• 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 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 2 Off on a great adventure

  • 3 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 4 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 5 Out of puff!

  • 6 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 7 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 8 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 9 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 10 First ship in 8 years

  • 11 In their new robes and hats

  • 12 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 13 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 14 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 15 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 16 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 17 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 18 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 19

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 20 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 22 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 23 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 24 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 25 A story to tell!

  • 26 New life for Hartland organ

  • 27 Ships at Bideford

  • 28 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 29 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 31 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 32 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 33 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 34 Bideford regatta

  • 35 Clovelly custom

  • 36 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 37 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 38 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 39

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 40 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 41 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 42 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 43 Finished in 1876

  • 44 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 45 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 47

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 48 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 49 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 50 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 51 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 52 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 54 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 55 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 56

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 57 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 58 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 59 Appledore's largest

  • 60 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 61 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 62 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 63 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 64 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 65 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 66 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 67 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 68 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 69 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 70 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 71 Parkham plan realised

  • 72 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 73

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 74 Pannier Market's future?

  • 75 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 76 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 77 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 78 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 79

    Exhibition of school work
  • 80 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 81

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 82 Life begins at 80

  • 83 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 84 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 85 113 years at Instow

  • 86 New art gallery opened

  • 87 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 88 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 89 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 90 Puppet characters introduced

  • 91 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 93 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 94 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 95 Recognise this resort?

  • 96 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 97 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 98 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 99 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 100 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 101 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 102 Happy Days!

  • 103 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 104 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 105 So this is the mainland!

  • 106 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 107

    New gateway
  • 108 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 109 By pony and trap to market

  • 110 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 111 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 112 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 113 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 114 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 115 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 116 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 117 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 118

    Was a missionary
  • 119 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 120 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 121 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 122 New addition to Quay front

  • 123 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 124 All for the love of a lady!

  • 125

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 126 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 127 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 128 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 129 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 130 Floral dancing at Appledore

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

  • 132 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 133 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 134 Torrington in 1967

  • 135 Sight of a lifetime

  • 136 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 137 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 138 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 139 School crossing patrol begins

  • 140 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 141 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 142 New Lundy stamps

  • 143 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 144 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 145 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 146 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 147 Colour TV salesman at eight

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

  • 149 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 150 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 151 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 152 A man and his wheel

  • 153 Riverside mystery

  • 154

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 155 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 156 Twenty-one yachts

  • 157

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 158 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 159 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 160 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 161 He beat the floods

  • 162 Just over a year old

  • 163 Bideford computer stars

  • 164 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 165 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 166 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 167 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 168 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 169 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 170 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 171 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 172 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 173 Littleham family's five generations

  • 174 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 175 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 176 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 177 Circus comes to town

  • 178 Can spring be far away?

  • 179 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 180 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 181 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 182

    Relatives all over the world
  • 183 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 184 Peter poses for TV film

  • 185 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 186 Service with a smile

  • 187 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 188 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 189 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 190 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 191 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 192 Private home for public pump

  • 193 New choral society's growing response

  • 194 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 195 From Bobby to Brian

  • 196 Sweets derationing

  • 197 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 198 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 199

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 200 Revenge in style

  • 201 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 202 Devil sent packing

  • 203 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 204 Clovelly nightmare

  • 205 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 206 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 207 Northam's almshouse

  • 208 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 209 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 210 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 211 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 212 Some mushroom!

  • 213 Ten year old scrambler

  • 214 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 215 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 217

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 218 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 219 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 220 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 221

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 222 No laughing matter

  • 223

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 224 Police station view of Bideford

  • 225 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 226 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 227 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 228 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 229 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 230 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 231 Hartland postman retires

  • 232 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 233 Emergency ferry services

  • 234 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 235 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 236 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 237 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 238 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 239 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 240 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 241 Picking the pops

  • 242 North Devon Driving School

  • 243 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 244 Filming at Hartland

  • 245

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 246 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 247 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 248 It really was the 'last time'

  • 249 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 250 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 251 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 252 When horses score over the tractor

  • 253 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 254 New Post Office

  • 255

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 256 For crying out loud!

