• 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 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 2 From Bobby to Brian

  • 3 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 4

    First prize
  • 5 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 6 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 7 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 8 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 9 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 10 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 11 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 12 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 13 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 14

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 15 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 16 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 17 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 18 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 19 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 20 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 21 Bridging the stream

  • 22 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 23 Hartland Dancers
  • 24 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 25 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 26 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 27 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 28 Bideford regatta

  • 29 Finished in 1876

  • 30 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 31 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 32 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 33 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 34

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 35 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 36 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 37 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 38 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 39 Hartland postman retires

  • 40 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 41 New art gallery opened

  • 42 Artisans' Club

  • 43 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 44 All for the love of a lady!

  • 45 He beat the floods

  • 46

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 47 New shipyard on schedule

  • 48 New life for Hartland organ

  • 49 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 50 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 51 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 52 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 53 New Lundy stamps

  • 54 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 55 For crying out loud!

  • 56 Service with a smile

  • 57 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 58 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 59 So this is the mainland!

  • 60 New look in the hayfields

  • 61 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 62 Dismantling of wireless mast

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

  • 64 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 65 Ten year old scrambler

  • 66 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 67 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 68 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 69 Torrington's new amenity

  • 70 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 71 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 72 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 73

    Exhibition of school work
  • 74 Decontrol of meat

  • 75 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 76

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 77 Weare Giffard potato

  • 78 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 79 End of the line

  • 80 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 81 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 82 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 83 Cruising down the river

  • 84 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 85 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 86 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 87

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 88 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 89 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 90 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 91 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 92 Twenty-one yachts

  • 93

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 94 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 95 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 96 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 97 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 98 Revenge in style

  • 99 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 101

    Married in 1908
  • 102 Recognise this resort?

  • 103 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 104 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 105 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 106 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 107 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 108 Northam footballers of the future

  • 109 New choral society's growing response

  • 110

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 111 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 112 Picking the pops

  • 113 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 114 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 115 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 116 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 117 Caught in the act>
  • 118 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 120 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 121 School crossing patrol begins

  • 122 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 123 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 124

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 125 Ships at Bideford

  • 126 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 127 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 128 Traditions and skills still there

  • 129

    Bidefordians
  • 130 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 131 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 132 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 133 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 134

    New gateway
  • 135 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 136 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 137 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 138 Northam's almshouse

  • 139 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 140 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 141 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 142 New Post Office

  • 143 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 144 New addition to Quay front

  • 145 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 146 Riverside mystery

  • 147 Parkham plan realised

  • 148 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 149 Happy Days!

  • 150

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 151 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 152 The art of the thatcher

  • 153 Jumble sale fever

  • 154 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 155 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 156 Some mushroom!

  • 157 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 158 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 159 Some 240 exhibits

  • 160

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 161 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 162 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 163 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 164 The Geneva marionettes

  • 165 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 166 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 167 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 168

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 169 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 170 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 171 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 172 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 173 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 174 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 175 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 176 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 177 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 178 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 179 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 180 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 181 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 182 First ship in 8 years

  • 183 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 184 Sight of a lifetime

  • 185 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 186 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 187

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 188 School's link with cargo ship

  • 189 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 190 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 191 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 192 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 194 Hartland's invitation

  • 195 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 196 They are parted pro-tem

  • 197 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 198 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

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

  • 201 Burnard family reunion

  • 202 Filming at Hartland

  • 203 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 204 Last train from Torrington

  • 205 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 206 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 207 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 208 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 209 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 210 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 211 Circus comes to town

  • 212 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 213

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 214

    Building works
  • 215 Appledore's largest

  • 216 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 217 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 218

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 219 Life begins at 80

  • 220 Devil sent packing

  • 221 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 222 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 223 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 224 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 225

    Was a missionary
  • 226 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 228 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 229 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 230 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 231 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 232 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 233 Private home for public pump

  • 234 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 235 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 236 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 237 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 238 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 239 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

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

  • 241 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 242 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 243 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 244 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 245 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 246 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 247 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 248

    Relatives all over the world
  • 249 Can spring be far away?

  • 250 A story to tell!

  • 251 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 252 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 253 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 254 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 255 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 256 Peter poses for TV film

  • 257 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 258 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 259 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 260 Loads of black and white

  • 261 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 262 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 263 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 264 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 265 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 266 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 267 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 268 Modern living at Bideford

  • 269 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 270 Off on a great adventure

  • 271 Six footed lamb

  • 272 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 273 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 274 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 275 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 276 Clovelly custom

  • 277 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 278 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 279

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 280 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 281 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 282 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 283 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 284 113 years at Instow

  • 285 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 286 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 287 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 288 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 289 The cab at the corner>
  • 290 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 291 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 292 Capers on the cobbles

  • 293 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 294 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 295 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 296 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 297 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 298 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 299 New civic medallions

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

  • 301 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 303 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 304 Pannier Market's future?

  • 305 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 306 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 307 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 308 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 309 Blanchards ad.>
  • 310 A roof-top view - where?

  • 311

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 312 In their new robes and hats

  • 313 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 314 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 315

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 316 What's the time?

  • 317 Bideford loses training ship

  • 318 Picking the pops

  • 319 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 320 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 321 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 322 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 323 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 324 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 325 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 326

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 327 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 328 Centenary of Gazette

  • 329 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 330 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 331 No laughing matter

  • 332 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 333 Mobile missionary

  • 334 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 335 Torrington children build igloo
  • 336 A man and his wheel

  • 337 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 338 Penny for the guy

  • 339 Simple Item 138
  • 340 When horses score over the tractor

  • 341 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 342 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 343 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 344 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 345 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 346 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 347 Puppet characters introduced

  • 348 Clovelly nightmare

  • 349 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 350 Just over a year old

  • 351 North Devon Driving School

  • 352 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 353 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 354 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 355

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 356 It really was the 'last time'

  • 357 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 358 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 359 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 360 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 361 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 362 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 363 Warmington's garage ad

  • 364 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 365 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 366 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 368 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 369 By pony and trap to market

  • 370 Littleham family's five generations

  • 371 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 372 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 373 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 374 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 375 Sweets derationing

  • 376 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 377 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 378 Waldon Triplets
  • 379

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 380

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 381 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 382 All aboard the ark

  • 383 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 384 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 385 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 386 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 387 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 388

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 389 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 390 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 391 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 392 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 393 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 394 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 395 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 396 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 397 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 398

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 399 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 400 Emergency ferry services

  • 401 Torrington in 1967

  • 402 Police station view of Bideford

  • 403 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 404

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 405 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 406 Over the bank together>
  • 407 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 408 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 409 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 410 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 411 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 412 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 413 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 414 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 415 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 416 No sale of Springfield House

  • 417

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 418 Out of puff!

  • 419 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 421 A bird of their own!

  • 422 Saving money, wear and tear

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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  • 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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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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