• 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 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 2

    Bidefordians
  • 3 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 4 Private home for public pump

  • 5 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 6 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 7 Hartland Dancers
  • 8 What's the time?

  • 9 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 11 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 12 Emergency ferry services

  • 13 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 14 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 15

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 16 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 17 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 18 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 19 Over the bank together>
  • 20 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 21 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 22 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 23 Some mushroom!

  • 24 Bridging the stream

  • 25 Can spring be far away?

  • 26

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 27 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 28 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 29 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 30 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 31 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 32 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 33 Appledore's largest

  • 34 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 35 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 36 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 37 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 38 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 39 Weare Giffard potato

  • 40

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 41 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 42 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 43

    Building works
  • 44

    Exhibition of school work
  • 45 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 46 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 47 No laughing matter

  • 48 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 49 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 50 Hartland's invitation

  • 51 New Post Office

  • 52 Jumble sale fever

  • 53 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 54 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 55 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 56 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 57 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 58 Artisans' Club

  • 59 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 60 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 61 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 62 New addition to Quay front

  • 63 Puppet characters introduced

  • 64 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 65 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 66 Loads of black and white

  • 67 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 68

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 69 Revenge in style

  • 70 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 71 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 72 Simple Item 138
  • 73 Clovelly nightmare

  • 74 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 75 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 76 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 77 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 78 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 79 Bideford computer stars

  • 80 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 81 Burnard family reunion

  • 82 New Lundy stamps

  • 83 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 84 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 85 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 86 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 87 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 88 He beat the floods

  • 89 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 90 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 91 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 92 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 93 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 94 Ships at Bideford

  • 95 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 97

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 98 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 99

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 100 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 101 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 102 First ship in 8 years

  • 103 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 104 So this is the mainland!

  • 105 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 106 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 107 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 108

    First prize
  • 109 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 110 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 111 The Geneva marionettes

  • 112 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 113 Variety in summer weather

  • 114 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 115 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 116 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 118 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 119 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 120 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 121 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 122 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 123 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 124 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 125 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 126 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 127 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 128 Torrington in 1967

  • 129 A man and his wheel

  • 130 For crying out loud!

  • 131 Northam's almshouse

  • 132 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 133 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 134

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 135 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 137 Police station view of Bideford

  • 138 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 139 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 140

    Relatives all over the world
  • 141 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 142

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 143

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 144

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 145 From Bobby to Brian

  • 146

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 147 Six footed lamb

  • 148 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 149 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 150 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 151 Service with a smile

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

  • 153 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 154 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 155 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 156 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 157 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 158 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 159 In their new robes and hats

  • 160

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 161 Bideford loses training ship

  • 162

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 163 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 164 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 165 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 166 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 167 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 168 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 169 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 170 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 171 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 172 When horses score over the tractor

  • 173 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 174 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 175 Waldon Triplets
  • 176 Pannier Market's future?

  • 177 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 178 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 180 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 181 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 182 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 183 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 184 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 185 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 186 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 187 Devil sent packing

  • 188 End of the line

  • 189 Torrington children build igloo
  • 190 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 191 No sale of Springfield House

  • 192 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 193 Cruising down the river

  • 194 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 195 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 196 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 197 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 198 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 199 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 200 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 201 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 202

    New gateway
  • 203 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 204 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 205 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 206 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 207 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 208 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 209 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 210 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 211 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 212 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 213 It really was the 'last time'

  • 214 Caught in the act>
  • 215 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 216 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 218 Out of puff!

  • 219 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 220 Mobile missionary

  • 221 Hartland postman retires

  • 222 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 223 Sight of a lifetime

  • 224 Penny for the guy

  • 225 113 years at Instow

  • 226 New civic medallions

  • 227 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 228 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 229 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 230 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 231 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 232 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 233 Filming at Hartland

  • 234 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 235 All for the love of a lady!

  • 236 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 237 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 238

    Married in 1908
  • 239 North Devon Driving School

  • 240 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 241 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 242 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 243 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 244 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 245 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 246 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 247 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 248 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 249 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 250 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 251

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 252 Northam footballers of the future

  • 253 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 254 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 255 The cab at the corner>
  • 256 Recognise this resort?

