• 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 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 2 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 3 Twenty-one yachts

  • 4 North Devon Driving School

  • 5 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 6 Hartland Dancers
  • 7 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 8 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 9 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 10 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 11 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 12 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 13 Weare Giffard potato

  • 14 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 15 Artisans' Club

  • 16 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 17 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 18 Waldon Triplets
  • 19 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 20 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 21 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 22 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 23 Centenary of Gazette

  • 24 Sight of a lifetime

  • 25 Burnard family reunion

  • 26 He beat the floods

  • 27 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 28 A bird of their own!

  • 29 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 30 Finished in 1876

  • 31 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 32 Clovelly custom

  • 33 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 34 Warmington's garage ad

  • 35

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 36

    Exhibition of school work
  • 37 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 38 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 39 Variety in summer weather

  • 40 Police station view of Bideford

  • 41 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 42 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 43 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

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

  • 45 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 46 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 47 End of the line

  • 48 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 49 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 50

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 51 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 52

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 53 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 54 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 55 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 56 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 57 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 58 When horses score over the tractor

  • 59 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 60 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 61 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 62 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 63 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 64

    Married in 1908
  • 65 Torrington children build igloo
  • 66 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 67 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 68 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 69 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 70 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 71 Puppet characters introduced

  • 72 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 73 Service with a smile

  • 74 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 75 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 76 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 77 The cab at the corner>
  • 78 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 79 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 80 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 81 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 82 Hartland's invitation

  • 83 A roof-top view - where?

  • 84 No sale of Springfield House

  • 85 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 86 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 87 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 88 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 90 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 91 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 92

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 93 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 94 Modern living at Bideford

  • 95

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 96 Just over a year old

  • 97 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 98 Littleham family's five generations

  • 99 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 100

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 101 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 102 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 103 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 104 No laughing matter

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

  • 106 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 107 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 108 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 109 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 110 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 111

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 112 113 years at Instow

  • 113 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 114 New life for Hartland organ

  • 115 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 116

    Bidefordians
  • 117 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 118 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 119 Some 240 exhibits

  • 120 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 121 Northam footballers of the future

  • 122 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 123

    New gateway
  • 124

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 125 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 126 Hartland postman retires

  • 127 Devil sent packing

  • 128 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 129 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 130 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 131 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 132 Ten year old scrambler

  • 133

    First prize
  • 134 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 135 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 136 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 137 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 138 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 139 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 140 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 142 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 143 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 144 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 145 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 146 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 147 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 148 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 150 Mobile missionary

  • 151 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 152 Revenge in style

  • 153 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 154 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 155 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 156 Last train from Torrington

  • 157 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 158 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 159 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 160 Jumble sale fever

  • 161 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 162 Bridging the stream

  • 163 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 164 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 165 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 166 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 167 The art of the thatcher

  • 168 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 169 So this is the mainland!

  • 170

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 171 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 172 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 173 Northam's almshouse

  • 174 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 175 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 176 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 177 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 178 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 179 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 180

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 181 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 182 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 183 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 184 New art gallery opened

  • 185 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 186 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 187 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 188 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 189 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 190

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 191 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 192 Filming at Hartland

  • 193 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 194 All aboard the ark

  • 195 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 196 Riverside mystery

  • 197 New choral society's growing response

  • 198 Can spring be far away?

  • 199 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 200 The Geneva marionettes

  • 201

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 202

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 203 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 204 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 205 Decontrol of meat

  • 206 Pannier Market's future?

  • 207 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 208 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 209 They are parted pro-tem

  • 210 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 211 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 212 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 213 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 214

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 215 Bideford computer stars

  • 216 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 217 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 218 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 219 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 220 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 221 Circus comes to town

  • 222

    Was a missionary
  • 223 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 224 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 225 Bideford loses training ship

  • 226 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 228 Ships at Bideford

  • 229 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 231

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 232 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 233 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 234 Life begins at 80

  • 235 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 236 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 237 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 238 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 239 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 240 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 241 School's link with cargo ship

  • 242 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 243 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 244 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 245 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 246 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 247 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 248 Torrington's new amenity

  • 249 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 250 Cruising down the river

  • 251

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 252 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 253 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 254 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 255 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 256 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 257 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 258 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 259 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 260 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 261 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 262 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 263 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 264

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 265 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 266 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 267 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 268 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 269 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 270

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

  • 272 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 273 Six footed lamb

  • 274 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 275 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 276 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 277 Happy Days!

