• 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 New art gallery opened

  • 2 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 3 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 4 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 6 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 7 Picking the pops

  • 8 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 9 All for the love of a lady!

  • 10 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 11 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 12 Mobile missionary

  • 13 Northam's almshouse

  • 14

    Exhibition of school work
  • 15 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 16 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 17

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 18 New look in the hayfields

  • 19 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 20 Bideford computer stars

  • 21 Pannier Market's future?

  • 22 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 23 A man and his wheel

  • 24 What's the time?

  • 25 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 26 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 27 Traditions and skills still there

  • 28 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 29 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 30 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 31 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 32 So this is the mainland!

  • 33 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 34 Clovelly nightmare

  • 35

    Bidefordians
  • 36 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 37 Ten year old scrambler

  • 38 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 39 Jumble sale fever

  • 40 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 41 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 42 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 43 Caught in the act>
  • 44 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 45 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 46 Last train from Torrington

  • 47 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 48 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 49

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 50 Six footed lamb

  • 51

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 52 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 53 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 54 New addition to Quay front

  • 55 Happy Days!

  • 56 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 57

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 58 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 59 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 60 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 61 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 62 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 63

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 64 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 65 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 66 Police station view of Bideford

  • 67 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 68 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 69

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 70 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 71 New Post Office

  • 72 Hartland Dancers
  • 73 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 75 Weare Giffard potato

  • 76 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 77

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 78 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 79 All aboard the ark

  • 80 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 81 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 82 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 83 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 84 Capers on the cobbles

  • 85 The art of the thatcher

  • 86 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 87 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 88 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 89 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 90 Finished in 1876

  • 91 Cruising down the river

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

  • 93 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 94 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 95 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 96 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 97 Bideford loses training ship

  • 98 A roof-top view - where?

  • 99 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 100 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 101 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 102 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 103 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 104 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 105 First ship in 8 years

  • 106 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 107 End of the line

  • 108 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 109 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 110 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 111 Some mushroom!

  • 112 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 113

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 114 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 115

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 116 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 117 Centenary of Gazette

  • 118 By pony and trap to market

  • 119 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 120 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 122 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 123 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 124 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 125 North Devon Driving School

  • 126 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 127 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 128 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 129 Devil sent packing

  • 130 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 131 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 132 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 133 Off on a great adventure

  • 134 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 135 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 136 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 137 Life begins at 80

  • 138 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 139 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 140 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 141 In their new robes and hats

  • 142 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 143 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 144 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 145 Sight of a lifetime

  • 146 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 147 No sale of Springfield House

  • 148 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 149 For crying out loud!

  • 150 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 151 Service with a smile

  • 152 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 153 Simple Item 138
  • 154 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 155

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 156 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 157 Peter poses for TV film

  • 158 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 159 Bridging the stream

  • 160 Parkham plan realised

  • 161 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 162 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 163 The Geneva marionettes

  • 164 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 165 Artisans' Club

  • 166 Torrington's new amenity

  • 167 Over the bank together>
  • 168 Burnard family reunion

  • 169 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 170 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 171 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 173 Northam footballers of the future

  • 174

    Building works
  • 175 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 176 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 177 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 178

    New gateway
  • 179 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 180 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 181 Emergency ferry services

  • 182

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 183 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 184 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 185 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 186 Waldon Triplets
  • 187 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 188 Just over a year old

  • 189 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 190 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 191 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 192 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 193 No laughing matter

  • 194 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 195 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 196 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 197 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 198 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 199 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 200 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 201 Hartland postman retires

  • 202 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 203 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 204 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 205 Circus comes to town

  • 206 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 207

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 208 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 209 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 210 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 211 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 212 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 213 New Lundy stamps

  • 214 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 215 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 216 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 217 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 218 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 219

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 220

    Relatives all over the world
  • 221 Modern living at Bideford

  • 222 Clovelly custom

  • 223 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 224 Can spring be far away?

