• 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 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 2 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 3 Northam footballers of the future

  • 4

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 5 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 6 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 7 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 8

    Relatives all over the world
  • 9 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 10 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 11 He beat the floods

  • 12 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 13 The art of the thatcher

  • 14

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 15 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 16 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 17 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 18 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 19 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 20 For crying out loud!

  • 21 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 22 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 23 Off on a great adventure

  • 24 Peter poses for TV film

  • 25

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 26 Littleham family's five generations

  • 27 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 28 Over the bank together>
  • 29 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 30 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 31 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 32 What's the time?

  • 33 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 34

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 35 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 36 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 37 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 38 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 39 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 40 Bideford loses training ship

  • 41 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 42 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 43 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 44 Out of puff!

  • 45 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 46 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 47 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 49 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 50 Last train from Torrington

  • 51 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 52 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 53 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 54 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 55 A man and his wheel

  • 56 The cab at the corner>
  • 57 New life for Hartland organ

  • 58 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 59 Loads of black and white

  • 60 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 61 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 62 Circus comes to town

  • 63 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 64 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 65 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 66 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 67 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 68 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 69 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 70 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 71

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 72 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 73

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 74 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 75 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 76 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 77 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 78

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 79 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 80 Weare Giffard potato

  • 81 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 82 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 83 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 84 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 85 Some 240 exhibits

  • 86 Torrington children build igloo
  • 87 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 88 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 89 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 90 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 91 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 92 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 93 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 94 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 95 Blanchards ad.>
  • 96 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 97

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

  • 99 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 100 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 101 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 102 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 103 School's link with cargo ship

  • 104

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 105 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 106 Some mushroom!

  • 107 Sweets derationing

  • 108 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 109 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 110 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 111 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 112 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 113 Bridging the stream

  • 114

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 115 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 116 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 117

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 118 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 119 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 120 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 121 Centenary of Gazette

  • 122 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 123 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 124 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 125 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 126 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 127 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 128 Mobile missionary

  • 129 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 130 No sale of Springfield House

  • 131 Modern living at Bideford

  • 132 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 133 A roof-top view - where?

  • 134 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 135 First ship in 8 years

  • 136 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 137 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 138 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 139 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 140 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 141 Pannier Market's future?

  • 142 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 143 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 144 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 145

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 146 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 147

    Exhibition of school work
  • 148 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 149 Recognise this resort?

  • 150 Life begins at 80

  • 151 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 152 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 153 When horses score over the tractor

  • 154 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 155 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 156 Waldon Triplets
  • 157 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 158

    Married in 1908
  • 159 All aboard the ark

  • 160 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 161 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 162 Happy Days!

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

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

  • 165 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 166 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 167

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 168 Six footed lamb

  • 169 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 170 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 171 Puppet characters introduced

  • 172 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 173 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 174 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 175 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 176 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 177 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 178 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 179 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 180 Revenge in style

  • 181 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 182 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 183 Northam's almshouse

  • 184 New look in the hayfields

  • 185 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 186 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 187 Caught in the act>
  • 188 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 189 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 190 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 191 Simple Item 138
  • 192 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 193 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 194 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 195 Decontrol of meat

  • 196 In their new robes and hats

  • 197

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 198 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 199

    Bidefordians
  • 200 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 201 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 202

    Building works
  • 203 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 204 New Post Office

  • 205 A bird of their own!

  • 206 Police station view of Bideford

  • 207 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 208 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 209 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 210 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 211 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 212 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 213 Penny for the guy

  • 214 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 215 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 216 Sight of a lifetime

  • 217 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 218 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 219 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 220 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 221 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 222 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 223 New civic medallions

  • 224 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 225 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 226 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 227 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 228 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 229 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 230 School crossing patrol begins

  • 231 Artisans' Club

  • 232 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 233 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 234 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 235

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 236 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 237 Finished in 1876

  • 238 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 239 Variety in summer weather

  • 240

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 241 Service with a smile

  • 242

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 243 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 244 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 245 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 246 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 247

    New gateway
  • 248 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 249 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 250 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 251 Picking the pops

  • 252 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

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

  • 254 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 255 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 256 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 257 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 258 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 259 Clovelly nightmare

  • 260

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 261 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 262 New addition to Quay front

  • 263 Just over a year old

  • 264 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 265

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 266 Filming at Hartland

  • 267 Bideford computer stars

  • 268 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 269 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 270 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 271 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 272 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 273 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 274 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 275 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 276 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 277 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 278 Burnard family reunion

