• 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 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 2 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 3 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 4 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 5 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 6 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 7 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 8 Emergency ferry services

  • 9 All aboard the ark

  • 10

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 11 Some mushroom!

  • 12 Ships at Bideford

  • 13 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 14 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 15

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 16 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 17 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 18 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 19 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 20

    New gateway
  • 21 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 22 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 23 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 25 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 26 Centenary of Gazette

  • 27 New civic medallions

  • 28 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 29 The art of the thatcher

  • 30 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 31 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 33 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 34 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 35 New choral society's growing response

  • 36 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 37 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 38 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 39 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 40 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 41 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 42 Capers on the cobbles

  • 43 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 44 It really was the 'last time'

  • 45 Puppet characters introduced

  • 46 School crossing patrol begins

  • 47 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 48 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 49 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 50 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 51 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 52 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 53 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 54 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 56

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 57 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 58

    Relatives all over the world
  • 59

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 60 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 61 The cab at the corner>
  • 62 First ship in 8 years

  • 63 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 64 Variety in summer weather

  • 65 Hartland postman retires

  • 66

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 67 Happy Days!

  • 68 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 69 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 70

    Married in 1908
  • 71 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 72 Life begins at 80

  • 73 Filming at Hartland

  • 74

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 75 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 76 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 77 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 78 Artisans' Club

  • 79 A man and his wheel

  • 80 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 81 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 82 By pony and trap to market

  • 83 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 84 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 85 Ten year old scrambler

  • 86 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 87 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 88 Police station view of Bideford

  • 89 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 90 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 91 Burnard family reunion

  • 92 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 93 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 94 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 95

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 96 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 97 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 98 No laughing matter

  • 99 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 100 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 101 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 102 New look in the hayfields

  • 103 Clovelly nightmare

  • 104 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 105 Torrington's new amenity

  • 106 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 107

    Exhibition of school work
  • 108 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 109 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 110 Picking the pops

  • 111 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 112

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 113 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 114 Sight of a lifetime

  • 115 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 116 He beat the floods

  • 117 Six footed lamb

  • 118 Loads of black and white

  • 119 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 120 113 years at Instow

  • 121 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 122 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 123

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 124 Pannier Market's future?

  • 125 Appledore's largest

  • 126 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 127 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 128 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 129 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 130 Penny for the guy

  • 131 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 132 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 133 They are parted pro-tem

  • 134 Weare Giffard potato

  • 135 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 136 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 137 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 138 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 139 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 140 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 141

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 142 Blanchards ad.>
  • 143 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 145 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 146 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 147 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 148 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 149 New shipyard on schedule

  • 150 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 151

    Building works
  • 152 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 153 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 154

    First prize
  • 155 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 156 Mobile missionary

  • 157 Riverside mystery

  • 158 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 159 Sweets derationing

  • 160 New Lundy stamps

  • 161 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 162 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 163 Just over a year old

  • 164 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 165 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 166 Out of puff!

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

  • 168 For crying out loud!

  • 169 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 170 A craftsman's 'potted' history

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

  • 172 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 173 School's link with cargo ship

  • 174 Clovelly custom

  • 175 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 176 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 177 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 178 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 179 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 180

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 181 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 182 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 183 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 184 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 185 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 186 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 187 Simple Item 138
  • 188 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 189 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 190 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 191 Caught in the act>
  • 192 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 193 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 194 New addition to Quay front

  • 195 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 196 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 197 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 198 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 199 Service with a smile

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

  • 201 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 202 Cruising down the river

  • 203 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 204 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 205 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 206 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 207 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 208 New art gallery opened

  • 209 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 210 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 211 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 212 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 213 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 214 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 215 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 216 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 217 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 218 Private home for public pump

  • 219 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 220 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 221 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 222 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 223 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 224 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 225 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 226 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 227 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 228

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 229 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 230 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 231 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 232 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 233 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 234 In their new robes and hats

  • 235 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 236 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 237 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 238 Some 240 exhibits

  • 239

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 240 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 241 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 242 Recognise this resort?

  • 243 Parkham plan realised

  • 244 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 245 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 246 Peter poses for TV film

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

  • 248 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 249 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 250 A roof-top view - where?

  • 251 All for the love of a lady!

