• 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 Bideford regatta

  • 2 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 3 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 4 Torrington children build igloo
  • 5 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 6 Revenge in style

  • 7 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 8 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 9 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 10 All aboard the ark

  • 11 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 12 New civic medallions

  • 13 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 14 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 15 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 17 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 18 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 19 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 20 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 21 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 22 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 23

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 24 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 25 Weare Giffard potato

  • 26 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 27 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 28 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 29 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 30 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 31 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 32 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 33 Warmington's garage ad

  • 34 Traditions and skills still there

  • 35 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 36 New shipyard on schedule

  • 37

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 38 Simple Item 138
  • 39 Parkham plan realised

  • 40 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 42 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 43 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 44 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 45 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 46 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 47 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 48 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 49 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 50 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 51

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 52 Six footed lamb

  • 53 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 54 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 55 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 56

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 57 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 58 Mobile missionary

  • 59 Ships at Bideford

  • 60 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 61 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 62 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 63 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 64 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 65 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 66 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 67 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 69 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 70 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 71 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 72 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 73 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 74 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 75 Picking the pops

  • 76 113 years at Instow

  • 77 It really was the 'last time'

  • 78 Hartland Dancers
  • 79 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 80 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 81 New addition to Quay front

  • 82

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 83 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 84 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 85 Bideford loses training ship

  • 86 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 87 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 88

    Relatives all over the world
  • 89 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 90 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 91 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 92 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 93 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 94 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 95 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 96

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 97 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 98 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

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

  • 100 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 101 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 102 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 103 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 104 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 105 For crying out loud!

  • 106 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 107 Just over a year old

  • 108 No sale of Springfield House

  • 109 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 110 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 111 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 112 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 113 End of the line

  • 114 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 115 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 116

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 117 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 118 New Lundy stamps

  • 119 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 120 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 121 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 122 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 124 Littleham family's five generations

  • 125 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 126 What's the time?

  • 127 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 128 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 129 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 130 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 131 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 132 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 133 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 134 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 135 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 136 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 137 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 138 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 139 Life begins at 80

  • 140 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 141 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 142 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 143 Bideford computer stars

  • 144 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 145 School crossing patrol begins

  • 146 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 147 New art gallery opened

  • 148 Burnard family reunion

  • 149

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 150 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 151 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 152 Circus comes to town

  • 153 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 154 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 155 Bridging the stream

  • 156 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 157 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 158 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 159 Hartland's invitation

  • 160 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 161 The Geneva marionettes

  • 162 Northam footballers of the future

  • 163 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 164 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 165 Capers on the cobbles

  • 166 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 167 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 168 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 169 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 170 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 171 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 172 Appledore's largest

  • 173 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 174 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 175 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 176 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 177 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 178 Northam's almshouse

  • 179 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 180

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 181 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 182 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 183 Train returns to Westleigh straight

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

  • 185 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 186 A story to tell!

  • 187

    First prize
  • 188 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 189 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 190

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 191 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 192 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 193 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 194 All for the love of a lady!

  • 195

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 196 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 197 Penny for the guy

  • 198 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 199 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 200 Cruising down the river

  • 201

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 202 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 203 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 204 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 205 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 206

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 207 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 208 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 209 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 210 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 211 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 212 Police station view of Bideford

  • 213 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 214 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 215 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 216 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 217 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 218 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 219 A man and his wheel

  • 220 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 221 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 222 New choral society's growing response

  • 223 A roof-top view - where?

  • 224 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 225 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 226 Devil sent packing

  • 227

    Married in 1908
  • 228 Waldon Triplets
  • 229 Off on a great adventure

  • 230 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 231 North Devon Driving School

  • 232 Variety in summer weather

  • 233 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 234 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 235 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 236 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 237 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 238 New life for Hartland organ

  • 239 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 240

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 241 Some mushroom!

  • 242 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 243 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 244 Modern living at Bideford

  • 245 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 246 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 247 Picking the pops

  • 248 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 249 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 250 Torrington in 1967

  • 251 Out of puff!

  • 252 Clovelly nightmare

  • 253 A bird of their own!

  • 254

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 255 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 256 Pannier Market's future?

  • 257 Hartland postman retires

  • 258 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 259 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 260 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 261 First ship in 8 years

  • 262 Puppet characters introduced

  • 263 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 264 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 265 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 266 Peter poses for TV film

  • 267

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 268

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 269

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 270 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 271 The art of the thatcher

  • 272

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 273 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 274 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 275 Private home for public pump

  • 276 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 277 Service with a smile

  • 278 Centenary of Gazette

  • 279 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 280

    Exhibition of school work
  • 281 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 282 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 283 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 284 He beat the floods

  • 285 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 286

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 287 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 288 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 289 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 290 They are parted pro-tem

  • 291 So this is the mainland!

  • 292 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 293 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 294 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 295 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 296 Jumble sale fever

  • 297 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 298 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 299 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 300 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 301 Artisans' Club

  • 302 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 303

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 304 Last train from Torrington

  • 305 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 306 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 307 New look in the hayfields

  • 308 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 309 No laughing matter

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

  • 311 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 313 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 314 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 315

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 316 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 318 Sight of a lifetime

  • 319 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 320 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 321 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 322

    New gateway
  • 323 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 324 Light reading for the lighthouse

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

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

  • 327 Happy Days!

