• 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 Can spring be far away?

  • 2 Ships at Bideford

  • 3 113 years at Instow

  • 4 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 5 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 6 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 7 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 8 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 9 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 10 Clovelly custom

  • 11 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 12 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 13 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 14 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 15

    Bidefordians
  • 16 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 17 Sweets derationing

  • 18 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 19 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 20 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 21 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 22 From Bobby to Brian

  • 23 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 24 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 25 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 26 New Post Office

  • 27 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 28 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 29

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 30 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 31 When horses score over the tractor

  • 32 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 33 Modern living at Bideford

  • 34 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 35 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 36 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 37 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 38 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 39

    Relatives all over the world
  • 40 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 41 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 42 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 43 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 44 New life for Hartland organ

  • 45 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 46 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 47 Private home for public pump

  • 48 Torrington's new amenity

  • 49 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 50 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 51 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 52 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 53 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 54 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 55 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 56 A story to tell!

  • 57 Bideford computer stars

  • 58 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 59 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 60 Penny for the guy

  • 61 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 62 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 63 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 65 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 66 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 67 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 68 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 69 Police station view of Bideford

  • 70 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 71 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 72

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 73 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 74 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 75

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 76 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 77 Hartland postman retires

  • 78 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 79 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 80

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 81

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 82 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 83 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 84 Twenty-one yachts

  • 85 Recognise this resort?

  • 86 Weare Giffard potato

  • 87 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 88 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 89 Life begins at 80

  • 90 Devil sent packing

  • 91 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 92 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 93 No sale of Springfield House

  • 94 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 95 New Lundy stamps

  • 96 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 97 Over the bank together>
  • 98 School crossing patrol begins

  • 99 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 100 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 101 Hartland's invitation

  • 102 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 103 First ship in 8 years

  • 104 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 105 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 106 Parkham plan realised

  • 107 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 108 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 109 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 110 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 111 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 112 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 113 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 114 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 115 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 116 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 117 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 118

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 119 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 120 Bideford loses training ship

  • 121 The cab at the corner>
  • 122 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 123 A roof-top view - where?

  • 124

    Building works
  • 125 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 126 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 127 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 128 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 129 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 130 Torrington children build igloo
  • 131 All for the love of a lady!

  • 132 New addition to Quay front

  • 133 Some mushroom!

  • 134 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 135 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 136 Circus comes to town

  • 137 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 138 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 139 Six footed lamb

  • 140 They are parted pro-tem

  • 141 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 142 Picking the pops

  • 143 Finished in 1876

  • 144 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 145

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 146 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 147 Traditions and skills still there

  • 148 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 149 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 150 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 151 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 152 Capers on the cobbles

  • 153 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 154 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 155 Loads of black and white

  • 156 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 157 All aboard the ark

  • 158 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 160 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 161 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 162 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 163 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 164 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 165 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 166 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 167 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 168 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 169 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 170 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 171 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 172 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 173 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 174 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 175 Appledore's largest

  • 176 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 177 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 178 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 179 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 180

    New gateway
  • 181

    Was a missionary
  • 182 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 183 Sight of a lifetime

  • 184 Emergency ferry services

  • 185

    Married in 1908
  • 186 Jumble sale fever

  • 187 Centenary of Gazette

  • 188 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 189 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 190 Bridging the stream

  • 191 In their new robes and hats

  • 192 The art of the thatcher

  • 193 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 194 New shipyard on schedule

  • 195 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 196

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 197 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 198 It really was the 'last time'

  • 199 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 200 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 201 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 202 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 203 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 204 Riverside mystery

  • 205 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 206 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 207 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 208

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 209 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 210 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 211 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 212 Northam footballers of the future

  • 213 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 214

    First prize
  • 215 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 216 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 217 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 219 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 221 What's the time?

