• 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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    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 2 Puppet characters introduced

  • 3 New addition to Quay front

  • 4 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 5 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 6 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 7 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 8 He beat the floods

  • 9 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 10 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 11 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 12 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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

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

  • 15 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 16 Ten year old scrambler

  • 17 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 18 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 19 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 20 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 21 What's the time?

  • 22 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 23 All for the love of a lady!

  • 24

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 25 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 26 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 27 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 28 New shipyard on schedule

  • 29 Police station view of Bideford

  • 30 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 31 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

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

  • 34 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 35 Last train from Torrington

  • 36 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 37 Some mushroom!

  • 38 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 39 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 40

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 41 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 42 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 43 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 44 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 45 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 46 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 47 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 48

    Married in 1908
  • 49 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 50 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 51

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 52 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 53 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 54 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 55 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 56 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 57 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 58 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 59 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 60 Clovelly nightmare

  • 61 Picking the pops

  • 62 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 63 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 64 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 65 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 66 It really was the 'last time'

  • 67 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 68 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 69 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 70

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 71 Private home for public pump

  • 72 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 73 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 74 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 75 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 76 Off on a great adventure

  • 77 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 78 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 79 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 80

    Building works
  • 81 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 82 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 83 Jumble sale fever

  • 84 Caught in the act>
  • 85 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 86

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 87 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 88 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 89 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 90 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 91 New Lundy stamps

  • 92 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 93 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 94

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 95 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 96 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 97 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 98 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 99

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 100 Appledore's largest

  • 101 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 102 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 103 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 104 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 105 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 106 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 107 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 109 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 110 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 111 Emergency ferry services

  • 112 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 113 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 114 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 115 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 116 Traditions and skills still there

  • 117 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 118 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 119 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 120 Twenty-one yachts

  • 121 Decontrol of meat

  • 122 Torrington's new amenity

  • 123 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 124 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 125 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 126 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 127 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 128 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 129 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 130 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 131 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 132 The Geneva marionettes

  • 133 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 134 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 135

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 136 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 137 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 138 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 139 Circus comes to town

  • 140 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 141 Happy Days!

  • 142 Hartland postman retires

  • 143 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 144 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 145 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 146 Littleham family's five generations

  • 147 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 148 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 149 Bideford loses training ship

  • 150 Centenary of Gazette

  • 151 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 152 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 153 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 154 No laughing matter

  • 155 A man and his wheel

  • 156

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 157 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 158 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 160

    Bidefordians
  • 161 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 162 Modern living at Bideford

  • 163 Out of puff!

  • 164 A bird of their own!

  • 165

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 166 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 167 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 168 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 169 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 170 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 171 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 172

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 173 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 174 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 175 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 176 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 177

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 178 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 179 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 180 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 181 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 182 Waldon Triplets
  • 183 Variety in summer weather

  • 184 Northam footballers of the future

  • 185 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 186 Bridging the stream

  • 187 New Post Office

  • 188 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 190 New civic medallions

  • 191 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 193 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 194 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 196 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 197 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 198 Can spring be far away?

  • 199 End of the line

  • 200 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 201 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 202 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 203 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 204 From Bobby to Brian

  • 205 New look in the hayfields

  • 206 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 207

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 208 Just over a year old

  • 209 Loads of black and white

  • 210 First ship in 8 years

  • 211 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 212 Capers on the cobbles

  • 213

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 214

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 215 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 216 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 217 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 218 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 219

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 220 Northam's almshouse

  • 221 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 222 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 223 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 224 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 225 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 226 Sight of a lifetime

  • 227 Warmington's garage ad

  • 228

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 229 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 230 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 231 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 232 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 233 Bideford regatta

  • 234 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 235 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 236 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 237

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 238 No sale of Springfield House

  • 239 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 240 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 241 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 242 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 243 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 244 Recognise this resort?

  • 245 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 246 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 247 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 248 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 249 Torrington children build igloo
  • 250

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 251 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 252 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 253 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 254 School's link with cargo ship

  • 255 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 257 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 258 Peter poses for TV film

  • 259 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 260 By pony and trap to market

  • 261 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 262 Ships at Bideford

  • 263 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 264 Riverside mystery

  • 265 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 266 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 267 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 268 Six footed lamb

  • 269 Revenge in style

  • 270 School crossing patrol begins

  • 271 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 272 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 273 For crying out loud!

