• 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 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 2 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 3 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 4 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 5 Picking the pops

  • 6 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 7 Ten year old scrambler

  • 8 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 9

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 10 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 11

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 12 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 13 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 14 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 15 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 16 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 17

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 18 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 19 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 20

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 21 Six footed lamb

  • 22 New choral society's growing response

  • 23 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 24 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 25 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 26 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 27

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 28 All aboard the ark

  • 29 Simple Item 138
  • 30 Just over a year old

  • 31 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 32 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 33 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 34 Sight of a lifetime

  • 35 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 36 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 37 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 38 New look in the hayfields

  • 39 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 40 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 41 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 42 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 43 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 44 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 45

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 46 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 47 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 48 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 49 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 50

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 51 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 52 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 53 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 54 A story to tell!

  • 55 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 56 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 58 School's link with cargo ship

  • 59 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 60 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 61 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 62 Last train from Torrington

  • 63 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 64 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 65 What's the time?

  • 66 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 68 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 69 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 70 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 71 Torrington in 1967

  • 72 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 73 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 74 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 75 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 76 So this is the mainland!

  • 77 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 78 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 79 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 80 Burnard family reunion

  • 81 No laughing matter

  • 82 Centenary of Gazette

  • 83 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 84 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 85 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 86 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 87 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 88 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 90 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 91 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 92 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 93

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 94 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 95 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 96 Service with a smile

  • 97 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 98 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 99 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 100 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 101 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 102 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 103 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 104 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 105 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 106 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 107 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 108 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 109 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 110 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 111 A man and his wheel

  • 112

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 113 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 114 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 115 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 116 Warmington's garage ad

  • 117 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 118

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 119 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 120

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 121 Some mushroom!

  • 122 Traditions and skills still there

  • 123 Decontrol of meat

  • 124 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 125 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 126 Revenge in style

  • 127 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 128 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 129 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 130

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 131 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 132 Some 240 exhibits

  • 133 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 134 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 135 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 136 Northam footballers of the future

  • 137 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 138 Recognise this resort?

  • 139 By pony and trap to market

  • 140 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 141 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 142 Variety in summer weather

  • 143 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 144 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 145 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 147 A roof-top view - where?

  • 148 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 149

    New gateway
  • 150 Twenty-one yachts

  • 151 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 152 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 153 When horses score over the tractor

  • 154 Waldon Triplets
  • 155 Devil sent packing

  • 156

    Was a missionary
  • 157 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 158 Bideford regatta

  • 159 First ship in 8 years

  • 160 Police station view of Bideford

  • 161 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 162 Peter poses for TV film

  • 163 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 164 New Lundy stamps

  • 165 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 166 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 167 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 168 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 169 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 170 New Post Office

  • 171 All for the love of a lady!

  • 172 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 173 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 174 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 175 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 176 Appledore's largest

  • 177 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 178 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 179 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 180 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 181

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 182 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 183 A bird of their own!

  • 184 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 185 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 186 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 187 Capers on the cobbles

  • 188 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 189

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 190 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 191 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 192 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 193 Can spring be far away?

  • 194 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 196 113 years at Instow

  • 197 New civic medallions

  • 198

    Exhibition of school work
  • 199 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 201 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 202 Bideford computer stars

  • 203 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 204 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 205 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 206 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 207 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 208

    Married in 1908
  • 209 Parkham plan realised

  • 210 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 211 Finished in 1876

  • 212 Puppet characters introduced

  • 213 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 214 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 215 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 216 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 219 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 220 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 221 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 222 Out of puff!

  • 223 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 224 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 225

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 226 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 227 Penny for the guy

  • 228 Bridging the stream

  • 229 Modern living at Bideford

  • 230 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 231 Pannier Market's future?

  • 232 Happy Days!

