• 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 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 2 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 3 He beat the floods

  • 4 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 5 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 6 New Lundy stamps

  • 7

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 8 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 9 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 10 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 11 Bideford regatta

  • 12 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 13 New look in the hayfields

  • 14 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 15 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 16 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 17 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 18 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 19 Picking the pops

  • 20 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 22 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 23 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 24

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 25 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 26 Torrington's new amenity

  • 27 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 28 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 29 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 30 Picking the pops

  • 31 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 32 Devil sent packing

  • 33 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 34 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 35 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 36 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 37 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 38 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 39 Filming at Hartland

  • 40 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 41 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 42 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 43 Puppet characters introduced

  • 44 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 45 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 46 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 47 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 48 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 49 Can spring be far away?

  • 50 Private home for public pump

  • 51 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 52 Warmington's garage ad

  • 53 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 54 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 55 Recognise this resort?

  • 56 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 57 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 58 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 59 Bideford computer stars

  • 60 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 61 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 62 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 63

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 64 Service with a smile

  • 65 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 66 Finished in 1876

  • 67 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 68 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 69 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 70 All aboard the ark

  • 71 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 72 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 73 Circus comes to town

  • 74 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 75

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 76 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 77 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 78 Peter poses for TV film

  • 79 Last train from Torrington

  • 80 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 81 So this is the mainland!

  • 82 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 83 Centenary of Gazette

  • 84

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 85 Burnard family reunion

  • 86 School's link with cargo ship

  • 87 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 88 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 89 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 90 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 91 Simple Item 138
  • 92

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 93 New shipyard on schedule

  • 94 Penny for the guy

  • 95 A roof-top view - where?

  • 96 Sight of a lifetime

  • 97 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 98 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 99 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 100 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 101

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 102 All for the love of a lady!

  • 103

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 104 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 105

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 106 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 107 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 108 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 109 The art of the thatcher

  • 110 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 111

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 112 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 114 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 115 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 116 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 117 Just over a year old

  • 118 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 119

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 120 A story to tell!

  • 121 Some 240 exhibits

  • 122 North Devon Driving School

  • 123 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 124 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 125 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 126

    Married in 1908
  • 127 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 128 Life begins at 80

  • 129 Hartland postman retires

  • 130 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 131 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 132 Blanchards ad.>
  • 133

    Was a missionary
  • 134 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 135

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 136 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 137 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 138 Caught in the act>
  • 139 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 140 Parkham plan realised

  • 141 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 142 Twenty-one yachts

  • 143 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 144 The cab at the corner>
  • 145 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 146 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 147 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 148 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 149 Appledore's largest

  • 150 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 151 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 152 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 153 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 154

    Building works
  • 155 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 156 The Geneva marionettes

  • 157 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 158 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 159 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 160 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 161 Waldon Triplets
  • 162 Out of puff!

  • 163 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 164 Bideford loses training ship

  • 165 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 166 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 168 Decontrol of meat

  • 169 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 170 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 171 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 172

    First prize
  • 173 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 174 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 175 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 176 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 177 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 178

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 179 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 180 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 181 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 182 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 183 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 184 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 185 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 186 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 187 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 188 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

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

  • 191 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 192 113 years at Instow

  • 193 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 194 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 195 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 196 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 197 Pannier Market's future?

  • 198 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 199 Emergency ferry services

  • 200 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 201 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 202 End of the line

  • 203 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 204 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 205 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 206 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 207 They are parted pro-tem

  • 208 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 209 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 210 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 211

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 212 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 213 Some mushroom!

  • 214 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 215 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

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

  • 218 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 219 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 220 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 221 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 222 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 223 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 224 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 225 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 226 New choral society's growing response

  • 227 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 228 Loads of black and white

  • 229 Clovelly custom

  • 230 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 232 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 233 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 235 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 236 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 238 Torrington children build igloo
  • 239 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 240 Artisans' Club

  • 241 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 242 When horses score over the tractor

  • 243 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 244 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 245 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 246 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 247 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 248 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 249 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 250 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 251 No sale of Springfield House

  • 252 Six footed lamb

  • 253 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 254 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 255 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 256

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 257 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 258 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 259 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 260 New art gallery opened

  • 261 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 262 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 263 School crossing patrol begins

  • 264 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 265 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 266 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 267 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 268 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 269

    Relatives all over the world
  • 270 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 271 Off on a great adventure

  • 272 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 273

    New gateway
  • 274 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

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

  • 277 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 278 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 279 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 280 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 281 Happy Days!

