• 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 Traditions and skills still there

  • 2 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 3 Last train from Torrington

  • 4 Private home for public pump

  • 5 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 6 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 7 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 8 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 9 For crying out loud!

  • 10 No sale of Springfield House

  • 11 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 12 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 13 No laughing matter

  • 14 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 15

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 16 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 17 North Devon Driving School

  • 18 Picking the pops

  • 19 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 20 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 21 A roof-top view - where?

  • 22 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 23 New life for Hartland organ

  • 24 Bridging the stream

  • 25 All aboard the ark

  • 26 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 27 Northam's almshouse

  • 28 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 29 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 30 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 32 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 33

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 34 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 35 Bideford computer stars

  • 36 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 37 Centenary of Gazette

  • 38 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 39 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 40 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 41 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 42

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 43 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 44 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 45 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 46 A bird of their own!

  • 47

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 48 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 49 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 50 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 51 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 52 A story to tell!

  • 53 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 54 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 55 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 56

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 57 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 58 School crossing patrol begins

  • 59 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 60 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 61 Capers on the cobbles

  • 62 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 63 Recognise this resort?

  • 64 Pannier Market's future?

  • 65 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 66 New Lundy stamps

  • 67 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 68 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 69 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 70 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 71 Variety in summer weather

  • 72 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 73 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 74 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 75 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 76 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 77 So this is the mainland!

  • 78

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 79 Burnard family reunion

  • 80 New civic medallions

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

  • 82 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 83 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 84 Service with a smile

  • 85 Puppet characters introduced

  • 86 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 87 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 88 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 89 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 90 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 91 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 92 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 93 Hartland's invitation

  • 94 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 95 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 96 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 97 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 98 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 99 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 100 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 101 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 102 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 103 Warmington's garage ad

  • 104 Hartland Dancers
  • 105 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 106 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 107 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 108 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 109 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 110 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 111 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 112 Cruising down the river

  • 113 Peter poses for TV film

  • 114 Appledore's largest

  • 115 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 116 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 117 Waldon Triplets
  • 118 First ship in 8 years

  • 119 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 120 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 121 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

  • 123 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 124

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 125 Devil sent packing

  • 126 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 127

    First prize
  • 128 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 129 Some mushroom!

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

  • 131

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 132 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 133

    Bidefordians
  • 134

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 135 End of the line

  • 136 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 137 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 138 Police station view of Bideford

  • 139 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 140 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 141 Mobile missionary

  • 142 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 143 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 144 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 145 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 146 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 147 In their new robes and hats

  • 148 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 149 Northam footballers of the future

  • 150 Simple Item 138
  • 151 New look in the hayfields

  • 152 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 153 Parkham plan realised

  • 154 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 155 Littleham family's five generations

  • 156

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 157 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 158 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 159 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 160 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 161 Torrington children build igloo
  • 162 Weare Giffard potato

  • 163

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 164 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 165 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 166 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 167 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 168 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 169 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 170 Out of puff!

  • 171 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 172 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 173 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 174 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 175 New art gallery opened

  • 176 It really was the 'last time'

  • 177

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 178 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 179 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 180 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 181 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 182

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 183 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 184 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 185 New choral society's growing response

  • 186 Jumble sale fever

  • 187 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 188 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 189 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 190 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 191 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 192 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 193

    Building works
  • 194

    Relatives all over the world
  • 195 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 196 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 197 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 198 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 199 Artisans' Club

  • 200

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 201 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 202 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 203 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 204 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 205 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 206 Happy Days!

  • 207 He beat the floods

  • 208 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 209 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 210 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 211 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 212 Decontrol of meat

  • 213 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 214 Clovelly nightmare

  • 215 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 216 Loads of black and white

  • 217 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 218 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 219 Torrington in 1967

  • 220 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 221 Off on a great adventure

  • 222 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 223 Modern living at Bideford

  • 224 Clovelly custom

  • 225 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 226

    New gateway
  • 227 Just over a year old

  • 228 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 229 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 230 Hartland postman retires

  • 231 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 233 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 234 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 235 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 236 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 237 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 238 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 239 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 240 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 241 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 242 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 243 Penny for the guy

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

  • 245 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 246 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 247 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 248 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 250 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 251 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 252 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 253 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 254 The Geneva marionettes

  • 255 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 256

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 257 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 258 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 259 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 260 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 261 Finished in 1876

  • 262 They are parted pro-tem

  • 263

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 264 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 265 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 266 New addition to Quay front

  • 267 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 268 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 269 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 270 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 271 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 272 Ships at Bideford

  • 273 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 274 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 275

    Married in 1908
  • 276 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 277 Picking the pops

  • 278

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 279

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 280

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 281 Revenge in style

  • 282 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 283 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 284 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 285 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 286 Ten year old scrambler

  • 287 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 288 New shipyard on schedule

  • 289

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 290 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 291 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 292 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 293 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 294 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 295 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 296 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 298 Six footed lamb

  • 299 113 years at Instow

  • 300 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 302 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 303 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 304 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 305 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 306

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 307 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 308

    Was a missionary
  • 309 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 310 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 311 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 312 What's the time?

  • 313 Torrington's new amenity

  • 314 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 315 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 316 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 317 Life begins at 80

  • 318 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 319 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 320 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 321 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 322 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 323 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 324 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 325 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 326 When horses score over the tractor

  • 327 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 328 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 329 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 330 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 331 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 332 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 334 Sight of a lifetime

  • 335 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 336 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 337

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 338 By pony and trap to market

  • 339 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 340 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 341 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 342 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 343 Some 240 exhibits

  • 344 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 345 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 346 A man and his wheel

  • 347 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 348 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 349 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 350 New Post Office

  • 351 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 352 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 353 Can spring be far away?

