• 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 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 2 Ships at Bideford

  • 3 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 4 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 5 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 7 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 8

    Relatives all over the world
  • 9 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 10

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 11 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 12 Private home for public pump

  • 13 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 14

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 15 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 16 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 17 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 18 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 19 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 20 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 21 Decontrol of meat

  • 22 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 23 New choral society's growing response

  • 24 Torrington's new amenity

  • 25 Burnard family reunion

  • 26 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 27 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 28 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 29 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 30 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 31 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 32 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 33 Jumble sale fever

  • 34 Torrington in 1967

  • 35 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 36

    Was a missionary
  • 37 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 38 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 39 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 40 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 41 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 42 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 43 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 44

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 45 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 46 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 47 Clovelly nightmare

  • 48 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 49 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 50 All aboard the ark

  • 51 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 52 Happy Days!

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

  • 54 Mobile missionary

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

  • 56 Some 240 exhibits

  • 57

    First prize
  • 58 School's link with cargo ship

  • 59 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 60 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 61 By pony and trap to market

  • 62 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 63 Can spring be far away?

  • 64 The art of the thatcher

  • 65 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 66 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 67

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 68 Twenty-one yachts

  • 69 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 70 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 71 A man and his wheel

  • 72 Six footed lamb

  • 73 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 74 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 75 Puppet characters introduced

  • 76 Last train from Torrington

  • 77 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 78 New Post Office

  • 79

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 80 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 81 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 82 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 83 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 84 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 85 Bideford regatta

  • 86 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 87

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 88 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 89 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 90 End of the line

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

  • 92 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 93 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 94 First ship in 8 years

  • 95 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 96 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 97 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 98

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 99 Service with a smile

  • 100 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 102 Simple Item 138
  • 103 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 104 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 105 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 106

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 107

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 108 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 109 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 110 Some mushroom!

  • 111 Off on a great adventure

  • 112 Bideford loses training ship

  • 113 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 114 Police station view of Bideford

  • 115 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 116

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 117 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 118 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 119 Modern living at Bideford

  • 120 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 121 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 122 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 123 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 124 All for the love of a lady!

  • 125 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 126 A roof-top view - where?

  • 127 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 128 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 130 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 131 Pannier Market's future?

  • 132 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 133 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 134 So this is the mainland!

  • 135 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 136 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 137 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 138 Waldon Triplets
  • 139 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 140 Variety in summer weather

  • 141 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 142 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 143 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 144 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 145 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 146 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 147 Sight of a lifetime

  • 148 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 149 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 150 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 151 It really was the 'last time'

  • 152 The Geneva marionettes

  • 153 No sale of Springfield House

  • 154 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 155 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 156 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 157 New civic medallions

  • 158 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 159 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 160 Traditions and skills still there

  • 161 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 162

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 163 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 164 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 165 Loads of black and white

  • 166 New look in the hayfields

  • 167 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 168 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 169 Appledore's largest

  • 170

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 171 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 172 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 173 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 174

    New gateway
  • 175 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 176 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 177 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 178 Hartland postman retires

  • 179 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 180 Revenge in style

  • 181 Cruising down the river

  • 182 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 183 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 184 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 185 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 186 What's the time?

  • 187 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 188 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 189 Warmington's garage ad

  • 190 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 191 Littleham family's five generations

  • 192 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 193 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 194 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 195 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 196 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 197 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 198 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 199 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 200 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 201 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 202 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 203 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 204 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 205 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 206 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

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

  • 208 When horses score over the tractor

  • 209 Weare Giffard potato

  • 210 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 211 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 212 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 213 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 214 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 215

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 216 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 217 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 218 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 219 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 220 Life begins at 80

  • 221 For crying out loud!

  • 222 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 223 New shipyard on schedule

  • 224 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 225 Penny for the guy

  • 226 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 227 Peter poses for TV film

  • 228 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 230

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 231 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 232 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 233 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 234 Torrington children build igloo
  • 235

    Bidefordians
  • 236 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 237

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 238 New addition to Quay front

  • 239 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 240 Picking the pops

  • 241

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 242 Just over a year old

  • 243 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 244

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 245

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 246 New Lundy stamps

  • 247 Artisans' Club

  • 248 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 249 Bideford computer stars

  • 250 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 251 A bird of their own!

  • 252

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 253 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 254 Northam footballers of the future

  • 255 Ten year old scrambler

  • 256 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 257 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 258 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 259 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 260 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 261

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 262 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 263 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 264 113 years at Instow

  • 265 Recognise this resort?

