• 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 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 2 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 3 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 4 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 5 Hartland's invitation

  • 6 Jumble sale fever

  • 7 He beat the floods

  • 8 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 9 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 10 Life begins at 80

  • 11

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 12

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 13 Twenty-one yachts

  • 14 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 15 New shipyard on schedule

  • 16 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 17 It really was the 'last time'

  • 18 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 19 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 20 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 21 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 22 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 23 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 24 New choral society's growing response

  • 25 Cruising down the river

  • 26 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 27

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 28 New civic medallions

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

  • 30 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 31 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 32 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 33 Riverside mystery

  • 34 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 35 Private home for public pump

  • 36 New look in the hayfields

  • 37 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 38 What's the time?

  • 39 Appledore's largest

  • 40 Just over a year old

  • 41 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 42 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 43 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 44 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 45 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 46 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 47 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 48

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 49 Sweets derationing

  • 50 Clovelly nightmare

  • 51 The cab at the corner>
  • 52 Simple Item 138
  • 53 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 54 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 55 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 56 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 57 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 58 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 59 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 60 All aboard the ark

  • 61 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 62 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 63

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 64 Revenge in style

  • 65 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 66 Hartland postman retires

  • 67 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 68 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 69 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 70 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 71 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 72 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 73 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 74 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 75 No sale of Springfield House

  • 76 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 77 Torrington children build igloo
  • 78 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 79

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 80 Sight of a lifetime

  • 81 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 82

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 83 New art gallery opened

  • 84

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 85 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 86 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 87 Devil sent packing

  • 88 Waldon Triplets
  • 89 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 90 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 91 Over the bank together>
  • 92

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 93 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 94 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 95 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 96 A story to tell!

  • 97 Some 240 exhibits

  • 98 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 99 No laughing matter

  • 100 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 101 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 102 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

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

  • 104 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 105 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 106 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 107 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 108 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 109 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 110 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 111 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 112 Finished in 1876

  • 113 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 114 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 115 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 116 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 117 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 118 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 119 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 120 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 121 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 122 Bridging the stream

  • 123 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 124 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 125 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 126 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 127 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 128 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 129 New addition to Quay front

  • 130 School's link with cargo ship

  • 131 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 132 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 133 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 134 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 135 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 136 Picking the pops

  • 137 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 138 Puppet characters introduced

  • 139 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 140 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 141 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 142

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 143 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 144 Off on a great adventure

  • 145 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 146 New Post Office

  • 147 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 148 Burnard family reunion

  • 149 The art of the thatcher

  • 150 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 151 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 152 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 153

    Exhibition of school work
  • 154 End of the line

  • 155 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 156 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 157 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 158 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 159 Modern living at Bideford

  • 160 Artisans' Club

  • 161 Police station view of Bideford

  • 162 Torrington's new amenity

  • 163 Loads of black and white

  • 164 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 165 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 166 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 167 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 168 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 169

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 170 By pony and trap to market

  • 171

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 172 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 173 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 174 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 175 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 176 Littleham family's five generations

  • 177 Recognise this resort?

  • 178 They are parted pro-tem

  • 179 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 180 First ship in 8 years

  • 181 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 182 A man and his wheel

  • 183

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 184 Hartland Dancers
  • 185 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 186 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 188 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 189 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 190 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 191 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 192 Decontrol of meat

  • 193 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 194 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 195 Clovelly custom

  • 196 Emergency ferry services

  • 197 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 198 All for the love of a lady!

  • 199 Warmington's garage ad

  • 200 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 201 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 202 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 203 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 204 Caught in the act>
  • 205 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 206 A bird of their own!

  • 207 A roof-top view - where?

  • 208 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 209 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 210

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 211

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 212 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 213 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 214 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 215 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 216 Bideford computer stars

  • 217 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 218 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 219

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 220 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 221 Penny for the guy

  • 222 Peter poses for TV film

  • 223 Last train from Torrington

  • 224 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 225 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 226 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 227 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 228 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 229

    First prize
  • 230 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 231 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 232

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 233 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 235 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 236 Mobile missionary

  • 237 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 238

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 239

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 240 Ten year old scrambler

  • 241 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 242 Parkham plan realised

  • 243 Out of puff!

  • 244 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 245 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 246 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 247 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 248 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 249 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 250 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 251 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 252 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 253 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 254 Up-to-date Bideford!

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

  • 256

    Building works
  • 257 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 258

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 259 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 260 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 261 Happy Days!