  • 328 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 329 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 330 Decontrol of meat

  • 331 Finished in 1876

  • 332 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 333 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 334 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 335 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 336 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 337 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 339 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 340

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 341 Twenty-one yachts

  • 342 Some 240 exhibits

  • 343 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 344

    Was a missionary
  • 345

    Building works
  • 346 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 347 New Post Office

  • 348 Emergency ferry services

  • 349 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 350 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 351 Riverside mystery

  • 352 Loads of black and white

  • 353 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 354 In their new robes and hats

  • 355 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 356 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 357 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 358 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 359 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 360 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 361 Can spring be far away?

  • 362 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 363

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 364 Clovelly custom

  • 365 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 366 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 367 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 368 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 369 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 370 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 371 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 372 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 374 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 375 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 376 School's link with cargo ship

  • 377 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 378 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 379 By pony and trap to market

  • 380

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 381 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 382 Recognise this resort?

  • 383 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 384 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 385

    Bidefordians
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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  • 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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  • 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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Instow Retirement Presentations

Mr Harold Jordan who has just retired from the Wayfarer Inn, Instow, received a presentation silver tankard from Mr A D Dawkins, local director of Whitbread Flowers Ltd, Devon.

9.3.1973 Harold Jordan Instow1

Mrs Jordan received a bouquet.
Mr Jordan, who is 69, has spent the whole of his working life in a Whitbread house. Born in the King’s Arms, South Molton, he moved with his parents to the New Inn, Instow, now the Wayfarer.
Mr and Mrs Jordan married in 1924 and Mrs Jordan has played a very active part in the running of the inn. Their new home is at 9 Estuary View, West Yelland.
Mr Jordan has been a school manager for 30 years and also a parish councillor. In sport he has been secretary of the football club and an active member of North Devon Cricket Club.
With Mr and Mrs Jordan is their only daughter Mrs Joan Curtis.
The full Gazette article is dated 9 March 1973

Births, Engagements and Marriages

22 March 1963

22.3.1963

Mills – Sunday March 17th at the North Devon Infirmary, to Leslie and Muriel (nee Blight) a sister for Stephen.
Paddon – March 13th at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Reg and Mary (nee Oliver), a daughter, Beverley Jane.
Powell - Wednesday March 13th at 2 Nelson Terrace, Westward Ho! to Janet (nee Anscombe) and Ken Powell, a sister for Julia, Caroline.

Bowden-Feild – engagement is announced between John, son of Mr and Mrs Hedley Bowden, 3 Clinton Terrace, Torrington, and Patricia, daughter of Mr and Mrs G Feild, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.
Hyett-Jenkins – engagement announced between Mary, daughter of Mr and Mrs W H Jenkins, 7 Barnstaple Street, Bideford, and Leslie, son of Mr and Mrs A W Hyett, Portsmouth.

Jackman-Cock – March 15th at Buckland Brewer Methodist Church, by Rev J Owen Clutterbuck, assisted by Rev E F Knight, Michael, son of Mr and Mrs F Jackman, of Greencliff, Abbotsham, to Judith, daughter of Mr and Mrs T Cock, Gorwood, Buckland Brewer.
Lavers-Rudkin – March 16th at Bridge Street Methodist Church, John Anthony, son of Mr and Mrs A C Lavers, Ellwood, Golf Links Road, Westward Ho! to Margaret, twin daughter of Mr and Mrs J N Rudkin, 3 Coldharbour, Bideford.
Stephens-Burton – March 16th at Ugborough Parish Church, by Rev Mr Millman, assisted by Rev Mr Gibby, David Percival, elder twin son of Mrs Stephens and the late Mr P Stephens, 131 Lime Grove, Bideford, to Hazel Margaret, daughter of Mr and Mrs E R Burton, Masonic House, Ivybridge.

Mr G Braddick And Miss D Pickard

Many friends attended the wedding at Bridge Street Methodist Church on Wednesday, March 17th of Mr Graham Braddick, elder son of Mr and Mrs L G H Braddick of Vicosa, Westward Ho! to Miss Dorothy Pickard, only daughter of Mrs and the late Mr T Pickard, 1 Sea View, Northam.

26.3.1954 Braddick Pickard wedding

The bridegroom is a former secretary of Bideford and District Motor Club. An excellent shot, he has represented the County is clay pigeon shooting.
Rev Isaac Bond officiated and Mr E G Laycock accompanied the singing. Given in marriage by her uncle, Mr W Ace, the bride wore a white brocade dress with a white net veil and carried a bouquet of deep pink carnations and fern.
Bridesmaids were Misses M Ace and J Braddick. Duties of best man were discharged by Mr D H Dalling, cousin of the bridegroom.
A reception was held at Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, after which Mr and Mrs Graham Braddick left for a touring honeymoon.
Mr and Mrs Graham’s Braddick’s future home will be at the Headlands Hotel, Westward Ho! where Mr Braddick will take over the management of Messrs Braddicks Holiday Camp there, and he will also continue this interest in Braddicks Electrical Ltd.
The full Gazette article is dated 26 March 1954

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