom

  • 51 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 52 Private home for public pump

  • 53 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 54 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 55 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 56 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 57 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 58 Filming at Hartland

  • 59 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 60 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 61

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 62 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 63 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 64 New civic medallions

  • 65 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 66 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 67 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 68 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 69 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 70 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 71 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 72

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 73 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 74

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 75 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 76 Circus comes to town

  • 77 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 78 Peter poses for TV film

  • 79 Cruising down the river

  • 80 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 81 The Geneva marionettes

  • 82 Simple Item 138
  • 83 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 84 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 85 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 86 Bideford regatta

  • 87 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 88 By pony and trap to market

  • 89 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 90 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 91 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 92 End of the line

  • 93 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 94 Torrington children build igloo
  • 95

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 96 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 97 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 98 New shipyard on schedule

  • 99 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 100 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 101 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 102 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 103

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 104 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 105 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 106 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 107 Hartland's invitation

  • 108 The cab at the corner>
  • 109 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 110 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 111 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 112 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 114 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 115 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 116 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 117 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 118 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 119 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 120 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 121 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 122 Torrington's new amenity

  • 123 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 124 Northam footballers of the future

  • 125 Variety in summer weather

  • 126 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 127 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 128 No sale of Springfield House

  • 129 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 130 Revenge in style

  • 131 All for the love of a lady!

  • 132 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 133 Devil sent packing

  • 134 For crying out loud!

  • 135 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 136 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 137 A story to tell!

  • 138

    Bidefordians
  • 139 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 140 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 141 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 142 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 143 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 144 Can spring be far away?

  • 145 Mobile missionary

  • 146 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 147 Parkham plan realised

  • 148 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 149 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 150 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 151 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 152 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 153 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 154 Decontrol of meat

  • 155 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 157 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 158 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 159 All aboard the ark

  • 160 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 161 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 162 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 163 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 164 Fleet of foot and fair of face

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

  • 166 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 167 New art gallery opened

  • 168 Some 240 exhibits

  • 169 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 170 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 171 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 172 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 173 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 174 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 175 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 176 Recognise this resort?

  • 177 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 178 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 179 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 180 Bridging the stream

  • 181 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 182 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 183 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 184 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 185 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 186 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 187 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 188 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 189 Sweets derationing

  • 190 Littleham family's five generations

  • 191 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 192 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 193 What's the time?

  • 194

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 195 Waldon Triplets
  • 196 Clovelly nightmare

  • 197

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 198 Artisans' Club

  • 199 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 200 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 201 Appledore's largest

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

  • 203 Traditions and skills still there

  • 204 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 206 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 208 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 209 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 210 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 211

    Relatives all over the world
  • 212 Out of puff!

  • 213 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 214 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 215 Picking the pops

  • 216 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 217 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 218 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 219 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 220 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 221 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 222 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 223 Police station view of Bideford

  • 224 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 225 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 226 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 227 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 228 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 229 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 230 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 231 In their new robes and hats

  • 232 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 233 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 234 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 235 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 236 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 237 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 238 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 239 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 240

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 241 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 242 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 243

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 244 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 245 So this is the mainland!

  • 246 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 247 Modern living at Bideford

  • 248 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 249 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 250 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 251 Warmington's garage ad

  • 252 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 253

    Was a missionary
  • 254

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 255 New look in the hayfields

  • 256 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 257 Northam's almshouse

  • 258 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 259 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 260 Bideford loses training ship

  • 261 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 262 Six footed lamb

  • 263 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 264 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 265 Centenary of Gazette

  • 266 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 268

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 269 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 270 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 271 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 272 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 273 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 274 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 275 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 276 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 277 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 278 Picking the pops

  • 279 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 280 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 281 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 282 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 283 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 284 School's link with cargo ship

  • 285 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 286

    First prize
  • 287 New addition to Quay front

  • 288 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 289 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 290 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 291

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 292 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 293 Riverside mystery

  • 294 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 295 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 296 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 297 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 298 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 299 New Post Office

  • 300 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 301 Emergency ferry services

  • 302 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 303 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 304 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 305 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 306 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 307 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 308 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 309 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 310

    Married in 1908
  • 311 New choral society's growing response

  • 312 New Lundy stamps

  • 313 It really was the 'last time'

  • 314 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 315 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 316 They are parted pro-tem

  • 317 Burnard family reunion

  • 318 Pannier Market's future?

