• 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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    Exhibition of school work
  • 2 A story to tell!

  • 3 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 4 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 5 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 7 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 8 First ship in 8 years

  • 9 Finished in 1876

  • 10 Six footed lamb

  • 11 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 12 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 13 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 14 The cab at the corner>
  • 15 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 16 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 17 Torrington children build igloo
  • 18 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 19 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 20 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 21 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 22 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 23 When horses score over the tractor

  • 24 New look in the hayfields

  • 25

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 26 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 27 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 28 Happy Days!

  • 29 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 30 New art gallery opened

  • 31 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 32 Northam footballers of the future

  • 33 New Lundy stamps

  • 34 Pannier Market's future?

  • 35 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 36 Over the bank together>
  • 37 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 38 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 39 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 40 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 41 Hartland's invitation

  • 42 Bideford regatta

  • 43 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 44 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 45 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 46 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 47 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 48 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 49

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 50 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 51 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 52 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 53 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 54 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 55 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 56 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 57 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 58 For crying out loud!

  • 59 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 60 Burnard family reunion

  • 61 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 62 Warmington's garage ad

  • 63 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 64 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 65 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 66 Last train from Torrington

  • 67 Just over a year old

  • 68 The art of the thatcher

  • 69

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 70 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 71 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 72 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 73 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 74 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 75

    Bidefordians
  • 76 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 77 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 78 School crossing patrol begins

  • 79 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 80

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 81 Riverside mystery

  • 82

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 83 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 84 It really was the 'last time'

  • 85 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 86 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 87

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 88 Capers on the cobbles

  • 89 Sweets derationing

  • 90 Hartland postman retires

  • 91

    First prize
  • 92 Traditions and skills still there

  • 93 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 94 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 95 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 97

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 98

    Relatives all over the world
  • 99 Hartland Dancers
  • 100

    Building works
  • 101 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 102 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 103

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 104 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 105 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 106 Picking the pops

  • 107 New civic medallions

  • 108 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 109 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 110 Twenty-one yachts

  • 111

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 112 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 113 Clovelly custom

  • 114 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 115 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 116

    Was a missionary
  • 117 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 118 Torrington's new amenity

  • 119 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 120 Blanchards ad.>
  • 121 A bird of their own!

  • 122

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 123 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 124 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 125 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 126 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 127 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 128 Recognise this resort?

  • 129 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 130 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 131 Revenge in style

  • 132 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 133 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 134 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 135

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 136 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 137 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 138 Some 240 exhibits

  • 139 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 140 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 141 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 142 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 143 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 144 Sight of a lifetime

  • 145 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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

  • 147 Bridging the stream

  • 148 A roof-top view - where?

  • 149 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 150 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 151 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 152

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 153 No sale of Springfield House

  • 154 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 155 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 156 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 157 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 158

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 159 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 160 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 161 Penny for the guy

  • 162 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 163 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 164 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 165 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 166 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 167 End of the line

  • 168 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 169 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 170 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 171 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 172 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 173 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 174 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 175 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 176 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 177 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 178 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 179 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 181 Loads of black and white

  • 182 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 183 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 184 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 185 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 186 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 187 Police station view of Bideford

  • 188 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 189 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 190 What's the time?

  • 191 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 192 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 193 The Geneva marionettes

  • 194 He beat the floods

  • 195 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 196 Parkham plan realised

  • 197

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 198 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 199 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 200 Some mushroom!

  • 201 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 202 Peter poses for TV film

  • 203 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 204 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 205 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 206 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 207 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 208 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 209 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 210 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 211 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 212 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 213 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 214 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 215 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 216 No laughing matter

  • 217 Out of puff!

  • 218 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 219 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 220 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 221 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 222 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 223 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 224 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 225 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 226 Variety in summer weather

  • 227 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 229 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 230 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 231 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 232

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 233 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 234 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 235 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 236 New choral society's growing response

  • 237 School's link with cargo ship

  • 238 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 239 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 240 Picking the pops

  • 241 New shipyard on schedule

  • 242 Modern living at Bideford

  • 243 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 244 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 245 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 246 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 247 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 248 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 249 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 250 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 251 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 252 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 253 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 254

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 255 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 256 From Bobby to Brian

  • 257 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 258 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 259 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 261 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 262 Caught in the act>
  • 263 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 264 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 265 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 266 They are parted pro-tem

  • 267 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 268 Appledore's largest

  • 269 Filming at Hartland

  • 270 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 271 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 272 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 273 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 274 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 275 Waldon Triplets
  • 276 Ships at Bideford

  • 277 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 278 Off on a great adventure

  • 279 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 280 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 281 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 282 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 283 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 284 A man and his wheel

  • 285 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 287 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 288

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 289 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 290 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 291 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 292 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 293 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 294 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 295

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 296 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 297 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 298 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 299 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 300 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 301 Can spring be far away?

