• 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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    Exhibition of school work
  • 2 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 3 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 4 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 5 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 6 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 7 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 8 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 10 A man and his wheel

  • 11 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 13 Weare Giffard potato

  • 14 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 15 A bird of their own!

  • 16

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 17 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 18 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 19

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 20 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 21 New shipyard on schedule

  • 22 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 23 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 24 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 25 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 26

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 27 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 28

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 29

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 30 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 31 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 32 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 33 New look in the hayfields

  • 34 A story to tell!

  • 35 Cruising down the river

  • 36 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 37 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 38 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 39 Centenary of Gazette

  • 40 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 41

    Bidefordians
  • 42 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 43

    New gateway
  • 44 For crying out loud!

  • 45 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 46 A roof-top view - where?

  • 47 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 49 Emergency ferry services

  • 50 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 51 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 52

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 53 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 54 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 55 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 56 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 57 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 58 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 59 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 60 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 61 Peter poses for TV film

  • 62

    Building works
  • 63 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 64 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 66 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 67 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 68 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 69 Hartland Dancers
  • 70 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 71 Service with a smile

  • 72 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 73 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 74 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 75 Can spring be far away?

  • 76 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 77 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 78

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 79 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 80 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 81 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 82 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 83 Bideford regatta

  • 84 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 85 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 86 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 87 Jumble sale fever

  • 88 End of the line

  • 89 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 90 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 91 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 92 Riverside mystery

  • 93 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 94 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 95 Bridging the stream

  • 96 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 97 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 98 Some mushroom!

  • 99 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 100 So this is the mainland!

  • 101

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 102 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 103 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 104 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 105 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 106 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 107 Picking the pops

  • 108 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 110 Penny for the guy

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

  • 112 Some 240 exhibits

  • 113 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 114 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 115 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 116 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 117 Clovelly nightmare

  • 118 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 119 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 120 Revenge in style

  • 121 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 122 Modern living at Bideford

  • 123 Loads of black and white

  • 124 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 125

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 126 Life begins at 80

  • 127 New civic medallions

  • 128 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 129 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 130 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 131 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 132 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 133 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 134 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 135 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 136 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 137 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 138 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 139 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 140 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 141 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 142 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 143 Appledore's largest

  • 144 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 145 Twenty-one yachts

  • 146 Decontrol of meat

  • 147 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 148 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 149 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 150 Bideford computer stars

  • 151 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 152 Filming at Hartland

  • 153 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 154 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 155 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 156 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 157 He beat the floods

  • 158

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 159 Northam's almshouse

  • 160 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 162 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 163 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 164 It really was the 'last time'

  • 165 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 166 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 167 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 168 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 169 Picking the pops

  • 170 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 171 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 172 Northam footballers of the future

  • 173 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 174 Capers on the cobbles

  • 175 Just over a year old

  • 176 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 177 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 178 No laughing matter

  • 179 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 180 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 181 The cab at the corner>
  • 182 Devil sent packing

  • 183 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 184 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 185 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 186 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 187 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 188 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 189 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 190 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 191 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 192 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 193 Pannier Market's future?

  • 194 Waldon Triplets
  • 195 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 196 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 197

    Married in 1908
  • 198 The Geneva marionettes

  • 199 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 200 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 201 113 years at Instow

  • 202 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 203 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 204 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 205 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 206 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 207 By pony and trap to market

  • 208 Artisans' Club

  • 209 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 210 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 211 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 212 Burnard family reunion

  • 213 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 214 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 215 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 216 Littleham family's five generations

  • 217 All for the love of a lady!

  • 218 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 219

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 220

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 221 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 222 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 223 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 224 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 225 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 226 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 227 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 228 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 230 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 231 Hartland postman retires

  • 232 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 233 Bideford loses training ship

  • 234 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 235 Torrington in 1967

  • 236

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 237 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 238 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 239 Mobile missionary

  • 240 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 241 Parkham plan realised

  • 242 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 243 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 244 Out of puff!

  • 245 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 246 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 247 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 248

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 249 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 250 New Post Office

  • 251 Private home for public pump

  • 252

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 253 The art of the thatcher

  • 254 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 255 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 256 They are parted pro-tem

  • 257 In their new robes and hats

  • 258 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 259 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 260 Six footed lamb

  • 261 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 262 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 263 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 264 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 266 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 267 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 268 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 269 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 270

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 271 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 272 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 273 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 274 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 275 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 276 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 277

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 278 Ships at Bideford

  • 279 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 280 Puppet characters introduced

  • 281 New choral society's growing response

  • 282 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 283 Warmington's garage ad

  • 284 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 285 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 286 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 287 Sight of a lifetime

  • 288 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 289 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 290

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 291 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 292 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 293 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 294 North Devon Driving School

  • 295 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 296 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 297 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 298 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 299 School crossing patrol begins

  • 300 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 301 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 302 School's link with cargo ship

  • 303

    Was a missionary
  • 304 Recognise this resort?

