• 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 School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 2 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 3 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 4 Blanchards ad.>
  • 5 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 6 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 7 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 8 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 9 Burnard family reunion

  • 10 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 11 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 12 It really was the 'last time'

  • 13 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 14

    Relatives all over the world
  • 15 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 16 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 17 Picking the pops

  • 18 End of the line

  • 19 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 20 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 21 Can spring be far away?

  • 22 Bideford computer stars

  • 23 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 24 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 25 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 26 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 27 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 29 They are parted pro-tem

  • 30 Just over a year old

  • 31 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 32 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 33 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 34 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 35 Hartland postman retires

  • 36 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 37 Loads of black and white

  • 38 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 39 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 40 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 41

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 42 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 43 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 44 Northam's almshouse

  • 45 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 46 Bideford loses training ship

  • 47 Clovelly nightmare

  • 48 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 49 Decontrol of meat

  • 50 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 51 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 52 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 53 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 54 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 55 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 56 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 57 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 58 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 59 Weare Giffard potato

  • 60 113 years at Instow

  • 61 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 62

    Married in 1908
  • 63 Mobile missionary

  • 64 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 65 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 66 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 67 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 68 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 69 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 70 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 71 Warmington's garage ad

  • 72 Traditions and skills still there

  • 73 Simple Item 138
  • 74 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 75 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 76 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 77 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 78 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 79 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 80

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 81 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 82 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 83 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 84 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 85 The cab at the corner>
  • 86 New Post Office

  • 87 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 88 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 89 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 90 New addition to Quay front

  • 91 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 92 So this is the mainland!

  • 93 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 94 Clovelly custom

  • 95 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 96 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 97 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 98 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 99

    Building works
  • 100 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 101 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 102 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 104 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 105 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 106

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 107 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 108 Cruising down the river

  • 109 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 110 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 111 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 112 Waldon Triplets
  • 113 Twenty-one yachts

  • 114

    Exhibition of school work
  • 115 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 116 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 118 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 119 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 120 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 121 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 122 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 123 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 124 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 125 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 126 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 127 Torrington children build igloo
  • 128 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 129 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 130 First ship in 8 years

  • 131 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 132 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 133

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 134 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 135 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 136 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 137 Police station view of Bideford

  • 138 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 139 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 140 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 141 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 142 New Lundy stamps

  • 143 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 144 Devil sent packing

  • 145 Peter poses for TV film

  • 146 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 147 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 148 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 149 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 150 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 151 Last train from Torrington

  • 152 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 153 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 154 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 155 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 156 When horses score over the tractor

  • 157 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 158 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 159

    Bidefordians
  • 160 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 161 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 162 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 163 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 164 Torrington's new amenity

  • 165 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 166 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 167 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 168 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 169 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 170

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 171 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 172 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 173 Service with a smile

  • 174 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 175 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 176 Caught in the act>
  • 177 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 178 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 179 Penny for the guy

  • 180 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 181 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 182 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 183 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 184 Recognise this resort?

  • 185 All for the love of a lady!

  • 186

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 187 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 188 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 189 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 190 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 191 Ten year old scrambler

  • 192 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 193 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 194 Littleham family's five generations

  • 195 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 196 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 197 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 198

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 199 No sale of Springfield House

  • 200 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 201 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 202 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 203 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 204 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 205 School crossing patrol begins

  • 206 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 207

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 208 A story to tell!

  • 209 Finished in 1876

  • 210 No laughing matter

  • 211 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 212 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 213 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 214 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 215 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 216 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 217 He beat the floods

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

  • 219

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 220 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 221 New shipyard on schedule

  • 222 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 223 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 224 Jumble sale fever

  • 225 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 226 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 227

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 228 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 229 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 230 The Geneva marionettes

  • 231 New life for Hartland organ

  • 232

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 233 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 234 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 235 Happy Days!

  • 236 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 237 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 238 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 239

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 240 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 241 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 242

    First prize
  • 243 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 244

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 245 Emergency ferry services

  • 246 Private home for public pump

  • 247 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 248 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 249 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 250

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 251 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 252 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 253 Capers on the cobbles

  • 254 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 255

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 256 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 257 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

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

  • 259 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 260 Hartland Dancers
  • 261 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 262 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 263 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 264 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 265 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 266 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 267 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 268 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 269 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 270 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 271 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 272 All aboard the ark

  • 273 Filming at Hartland

  • 274 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 275 Riverside mystery

  • 276 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 277 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 278 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 279 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 280 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 281 Circus comes to town

  • 282 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 283 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 285 A man and his wheel

  • 286 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 287 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 288 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 289 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 290 Revenge in style

  • 291 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 292 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 293 Some 240 exhibits

  • 294 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 295 Modern living at Bideford

  • 296 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 297 Some mushroom!

