• 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 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 2 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 3 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 4 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 5 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 6 Circus comes to town

  • 7 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 8 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 9

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 10 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 11 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 12 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 13 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 14 New Post Office

  • 15 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 16 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 17

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 18 Picking the pops

  • 19 Bideford computer stars

  • 20 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 21 School's link with cargo ship

  • 22 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 23 Northam's almshouse

  • 24 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 26 Hartland Dancers
  • 27 Bideford regatta

  • 28 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 29

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 30 Parkham plan realised

  • 31 Some 240 exhibits

  • 32 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 33

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 34 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 35 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 36 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 37 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 38 Sight of a lifetime

  • 39 New look in the hayfields

  • 40 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 41

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 42 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 43 Traditions and skills still there

  • 44 Torrington in 1967

  • 45 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 46 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 47 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 48 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 49 Ten year old scrambler

  • 50 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 51 Torrington's new amenity

  • 52 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 53 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 54 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 55 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 56 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 57 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 58 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 59 He beat the floods

  • 60 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 61 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 62 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 63 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 64 Penny for the guy

  • 65 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 66 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 67 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 68 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 69 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 70

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 71 The cab at the corner>
  • 72 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 73 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 74 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 75 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 76 Northam footballers of the future

  • 77 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 78 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 79 By pony and trap to market

  • 80 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 81 Blanchards ad.>
  • 82 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 83 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 84 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 85 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 86 New Lundy stamps

  • 87 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 88 When horses score over the tractor

  • 89 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 90 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 91 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 92 Pannier Market's future?

  • 93 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 94 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 95 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 96 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 97 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 98

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 99 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 100

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 101 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 102 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 103 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 104

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 105 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 106 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 107 Some mushroom!

  • 108 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 109 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 110 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 111 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 112 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 113 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 114

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 115 North Devon Driving School

  • 116 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 117 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 118 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 119 School crossing patrol begins

  • 120 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 121 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 122 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 123 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 124 Emergency ferry services

  • 125 Littleham family's five generations

  • 126 They are parted pro-tem

  • 127 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 128

    First prize
  • 129 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 130 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 131 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 132

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 133 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 134 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 136 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 137 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 138 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 139 Recognise this resort?

  • 140 New shipyard on schedule

  • 141 Out of puff!

  • 142 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 143 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 144 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 145 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 146 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 147

    Married in 1908
  • 148 New art gallery opened

  • 149 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 150 A man and his wheel

  • 151 Waldon Triplets
  • 152 Burnard family reunion

  • 153 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 154 Happy Days!

  • 155 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 156 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 157 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 158 A story to tell!

  • 159 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 160

    Building works
  • 161 Cruising down the river

  • 162 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 163 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 164 Finished in 1876

  • 165 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 166

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 167 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 168 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 169 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 170 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 172 Just over a year old

  • 173 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 174 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 175 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

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

  • 177 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 179 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 180 A bird of their own!

  • 181 The Geneva marionettes

  • 182 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 183 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 184 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 185 Off on a great adventure

  • 186 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 187

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 188 New civic medallions

  • 189 Six footed lamb

  • 190 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 191 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 192 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 193 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 194

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 195 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 196 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 197 Picking the pops

  • 198 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 199 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 200 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 201

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 202 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 203 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 204 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 205 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 206 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 207 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 208 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 209

    Relatives all over the world
  • 210 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 211 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 212 For crying out loud!

  • 213 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 214 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 215 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 216

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 217 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 218 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 219 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 220 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 221 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 222 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 223 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 224 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 225 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 226 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 227 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 228 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 229 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 230 Hartland postman retires

  • 231 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 232 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 233 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 234 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 235 Clovelly custom

  • 236 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 237 Private home for public pump

  • 238 Clovelly nightmare

  • 239 Last train from Torrington

  • 240 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 241 New choral society's growing response

  • 242 All for the love of a lady!

  • 243 Twenty-one yachts

  • 244 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 245 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 246 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 247 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 248 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 249

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 250 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 251 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

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

  • 253 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 254 Puppet characters introduced

  • 255 Appledore's new lifeboat

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

  • 257 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 258 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 259

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 260 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 261

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 262 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 263 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 265 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 266 No laughing matter

  • 267 Filming at Hartland

  • 268 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 269 What's the time?

