• 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 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 2 Centenary of Gazette

  • 3 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 4 Clovelly nightmare

  • 5 Appledore's largest

  • 6 A man and his wheel

  • 7 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 8 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 9 Twenty-one yachts

  • 10 Decontrol of meat

  • 11 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 12 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 13 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 14 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 15 Last train from Torrington

  • 16 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 17 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 18

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 19 New look in the hayfields

  • 20 Cruising down the river

  • 21 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 22 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 23 Some mushroom!

  • 24 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 25 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 26 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 27 So this is the mainland!

  • 28 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 29 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 30 First ship in 8 years

  • 31 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 32 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 33 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 34 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 35 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 36 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 37 Hartland postman retires

  • 38 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 40 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 41 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 42 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 43 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 44 They are parted pro-tem

  • 45 Picking the pops

  • 46 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 47

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 48 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 49 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 50 For crying out loud!

  • 51 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 52 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 53 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 54 What's the time?

  • 55 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 56 Devil sent packing

  • 57 Bideford loses training ship

  • 58 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 59 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 60

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 61 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 62 Just over a year old

  • 63 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 64 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 65 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 66 Northam footballers of the future

  • 67 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 68 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 69 He beat the floods

  • 70 Simple Item 138
  • 71 Caught in the act>
  • 72 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 73 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 74 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 75 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 76 New Lundy stamps

  • 77 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 78 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 79 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 80 Capers on the cobbles

  • 81 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 82 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 83

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 84 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 85 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 86 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 88 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 89 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 90 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 91 No sale of Springfield House

  • 92 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 93 Variety in summer weather

  • 94 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 95 When horses score over the tractor

  • 96

    Married in 1908
  • 97

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 98

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 99 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 100 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 101 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 102 New Post Office

  • 103 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 104 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 105 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 106 A bird of their own!

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

  • 108 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 109 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 110 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 111 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 112 Emergency ferry services

  • 113 Penny for the guy

  • 114 The cab at the corner>
  • 115 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 116 School's link with cargo ship

  • 117 Hartland Dancers
  • 118 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 119 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 120 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 121 Happy Days!

  • 122 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 123 New choral society's growing response

  • 124 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 125 Torrington's new amenity

  • 126 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 127 Picking the pops

  • 128 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 129 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 130 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 131 A story to tell!

  • 132 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 133 New addition to Quay front

  • 134 New civic medallions

  • 135 Pannier Market's future?

  • 136 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 138 From Bobby to Brian

  • 139 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 140 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 141 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 142

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 143 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 144 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 145 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 146 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 147

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 148

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 149 North Devon Driving School

  • 150 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 151 Littleham family's five generations

  • 152 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 153 Peter poses for TV film

  • 154 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 155 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 156 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 158 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 159 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 160 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 161

    Building works
  • 162 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 163

    Bidefordians
  • 164 Over the bank together>
  • 165 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 166 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 167 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 168 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 169 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 170 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 171 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 172 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 173 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 174

    Was a missionary
  • 175 Mobile missionary

  • 176 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 177 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 178 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 179 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 180 Parkham plan realised

  • 181 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 182 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 183 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 184 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 185 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 186 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 187 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 188

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 189 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 190 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 191 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 192 New art gallery opened

  • 193 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 194 Life begins at 80

  • 195 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 196 The Geneva marionettes

  • 197 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 198 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 199

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 200 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 201 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 202 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 203 Hartland's invitation

  • 204 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 205 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 206 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 207 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 208

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 209 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 210 All aboard the ark

  • 211

    Relatives all over the world
  • 212 Bideford computer stars

  • 213 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 214 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 215 Loads of black and white

  • 216 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 217 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 218 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 219 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 220 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 221 Service with a smile

  • 222 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 223 Northam's almshouse

  • 224 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 225 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 226 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 227

    Exhibition of school work
  • 228 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 229 Modern living at Bideford

  • 230 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 231 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 232 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 233 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 234 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 235 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 236 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 237 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 238 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 239 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 240

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 241 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 242 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 243 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 244 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 245 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 246 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 247 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 248 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 250 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 251 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 252 Ships at Bideford

  • 253 Bridging the stream

  • 254 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 256 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 257 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 258 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 259

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 260 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 261

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 262 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 263 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 264 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 265 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 266 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 267 Revenge in style

  • 268 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 269 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 270 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 271 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

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

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

  • 275 Bideford regatta

  • 276 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 277

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 278 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 279 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 280 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 281 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 282 Jumble sale fever

  • 283 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 284 Sight of a lifetime

  • 285 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 286 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 287 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 288 Traditions and skills still there

  • 289 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 290 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 291 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 292 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 293 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 294 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 295 Private home for public pump

  • 296 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 297 A roof-top view - where?

