• 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 Northam's almshouse

  • 2 New look in the hayfields

  • 3 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 4 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 5 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 6 Pannier Market's future?

  • 7 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 8 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 9 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 10 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 11 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 12 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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

  • 14 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 15 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 16 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 18 Decontrol of meat

  • 19

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 20 Parkham plan realised

  • 21 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 22 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 23 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 24 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 25 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 26 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 27 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 28

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 29 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 30

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 31 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 32 Bridging the stream

  • 33 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 34 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 35 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 36 Torrington children build igloo
  • 37 Hartland Dancers
  • 38

    Was a missionary
  • 39 Bideford regatta

  • 40 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 41 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 42 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 43 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 44 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 45 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 46 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 47 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 48 New shipyard on schedule

  • 49 School's link with cargo ship

  • 50 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 51 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 52

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 53 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 54 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 55 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 56 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 57 New addition to Quay front

  • 58 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 59 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 60 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 61 Bideford loses training ship

  • 62 Clovelly custom

  • 63 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 64 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 65 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 66 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 67 Hartland's invitation

  • 68 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 69 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 70 Revenge in style

  • 71 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 72 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 73 Picking the pops

  • 74 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 75 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 76 Emergency ferry services

  • 77 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 78 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 79 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 80 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 81 The Geneva marionettes

  • 82 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 83 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 84 So this is the mainland!

  • 85 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 86 Torrington in 1967

  • 87 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

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

  • 90 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 91 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 93 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 94 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 95

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

  • 97

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 98 Capers on the cobbles

  • 99 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 100

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 101 Loads of black and white

  • 102 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 103 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 105 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 106 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 107 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 108

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 109 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 110 Traditions and skills still there

  • 111 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 112

    Married in 1908
  • 113 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 114 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 115 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 116 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 117 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 118 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 119 Filming at Hartland

  • 120 Private home for public pump

  • 121 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 122 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 123 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 124 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 125 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 126 Northam footballers of the future

  • 127 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 128 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 129 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 130 Happy Days!

  • 131 A bird of their own!

  • 132

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 133 Burnard family reunion

  • 134 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 136 Clovelly nightmare

  • 137 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 138 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 139

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 140 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 142 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 143 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 144 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 145 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 146 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 147 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 148 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 149 Ten year old scrambler

  • 150 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 151 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 152

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 153 Twenty-one yachts

  • 154 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 155 When horses score over the tractor

  • 156 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 157 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 158 A story to tell!

  • 159 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 160 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 161 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 162 Ships at Bideford

  • 163 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 164 Out of puff!

  • 165 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 166 Warmington's garage ad

  • 167 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 168 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 170 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 171 Last train from Torrington

  • 172 Riverside mystery

  • 173

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 174 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 175 Some mushroom!

  • 176

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 177 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 178 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 179 Recognise this resort?

  • 180 New Lundy stamps

  • 181 A roof-top view - where?

  • 182 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 183 It really was the 'last time'

  • 184 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 185 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 186 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 187 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 188 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 189 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 190

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 191 The cab at the corner>
  • 192 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 193

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 194 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 195 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 196

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 197 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 198 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 199 Six footed lamb

  • 200 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 201 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 202 Finished in 1876

  • 203 Peter poses for TV film

  • 204 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 205 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 206 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 207 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 209 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 210 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 211 No sale of Springfield House

  • 212 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 213 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 214

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 215 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 216 What's the time?

  • 217 Devil sent packing

  • 218 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 219 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 220 Waldon Triplets
  • 221 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 222 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 223

    Building works
  • 224 The art of the thatcher

  • 225 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 226 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 227 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 228 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 229 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 230 Modern living at Bideford

  • 231 School crossing patrol begins

  • 232 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 233 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 234 All for the love of a lady!

  • 235 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 236 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 237 Appledore's largest

  • 238 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 239 New Post Office

  • 240 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 241 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 242

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 243 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 244 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 245 They are parted pro-tem

  • 246 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 247

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 248 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 249 Can spring be far away?

  • 250 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 251 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 252 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 253 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 254 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 256 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 257 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 258 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 259 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 260 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 261 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 262 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 263 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 264 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 265 End of the line

  • 266 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 267 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 268 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 269 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 270

    New gateway
  • 271 Simple Item 138
  • 272 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 273 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 274 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 275 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 276 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 277 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 278 In their new robes and hats

  • 279

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 280 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 281 New life for Hartland organ

  • 282 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 283 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 284 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 285 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 286 Littleham family's five generations

  • 287 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 288 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 289 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 290 Off on a great adventure

  • 291 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 292 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 293

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 294 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 295 Torrington's new amenity

  • 296 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 297

    Bidefordians
  • 298 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 299 Picking the pops

  • 300 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 301 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 302 Artisans' Club

  • 303 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 304 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 305 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 306 For crying out loud!

