• 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 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 2 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 3 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 4

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 5 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 6 Revenge in style

  • 7

    New gateway
  • 8 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 9 A man and his wheel

  • 10 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 11 It really was the 'last time'

  • 12 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 13 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 14 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 15 Last train from Torrington

  • 16 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 17 Variety in summer weather

  • 18

    Bidefordians
  • 19 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 20 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 21 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 22 Bideford computer stars

  • 23 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 24 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 25 Bridging the stream

  • 26 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 27

    Building works
  • 28 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 29 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 30 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 31 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 32 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 33 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 34 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 35

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 36 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 37 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 38 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 39 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 40 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 41

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 42 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 43 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 44 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 45

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 46 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 47 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 48 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 49 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 50 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 52

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 53 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 54 He beat the floods

  • 55 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 56 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 57

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 58 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 59 Finished in 1876

  • 60

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 61 The art of the thatcher

  • 62 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 63 Mobile missionary

  • 64 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 65 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 66 First ship in 8 years

  • 67

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 68 New civic medallions

  • 69 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 70 A bird of their own!

  • 71 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 72 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 73

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 74 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 75

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 76 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 77 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 78 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 79 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 80 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 81 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 82 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 83 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 84 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 85 Twenty-one yachts

  • 86 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 87 Penny for the guy

  • 88 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 89

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 90 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 91 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 92 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 93 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 94 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 95 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 96 Loads of black and white

  • 97

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 98 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 99 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 100 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 102 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 104 Service with a smile

  • 105

    First prize
  • 106 Clovelly custom

  • 107 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 109 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 110 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 111 Capers on the cobbles

  • 112 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 113 Clovelly nightmare

  • 114 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 116 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 117 Appledore's largest

  • 118 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 119 Littleham family's five generations

  • 120 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 121 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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

  • 123 Pannier Market's future?

  • 124 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 125 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 126 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 127 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 128 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 129 Traditions and skills still there

  • 130 No sale of Springfield House

  • 131 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 132 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 133 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 134 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 135 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 136 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 137 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 138 When horses score over the tractor

  • 139

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 140 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 141 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 142 Cruising down the river

  • 143 New shipyard on schedule

  • 144 New Post Office

  • 145 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 146 Centenary of Gazette

  • 147 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 148 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 149 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 150 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 151 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 152 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 153 Riverside mystery

  • 154 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 155 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 156 They are parted pro-tem

  • 157 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 158 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 159 Simple Item 138
  • 160 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 161

    Exhibition of school work
  • 162 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 163 Just over a year old

  • 164 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 165 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 166 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 167 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 168

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 169 Out of puff!

  • 170 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 171 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 172 Picking the pops

  • 173 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 175 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 176 New choral society's growing response

  • 177

    Married in 1908
  • 178 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 179 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 180 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 181 Parkham plan realised

  • 182 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 183 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 184 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 185 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 186 New look in the hayfields

  • 187 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 188 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 189 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 190 Warmington's garage ad

  • 191 Hartland Dancers
  • 192 Circus comes to town

  • 193 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 194 Picking the pops

  • 195 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 196 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 197 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 198 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 199 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 200 No laughing matter

  • 201 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 202 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 204 The Geneva marionettes

  • 205 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 206 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 207 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 208

    Was a missionary
  • 209 Burnard family reunion

  • 210 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 211 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 212 Puppet characters introduced

  • 213 A story to tell!

  • 214 Decontrol of meat

  • 215 Police station view of Bideford

  • 216 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 217

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 218 Life begins at 80

  • 219 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 220 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 221 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 222 Peter poses for TV film

  • 223 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 224 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 225 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 226 Ships at Bideford

  • 227

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 228 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 229 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 230 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 231 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 232 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 233 Sweets derationing

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

  • 235 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 236 Can spring be far away?

  • 237 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 238 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 239

    Relatives all over the world
  • 240 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 241 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 242 Waldon Triplets
  • 243 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 244 Six footed lamb

  • 245 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 246 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 247 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 248 Hartland's invitation

  • 249 Northam footballers of the future

  • 250 For crying out loud!

  • 251

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 252 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 253 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 254 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 255 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 256 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 257 113 years at Instow

  • 258 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 259 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 260 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 261 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 263

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 264

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 265 Some mushroom!

