• 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 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 2 Penny for the guy

  • 3 Devil sent packing

  • 4 Train returns to Westleigh straight

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

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

  • 7 Emergency ferry services

  • 8 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 9 Traditions and skills still there

  • 10 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 11 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 12 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 13 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 14

    Relatives all over the world
  • 15 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 16 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 17 Life begins at 80

  • 18 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 19 Simple Item 138
  • 20 Hartland Dancers
  • 21 Out of puff!

  • 22 Jumble sale fever

  • 23 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 24 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 25 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 26 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 27 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 28 Waldon Triplets
  • 29 From Bobby to Brian

  • 30 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 31 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 32 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 33 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 34 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 35 End of the line

  • 36

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 37 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 38 Picking the pops

  • 39 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 40 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 41 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 42 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 43 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 44 All aboard the ark

  • 45 The Geneva marionettes

  • 46 Riverside mystery

  • 47 Bideford loses training ship

  • 48

    Exhibition of school work
  • 49 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 50 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 51 Bideford regatta

  • 52 No sale of Springfield House

  • 53 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 54 All for the love of a lady!

  • 55 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 56 Private home for public pump

  • 57 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 58 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 60 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 61 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 62 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 63 No laughing matter

  • 64 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 65 Some mushroom!

  • 66 Burnard family reunion

  • 67 Clovelly nightmare

  • 68 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 69 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 70 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 71 New addition to Quay front

  • 72

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 73 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 74 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 75 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 76 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 77 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 78 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 79 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 80 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 81 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 82 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 83 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 84 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 85 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 86 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 87 Northam footballers of the future

  • 88 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 89 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 90 Sight of a lifetime

  • 91

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 92 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 93 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 94 Sweets derationing

  • 95 Happy Days!

  • 96 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 97 Warmington's garage ad

  • 98 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 99 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 100 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 101 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 102 Weare Giffard potato

  • 103 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 104 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 105 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 107 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 108 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 109 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 110 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 111 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 112 A man and his wheel

  • 113 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 114 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 115 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 116

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 117 Cruising down the river

  • 118 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 119 The cab at the corner>
  • 120 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 121 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 122 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 123 A roof-top view - where?

  • 124 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 125

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 126 Ships at Bideford

  • 127 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 128 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 129

    Building works
  • 130

    First prize
  • 131

    Married in 1908
  • 132 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 133 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 134 Last train from Torrington

  • 135 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 136 North Devon Driving School

  • 137

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 138

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 139 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 140 Variety in summer weather

  • 141 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 142 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 143 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 144 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 145 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 146 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 147 New look in the hayfields

  • 148 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 149 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 150 Loads of black and white

  • 151 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 152 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 153 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 154 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 155 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 156 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 157 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 158 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 159 Recognise this resort?

  • 160 The art of the thatcher

  • 161 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 162 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 163 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 165 A story to tell!

  • 166 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 168 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 169 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 170 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 171 Bideford computer stars

  • 172 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 173 Capers on the cobbles

  • 174 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 175 Bridging the stream

  • 176 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 177 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 178 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 179 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 180 Appledore's largest

  • 181 In their new robes and hats

  • 182

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 183 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 184 Modern living at Bideford

  • 185 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 186 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 187

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 188 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 189 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 190 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 191 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 192 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 193 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 194 Littleham family's five generations

  • 195 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 196 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 197 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 198 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 199 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 200

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 201 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 202 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 203 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 204 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 205 New Post Office

  • 206 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 208 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 209 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 210 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 211 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 213 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 214 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 215 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 216 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 217 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 218 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 219 When horses score over the tractor

  • 220

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 221 Hartland's invitation

  • 222

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 223 Six footed lamb

  • 224 School's link with cargo ship

  • 225 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 226 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 227 So this is the mainland!

  • 228 First ship in 8 years

  • 229 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 230 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 231 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 232

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 233 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 234 Mobile missionary

  • 235 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 236 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 237 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 238 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 239 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 240 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 241 New art gallery opened

  • 242 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 243 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 244

    Was a missionary
  • 245 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 246

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 247 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 248 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 249 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 250 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 251 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 252 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 253 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 254 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 255 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 256 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 257 Off on a great adventure

  • 258 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 259 Ten year old scrambler

  • 260 Some 240 exhibits

  • 261 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 262 Filming at Hartland

  • 263 Decontrol of meat

  • 264 Torrington children build igloo
  • 265 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 266 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 267 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 268 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 269

    New gateway
  • 270 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 271 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 272 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 273 For crying out loud!

  • 274 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 276 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 277 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 278 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 279 New choral society's growing response

  • 280 Torrington's new amenity

  • 281 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 282 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 283 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 284 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 285 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 286 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 287 New life for Hartland organ

  • 288 New shipyard on schedule

  • 289 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 290 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 291 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 292 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 293

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 294 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 295 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 296 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 297 Can spring be far away?

