• 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 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 2 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 3 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 4 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 5 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 7 Can spring be far away?

  • 8 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 9

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 10 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 11 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 12 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 13 All for the love of a lady!

  • 14 New choral society's growing response

  • 15 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 16 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 17 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 18 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 19 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 20 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 22 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 23 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 24 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 25 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 26 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 27 Private home for public pump

  • 28 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 29 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 30 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 31 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 32 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 33 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 34

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 35 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 36 Traditions and skills still there

  • 37 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 38 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 39 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 40 Just over a year old

  • 41 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 42 Recognise this resort?

  • 43 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 44 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 45 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 46 Emergency ferry services

  • 47 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 48 Clovelly nightmare

  • 49 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 50 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 51 Picking the pops

  • 52

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 53 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 54

    Building works
  • 55

    Exhibition of school work
  • 56 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 57 Clovelly custom

  • 58 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 59 End of the line

  • 60 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 61 Bideford regatta

  • 62 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 63

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 64

    Bidefordians
  • 65 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 66 School crossing patrol begins

  • 67 Some mushroom!

  • 68 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 69 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 70 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 71 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 72 All aboard the ark

  • 73 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 74 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 75 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 76 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 77 A roof-top view - where?

  • 78 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 79 Dismantling of wireless mast

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

  • 81 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 82 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 83 Service with a smile

  • 84 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 86 Cruising down the river

  • 87 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 88 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 89 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 90 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 91 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 92

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 93 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 94 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 95

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 96 A man and his wheel

  • 97 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 98 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 99 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 100 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 101 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 102 It really was the 'last time'

  • 103 Warmington's garage ad

  • 104 Peter poses for TV film

  • 105 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 106 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 107 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 108 Northam's almshouse

  • 109 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 110 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 111 Waldon Triplets
  • 112 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 113 Appledore's largest

  • 114 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 115 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 116 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 117 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 118 No sale of Springfield House

  • 119 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 120 School's link with cargo ship

  • 121 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 122 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 123

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 124 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 125 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 126 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 127 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 128 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 129 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 130 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 131 What's the time?

  • 132 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 133 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 134 Picking the pops

  • 135 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 136 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 137 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 138 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 139 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 140 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 141 Blanchards ad.>
  • 142 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 143 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 144 Chess - their bridge over the years

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

  • 146 Parkham plan realised

  • 147 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 148

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 149 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 150 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 151 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 152 Filming at Hartland

  • 153 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 154 Six footed lamb

  • 155 Hartland Dancers
  • 156 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 157 Burnard family reunion

  • 158 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 159

    Married in 1908
  • 160 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 161 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 162 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 163 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 164

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 165 New Post Office

  • 166 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 168 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 169 Riverside mystery

  • 170 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 171 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 172 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 173 North Devon Driving School

  • 174 Bridging the stream

  • 175 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 176 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 177 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 178 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 179 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 180

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 181 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 182 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 183 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 184 Puppet characters introduced

  • 185 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 186 Happy Days!

  • 187 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 188 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 189 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 190 Devil sent packing

  • 191 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 192 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 193 Bideford loses training ship

  • 194

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 195 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 196 The cab at the corner>
  • 197 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 198 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 199

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 200 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 201 Life begins at 80

  • 202 Finished in 1876

  • 203 New art gallery opened

  • 204 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 205

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 206 Sweets derationing

  • 207 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 208 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 209 He beat the floods

  • 210

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 211 New Lundy stamps

  • 212 Capers on the cobbles

  • 213 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 214 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 215

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 216 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 217 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 218 New civic medallions

  • 219 Torrington children build igloo
  • 220 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 221 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 222 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 223 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 224 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 226 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 227

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 228 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 229 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 231 Centenary of Gazette

  • 232 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 233 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 234 Artisans' Club

  • 235 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 236 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 237 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 238 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 239 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 240 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 241 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 242 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 243 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 244 Penny for the guy

  • 245 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 246

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 247

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 248 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 249 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 250 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 251 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 252 First ship in 8 years

  • 253 Police station view of Bideford

  • 254 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 255 New addition to Quay front

  • 256 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 257 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 258 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 259 Revenge in style

  • 260 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 261 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 262 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 263 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 264 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 265 The art of the thatcher

  • 266 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 268 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 269 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 270 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 271 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 272 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 273 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 274 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 275 Weare Giffard potato

  • 276 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 277 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 278 Jumble sale fever

  • 279

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 280 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 281 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 282 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 283 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 284 Decontrol of meat

  • 285 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 286 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 287 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 288 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 289

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 290 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 291 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 292

    Relatives all over the world
  • 293 Torrington's new amenity

  • 294 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 295 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 296 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 297 So this is the mainland!

