• 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 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 3

    Was a missionary
  • 4 Northam footballers of the future

  • 5 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 6 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 8

    Relatives all over the world
  • 9 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 10 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 11 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 12 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 13 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 14 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 15 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 16 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 17

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 18 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 19 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 20 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 21 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 22 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 23 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 24

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 25 Revenge in style

  • 26 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 27 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 28 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 29 The cab at the corner>
  • 30 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 31

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 32 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 33 A man and his wheel

  • 34 Just over a year old

  • 35 Bideford loses training ship

  • 36 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 37 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 38 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 39 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 40 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 41

    Building works
  • 42 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 43

    Married in 1908
  • 44 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 45 Picking the pops

  • 46 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 47 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 48 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 49 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 50 Twenty-one yachts

  • 51 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 52 Bideford computer stars

  • 53 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 54 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 55 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 56 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 57 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 58 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 59 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 60 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 61 New addition to Quay front

  • 62 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 64 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 65 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 66 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 67 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 68 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 69 Ten year old scrambler

  • 70 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 71 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 72 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 73 Finished in 1876

  • 74 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 75 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 76 Pannier Market's future?

  • 77 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 78 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 79

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 80 Cruising down the river

  • 81 Weare Giffard potato

  • 82 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 83 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 85 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 86 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 87 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 89 He beat the floods

  • 90 Traditions and skills still there

  • 91 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 92 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 93 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 94

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 95 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 96

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 97 School crossing patrol begins

  • 98 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 99 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 100 New Post Office

  • 101 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 102 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 103 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 104 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 105 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 106 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 107 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 108 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 109 New Lundy stamps

  • 110 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 111 All aboard the ark

  • 112 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 113 Off on a great adventure

  • 114 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 115 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 116 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 117 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 118 New art gallery opened

  • 119 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 120 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 121 In their new robes and hats

  • 122 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 124 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 125 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 126 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 127 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 128 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 129 Loads of black and white

  • 130 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 131 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 132 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 133 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 134 Mobile missionary

  • 135 New choral society's growing response

  • 136

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 137 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 138 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 140 Penny for the guy

  • 141 Waldon Triplets
  • 142 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 143 New shipyard on schedule

  • 144 Torrington children build igloo
  • 145 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 146 All for the love of a lady!

  • 147 Hartland Dancers
  • 148 From Bobby to Brian

  • 149 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 150 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 151 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 153 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 154 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 155 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 156 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 157 Life begins at 80

  • 158 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 159 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 160 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 161 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 162 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 163 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 164 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 165 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 166 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 167

    First prize
  • 168 Ships at Bideford

  • 169 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 170

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 171 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 172 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 173 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 174 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 175

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 176 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 177 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 178 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 179 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 180 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 181 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 182

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 183 First ship in 8 years

  • 184 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 185 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 186 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 187 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 188 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 189 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 190 Burnard family reunion

  • 191 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 192 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 193 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 194 New look in the hayfields

  • 195 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 196 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 197 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 198 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 199 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 200 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 202 Puppet characters introduced

  • 203 Riverside mystery

  • 204 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 205 What's the time?

  • 206 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 207 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 208 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 209 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 210 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 211 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 212 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 213 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 214 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 215 Six footed lamb

  • 216 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 217 Jumble sale fever

  • 218 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 219 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 220 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 221 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 222 Appledore's largest

  • 223 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 224 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 225 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 226 Northam's almshouse

  • 227 Bideford regatta

  • 228 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 229 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 230 Private home for public pump

  • 231 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 232 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 233 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 234 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 235 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 236 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 237 Centenary of Gazette

  • 238 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 239 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 240 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 241 So this is the mainland!

  • 242 113 years at Instow

  • 243 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 244 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 245 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 246 Police station view of Bideford

  • 247 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 248 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 249 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 250 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 251 A story to tell!

  • 252 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 253 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 254 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 255 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 256 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 257 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 258 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 259

    Exhibition of school work
  • 260

    Bidefordians
  • 261 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 262 Clovelly custom

  • 263

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 264

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 265 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 266 Decontrol of meat

  • 267 It really was the 'last time'

  • 268

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 269 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 270 New life for Hartland organ

  • 271 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 272 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 273 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 274 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 275 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 276 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 277 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 278 The art of the thatcher

  • 279

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 280 Emergency ferry services

  • 281 Last train from Torrington

  • 282 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 283 Simple Item 138
  • 284 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 285

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 286 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 287 For crying out loud!

  • 288 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 289 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 290 By pony and trap to market

  • 291

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 292 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 293 Some 240 exhibits

  • 294 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 295 Out of puff!

  • 296 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 297 Service with a smile

  • 298

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 299 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 300 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 301 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 302 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 303 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 304 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 305 Recognise this resort?