  • 298 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 299

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 300

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 301 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 302 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 303 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 304 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 305 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 306 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 307 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 308 They are parted pro-tem

  • 309 New civic medallions

  • 310 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 311 Torrington in 1967

  • 312 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 313 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 314 Finished in 1876

  • 315 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 316 Service with a smile

  • 317 It really was the 'last time'

  • 318 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 319 Picking the pops

  • 320 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 321

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 322 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 323 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 324 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 325

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 326 Clovelly custom

  • 327 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 328

    Bidefordians
  • 329 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 330 Parkham plan realised

  • 331 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 332 What's the time?

  • 333 Hartland postman retires

  • 334 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 335 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 336

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 337 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 338 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 339 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 340 Revenge in style

  • 341 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 342 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 343 113 years at Instow

  • 344 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 345 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 346 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 347 Northam's almshouse

  • 348 Just over a year old

  • 349 Twenty-one yachts

  • 350

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 351 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 352 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 354 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 355 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 356 A bird of their own!

  • 357 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 358 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 359 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 360 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 361 Puppet characters introduced

  • 362 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 363 Peter poses for TV film

  • 364 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 365 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 366 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 367 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 368 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 369 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 370 Artisans' Club

  • 371 He beat the floods

  • 372 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 373

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 374 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 375 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 376 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 377 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 378 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 379

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 380 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 381 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 382 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 383 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 384 Pannier Market's future?

  • 385 New Lundy stamps

  • 386 Centenary of Gazette

  • 387 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 388 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 389 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 390 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 391 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 392 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 393 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 394

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 395 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 396

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 397 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 398 By pony and trap to market

  • 399 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 400 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 401 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 402 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 403 Circus comes to town

  • 404 School crossing patrol begins

  • 405 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 406 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 407 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 408 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 409 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 410 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 411 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 412 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 413 Unique holiday adventure!

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

Pigeon Pioneers Pleased in 1961

The longest distance young bird race ever attempted by Bideford fanciers proved an outstanding success for the Racing Pigeon Club.

1961 pigeon pioneers

 

Eight pioneers sent their best candidates to compete in this classic marathon held in conjunction with the West of England Continental Amalgamation. Some doubts expressed prior to the race, that the distance from Margate of approximately 245 miles would prove beyond the physical capacity of immature pigeons of about six months of age. Such was not to be the case, however.
Race controller Waldron after consultation with liberator Hancock, decided to release the racers at 7.30am in ideal weather conditions. Shortly after 2pm the pigeons began homing to their local lofts, and finally six out of the eight competing members had timed in arrivals.
Congratulations are due to all these very gallant pigeons for blazing another new trail in local pigeon circles. Appledore and Northam, however, derive most pleasure and credit from the race as they provided the first five winners, the sole Bideford arrival bringing up the rear. Winners and their velocities are: Cann 1,061; Lamey 998; Joe Keen 994: James 966; Jewell 963; and Waldron 797.
So ends another successful attempt at long distance young bird racing by those who have the courage of their convictions, and the faith in their racers to surmount the obstacles en route.

People

At Hartland Wedding

At Hartland Wedding - 2nd March 1937

2.3.1937 Hartland wedding
 

Bridegroom And Best Man In Light-Keepers Uniform

Both bridgegroom and best man wore their light-keeper's uniform at the wedding at St Nectan's on Saturday, of Mr Redvers Ewart, younger and only surviving son of Mrs Annie and the late Mr William Buckler, to Bessie Iverna R., younger daughter of Mr and Mrs Ernest W Pyne, of Blagdon. The weather cleared just in time for the ceremony.
The Vicar (Rev Ivon Gregory, R.D.) officiated, Mr G Burrow being organist.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of white satin with train, embroidered veil and coronet of orange blossoms, white satin shoes and carried a bouquet of arum lilies, white carnations, white heather, and ferns. She was attended by her only sister Mrs Doris Barnes, of St Anne's Lighthouse, as matron of honour, who wore an ankle length marina marocain dress, hat to tone and silver shoes.
Bridesmaids were Miss May Westlake, Miss Cissy Lane, Miss L Stanbury. They wore ankle length marina satin dresses, net caps to tone, trimmed with velvet flowers and silver leaves, silver sandal shoes, and carried bouquets of pink carnations, white heather and ferns. Mr G Hy Prebble (Hartland Point) was best man. The bride's mother wore a brown marocain dress with brown hat, and the bridegrooms's mother one of navy blue silk and navy blue hat.
The bride's preesnt to the bridegroom was a gold watch chain and the bridegroom gave the bride a cabinet sewing machine. He also gave the Misses Lane and Stanbury silver bangles, and Mrs Barnes and Miss Westlake gold signet rings.
About forty attended a reception at Blagdon House. The honeymoon is being spent at Bournemouth the bride travelling in a brown dress and coat and rust coloured going away hat.
The bride and bridegroom's new address will be Devon House, Edmund Street, Holyhead, N Wales.

  • 1

Login Form