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

  • 2 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 3 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 5 Artisans' Club

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

  • 7 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 8

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 9 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 10 Clovelly nightmare

  • 11

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 12 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 13 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 14 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 15 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 16 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 17 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 18 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 19 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 20 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 21 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 22

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 23 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 24 They are parted pro-tem

  • 25

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 26 By pony and trap to market

  • 27 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 28 Off on a great adventure

  • 29 Filming at Hartland

  • 30 New look in the hayfields

  • 31

    Building works
  • 32 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 33

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 34

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 35

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 36

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 37 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 38 Warmington's garage ad

  • 39 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 40 Hartland postman retires

  • 41 New addition to Quay front

  • 42 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 43 Penny for the guy

  • 44 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 45 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 46 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 47 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 48 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 49 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 50 Over the bank together>
  • 51 Private home for public pump

  • 52 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 53 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 54 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 55 The Geneva marionettes

  • 56 Simple Item 138
  • 57 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 58 Decontrol of meat

  • 59 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 60 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 61 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 62 Burnard family reunion

  • 63 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 64 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 65 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 67 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 68 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 69 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 70 Appledore's largest

  • 71 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 72 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 73 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 74

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 75 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 76 Bideford computer stars

  • 77

    New gateway
  • 78 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 79

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 80 In their new robes and hats

  • 81 Peter poses for TV film

  • 82 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 83 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 84 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 85 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 86 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 87 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 88 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 89 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 90 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 91 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 92 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 93 Weare Giffard potato

  • 94 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 95 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 96 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 97 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 98 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 99 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 100 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 101 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 102 Out of puff!

  • 103 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 104 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 105 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 106 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 107 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 108 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 109 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 110 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 111 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 112 Centenary of Gazette

  • 113 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 114 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 115 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 116 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 117 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 118 Waldon Triplets
  • 119 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 120 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 121 Circus comes to town

  • 122 Life begins at 80

  • 123 Pannier Market's future?

  • 124 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 125 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 126 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 127 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 128 Cruising down the river

  • 129 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 130 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 131 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 132 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 133

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 134 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 135 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 136 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 137 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 138

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 139 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 140 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 141 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 142 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 143 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 144 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 145 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 146 Ships at Bideford

  • 147 Picking the pops

  • 148 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 149 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 150 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 151 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 152 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 153 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 154 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 155 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 156 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 157

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 158 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 159 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 161 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 162 Variety in summer weather

  • 163 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 164 He beat the floods

  • 165 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 166 North Devon Driving School

  • 167

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 168 New civic medallions

  • 169

    Exhibition of school work
  • 170 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 171 Twenty-one yachts

  • 172 All for the love of a lady!

  • 173 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 174 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 175 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 176 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 177 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 178 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 179 Puppet characters introduced

  • 180 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 181

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 182 Bridging the stream

  • 183 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 184 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 185

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 186 Modern living at Bideford

  • 187

    Relatives all over the world
  • 188 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 189 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 190 Littleham family's five generations

  • 191 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 192 The art of the thatcher

  • 193

    Was a missionary
  • 194 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 195 Some mushroom!

  • 196 New art gallery opened

  • 197 A story to tell!

  • 198 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 199

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 200 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 201 A man and his wheel

  • 202 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 204 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 205 New choral society's growing response

  • 206 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 207 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 208 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 209 New Lundy stamps

  • 210 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 211 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 212 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 213 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 214 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 215 Jumble sale fever

  • 216 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 217 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 218 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 219 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 220 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 221 Just over a year old

  • 222 Devil sent packing

  • 223 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 224 Sooty is quick on the draw

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

  • 226 No laughing matter

  • 227 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 228 No sale of Springfield House

  • 229 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 230 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 231 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 232

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 233 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 234 Revenge in style

  • 235 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 236 Clovelly custom

  • 237 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 238 Finished in 1876

  • 239 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 240 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 241 School's link with cargo ship

  • 242 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 243 So this is the mainland!

  • 244 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 245 Recognise this resort?

  • 246 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 247 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 248 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 249

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 250 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 251 Capers on the cobbles

  • 252 From Bobby to Brian

  • 253 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 254 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 255 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 256 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 257 Torrington children build igloo
  • 258 Loads of black and white

  • 259

    Bidefordians
  • 260 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 261 When horses score over the tractor

  • 262 Happy Days!

