• 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 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 2

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 3 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 4 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 5

    New gateway
  • 6 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 7

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 8 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 9 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 11 Finished in 1876

  • 12

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 13 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 14 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 15 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 16

    First prize
  • 17 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 18 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 19 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 20 Private home for public pump

  • 21 Sweets derationing

  • 22 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 23 Ten year old scrambler

  • 24 Circus comes to town

  • 25 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 26 From Bobby to Brian

  • 27 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 28 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 29

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 30

    Exhibition of school work
  • 31 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 32 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 33 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 34 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 35 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 36 Recognise this resort?

  • 37 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 38 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 39 Littleham family's five generations

  • 40 Off on a great adventure

  • 41 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 42 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 43

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 44 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 45 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 46

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 47 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 48 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 49 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 50

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 51 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 52 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 53 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 54 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 55 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 56 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 57

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 58 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 59 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 60 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 61

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 62 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 63 Devil sent packing

  • 64 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 65 Centenary of Gazette

  • 66 Northam's almshouse

  • 67 Revenge in style

  • 68

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 69 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 70 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 71 Bideford loses training ship

  • 72 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 73 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 74 In their new robes and hats

  • 75 By pony and trap to market

  • 76 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 77 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 78

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 79 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 80 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 81 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 82 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 83

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 84 For crying out loud!

  • 85 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 86 Last train from Torrington

  • 87 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 88 Service with a smile

  • 89 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 90 Weare Giffard potato

  • 91 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 92 New Lundy stamps

  • 93 Peter poses for TV film

  • 94 New art gallery opened

  • 95 Torrington children build igloo
  • 96 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 97 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 98 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 99 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 100 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 101 So this is the mainland!

  • 102 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 103 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 104 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 105 Warmington's garage ad

  • 106

    Was a missionary
  • 107 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 108 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 109 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 110 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 111 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 112 Torrington in 1967

  • 113 When horses score over the tractor

  • 114 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 115

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 116 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 117 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 118 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 119

    Building works
  • 120 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 121 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 122 Decontrol of meat

  • 123 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 124 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 125 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 126 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 127 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 128 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 129 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 130 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 131 Pannier Market's future?

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

  • 133 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 134 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 135 Modern living at Bideford

  • 136 Sight of a lifetime

  • 137 A story to tell!

  • 138 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 139 Simple Item 138
  • 140 Hartland Dancers
  • 141 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 142 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 143 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 144 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 145 Northam footballers of the future

  • 146 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 147 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 148 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 149 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 150 Filming at Hartland

  • 151 Happy Days!

  • 152 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 153 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 154 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 155 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 156 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 157 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 158 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 159 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 160 Emergency ferry services

  • 161 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 162 First ship in 8 years

  • 163 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 164 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 165 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 166 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 167 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 168 Appledore's largest

  • 169 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 170 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 171 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 172 All aboard the ark

  • 173 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 174 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 175

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 176 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 177 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 178 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 179 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 180 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 181 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 183 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 184 Out of puff!

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

  • 186 Bideford computer stars

  • 187 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 188 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 189 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 190 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 191 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 192 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 193 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 194 The cab at the corner>
  • 195 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 196 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 197 New addition to Quay front

  • 198 New look in the hayfields

  • 199 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 200 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 201 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 202 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 203 Artisans' Club

  • 204 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 205

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 206 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 207 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 208 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 209 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 210 New Post Office

  • 211

    Bidefordians
  • 212 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 213 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 214 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 215 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 216 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 217 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 218 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 219 The art of the thatcher

  • 220 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 221 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 222 School crossing patrol begins

  • 223 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 224 No sale of Springfield House

  • 225 Some 240 exhibits

  • 226 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 227 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 228 They are parted pro-tem

  • 229 Burnard family reunion

  • 230 New shipyard on schedule

  • 231 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 232 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 233

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 234 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 235 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 236 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 237 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 238 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 239 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 240 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 241 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 242 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 243 The Geneva marionettes

  • 244 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 245 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 246 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 247 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 248 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 249 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 250 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 251 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 252 Life begins at 80

  • 253 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 254 Riverside mystery

  • 255

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 256 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 257 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 258 Torrington's new amenity

  • 259 North Devon Driving School

  • 260 Jumble sale fever

  • 261 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 262 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 263