  • 225 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 226 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 227 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 229 Private home for public pump

  • 230 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 231 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 232 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 233 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 234 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 235 Bideford regatta

  • 236 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 237 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 238 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 239

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 240 113 years at Instow

  • 241 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 242 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 243 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 244 Filming at Hartland

  • 245 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 246

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 247 Out of puff!

  • 248 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 250 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 251 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 252 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 253

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 254 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 255

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 256 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 257 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 258 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 259 A bird of their own!

  • 260 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 261 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 262 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 263 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 264 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 265 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 266 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 267 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 268 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 269 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 270 New choral society's growing response

  • 271 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 272 School crossing patrol begins

  • 273 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 274 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 275

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 276 A story to tell!

  • 277 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 278 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 279 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 280 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 281 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 282 Torrington children build igloo
  • 283 School's link with cargo ship

  • 284 Appledore's largest

  • 285 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 286 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 288 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 289 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 290 They are parted pro-tem

  • 291 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 292 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 293 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 294 He beat the floods

  • 295 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 296 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 297 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 298 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 299 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 300 The cab at the corner>
  • 301 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 302 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 303 New civic medallions

  • 304 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 305 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 306 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 307 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 308 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 309 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 310 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 311 Twenty-one yachts

  • 312 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 313 Ships at Bideford

  • 314 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 315 Loads of black and white

  • 316 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 317 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 318 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 319 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 320 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 321 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 322 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 323 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 324 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 325

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 326 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 327 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 328 Sweets derationing

  • 329 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 330 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 331

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 332 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 334 New life for Hartland organ

  • 335 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 336 Revenge in style

  • 337

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 338 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 339 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 340 Puppet characters introduced

  • 341 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 342 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

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

  • 344

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 345

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 346 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 347 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 348 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 349 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 350 Littleham family's five generations

  • 351 Recognise this resort?

  • 352 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 353 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 354 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 355 Torrington in 1967

  • 356 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 357 Hartland's invitation

  • 358 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 359 Penny for the guy

  • 360 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 361

    First prize
  • 362 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 363 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 364 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 365 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 366 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 367 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 369 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 370 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 371 Warmington's garage ad

  • 372

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 373 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 374 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 375 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 376 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 377 Riverside mystery

  • 378 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 379 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 380 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 381 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 382 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 383

    Was a missionary
  • 384 Picking the pops

  • 385 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 386 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 387 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 388

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 389 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 390 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 391 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 392 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 393 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 394 Blanchards ad.>
  • 395 From Bobby to Brian

  • 396 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 397 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 398 Some 240 exhibits

  • 399 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 400 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 401

    Married in 1908
  • 402 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 403 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 404 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 405 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 406 Decontrol of meat

  • 407 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 408 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 409 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 410 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 411 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 412 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 413 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 414 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 415 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 417 It really was the 'last time'

  • 418 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 421 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 422 When horses score over the tractor

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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The cab at the corner

Old view of Quay and High Street

Although the corner of High Street and Bideford Quay has not changed so very much structurally in this picture, nowadays we seldom see the roadway so empty of traffic.

3 February 1948 The cab at the corner

Presumably the chains across the Quay were there to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy as happened when a coach laden with people came down High Street, failed to negotiate the corner and went over the Quayside.

Gazette article 3 February 1948

 

 

Housing progress at East-the-Water

New houses taking shape

The top photograph shows traditional type new Council houses now in the course of erection at the Barton Estate, East-the-Water, Bideford and the bottom photograph similar type houses which were the first to be completed on the estate and have been occupied for some time.

27 January 1948 Housing progress at East the Water

Gazette article 27 January 1948

 

 

Christmas Tree on Bideford Quay

Christmas celebration in Bideford

This illuminated Christmas tree, at which gifts in cash and kind for the Mayor of Bideford’s Benevolent Fund were received, as a feature of Christmas celebration of Bideford.

30 December 1949 Christmass tree on Bideford Quay

Carol programmes were held around the tree every evening of the week.

Gazette article 30 December 1949

 

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