• 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 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 2 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 3 What's the time?

  • 4 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 5 Torrington's new amenity

  • 6 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 7 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 8 Picking the pops

  • 9 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 10 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 11 Circus comes to town

  • 12 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 13 Variety in summer weather

  • 14 Torrington in 1967

  • 15 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 16 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 17 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 18 Finished in 1876

  • 19 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 20 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 21 Centenary of Gazette

  • 22 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 23 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 24 New shipyard on schedule

  • 25 Clovelly nightmare

  • 26 Loads of black and white

  • 27 Service with a smile

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

  • 29 Sight of a lifetime

  • 30 Twenty-one yachts

  • 31 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 32 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 33 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 34 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 35 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 36 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 37 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 38 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 39 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 40 Last train from Torrington

  • 41 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 42 Emergency ferry services

  • 43 Appledore's largest

  • 44 So this is the mainland!

  • 45 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 46 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 47 Littleham family's five generations

  • 48 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 49 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 50 Cruising down the river

  • 51 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 52 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 53 Hartland's invitation

  • 54 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 55 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 56 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 57 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 58 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 59 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 60 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 61 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 62

    Bidefordians
  • 63 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 64 Traditions and skills still there

  • 65 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 66 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 67 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 68 No laughing matter

  • 69 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 70 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 71 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 72

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 73 New life for Hartland organ

  • 74 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 75 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 76 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 77 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 78 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 79 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 80 Decontrol of meat

  • 81 New choral society's growing response

  • 82

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 83

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 84 A man and his wheel

  • 85 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 86

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 87 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 88 Police station view of Bideford

  • 89 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 90 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 91 Bridging the stream

  • 92 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 93 No sale of Springfield House

  • 94 Torrington children build igloo
  • 95 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 96 New civic medallions

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

  • 98 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 99

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 100 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 101 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 102 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 103 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 104 Private home for public pump

  • 105 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 106 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 107

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 108

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 109 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 110 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 111 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 112 School's link with cargo ship

  • 113

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 114 Bideford computer stars

  • 115

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 116 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 117 Simple Item 138
  • 118 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 119 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 120 Can spring be far away?

  • 121 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 122

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 123 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 124 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 125 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 126 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 127 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 128 Recognise this resort?

  • 129 Waldon Triplets
  • 130

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 131 Bideford loses training ship

  • 132 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 133 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 134 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 135 By pony and trap to market

  • 136 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 137 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 139 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 140 Northam's almshouse

  • 141

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 142 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 143

    Was a missionary
  • 144 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 145 Weare Giffard potato

  • 146 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 147 Pannier Market's future?

  • 148 Puppet characters introduced

  • 149 Northam footballers of the future

  • 150 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 151 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 152 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 153

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 154 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 155 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 156 New addition to Quay front

  • 157 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 158 Some 240 exhibits

  • 159 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 160 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 161 Six footed lamb

  • 162 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 163 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 165

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 166 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 167 Warmington's garage ad

  • 168 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 169 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 170 Life begins at 80

  • 171

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 172 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 173

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 174 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 175 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 176 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 177 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 178 They are parted pro-tem

  • 179 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 180 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 181 School crossing patrol begins

  • 182 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 183

    First prize
  • 184 Bideford regatta

  • 185

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 186

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 187 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 188

    Married in 1908
  • 189 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 190 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 191 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 192 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 193 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 194 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 195 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 196 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 197 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 198 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 199

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 200 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 201 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 202 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 203 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 204 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 205 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 206 Happy Days!

  • 207 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 208 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 209 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 210 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 211 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 212 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 213 Devil sent packing

  • 214

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 215 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 216 New art gallery opened

  • 217 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 218 Riverside mystery

  • 219 He beat the floods

  • 220 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 221 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 222 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 223 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 224 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 225 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 226 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 227 Mobile missionary

  • 228 Hartland Dancers
  • 229 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 230 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 231 Revenge in style

  • 232 It really was the 'last time'

  • 233 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 234 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 235 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 236 In their new robes and hats

  • 237 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 238 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 239 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 240 All aboard the ark

  • 241 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 242 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 243 End of the line

  • 244 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 245 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 246 Just over a year old

  • 247

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 248 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 249 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 250 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 251 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 252 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 253

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 254 The art of the thatcher

  • 255 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 256 Jumble sale fever

  • 257 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 258 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 259 For crying out loud!

