• 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 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 2 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 3 Warmington's garage ad

  • 4 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 5 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 6 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 7 School's link with cargo ship

  • 8 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 9 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 10 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 11 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 12 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 13 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 14 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 16 Ships at Bideford

  • 17 North Devon Driving School

  • 18 New Post Office

  • 19 They are parted pro-tem

  • 20 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 21 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 22

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 23 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 24 No sale of Springfield House

  • 25 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 26 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 27 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 28 Riverside mystery

  • 29 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 30 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 31 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 32 Devil sent packing

  • 33 Some mushroom!

  • 34 All aboard the ark

  • 35 Hartland Dancers
  • 36 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 37 Parkham plan realised

  • 38 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 39

    Married in 1908
  • 40 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 41 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 42 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 43 Mobile missionary

  • 44 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 45 Simple Item 138
  • 46 What's the time?

  • 47 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 48 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 49 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 50 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 51 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 52

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 53 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 54 Appledore's largest

  • 55 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 56 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

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

  • 59 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 60 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 61 In their new robes and hats

  • 62 The Geneva marionettes

  • 63

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 64 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 65 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 66 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 67 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 68 Circus comes to town

  • 69 Capers on the cobbles

  • 70 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 71 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 72

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 73 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 74 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 75 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 76

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 77 Cruising down the river

  • 78 Modern living at Bideford

  • 79 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 80 Sight of a lifetime

  • 81 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 83 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 84 Ten year old scrambler

  • 85 Variety in summer weather

  • 86 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 87 Recognise this resort?

  • 88 Centenary of Gazette

  • 89 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 90 Jumble sale fever

  • 91 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 92 New life for Hartland organ

  • 93

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 94 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 95 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 96 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 97

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 98 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 99 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 100 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 101 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 102 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 103 New choral society's growing response

  • 104 Bideford computer stars

  • 105 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 106 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 107 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 108 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 109 New art gallery opened

  • 110 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 111 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 112 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 113 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 114 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 115 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 116

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 117 Loads of black and white

  • 118 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 119 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 120

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 121 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 122

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 123 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 124

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 125 Torrington children build igloo
  • 126 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 127 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 128 A bird of their own!

  • 129 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 130 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 131 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 132 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 133 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 135 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 136 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 137 A man and his wheel

  • 138 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 139

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 140 Last train from Torrington

  • 141 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 142 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 143 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 144 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 145 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 146 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 147 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 148

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 149 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 150 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 151 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 152 A roof-top view - where?

  • 153

    Bidefordians
  • 154 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 155

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 156 Private home for public pump

  • 157 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 158 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 159 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 160 For crying out loud!

  • 161 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 162 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 163 Picking the pops

  • 164 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 165 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 166 Hartland's invitation

  • 167 Clovelly nightmare

  • 168 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 169 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 170 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 171 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 172 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 173 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 174 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 175 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 176 Bideford loses training ship

  • 177 Artisans' Club

  • 178 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 179 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 180 Clovelly custom

  • 181 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 182 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 183

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 184 113 years at Instow

  • 185 No laughing matter

  • 186 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 187

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 188 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 189 Just over a year old

  • 190 Puppet characters introduced

  • 191

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 192 First ship in 8 years

  • 193 By pony and trap to market

  • 194 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 195 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 196 Some 240 exhibits

  • 197 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 198 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 199

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 200 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 201 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 202 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 203 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 204 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 205 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 206 A story to tell!

  • 207 Hartland postman retires

  • 208 The cab at the corner>
  • 209 New look in the hayfields

  • 210 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 211 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 212 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 213

    Building works
  • 214 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 215 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

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

  • 218 Torrington in 1967

  • 219 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 220

    Was a missionary
  • 221

    First prize
  • 222 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 224 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 225

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 226 Littleham family's five generations

  • 227 Out of puff!

  • 228 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 229 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 230 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 231 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 232 Service with a smile

  • 233 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 234 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 235

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 236 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 237 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 238 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 239 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 240 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 241 Emergency ferry services

  • 242 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 243 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 244 So this is the mainland!

  • 245 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 246 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 247 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 248 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 249 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 251 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 252 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 253 Bideford regatta

  • 254 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 255 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 256 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 257 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 258 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 259 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 260 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 261 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 262 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 263 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 264

    Relatives all over the world
  • 265 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 266 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 267 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 268 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 269 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 270 Filming at Hartland

  • 271 Burnard family reunion

  • 272 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 273

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 274 From Bobby to Brian

  • 275 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 276 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 277 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 278 End of the line

  • 279 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 280 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 281 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 282 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 283 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 284 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 285 Northam's almshouse

  • 286 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 287 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 288 New civic medallions

  • 289 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 290 It really was the 'last time'

  • 291 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 292 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 293 Pannier Market's future?