  • 354 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 355

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 356 Bideford loses training ship

  • 357 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 358 The art of the thatcher

  • 359 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 360 Emergency ferry services

  • 361 All for the love of a lady!

  • 362 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 363 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 364 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 365 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 366

    Exhibition of school work
  • 367 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 368 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 369

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 370 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 371 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 372 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 373 Bideford regatta

  • 374 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 375 Riverside mystery

  • 376 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 377

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 378 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 379 Circus comes to town

  • 380 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 381 Twenty-one yachts

  • 382 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 383 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 384 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 385 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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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Father Christmas Visits Power Station

Father Christmas stepped out of a chimney to hand out presents for all the children attending the East Yelland Power Station Social Club’s annual Christmas party on Thursday of last week.

1958 Yelland Power Station Christmas


Father Christmas was Mr T Dipple, of Bideford, and the chimney had been temporarily ‘built in’ with screening against one of the walls.
A tea for the children was paid for out of Social Club funds.
There were about 60 children present. They were children of the employees with the exception of a group specially invited from a Barnstaple children’s home. Mothers of those children who were aged up to five years were invited to attend.
This party was for children aged up to 10 years. On the previous day the Social Club had provided a thrill for employees’ children from 10 to school leaving age. This party of 66 children went on a trip to Exeter pantomime.

Home Secretary Orders Suspension of Act

Christmas Shopping

1937 Suspension of Shops Act


The Home Secretary has made an Order under the Shops (Hours of Closing) Act, 1928, suspending the operation throughout, England and Wales of the provisions of that Act relating to general closing hours from Saturday December 18th to Friday December 24 1937, both days inclusive, but excluding Sunday December 19 1937.
This Order has also the effect of suspending the operation during the period in question of evening Closing Orders made under the Shops Act 1912. It does not, however, suspend the operation of the provisions relating to the closing of shops on the weekly half-holiday, and a shopkeeper will not therefore be entitled to remain open on the weekly half-holiday before Christmas, except under the conditions laid down in the Act of 1912.
Nor does the Order in any way affect the operation of the provisions of the 1912 and 1934 Acts relating to the shop assistants’ half-holiday and the regulation of hours of young persons.
The provisions of the Licensing Act in regard to the sale of intoxicating liquor will not be affected.

Gazette article is dated 7 December 1937

Was Manageress of Glove Factory

The funeral has taken place at the Higher Cemetary, Bideford, of Mrs Gladys Nance-Kivell of Homealong, Kingsley Road, Bideford, wife of Mr Leonard Nance-Kivell.

1972 Mrs Nance Kivell funeral

Before her retirement in 1971 Mrs Nance-Kivell had been associated with the gloving industry for over 50 years.For 24 years she was the manageress of Messrs Sudbury’s Appledore factory. 

The Rev Walter J Joyce officiated at the service. Immediate mourners attending were: the husband, Mr Victor Harvey, Mr David Harvey , Miss Louie Squire, Mr George Rumsam, Mr A Smale, Mr and Mrs T Nance-Kivell, Mr and Mrs Lawrence Nance-Kivell, Mr and Mrs G Prouse, Mr and Mrs S Moore, Mr and Mrs W Boundy, Mr and Mrs H Nance-Kivell, Mr B Nance-Kivell, Mr and Mrs B Smale, Mr and Mrs S Brown. Unable to attend were: Mrs V Harvey; Mrs D Harvey.
Bearers were Messrs S Harris, A Balsdon, H Daw, A Poole, A Parsons and J Walter.
Representing Sudbury Gloves Ltd were: Mr R E Day, Mr R E Sawtell, Miss B Tatem, Mrs A Tucker, Mrs M Bond, Mrs B Evans, Mrs B Mortimore, Mr R G Halbert (also representing Mr F I Spry), Mrs M Kryczka.
Others attending included: Mr and Mrs W Cann, Mr and Mrs S R Hearn, Mr and Mrs F J Walters, Mr and Mrs S M Hill, Mr and Mrs J Walters, Mr and Mrs Pascoe, Mr and Mrs W Axford, Mr and Mrs J Andrew, Mr and Mrs T Heal, Mr and Mrs Spry, Pastor G J Hacker (representing Bideford Town Mission), Pastor C C Capener, Messrs R E Poole, B Beer, A Davey, O Andrew, H Bailey, W H Axford, R Risdon, H and M Allin, Mesdames A Poole, A J Hearn, Beavis, I Hearn, J Davis, A Balsdon, R Balls, H Bewes, S Luxton, S Harris, L Hockin, Lake, R Axford, E Heard, H Heal, Misses L Richards, K Trewin, O Parkhouse.
Flowers were: in ever loving member of my dear wife Gladys from Leonard; brother Vic and Percy; David, Hazel and family; Louie; L and B Smale, Ruth, Fred and family; Rene Burnard and family; Arthur, Ruth and family; Lawrence and Millie; Stan, Mary, Will and Edith; Edith and Betty; Tom and Winnie; Barbara and Bill; A H Gooding; Greta and Fred; Stan and Sylvia Nance-Kivell; Albert and Flo; F and J Walters; Dick, Elsie and Henry Wonnacott; E and G Wrey; Mrs M Poole; Mr and Mrs M Johns; Pamela and Marilyn; Mr and Mrs B A’Court; Capt and Mrs Steptoe and family; directors of Sudburys; officers and members of the IOR North Devon district; Wesleyan Reform Union; friends at Sudburys (Appledore); friends at Sudbury’s (Bideford); staff of Polypress; L and W Cann.
Full article is dated 10 November 1972

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