• 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 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 2 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 3 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 4 Sight of a lifetime

  • 5

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 6 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 7 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 8 Just over a year old

  • 9

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 10 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 11 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 12 Bideford loses training ship

  • 13 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 14 Hartland's invitation

  • 15

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 16

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 17 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 18 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 19 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 20 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 21 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 22 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 23 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 24 New look for Torrington Lane

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

  • 26 Torrington's new amenity

  • 27 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 28 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 29 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 30 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 31 Some mushroom!

  • 32 Modern living at Bideford

  • 33 New choral society's growing response

  • 34 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 35 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 36 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 37

    Married in 1908
  • 38 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 39 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 40 Hartland postman retires

  • 41 New Post Office

  • 42 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 43 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 44

    Relatives all over the world
  • 45 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 46 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 47 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 48 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 49 The Geneva marionettes

  • 50 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 51 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 52 Northam footballers of the future

  • 53 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 54 The cab at the corner>
  • 55 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 56 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 57 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 58 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 59 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 60 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 61 New life for Hartland organ

  • 62 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 63 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 64 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 65 Police station view of Bideford

  • 66 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 67 It really was the 'last time'

  • 68 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 69 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 70 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 71 A roof-top view - where?

  • 72

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 73 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 74 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 75 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 76 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 77 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 78

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 79 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 80 School crossing patrol begins

  • 81 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 82 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 83 Capers on the cobbles

  • 84 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 85 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 86 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 87 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

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

  • 89 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 90 Clovelly nightmare

  • 91

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 92 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 93 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 94 Centenary of Gazette

  • 95 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 96 Recognise this resort?

  • 97 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 98 Emergency ferry services

  • 99 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 100 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 101 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 102 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 103 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 104 Variety in summer weather

  • 105 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 106 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 107

    Bidefordians
  • 108 So this is the mainland!

  • 109 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 110 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 111 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 112 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 113 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 114 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 115 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 116

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 117 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 118 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 120 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 121 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 122 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 123 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 124 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 125 Peter poses for TV film

  • 126 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 127 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 128 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 129 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 130 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 131 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 132 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 133 Bridging the stream

  • 134 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 135 First ship in 8 years

  • 136 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 137 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 138 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 139 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 140 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 141 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 142 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 143 End of the line

  • 144 Bideford computer stars

  • 145 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 146 Appledore's largest

  • 147 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 148 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 149 New addition to Quay front

  • 150 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 151 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 152 Waldon Triplets
  • 153

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 154 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 155 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 156 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 157 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 158 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 159 Service with a smile

  • 160 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 161 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 162 Parkham plan realised

  • 163 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 164 Decontrol of meat

  • 165

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 166 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 167 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 168 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 170 Devil sent packing

  • 171 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 172 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 173

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 174 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 175 A story to tell!

  • 176 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 177 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 178 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 179 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 180 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 181 Out of puff!

  • 182

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 183 Penny for the guy

  • 184 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 185 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 186 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 187 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 188

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 189 Torrington children build igloo
  • 190 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 191 Pannier Market's future?

  • 192 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 193 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 194 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 195 Ships at Bideford

  • 196 Sweets derationing

  • 197 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 198 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 199 When horses score over the tractor

  • 200 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 201 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 202 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 203 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 204 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 205 What's the time?

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

  • 207 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 208 Puppet characters introduced

  • 209 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 210 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 211 Bideford regatta

  • 212 Traditions and skills still there

  • 213 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 214 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 216 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 217 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 218 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 219 Mobile missionary

  • 220 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 221 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 222 Finished in 1876

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

  • 224 Jumble sale fever

  • 225 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 226 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 227 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 228 Clovelly custom

  • 229 Circus comes to town

  • 230 All for the love of a lady!

  • 231 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 232 Picking the pops

  • 233 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 234 A bird of their own!

  • 235 Torrington in 1967

  • 236 Filming at Hartland

  • 237 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 238 Littleham family's five generations

  • 239 Ten year old scrambler

  • 240 Last train from Torrington

  • 241 Off on a great adventure

  • 242 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 243

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 244 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 245 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 246 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 247 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 248 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 249 Happy Days!

  • 250 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 251 By pony and trap to market

  • 252 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 253 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 254 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 255 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 256 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 257 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 258 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 259 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 260 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 261 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 262 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 264 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 265 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 266 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 267 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 268 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 269 Can spring be far away?

  • 270 New art gallery opened

  • 271 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 272 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 273 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 274 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 275 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 276 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 277 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 278 No laughing matter

  • 279 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 280 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 281 Some 240 exhibits

  • 282 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 283 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 284 Simple Item 138
  • 285 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 286 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 287 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 288 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 289 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 290 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 291

    Exhibition of school work
  • 292 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 293 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 295 A man and his wheel

  • 296 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 297 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 298

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 299 New Lundy stamps

  • 300

    Building works
  • 301

    New gateway
  • 302 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 303 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 304 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 305 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 306 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 307 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 308 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 309 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 310 For crying out loud!