  • 306 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 307 Warmington's garage ad

  • 308 Peter poses for TV film

  • 309 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 310 Some mushroom!

  • 311 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 312 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 313 Picking the pops

  • 314 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 315 End of the line

  • 316 No laughing matter

  • 317 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 318 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 319 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 320

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 321 Sight of a lifetime

  • 322 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 323 Bridging the stream

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

  • 325 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 326 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 327 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 328

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 329 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 330 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 331

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 332 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 333 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 334 New civic medallions

  • 335 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 336 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 337 Littleham family's five generations

  • 338 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 339 Torrington's new amenity

  • 340 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 341 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 342 Artisans' Club

  • 343 Circus comes to town

  • 344 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 345 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 346 When horses score over the tractor

  • 347 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 348 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 349 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 350 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 351

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 352 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 353 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 354 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 355 A bird of their own!

  • 356 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 357 Variety in summer weather

  • 358 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 359 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 360 Happy Days!

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

  • 362 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 364 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 365 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 366 School's link with cargo ship

  • 367 North Devon Driving School

  • 368 Clovelly nightmare

  • 369

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 370 Can spring be far away?

  • 371 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 372 Filming at Hartland

  • 373 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 375 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 376

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 377 The Geneva marionettes

  • 378 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 379 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 380 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 381

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 382 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 383 Parkham plan realised

  • 384 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 385

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 386 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 387 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 388 Torrington in 1967

  • 389 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 390 They are parted pro-tem

  • 391 Hartland's invitation

  • 392 Devil sent packing

  • 393

    New gateway
  • 394 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 395 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 396 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 397 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 398 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 399 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 400 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 401 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 402 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 403 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 404 Sweets derationing

  • 405 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 406 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

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

  • 408 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 409 Capers on the cobbles

  • 410 Modern living at Bideford

  • 411 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 412 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 413 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Shebbear Woman’s Award

Bravery Recognised

A 31 year old Shebbear mother learned from the Gazette that the Royal Humane Society is to present her with an award recognising her bravery when she rescued an eight year old Appledore boy from drowning, after he had fallen into the River Torridge while fishing for crabs.

Jennifer Moast 26.1.1973

Mrs Jennifer Moast, of Battle Down, Shebbear, had not heard officially of the award when the Gazette telephoned her with the news.

Capt S Gorrell of Northam, who brought to the notice of the authorities Mrs Moast’s action in saving Paul Tanton, 10 Market Street, Appledore, was given news of the award in a letter from the Royal Humane Society.

The full Gazette articles are dated 5 January 1973 and 26 January 1973

Births, Engagements and Marriages

12 June 1945

12.6.1945

Holloway – June 9th 1945 at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Terry, wife of Tom Holloway, 53 Lime Grove, a son.
Eastman – May 29th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Florence (nee Raymont), wife of Sergt J F McLoughlin, RE, of Hill View, Landcross, a daughter, Maureen Elizabeth.

Llewellyn-Lamey – engagement is announced and the marriage will shortly take place between Cpl David Llewellyn, of Ontario, Canada, and Pte Vivienne Lamey, daughter of Mr and Mrs Alfred Lamey, New Ferry, Cheshire.

Hutchings-Lamey – June 14th 1920 at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, by the Rev G P Scholey, MA, Capt. Philip White Hutchings, son of Capt and Mrs T Hutchings, Appledore, to Janie Lamey, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J H Lamey, Appledore.

Births and Marriages

10 March 1942

10.3.1942

Gibbs – March 4th at Trinity House, Appledore, to Rosina (nee Lesslie) wife of Peter Gibbs (PC) Yarcombe, a son.

Heal – March 3rd at the Allandale Nursing Home, Weston-Super-Mare, to Elsie, wife of W L Heal, a son.

Taylor – March 1st at Nursing Home, Selly Oak, Birmingham, to Joyce (nee Mathews), wife of R W Taylor, BFCRA, a daughter, Patricia Ann.

Whiteman – March 4th at Woodheyes Nursing Home, to Dorothy (nee Peard) wife of S Whiteman, 44 Follards Road, Countess Wear, a daughter.

Mair-Quick – March 2nd at St Margaret’s, Northam, by the Rev Rhycroft, Jack William Mair, of Exmouth, and Florence May Quick, of Northam.

Matthews-Bettess – February 21st at St Mark’s Church, Swindon, Corpl Henry Matthews, son of Mr and Mrs Matthews, of Eastbourne, to Miss Florence Elizabeth Bettess, daughter of Mr and Mrs Bettess, Grenville Terrace, Bideford.

Tucker-Symonds – Saturday March 7th at St Mary’s Church, Sidney James, son of the late Mr T E B Tucker and Mrs Tucker, of Caddsdown, Bideford, to Margaret Louise (Dinah), daughter of Mr and Mrs E W Symonds, of Kingsley Road.

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