  • 282 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 283 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 284 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 285 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 286 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 287 It really was the 'last time'

  • 288 Revenge in style

  • 289 New life for Hartland organ

  • 290 Riverside mystery

  • 291 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 292 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 294 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 295 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 296 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 297 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 298 Police station view of Bideford

  • 299 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 300 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 301

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 302 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 303 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 304 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 305 Modern living at Bideford

  • 306 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 307 Capers on the cobbles

  • 308 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 309 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 310

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 311 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 312 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 313 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 314 Variety in summer weather

  • 315 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 316 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 317 From Bobby to Brian

  • 318 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 319 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 320 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 321 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 322 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 323 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 324 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 325

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 326 Northam footballers of the future

  • 327 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 328 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 329 For crying out loud!

  • 330 Weare Giffard potato

  • 331 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 332 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 333 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 334 A bird of their own!

  • 335 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 336

    Exhibition of school work
  • 337 In their new robes and hats

  • 338 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 339 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 340

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 341 Over the bank together>
  • 342 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 343 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 344 Hartland's invitation

  • 345 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 346 Ten year old scrambler

  • 347 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 348 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 349 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 350 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 351 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 352 Clovelly nightmare

  • 353 What's the time?

  • 354 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 355 New civic medallions

  • 356 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 357 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 358 Sailing to victory at Appledore

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

  • 360 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 361 Littleham family's five generations

  • 362 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 363 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 364 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 365 By pony and trap to market

  • 366 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 367 Sweets derationing

  • 368 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 369 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 370 Cruising down the river

  • 371 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 372

    Bidefordians
  • 373 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 374 New Post Office

  • 375 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 376 A man and his wheel

  • 377 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 378 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 379

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 380 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 381

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 382 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 383 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 384 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 385 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 386 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 387 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 388 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 389 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 390 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 391 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 392

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 393

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 394 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 395 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 396 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 397 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 398 New addition to Quay front

  • 399 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 400 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 401 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 402 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 403 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 404 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 405 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 406 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 407 Mobile missionary

  • 408 Jumble sale fever

  • 409 Northam's almshouse

  • 410 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 411 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 412 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 413 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 414 No laughing matter

  • 415 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 416 Hartland Dancers
  • 417 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 418 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 419

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 420 First ship in 8 years

  • 421

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 422 Bridging the stream

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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Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

Strand School of Dancing Challenge

This game of hockey between the girls and boys of the Strand School of Dancing, Bideford, played last Sunday on Westward Ho! beach originated from a challenge which was made a few months ago.

20 February 1959 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

Miss Ann Thurston was teaching a boy a rather intricate dancing step and a remark was made to the effect that girls learnt to dance more quickly. ‘I’d like to see you on a rugby field,’ was the answer. Miss Thornton replied that the girls of the school would challenge the boys to a hockey match instead, thinking this would be an easy win for the girls as the boys do not play hockey. The result? After one hour of play a 14-0 win for the boys.

Gazette article 20 February 1959

 

Polish custom on Pancake Day

Ceremonial toss

It was Pancake Day on Tuesday but this was an old Polish custom of coupling a toast to the ship-builders with a ceremonial toss into the air.

13 February 1959 Polish custom on Pancake Day

Mr Gordon Harris found himself the recipient of this surprise tribute at the formal handing over that day of the tug ‘Tur’ built by P.K. Harris and Sons Ltd., of Appledore for the Polish Government.

Gazette article 13 February 1959

 

Birds’ convalescent home at Instow

Fish for fulmar, worms for snipe

When attacked by a cat last week in Bideford, a blackbird lost about four inches of its tail. However it was lucky, for Miss B. Shelmerdine, the local secretary of the RSPCA found it and took it to Mrs Katharine Tottenham of Southside, Instow, who will look after it until it grows another tail.

23 January 1959 Birds convalscent home at Instow

People from all over the district bring injured birds and animals to her and she estimates that she handles about 40 bird cases a year alone. Since a girl she has been interested in animals and restoring the casualties brought to her back to good health and their place in their natural surroundings. The magpie ‘Piper’ is an exception in that it has remained a family pet, easily perching on heads and arms.

The fulmar was found starving in Bude and will stay in the Tottenham household until it has recovered its buoyancy. A wounded snipe given recently would eat nothing but worms – at the rate of 20 or so a day.

Gazette article 23 January 1959

 

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