• 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 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 2 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 3 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 4 Torrington in 1967

  • 5 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 6 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 7 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 8 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 9 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 10 No sale of Springfield House

  • 11 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 12 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 13 School's link with cargo ship

  • 14 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 15 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 16 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 17

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 18 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 19 Recognise this resort?

  • 20 Hartland Dancers
  • 21 Police station view of Bideford

  • 22 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 23

    Was a missionary
  • 24 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 25 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 26 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 27 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 28 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 29 Emergency ferry services

  • 30 New addition to Quay front

  • 31 Picking the pops

  • 32 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 33

    Building works
  • 34 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 35 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 36 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 37 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 38 The Geneva marionettes

  • 39 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 40 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 41 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 42 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 43 Peter poses for TV film

  • 44 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 45 Bideford loses training ship

  • 46 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 47 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 48 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 49 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 50 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 51 Torrington children build igloo
  • 52 Sight of a lifetime

  • 53 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 54 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 55 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 56 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 57 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 58 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 59 A roof-top view - where?

  • 60 Traditions and skills still there

  • 61 New civic medallions

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

  • 63 By pony and trap to market

  • 64 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 65 A man and his wheel

  • 66 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 67 Service with a smile

  • 68 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 69 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

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

  • 72 Variety in summer weather

  • 73 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 74

    Bidefordians
  • 75 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 76 He beat the floods

  • 77 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 78 New art gallery opened

  • 79 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 80

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 81 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 82 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 83 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 84 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 85 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 86 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 87 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 88 It really was the 'last time'

  • 89 Last train from Torrington

  • 90 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 91 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 93 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 94

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 95

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 96 First ship in 8 years

  • 97 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 98 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 99 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 100 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 101 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 102 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 103 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 104 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 105 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 106 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 107 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 108 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 109 Happy Days!

  • 110 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 111 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 112 All aboard the ark

  • 113 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 114 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 115 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 116 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 117 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 119 Northam footballers of the future

  • 120 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 121 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 122

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 123 New shipyard on schedule

  • 124 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 125 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 126 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 127 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 128 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 129 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 130 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 131 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 132 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 133 Private home for public pump

  • 134

    First prize
  • 135

    Relatives all over the world
  • 136 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 137 Out of puff!

  • 138

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 139 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 140 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 141 All for the love of a lady!

  • 142 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 143 New life for Hartland organ

  • 144 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 145 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 146 Revenge in style

  • 147 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 148 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 149 Warmington's garage ad

  • 150 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 151 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 152 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 153 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 154 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 155

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 156

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 157 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 158 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 159

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 160 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 161 Hartland postman retires

  • 162 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 163 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 164 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 165 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 166 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 167 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 168 A bird of their own!

  • 169 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 170 For crying out loud!

  • 171 Hartland's invitation

  • 172 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 173 Six footed lamb

  • 174 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 175

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 176 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 177 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 178 North Devon Driving School

  • 179 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 180 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 181 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 182 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 183 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 184 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 185 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 186 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 187 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 188 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 189 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 190

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 191 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 192 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 193 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 194 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 195 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 196 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 197 New look in the hayfields

  • 198 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 199 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 200 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 201 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 202 Some 240 exhibits

  • 203 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 204 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 205 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 206 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 207 Artisans' Club

  • 208 Simple Item 138
  • 209 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 210 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 211 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 212

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 213 Bideford regatta

  • 214 Ten year old scrambler

  • 215 Ships at Bideford

  • 216 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 217 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 218 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 219 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 220 Modern living at Bideford

  • 221

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 222 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 223 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 224 Penny for the guy

  • 225 Torrington's new amenity

  • 226 In their new robes and hats

  • 227 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 228 Weare Giffard potato

  • 229

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 230 Centenary of Gazette

  • 231 New choral society's growing response

  • 232 New Post Office

  • 233 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 234 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 235 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 236 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 237 Life begins at 80

  • 238 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 239 Clovelly nightmare

  • 240 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 241 Loads of black and white

  • 242 Some mushroom!

  • 243 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 244 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 245 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 246

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 247

    Exhibition of school work
  • 248 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 249

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 250 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 251 Bideford computer stars

  • 252 Parkham plan realised

  • 253 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 254 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 255 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 256 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 257 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 258 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 259 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 260 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 261 Jumble sale fever

  • 262 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 263

    Married in 1908
  • 264 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 265 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 266 End of the line

  • 267 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 268 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 270 Clovelly custom

  • 271 Capers on the cobbles

  • 272 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 273 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 274 Record pebble-throwing day

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

  • 276 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 277 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 278 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 279 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 280 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 281 Picking the pops

  • 282 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 283 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 284 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 285 Appledore's largest

  • 286 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 287 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 288 Northam's almshouse

  • 289 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 290 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 291 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 293 Pannier Market's future?

