• 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 Bridge re-opens

  • 2 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 3 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 4 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 5

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 6 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 7 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 8 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 9 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 10 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 11 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 12 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 13 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 14 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 15 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 16 New choral society's growing response

  • 17 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 18 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 20 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 21 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 22 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 23 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 24 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 25 Last train from Torrington

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

  • 27 Filming at Hartland

  • 28 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 29 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 30 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 31 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 32

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 33 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 34 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 35 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 36 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 37 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 38 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 39 Happy Days!

  • 40 Some 240 exhibits

  • 41

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 42 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 43 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 44 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 45 Cruising down the river

  • 46 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 47 Some mushroom!

  • 48 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 49 Caught in the act>
  • 50 So this is the mainland!

  • 51 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 52 Clovelly nightmare

  • 53 Bideford regatta

  • 54 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 55 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 56 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 57 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 58 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 59 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 60 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 61 Torrington's new amenity

  • 62 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 63 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 64

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 65 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 66 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 67 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 68 Twenty-one yachts

  • 69

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 70 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 71 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 72 Can spring be far away?

  • 73 By pony and trap to market

  • 74 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 75 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 76 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 77 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 78 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 79 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 80 Police station view of Bideford

  • 81 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 82 Burnard family reunion

  • 83 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 84 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 85

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 86

    Bidefordians
  • 87

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 88

    Relatives all over the world
  • 89 Ten year old scrambler

  • 90 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 91

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 92 All for the love of a lady!

  • 93 Hartland Dancers
  • 94 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 95 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 96 Sweets derationing

  • 97 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 98 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 99 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 100 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 101 Over the bank together>
  • 102 Penny for the guy

  • 103 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 104 Circus comes to town

  • 105 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 106 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 107 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 108 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 109 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 110 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 111 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 112 Mobile missionary

  • 113

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 114 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 116 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 117 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 118

    Married in 1908
  • 119

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 120 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 121

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 122 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 123 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 124 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 125 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 126 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 127

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 128 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 129 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 130 New addition to Quay front

  • 131 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 132 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 133 Parkham plan realised

  • 134 School's link with cargo ship

  • 135 End of the line

  • 136 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 137 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 138 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 139 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 140 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 141 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 142 New life for Hartland organ

  • 143 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 144 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 145 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 146

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 147 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 148 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 149 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 150 A story to tell!

  • 151 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 152 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 153 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 154 Recognise this resort?

  • 155 Six footed lamb

  • 156 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 157 A bird of their own!

  • 158 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 159 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 160 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 161 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 162 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 163 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 164 Revenge in style

  • 165 School crossing patrol begins

  • 166 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 167 Service with a smile

  • 168 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 169 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 170 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 171

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 172 Torrington children build igloo
  • 173 Littleham family's five generations

  • 174 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 175 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 176 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 177

    Building works
  • 178 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 179 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 180 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 181

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 182 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 183 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 184 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 186 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 187 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 188 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 189 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 190 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 191 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 192 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 193 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 194 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 195 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 196 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 197 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 198 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 199 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 200 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 201 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 202 No sale of Springfield House

  • 203 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 204

    Was a missionary
  • 205 He beat the floods

  • 206 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 207 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 208 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 209 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 210 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 211 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 212 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 213 Northam's almshouse

  • 214 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 215 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 216 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 217 When horses score over the tractor

  • 218 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 219 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 220 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 221 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 222

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 223 Bideford computer stars

  • 224 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 225 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 226 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 227 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 228 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 229 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 230 First ship in 8 years

  • 231

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 232 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 233 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 234 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 235 Puppet characters introduced

  • 236 The art of the thatcher

  • 237 Hartland postman retires

  • 238 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 239 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 240 Picking the pops

  • 241 Devil sent packing

  • 242 It really was the 'last time'

  • 243 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 244

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 245 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 246 Peter poses for TV film

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

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

  • 249

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 250 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 251 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 252 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 253 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 254 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 255 New look in the hayfields

  • 256 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 257 Loads of black and white

  • 258 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 259 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 260 The cab at the corner>
  • 261 Simple Item 138
  • 262 Clovelly custom

  • 263 Finished in 1876

  • 264 Just over a year old

  • 265

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 266 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 267 They are parted pro-tem

  • 268 In their new robes and hats

  • 269 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 270 Artisans' Club

  • 271 No laughing matter

  • 272 For crying out loud!

