• 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 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 2 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 3 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 4 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 5 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 6 Service with a smile

  • 7 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 8 All aboard the ark

  • 9 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 10 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 11 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 12 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 13 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 14 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 15 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 16 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 17 Weare Giffard potato

  • 18 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 19 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 20 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 21 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 22 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 23 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 24 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 25 Modern living at Bideford

  • 26 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 27 School's link with cargo ship

  • 28 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 29 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 30 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 31 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 32 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 33 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 34 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 35 Filming at Hartland

  • 36 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 37 By pony and trap to market

  • 38 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 39 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 40 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 41 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 42 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 43 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 44

    New gateway
  • 45 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 46 Last train from Torrington

  • 47 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 48 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 49 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 50 Ships at Bideford

  • 51 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 52 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 53 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 54 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 55 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 56 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 57 Burnard family reunion

  • 58 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 59 Riverside mystery

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

  • 61 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 62 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 63 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 64 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 65

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 66 Littleham family's five generations

  • 67 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 68 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 69 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 70 Peter poses for TV film

  • 71 It really was the 'last time'

  • 72 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 73 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 74 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 75 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 76 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 77 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 78 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 80 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 82 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 83 Over the bank together>
  • 84 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 85 The cab at the corner>
  • 86 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 87 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 88 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 89 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 90 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 91 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 92 Out of puff!

  • 93 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 94 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 95

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 96 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 97 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 98 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 99 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 100 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 101 Pannier Market's future?

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

  • 103 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 104 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 105 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 106 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 107 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 108 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 109 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 110 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 111 School crossing patrol begins

  • 112 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 113 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 114 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 115 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 116 Private home for public pump

  • 117 North Devon Driving School

  • 118 Torrington's new amenity

  • 119

    Exhibition of school work
  • 120 Bideford regatta

  • 121 New shipyard on schedule

  • 122 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 123

    Bidefordians
  • 124 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 125

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 126 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 127 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 128 Artisans' Club

  • 129 New Post Office

  • 130 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 131 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 132 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 133

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 134 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 135 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 136 Circus comes to town

  • 137 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 138 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 139 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 140 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 141 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 143 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 144

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 145 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 146 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 147 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 148 Simple Item 138
  • 149 Picking the pops

  • 150 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 151 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 152 Some mushroom!

  • 153 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 154 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 155 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 156 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 157 A story to tell!

  • 158 Twenty-one yachts

  • 159 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 160

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 161 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 162 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 163 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 164 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 165 Bideford loses training ship

  • 166 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 167 Variety in summer weather

  • 168 Police station view of Bideford

  • 169 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 170 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 171 Sweets derationing

  • 172 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 173 Northam footballers of the future

  • 174 The art of the thatcher

  • 175 Blanchards ad.>
  • 176 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 177 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 178 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 179 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 180 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 181 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 182 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 183 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 184

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 185 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 186 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 187 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 188 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 189

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 190 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 191 What's the time?

  • 192

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 193 Decontrol of meat

  • 194 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 195 Revenge in style

  • 196

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 197

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 198 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 199 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 200 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 201 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 202 Bridging the stream

  • 203 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 205 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 206 No sale of Springfield House

  • 207 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 208 End of the line

  • 209 For crying out loud!

  • 210 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 211 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 212 Some 240 exhibits

  • 213 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 214

    Married in 1908
  • 215 A bird of their own!

  • 216 Sight of a lifetime

  • 217 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 218 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 219 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 220 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 221 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 222 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 223 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 224 Torrington in 1967

  • 225 Caught in the act>
  • 226 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 227 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 228 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 229 Off on a great adventure

  • 230 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 231 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 232 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 233 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 234 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 235 Six footed lamb

  • 236 From Bobby to Brian

  • 237 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 238 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 239 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 240 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 242 Recognise this resort?

  • 243 New civic medallions

  • 244 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 245 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 246 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 247 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 248 No laughing matter

  • 249 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 250 113 years at Instow

  • 251 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 252 First ship in 8 years

  • 253 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 254 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 255 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 256 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 257 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 258 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 259 Traditions and skills still there

  • 260

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 261 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 262 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 263 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 264 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 266 Can spring be far away?

  • 267 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 268 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 269 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 270 New look in the hayfields

  • 271 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 272 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 273

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 274 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 275 Finished in 1876

  • 276 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 277 Jumble sale fever

  • 278

    Relatives all over the world
  • 279 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 280

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 281 Clovelly custom

  • 282 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 283 Parkham plan realised

  • 284 Just over a year old

  • 285 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 286 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 287 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 288 Torrington children build igloo
  • 289 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 290 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 291 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 292 Waldon Triplets
  • 293 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 294 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 295 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 296 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 297 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 298 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 299

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 300 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 301 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 302 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 303 New choral society's growing response

  • 304 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 305 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 306 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 307 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 308 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 309 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 310

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 311 He beat the floods

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

  • 313

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 314 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 315 New Lundy stamps

  • 316 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 317 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 318 Bideford computer stars

  • 319

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 320

    Building works
  • 321 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 322 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 323

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 324 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 325 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 326 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 327

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 328 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 329

    Was a missionary
  • 330 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 331 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 332

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 333 A man and his wheel

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

  • 335 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 336 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 337 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 338 Puppet characters introduced

  • 339 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 340 The Geneva marionettes

  • 341 Clovelly nightmare

  • 342 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 343

    First prize
  • 344 Mobile missionary

  • 345 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 346 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 347

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 348 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 349

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 350 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 351 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 352 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 353 In their new robes and hats

  • 354 When horses score over the tractor

  • 355 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 356 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 357 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 358 Warmington's garage ad

  • 359 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 360 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 361 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 362 They are parted pro-tem

  • 363 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 364 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 365 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 366 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 367 So this is the mainland!

  • 368 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 369 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 370 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 371 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 372 Hartland Dancers
  • 373 Emergency ferry services

  • 374 Capers on the cobbles

  • 375 Ten year old scrambler

  • 376 Hartland postman retires

  • 377 Appledore's largest

  • 378 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 379 A roof-top view - where?

  • 380 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 381 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 382 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 383 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 384 Penny for the guy

  • 385 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 386

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 387 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 388 Hartland's invitation

  • 389 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 390 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 391 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 392 New addition to Quay front

  • 393 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 394 New art gallery opened

  • 395 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 396 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 397 Happy Days!

  • 398 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 399 Picking the pops

  • 400 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 401 Centenary of Gazette

  • 402 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 403

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 404 All for the love of a lady!

  • 405 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 406 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 407 Northam's almshouse

  • 408 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 409 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 410 Cruising down the river

  • 411 Loads of black and white

  • 412 Devil sent packing

  • 413 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 414 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 415 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 416 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 417 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 418 Life begins at 80

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

  • 420 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 421 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 422 Television comes to Torridge District

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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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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