  • 222 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 223 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 224 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 225 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 226 By pony and trap to market

  • 227

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 228

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 229 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 230 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 231 Revenge in style

  • 232 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 233

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 234 Artisans' Club

  • 235 Blanchards ad.>
  • 236

    Exhibition of school work
  • 237 A man and his wheel

  • 238 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 239 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 240

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 241 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 242 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 243 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 244 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 245 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 246 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 247 Littleham family's five generations

  • 248

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 249 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 250 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 251 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 252 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 253 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 254 Variety in summer weather

  • 255 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 256 Simple Item 138
  • 257 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 258 Burnard family reunion

  • 259 Clovelly nightmare

  • 260 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 261 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 262 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 263 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 264 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 265 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 266 Warmington's garage ad

  • 267 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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

  • 269 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 270 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 271 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 272 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 273 Last train from Torrington

  • 274 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 276 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 277 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 278 Picking the pops

  • 279 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 280 Happy Days!

  • 281 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 282 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 283 Pannier Market's future?

  • 284 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 285 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 286

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 287

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 288 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 289 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 290 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 291 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 292 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 293 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 294 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 295 The Geneva marionettes

  • 296 School's link with cargo ship

  • 297 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 298 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 299 Off on a great adventure

  • 300 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 301 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 302 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 303 Northam's almshouse

  • 304

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 305 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 306 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 307 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 308 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 309 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 311 Waldon Triplets
  • 312 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 313 Bideford regatta

  • 314

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 315

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 316 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 317 For crying out loud!

  • 318 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 319

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 320 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 321 Peter poses for TV film

  • 322 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 323 Caught in the act>
  • 324 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 325 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 326 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 327 He beat the floods

  • 328

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 329 Just over a year old

  • 330 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 331 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 332 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 333 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 334 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 335 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 336 Filming at Hartland

  • 337 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 338 Service with a smile

  • 339 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 340 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 341 New art gallery opened

  • 342 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 343 New civic medallions

  • 344 No laughing matter

  • 345 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 346 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 347 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 348 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 349 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 350 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 351 Cruising down the river

  • 352 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 353 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 354 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 356 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 357 Torrington in 1967

  • 358 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 359 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 360

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 361 New look in the hayfields

  • 362 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 363 Decontrol of meat

  • 364 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 365 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 366 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 367 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 368 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 369 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 370 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 371 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 372 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 373 Puppet characters introduced

  • 374 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 375 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 376 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 377 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 378 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 379 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 380 Mobile missionary

  • 381 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 382 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 383 Hartland Dancers
  • 384 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 385 A bird of their own!

  • 386

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 387 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 388 So this is the mainland!

  • 389 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 390 Some 240 exhibits

  • 391

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 392 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 393 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 394 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 395 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 396 North Devon Driving School

  • 397 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 398 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 399 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 400 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 401 Out of puff!

  • 402 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 403 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 404 End of the line

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

  • 406 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 407

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 408 New choral society's growing response

  • 409 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 410 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 411 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 412 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 413 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 414 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 415 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 416 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 417 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 418 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 419 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 420 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 421 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 422 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

Mystery

Church Youth Fellowship

Witches and Ghost at Party

Witches and ghost 7.11.1958

Twenty-nine young people attended a Halloween party at Torrington Church Hall on Friday night.

The party was organised by the Church Youth Fellowship, under Mr E Smith and Mr Walter Webber (Church Sunday School Supt) helped by other members of the club’s adult advisory committee.

Games were run by Mr Smith and Miss L Matthews. There were two girls, Janet Squire and Jennifer Short, wearing ‘witches’ costumes and another, Helen Smale, dressed as a ‘ghost’.

Refreshments were provided by the young people themselves and served by the older committee members.

Gazette article dated 7 November 1958

Three Years On Its Way

Postal order at Appledore

9.1.1959 Appledore postal order

It took three years for a postal order gift to travel from Irsha Street to Meeting Street, Appledore.
The postal order of five shillings was sent in 1955 by Miss M Arnold, of Irsha Street, to the two children of Mrs Whitlock of Cullompton. Mrs Whitlock spends Christmas with her aunt, Mrs D Slade, at Meeting Street, and it was to this address that the postal order was sent.
It arrived with another postal order of five shillings – this year’s gift to the children from Miss Arnold – on the Monday after Christmas.
It was not until Mrs Whitlock had seen Miss Arnold to thank her for the two postal orders that this was discovered.
As it is not possible to cash a postal order which is so old, Mrs Whitlock is to see the Bideford Head Postmaster about it.
Gazette article dated 9 January 1959

  • 1

Login Form