• 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 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 2 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 4 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 5

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 6 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 7 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 8 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 9 Loads of black and white

  • 10 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 11 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 12 Bideford loses training ship

  • 13 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 14

    New gateway
  • 15 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 16 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 17 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 18 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 19 Cruising down the river

  • 20

    Relatives all over the world
  • 21 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 22 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 23 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 24 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 25 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 26 New addition to Quay front

  • 27 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 28 Torrington in 1967

  • 29

    Building works
  • 30 Clovelly nightmare

  • 31 Blanchards ad.>
  • 32 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 33 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 34 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 35

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 36 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 37 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 38 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 39 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 40

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 41 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 42

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 43 New Post Office

  • 44 From Bobby to Brian

  • 45 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 46 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 47 All aboard the ark

  • 48 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 49

    Married in 1908
  • 50 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 51 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 52 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 53 Ten year old scrambler

  • 54 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 55 Peter poses for TV film

  • 56 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 57 It really was the 'last time'

  • 58 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 59

    First prize
  • 60 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 61 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 62 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 63 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 64 First ship in 8 years

  • 65 Caught in the act>
  • 66 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 67 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 68 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 69 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 71 Six footed lamb

  • 72

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 73 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 74 End of the line

  • 75 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 76 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 77 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 78 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 80 New art gallery opened

  • 81 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 82 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 83 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 84 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 85 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 86 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 87 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 88 Off on a great adventure

  • 89 The art of the thatcher

  • 90 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 91 113 years at Instow

  • 92 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 93 Out of puff!

  • 94 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 95 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 96 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 97 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

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

  • 99 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 100 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 101 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 102 Some mushroom!

  • 103 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 104 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 105 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 106 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 107 Circus comes to town

  • 108 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 109 A man and his wheel

  • 110 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 111 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 112 Penny for the guy

  • 113 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 114 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 115 Centenary of Gazette

  • 116 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 117 Happy Days!

  • 118 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 119 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 120 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 121 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 122 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 123 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 124

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 125 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 126 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 127 Clovelly custom

  • 128 Modern living at Bideford

  • 129 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 130

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 131 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 132 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 133 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 134 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 135 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 136 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 137 Finished in 1876

  • 138 Torrington children build igloo
  • 139 Police station view of Bideford

  • 140 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 141 New Lundy stamps

  • 142 They are parted pro-tem

  • 143

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 144 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 145 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 146 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 147 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 148 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 149 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 150 Simple Item 138
  • 151

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 152 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 153 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 154 Mobile missionary

  • 155 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 156 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 157 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 158 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 159 Sight of a lifetime

  • 160 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 161 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 162 Artisans' Club

  • 163 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 164 He beat the floods

  • 165 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 166 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 167 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 168 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 169 The cab at the corner>
  • 170 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 172 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 173 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 174 New civic medallions

  • 175 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 176 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 177 New life for Hartland organ

  • 178 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 179 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 180 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 182 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 183 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 184 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 185

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 186 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 187 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 188 Waldon Triplets
  • 189 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 190 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 191 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 192 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 193 All for the love of a lady!

  • 194 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 195 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 197 New look in the hayfields

  • 198 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 199 Service with a smile

  • 200 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 201 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 202 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 203 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 204 Over the bank together>
  • 205 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 206 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 207 Capers on the cobbles

  • 208 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 209 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 210

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 211 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 212 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 213 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 214 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 215 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 216 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 217 What's the time?

  • 218 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 219 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 220 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 221 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 222 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 223 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 224 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 225 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 226 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 227 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 228 Hartland postman retires

  • 229 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 230

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 231 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 232 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 233 Recognise this resort?

  • 234 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 235 So this is the mainland!

  • 236 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 237 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 238 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 239 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 240 Northam footballers of the future

  • 241 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 242

    Bidefordians
  • 243 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 244 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 245 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 246 Picking the pops

  • 247 School's link with cargo ship

  • 248 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 249 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 250 By pony and trap to market

  • 251 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 253 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 254

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 255 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 256 No sale of Springfield House

  • 257 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 258 Picking the pops

  • 259 Just over a year old

  • 260 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 261 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 262 New shipyard on schedule

  • 263 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 264 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 265

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 266 Riverside mystery

  • 267 A bird of their own!

  • 268 Emergency ferry services

  • 269

    Exhibition of school work
  • 270 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 271 Can spring be far away?