  • 311 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 312 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 313 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 314

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 315 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 316

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 317 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 318 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 319 New look in the hayfields

  • 320 The art of the thatcher

  • 321 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 322 Revenge in style

  • 323 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 324 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 325 Picking the pops

  • 326 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 327 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 328

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 329 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 330 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 331 No sale of Springfield House

  • 332 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 333 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 334 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 335

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 336

    Was a missionary
  • 337 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 338 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 339 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 340 Hartland Dancers
  • 341 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 342 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 343 New shipyard on schedule

  • 344 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 345 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 346 Riverside mystery

  • 347 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 348 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 349 He beat the floods

  • 350 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 351 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 352 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 353 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 354 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 356 Northam's almshouse

  • 357 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 358 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 359 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 360 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 361 In their new robes and hats

  • 362 They are parted pro-tem

  • 363

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 364 113 years at Instow

  • 365 Bideford's new market opens next week

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

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

  • 368 All aboard the ark

  • 369 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 370 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 371

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 372 Artisans' Club

  • 373

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 374 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 375 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 376 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 377 Warmington's garage ad

  • 378 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 379 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 380

    First prize
  • 381 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 382 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 383 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 384 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 385 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 386 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 387 Weare Giffard potato

  • 388 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 389 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 390 From Bobby to Brian

  • 391 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 392 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 393 Six footed lamb

  • 394 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 395 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 396

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 397 School's link with cargo ship

  • 398 New civic medallions

  • 399 Cruising down the river

  • 400 Private home for public pump

  • 401 Life begins at 80

  • 402 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 403 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 404 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 405 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 406 North Devon Driving School

  • 407

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 408

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 409 Loads of black and white

  • 410 Twenty-one yachts

  • 411 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 412 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 413 Fishermen of Greencliff

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Mr and Mrs Paul Bond

Reading The Queen’s Telegram

27.1.1956 Bond

Saturday, their 70th wedding anniversary, was a very proud day for Mr and Mrs Paul Bond, of Greenfields, Clovelly Road, Bideford, who are seen here reading together the telegram of greetings and good wishes sent them by Her Majesty the Queen.

Altogether Mr and Mrs Bond received some sixty letters, cards and telegrams of greetings, many of them accompanied by bouquets of flowers. Among those who sent telegrams were the Mayor of Bideford, Mr D F B Stucley, the Town Clerk, Mr F C Backway, the Mayor and Mayoress of Launceston, Cllr and Mrs C H Robins, who are family friends, and a national newspaper.

Friends of High Street Methodist Church, where Mr and Mrs Bond were regularly worshippers for very many years, remembered them with a bouquet.

Among those who called to add their congratulations were Mrs E M Cox, Mr Ambrose Fulford, the Rev G E Gregory and Drs Cooper and Wilson.

This great anniversary was celebrated quietly with a family party and Mr and Mrs Bond cut the cake specially made for the occasion by their daughter, Mrs B Couch.

Article dated 27 January 1956

Births and Marriages

27 January 1942

27.1.1942

Cudlipp – On January 24th, at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Christine, wife of G W Cudlipp, a son.
Fulford – On January 20th at Highbury, Lime Grove, Bideford, to Mildred (nee Short), wife of Gunner H Fulford, a daughter.
Hodson – On January 22nd at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Winifred, wife of F A Hodson, a son.
Levy – On January 20th to Edith, wife of I Levy, a son.
Warren – On Monday, January 19th 1942, at 6 Trafalgar Place, to Edna (nee Harris), wife of R A Warren (RAF), a daughter.
Wilton – On January 22nd at Cleave Farm, Weare Gifford, to Mr and Mrs F Wilton (nee Harris), the gift of a daughter.

Butler-Gosling – On Saturday January 17th at Emmanuel Church, Stoughton, Sergt Leslie Victor Butler (RE), of Bideford, to Miss Florence Gosling, of Guildford
Colome-Kelly – On January 21st, Winnifred Jean, only daughter of Mr and Mrs C D Kelly, Trelawney House, Clovelly Road, to John, second son of Mr and Mrs Colome, of Barcelona, Spain.
Shute-Salisbury – On January 20th, at the Parish Church, Bideford, Raymond, only son of Mr and Mrs R T Shute, to Ruth, only daughter of Mr and Mrs H Salisbury, of Bideford.

Births and Marriages

28 July 1942

28.7.1942

Crane – On July 21st at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to L/Cpl and Mrs I H Crane, of 43 Torrington Street, a son.
Jewell – On July 27th to Sergt J P Jewell and Mrs Jewell (nee Ivy Taylor), of 45 New Street, Torrington (Bristol), a daughter.
Powell – On July 27th to Mr and Mrs W D Powell (nee Winifred Short), of Torridge Hill, Bideford, a daughter.
Sweet – On July 21st at Grove Cottage, Instow, to Kate, wife of Warrant Officer G Sweet, RN, a son.
Tancock – July 21, at the Nursing Home, Torrington, to Kathleen, wife of PC Tancock, Devon Constabulary, Winkleigh, a daughter.

Sluman-Leach – On July 23rd 1917, at Shebbear, Wilfred John Sluman, to Florence Leach. Present address, Bybury, Tennacott Lane, Bideford.

Sussex-Cann – On July 25th at St Mary’s Church, by Rev Chambers, W Leslie Sussex, A F FAA, of 10 River View Terrace, to Rose Cann, of 4 Cooper Street, Bideford.

  • 1

Login Form