  • 260 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 261 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 262 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 263 A craftsman's 'potted' history

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

  • 265 When horses score over the tractor

  • 266 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 267 New Post Office

  • 268 New look in the hayfields

  • 269 Picking the pops

  • 270 113 years at Instow

  • 271 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 272 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 273

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 274 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 275 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 276 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 277 Parkham plan realised

  • 278 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 280 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 281 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 282 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 283 A roof-top view - where?

  • 284 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 285 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 286 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 287 First ship in 8 years

  • 288 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 289

    Building works
  • 290

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 291 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 292 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 293 Burnard family reunion

  • 294 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 295 Ships at Bideford

  • 296 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 297 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 299 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 300 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 301 Out of puff!

  • 302 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 304 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 305 North Devon Driving School

  • 306 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 307 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 308

    New gateway
  • 309 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 310 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 311 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 313 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 314 Some mushroom!

  • 315 Peter poses for TV film

  • 316 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 317 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 318 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 319 Off on a great adventure

  • 320 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 321 A story to tell!

  • 322 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 323 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 324 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 325

    Exhibition of school work
  • 326 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 327 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 328 Fleet of foot and fair of face

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

  • 330 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 331 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 332 A bird of their own!

  • 333 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 334 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 335 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 336 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 337 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 338 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 339 New Lundy stamps

  • 340 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 341 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 342 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 343 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 344 Clovelly custom

  • 345 Artisans' Club

  • 346 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 347 Modern living at Bideford

  • 348 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 349 Capers on the cobbles

  • 350 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 351 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 352 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 354 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 355 Ten year old scrambler

  • 356 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 357 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 358 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 359 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 360 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 361 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 362 The Geneva marionettes

  • 363 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 364 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 365 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 366 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 367 Hartland postman retires

  • 368 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 369 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 370 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 371

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 372 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 373 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 374 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 375 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 376 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

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

  • 378

    Relatives all over the world
  • 379 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 380 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 381 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 382 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 383 All for the love of a lady!

  • 384 Penny for the guy

  • 385 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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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Preparing For Their Great Day

These and other youngsters of the Barley Grove (Blue Coat) School at Torrington

are preparing for their great day, the first Thursday in May, when they will take leading parts in the traditional May Fair.

28.2.1964 Torrington May Fair

In the photograph are: Julian Gould; Janet Copp; Jenifer Lock; and Paul Alexander.

Janet is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Bert Copp, of 5 Calvesford Road; Jenifer the daughter of Mr and Mrs John Lock, of 13 Well Street. Julian’s parents are Mr and Mrs Derek Gould, of 154 New Street. His brother was a herald a few years ago and their mother was an attendant to the May Queen of her day. Paul is the son of Mr and Mrs Laurence Alexander, of 3 Calf Street, and a grandson of the Mayor and Mayoress, Ald and Mrs H H Wightman.

The May Queen’s attendants will be: Gail Parsley, Angela Symons, Mary Warne, Caroline Knight, Pam Sanders (Stoney Cross), Carole Lobbett, Sally Davis and Shirley Beer (Stoney Cross). Except where mentioned otherwise the children come from Torrington.

Gazette article dated 28 February 1964

Bideford Carnival Prize-Winner

First prize-winner in the children’s class at Bideford Carnival

was this delightful tableau entitled ‘Will you be my Valentine?’

26.8.1960 Bideford Carnival

It was entered by Mrs Margaret Branch, of Cooper Street, Bideford, who has won first prizes at Bideford Carnivals for the past three years. In the background can be seen the giant heart, which is complete with 12 yards of lace, 12 yards of ribbon and nine yards of sequins.

Dresses were made by Miss Eileen Shute, of Victoria Grove, Bideford, while Mrs Branch added the finishing touches.

The children are: Judith Northcote, Julia Branch, Charmene Edwards and Jane Heywood.

Gazette article dated 26 August 1960

The Lektrons

Meet Hartland's answer to the Beatles,

the Lektrons, whose efforts have won an enthusiastic following.

3.1.1964 Hartland Lektrons beatles

Left to right - Brian Jeffery, Mike Coles, Terry Cook, Des Prouse and Norman Westlake.

Gazette article dated 3 January 1964

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