• 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 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 2 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 3 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 4 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 5 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 6 Modern living at Bideford

  • 7 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 8 Hartland Dancers
  • 9 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 10 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 11 So this is the mainland!

  • 12 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 13 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 14 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 15 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 16 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 17 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 18

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 19 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 20 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 21 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 22 Service with a smile

  • 23 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 24

    Bidefordians
  • 25 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 26

    Married in 1908
  • 27 Blanchards ad.>
  • 28 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 29 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 30 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 31 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 32 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 33 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 34 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 35 Torrington children build igloo
  • 36 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 37 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 38 Out of puff!

  • 39 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 40 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 41 From Bobby to Brian

  • 42 Some 240 exhibits

  • 43

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 44 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 45 End of the line

  • 46 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 47

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 48 A story to tell!

  • 49 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 50 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 51 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 52 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 53 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 55 Bridging the stream

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

  • 57 New Post Office

  • 58 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 59 Traditions and skills still there

  • 60 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 61 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 62 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 63 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 64 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 65 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 66 Bideford regatta

  • 67 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 68 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 69 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 70 North Devon Driving School

  • 71 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 72 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 73

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 74

    Building works
  • 75 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 76 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 77 The cab at the corner>
  • 78 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 79 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 80 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 81

    Relatives all over the world
  • 82 When horses score over the tractor

  • 83 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 84 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 85 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 86 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 87 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 88 Caught in the act>
  • 89 Clovelly custom

  • 90 New look in the hayfields

  • 91 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

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

  • 93 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 94 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 95 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 96 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 97 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 98 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 99 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 100 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 101 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 102

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 103 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 104 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 105 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 106 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 107 Torrington in 1967

  • 108 The art of the thatcher

  • 109 New life for Hartland organ

  • 110

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 111 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 112 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 113 Pannier Market's future?

  • 114 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 115 Bideford loses training ship

  • 116

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 117 Picking the pops

  • 118 New Lundy stamps

  • 119 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 120 Chess - their bridge over the years

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

  • 122 It really was the 'last time'

  • 123

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 124 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 126 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 127 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 128 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 129 New art gallery opened

  • 130 113 years at Instow

  • 131 Sight of a lifetime

  • 132 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 133 Waldon Triplets
  • 134

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 135

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 136 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 137 Emergency ferry services

  • 138 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 139 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 141 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 142 Private home for public pump

  • 143 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 144 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 145

    Exhibition of school work
  • 146 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 147 Decontrol of meat

  • 148 Revenge in style

  • 149 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 150 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 151 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 153 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 154 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 155 Off on a great adventure

  • 156 School's link with cargo ship

  • 157 They are parted pro-tem

  • 158 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 159 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 160 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 162 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 163 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 164 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 166 No laughing matter

  • 167 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 168 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 169 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 170

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 171 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 172 First ship in 8 years

  • 173 Devil sent packing

  • 174 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 175 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 176 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 177 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 178 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 179 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 180 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 181 All for the love of a lady!

  • 182 Peter poses for TV film

  • 183 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 184 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 185 All aboard the ark

  • 186 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 187 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 188 Centenary of Gazette

  • 189 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 190 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 191 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 192 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 193 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 194 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 195 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 196 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 197 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 198 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 199 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 200 Last train from Torrington

  • 201 Jumble sale fever

  • 202 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 203 Ships at Bideford

  • 204 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 205 Recognise this resort?

  • 206 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 207 Puppet characters introduced

  • 208 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 209 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 210 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 211 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 212 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 214 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 215 Torrington's new amenity

  • 216 Hartland postman retires

  • 217 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 218 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 219

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 220 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 221 Ten year old scrambler

  • 222 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 223 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 224

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 225 By pony and trap to market

  • 226 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 227 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 228 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 229 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 230

    New gateway
  • 231 Warmington's garage ad

  • 232 Can spring be far away?

  • 233 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 234 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 235 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 236 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 237 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 238 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 239 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 240 Circus comes to town

  • 241

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 242

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 243 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 244 A bird of their own!

