• 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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    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 2 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 3 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 4 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 5 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 6 Peter poses for TV film

  • 7 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 8 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 9 Loads of black and white

  • 10 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 11 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 12 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 13 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 14 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 15 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 16 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 17 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 18 Centenary of Gazette

  • 19 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 20 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 21 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 22 All for the love of a lady!

  • 23 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 24

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 25 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 26 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 27 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 28 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 29 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 30 New shipyard on schedule

  • 31 From Bobby to Brian

  • 32 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 33 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 34 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 35 Puppet characters introduced

  • 36 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 37 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 38

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 39 Revenge in style

  • 40 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 41 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 42 Caught in the act>
  • 43 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 44 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 45 Happy Days!

  • 46 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 47 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 48 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 49 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 50 What's the time?

  • 51

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 52 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 53 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 54 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 55 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 56 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 57 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 58 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 59 New addition to Quay front

  • 60 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 61 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 62 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 63 The art of the thatcher

  • 64 School's link with cargo ship

  • 65 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 66 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 67 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 68 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 69 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 70 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 71 A story to tell!

  • 72 Northam's almshouse

  • 73 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 74 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 75 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 76 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 77 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 78 Hartland postman retires

  • 79 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 80 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 81 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 82 New life for Hartland organ

  • 83 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

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

  • 85 Last train from Torrington

  • 86 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 87 Waldon Triplets
  • 88 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 89 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 90 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 91 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 92 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 93 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 94 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 95 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 96 When horses score over the tractor

  • 97 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 98 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 99 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 100 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 102 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 103 Littleham family's five generations

  • 104 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 106 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 107 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 108 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 109 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 110 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 111 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 112 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 113 A roof-top view - where?

  • 114 Picking the pops

  • 115 Weare Giffard potato

  • 116 The cab at the corner>
  • 117 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 118 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 119 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 120 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 121 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 122 Appledore's largest

  • 123 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 124 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 125 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 126 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 127 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 128 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 129

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 130 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 131 Penny for the guy

  • 132 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 133 Variety in summer weather

  • 134 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 135

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 136 Modern living at Bideford

  • 137 By pony and trap to market

  • 138 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 139 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 140 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 142 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 143

    Was a missionary
  • 144 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 145 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 146 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 147 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 148

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 149 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 150 He beat the floods

  • 151 The Geneva marionettes

  • 152 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 153 No laughing matter

  • 154 Filming at Hartland

  • 155 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 156 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 157 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 158

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 159 Clovelly nightmare

  • 160 Bideford computer stars

  • 161 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 162 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 163 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 164 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 165 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 166 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 167 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 168 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 169 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 170 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 172 Off on a great adventure

  • 173 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 174 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 175 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 176 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 177 Just over a year old

  • 178 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 179 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

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

  • 182 Six footed lamb

  • 183 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 184 Can spring be far away?

  • 185 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 186 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 187 Riverside mystery

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

  • 189 Cruising down the river

  • 190

    Exhibition of school work
  • 191 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 192 Life begins at 80

  • 193 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 194 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 195 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 196 Sight of a lifetime

  • 197 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 198 Bridging the stream

  • 199 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 200 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 201 Over the bank together>
  • 202 It really was the 'last time'

  • 203 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 204 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 205 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 206 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 207 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 208 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 209 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 210

    First prize
  • 211 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 212 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 213 Circus comes to town

  • 214 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 215 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 216

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 217 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 218 Twenty-one yachts

  • 219 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 220 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 221

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 222 Jumble sale fever

  • 223 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 224 Burnard family reunion

  • 225 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 226 Devil sent packing

  • 227 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 228 Hartland Dancers
  • 229 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 230 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 231 Traditions and skills still there

  • 232

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 233 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 234 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 235 Some 240 exhibits

  • 236 New Post Office

  • 237 All aboard the ark

  • 238 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 239 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 240 No sale of Springfield House

  • 241 Pannier Market's future?

  • 242 Capers on the cobbles

  • 243 New civic medallions

  • 244 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 245 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 246 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 247 New look in the hayfields

  • 248 Finished in 1876

  • 249 Bideford regatta

  • 250 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 251 Service with a smile

  • 252 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 253 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 254 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 255 Ships at Bideford

  • 256

    Married in 1908
  • 257 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 258 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 259 Recognise this resort?

  • 260 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 261 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 262 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 263 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 264 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 265 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 266 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 267

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 268 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 269 A bird of their own!