  • 270 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 271 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 272 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 273 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 274 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 275 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 276

    Bidefordians
  • 277 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 278

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 279 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 280 Modern living at Bideford

  • 281 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 282 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 283 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

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

  • 285

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 286 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 287 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 288 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 289 In their new robes and hats

  • 290 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 291 Bideford loses training ship

  • 292 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 293 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 294 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 295 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 296 New life for Hartland organ

  • 297 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 298 Bridging the stream

  • 299 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 300 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 301

    Was a missionary
  • 302 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 303 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 304 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 305 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 306 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 307 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 308 Variety in summer weather

  • 309 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 310 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 311 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 312 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 313 No sale of Springfield House

  • 314 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 315 The art of the thatcher

  • 316 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 317 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 318 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 319 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 320 End of the line

  • 321 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 322 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 323 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 324 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 325 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 326 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 327 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 328 Peter poses for TV film

  • 329 Simple Item 138
  • 330 Weare Giffard potato

  • 331 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 332 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 333 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 334 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 335 Can spring be far away?

  • 336 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 337 Decontrol of meat

  • 338 Ships at Bideford

  • 339 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 340 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 341 New addition to Quay front

  • 342 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 343

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 344 A roof-top view - where?

  • 345 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 346 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 347 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 348 113 years at Instow

  • 349 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 350 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 351 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 352 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 353

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 354 Over the bank together>
  • 355 Riverside mystery

  • 356 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 357

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 358 All aboard the ark

  • 359 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 360 Devil sent packing

  • 361 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 362 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 363 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 364 From Bobby to Brian

  • 365 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 366 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 367 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 369 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 370 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 371 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 372 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 373 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 374 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 375 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 376 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 377 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 378 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 379 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 380 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 381 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 382 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 383 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 384 Revenge in style

  • 385

    Exhibition of school work
  • 386 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 387 Torrington children build igloo
  • 388 Jumble sale fever

  • 389 Life begins at 80

  • 390 Caught in the act>
  • 391 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 392

    New gateway
  • 393 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 394 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 395 Hartland's invitation

  • 396 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 397 Service with a smile

  • 398 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 399 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 400 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 401 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 402 Capers on the cobbles

  • 403 Police station view of Bideford

  • 404 It really was the 'last time'

  • 405 Mobile missionary

  • 406 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 407 Sweets derationing

  • 408 Warmington's garage ad

  • 409 Artisans' Club

  • 410 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 411 Appledore's largest

  • 412 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 413 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 414 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 415 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 416 So this is the mainland!

  • 417 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 418

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 419 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 420 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 421 Loads of black and white

  • 422 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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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‘Out of Appledore’ sailing memories

Local sailing memories

Now in the hands of the publishers and expected to be available next April is a book entitled ‘Out of Appledore’ dealing with the life of youngsters, who went to sea locally between 50 and 60 years ago in coastal schooners and ketches, of the hardships and experiences they had to endure before they became masters of their own ships.

Its author is Capt. W.J. Slade of Bridgeland Street, Bideford and the basis of his writing is his own experience and that of his contemporaries. It represents an era that has nearly passed but at Appledore the trading links still linger.

14 November 1958 Out of Appledore sailing memories

The photograph above, taken a couple of years ago, shows moored alongside Appledore Quay, the Kathleen and May (schooner), Irene (ketch), Agnes (ketch) and Garlandstone (ketch). Of these, only the first two now come to Appledore.

Gazette article 14 November 1958

 

Calf thinks of mare as mum

Calf and mare inseparable

In a field owned by farmer Mr George Copp, of South Street, Torrington, an eight week old calf and a nine years old mare are inseparable. Ever since the calf was taken away from its mother in the usual way a few days after birth it has been sucked by the mare.

15 August 1958 calf thinks of mare as num

‘It all started when I let the calf and horse run in the same field,’ explained Mr Copp. Now I can’t get them to leave each other. If I put the horse in the next field, the calf breaks through the hedge. Each evening after feeding from a bucket of milk, the calf goes to the horse.

Gazette article 15 August 1958

 

 

Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

Demolition of thatched cottage

A pile of rubble, about nine van loads of straw and some scrap iron are now all that remain of what was Northam Square’s only thatched cottage.

24 October 1958 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

Its exact age was uncertain – some thought between 200 and 300 years. Miss Muriel Moulton, the owner explained that her grandfather and uncle bought it from the son of Elizabeth Partridge who bequeathed it in 1837. It was then left to Miss Elizabeth Moulton, an aunt, who died three years ago. The cottage was the home of Miss Moulton, her sister and aunt until three years ago when the aunt died. However the thatch is wearing thin and the walls were damp, so the cottage had to go. A new cottage will be erected on the site. ‘It will still be called No.10 The Square,’ added Miss Moulton.

Gazette article 24 October 1958

 

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