• 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

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 2

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 3 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 4 Weare Giffard potato

  • 5 Waldon Triplets
  • 6

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 7 Puppet characters introduced

  • 8 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 9 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 10

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 11 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 12 It really was the 'last time'

  • 13 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 14 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 15 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 17 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 18 Picking the pops

  • 19 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 20

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 21 Clovelly custom

  • 22 Modern living at Bideford

  • 23 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 24 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 25 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 26 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 27 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 28 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 29

    Married in 1908
  • 30 The art of the thatcher

  • 31 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 32 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 33 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 34 Riverside mystery

  • 35 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 36 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 37 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 38 Centenary of Gazette

  • 39 Ten year old scrambler

  • 40 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 41 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 42

    Bidefordians
  • 43 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 44 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 45 First ship in 8 years

  • 46 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 47 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 48 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 49 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 50 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 51 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 52 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 53 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 54 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 55 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 56

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 57 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 58 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 59 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 60 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 61 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 62 A man and his wheel

  • 63 From Bobby to Brian

  • 64 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 65 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 67 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 68 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 69 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 70 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 71 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 72 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 73 Off on a great adventure

  • 74 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 75 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 76 Loads of black and white

  • 77 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 78 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 79 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 80 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 81 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 82 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 83 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 84 Service with a smile

  • 85 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 86 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 87 Clovelly nightmare

  • 88 Torrington's new amenity

  • 89 Finished in 1876

  • 90 So this is the mainland!

  • 91 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 92 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 93

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 94 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 95 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 96 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 97 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 98 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 99

    Exhibition of school work
  • 100 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 101 Hartland's invitation

  • 102 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 103 When horses score over the tractor

  • 104 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 105 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 106 Warmington's garage ad

  • 107

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 108 In their new robes and hats

  • 109 New Post Office

  • 110 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 111 End of the line

  • 112 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 113 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 114 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 116 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 117 New choral society's growing response

  • 118

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 119

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 120 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 121 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 122 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 123 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 124

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 125 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 126 What's the time?

  • 127 113 years at Instow

  • 128 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 129 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 130 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 131 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 132 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 133 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 134 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 135 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 136 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 137 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 138 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 139 Happy Days!

  • 140 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 141 Decontrol of meat

  • 142 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 143 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 144 New life for Hartland organ

  • 145 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 146

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 147 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 148 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 149 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 150 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 151 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 152

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 153 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 154 The Geneva marionettes

  • 155 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 156 Some mushroom!

  • 157 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 158 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 159 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 160 Peter poses for TV film

  • 161 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 162 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 163 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 164 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 165

    First prize
  • 166 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 167 Last train from Torrington

  • 168

    Building works
  • 169 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 170 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 171 No laughing matter

  • 172 School's link with cargo ship

  • 173 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 174 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 175 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 176

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 177 Northam footballers of the future

  • 178 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 179 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 180 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 181 Pannier Market's future?

  • 182 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 183 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 184 Jumble sale fever

  • 185 For crying out loud!

  • 186 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 187 Cruising down the river

  • 188 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 189 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 190

    Was a missionary
  • 191 Devil sent packing

  • 192 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 193 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 194

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 195 Private home for public pump

  • 196 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 197 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 198 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 199 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

  • 201 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 202 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 203 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 204 Bridging the stream

  • 205 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 206 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 207 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 208 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 209 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 210 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 211

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 212

    Relatives all over the world
  • 213 Recognise this resort?

  • 214 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 215 Hartland postman retires

  • 216 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 217 New Lundy stamps

  • 218 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 219 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 220 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 221 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 222 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 223 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 224 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 225 Life begins at 80

  • 226 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 227 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 228 Traditions and skills still there

  • 229 New addition to Quay front

  • 230 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 231 He beat the floods

  • 232

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 233 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 234 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 235 Bideford computer stars

  • 236 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 237 Circus comes to town

  • 238 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 239 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 240 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 241

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 242 North Devon Driving School

  • 243 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 244 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 246 The cab at the corner>
  • 247 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 248 New civic medallions

  • 249 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 250 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 251 Just over a year old

  • 252 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 253 Northam's almshouse

  • 254 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 255 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 256 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 257 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 258 Sweets derationing

  • 259 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 260 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 261 Simple Item 138
  • 262 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 263

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 264 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 265 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 266 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 267 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 268 Torrington in 1967

  • 269 Variety in summer weather

  • 270 Capers on the cobbles

  • 271 Emergency ferry services

  • 272 New art gallery opened

  • 273 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 274 Some 240 exhibits

  • 275 Six footed lamb

  • 276 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 277 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 278 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 279 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 280 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 281 Out of puff!

