• 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 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 2 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 3 Jumble sale fever

  • 4 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 5 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 6 Artisans' Club

  • 7 Simple Item 138
  • 8 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 9 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 10 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 11 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 12 Appledore's largest

  • 13 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 14 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 15 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 16 Loads of black and white

  • 17 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 18 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 19 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 20 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 21 Out of puff!

  • 22 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 23 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 24 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 25 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 26 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 27 New shipyard on schedule

  • 28 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 29 Peter poses for TV film

  • 30 Mobile missionary

  • 31 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 32

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 33 Bideford computer stars

  • 34 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 35 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 36 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 37 All aboard the ark

  • 38 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 39 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 40 113 years at Instow

  • 41 A bird of their own!

  • 42 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 43 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 44 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 46 Sweets derationing

  • 47 Waldon Triplets
  • 48 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 49 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 50

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 51 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 52 Emergency ferry services

  • 53 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 54 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 55 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 56 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 57 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 58 Six footed lamb

  • 59 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 60 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 61

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 62 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 63 Torrington's new amenity

  • 64 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 65 Bideford regatta

  • 66 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 67 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 68 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 69 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 70 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 71 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 72 Life begins at 80

  • 73 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 74 Blanchards ad.>
  • 75 Clovelly nightmare

  • 76 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 77 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 78 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 79

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 80 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 81 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 82 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 83 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 84 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 85 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 86 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 87 New art gallery opened

  • 88 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 89 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 91 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 92

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 93

    New gateway
  • 94 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 95 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 96 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 97 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 98 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 99 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 100

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 101 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 102 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 103 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 104 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 105 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 106 Just over a year old

  • 107

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 108 New life for Hartland organ

  • 109 North Devon Driving School

  • 110 Circus comes to town

  • 111 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 112 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 113 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 114 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 115 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 116 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

  • 118 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 119 Puppet characters introduced

  • 120 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 121

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 122 Hartland's invitation

  • 123 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 124 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 125 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 126 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 127 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 128 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 129 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 130 Modern living at Bideford

  • 131

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 132 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 133 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 134 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 135 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 136 Over the bank together>
  • 137 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 138

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 139 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 140 Caught in the act>
  • 141 Can spring be far away?

  • 142 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 143 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 144 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 145 All for the love of a lady!

  • 146 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 147 Hartland postman retires

  • 148 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 150 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 151 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 152 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 153 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 154 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 155 Ten year old scrambler

  • 156

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 157 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 158 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 159 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 160 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 161 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 162 Penny for the guy

  • 163 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 164 New choral society's growing response

  • 165 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 166 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 167 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 168 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 169 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 170 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 171 Happy Days!

  • 172 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 173 From Bobby to Brian

  • 174 Sight of a lifetime

  • 175 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 176 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 177 Cruising down the river

  • 178

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 179 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 180 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 181 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 182 No sale of Springfield House

  • 183 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 184 Devil sent packing

  • 185 Variety in summer weather

  • 186 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 187 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 188 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 189 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 190 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 191 Burnard family reunion

  • 192

    Married in 1908
  • 193 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 194 Twenty-one yachts

  • 195 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 196 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 197 Police station view of Bideford

  • 198 Riverside mystery

  • 199 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 200 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 201 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 202 A roof-top view - where?

  • 203 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 204 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 205 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 206 Centenary of Gazette

  • 207 No laughing matter

  • 208 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 209 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 210 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 211 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 212 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 214 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 215 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 216 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 217 Private home for public pump

  • 218 Recognise this resort?

  • 219 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 220 For crying out loud!

  • 221 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 222 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 223 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 224 The Geneva marionettes

  • 225 Clovelly custom

  • 226 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 227 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 228 Picking the pops

  • 229 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 230 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

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

  • 232 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 233 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 234 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 235 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 236

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 237 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 238 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 239 First ship in 8 years

  • 240 New addition to Quay front

  • 241 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 242 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 243 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 244 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 245 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 246 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 247 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 248 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 249 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 250 Pannier Market's future?

  • 251 Warmington's garage ad

  • 252 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 253 A man and his wheel

  • 254 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 255 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 256 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 257 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 258 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 259 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 260 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 261 New Lundy stamps

  • 262

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 263 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 264 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 265 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 266 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 267 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 268

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 269 Littleham family's five generations

  • 270 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 271 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 272 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 273 Picking the pops

  • 274 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 275 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 276 He beat the floods

  • 277 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 278 What's the time?