  • 233 Loads of black and white

  • 234 Riverside mystery

  • 235 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 236 Bideford loses training ship

  • 237 Life begins at 80

  • 238 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 239 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 240 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 241 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 242 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 243 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 244 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 245

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 246 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 247 Off on a great adventure

  • 248 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 249 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 250 Emergency ferry services

  • 251 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 253 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 254 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 255 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 256 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 257 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 258 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 259 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 260 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 261 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 262 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 263 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 264 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 265 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 266 In their new robes and hats

  • 267

    First prize
  • 268 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 269 Hartland Dancers
  • 270 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 271 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 272 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 273 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 274 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 275 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 276 Circus comes to town

  • 277 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 278 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 279 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 280 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 281 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 282 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 283 School crossing patrol begins

  • 284 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 285 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 286 North Devon Driving School

  • 287 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 288 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 289

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 290 Picking the pops

  • 291 Hartland postman retires

  • 292 End of the line

  • 293 New life for Hartland organ

  • 294 Ships at Bideford

  • 295 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 296 Cruising down the river

  • 297 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 298

    Bidefordians
  • 299 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 301

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 302 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 303 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 304 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 305 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 306

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 307 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 308 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 309 New addition to Quay front

  • 310 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 311 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 312

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 313

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 314 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 315 Littleham family's five generations

  • 316 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 317 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 318 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 319 No sale of Springfield House

  • 320 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 321 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 322 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 323 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 324 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 325 Clovelly custom

  • 326 Jumble sale fever

  • 327 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 329 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 330 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 331 Mobile missionary

  • 332 He beat the floods

  • 333 Private home for public pump

  • 334 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 336 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 337 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 338 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 339 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 340 New shipyard on schedule

  • 341 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 342 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 343 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 344 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 345 New art gallery opened

  • 346 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 347

    Building works
  • 348 They are parted pro-tem

  • 349 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 350

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 351 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 352 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 353 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 354 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 355 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 356 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 357 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 358 Weare Giffard potato

  • 359 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 360 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 361 Clovelly nightmare

  • 362 For crying out loud!

  • 363 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 364 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 365 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 366 Torrington children build igloo
  • 367

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 368 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 369 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 370 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 371 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 372 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 373 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 374 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 375 Artisans' Club

  • 376 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 377

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 378 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 379

    Relatives all over the world
  • 380 It really was the 'last time'

  • 381 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 382 The Geneva marionettes

  • 383 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 384 Northam's almshouse

  • 385

    Holidaying in north Devon
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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Oldest Postman’s Last Delivery

Bideford’s oldest postman, Mr Arthur Rowe, hangs up his bag

29.3.1974 Bideford Rowe postman

Mr Rowe of 29 Elmdale Road, Bideford, did not start his post office career until he was 65 – and that was after retiring from over 40 years’ service with the Royal Blue and Southern National as a driver. “I found I wanted something to do with my time” he recalled. For the last nine years he has been riding his bicycle on a round which took in Limers Lane and Durrant Lane.

“I was the oldest postman – but not the oldest-looking probably” he said.

Gazette article dated 29 March 1974

Local men are honoured

Local men in New Year Honours

Three men with Bideford and district associations appeared in yesterday’s New Year honours list.

2.1.1959 honours

Mr Reginald Pickard, of the Redlands Hotel, Sidmouth, who is awarded the O.B.E. is a member of a well-known Bideford family, and has had a notable career in local government.

Mr Thomas Russell McDonald, of Viewfield, Torrington, who receives the M.B.E. is a Scot who has worked in Devon since 1919, being head forester to the Clinton (Devon) Estate Company.

Mr R.W.F. Thorne, of Vale Lodge, Hartland, who is appointed M.B.D. began his career as a telegraph boy and rose to be superintendent in charge of the cable central telegraph office which deals with overseas telegrams. Until his retirement last November he controlled 500 telegraphists and 50 supervising officers.

Gazette article 2 January 1959

 

Taught At Appledore For Many Years

Miss Lily Ford

A teacher at Appledore Council School for more than 35 years, Miss Lily Ford, of Taw View, Appledore, has died at her sister’s home after a long illness. She was 73.

6.4.1973 Lily Ford Appledore

The Rev G H Watkeys officiated at the funeral with Mr J Dalby as organist.

Mourners attending were: Mr J Evans; Mr and Mrs Horace Ford, Mr and Mrs G Tiffen (also representing Mrs L T Ford), Mr and Mrs P Ford, Mr and Mrs Harold Ford, Mr and Mrs S Ford, Mr and Mrs Anthony Ford (also representing Mrs F Ford); Mrs F M Petley, Mrs L Lloyd, Mrs T S Lamey, Capt and Mrs R Scilly, Mr T Smith, Capt V Harris, Mr J Williams, Mr C Day.

Unavoidably absent were: Miss O Ford and Mrs J Evans.

Funeral arrangements were by Messrs H Ford and Sons, Appledore.

The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1973

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