  • 263 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 264 Mobile missionary

  • 265 All aboard the ark

  • 266 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 267 Traditions and skills still there

  • 268 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 269 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 270 A bird of their own!

  • 271 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 272 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 273 113 years at Instow

  • 274 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 275 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 276 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 277 Service with a smile

  • 278 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 280 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 281 A roof-top view - where?

  • 282 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 283 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 284

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 285 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 286 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 287 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 288 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 289 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 290 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 291 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 292 Sweets derationing

  • 293 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 294 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 295 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 296 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 297 Riverside mystery

  • 298 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 299 End of the line

  • 300 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 301 Ten year old scrambler

  • 302 Six footed lamb

  • 303 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 304 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 305 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 306 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 307 Bideford loses training ship

  • 308 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 309 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 311 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 312 Some 240 exhibits

  • 313 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 314 Bideford regatta

  • 315 Parkham plan realised

  • 316 Torrington's new amenity

  • 317

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 318 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 319 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 320 Emergency ferry services

  • 321 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 322 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 323 Can spring be far away?

  • 324 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 325 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 327 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 328 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 329 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 330 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 331 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 332 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 334 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 335 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 336 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 337 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 338

    First prize
  • 339 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 340 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 341 Sight of a lifetime

  • 342 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 343 It really was the 'last time'

  • 344 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 345 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 346 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 347 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 348 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 349

    Married in 1908
  • 350

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 351 School crossing patrol begins

  • 352 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 353 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 354 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 355 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 356 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 357 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 358 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 359 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 360 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 361 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 363 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 364 Torrington in 1967

  • 365 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 366 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 367 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 368 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 369 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 370 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 371 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 372 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 373 New shipyard on schedule

  • 374 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 375 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 376 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 377 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 378 New life for Hartland organ

  • 379 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 380 Blanchards ad.>
  • 381 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 382 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 383

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 384 The cab at the corner>
  • 385 Caught in the act>
  • 386 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 387 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 388 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 389 Last train from Torrington

  • 390 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 391 First ship in 8 years

  • 392 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 393 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 394 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 395 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 396 What's the time?

  • 397 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 398 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 400 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 401 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 402 New Post Office

  • 403 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 404 Hartland Dancers
  • 405 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 406 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 407 Northam footballers of the future

  • 408 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 409 Police station view of Bideford

  • 410 Picking the pops

  • 411 For crying out loud!

  • 412

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 413 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 415

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 416 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 417 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 418 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 419 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 420 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 421 Hartland's invitation

  • 422 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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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No laughing matter

Bideford housewives manage a smile in adverse circumstances

Yet again this winter housewives of Chanters Lane have awakened to find all their ground floor rooms flooded by water from inside, forced up through the drains and sinks. Aggravated when the tide is up and river-drainage sluices are closed, the flood water masses itself in the low-lying marsh areas between the Northam Causeway road and the Kingsley road and natural levelling forces the surplus water up into the homes of the Chanters Lane houses.

21 January 1955 No laughing matter

Bideford Town Council met in special committee on this problem on Tuesday but no decision was taken. This is a matter which should win public opinion and with the County Council elections coming on, it should have the fullest sympathy with new aspirants to County Council office.

Gazette article 21 January 1955

 

Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

‘Workmanship is mighty good’ says U.S. spokesman

One of a group of such vessels being built in the United Kingdom for NATO nations under the United States off-shore procurement plan, the 106-ft inshore minesweeper Stedham was launched from the Bideford yards of Messrs. M.W. Blackmore and Sons after having been christened by the Mayoress of Bideford Mrs D.F.B. Stucley.

14 January 1955 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

H.M.S. Stedham is one of the largest vessels to be built above Bideford bridge since 1868 was later taken through the fourth arch from the east end of the bridge and towed to Appledore for fitting out.

Gazette article 14 January 1955

 

Cruising down the river

Plenty to see

Casting off from the Quay aboard paddle steamer ‘Cardiff Queen’ we wave to the onlookers lining the front.

17 August 1956 Cruising down the river

At Lower Cleavehouses we pass a barge chugging its way up to Bideford so laden with estuary gravel that it is almost awash.

Gazette article 17 August 1956

 

 

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