  • 252 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 253 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 255 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 256 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 257 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 258 Modern living at Bideford

  • 259 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 260 Bideford loses training ship

  • 261 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 262 New life for Hartland organ

  • 263 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 264 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 265 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 266 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 267 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 268 Northam's almshouse

  • 269 Northam footballers of the future

  • 270 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 271 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 272 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 273 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 274 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 275

    Was a missionary
  • 276 The Geneva marionettes

  • 277 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 278 Decontrol of meat

  • 279 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 280 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 281 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 282 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 283 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 284 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 285 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 286 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 287 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 288 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 290 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 291 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 292 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 293 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 294 Traditions and skills still there

  • 295 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 296 Bideford regatta

  • 297 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 298 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 299 New Post Office

  • 300 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 301

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 302

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 303 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 304 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 305

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 306 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 307 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 308 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 309 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 310 Jumble sale fever

  • 311 Torrington in 1967

  • 312 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 313 From Bobby to Brian

  • 314 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 315 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 316 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 318 Bridging the stream

  • 319 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 320 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 321 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 322 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 323 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 324 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 325 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 326 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 328

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 329 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 330 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 331 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 332 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 333 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 334 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 335 End of the line

  • 336 Off on a great adventure

  • 337 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 338 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 339 Littleham family's five generations

  • 340 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 341 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 343 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 344 Devil sent packing

  • 345 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 346 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 347 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 348 Last train from Torrington

  • 349 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 350 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 351 North Devon Driving School

  • 352 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 353

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 354

    Bidefordians
  • 355 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 356 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 357 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 358 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 359

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 360 So this is the mainland!

  • 361 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 362 Revenge in style

  • 363 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 364 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 365 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 366 Torrington children build igloo
  • 367 No sale of Springfield House

  • 368 Picking the pops

  • 369 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 370 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 371

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 372 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 373 Can spring be far away?

  • 374 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 375 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 376

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 377 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 378

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 379 When horses score over the tractor

  • 380

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 381 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 382 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 383 Waldon Triplets
  • 384 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 385 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 386 Warmington's garage ad

  • 387 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 388 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 389 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 390 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 391 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 392 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 393 Finished in 1876

  • 394 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 395

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 396 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 397 Bideford computer stars

  • 398 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 399 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 400 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 401 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 402 Circus comes to town

  • 403 A story to tell!

  • 404 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 405 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 406 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 407 Over the bank together>
  • 408 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 409 Twenty-one yachts

  • 410 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 411 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 412 A bird of their own!

  • 413 What's the time?

  • 414 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 415 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 417 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 418 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 419 Hartland Dancers
  • 420

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 421 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 422 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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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  • 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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  • 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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Proficiency Certificates For Bideford ATC Cadets

Certificates Presented

31.1.1958 Bideford ATC

Their training was helping to form their characters and fill their minds with useful knowledge which would prove beneficial to them in later life, the Mayor of Bideford, Mr E D Williams, told cadets of the Bideford Flight of No. 1146 (North Devon) Squadron, Air Training Corps, at their headquarters in King George’s Field, Bideford.

The Mayor, accompanied by the Town Clerk, Mr F C Backway, was greeted by the officer commanding the Squadron, Flt-Lieut C E Paull.

The Mayor presented certificated to: M E J Adnett, G C Moore, A M French, J M Insley, H S Davis, M J Osburn, R J Nichols.

The Mayor paid tribute to the Flight’s former officer, Mr W T Goss and welcomed Mr L B Pym, of Winkleigh, who has taken over the flight.

The full Gazette article is dated 31 January 1958

Four Bidefordians Meet In Cairo

From Cairo the Editor has received together with the photograph of the four Bidefordians concerned, the following cheery letter which he feels sure will find an echo in many a heart.

6.11.1945 Bideford Cairo

‘Like everyone else separated from their families by thousands of miles, our thoughts are continually turning to our own little corner in the West, and it goes without saying that one of the delights of overseas life is to meet someone who knows the Little White Town and its noted personalities. Mr C S F Harding; Mr Gorvett; Granfer Giddy, and a hundred others were all remembered with warm hearts’.

Fred Miller, Harry Miles, Horace Tithecott, Clarrie Rendle

The full Gazette article is dated 6 November 1945

Wimpy Bar in Bideford

New catering service opened

Bideford Quay has been brightened in the last few weeks by the opening of a Wimpy Bar, adding its specialised service of quick snack meals to the borough's catering facilities.

The Wimpy Bar is managed by Mr and Mrs Ralph Freeland, who have had considerable experience in the type of catering and offer a full waitress service.

Read more in this avertisement dated 18 September 1970

18.9.1970 Wimpy

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