• 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 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 2 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 3 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 4 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 5

    Married in 1908
  • 6 Police station view of Bideford

  • 7 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 8 Bideford regatta

  • 9 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 10 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 11 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 12 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 13

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 14 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 15 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 16

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 17 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 18 Some 240 exhibits

  • 19 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 20 Circus comes to town

  • 21 For crying out loud!

  • 22 Devil sent packing

  • 23 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 24 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 25 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 26 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 27 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 28 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 29 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 30 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 31 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 32 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 33 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 34

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 35 Can spring be far away?

  • 36 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 37 Six footed lamb

  • 38

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 39 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 40 Blanchards ad.>
  • 41 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 42 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 44 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 45 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 46

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 47 Down at the 'Donkey House'

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

  • 49 Artisans' Club

  • 50

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 51

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 52 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 53 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 54 From Bobby to Brian

  • 55 Some mushroom!

  • 56 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 57 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 58 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 60 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 61 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 62 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 63 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 64 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 65 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 66 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 67 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 68 Sight of a lifetime

  • 69 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 70 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 71 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 73 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 74 It really was the 'last time'

  • 75 New shipyard on schedule

  • 76 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 77 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 78 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 79 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 80 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 81 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 82 Appledore's largest

  • 83 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 84 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 85 Bridging the stream

  • 86

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 87 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 88 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 89 They are parted pro-tem

  • 90 Decontrol of meat

  • 91 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 92 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 93 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 94 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 95 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 96 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 97 Over the bank together>
  • 98 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 99 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 100 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 101 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 102

    New gateway
  • 103 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 104 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 105 All aboard the ark

  • 106 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 107 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 108 Hartland postman retires

  • 109 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 110 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 111 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 112

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 113 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 115 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 116 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 117 Off on a great adventure

  • 118 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 119 Bideford loses training ship

  • 120 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 121 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 122 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 123 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 124 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 125 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 126 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 128 Loads of black and white

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

  • 131

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 132 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 133 Revenge in style

  • 134 School crossing patrol begins

  • 135 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 136 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 137 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 138 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 139 New civic medallions

  • 140 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 141 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 142 Centenary of Gazette

  • 143 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 144 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 145 The Geneva marionettes

  • 146 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 147 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 148 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 149 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 150 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 151 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 152 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 153 Northam's almshouse

  • 154 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 155 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 156 Service with a smile

  • 157 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 158 A man and his wheel

  • 159 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 160 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 161 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 162 Puppet characters introduced

  • 163 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 164 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 165 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 166 Cruising down the river

  • 167 New life for Hartland organ

  • 168 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 169 He beat the floods

  • 170 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 171

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 172 Ships at Bideford

  • 173

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

  • 175 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 176 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 177 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 178 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 179 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 180 Finished in 1876

  • 181 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 182 Riverside mystery

  • 183 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 184 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 185 Sweets derationing

  • 186 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 187 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 188 North Devon Driving School

  • 189 Twenty-one yachts

  • 190 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 191 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 192 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 193 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 194 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 195 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 196 Hartland Dancers
  • 197 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 198 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 199 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 200 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 201 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 202 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 203 Torrington's new amenity

  • 204

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 205

    First prize
  • 206 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 207 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 208 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 209 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 210 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 211 Dismantling of wireless mast

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

  • 213 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 214 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 215 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 216 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 217 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 218 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 219 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 220 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 221 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 222 Northam footballers of the future

  • 223 Capers on the cobbles

  • 224

    Building works
  • 225 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 226 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 227 Recognise this resort?

  • 228

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 229 Picking the pops

  • 230 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 231 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 232 Happy Days!

  • 233 New look in the hayfields

  • 234 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 235 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 236 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 238 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 239 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 240 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 241 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 242 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 243 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 244 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 245 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 246 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 247 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 248 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 249 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 250 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 251 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 252

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 253

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 254 A story to tell!