  • 298 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 299 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 300 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 301 For crying out loud!

  • 302

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 303 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 304

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 305

    New gateway
  • 306 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 307 Appledore's largest

  • 308 Sight of a lifetime

  • 309 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 310 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 311 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 312 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 313 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 314 The art of the thatcher

  • 315 Life begins at 80

  • 316

    Was a missionary
  • 317 Northam footballers of the future

  • 318 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 319 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 320

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 321 New civic medallions

  • 322 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 323 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 324 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 325 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 326 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 327 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 328 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 329 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 330 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 331 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 332 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 333 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 334 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 335 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 336 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 337 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 338 Bridging the stream

  • 339 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 340

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 341 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 342 Sweets derationing

  • 343 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 344 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 345 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 346

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 347 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 348 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 349 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 350 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 351 Artisans' Club

  • 352 New look in the hayfields

  • 353 Over the bank together>
  • 354 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 355 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 356 Pannier Market's future?

  • 357 Puppet characters introduced

  • 358 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 359 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 360 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 361 Variety in summer weather

  • 362 By pony and trap to market

  • 363 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 364 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 365 Bideford regatta

  • 366 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 367 North Devon Driving School

  • 368 A roof-top view - where?

  • 369 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 370 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 371 Picking the pops

  • 372 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 373 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 374 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 375 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 376 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 377 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 378 In their new robes and hats

  • 379 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 380 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 381 Out of puff!

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

  • 383 Six footed lamb

  • 384 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 385

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 386 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 387 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 388 Centenary of Gazette

  • 389 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 390

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 391 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 392

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 393 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 394

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 395 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 396 Ships at Bideford

  • 397 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 398 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 399 School's link with cargo ship

  • 400 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 401 From Bobby to Brian

  • 402 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 403 Parkham plan realised

  • 404 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 406 New art gallery opened

  • 407 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 408 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 409 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 410 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 411 Off on a great adventure

  • 412

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 413 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 414 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 415 A bird of their own!

  • 416 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 417 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 418 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 419 What's the time?

  • 420 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 421 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 422 Clovelly donkey film star

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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Revenge in style!

Mayor gets his revenge

Surprise highlight of the Youth Week judo and boxing exhibition held at Bideford Pannier Market was when the Mayor of Bideford (Mr Ron Lake) was called upon to present a cup to one of the members of the North Devon Judokwai.

The audience gasped when the Mayor on shaking hands with the club leader, Mr John Davies, was thrown over Mr Davies’ shoulder, ending on his back on the mat. Smiling and unconcerned, the Mayor rose from the floor, again offered his hand to Mr Davies who found himself receiving the same treatment, as the photograph illustrates.

26 May 1961 Revenge in style

The Mayor confessed afterwards that in fact he himself had made the suggestion that he should join in the occasion in this way. He told the audience that he had had some secret practice the night before – but only for half an hour.

Gazette article 26 May 1961

 

Watch the dicky bird!

Blackbirds' nest in old camera

The traditional ‘watch the dicky bird’ of the old-time photographer is brought right up to date by a pair of blackbirds. They have made their nest in an old camera in a garden shed at photographer Mr A.C. Littlejohns’ home in Mill Street, Bideford.

14 April 1961 Watch the dicky bird

When this picture was taken mother blackbird with her tail comfortably eased through the hole where the lens once was, was sitting in four eggs. News of the hatching is eagerly awaited.

Gazette article 14 April 1961

 

Huntshaw TV Mast

New TV mast

Five hundred feet high and standing at Huntshaw Cross, which is 677 feet above sea level, this new mast relaying ITV programmes can be seen over a wide area of the Torridge and Taw Valleys.

12 January 1968 Huntshaw TV mast

Use of this new slender landmark will remove black sports in North Devon where neither the Caradon Hill nor the Stockland Hill transmitters relaying the Westward programmes are receivable at good strength.

Gazette article 12 January 1968

 

 

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