• 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 New Post Office

  • 2 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 3 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 4 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 5 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 6 The art of the thatcher

  • 7 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 8 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 9 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 10 New look in the hayfields

  • 11 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 12 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 13 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 14 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 15 Police station view of Bideford

  • 16 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 17

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 18 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 20

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 21 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 22 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 23 Bideford regatta

  • 24 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 25 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 26 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 27 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 28 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 29 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 30 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 31 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 33 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 34 Last train from Torrington

  • 35 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 36 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 37 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 38 Ten year old scrambler

  • 39 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 40 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 41 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 42 New shipyard on schedule

  • 43 It really was the 'last time'

  • 44 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 45 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 46 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 47 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 48 Clovelly custom

  • 49 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 50 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 51 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 52 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 53 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 54 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 55 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 56 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 57 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 58 Twenty-one yachts

  • 59 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 60 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 62 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 63 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 64 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 65

    First prize
  • 66 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 67 A roof-top view - where?

  • 68 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 69 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 70 113 years at Instow

  • 71 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 72 School crossing patrol begins

  • 73 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 74 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 75 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 76 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 77 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 78 Peter poses for TV film

  • 79 New art gallery opened

  • 80 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 81 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 82 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 83 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 84 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 85 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 86 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 87 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 88 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 89 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 90 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 91 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 92 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 93 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 94 Loads of black and white

  • 95 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 96

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 97 Appledore's largest

  • 98 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 99 First ship in 8 years

  • 100 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 101

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 102 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 103 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 104 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 105 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 106 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 107

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 108 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 109 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 110 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 111 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 112 Artisans' Club

  • 113 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 114

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 115 Bideford computer stars

  • 116 Torrington children build igloo
  • 117 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 118 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 119 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 120 Variety in summer weather

  • 121 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 122 Ships at Bideford

  • 123 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 124

    Bidefordians
  • 125 Can spring be far away?

  • 126 In their new robes and hats

  • 127 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 128 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 129 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 130 New life for Hartland organ

  • 131 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 132 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 133 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 134 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 135 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 136 Service with a smile

  • 137 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 138 Waldon Triplets
  • 139

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 140 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 141 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 142 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 143 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 144

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 145 Life begins at 80

  • 146 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 147 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 148 Some mushroom!

  • 149 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 150 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 151 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 152 Bridging the stream

  • 153 So this is the mainland!

  • 154 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 155 Bideford loses training ship

  • 156 Some 240 exhibits

  • 157 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 158 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 159

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 160 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 161 A bird of their own!

  • 162 Torrington in 1967

  • 163 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 164 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 165 Six footed lamb

  • 166 Puppet characters introduced

  • 167 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 168 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 169 When horses score over the tractor

  • 170 A man and his wheel

  • 171 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 172 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 173 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 174 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 175 Mobile missionary

  • 176 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 177 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 178

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 179 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 180 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 181 Capers on the cobbles

  • 182 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 183 Burnard family reunion

  • 184 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 185

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 186 Finished in 1876

  • 187 What's the time?

  • 188 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 190 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 192 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 193 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 194 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 195 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 196 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 197 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 198

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 199 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 200 Cruising down the river

  • 201 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 202 Northam footballers of the future

  • 203 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 204 All aboard the ark

  • 205

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 206 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 207 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 208 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 209 Picking the pops

  • 210 Private home for public pump

  • 211 Picking the pops

  • 212 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 213 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 214

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 215 By pony and trap to market

  • 216 Revenge in style

  • 217 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 218 Out of puff!

  • 219 Just over a year old

  • 220 Happy Days!

  • 221

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 222 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 223 Littleham family's five generations

  • 224

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 225

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 226 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 228

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 229 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 230 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 231 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 232

    Exhibition of school work
  • 233 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 234 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 235 Penny for the guy

  • 236 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 237 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 238 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 239 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 240 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 241 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 242 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 243 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 244

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 245 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 246 Sight of a lifetime

  • 247

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 248 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 249 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 250 Riverside mystery

  • 251 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 252 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 253 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 254 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 255 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 256 Hartland postman retires

  • 257

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 258 Jumble sale fever

  • 259 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 260 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 261 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 262 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 263 Off on a great adventure

  • 264 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 265 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 266 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 268 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 269

    Married in 1908
  • 270 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 271 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 272 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 273 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 274 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 275 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 276 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 277 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 278 Pannier Market's future?