  • 278 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 279 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 280 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 281 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 282 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 283 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 284

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 285 Picking the pops

  • 286 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 287 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 288 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 289 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 290

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 291 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 292 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 293 Sweets derationing

  • 294 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 295 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 296 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 297 From Bobby to Brian

  • 298 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 299 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 300 Peter poses for TV film

  • 301 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 302 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 303 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 304 Penny for the guy

  • 305 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 306 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 307 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 308 Private home for public pump

  • 309 New Lundy stamps

  • 310 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 311 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 312 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 313 New look in the hayfields

  • 314 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 315

    Building works
  • 316 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 317 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 318 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 319 Clovelly nightmare

  • 320 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 321

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 322 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 323 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 324 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 325 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 326 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 327 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 328 All for the love of a lady!

  • 329 Simple Item 138
  • 330 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 331 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 332

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 333 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 334 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 336 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 337 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 338 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 339 A story to tell!

  • 340

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 341 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 342 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 343 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 344 Emergency ferry services

  • 345 Appledore's largest

  • 346 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 347 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 348 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 349 A man and his wheel

  • 350 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 351 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 352 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 353 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 354 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 355 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 356 New shipyard on schedule

  • 357 Parkham plan realised

  • 358 A craftsman's 'potted' history

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

  • 360 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 361 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 362 New addition to Quay front

  • 363 New Post Office

  • 364 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 365 New civic medallions

  • 366 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 367 Bideford regatta

  • 368 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 369 First ship in 8 years

  • 370 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 372 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 373 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 374 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 375 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 376 Recognise this resort?

  • 377 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 378 Capers on the cobbles

  • 379 Some mushroom!

  • 380 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 381 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 382 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 383 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 384 Loads of black and white

  • 385 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 386 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 387 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 388 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 389

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 390 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 391

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 392 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 393 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 394 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 395 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 396 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 397 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 398 It really was the 'last time'

  • 399 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 400 By pony and trap to market

  • 401 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 402

    Relatives all over the world
  • 403 What's the time?

  • 404 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 405 Picking the pops

  • 406 School crossing patrol begins

  • 407 In their new robes and hats

  • 408 For crying out loud!

  • 409 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 410 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 411 Traditions and skills still there

  • 412 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 413 Off on a great adventure

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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  • 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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  • 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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Policemen’s Heroism Recognised

Two local police officers who risked their lives last November to rescue a 15 year old Bideford teenager from drowning have been awarded the Royal Humane Society’e testimonial on vellum.

4.5.1973 police heroes

They are PC Peter Murphy, who lives in Clifton Street, Bideford, and Motor Patrol Constable John Truelove who lives at Westward Ho!
The boy they rescued, Paul Reeve, of the Stores Café, Barnstaple Street, Bideford, had gone into the River Torridge to swim to his parents’ boat when he got into difficulties in the ice cold water.
A 999 call brought the two officers to the scene and between them they brought the boy to shore safely.
Paul’s father, Mr Roy Reeve, said afterward: “We would have lost our son if it had not been for their action which was beyond the call of duty.”
Gazette article dated 5 May 1973

And WPC Christine Joins The Bideford Scene

The Sex Discrimination Act may have brought its fair share of controversy and problems, but at Bideford at least it has one compensation – the town now has its first woman police officer.

6.2.1976 Christine Short

But any locals who feel they might ‘get away’ with anything when faced with a slim 23 year old brunette instead of a burly six-fott ‘bobby’ are likely to be sadly disappointed.
For WPC Christine Short of Westward Ho! is an experienced officer, having served with the Bristol force for two and a half years and then at Barnstaple before moving to Bideford. “I arrested several while at Bristol” was her cool reply when asked what she would do if confronted, for instance, with a drunk.
Her posting to Bideford was something of a homecoming for Christine, for her parents, Mr and Mrs William Pickett, live at Burrough Road, Northam.
She lives with her husband Tony – also a police officer – in a Westward Ho! police house.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 February 1976

Coming soon!

 

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