• 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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    Close associations with North Devon
  • 2 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 3 Police station view of Bideford

  • 4 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 5 All aboard the ark

  • 6 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 7 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 8 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 9 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 10 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 11 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 12 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 13 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 14 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 15 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 16 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 17 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 18

    Married in 1908
  • 19 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 20 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 21 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 22 New Lundy stamps

  • 23 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 24 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 25

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 26 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 27 Twenty-one yachts

  • 28 Clovelly nightmare

  • 29 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 30 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 31 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 32 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 33 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 34 Just over a year old

  • 35 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 36 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 37 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 38 The Geneva marionettes

  • 39

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 40 It really was the 'last time'

  • 41 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 42 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 43 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 44 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 45 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 46 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 47 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 48 Appledore's largest

  • 49 By pony and trap to market

  • 50

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 51 In their new robes and hats

  • 52 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 53

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 54 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 55 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 56 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 57 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 58 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 59 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 61 113 years at Instow

  • 62 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 63 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 64 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 65 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 66 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 67 They are parted pro-tem

  • 68 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 69 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 70 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 71

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 72 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 73 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 74 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 76 Jumble sale fever

  • 77 Happy Days!

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

  • 79 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 80

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 81 New shipyard on schedule

  • 82 When horses score over the tractor

  • 83 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 84 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 85 Picking the pops

  • 86 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 87 Decontrol of meat

  • 88 Pannier Market's future?

  • 89 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 90 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 91

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 92 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 93 Traditions and skills still there

  • 94 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 95 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 96 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 98 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 99 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 100 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 101 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 102 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 103 Parkham plan realised

  • 104 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 106 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 107 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 108 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 109 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 110 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 111 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 112 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 113 Revenge in style

  • 114 A story to tell!

  • 115

    Was a missionary
  • 116 Private home for public pump

  • 117 Circus comes to town

  • 118 No sale of Springfield House

  • 119 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 121 Torrington in 1967

  • 122 Puppet characters introduced

  • 123 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 124 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 125 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 126 Simple Item 138
  • 127 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 128 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 129 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 130 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 131 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 132 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 133 Some 240 exhibits

  • 134 Last train from Torrington

  • 135 Six footed lamb

  • 136 Hartland postman retires

  • 137 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 138 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 139 A bird of their own!

  • 140 For crying out loud!

  • 141 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 142

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 143 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 144 School crossing patrol begins

  • 145 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 146 Life begins at 80

  • 147 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 148 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 149 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 150 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 151

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 152 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 153 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 154 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 155 Modern living at Bideford

  • 156 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 157 All for the love of a lady!

  • 158 New Post Office

  • 159 North Devon Driving School

  • 160 New look in the hayfields

  • 161 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 162 Ten year old scrambler

  • 163 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 165 Bridging the stream

  • 166 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 167 Ships at Bideford

  • 168 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 169 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 170 What's the time?

  • 171 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 172 Hartland's invitation

  • 173 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 174

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 175 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 176 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 177 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 178 Picking the pops

  • 179 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 180 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 181 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 182 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 183 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 184 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 185 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 186

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 187 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 188 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 189 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 190 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 191 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 192 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 193 Littleham family's five generations

  • 194

    New gateway
  • 195 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 196 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 197 Bideford computer stars

  • 198 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 199 Northam footballers of the future

  • 200 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 201 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 202

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 203 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 204 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 205 Meredith's ironmongers

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

  • 207 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 208 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 209 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 210 Finished in 1876

  • 211 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 212 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 213 Recognise this resort?

  • 214 New art gallery opened

  • 215 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 216 Peter poses for TV film

  • 217

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 218 Warmington's garage ad

  • 219 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 220 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 221 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 222

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 223 Emergency ferry services

  • 224 Penny for the guy

  • 225 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 226 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 227 A man and his wheel

  • 228 Service with a smile

  • 229 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 230 Variety in summer weather

  • 231 Northam's almshouse

  • 232

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 233 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 234 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 235 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 236 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 237 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 238 He beat the floods

  • 239 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 240 Artisans' Club

  • 241 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 242 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 243 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 244 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 245

    Exhibition of school work
  • 246 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 247 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 248 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 249 Centenary of Gazette

  • 250 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 251 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 252 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 253 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 254

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 255 Torrington's new amenity

  • 256 Mobile missionary

  • 257 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 258 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 259

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 260 New choral society's growing response

  • 261

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 262 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 263 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

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

  • 265 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 266 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 267 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 268 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 269 Burnard family reunion

  • 270 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 271 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 272 Out of puff!