  • 257 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 258 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 259

    Bidefordians
  • 260 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 261 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 262 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 263 The Geneva marionettes

  • 264 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 265 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 266 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 267 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 268 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 269 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 270 Capers on the cobbles

  • 271 Burnard family reunion

  • 272 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 273 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 274 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 275

    First prize
  • 276 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 277

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 278 Bideford loses training ship

  • 279 Jumble sale fever

  • 280 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 281 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 282 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 283 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 284 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 285 Decontrol of meat

  • 286 Hartland's invitation

  • 287 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 288

    Married in 1908
  • 289 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 290 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 291 Waldon Triplets
  • 292

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 293 School's link with cargo ship

  • 294 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 295 End of the line

  • 296 The cab at the corner>
  • 297 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 298 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 299 Bridging the stream

  • 300 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 301 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 302 Loads of black and white

  • 303 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 304 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 305 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 306 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 308 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 309 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 310 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 311 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 312 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 313 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 314 Some 240 exhibits

  • 315 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 316 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 317 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 318 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 319 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 320 The art of the thatcher

  • 321 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 322 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 323 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 324 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 325 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 326 Simple Item 138
  • 327 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 328 Artisans' Club

  • 329 Centenary of Gazette

  • 330 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 331

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 332 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 333 New civic medallions

  • 334 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 335 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 336 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 337 Picking the pops

  • 338 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 340 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 341 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 342 What's the time?

  • 343

    Building works
  • 344 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 345 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 346 New shipyard on schedule

  • 347 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 348 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 349 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 350 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 351 Six footed lamb

  • 352 A bird of their own!

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

  • 354 All aboard the ark

  • 355 Torrington children build igloo
  • 356 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 357 Penny for the guy

  • 358 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 360 Mobile missionary

  • 361 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 362

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 363 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 364 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

  • 366 New look in the hayfields

  • 367

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 368

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 369 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 370 Hartland Dancers
  • 371 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 372 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 373 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 374 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 375 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 376 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 378 Weare Giffard potato

  • 379 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 380 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 381 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 382 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 383 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 384 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 385 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 386 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 387

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 388 Cruising down the river

  • 389 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 390 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 391 They are parted pro-tem

  • 392 Traditions and skills still there

  • 393 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 394 Northam footballers of the future

  • 395 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 396 Last train from Torrington

  • 397 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 398

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 399 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 400 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 401 Torrington's new amenity

  • 402 No sale of Springfield House

  • 403 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 404 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 405 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 406

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 407 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 408 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 409

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 410 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 411 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 412 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 413 Modern living at Bideford

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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  • 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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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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Remembered ...

Pebble ridge potwalloping

Potwalloping1

Littlejohns, Keats, Larner, Yeoman, George Glover

North Devon harbours some odd customs and this was one of them - potwalloping. It was the day locals and holidaymakers turned out in force to throw back pebbles on to the famour pebbleridge at Westward Ho! after storms and high tides had scattered them on to the Burrows. Potwallopers were not paid for their labour but free beer and cider were provided to quench thirsts and turn the occasion into something of a celebration.

Our two pictorial oldies, discovered by chance in a Bideford bric-a-brac shop, takes us back to between the wars when potwalloping on August Bank Holiday was at its heyday. The custom died out in the early 1960s. Readers may recognise parents or grandparents and, hopefully, come up with a few names. One thing is certain - the ladies and kids were definitely not dress for toil.

Potwalloping2

Littlejohns, Wilkey

Boulder Scheme Moves into Second Phase 28.01.1983

Boulder Scheme Moves into Second Phase 28.01.1983

Boulder Scheme Moves into Second Phase 28.01.1983

Coastal Defence.  Huge granite boulders were tipped in front of Westward Ho! sea wall this week as part of the second phase of a £45,000 coast protection scheme. Mr Richard Brasington

Sea Breaches Wall at Appledore 19.03.1982

Sea Breaches Wall at Appledore 19.03.1982

Sea Breaches Wall at Appledore 19.03.1982

Coastal Defence.  Heavy seas whipped up by fierce winds breached the sea wall at Appledore on Saturday morning. Irsha Street. Mrs Lilian Wood, Sydney Wood

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