• 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 childrens' cinema opens

  • 2 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 3 A story to tell!

  • 4 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 5 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 6 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 7 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 8 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 9

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 10 All for the love of a lady!

  • 11 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 12 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 13 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 14 Private home for public pump

  • 15 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 16 He beat the floods

  • 17

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 18 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 19 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 20 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 21 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 22 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 23 Peter poses for TV film

  • 24 End of the line

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

  • 26 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 27 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 28 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 29 Fishermen of Greencliff

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

  • 31 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 32 New Lundy stamps

  • 33 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 34 New shipyard on schedule

  • 35 Weare Giffard potato

  • 36 Out of puff!

  • 37

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 38 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 39 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 40 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 41 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 42 Puppet characters introduced

  • 43 Appledore's largest

  • 44 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 45 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 46 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 47 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 49 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 50 Jumble sale fever

  • 51

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 52 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 53 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 54 First ship in 8 years

  • 55 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 56 The cab at the corner>
  • 57 New art gallery opened

  • 58 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 59 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 60 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 61 Torrington children build igloo
  • 62 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 63 Devil sent packing

  • 64 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 65 Clovelly custom

  • 66 Clovelly nightmare

  • 67 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 68 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 69 Sailing to victory at Appledore

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

  • 71 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 72

    Exhibition of school work
  • 73 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 74 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 75 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 76 The art of the thatcher

  • 77 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 78

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 79 New civic medallions

  • 80 Northam footballers of the future

  • 81 Emergency ferry services

  • 82 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 83

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 84 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 85 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 87 A man and his wheel

  • 88 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 89 Artisans' Club

  • 90 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 91 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 92 Ten year old scrambler

  • 93 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 94 Loads of black and white

  • 95 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 96 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 97 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 98 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 99 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 100 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 102 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 103 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 104 New look in the hayfields

  • 105 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 106 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 107 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 108 Hartland Dancers
  • 109 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 110 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 111 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 112

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 113 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 114 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 115 Mobile missionary

  • 116 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 117 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 119

    New gateway
  • 120 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 121 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 122 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 123 Six footed lamb

  • 124 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 125 Off on a great adventure

  • 126 When horses score over the tractor

  • 127 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 128 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 129 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 130 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 131 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 132 Torrington's new amenity

  • 133 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 134 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 135

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 136 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 137 School's link with cargo ship

  • 138 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 139 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 140 Northam's almshouse

  • 141 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 142 Penny for the guy

  • 143

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 144

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 145 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 146 Burnard family reunion

  • 147 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 148 Life begins at 80

  • 149 Bideford regatta

  • 150 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 151 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 152 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 153 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 154 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 155 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 156 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 157 It really was the 'last time'

  • 158 Pannier Market's future?

  • 159

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 160 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 161

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 162 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 163

    Relatives all over the world
  • 164 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 165 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 166 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 167 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 168 Revenge in style

  • 169 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 170 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 171 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 172 No laughing matter

  • 173 Circus comes to town

  • 174 Traditions and skills still there

  • 175 In their new robes and hats

  • 176 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 177 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 178 Some 240 exhibits

  • 179 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 180 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 181 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 182 Torrington in 1967

  • 183 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 184 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 186 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 187 Some mushroom!

  • 188 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 189 Parkham plan realised

  • 190 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 191 New addition to Quay front

  • 192 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 193 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 194 What's the time?

  • 195 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 196 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 197 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 198 North Devon Driving School

  • 199 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 200 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 201 No sale of Springfield House

  • 202 Bideford computer stars

  • 203 Variety in summer weather

  • 204 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 205 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 206 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 207 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 208 Police station view of Bideford

  • 209 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 210 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 211 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 212 Capers on the cobbles

  • 213

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 214 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 215 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 216 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 217 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 218 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 219 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 220

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 221 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 222 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 223 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 225 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 226 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 227 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 228 Littleham family's five generations

  • 229 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 230

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 231 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 232 Sight of a lifetime

  • 233

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 234 Picking the pops

  • 235 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 237 113 years at Instow

  • 238 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 239 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 240 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 241 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 242 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 243 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 244 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 245 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 246 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 247 A bird of their own!

  • 248 So this is the mainland!

  • 249 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 250 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 251 New Post Office

  • 252 Hartland's invitation

  • 253 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 254 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 255 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 256 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 257 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 258 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 259 Last train from Torrington

  • 260 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 261 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 262 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 263 For crying out loud!

  • 264

    Was a missionary
  • 265 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 266 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 267 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 268 School crossing patrol begins

  • 269 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 270 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 271 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 272 Decontrol of meat

  • 273 Bideford loses training ship

  • 274 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 275 Picking the pops

  • 276 Filming at Hartland

  • 277 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 278 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 279 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 280 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 281

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 282 Cruising down the river

  • 283 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 285 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 286 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 287 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 288 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 289 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 290 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 291 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 292 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 293 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 294 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 295

    First prize
  • 296 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 297 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 298 Sweets derationing

  • 299 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 300 Recognise this resort?

  • 301 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 302 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 303 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 304

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 305 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 306 Warmington's garage ad

  • 307 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 308

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 309 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 310 Hartland postman retires

  • 311 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 312 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 313 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 314 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 315 They are parted pro-tem

  • 316 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 317 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 318 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 319 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 320 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 321 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 322 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 323 From Bobby to Brian

  • 324 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 325 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 326 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 327 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 328 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 329 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 330 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 331 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 332 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 334 Can spring be far away?

  • 335

    Married in 1908
  • 336 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 337

    Building works
  • 338 Finished in 1876

  • 339 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 340 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 341

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 342 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 343 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 344 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 346 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 347 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 348 Just over a year old

  • 349 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 350 All aboard the ark

  • 351 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 352

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 353 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 354

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 355 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 356 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 357 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 358 Bridging the stream

  • 359 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 360 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 361 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 362

    Bidefordians
  • 363 Riverside mystery

  • 364 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 365 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 366 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 367 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 368 Happy Days!

  • 369 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 370 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 371 Simple Item 138
  • 372 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 373 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 374

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 375 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 376 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 377 Modern living at Bideford

  • 378 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 379 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 380 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 381 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 382 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 383 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 384 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 385 By pony and trap to market

  • 386 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 387

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 388 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 389 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 390 Service with a smile

  • 391 Waldon Triplets
  • 392 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 393 New life for Hartland organ

  • 394 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 395 New choral society's growing response

  • 396 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 397 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 398 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 399 Centenary of Gazette

  • 400 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 401 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 402 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 403 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 404 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 405 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 406

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 407 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 408 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 409 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 410 Twenty-one yachts

  • 411 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 412 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 413 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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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.

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