  • 273 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 274 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 275 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 276 Cruising down the river

  • 277 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 278 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 279 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 280 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 281 Torrington children build igloo
  • 282 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 283 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 284 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 285 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 286 So this is the mainland!

  • 287 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 288 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 289 Waldon Triplets
  • 290

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 291 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 292 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 293

    Bidefordians
  • 294 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 295 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 296 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 297 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 298

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 299 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 300 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 301 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 302 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 303

    Building works
  • 304 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 305 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 306 Capers on the cobbles

  • 307 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 308 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 309 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 310 Riverside mystery

  • 311 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 312 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 313 Hartland Dancers
  • 314 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 315 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 316 Clovelly custom

  • 317 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 318 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 319 End of the line

  • 320 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 321 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 322 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 323 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 324 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 325 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 326 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 327 Weare Giffard potato

  • 328 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 329 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 330 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 331 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 332 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 333 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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

  • 335 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 336 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 337 The art of the thatcher

  • 338 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 339 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 340 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 341

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 342 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 343 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 344 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 345 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 346 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 347

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 348 Bideford regatta

  • 349

    Relatives all over the world
  • 350 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 351 Devil sent packing

  • 352 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 353 No laughing matter

  • 354 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 355 First ship in 8 years

  • 356

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 357

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 358 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 359 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 360

    First prize
  • 361 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 362 School's link with cargo ship

  • 363 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

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

  • 365 New civic medallions

  • 366 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 367 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 369 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 370 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 371 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 372 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 373 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 374 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 375 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 376 Some mushroom!

  • 377 New addition to Quay front

  • 378 New life for Hartland organ

  • 379 A roof-top view - where?

  • 380 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 381 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 382 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 383 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 384 Loads of black and white

  • 385 Sight of a lifetime

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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  • 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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  • 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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Melhuish trustees appointed 7th January 1972

Melhuish trustees appointed 7th January 1972

Melhuish trustees appointed

The appointment in the High Court Chancery Division of new trustees for the Melhuish estate means that occupiers of Melhuish property may now be able to apply to acquire the freehold of their property.

Mr Alan Gardner, Clerk of Northam Urban Council, told Gazette "It is a very interesting development and obviously the Council will have to consider what to do".

Zero hour nears 27th February 1970

Zero hour nears 27th February 1970

Zero hour nearsIn little more than a month "the ballon will go up" for a number of people - those who hope to substantiate a claim to the Melhuish Estate, largely comprising Northam Burrows and, it is said, a substantial section of Appledore, and those who occupy what is said to be Melhuish property.  March 28th is the reputed date on which the 200 yr old lease fall in, and from that date a number of claimants will - for who knows how long? - be perched on a knife edge flanked by hope and fear.

Northam Urban Council as lords of the manor will, says their Clerk, Mr A Gardner, carry on on behalf of the freeholders until they turn up.

Golf Club to sell Burrows rights for £5? 25th August 1961

Golf Club to sell Burrows rights for £5? 25th August 1961

Golf club to sell BurrowsMellhuish: Royal North Devon Golf Club have agreed to sell to Northam Urban Council the manorial rights of Northam Burrows for a nominal sum of £5 - subject to a satisfactory outcome of a few points of detail.

The Golf Club acquired the manorial rights in 1895 from the then Lord of the Manor, Mr A L Christie, of Tapeley, Instow.  The 200 year lease of the 800 acres of the Burrows lapses in 9 years time and the Urban Council may then try to acquire the freehold rights.

The Clerk of Northam Council, Mr A Gardner said that the Council wanted to have more control over the Burrows and had borne in mind the question of coast protection for which they have a £500,000 scheme.

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