  • 262 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 263

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 264 Blanchards ad.>
  • 265 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 266 Bideford regatta

  • 267 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 268 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 269 113 years at Instow

  • 270 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 271 Six footed lamb

  • 272 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 274 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 275 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 276 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 277 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 278 Northam footballers of the future

  • 279 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 280 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 281 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 282 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 283 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 284 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 285 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 286 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 287 Filming at Hartland

  • 288 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 289 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 290 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 291

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 292 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 293 Can spring be far away?

  • 294 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 295 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 296 When horses score over the tractor

  • 297 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 298 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 299 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 300 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 301 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 302 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 303 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 304 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 305 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 306 Sooty is quick on the draw

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

  • 308 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 309 Bideford loses training ship

  • 310 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 311 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 312 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 313 Northam's almshouse

  • 314 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 315 Some mushroom!

  • 316 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 317 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 318 Weare Giffard potato

  • 319 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 320 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 321 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 322 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 323 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 324 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 325 Variety in summer weather

  • 326 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 327 Traditions and skills still there

  • 328

    Relatives all over the world
  • 329

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 330 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 331 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 332 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 333 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 334 Pannier Market's future?

  • 335 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 336 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 337 New life for Hartland organ

  • 338 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 339

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 340 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 341 Circus comes to town

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

  • 343 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 344 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 345 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 346 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 347 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 348 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 349 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 350 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 351 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 352 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 353 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 354 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 355 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 356 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 357 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 358 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 359 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 360 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 361 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 362 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 363 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 364 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 365 Service with a smile

  • 366 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 367 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 369 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 370 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 371 North Devon Driving School

  • 372

    Was a missionary
  • 373 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 374 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 375 Ships at Bideford

  • 376 In their new robes and hats

  • 377

    Married in 1908
  • 378 From Bobby to Brian

  • 379 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 380 For crying out loud!

  • 381 So this is the mainland!

  • 382 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 383 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 384 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 385 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 386 Centenary of Gazette

  • 387 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 388 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 389 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 390 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 391 Picking the pops

  • 392 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 393

    Bidefordians
  • 394 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 395 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 396 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 397 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 398 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 399 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 400 Capers on the cobbles

  • 401 They set out for Bideford and became lost

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

  • 403 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 404 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 405 School crossing patrol begins

  • 406 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 407 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 408 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 409 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 410 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 411

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 412 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 413 Torrington in 1967

  • 414 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 415

    New gateway
  • 416 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 417 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 418 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

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

  • 420 New Lundy stamps

  • 421 The Geneva marionettes

  • 422 Practical sympathy at Northam

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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Leon Goossens Revisits Bideford Music Club

The concert presented by the Bideford Music Club on Sunday gave Bideford once again the opportunity of hearing the finest oboe player in the world.

1950 Bideford Music Club

The reputation of Leon Goossens is too well known to need any comment, and the full hall showed that his visit was much appreciated. His accompanist this time was Mabel Lovering, who also contributed a group of piano solos.
The next concert on March 19th will be something of a novelty for Bideford. It is a horn and clarinet quintet.
The full Gazette article is dated 24 February 1950

Concert By Bideford Ladies’ Choir

An enjoyable concert was given at Bideford Grammar School on February 8th by the Bideford Ladies choir (conductor Edith Mills) and some pupils of Miss Mills.

1950 Bideford Ladies Choir

The concert was in aid of the Bideford Music Club who, owing to the expense of the Oriana Madrigal Society’s visit, had been slightly down financially on the concert.
Unfortunately the inclement weather kept many away and there was only a small audience. Soloists in the choral sections were Mrs Tyreman and Mrs Green.
The pupils of Miss Mills who took part were Miss Gladys Prouse, Miss Christine Stephens and Mr Henry Thorne.
Miss Jennings and Mrs Blackmore were the accompanists.
The full Gazette article is dated 10 February 1950

Bideford Methodist Circuit Rally And Autumn Fair

Grand Concert

6.10.1950 Grand concert

Will be given at Bridge Street Methodist Church
On
Wednesday October 11th 1950
At 7pm
Chair to be taken by Councillor A K Chope (Deputy Mayor)
Guest Artistes:
Jan Van Der Gught, BBC Tenor
Ruth Davey Contralto (Torquay)
Supported by The full Methodist Circuit Choir
Conductor: Mr W R Blackmore
Solo Organ: Gordon Richards
Programmes 2/6 each. Collection.
Programmes obtainable at Messrs Chopes, Nicklins and Hannaford, East-the-Water PO
Proceeds in aid of circuit funds

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