  • 298 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 299 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 300 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 302 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 303 Torrington in 1967

  • 304 Recognise this resort?

  • 305 New life for Hartland organ

  • 306 Off on a great adventure

  • 307 Blanchards ad.>
  • 308 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 309 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 310 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 311 Weare Giffard potato

  • 312 Puppet characters introduced

  • 313 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 314

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 315 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 316

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 317 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 318 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 319

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 320 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 321 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 322 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 323 Can spring be far away?

  • 324 Circus comes to town

  • 325 It really was the 'last time'

  • 326 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 327 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 328 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 329 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 330 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 331 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 332 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 333 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 334 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 335 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 336 No laughing matter

  • 337 Burnard family reunion

  • 338 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 339 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 340 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 342 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 343 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 344 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 345 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 346 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 347 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 348 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 349

    First prize
  • 350 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 351

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 352 Torrington children build igloo
  • 353 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 354

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 355 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 356 Police station view of Bideford

  • 357 By pony and trap to market

  • 358 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 359 Sweets derationing

  • 360 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 361 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 362 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 363 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 364 In their new robes and hats

  • 365 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 366 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 367

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 368 Riverside mystery

  • 369 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 370 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 371 Six footed lamb

  • 372 Artisans' Club

  • 373 Out of puff!

  • 374 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 375 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 376 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 377 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 378 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 379 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 380 Ten year old scrambler

  • 381 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 382 113 years at Instow

  • 383 All for the love of a lady!

  • 384 Filming at Hartland

  • 385 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 386 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 387 Waldon Triplets
  • 388 The art of the thatcher

  • 389 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 390 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 391 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 392 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 393 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 394 New shipyard on schedule

  • 395 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 396 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 397

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 398 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 399 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 400

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 401 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 402 Some 240 exhibits

  • 403

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 404 Warmington's garage ad

  • 405 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 406 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 407 Clovelly custom

  • 408 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 409 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 410 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 411 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 412

    New gateway
  • 413 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 414 End of the line

  • 415 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 416 Finished in 1876

  • 417 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 418 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 419 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 420 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 421 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 422 Beach search for mines takes longer

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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Sweet success at Langtree School

Bee-Keepers' record harvest

Members of Langtree Primary School Bee-Keepers’ Club have every reason to be proud of their first year’s harvest, for well over 60 lb. of honey and a number of sections of comb honey were taken off the School hive.

25 September 1959 Sweet success at Langtree school

The hive and bees were loaned by the North Devon Bee Keeping Association to the School and the headmaster (Mr R.A. Yeo Jenn) has supervised the work of the Club. The pupils have themselves carried out all the necessary jobs in connection with the bees.

Gazette article 25 September 1959

 

 

 

Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

Five generations of local family

When, five months ago, Paul was born to Mrs P. Jeffery, wife of Mr Jeffery, of Clovelly Road, Bideford, he made the fifth generation of a family that has lived in the Woolsery and Clovelly areas for many years.

4 September 1959 Five generations

In this celebration picture great-great-grandmother Mrs C. Prouse, aged 92, is seen nursing young Paul. On the top left is her only daughter, Mrs F. Knight of Sunnyside, Woolsery, with whom she makes her home. Next to Mrs Knight is her only daughter, Mrs W. Jewell, of Lower Burscott Farm, Clovelly, and, bottom left, is Mrs Jeffery, Mrs Jewell’s daughter, who has a sister and a brother.

Gazette article 4 September 1959

 

When horses score over the tractor

Horses working near Gammaton Cross

The photo taken during the past few days shows Violet (on the left) and Prince tilling dredge corn (oats and barley) in a six-acre field near Gammaton Cross for Mr William Short who farms with his brother at Venon, Weare Giffard.

17 April 1959 When horses score over the tractor

Violet is 26 years old and her son 22 years and they have been worked ever since they arrived on the farm by Mr Lewis Cole, also seen in the picture.

Mr Short said that there are occasions when he cannot use his tractor because the wheels trample down the seed too heavily but where horses are at an advantage. It takes longer but it means an extra day’s sowing when the ground would not be fit for the tractor to do the work.

Gazette article 17 April 1959

 

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