  • 319 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 320 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 321 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 322 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 323 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 324 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 326 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 327 Twenty-one yachts

  • 328 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 329 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 330 Just over a year old

  • 331 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 332 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 333

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 334 School crossing patrol begins

  • 335 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 336 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 337

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 338 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 339 North Devon Driving School

  • 340 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 341 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 342 A bird of their own!

  • 343 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 344 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 345 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 346 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 347 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 348 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 349 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 350 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 351 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 352 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 353 Loads of black and white

  • 354 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 355 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 356 He beat the floods

  • 357 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 358 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 359 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 360 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 361 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 362 A roof-top view - where?

  • 363 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 364 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 365 Hartland postman retires

  • 366 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 367 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 368 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 369 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 370 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 371 When horses score over the tractor

  • 372 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 373 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 374 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 375 First steel ship built at Bideford

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

  • 377

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 378 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 379 113 years at Instow

  • 380 No laughing matter

  • 381 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 382 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 383

    Exhibition of school work
  • 384 Weare Giffard potato

  • 385 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 386 Sight of a lifetime

  • 387 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 388 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 389 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 390

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 391 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 392 Finished in 1876

  • 393 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 394 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 395 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 396 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 397

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 398 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 399 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 400 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 401 Penny for the guy

  • 402 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 403 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 404 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 405

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 406 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 407 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 408 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 409 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 410 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 411

    New gateway
  • 412 First ship in 8 years

  • 413 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Six Bridesmaids Attend Bride

Bideford and Northam Families United

5.1.1943 Lott Pym

Six bridesmaids attended the bride at the wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Boxing Day, of LAC Edward Claude Lott, RAF, only son of Mr and Mrs E W Lott, 6 North Street, Northam, and Miss Hetty May Pym, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs J W L Pym, 30 Torrington Street, Bideford.
The service was conducted by the Rev R A B Chambers. Mr R Harper was at the organ.
Gazette article dated 5 January 1943

Bideford-Torrington Wedding

Bride presented with silver horseshoes

3.4.1945 Weeks Rowe

The wedding has taken place at the Methodist Church, Torrington, of Miss Ruby Frances Weeks, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs C Weeks, Five Lanes End, Little Torrington, and Mr Kenneth George Rowe, Royal Marines, only son of Mr and Mrs Rowe, 5 Coronation Road, Bideford.

The Rev G R Mallinson officiated. Mr Webber was at the organ. The only sister of the bride, Miss Clarice Weeks, was bridesmaid. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr R Beer. 

The bride was presented with three silver horseshoes – one by her small brother, Maurice, one by her cousin, Brenda Adams, and one by the bridegroom’s small nephew, Roger Ford.
A reception was held at the Little Torrington Methodist Schoolroom. The bride’s bouquet was placed on her grandparents’ grave, and the bridesmaid’s on the grave of her friend, little Colin Ede.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1945

Wed At Bideford

Married 20th March 1945

3.4.1945 Seed Jackson

Marine John Oswald Seed, RM, son of Mr and Mrs J R Seed, 50 Abbotsham Road, Bideford, and his bride, Miss Joan Audrey Jackson, WRNS, second daughter of Lieut. Com R G Jackson, RNVR, and Mrs Jackson of Two Rivers, Torridge Road, Appledore, and of Westcliff-on-Sea. They were married at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on March 20th.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1945

  • 1

Login Form