  • 255 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 256 End of the line

  • 257 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 258 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 259 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 260 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 261

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 262 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 263 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 264 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 265

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 266 New art gallery opened

  • 267 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 268 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 269 Clovelly custom

  • 270 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 271

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 272 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 273 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 274 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 275 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 276 Ten year old scrambler

  • 277 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 278 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 279 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 280

    Was a missionary
  • 281 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 282 The cab at the corner>
  • 283 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 284 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 285

    Relatives all over the world
  • 286 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 287 The art of the thatcher

  • 288 Picking the pops

  • 289 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 290 Life begins at 80

  • 291 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 292 New Post Office

  • 293 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 294 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 295 So this is the mainland!

  • 296 By pony and trap to market

  • 297 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 298 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 299 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 300 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 301 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 302 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 303 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 304 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 305 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 306 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 307 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 308 Last train from Torrington

  • 309 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 310

    Exhibition of school work
  • 311 Out of puff!

  • 312 Modern living at Bideford

  • 313 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 314 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 315 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 316 Private home for public pump

  • 317 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 318 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 319 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 320 Floral dancing at Appledore

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

  • 322 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 323 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 324 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 325 Bideford computer stars

  • 326 Waldon Triplets
  • 327 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 328

    Bidefordians
  • 329 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 330 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 331 Torrington children build igloo
  • 332 A bird of their own!

  • 333 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 334 School's link with cargo ship

  • 335 No laughing matter

  • 336 Weare Giffard potato

  • 337 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 338 Mobile missionary

  • 339 Caught in the act>
  • 340 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 341 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 342 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 343 Littleham family's five generations

  • 344

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 345 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 346

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 347 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 348 A roof-top view - where?

  • 349 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 350 Pannier Market's future?

  • 351 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 352 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 353 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 354 First ship in 8 years

  • 355 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 356 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 357 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 358 Parkham plan realised

  • 359 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 360 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 361 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 362 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 363 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 364 Warmington's garage ad

  • 365 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 366 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 367 What's the time?

  • 368 In their new robes and hats

  • 369 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 370 Emergency ferry services

  • 371

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 372 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

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

  • 375

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 376 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 377 Traditions and skills still there

  • 378 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 379 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 380 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 381 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 382 113 years at Instow

  • 383 Penny for the guy

  • 384 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

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

  • 386 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 387 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 388 Torrington in 1967

  • 389 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 390 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 391 When horses score over the tractor

  • 392 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 393 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 394 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 395

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 396 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 397 Burnard family reunion

  • 398 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 399 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 400 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 401 Peter poses for TV film

  • 402 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 403 Simple Item 138
  • 404 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 405 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 406 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 407

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 408 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 409 No sale of Springfield House

  • 410 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 411 Variety in summer weather

  • 412 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 413 New choral society's growing response

  • 414 All for the love of a lady!

  • 415 New addition to Quay front

  • 416 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 417 Filming at Hartland

  • 418 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 419 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 420 New Lundy stamps

  • 421 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 422 Hartland's invitation

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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Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

Residence of one of Devon's oldest families

Nestling in a lovely and typical Devonshire combe that runs down to the coast west of Bideford, stands Portledge House, the residence of one of Devon’s oldest families, the Coffins.

31 August 1956 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

Historical records show that the family of Coffin – the name is now Pine-Coffin - has been associated with Portledge and the parish and village of Alwington since the time of William the Conqueror.

Gazette article 31 August 1956

 

 

Clovelly’s 91 year old horseman

One of Devon's oldest horsemen

One of North Devon’s oldest horsemen is 91 year old Mr Lewis Grills, of Brownsham Cottage, Clovelly, seen here with his 18 year old pony Polly on a visit to blacksmith Mr H. Conibear of Hartland.

24 August 1956 Clovellys 91 year old horseman

It was eleven years ago this Lady Day that he retired after farming at Brownsham for some forty years and was succeeded by his son, Mr H. Grills.

Gazette article 24 August 1956

 

Centuries old but today busier than ever

Orleigh – last of Yeo Mills

The only industrial building in the whole of Bideford Rural District is Orleigh Mill which today is producing more than it has ever done in its centuries of existence.

24 August 1956 Centuries old but today busier than ever

Mr R.T. (‘Dick’) Sanders whose family have operated the mill for a century is the fourth in the family line of succession. It is the last of a number of mills that used to be worked in the Yeo valley.

Gazette article 24 August 1956

 

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