  • 294 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 295 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 296 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 297 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 298

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 299 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 300 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 301 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 302 Peter poses for TV film

  • 303 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 304 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 305 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 306 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 307 Picking the pops

  • 308 When horses score over the tractor

  • 309 School crossing patrol begins

  • 310 The art of the thatcher

  • 311 Can spring be far away?

  • 312

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 313 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 314 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 315 Revenge in style

  • 316 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 317 New Lundy stamps

  • 318 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 319 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 320 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 321 All for the love of a lady!

  • 322 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 323 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 324 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 325 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 326 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 327 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 328 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 330 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 331 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 332 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 333 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 334 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 335 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 336 Waldon Triplets
  • 337 Penny for the guy

  • 338

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 339 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 340 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 341 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 342 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 343 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 344 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 345 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 346 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 347 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 348 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 349 New shipyard on schedule

  • 350 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 351 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 352 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 353 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 354 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 356 Sweets derationing

  • 357 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 358 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 359 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 360 Traditions and skills still there

  • 361 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 362 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 363 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 364 Weare Giffard potato

  • 365 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 366 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 367

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 368 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 369 Life begins at 80

  • 370 Six footed lamb

  • 371 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 372 Finished in 1876

  • 373 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 374 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 375 Decontrol of meat

  • 376 Northam footballers of the future

  • 377 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 378 He beat the floods

  • 379 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 380 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 381 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 382 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 383 Off on a great adventure

  • 384 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 385 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 386 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 387 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 388 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 389 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 390 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 391 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 392 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 393 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 394 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 395 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 396 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 397 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 398 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 399 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 400

    New gateway
  • 401 Torrington's new amenity

  • 402

    Exhibition of school work
  • 403 Bridging the stream

  • 404 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 405 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 406 Happy Days!

  • 407 New addition to Quay front

  • 408 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 409 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 410 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 411 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 412 Polish custom on Pancake Day

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

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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Damaged homes left behind 17th September 1940

Damaged homes left behind

17th September 1940

damaged homes left behindFrom the bombed areas of London and the south-east coast have come in scores of people to seek haven in this part of the Westcountry.

Some have come under the official schemes - such as mothers with young children - others have come because they have relations or friends in these parts, and there are also those who have come quite unofficially.

Offers of shelter should be addressed to the Mayor of Bideford through the Chief Billeting Officer (Mr W J Langford), Town Hall, Bideford.

Mrs R I Smith, of Peckham, has come with her family of five, two of whom were already in Bideford as evacuees under the government scheme.  "Its not war-fare, its murder" declares Mrs Deverill, also of Peckham, who is staying at Chircombe, Northam.

From West Ham, Mrs I Jude, staying at 4, Church Walk, Bideford, said just at the back of her house, which had its windows blown out, there was a time bomb.  When they left it had not gone off.  They had had no real sleep for nearly a fortnight.

Thrill for Youth, Bideford Evacuees keep fit 1st July 1941

Thrill for Youth, Bideford Evacuees keep fit

1st July 1941

Bideford evacuees keep fit"Mens sana in sano corpore" (a sound mind in a sound body) is a motto taken to heart by Peckham Central School, nearly 250 pupils of which were evacuated to Bideford a year ago and have found wartime school premises at Bideford Baptist Schoolrooms.

Photograph above show a practice on the lawn outside the Baptish School buildings, and it will be seen that movement and thrill are inseparable from their exercises.

Happy Plymouth Toddlers at Instow 14th October 1941

Happy Plymouth Toddlers at Instow 14th October 1941

happy plymouth toddlers at InstowDevon 72 Detachment of the British Red Cross Society which is the Instow branch of that organisation, has been busily engaged for some months in assisting with the care of some fifty children whose ages range up to 5 years and whose homes have been bombed in Plymouth.  In the charming settings of Tapely Park, the residence of Mr John Christie, these children are receiving care and attention watched over by a matron and trained sisters.

The Instow Red Cross nurses, under the capable supervision of Miss W Dobbs, Commandant, have given valuable assistance, not only in the essentials of nursing but in the less spectacular, but none of the less important, tasks in the kitchen when staff has been depleted.

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