  • 279

    Building works
  • 280

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 281 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 282 Recognise this resort?

  • 283

    Relatives all over the world
  • 284

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 285 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 286 Circus comes to town

  • 287 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 288 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 289 Centenary of Gazette

  • 290 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 291 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 292 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 293 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 295

    Was a missionary
  • 296 Modern living at Bideford

  • 297 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 298 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 299 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 300 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 301 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 302 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 303 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 304 New choral society's growing response

  • 305 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 306 North Devon Driving School

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 309 No sale of Springfield House

  • 310 Hartland's invitation

  • 311 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 312 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 313 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 314 Emergency ferry services

  • 315 For crying out loud!

  • 316 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 317 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 318 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 319 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 320 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 321 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 322

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 323 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 325 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 326 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 327 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 328 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 329 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 330 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 331 A story to tell!

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

  • 333 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 334 Traditions and skills still there

  • 335 School's link with cargo ship

  • 336 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 337 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 338 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 339 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 340 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 341 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 342 Parkham plan realised

  • 343 Hartland Dancers
  • 344 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 345 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 346 Simple Item 138
  • 347 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 348 End of the line

  • 349 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 350 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 351 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 352 They are parted pro-tem

  • 353 Decontrol of meat

  • 354 Weare Giffard potato

  • 355 No laughing matter

  • 356 Devil sent packing

  • 357 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 358 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 359 The Geneva marionettes

  • 360 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 361 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 362 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 363 Torrington's new amenity

  • 364 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 365 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 366 New Lundy stamps

  • 367 Warmington's garage ad

  • 368 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 369 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 370 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 371 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 372 He beat the floods

  • 373 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 374 Clovelly nightmare

  • 375 New civic medallions

  • 376 All for the love of a lady!

  • 377 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 378 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 379 New addition to Quay front

  • 380 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 381 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 382

    New gateway
  • 383 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 384 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 385 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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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  • 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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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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Holiday in Sardinia

Win ‘Passport To The Sun’

6.4.1973 Royal Mail Inn1

Among 22 licensees of Watney Mann (West) who were guests of the company at a gathering at Congresbury to receive their ‘passports to the sun’ from the regional chairman, Mr Alan Seaward, were Mr and Mrs T W Sleigh, tenants of the Royal Mail Inn, Bridge Street, Bideford.

They will be among more than 200 Watney Mann licensees who early in May will enjoy a five day holiday in Sardinia. This is their prize in an incentive scheme to increase beer sales during the period April-September last.

Gazette article dated 6 April 1973

To married men who have yet to open a banking account

When you become responsible

31.12.1954 bank account Lloyds

for the well being of others besides yourself it is time to consider the advantages of a banking account.

The bank is quite the safest place in which to keep your money. The most convenient method of paying bills is by cheques. The use of an account is an encouragement to save. There there are some valuable services which Lloyds Bank can put at your disposal; for example, the Bank will arrange to pay, on your behalf, regularly recurring expenses such as rent or insurance premiums.

Finally, Lloyds Bank is always ready to assist customers with information and advice when financial problems occur.

Lloyds Bank Limited

Opening Ceremony By Television Personality

Remembering the success of the last Exhibition in 1958, even greater interest is centred on the Bideford and District Traders’ Exhibition which is to be held at Bideford Sports Ground all next week.

14.6.1963 Bideford Exhibition2

14.6.1963 Bideford Exhibition1

The Exhibition will be opened by Alan Taylor, the TWW television personality, the ‘Try for Ten’ Question master.
The Committees are as follows:
Management Committee - Messrs G Maddock, B Pidgeon, R Chope, E Blanchard, W R Downing, C C Prust.
Ground Committee – Messrs B Pidgeon, B Cording, R J Harding, C J E Petherick, C Coates, F Colwill, J Lewington, J Williams.
Entertainment Committee – Messrs R Chope, S G Heywood, D Lang, P Trapnell.
Advertising and Publicity Committee – Messrs E Blanchard, R G Balsdon, W G Couch, T Derrigan.
Hon treasurer – Mr W R Downing.
Joint Secretaries – Messrs D J Moyse and B Vanstone.
Gazette article dated 14 June 1963

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