  • 279 New art gallery opened

  • 280 Ten year old scrambler

  • 281 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 282 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 283 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 284 Traditions and skills still there

  • 285 Picking the pops

  • 286 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 287 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 288 The Geneva marionettes

  • 289 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 290 It really was the 'last time'

  • 291 From Bobby to Brian

  • 292 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 293 No laughing matter

  • 294 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 295 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 296 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 297 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 298 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 299 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 300 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 301 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 302 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 303 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 304 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 305 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 306 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 307 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 308

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 309 Hartland's invitation

  • 310 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 311 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 312 113 years at Instow

  • 313 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 314 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 315 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 316 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 317 They are parted pro-tem

  • 318 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 319 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 320 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 321 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 322 Clovelly custom

  • 323 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 324 Riverside mystery

  • 325 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 326 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 327 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 328 Devil sent packing

  • 329

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 330 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 331

    First prize
  • 332 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 333 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 334 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 335 A story to tell!

  • 336 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 337 Ships at Bideford

  • 338 Twenty-one yachts

  • 339 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 341 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 342 So this is the mainland!

  • 343 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 344 Appledore's largest

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

  • 346 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 347 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 348 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 349 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 350 Hartland Dancers
  • 351 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 352 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 353 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 354 New choral society's growing response

  • 355 Warmington's garage ad

  • 356 A craftsman's 'potted' history

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

  • 358 Fleet of foot and fair of face

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

  • 360 Hartland postman retires

  • 361 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 362 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 363

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 364 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 365 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 366 Private home for public pump

  • 367 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 368 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 369

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 370 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 371 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 372 All for the love of a lady!

  • 373 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 374 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 375 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 376 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 377

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 378 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 379 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 380 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 381 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 382 Parkham plan realised

  • 383 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 384 Torrington in 1967

  • 385 Torrington's new amenity

  • 386 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 387 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 388 Jumble sale fever

  • 389 By pony and trap to market

  • 390 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 391 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 392 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 393 End of the line

  • 394 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 395 Emergency ferry services

  • 396 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 397

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 398 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 399 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 400 Bideford regatta

  • 401 Can spring be far away?

  • 402

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 403 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 404 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 405 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 406 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 407 Capers on the cobbles

  • 408 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 409 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 410 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 411 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 412 New Lundy stamps

  • 413 North Devon Driving School

  • 414 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 415 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 416 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 417 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 418 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 419 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 420 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 421 Cruising down the river

  • 422 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Big development at Calvesford

New deveopment at Torrington

Work in progress at the sizeable new estate development by Torrington Town Council at Calvesford.

20 January 1967 Big development at Calvesford

Present construction is of four bungalows, four two-bedroomed flats and a block of 10 single-bedroomed flats plus communal lounge, dining room and kitchen. This provision includes accommodation for Swedish workers coming to the town to assist with the establishment of a glass factory.

Gazette article 20 January 1967

 

 

Doing time – over 300 years of it – at Hartland

Probably the oldest in North Devon

It is probably the oldest in North Devon and one of the earliest pendulum clocks in the country. It is Harton Town clock, set into the wall of the Chapel-of-Ease, in Hartland Square.

6 January 1967 Doing time at Hartland

It was made by John Morcomb of Barnstaple in 1622 at a cost of 33s. In 1657 he converted it at a cost of 20s. replacing the old verge balance escapement, of which traces still remain, by an anchor or recoil escapement and pendulum.

Originally the clock was in a clock house in the Town Hall. Early in the 19th century this was pulled down and the Chapel-of-Ease was erected on the site. This was about 1839.

Gazette article 6 January 1967

 

Practical sympathy at Northam

Northam children organise sale

While they were showing their sympathy in a very practical way for the families of the stricken village of Aberfan, the children of Northam Voluntary Primary School were also exercising their organising abilities and arithmetic at a sale of toys, comics and books they organised last week.

4 November 1966 Practical sympathy at Northam

The juniors held their sale on the Thursday raising over £10 and the infants held their sale on the Friday, raising over £4. This was added to the £10 raised the previous week by the school’s harvest sale, and thus £25 was sent to the Aberfan Disaster Fund.

Members of the staff only exercised general supervision and help, otherwise the events were entirely in the hands of the children. ‘They did the pricing and selling and within a very short time everything was sold,’ the headmaster (Mr G. Harrison) told the Gazette.

Gazette article 4 November 1966

 

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