  • 272 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 273 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 274 Jumble sale fever

  • 275 Parkham plan realised

  • 276 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 277 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 278 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 279 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 280 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 281 Some 240 exhibits

  • 282 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 283

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 284 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 285 Bideford computer stars

  • 286

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 287 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 288 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 289 Last train from Torrington

  • 290 Sweets derationing

  • 291 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 292 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 293 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 294 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 295 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 296 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 297 Revenge in style

  • 298 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 299 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 300 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 301 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 302 New choral society's growing response

  • 303 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 304 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 305 Bideford regatta

  • 306 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 307 Hartland Dancers
  • 308 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 309 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 310

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 311 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 312 For crying out loud!

  • 313 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 315 A roof-top view - where?

  • 316 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 318 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 319 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 320 Devil sent packing

  • 321

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 322

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 323 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 324

    Was a missionary
  • 325 Private home for public pump

  • 326 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 327 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 328 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 329 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 330 Filming at Hartland

  • 331 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 332 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 333 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 334 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 335 Appledore's largest

  • 336 School crossing patrol begins

  • 337 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 339 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 340 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 341 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 342 Puppet characters introduced

  • 343 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 344 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 345 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 346

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 347

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 348 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 349 Burnard family reunion

  • 350 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 351 Hartland's invitation

  • 352

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 353 No laughing matter

  • 354 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 355 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 356 A story to tell!

  • 357 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 358 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 359

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 360 Warmington's garage ad

  • 361 Decontrol of meat

  • 362 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 363 North Devon Driving School

  • 364

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 365 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 366 Littleham family's five generations

  • 367 Life begins at 80

  • 368 Weare Giffard potato

  • 369 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 370 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 371 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 372 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 373 When horses score over the tractor

  • 374 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 375 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 376 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 377 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 378 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 379 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 380 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 381 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 382 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 383 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 384 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 385 Pannier Market's future?

  • 386 Twenty-one yachts

  • 387 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 388 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 389 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 390 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 391 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 392 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 393 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 394 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 395 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 396 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 397 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 399 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 400 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 401 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 402 Variety in summer weather

  • 403 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 404 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 405 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 406 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 407 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 408 In their new robes and hats

  • 409 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 411 Bridging the stream

  • 412 Traditions and skills still there

  • 413 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 414 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 415

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 416 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 417 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 418 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 419 The Geneva marionettes

  • 420 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 421 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 422 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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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  • 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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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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Loads of Black and White

Bideford coal merchants beat rail strike

Although the district receives its house coal by ship, boiler fuels for cookers etc. normally come by rail. In order to overcome difficulties caused by the rail strike, a Bideford firm of coal merchants, Messr. Littlejohns Brothers sent three lorries to Cardiff last week to seek additional supplies of this type of fuel, the demand for which does not drop as much in the summer as that for ordinary house coal.

10 June 1955 Loads of black and white

The lorries left on Thursday morning and returned in the early hours of Saturday morning with about 17 tons of boiler fuel which, it was stated, had eased the situation for this week.

Gazette article 10 June 1955

 

Bicycle now does donkey work

New refuse arrangements at Clovelly

Mr William Headon who had undertaken duties of refuse collector at Clovelly has devised a system of using a pedal cycle and panniers to overcome the difficulties of this task up and down the cobbled steps of the picturesque but steep High Street.

27 May 1955 Bicycle now does donkey work

Refuse collecting duties were formerly carried out by Mr Cecil Braund with his donkey Paul. When Paul died earlier in the year Mr Braund intimated he wished to relinquish his appointment.

Gazette article 27 May 1955

 

 

Eleven million pound scheme’s official opening

East Yelland power station makes its bow!

The new electricity power station at East Yelland was officially opened by Lord Fortescue, the Lord Lieutenant of the County on 21st April.

When completed the station will burn 365,000 tons of coal a year which comes from South Wales on regular journeys. The ships are rapidly unloaded by mechanical conveyers, the river water is drawn in to cool the station and the coal descends from huge hoppers into the furnaces. From the steam created in the boilers, the large turbines and generators provide an enormous supply of current to meet the needs of North Devon and pour into the grid network of general supply.

22 April 1955 11 million schemes official opening

From this control room flows the current that at full load will supply all the needs for industrial and domestic power and lighting for North Devon and a much larger area beyond.

Gazette article 22 April 1955

 

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