  • 273

    Exhibition of school work
  • 274 Weare Giffard potato

  • 275 Life begins at 80

  • 276 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 277

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 278 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 279 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 280 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 281 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 282 From Bobby to Brian

  • 283 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 284 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 285 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 286 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 287 The Geneva marionettes

  • 288 Bridging the stream

  • 289 Appledore's largest

  • 290 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 291 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 292 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 293 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 294 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 295 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 296 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 297 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 298 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 299 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 300 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 301 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 302 Centenary of Gazette

  • 303 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 304 New shipyard on schedule

  • 305 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 306 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 307 All aboard the ark

  • 308 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 309 Blanchards ad.>
  • 310 Decontrol of meat

  • 311 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 312 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 313

    First prize
  • 314 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 315 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 316 Jumble sale fever

  • 317 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 318 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 319 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 320 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 321 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 322 Waldon Triplets
  • 323 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 324 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 325 Picking the pops

  • 326 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 327 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 328 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 329 New Post Office

  • 330 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 331 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 332 A man and his wheel

  • 333 Warmington's garage ad

  • 334 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 335 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 336 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 337 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 338 What's the time?

  • 339 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 340 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 341 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 342 Hartland's invitation

  • 343 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 344 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 345 Traditions and skills still there

  • 346 Off on a great adventure

  • 347 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 348 Emergency ferry services

  • 349 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 350 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 352 Modern living at Bideford

  • 353 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 354 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 355 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 356 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 357 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 358 Pannier Market's future?

  • 359 Out of puff!

  • 360 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 361 Northam footballers of the future

  • 362 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 363 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 364 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 365 Riverside mystery

  • 366 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 367 Capers on the cobbles

  • 368 Sight of a lifetime

  • 369 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 370 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 371 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 372 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 373 Variety in summer weather

  • 374 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 375 New Lundy stamps

  • 376 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 377 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 378 Private home for public pump

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

  • 380 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 381 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 382 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 383 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 384 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 385 New art gallery opened

  • 386 North Devon Driving School

  • 387 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 388 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 389 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 390 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 391

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 392 113 years at Instow

  • 393 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 394 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 395 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 396 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 397 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 398

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 399 A roof-top view - where?

  • 400 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 401

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 402 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 403 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 404 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 405 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 406 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 407 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 408 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 409 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 410 Ships at Bideford

  • 411 New civic medallions

  • 412 Bideford loses training ship

  • 413 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 414 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 415 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 416 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 417 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 418 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 419 Torrington in 1967

  • 420

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 421

    New gateway
  • 422 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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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For South Africa from Westward Ho!

Local company builds car

The shooting brake pictured below built by the Skytersea Construction Company at Westward Ho! is shortly to leave for South Africa, travelling by the overland route. It is the work of two young men, Mr J. Hambly of Westward Ho! and Mr D. Holwill, now of Westward Ho! and was built up on a Bentley chassis.

15 July 1949 For South Africa from Westward Ho

Four months ago Mr Hambly and Mr Holwill established their own company at Golf Links road, Westward Ho! as designers and builders of car bodies, caravans and small craft and since then have been very busy.

Gazette article 15 July 1949

 

Wasps’ nest in sewing machine

Wasps invade house at Beam, nr Torrington

In a top room of the home belonging to Miss Price of Beam near Torrington, the window of which had been left open during the present spell of fine weather, the machine was last used by Miss Price some four or five weeks ago when she left it covered with a piece of cloth.

15 July 1949 Wasps nest in sewing machine

Wishing to use it again recently, upon lifting the cloth, she found attached to it on the underside a complete wasps’ nest with grubs almost ready to hatch out.

Gazette article 15 July 1949

 

Appledore skill brings ‘Hispaniola’ to life

Replica for 'Treasure Island'

The 158-ton diesel schooner Ryelands owned by the Plym Shipping Line, is being converted at Appledore into a replica of the Hispaniola for shots in the film ‘Treasure Island’ by Messrs. P.K. Harris and Sons.

8 July Appledore skill brings Hispaniola to life

The original crew of the Ryelands with their captain Mr W. Cox of Northam will work the ship but local men have been engaged as ‘extras’ to set sail etc. for film shooting.

Gazette article 8 July 1949

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