• 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 childrens' cinema opens

  • 2 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 3 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 4

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 5 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 6 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 7 Service with a smile

  • 8

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 9 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 10 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 11 School crossing patrol begins

  • 12

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 13 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 14 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 15 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 16 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 17 Jumble sale fever

  • 18 Some mushroom!

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

  • 20 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 21 Waldon Triplets
  • 22 Off on a great adventure

  • 23 Capers on the cobbles

  • 24 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 25 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 26 Devil sent packing

  • 27 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 28 By pony and trap to market

  • 29 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 30 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 31 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 32

    New gateway
  • 33 Police station view of Bideford

  • 34 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 35 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 36 First ship in 8 years

  • 37 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 39 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 40 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 41

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 42 Northam footballers of the future

  • 43 Picking the pops

  • 44 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 45 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 46 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 47 Riverside mystery

  • 48 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 49 New addition to Quay front

  • 50 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 51 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 52 From Bobby to Brian

  • 53

    First prize
  • 54 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 55 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 56 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 57

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 58 Can spring be far away?

  • 59 Bideford loses training ship

  • 60 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 61 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 62 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 63 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 64

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 65 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 66 Circus comes to town

  • 67 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 68 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 69 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 70 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 71 A bird of their own!

  • 72 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 73 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 74 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 75 Torrington's new amenity

  • 76 Last train from Torrington

  • 77 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 78 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 79 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 80 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 81 All aboard the ark

  • 82 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 83 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 84

    Bidefordians
  • 85 Ten year old scrambler

  • 86 Bideford regatta

  • 87

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 88

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 89 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 90 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 91 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 92 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 93 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 94 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 95 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 96 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 97 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 98 Clovelly custom

  • 99 113 years at Instow

  • 100 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 101 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 102 A story to tell!

  • 103 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 104 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 105

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 106 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 107 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 108 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 109 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 110 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 111 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 112 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 113 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 114 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 115 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 116 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 117 Variety in summer weather

  • 118 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 119 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 120 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 121 New Lundy stamps

  • 122 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 123 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 124 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 125 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 126

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 127 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 128 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 129 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 130 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 131 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 132 Twenty-one yachts

  • 133 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 134 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 135 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 136 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 137

    Relatives all over the world
  • 138 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 139 New shipyard on schedule

  • 140 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 141 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 142 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 143 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 144 School's link with cargo ship

  • 145 Picking the pops

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

  • 147

    Exhibition of school work
  • 148 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 149

    Married in 1908
  • 150 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 152 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 153 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 154 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 155 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 156 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 157 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 158 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 160 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 161 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 162 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 163 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 164 All for the love of a lady!

  • 165 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 166 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 167 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 168

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 169 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 170 Sweets derationing

  • 171 Hartland postman retires

  • 172 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 173 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 174 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 175 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 176 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 177 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 178 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 179 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 180 Loads of black and white

  • 181 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 182 The Geneva marionettes

  • 183 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 184 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 185 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 186 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 187 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 188 What's the time?

  • 189 Traditions and skills still there

  • 190 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 191 Parkham plan realised

  • 192 Hartland's invitation

  • 193 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 194 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 196 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 197 End of the line

  • 198 He beat the floods

  • 199 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 200

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 201

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 202 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 203 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 204 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 205 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 206 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 207 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 208 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 209 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 210 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 211 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 212 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 213 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 214 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 215

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 216 Filming at Hartland

  • 217 Penny for the guy

  • 218 Life begins at 80

  • 219 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 220 New civic medallions

  • 221 Happy Days!

  • 222 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 223 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 224 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 225 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 226 Emergency ferry services

  • 227 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 228 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 229 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 230 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 231 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 232 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 234 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 235 Recognise this resort?