  • 257 Centenary of Gazette

  • 258 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 259 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 260 Finished in 1876

  • 261 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 262 Capers on the cobbles

  • 263 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 264 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 265 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 266 New look in the hayfields

  • 267 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 268

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 269 Picking the pops

  • 270 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 271 A bird of their own!

  • 272 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 273 Happy Days!

  • 274 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 275 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 276 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 277 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 278 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 279 Bideford regatta

  • 280 Ten year old scrambler

  • 281 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 282 Torrington's new amenity

  • 283 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 284 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 285 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 286

    Was a missionary
  • 287 Traditions and skills still there

  • 288 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 289 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 290

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 291 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 292 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 293 The art of the thatcher

  • 294 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 295 Last train from Torrington

  • 296 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 297 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 298 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 299 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 300

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 301 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 302 New art gallery opened

  • 303 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 304 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 305 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 306 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 307 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 308 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 309 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 310 Decontrol of meat

  • 311 Modern living at Bideford

  • 312 They are parted pro-tem

  • 313 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 314 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 315 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 316 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 317 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 318 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 319 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 320 Peter poses for TV film

  • 321 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 322 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 323

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 324 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 325 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 326 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 327 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 328 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 329 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 330 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 331 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 332 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 333 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 334 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 335 Blanchards ad.>
  • 336 New choral society's growing response

  • 337 Warmington's garage ad

  • 338 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 339 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 340 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 341 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 342

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 343 Sweets derationing

  • 344 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 345 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 347 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 348 New shipyard on schedule

  • 349 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 350 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 351 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 352 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 353 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 354 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 355 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 356 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 357 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 358 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 359 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 360 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 361 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 362 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 363 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 364 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 365 New life for Hartland organ

  • 366 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 367 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 368 Just over a year old

  • 369 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 370 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 371 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 372 By pony and trap to market

  • 373 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 374 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 375 Parkham plan realised

  • 376 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 377

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 378 Off on a great adventure

  • 379

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 380 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 381 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 382

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 383 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 384 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 386 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 387 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 388 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 389 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 390 School crossing patrol begins

  • 391 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 392 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 393 All aboard the ark

  • 394

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 395 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 396

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 397 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 398 Riverside mystery

  • 399

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 400 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 401 Life begins at 80

  • 402 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 403 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 404 Picking the pops

  • 405 A story to tell!

  • 406 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 407 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 408 Littleham family's five generations

  • 409 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 410 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 411 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 412 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 413 School's link with cargo ship

  • 414 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 415 Clovelly custom

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

  • 417 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 418 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 419 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 420 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 421 Circus comes to town

  • 422 Some 240 exhibits

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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Meeting at 10 Downing Street

Annual General Meeting of Save the Children Fund

Westcountry delegates to the annual general meeting of the Save the Children Fund held recently at 10 Downing Street are pictured below.

18 November 1949 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

The group includes Mrs Clement Attlee, wife of the Prime Minister, talking to Miss Abbott, of Westward Ho! and a member of the Bideford and District Committee. On Miss Abbott’s left are Miss W.M. Barrett of Barnstaple and Lt.-Commander S. Gorrell hon. Secretary of the Bideford and District committee.

Gazette article 18 November 1949

 

Safety-first diplomas awarded to Torrington drivers

Safe drivers at Torridge Vale Dairy

Of the fifty or so lorry drivers employed by the Torridge Vale Dairy, Torrington, 28 were eligible during 1948 for National Safety First Diplomas, the conditions being that the driver must be on the road for not less than forty-four weeks during the year without accident of any sort.

11 November 1949 Safety first diplomas awarded to Torrington drivers

Of these 28, no less than 23 qualified for the awards, a fine record of careful driving.

Gazette article 11 November 1949

 

 

Heralding National Savings Week

Fanfare from Town Hall

Two members of Bideford Town Silver Band - bandmaster A.J. Headon and Mr W.H. Vodden – dressed in heralds’ costumes, blew a fanfare to mark the opening of National Savings Week at Bideford.

28 October 1949 Heralding National Savings week

Gazette article 28 October 1949

 

 

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