  • 274 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 275 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 276 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 277 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 278 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 279

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 280 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 281 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 282 Weare Giffard potato

  • 283 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 284 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 285 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 286 So this is the mainland!

  • 287 Pannier Market's future?

  • 288 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 289 113 years at Instow

  • 290 All aboard the ark

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

  • 292 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 293 Clovelly custom

  • 294 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 295 Burnard family reunion

  • 296 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 297 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 298 Penny for the guy

  • 299 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 300 Devil sent packing

  • 301 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 302 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 303 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 304 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 305 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 306 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 307 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 308 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 309 In their new robes and hats

  • 310 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 311 North Devon Driving School

  • 312 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 313 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 314

    Relatives all over the world
  • 315 When horses score over the tractor

  • 316 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 317 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 318 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 319 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 320 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 321 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 322 A roof-top view - where?

  • 323 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 324 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 325 New life for Hartland organ

  • 326

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 327 Blanchards ad.>
  • 328 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 329 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 330 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 331 Finished in 1876

  • 332

    Was a missionary
  • 333 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 334 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 335 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 336 New art gallery opened

  • 337 Filming at Hartland

  • 338 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 339 They are parted pro-tem

  • 340 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 341 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 342 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 343 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 344 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 345 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 346 Artisans' Club

  • 347 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 348 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 349 Torrington in 1967

  • 350 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 351 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 352 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 353 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 354 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 355 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 356 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 357

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 358 New choral society's growing response

  • 359 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 360 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 361 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 362 Some 240 exhibits

  • 363 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 364 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 365 Hartland Dancers
  • 366 Bideford computer stars

  • 367 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 368 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 369

    Exhibition of school work
  • 370

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 371 Picking the pops

  • 372 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 373 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 374 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 376 Simple Item 138
  • 377 Over the bank together>
  • 378 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 379 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 380

    New gateway
  • 381 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 382 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 383 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 384 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 385 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 386 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 387 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 388 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 389 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 390 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 391 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 392 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 393 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 394 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 395 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 396 The cab at the corner>
  • 397 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 398 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 399 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 400 A story to tell!

  • 401 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 402 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 403 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 404 Service with a smile

  • 405 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 406

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 407

    First prize
  • 408 Sweets derationing

  • 409 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 410 Hartland's invitation

  • 411 Life begins at 80

  • 412 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 413 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 414 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 415 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 416 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 417 The art of the thatcher

  • 418 Cruising down the river

  • 419 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 420 Mobile missionary

  • 421 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 422 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

Mr Martin's harvest not so hard hit

A thankful farmer is Mr J. Martin of Woodhouse Farm, Torrington, for although he agrees that this has been the ‘worst harvesting season for years,’ some of his crops have not been so hard hit by weather conditions as others in the surrounding area.

5 September 1958 One of the luckier farmers

Mr Martin is seen pictured above cutting barley which is standing fairly well despite the recent bad weather. ‘We have been luckier than many farmers I know,’ Mr Martin added. ‘A good deal of stuff has been spoiled, but the general situation for me is better than I expected.’

Gazette article 5 September 1958

 

Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

Bank Holiday traffic

The flow of holiday traffic over Bideford’s Long Bridge on the Saturday before Bank Holiday showing holiday-makers, their cars almost bumper to bumper, moving into the district.

8 August 1958 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

At other times of the day the heaviest traffic is on the other side of the road as holidays come towards their end.

Gazette article 8 August 1958

 

Meredith’s ironmongers here for 110 years!

North Devon's largest ironmongers

Meredith’s, locally owned and locally staffed for 110 years! North Devon’s largest ironmongers. Since 1848 Meredith’s in High Street Bideford, have provided an up-to-date ironmongery service second-to-none and from an extensive knowledge of local needs have built up a stock of which any district could well be proud.

18 July 1958 Merediths ironmongers

Gazette advert 18 July 1958

 

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