  • 270 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 271 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 272 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 273 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 274 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 275 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 276 Blanchards ad.>
  • 277

    New gateway
  • 278 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 279 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 280 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 281 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 282 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 283

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 284 Private home for public pump

  • 285 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 286 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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

  • 288 Torrington in 1967

  • 289 New choral society's growing response

  • 290 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 291 For crying out loud!

  • 292 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 293 Northam footballers of the future

  • 294 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 295 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 296 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 297 Bideford loses training ship

  • 298 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 299 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 300 Artisans' Club

  • 301 Clovelly custom

  • 302

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 303 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 304 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 305 Emergency ferry services

  • 306 Some mushroom!

  • 307 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 308 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 309 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 310 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 312 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 313 Ten year old scrambler

  • 314

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 315 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 316 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 317 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 318 Decontrol of meat

  • 319 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 320 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 321 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 322 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 323 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 324 New art gallery opened

  • 325 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 326

    Building works
  • 327 Picking the pops

  • 328 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 329 Sweets derationing

  • 330 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 331 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 332 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 333 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 334 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 335 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 336 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 337 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 338 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 339

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 340 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 341 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 342

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 343 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 344 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 345 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 346 So this is the mainland!

  • 347 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 348 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 349 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 350 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 352 School crossing patrol begins

  • 353 North Devon Driving School

  • 354 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 355 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 356 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 357 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 358 Out of puff!

  • 359 Torrington children build igloo
  • 360 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 361 Parkham plan realised

  • 362 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 363 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 364 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 365 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 366 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 367

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 368

    Bidefordians
  • 369 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 370 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 371 In their new robes and hats

  • 372 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 373 Hartland's invitation

  • 374 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 375 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 376 Simple Item 138
  • 377 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 378

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 379 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 380 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 381 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 382 Warmington's garage ad

  • 383 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 384

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 385 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 387 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 388 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 389 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 390 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 391 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 392

    Relatives all over the world
  • 393 113 years at Instow

  • 394

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 395

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 396 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 397 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 398 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 399 A man and his wheel

  • 400 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 401 Torrington's new amenity

  • 402 They are parted pro-tem

  • 403 Police station view of Bideford

  • 404 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 405 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 406 Mobile missionary

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

  • 408 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 409 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 410 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 411 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 412

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 413 End of the line

  • 414 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 415

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 416 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 417 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 418 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 419

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 420 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 421 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 422 Dustmen of the days of yore>
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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Bideford 60-ft stack felled

Impressive start to new housing plans

Bideford’s last link with collar-factory days went down with a wallop! It was the 60-ft. high chimney stack, last remnant of the factory off Northam Causeway, Bideford, that was in full operation some 50 years ago. Before the last war it had become Bideford and District Laundry until during the war years it was completely gutted by fire. Recently Bideford Bridge Trust sold the site of the old factory to Mr Arthur Beer for purposes of housing development.

19 November 1954 Last of Bideford factory chimney

Two carpenters and a labourer began preparations at 8 a.m, replacing one side of the base of the chimney with wood props which they set fire to. As the wood burnt through, the huge column of red bricks fell over dead-on line with an impressive thump.

Gazette article 19 November 1954

 

Bideford ‘What’s my line?” challenger

Mrs Patt on T.V.

Mrs F. Patt of Bideford failed to beat the ‘What’s my line?’ television panel on Sunday evening’s programme.

5 November 1954 Bideford whats my line challenger

The panel were up to their last two questions when they discovered her occupation which she gave as ‘putting jam into doughnuts’. Earlier Gilbert Harding had made a geographical guess that Mrs Patt might be a ‘Cornish pasty filler-upper’.

Mrs Patt brought a ‘very nice cake from the people of Bideford’ and invited the panel – David Nixon, Lady Barnett, Gilbert Harding and Barbara Kelly – to sample it after the show.

In the photograph of the T.V. picture Mrs Patt is seen next to Eamonn Andrews, the Question Master.

Gazette article 5 November 1954

 

Steep street of old Bideford

View of Bridge Street

This vista shows Bridge Street leading down to the Long Bridge and the river Torridge.

5 November 1954 Steep street of old Bideford

Up to about 1830 it was paved with cobbles and the top half had steps . After dark these steps were dangerous and after reports that a man received fatal injuries falling down them, the Town Council had the gradient evened up as now without interfering with the houses on either side but protecting the traffic by railings. Posts were placed at the top to prevent wheeled traffic. These were removed when the market was built.

Gazette article 5 November 1954

 

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