  • 294 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 295 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 296 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 297 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 298 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 299 Riverside mystery

  • 300 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 301 The art of the thatcher

  • 302 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 303 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 304 They are parted pro-tem

  • 305 Can spring be far away?

  • 306 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 307 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 308 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 309

    New gateway
  • 310 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 311 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 312 Twenty-one yachts

  • 313 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 314

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 315 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 316 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 317

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 318 Puppet characters introduced

  • 319 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 320 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 322 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 323 Mobile missionary

  • 324 113 years at Instow

  • 325 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 326 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 327

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 328 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 329 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 330 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 331 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 332 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 333 New Lundy stamps

  • 334 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 335 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 336 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 337 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 338 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 339 Cruising down the river

  • 340 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 341 Decontrol of meat

  • 342

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 343 When horses score over the tractor

  • 344 No laughing matter

  • 345 So this is the mainland!

  • 346 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 347 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 348 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 349 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 350

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 351 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 352 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 353 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 354 What's the time?

  • 355 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 356 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 357 Devil sent packing

  • 358 A story to tell!

  • 359 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 360 Bridging the stream

  • 361 Finished in 1876

  • 362 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 363

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 364 Littleham family's five generations

  • 365 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 366 Waldon Triplets
  • 367 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 369 Just over a year old

  • 370 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 371 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 372 Off on a great adventure

  • 373 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 374 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 375

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 376 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 377 Circus comes to town

  • 378 Burnard family reunion

  • 379 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 380

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 381 School crossing patrol begins

  • 382 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 383

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 384 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 385 Down at the 'Donkey House'

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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Births

5 November 1954

5 November 1954 births

Lewis – On November 1st 1954, at 14 Lancaster Avenue, Fakenham, Norfolk, to Ruth (nee Nethercott), wife of R H Lewis, a son (Geoffrey Dennis Bruce), a brother for Terrence.
Newcombe – On November 2nd 1954, at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Ruth (nee Kelly) and William, a son (Andrew Granville).
Rimmer – On November 3rd 1954, at Hakin, Milford Haven, to Doreen (nee Squires) and Gerald, the gift of a son. Both well.
Swain – On November 1st 1954, at the Grenville Nursing Home, to Phyllis (nee Fulford) and John, a daughter, sister for Anthony.

Births, Engagement and Marriage

4 December 1945

4.12.1945

Eastman – November 29 at The Nursing Home, Torrington, to Margaret (nee Stacey), wife of Dvr J H Eastman, sister for Sheila, Jean Margaret
Purcell – November at 7 Joy Street, Barnstaple, to Lavinia (nee Vaughan, wife of Cpl J Purcell, RAF, a daughter

Clark-Usher – engagement is announced between Victor, son of Mr and Mrs E J M Clark, Dalhousie, Chudleigh Avenue, Bideford, and Edna, daughter of PC and Mrs Usher, Avalon, Alcombe, Minehead

Moody-Hallett – December 4 1920 at St Mary’s Church, Appledore, by the Rev J S Shenton, Hector O’S Moody, Marine Parade, to K Hallet, South Street, Newport, Barnstaple. Present address: Richmond Park Road, East…., London

Births and Marriages

10 February 1942

10.2.1942

Bidgway – February 7th at the Grenville Nursing Home, Bideford, to Nellie, wife of C Bidgway, a daughter.
Crisp – January 31st to Evangeline, wife of W Crisp, a daughter.
Glover – February 8th to Lydia, wife of E W Glover, a daughter.
Langdon – February 8th at 4 Trafalgar Place, to Evelyn (nee Weeks), wife of Gdsm W J Langdon, Coldstream Guards, a son.
Peacham – January 27th to Annie, wife of G H Peacham, a son.

Cann-Smale – January 28th at St Margaret’s Church, Northam, A B Richard Henry Cann, RN, of 45 Irsha Street, Appledore, and Winifred Joyce Christine Smale, of 6 Kimberley Terrace, Northam.
Popham-Paddon – February 4th at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Corpl George W Popham, son of Mr and Mrs Popham, 9 Marine Parade, Appledore, to Miss Alice Mary Paddon, daughter of Mr and Mrs Paddon, 20 Chingswell Street, Bideford.

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