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 264 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 265

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 266 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 267 Twenty-one yachts

  • 268 Six footed lamb

  • 269 Police station view of Bideford

  • 270

    Relatives all over the world
  • 271 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 272 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 273 Mobile missionary

  • 274 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 275 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 276 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 277 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 279 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 281 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 282 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 283 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 284 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 285 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 286 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 287 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 288 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 289 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 290 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 291 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 292 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 293 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 294 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 295 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 296

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 297 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 298

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 299 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 300 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 301 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 302 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 303 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 304 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 306 Picking the pops

  • 307 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 308 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 309 Picking the pops

  • 310 Waldon Triplets
  • 311 Just over a year old

  • 312 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 313 Hartland postman retires

  • 314 Cruising down the river

  • 315 Ships at Bideford

  • 316 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 317 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 318 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 319 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 320 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 321 A roof-top view - where?

  • 322

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 323 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 324 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 325 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 326 Loads of black and white

  • 327 What's the time?

  • 328 He beat the floods

  • 329 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 330 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 331 Parkham plan realised

  • 332 Variety in summer weather

  • 333 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 335 Clovelly custom

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

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

  • 338 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 339 Can spring be far away?

  • 340 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 341 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 342 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 343 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 344 It really was the 'last time'

  • 345 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 346 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 347 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 348

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 349 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 351 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 352 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 353 A man and his wheel

  • 354 113 years at Instow

  • 355 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 356

    Married in 1908
  • 357 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 358 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 359 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 360 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 361 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 362 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 363 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 364 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 365 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 366 Some mushroom!

  • 367 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 368 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 369 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 370 Hartland's invitation

  • 371 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 373 Traditions and skills still there

  • 374 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 375 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 376 Clovelly nightmare

  • 377

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 378 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 379 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 380 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 381 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 382 New civic medallions

  • 383 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 384 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 385 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 386 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 387 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 388 Capers on the cobbles

  • 389 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 390 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 391 Penny for the guy

  • 392 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 393 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 394 End of the line

  • 395 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 396 Bideford regatta

  • 397 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 398 No laughing matter

  • 399 A bird of their own!

  • 400 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 401 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 402 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 403 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 404 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 405

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 406 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 407 School's link with cargo ship

  • 408 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 409 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 410 All for the love of a lady!

  • 411 Bridging the stream

  • 412 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 413 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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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Hartland Siren Awakens Town

When Hartland fire siren is sounded at dead of night it awakens everyone in the town - but not, sometimes, some of the firemen who live at a distance.

2.7.1971 Hartland siren

Now, following represenations from Mr N Westlake, secretary of Hartland Volunteer Fire Service, the Parish Council are to press for the installation of alarm bells in the homes of the 12 firemen so that the siren need not be sounded during the night.
Mr H Conibear, who is a firemen, reminded the Council that the brigade had one had a handcart and operated only in Fore Street. Now it covers the town and Clovelly, Woolsery and Bradworthy.
Gazette article dated 2 July 1971

New Engine For Torrington’s New Fire Station

Torrington now possesses one of the most modern fire engines in the county – it was recently delivered direct from the works – but although good progress has been made, it will be some weeks before its new ‘home’ will be ready to accommodate it.

25.3.1960 Torrington Fire Station

At the moment the new engine is housed in the fire station that was built by the NFS during the war. The Town Council were then promised that as soon as possible after hostilities ceased a new station would be provided. But the end of the war found the county so badly off for such accommodation that only now has Torrington’s turn arrived.
The full Gazette article is dated 25 March 1960

Local fire and ambulance workers thanked 22nd July 1966

Local fire and ambulance workers thanked 22nd July 1966

Local fire and ambulance

The Mayor of Bideford (Mrs Vivian Patt) expressed thanks to local members of the fire and ambulance services for their valued work for the community when she officially opened the new fire and ambulance stations at Old Town. To symbolise the opening, the Mayor pulled a lever which automatically flings wide the doors of the fire station to enable the applicances to make a quick get away.

Mr J Farrell, chairman of Devon County Fire Brigade Committee opened the proceedings.  The Mayor, who was accompanieed by the Mayoress (Mrs P Galliford) then inspected the parading fire and ambulance men and women.

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