  • 282 Sight of a lifetime

  • 283 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 284 No sale of Springfield House

  • 285 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 286 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 287 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 288 Can spring be far away?

  • 289 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 290 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 291 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 292 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 293

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 294 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 295 Twenty-one yachts

  • 296 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 297 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 298 Revenge in style

  • 299

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 300 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 301 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 302 Appledore's largest

  • 303 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 304 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 305 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 306 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 307 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 308 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 309 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 310 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 311 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 312 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 313 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 314 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 315 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 316 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 317 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 318 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 319 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 320 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 321 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 322 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 324 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 325 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 326 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 327 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 328 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 329 Mobile missionary

  • 330 Bideford loses training ship

  • 331

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 332 Picking the pops

  • 333 All for the love of a lady!

  • 334 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 335 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 336 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 337 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 338 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 339 Filming at Hartland

  • 340 All aboard the ark

  • 341 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 342 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 343 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 344 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 345 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 346 A bird of their own!

  • 347 New shipyard on schedule

  • 348

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 349 School crossing patrol begins

  • 350 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 351

    New gateway
  • 352 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 353 Blanchards ad.>
  • 354 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 356 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 357 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 358 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 359 Parkham plan realised

  • 360 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 361 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 363 Burnard family reunion

  • 364 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 365 A story to tell!

  • 366 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 367 Caught in the act>
  • 368 Over the bank together>
  • 369 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 370 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 371 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 372

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 373 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 374 By pony and trap to market

  • 375 Police station view of Bideford

  • 376 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 377 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 378 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 379 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 380 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 381 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 382 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 383 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 384 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 385 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 386 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 387 Artisans' Club

  • 388 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 389 Penny for the guy

  • 390 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 392 New look in the hayfields

  • 393 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 394 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 395 Hartland Dancers
  • 396 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 397 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 398 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 399 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 400 Littleham family's five generations

  • 401 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 402 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 403 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 404 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 405 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 406 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 407 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 408 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 409 Bideford regatta

  • 410 Torrington children build igloo
  • 411 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 412 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 414 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 415 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 416 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 417 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 418 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 419

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 420 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 421 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 422 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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 stock-car racing entry comes in second

Mr Blight sets off to Plymouth

Cheerful send-off impression of Mr William Jack Blight of the Garage, New Road, Bideford, as he sets off for Plymouth Stadium to face over 13,000 spectators and to bash his way through to second place in his heat at the stock-car race meeting.

15 April 1955 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

The above car is a Ford V8 28 h.p. saloon ‘Blighty’s Blue Devil’ and has been stripped and braced inside with steel tubing and girders and has special bumpers fitted fore and aft. The outside is painted in Mr Blight’s special ‘kangaroo blue’.

Gazette article 15 April 1955

 

 

Torrington to have its first woman mayor

Miss Florence L. Lake accepts Council’s unanimous invitation

For the first time in its history Torrington will have a woman as Mayor when Miss Florence L. Lake, the only woman ever to have been elected to the Borough Council, takes office in May.

7 April 1955 Torrington to have first woman mayor

Miss Lake first joined the Council in November 1946 and, after losing her seat in the 1953 elections, was returned to the Council in May of last year. She sits on a number of Council committees and her service in those cases where the woman’s point of view has to be studied, have proved invaluable.

Gazette article 7 April 1955

 

Appledore tugs fete London Tower!

Appledore tugs on show in London

These Appledore-built tugs ‘Prestwick’ and ‘George V’ were ‘on inspection at Tower Pier, London, last week, built for exclusive use on the Thames. Up to 100 tug owners from leading British and some Continental ports came to appraise the new design of these vessels and Mr Gordon Harris, director and manager of Messrs. P.K. Harris and Sons, Appledore, hoped to have good news shortly of further orders.

 

1 April 1955 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

Gazette article 1 April 1955

 

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