• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 2 Revenge in style

  • 3 For crying out loud!

  • 4 It really was the 'last time'

  • 5

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 6 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 7 Finished in 1876

  • 8 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 9 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 11 Mobile missionary

  • 12 Bideford computer stars

  • 13 Off on a great adventure

  • 14 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 15 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 16 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 17 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 18 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 19 Cruising down the river

  • 20 Torrington's new amenity

  • 21 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 22 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 23 Torrington in 1967

  • 24 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 25 Circus comes to town

  • 26 A man and his wheel

  • 27 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 28

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 29 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 30 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 31 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 32 Pannier Market's future?

  • 33

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 34 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 35 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 36 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 37 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 38 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 39

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 40

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 41 Devil sent packing

  • 42 Hartland Dancers
  • 43 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 44 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 45 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 46 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 47 The Geneva marionettes

  • 48 All aboard the ark

  • 49 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 50 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 51 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 52 Weare Giffard potato

  • 53 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 54 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 55 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 56

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 57 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 58 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 59 New choral society's growing response

  • 60 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 61 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 63 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 64 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 65 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 66 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 67 Happy Days!

  • 68 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 69 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 70 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 71 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 72 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

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

  • 75 Traditions and skills still there

  • 76 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 77 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 78 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 79 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 80

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 81 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 82 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 83 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 84 Parkham plan realised

  • 85 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 86 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 87 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 88

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 89 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 90 Bideford loses training ship

  • 91 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 92 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 93 Emergency ferry services

  • 94 Bridging the stream

  • 95 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 97 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 98 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 99 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 100 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 102 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 103 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 104 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 105 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 106 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 107 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 108 Northam footballers of the future

  • 109 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 110 School crossing patrol begins

  • 111 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 112 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 113 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 114 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 115

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 116 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 117 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 118 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 119 New civic medallions

  • 120 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 121 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 122 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 123 Northam's almshouse

  • 124 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 125 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 126 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 127 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 128 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 129 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 130

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 131 Clovelly custom

  • 132 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 133 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 134 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 135 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 136 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 137 Appledore's largest

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

  • 139 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 140 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 142 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 143 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 144 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 145 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 146 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 147 Burnard family reunion

  • 148 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 149 First ship in 8 years

  • 150 From Bobby to Brian

  • 151 The cab at the corner>
  • 152 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 153 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 154 Ten year old scrambler

  • 155 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 156 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 157 Water Board mains spread through villages

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

  • 159 Centenary of Gazette

  • 160 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 161 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 162 What's the time?

  • 163 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 164 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 165 Picking the pops

  • 166 Capers on the cobbles

  • 167 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 168 Bideford regatta

  • 169 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 170 Artisans' Club

  • 171 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 172 Recognise this resort?

  • 173 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 174 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 175 New Post Office

  • 176 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 177 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 178 Sight of a lifetime

  • 179 In their new robes and hats

  • 180 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 181

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 182 All for the love of a lady!

  • 183 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 185 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 186

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 187 School's link with cargo ship

  • 188 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 189

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 190 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 191 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 192 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 193

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 194 New shipyard on schedule

  • 195 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 196 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 197 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 198 End of the line

  • 199 New life for Hartland organ

  • 200 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 201 New addition to Quay front

  • 202

    Exhibition of school work
  • 203 Modern living at Bideford

  • 204 Picking the pops

  • 205 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 206 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 207 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 208 No laughing matter

  • 209 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 210 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 211 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 212 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 213 Jumble sale fever

  • 214 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 215 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 216 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 217 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 218 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 219 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 220 Torrington children build igloo
  • 221 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 222 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 223 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 224 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 225 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 226 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 227

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 228 No sale of Springfield House

  • 229 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 230 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 231 They are parted pro-tem

  • 232 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 233 Twenty-one yachts

  • 234 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 235 A story to tell!

  • 236 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 237 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 238 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 239 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 240 Waldon Triplets
  • 241 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 242 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 243 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 244

    Was a missionary
  • 245 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 246 Loads of black and white

  • 247 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 248 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 249 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 250 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 251 Life begins at 80

  • 252

    Relatives all over the world
  • 253 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 254 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 255 New look in the hayfields

  • 256 Filming at Hartland

  • 257 113 years at Instow

  • 258

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 259

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 260 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 261 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 262 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 263

    Bidefordians
  • 264

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 265 Sweets derationing

  • 266 Some mushroom!

  • 267 A roof-top view - where?

  • 268 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 269 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 270 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 271 Hartland postman retires

  • 272 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 273 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 274

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 275 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 276 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 277 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 278 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 279 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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

  • 281 Peter poses for TV film

  • 282 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 283 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 284 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 285

    New gateway
  • 286 Private home for public pump

  • 287 Riverside mystery

  • 288 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 289 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 290 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 291 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 292 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 293 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 294 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 295 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 296 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 297 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 298 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 299 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 300 By pony and trap to market

  • 301 Littleham family's five generations

  • 302 The art of the thatcher

  • 303 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 304 Out of puff!

  • 305 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 306 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 307 New art gallery opened

  • 308 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 309 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 310 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 311 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 312 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 313 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 314 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 315 Variety in summer weather

  • 316 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 317 Hartland's invitation

  • 318 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 319 Puppet characters introduced

  • 320 Can spring be far away?

  • 321

    Building works
  • 322 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 323 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 324 When horses score over the tractor

  • 325 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 326 A bird of their own!

  • 327 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 328 North Devon Driving School

  • 329 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 330 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 331 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 332 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 333 Clovelly nightmare

  • 334 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 335 Penny for the guy

  • 336 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 337

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

  • 339 New Lundy stamps

  • 340 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 341 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 342 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 343 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 344 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 345 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 346 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 347 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 348 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 349 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 350 Warmington's garage ad

  • 351 Decontrol of meat

  • 352 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 353 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 354 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 355 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 356 Some 240 exhibits

  • 357 Ships at Bideford

  • 358 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 359 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 360 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 361 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 362 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 363 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 364 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 365 Simple Item 138
  • 366 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 367 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 368 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 369 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 370 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 371 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 372 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 373 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 374 So this is the mainland!

  • 375 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 376 Service with a smile

  • 377 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 378 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 379 Just over a year old

  • 380 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 381 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 382

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 383 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 384 Police station view of Bideford

  • 385 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 386

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 387 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 388

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 389 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 390 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 391 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 392 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 393 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 394 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 395 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 396 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 397 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 398 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 399 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 400 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 401 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 402 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 403 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 404

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 405 He beat the floods

  • 406 Six footed lamb

  • 407

    Married in 1908
  • 408 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 409 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 410 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 411 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 412 Last train from Torrington

  • 413

    First prize
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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

‘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

  • 1

Login Form