  • 245 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 246 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 247 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 248 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 249 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 250 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 251

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 252 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 253 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 254 Filming at Hartland

  • 255 In their new robes and hats

  • 256 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 257 Weare Giffard potato

  • 258 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 259 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 260 For crying out loud!

  • 261 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

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

  • 263 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 264 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 265 Loads of black and white

  • 266 Finished in 1876

  • 267 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 268 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 269 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 270 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 271 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 272

    Was a missionary
  • 273 Appledore's largest

  • 274 Police station view of Bideford

  • 275 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 276 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 277 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 278 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 279 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 280 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 281 The Geneva marionettes

  • 282 Sweets derationing

  • 283

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 284 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 285 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 286

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 287 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 288 New shipyard on schedule

  • 289 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 290 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 291 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 292 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 293 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 294 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 295 School crossing patrol begins

  • 296 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 297 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 298 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 299 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 300 New addition to Quay front

  • 301 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 302 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 303 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 304 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 305 Hartland's invitation

  • 306 Cruising down the river

  • 307 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 308 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 309 Happy Days!

  • 310 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 311 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 312

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 313 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 314 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 315 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 316

    First prize
  • 317 Bideford computer stars

  • 318 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 319 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 320 No sale of Springfield House

  • 321 Picking the pops

  • 322 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 323 Some mushroom!

  • 324 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 325 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 326 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 327 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 328

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 329

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 330 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 331 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 332 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 333 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 334 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 335 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 336 Simple Item 138
  • 337 Capers on the cobbles

  • 338 Mobile missionary

  • 339 What's the time?

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

  • 341 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 342 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 343 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 344 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 345 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 346

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 347 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 348 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 349 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 350 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 351 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 352 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 353 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 354 Northam's almshouse

  • 355 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 356 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 357 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 358 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 359 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 360 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 361 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 362 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 363 He beat the floods

  • 364 Penny for the guy

  • 365 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 366 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 367 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 368 Variety in summer weather

  • 369 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 370 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 371 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 372 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 373 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 374 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 375 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 377 Life begins at 80

  • 378 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 379 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 380 Burnard family reunion

  • 381 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 382 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 383 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 384

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 385 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 386 Six footed lamb

  • 387 Northam footballers of the future

  • 388 Over the bank together>
  • 389 New choral society's growing response

  • 390 New civic medallions

  • 391 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 392 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 393 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 394 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 395 Littleham family's five generations

  • 396 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 397 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 398 Twenty-one yachts

  • 399 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 400 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 401 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 402

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 403 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 404 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 405 Artisans' Club

  • 406 Clovelly nightmare

  • 407

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 408 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 409 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 410 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 411 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 412 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 413 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 414 Just over a year old

  • 415 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 416 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 417 A man and his wheel

  • 418 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 419 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 420 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 421 Riverside mystery

  • 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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  • 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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New Gateway To King George’s Fields

This handsome new gateway to the Bideford Park extension, to be known as King George’s Fields, has recently made its appearance.

21.9.1951 Bideford new gates

It is perhaps not generally known that one of the conditions of the grant from the King George’s Fields Foundation towards the development of the park extension was that a suitable gateway to the fields should be erected bearing two approved plaques.

All the land to the north of this gateway and the one to the river bank opposite is King George’s Fields.

Gazette article dated 21 September 1951

About Us

Where Is It & Who Is It For?

Based in offices at Northam Town Council, 1 Windmill Lane, Northam, the Archive rents rooms on three floors which enables access for all members of the public. The addition of two fireproof safes enables the Archive to securely store films and microfiche. The Archive is open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9:30 - 1pm. 

Our visitors’ records identify hundreds of people including family and property historians, students preparing dissertation material, local writers and researchers, and social history groups. The Archive gives presentations to associations and clubs on local interest topics, and volunteers attend fairs and heritage days such as Bideford and Northam Fairs. We use social media and have a website, all of which are updated on a weekly basis.

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