• 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 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 2 Twenty-one yachts

  • 3 Just over a year old

  • 4 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 5 New choral society's growing response

  • 6 A man and his wheel

  • 7 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 8 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 9 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 10 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 11 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 12 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 13 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 14 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 15

    New gateway
  • 16 Ships at Bideford

  • 17 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 18 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 19 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 20 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 21 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 22 Mobile missionary

  • 23 113 years at Instow

  • 24 Torrington's new amenity

  • 25 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 26 So this is the mainland!

  • 27 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 28 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 29 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 31 It really was the 'last time'

  • 32 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 33

    Exhibition of school work
  • 34 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 35 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 36 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 37 Finished in 1876

  • 38

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 39 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 40 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 41 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 42 Life begins at 80

  • 43 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 44 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 45 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 46 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 47 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 48 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 49 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 50 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 51 The Geneva marionettes

  • 52 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 53 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 54 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 55 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 56 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 57 All aboard the ark

  • 58 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 59 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 60 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 61 Revenge in style

  • 62 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 63 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 64 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 65 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 66 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 67 Clovelly nightmare

  • 68

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 69 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 70 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 71 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 72 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 73 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 74 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 75 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 76 Blanchards ad.>
  • 77 Six footed lamb

  • 78 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 79 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 80 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 81 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 82 Weare Giffard potato

  • 83 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 84 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 85 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 86 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 87 A roof-top view - where?

  • 88 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 89 No laughing matter

  • 90 Over the bank together>
  • 91 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 92 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 93 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 95 Capers on the cobbles

  • 96 Service with a smile

  • 97 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 98 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 99 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 100 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 101 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 102 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 103 Off on a great adventure

  • 104 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 105 School's link with cargo ship

  • 106 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 107 Bideford regatta

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

  • 109 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 110 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 111 He beat the floods

  • 112 Ten year old scrambler

  • 113 They are parted pro-tem

  • 114 Modern living at Bideford

  • 115 Warmington's garage ad

  • 116 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 117 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 118

    Was a missionary
  • 119 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 120

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 121 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 122 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 123 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 124 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 125 Happy Days!

  • 126 Riverside mystery

  • 127 Caught in the act>
  • 128 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 129 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 130 For crying out loud!

  • 131 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 132 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 133 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 134 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 135 Filming at Hartland

  • 136 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 137 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 138

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 139 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 140 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 141 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 142 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 143 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 144 Recognise this resort?

  • 145 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 146 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 147 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 148 In their new robes and hats

  • 149 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 150 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 151 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 152

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 153 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 154 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 155 Circus comes to town

  • 156 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 157 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 158 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 159 From Bobby to Brian

  • 160

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 161 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 162 New shipyard on schedule

  • 163 New Post Office

  • 164 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 165 New civic medallions

  • 166 Devil sent packing

  • 167 Appledore's largest

  • 168 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 169 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 170 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 171 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 172 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 173 Puppet characters introduced

  • 174 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 175 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 176 Decontrol of meat

  • 177 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 178 School crossing patrol begins

  • 179 New life for Hartland organ

  • 180 Variety in summer weather

  • 181 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 182

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 183 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 184 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 185

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 186 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 187 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 188 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 189 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 190 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 191 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 192 Private home for public pump

  • 193

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 194 Out of puff!

  • 195 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 196 Some 240 exhibits

  • 197 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 198

    Building works
  • 199 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 200 Loads of black and white

  • 201 Hartland's invitation

  • 202 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 203 Clovelly custom

  • 204 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 205 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 206 Some mushroom!

  • 207 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 208 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 209

    First prize
  • 210

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 211 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 213 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 214 Cruising down the river

  • 215 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 216 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 217 A bird of their own!

  • 218 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 219 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 220 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 221

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 222 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 223

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 224 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 225 New Lundy stamps

  • 226 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 227 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 228 Hartland postman retires

  • 229 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 230 Peter poses for TV film

  • 231 New art gallery opened

  • 232 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 233 No sale of Springfield House

  • 234 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 235 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

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

  • 237 By pony and trap to market

  • 238 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 239 When horses score over the tractor

  • 240 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 241 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 242 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 243 Picking the pops

  • 244 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 245 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 246 Penny for the guy

  • 247 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 248 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 249 Waldon Triplets
  • 250 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 251 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 252 Police station view of Bideford

  • 253 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 254 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 255 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 256 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 257 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 258

    Relatives all over the world
  • 259 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 260 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 261 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 262 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 263 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 264 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 265 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 266 Torrington in 1967

  • 267 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 269 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 270 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 271 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 272 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 273 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 274 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 275 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 276

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 277 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 278 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 279 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 280 New look in the hayfields

  • 281 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 282 New addition to Quay front

  • 283 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 284 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 285 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 286

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 287 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 288 Artisans' Club

  • 289 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 290 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 291 Burnard family reunion

  • 292 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 293 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 294 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 295 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 296 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 297 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 298 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 299 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 300 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 301 End of the line

  • 302 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 303 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 304 Centenary of Gazette

  • 305 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 306 Bridging the stream

  • 307

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 308

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 309 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 310 The art of the thatcher

  • 311 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 312

    Married in 1908
  • 313 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 314 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 315 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 316 Littleham family's five generations

  • 317 Sweets derationing

  • 318 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 319 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 320 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 321 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 322 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 323 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 324 Torrington children build igloo
  • 325 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 326 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 327 Hartland Dancers
  • 328

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 329 North Devon Driving School

  • 330 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 331 Jumble sale fever

  • 332 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 333 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 334 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 335 What's the time?

  • 336 Parkham plan realised

  • 337 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 338 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 339

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 340 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 341 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 342 The cab at the corner>
  • 343 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 344 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 345 Bideford loses training ship

  • 346 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 347 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 348 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 349 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 350 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 351 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 353

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 354 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 355 Northam's almshouse

  • 356 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 357 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 358 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 359 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 360 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 361 Picking the pops

  • 362 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 364 Sight of a lifetime

  • 365

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 366 Traditions and skills still there

  • 367 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 368 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 369 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 370 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 371 Northam footballers of the future

  • 372 Pannier Market's future?

  • 373 Bideford computer stars

  • 374 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 375

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 376 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 377 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 378 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 379 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 380 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 381 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 382 A story to tell!

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

  • 384 Simple Item 138
  • 385

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 386 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 387 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 388 Last train from Torrington

  • 389 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 390 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 391

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 392 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 394 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 395 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 396 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 397 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 398 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 399 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 400 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 401 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 402 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 403 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 404 All for the love of a lady!

  • 405 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 406 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 407

    Bidefordians
  • 408

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 409 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 410 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 411 First ship in 8 years

  • 412 Emergency ferry services

  • 413 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 414 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 415 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 416 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 417 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 418 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 419 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 420

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 421 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 422 Beach search for mines takes longer

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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  • 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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  • 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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Evacuees to Bideford during WW2

Reminisceses of Evacuees

Basil Pidgeon was recorded by another volunteer at the Bideford & District Community Archive in 2020

More information on Mr Langford can be found AT THIS LINK  and HERE

 

 

Bideford Bridge Collapse

January 1968

The famous 700-year-old Long Bridge collapsed in early January 1968. One of the Archive's volunteers chats, in 2020, about his reminiscences in this YouTube link:

 

 

 

 

 

Local Memories

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