  • 307 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 308 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 309 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 310 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 311 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 312 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 313 Sweets derationing

  • 314

    First prize
  • 315 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 316 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 317 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 318 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 319 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 320 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 321 He beat the floods

  • 322 Penny for the guy

  • 323 Hartland postman retires

  • 324 By pony and trap to market

  • 325 North Devon Driving School

  • 326 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 327 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 328 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 329 Circus comes to town

  • 330 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 331 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 332 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 333 All aboard the ark

  • 334 Cruising down the river

  • 335 New civic medallions

  • 336 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 337 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 338 A man and his wheel

  • 339 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 340 Bideford computer stars

  • 341 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 342 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 343 Jumble sale fever

  • 344 First ship in 8 years

  • 345 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 346 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 347 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 348 New art gallery opened

  • 349

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 350 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 351 Just over a year old

  • 352 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 353 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 354 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 355 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 356 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 357 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 358 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 359 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 360 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 361 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 362 Mobile missionary

  • 363 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 364 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 365 Some 240 exhibits

  • 366

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 367 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 368 Life begins at 80

  • 369

    Exhibition of school work
  • 370 Centenary of Gazette

  • 371 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 372 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 373 113 years at Instow

  • 374 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 375

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 376 Weare Giffard potato

  • 377 From Bobby to Brian

  • 378 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 379 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 380 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 381 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 382 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 383 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 384 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 385 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 386 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 387 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 388 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 389 Puppet characters introduced

  • 390 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 391 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 392 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 393 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 394 Sight of a lifetime

  • 395

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 396 No laughing matter

  • 397

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 398 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 400 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 401 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 402 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 403 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 404 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 405 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 406 Service with a smile

  • 407 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 408 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 409 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 410 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 411 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 412 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 413 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

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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  • 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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  • 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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Member Of Royal Yacht Crew

Weare Giffard 20-year-old

13.5.1960 Weare Giffard

Aboard the Royal yacht Britannia on the Royal honeymoon cruise through the Caribbean is 20 year old ME (I) Robert John Griffin, of Brook Cottage, Weare Giffard.

Robert, son of Mr and Mrs J Griffin, was educated at Torrington County Secondary School and was a member of the Bideford Sea Cadet Corps.

He joined the Navy three years ago, and became a member of the crew of the Britannia in January this year. He has already been to the West Indies on the Royal yacht – when the Princess Royal visited there.

Gazette article dated 13 May 1960

Bideford Girl’s Birthday Card to Royal Princess

A 12 year old Bideford girl who shares a love of horses with Princess Anne sent the Princess a birthday card

25.8.1972 Karen Hodgins

and has been thrilled to get a reply from Buckingham Palace.

Karen Hodgins, daughter of Mr and Mrs E Dawe, of 18 Sentry Corner, sent the postcard entirely on her own initiative. A pupil at Bideford County Secondary School, her health has not been good lately, a situation not helped by the loss of her pony, and she is receiving medical treatment.

A reply from the Princess, signed by a Lady-in-Waiting, thanks her for her kind message, and adds “Her Royal Highness was most touched by your thought for her and I am to tell you how much she appreciates this.”

Gazette article dated 25 August 1972

Lundy To Greet Royal Visitor On Sunday

Landing depends on wind not being in the east.

9.5.1958 Lundy Queen Mother

Lundy will have its first visit from a member of the British Royal Family when Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, steps ashore on the island on Sunday afternoon.
Provided there is no easterly wind, the Britannia, in which the Queen Mother returns home from Northern Ireland tomorrow will anchor in Lundy Roads off the tiny landing beach on the east coast of the island.
As she steps ashore the Queen Mother will be greeted by the owner of Lundy, Mr Albion Harman, and will meet the inhabitants who now number about twenty.
Arrangements may will be made by Mr F W Gade, the resident agent, who has lived on Lundy for nearly thirty years, for the Royal visitor to be taken up the path in a conveyance drawn by the island’s farm tractor.
Nearing the top of the cliff path, Her Majesty will pass the owner’s residence, Millcombe, built over a century ago by the then owner of the island, the Rev William Hudson Heaven, but since modernised.
The full article is dated 9 May 1958

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