  • 266 Ten year old scrambler

  • 267 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 268 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 269 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 270 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 271 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 272 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 273 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 274 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 275 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 276 Torrington children build igloo
  • 277 What's the time?

  • 278 In their new robes and hats

  • 279 North Devon Driving School

  • 280 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 281 Modern living at Bideford

  • 282 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 283 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 284

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 285 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 286 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 287 New addition to Quay front

  • 288 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 289

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 290 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 291 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 292 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 293 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 294 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 295 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 296 So this is the mainland!

  • 297 Some 240 exhibits

  • 298 By pony and trap to market

  • 299 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 300 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 301 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 302 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 303 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 304 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 305 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 307 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 308 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 309 The cab at the corner>
  • 310 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 311 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 312 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 313 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 314 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 315 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 316 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 317 All for the love of a lady!

  • 318 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 319 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 320 Weare Giffard potato

  • 321 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 322 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 323 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 324 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 325 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 326 School crossing patrol begins

  • 327 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 328 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 329 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 330 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 331 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 332 End of the line

  • 333 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 335 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 336 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 337 Torrington in 1967

  • 338 Recognise this resort?

  • 339 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 340 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 341 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 342 Artisans' Club

  • 343 New life for Hartland organ

  • 344 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 345

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 346 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 347 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 348 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 349

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 350 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 351 School's link with cargo ship

  • 352 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 353 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 354 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 355 From Bobby to Brian

  • 356 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 357 Devil sent packing

  • 358 Sight of a lifetime

  • 359 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 360 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 361 Private home for public pump

  • 362 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 363 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 364 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 365 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 366 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 367 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 368 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 369

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 370 Happy Days!

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

  • 372 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 373 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 374 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 375 All aboard the ark

  • 376 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 377 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 378 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 379 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 380 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 381 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 382 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 383 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 384 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 386 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 387 New art gallery opened

  • 388 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 389 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 390 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 391 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 392 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 393 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 394 Hartland postman retires

  • 395 Bideford loses training ship

  • 396 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 397 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 398 Off on a great adventure

  • 399 Jumble sale fever

  • 400 Northam's almshouse

  • 401 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 402 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 403 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 404 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 405

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 406 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 407 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 408 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 409 Bideford regatta

  • 410 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 411 Emergency ferry services

  • 412 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 413 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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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  • 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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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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Introducing The Newcombe Special

Ten weeks’ spare time work went into the making of this primrose coloured hill climb and trials special, pictured here a few days after coming off its solo assembly line.

5.8.1960 Newcombe transport

Builder and owner of the care is 23 years old Mr Peter Newcombe, 9 Coldharbour, Bideford, who is employed at Raleigh Garage, Bideford. 

Using equipment borrowed from the garage, Mr Newcombe has been working on it in the evenings and other spare time. Most of the components of the car are new, but a few have come from a variety of other cars, so that it is a hybrid. Motive power behind the special is a Ford engine of about 800cc. There is also a Ford gear box and back axle.
The body work is all hand made – “I just bent and hoped” Mr Newcombe told a Gazette reporter. Here welding equipment from the garage was used.
The special has had trials on the roads, but Mr Newcombe is not sure when he will start using it for trials, as several modifications have yet to be made. “ Mostly curing of rattles” he explained with a smile.
Extra weight is also needed. Although the car is not built for high speeds – the low gears necessary for hill climbs limit speed – when she does get going she is inclined to jump about a bit at present. Grass track racing without more weight is also out of the question. “If I had her on a grass track at the moment she would just spin”, said Mr Newcombe.
But he is satisfied with the progress of his machine so far, and hopes it will not be long before it is ready for its intended purpose.

Gazette article dated 5 August 1960

Two Way Traffic

Whether you travel by Penny Farthing, Steam Roller, Rolls, Mini, or Shank’s Pony

3.3.1972 Meddon Street

Meddon Street Is Open To Two-Way Traffic.
Customers welcome as usual at: Bideford Motors, access bottom of Torridge Hill: Comer’s Fish Bar; I Glover, Meddon Street Bakeries; Hopkins Garage, ND SAAB Dealers; Meddon Galleries, Pictures and Framing; Mitchells Pain Shop, Signwriting, etc; E Northwood and Co, Antiques and Property Sales; Miss F Taylor, Draper and Milliner; Reubery’s Fruit and Vegetable Shop.
Article dated 3 March 1972

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