  • 266 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 267 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 268 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 269 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 270 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 271 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 272 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 273 Picking the pops

  • 274 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 275 They are parted pro-tem

  • 276 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 277 Parkham plan realised

  • 278 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 279 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 280 Bridging the stream

  • 281 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 282 A story to tell!

  • 283 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 284 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 285 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 286 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 287 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 288 School crossing patrol begins

  • 289 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 290 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 291 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 292 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 293 Centenary of Gazette

  • 294 Out of puff!

  • 295 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 296 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 297 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 298 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 299 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 300 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 301 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 303 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 304 Hartland Dancers
  • 305 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 306 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 307 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 308 Riverside mystery

  • 309 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 310 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 311 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 312 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 313 North Devon Driving School

  • 314 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 315 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 316 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 317 Devil sent packing

  • 318 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 319 No laughing matter

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

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

  • 322 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 323 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 324

    Building works
  • 325 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 326 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 327 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 328 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 329 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 330 Northam's almshouse

  • 331 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 332

    Exhibition of school work
  • 333

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 334 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 335 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 336 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 337 Circus comes to town

  • 338 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 339 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 340 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 341 He beat the floods

  • 342 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 343

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 344 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 345 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 346 New art gallery opened

  • 347 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 348 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 349 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 350 New life for Hartland organ

  • 351 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 352 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 353 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 354 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 355 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 356 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 357 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 358 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 359 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 360 Finished in 1876

  • 361

    Married in 1908
  • 362 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 363

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 364 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 365 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 366 In their new robes and hats

  • 367 Clovelly custom

  • 368 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 369 Hartland's invitation

  • 370 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 371

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 372 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 373 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 374 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 375 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 376 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 377 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 378 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 379 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 380 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 381 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 382 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 383 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 384 Capers on the cobbles

  • 385

    Cadets are given certificates
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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  • 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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  • 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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Births and Marriages

3 May 1963

3.5.1963 births and marriages

Hodgson – April 28 1963 at the Bearstead Memorial Hospital, Hampton Court, to Rosemary (nee Round) and Jeremy, a daughter, Virginia
Slee – April 18 1963 at Halsbury, Buckland Brewer, to Valerie (nee Adams) and Andrew, a son, John Andrew

Moore-Stone – engagement announced between Sylvia, daughter of Mr and Mrs L Stone, The Beacon, Diptford and Anthony Roger, only child of Mr and Mrs W Moore, Burndown, St Giles-in-the-Wood, Torrington

Copp-Guard – Saturday April 27 1963 at High Street Methodist Church, Bideford, Stanley Robert Copp, Greenhaven, Raleigh, to Margaret Jennifer Guard, Dunheved, Glenfield Road
Ferrett-Andrew – April 20 1963 at the Methodist Church, Buckland Brewer, roger, son of Mrs V Ferrett, Boscastle, Cornwall, and Marion, daughter of Mr and Mrs C A Andrew, Buckland Brewer

Hancock-Waters – May 2 1938 at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Aubrey to Margery. Congratulations from Joan, Maureen, Bobby, Arthur and June

Births and Marriages

1 September 1942

1 September 1942 births and marriages

Bell – August 21st at 164 New Street, Torrington, to Mr and Mrs Robert Bell, a son, Alan Graham.
Taylor – August 20th at 18 Alexandra Terrace, to Barbara, wife of Ronald Taylor, a daughter, Janet Elizabeth.

Eggins-Lee – August 22nd at St Boniface Church, St Budeaux, Plymouth, Lieut W J Eggins, Hants Regt, of Bideford, to Corporal P M Lee (WAAF), of St Budeaux.

West-Strudwick – August 25th at St Stephen’s Church, London, William Brenton, son of the late Mr Frederick and Mrs West, to Joyce Ella, daughter of Mr and Mrs George Strudwick, of London, late of Bideford.

Bassett-Rendle – September 3rd 1917, at Lavington Congregational Church, Bideford, Edwin Bassett, of Exmouth, to Beatrice Rose Rendle, of Bideford. Present address: 13 Pimlico Place, Bideford.

103 This Week

Formerly of Torrington,

where she lived for 67 years, Mrs Mary Mills, now of North Tawton, celebrated her 103rd birthday on Wednesday.

2.2.1973 Mrs Mills Torrington

Mrs Mills was born at Weare Giffard. In her nineties she learnt to crochet and she is at present busy making squares for blankets for refugees.

Before moving to North Tawton she was at Dolton for several years.

Gazette article dated 2 February 1973

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