  • 298 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 299 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 300 Sight of a lifetime

  • 301 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 302 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 303 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 304 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 305 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 306 No laughing matter

  • 307 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 308 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 309 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 310 New look in the hayfields

  • 311

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 312 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 313 Over the bank together>
  • 314 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 315 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 316 Variety in summer weather

  • 317

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 318 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 319 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 320 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 321 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 322 From Bobby to Brian

  • 323 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 324 Some 240 exhibits

  • 325 113 years at Instow

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

  • 327 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 328 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 329 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 330 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 331 The Geneva marionettes

  • 332 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 333 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 334

    Was a missionary
  • 335 New life for Hartland organ

  • 336 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 337 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 338 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 339 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 340 New shipyard on schedule

  • 341 A story to tell!

  • 342 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 343 Hartland's invitation

  • 344 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 345 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 346 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 347 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 348

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 349 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 350 In their new robes and hats

  • 351 Loads of black and white

  • 352 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 353 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 354 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 355 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 356 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 357 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 358 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 359 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 360 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 361 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 362 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 363 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 364 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 365 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 366 Mobile missionary

  • 367 Simple Item 138
  • 368 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 369

    New gateway
  • 370 Hartland postman retires

  • 371 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 372 Torrington in 1967

  • 373 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 375 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 376 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 377 When horses score over the tractor

  • 378 Last train from Torrington

  • 379 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 381 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 382

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 383 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 384 For crying out loud!

  • 385 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 386 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 387 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 388

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 389 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 390 Off on a great adventure

  • 391 They are parted pro-tem

  • 392 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 393 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 394 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 395 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 396 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 397 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 398 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 399 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 400 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 401

    First prize
  • 402 Northam footballers of the future

  • 403 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 405 Modern living at Bideford

  • 406 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 407 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 408 Caught in the act>
  • 409 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 410 Circus comes to town

  • 411 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 412 Pannier Market's future?

  • 413 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 414 Ships at Bideford

  • 415 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 416 Out of puff!

  • 417 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 418 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 419 A bird of their own!

  • 420 Twenty-one yachts

  • 421 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 422 Littleham family's five generations

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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  • 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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  • 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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Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

Pat Smythe and Wilf White

Two of the greatest show jumping riders in Britain – Pat Smythe and Wilf White – both Olympic bronze medallists – will be among those competing at this year’s Bideford and District Horse Show, to be held at Porthill on Wednesday next.

17 August 1956 Olympic riders to compete

This, the oldest purely horse show in the Westcountry, is the 118th in the series, a wonderful record.

Gazette article 17 August 1956

 

Open-air art exhibition by ‘under 40’ group

New group of young artists in Bideford

A new association of young artists known as the Waterside Group has been formed in Bideford. To qualify for membership of the group an artist must be under 40. The group has held its first open-air exhibition. Paintings were hung on the park railings in the hope of attracting people who would not normally go inside an art gallery.

Explained a member: ‘Our idea is to exhibit paintings here on the river bank which will produce a positive reaction and not just conventional admiration for a pretty-pretty picture. We want to bring art in the modern style to the attention of ordinary people. We hope even the Teddy Boys will stop and have a look when they come along’.

29 June 1956 Open air exhibition by under 40 group

Those exhibiting were Brian Chugg, Barbara Vincent, June Strick, Josephine Spence, Mary Chugg, Jan Reynolds and Ken Doughty.

Gazette article 29 June 1956

 

 

On her ‘maiden trip’ from Bideford

Former trawler is new link with Lundy

This photograph looks down on the deck of the ‘Lundy Gannet’ preparing to make her maiden trip to Lundy as the new link between the mainland and the Island. Before she left on Wednesday’s morning tide the Rev. R.C. Dixon (Vicar of Appledore and Priest-in-charge of Lundy) blessed the vessel on its new mission.

29 June 1956 On her maiden trip from Bideford

Those in the picture, gathered round the hold from left to right are: Mr Dan Crawford, retired trawler skipper, who brought the craft round from Scarborough; Mr W. Pickett, Customs and Excise Officer at Appledore; Mr Peter M. Lecky, deckhand; Mr Trevor Davey, of Bucks, coxswain of the Clovelly lifeboat, who is the new skipper; Mr Stanley Smith, who manages the Marisco Tavern on Lundy and the Rev. R.C. Dixon.

Gazette article 29 June 1956

 

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