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

  • 237

    Was a missionary
  • 238

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 239 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 240 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 241 Ships at Bideford

  • 242 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 243 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 244 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 245 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 246 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 247 New life for Hartland organ

  • 248 When horses score over the tractor

  • 249

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 250 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 251 The art of the thatcher

  • 252 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 253 Revenge in style

  • 254 It really was the 'last time'

  • 255 North Devon Driving School

  • 256 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 257 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 258 A man and his wheel

  • 259

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 260 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 261 Appledore's largest

  • 262 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 263 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 264 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 265 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 266 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 267 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 268 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 269 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 270 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 271 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 272 No laughing matter

  • 273 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 274 New look in the hayfields

  • 275 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 276 Decontrol of meat

  • 277 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 278

    Building works
  • 279 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 280 Modern living at Bideford

  • 281 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 282 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 283

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 284 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 286

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 287 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 288 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 289 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 290 Just over a year old

  • 291 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 292 Artisans' Club

  • 293 They are parted pro-tem

  • 294 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 295 Littleham family's five generations

  • 296 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 297 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 298 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 299 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 300 Torrington children build igloo
  • 301 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 302 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 303 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 304 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 305 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 306 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 307 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 308 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 309 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 310 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 312 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 313 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 314 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 315 New Post Office

  • 316 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 317 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 318 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 319 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 320

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 321 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 322 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 323 Over the bank together>
  • 324 Caught in the act>
  • 325 Out of puff!

  • 326 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 327 No sale of Springfield House

  • 328 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 329 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 330 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 331 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 332 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 333 Burnard family reunion

  • 334 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 335 A roof-top view - where?

  • 336 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 337 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 338 Centenary of Gazette

  • 339 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 340 Blanchards ad.>
  • 341 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 342 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 343 New choral society's growing response

  • 344 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 345 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 346 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 347 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 348 Pannier Market's future?

  • 349 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 350 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 351 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 352 Six footed lamb

  • 353 Warmington's garage ad

  • 354 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 355 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 356

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 357 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 358 Sight of a lifetime

  • 359 Puppet characters introduced

  • 360 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 361 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 362 Finished in 1876

  • 363 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 364 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 365 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 366 New art gallery opened

  • 367 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 368 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

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

  • 370 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 371 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 372 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 373 Weare Giffard potato

  • 374 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 375 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 376 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 377 Peter poses for TV film

  • 378 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 379 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 380 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 381 Hartland Dancers
  • 382 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 383 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 385 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 386

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 387 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 388 Mobile missionary

  • 389 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 390

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 391 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 392 Northam's almshouse

  • 393 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 394 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 395 Bridging the stream

  • 396 Private home for public pump

  • 397 Simple Item 138
  • 398 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 399 The cab at the corner>
  • 400 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 401 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 402 Torrington in 1967

  • 403 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 404 For crying out loud!

  • 405 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 406

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 407 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 408 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 409 In their new robes and hats

  • 410 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 411

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 412 Cruising down the river

  • 413 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 414 So this is the mainland!

  • 415 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 416 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 417 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 418 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 419 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 420 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 421 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 422 Symbol of Lundy independence

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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Disastrous dock fire at Appledore

Second misfortune within a year

Fire, which broke out at Richmond Dry Dock premises of Messrs. P.K. Harris and Sons., Appledore last week did thousands of pounds worth of damage. This is the second such misfortune to occur at the firm’s premises in a year. On June 21 last year a similar type of building in another part of the yards was destroyed by fire.

8 June 1948 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore

The gutted building housed power plant, saw mills, joiner’s shop and a rigging shop with boiler marker’s shop adjoining.

Gazette article 8 June 1948

 

The young smith of Abbotsham

Following in family's footsteps

Four years old David Stapleton of the Smithy, Abbotsham is evidently going to follow in father’s, grandfather’s and great grandfather’s footsteps as a shoeing and general smith.

4 May 1948 The young smith of Abbotsham

His father, Mr Fredk. T. Stapleton, works the forge at Abbotsham and his grandfather, Mr Ernest S. Stapleton, took over the smithy at Old Town, Bideford, two years ago, having previously been at Abbotsham for some twenty-three years. David’s great-grandfather, the late Mr Thomas Stapleton who founded the family business was the smith at Gammaton Moor for between thirty and forty years and lived to the age of 95.

Gazette article 4 May 1948

 

Meredith & Son ad.

Bideford ironmongers changes hands

20 April 1948 Meredith son adJPG

Gazette ad. 20 April 1948

 

 

 

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