  • 302 New addition to Quay front

  • 303 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 304 Northam's almshouse

  • 305 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 306 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 307 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 308 New life for Hartland organ

  • 309 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 310 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 311 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 312 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 313 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 314 Torrington in 1967

  • 315 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 316 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 317

    New gateway
  • 318 Decontrol of meat

  • 319 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 320 Artisans' Club

  • 321 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 322 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 323 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 324 Centenary of Gazette

  • 325 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 326

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 327 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 328 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 329 New Post Office

  • 330 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 331 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 332 In their new robes and hats

  • 333 By pony and trap to market

  • 334 All aboard the ark

  • 335 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 336 Service with a smile

  • 337 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 338 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 339 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 340 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 341 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 342 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 343 Clovelly nightmare

  • 344 Mobile missionary

  • 345 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 346 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 347 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 348 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 349 113 years at Instow

  • 350 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 351 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 352 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 353 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 354 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 355 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 356 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 357 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 358 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 359 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 360 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 361 Simple Item 138
  • 362 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 363 Emergency ferry services

  • 364 Devil sent packing

  • 365 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 366 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 367 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 368 Circus comes to town

  • 369 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 370 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 371 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 372 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 373 All for the love of a lady!

  • 374 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 375

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 376 So this is the mainland!

  • 377 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 378

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 379 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 380 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 381 Ten year old scrambler

  • 382 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 383 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 384 Puppet characters introduced

  • 385 Bideford computer stars

  • 386 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 387 Littleham family's five generations

  • 388

    Married in 1908
  • 389 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 390 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 391 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 392 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

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

  • 395 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 396 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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

  • 398 Bideford loses training ship

  • 399

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 400

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 401 Life begins at 80

  • 402 Jumble sale fever

  • 403 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 404 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 405 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 406 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 407 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 408 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 409

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 410 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 411 Cruising down the river

  • 412

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 413 Colour TV salesman at eight

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

  • 415 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 417 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 418 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 419 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 420 Private home for public pump

  • 421 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 422 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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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  • 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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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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Mr Stork busy

Holds Up Hospital’s Decoration Plans

To and from Torrington Cottage Hospital, in the Christmas rush, went Mr Stork last week.

He made so many calls that he held up the hospital’s plans for Christmas decorations and entertainment.

The recently re-opened maternity ward at the hospital had been so busy that the festoons of decorations, usually put up in the windows of the hospital some time before Christmas, were delayed and had been missed by passers-by.

When a Bideford Gazette reporter called at the hospital at the weekend he found staff members hurrying to decorate the hospital in time for Christmas.
Commented Maternity Sister E Kave “I have been up since three o’clock this morning on duty in the maternity ward. Three babies have been born in the last few days and now four more are expected. So you can see we haven’t had a lot of time for the usual festive plans”.

24.12.1958 Torrington Cottage Hospital

Gazette article dated 24 December 1958

Gold Badge For 50-Pint Bideford Blood Donor

A Gold Badge for having given 50 pints of his blood

is presented to Mr Jack Sinclair at a blood transfusion service session at Bideford.

1.2.1974 Bideford Sinclair blood1

In the picture the Mayor of Bideford, Major E Hill, is seen presenting the badge, together with a certificate, to Mr Sinclair

Mr Sinclair, who lives in Geneva Place, Bideford, is caretaker of Bideford County Secondary School. He is a former Scoutmaster of the 2nd Bideford Group.

Fifty of the 168 donors at this latest session were new ones. Never before had they had so many new donors, said Miss P Durant, commandant of Devon 48 detachment of the Red Cross and for many years a local organiser for blood-doning sessions. “It is a most encouraging response, but we are looking for more” she added. “There is an opportunity for other new donors to come forward at Bideford at a session on March 7”.

In Red Cross uniform are Miss D Thomas, one of the local blood-doning session organisers, Miss P Durant and Miss P Gammon, North Devon area organiser.

Gazette article dated 1 February 1974

Mass Radiography Service

SAFEGUARD YOUR HEALTH

Chest x ray 10.9.1965

Have a chest x-ray
AT BIDEFORD – THE PILL CAR PARK
(By Strand Cinema)

THURSDAY 16TH SEPT. AND THURSDAY 30 SEPT.
From 2pm to 3pm every day

FREE CHEST X-RAYS FOR ALL OVER 15 YEARS

Gazette article dated 10 September 1965

 

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