  • 279

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 280 Torrington children build igloo
  • 281 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 282 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 283

    Relatives all over the world
  • 284 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 285 Revenge in style

  • 286 School's link with cargo ship

  • 287 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 288 Last train from Torrington

  • 289 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 290 Northam's almshouse

  • 291 When horses score over the tractor

  • 292 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 293 Service with a smile

  • 294 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 296 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 297 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 298 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 299 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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

  • 301

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 302 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 303 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 304 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 305 Hartland Dancers
  • 306 Weare Giffard potato

  • 307 Some 240 exhibits

  • 308 It really was the 'last time'

  • 309

    Bidefordians
  • 310 Torrington in 1967

  • 311 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 312 Decontrol of meat

  • 313 Northam footballers of the future

  • 314 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 316 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 317 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 318 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 319 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 320 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 321

    Building works
  • 322

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 323 New civic medallions

  • 324 Finished in 1876

  • 325

    Was a missionary
  • 326 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 327 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 328 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 329

    First prize
  • 330 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 331

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 332 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 333

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 334 School crossing patrol begins

  • 335 Parkham plan realised

  • 336 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 337 New look in the hayfields

  • 338 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 339 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 340 In their new robes and hats

  • 341

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 342

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 343 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 344 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 345 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 346 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 347 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 348 The art of the thatcher

  • 349 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 350 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 352

    Exhibition of school work
  • 353 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 354 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 356 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 357 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 358 So this is the mainland!

  • 359 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 360 Ships at Bideford

  • 361 Bridging the stream

  • 362 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 363 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 364 Traditions and skills still there

  • 365 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 367 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 368 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 369 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 370

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 371 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 372 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 373 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 374 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 375 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 376 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 377 They are parted pro-tem

  • 378 New Post Office

  • 379 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 380 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 381 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 382 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 383 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 384 A story to tell!

  • 385

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 386 Some mushroom!

  • 387 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 388 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 389 Bideford loses training ship

  • 390 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 391 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 392 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 393 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 394 By pony and trap to market

  • 395 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 396

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 397 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 398 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 399 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 400 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 401 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 402 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 403 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 404 Off on a great adventure

  • 405 Capers on the cobbles

  • 406 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 407 Filming at Hartland

  • 408 End of the line

  • 409 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 410 The cab at the corner>
  • 411 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 412 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 413 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 414 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 415 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 416 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 417 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 418 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 419 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 420 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 421 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 422 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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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Alwington School closing after 120 years

Village school closing

At the end of this term the Alwington School closes and the children will be transferred to Abbotsham School and only the slate tablet recording ‘This building was erected in 1836 by Mrs and the Miss Morrisons with the sanction of the Lord Bishop of Exeter, for the education of the children of Alwington parish in the principles of the Established Church,’ will recall the days when the village had its own school.

29 March 1957 Alwington School closing after 120 years

Headmistress is Mrs G.A. Elston which has been associated with the school since 1926. Her assistant is Mrs E.A. Geen of Bideford who will be joining the staff of Abbotsham School next term.

Gazette article 29 March 1957

 

 

So this is the mainland!

Newborn calf from Lundy

One of the calves which, last week, was landed at Bideford from Lundy, gazes at a new world while being hoisted to the top of the quay from the ‘Lundy Gannet.’ The vessel brought five bullocks and three calves which were sold at Woolsery auction.

8 March 1957 So this is the mainland

Gazette article 8 March 1957

 

Bideford skifflers, they’re no ‘squares’

New skiffle group

The ‘Hound Dogs’ at one of their rehearsals are no ‘squares’ but specialise in rock’n’roll and skiffle. Leader of the group is 23 year old Bill Barnes, seen playing the guitar. Others are: Ken Tryon (20, drums; Alan Curtis (19) piano, Ron Burrage (17) bass; Bill Stoneman (35) and Cyril Cole (24), piano accordians.

22 March 1957 Bideford skifflers theyre no squares

Only two members of the ‘Hound Dogs’ – Alan Curtis and Bill Stoneman – can read music. The others play by ear. Eighteen year old David Beer, who acts as the groups compere, plays a skiffle board – just an ordinary washing board. The East-the-Water Community Centre gave the group their first break at a recent dance.

Gazette article 22 March 1957

 

 

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