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

  • 306 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 307 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 308 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 309 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 310 Variety in summer weather

  • 311

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 312 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 313 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 314 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 315 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 316 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 317 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 318 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 319 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 320 Torrington's new amenity

  • 321 No sale of Springfield House

  • 322 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 323 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 324 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 325 New art gallery opened

  • 326 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 327 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 328 Clovelly custom

  • 329 Traditions and skills still there

  • 330 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 331 Torrington children build igloo
  • 332 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 333 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 334 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 335 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 336 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 337 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 338 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 339 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 340 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 341 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 342 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 343 Off on a great adventure

  • 344 New addition to Quay front

  • 345 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 346 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 347 Simple Item 138
  • 348 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 349

    First prize
  • 350 Last train from Torrington

  • 351 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 352 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 353 What's the time?

  • 354 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 355 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 357 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 358

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 359 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 360 Happy Days!

  • 361 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 362 Hartland's invitation

  • 363 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 364 New Lundy stamps

  • 365

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 366 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 367 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 368 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 369 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 370 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 371 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 372 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 373 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 374 First ship in 8 years

  • 375 Finished in 1876

  • 376 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 377 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 378

    Relatives all over the world
  • 379 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 380 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 381 Police station view of Bideford

  • 382 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 383 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 384 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 385 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 386

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 387 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 388 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 389 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 390 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 391 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 392 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 393 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 394 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 395 All aboard the ark

  • 396 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 397 Circus comes to town

  • 398 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 399 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 400 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 401 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 402

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 403 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 404 Sweets derationing

  • 405

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 406 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

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

  • 408 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 409 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 410

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 411 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 412 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 413 From Bobby to Brian

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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  • 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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  • 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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‘Thunderbird’ Model-Maker is Instow 21 Year Old

Thunderbirds are not the only ones who are ‘Go’ ing places – so is 21 year old Terry Curtis of Instow! 

23.6.1967 thunderbirds

As was mentioned in a recent issue of the ‘Gazette’, most of the models in the £350,000 film ‘Thunderbirds are go’ based on the ITV series ‘Thunderbirds’ are made by him.

Son of Mr and Mrs E J Curtis, of Clay Banks, Instow, formerly of Bideford, Terry attended Bideford School of Art and the North Devon Technical College. About three years ago he took samples of his work to the AP Film Company, of Slough, and landed a job on the spot.

The head on the left, wearing spectacles, is that of Hank Marvin, of ‘Shadows’ fame, made for the ‘Swinging Star’ night club scene in the film in which models of ‘Cliff and the Shadows’ appear.

Next to Hank is Paul Travers, captain of spacecraft ‘Zero X’, and on the right Co-Pilot Greg Martin.

The full Gazette article is dated 23 June 1967

Gymkhana Rodeo Aids Abbotsham Hall

Wild West Rodeo

Whip-cracking, steer roping, side shows and skittling for a pig, were the attractions offered to visitors at Coombe, Abbotsham, on Saturday, in an attempt by the Parish Hall Committee to raise £150. The money is needed for repairs to Abbotsham Parish Hall.

Good weather favoured the gymkhana, held in the grounds belonging to Mrs Richards, one of the chief organisers.

Great attraction of the afternoon was a Wild West Rodeo display given by Dick Brooks, a farmer, of Down Farm, Dolton.

There were 26 entries in the gymkhana. Results – Jane Hartnoll, Anthony Brogan, Tessa Stokes, Helen Brooks, Caroline Rous, Dianna Herrick, Bridget Oke, Virginia Richards, Victor Evans, Patricia Ker, Simon Tomlinson, Rosalind Tucker, Peter Herrick. Most ribbons in the afternoon were won by Helen Brooks and Caroline Rous jointly, followed by Virginia Richards, Jane Hartnoll and Tessa Stokes.

22.8.1958 Abbotsham gymkhana

The full Gazette article is dated 22 August 1958

Baby Show

Babies From Strawberry Village

20.8.1954 Weare Giffard Strawberry Village

Whatever their diet – it can hardly be strawberries and cream at their tender age – these three bonny babies from Weare Giffard seen at the Baby Show at Alverdiscott Gymkhana last week certainly make a charming trio.

At the top is Malcolm Moore who won first prize in the under one year class and below are Rachel Stedwell and Hazel Congaran who were placed second and third respectively.

Gazette article dated 20 August 1954

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