• 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 The art of the thatcher

  • 2 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 3 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 4 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 5 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 6 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 7 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 8 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 9 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 10 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 11 All for the love of a lady!

  • 12 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 13 Revenge in style

  • 14 Peter poses for TV film

  • 15 Private home for public pump

  • 16 Filming at Hartland

  • 17 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 18 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 19

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 20 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 21 Bridging the stream

  • 22

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 23 Clovelly nightmare

  • 24 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 25 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 26 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 27

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 28 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 29 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 30 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 31 Sweets derationing

  • 32 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 33 Some mushroom!

  • 34 Some 240 exhibits

  • 35 Warmington's garage ad

  • 36 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 37 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 38 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 40 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 42 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 43 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 44 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 45 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 46 Devil sent packing

  • 47 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 48 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 49 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 50 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 51 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 52 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 53 In their new robes and hats

  • 54 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 55 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 56 Off on a great adventure

  • 57 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 58 Happy Days!

  • 59 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 60 Pannier Market's future?

  • 61 Out of puff!

  • 62 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 63 So this is the mainland!

  • 64 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 65 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 66 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 67 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 68 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 69 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 70 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

  • 72 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 73 End of the line

  • 74 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 75 It really was the 'last time'

  • 76 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 77 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 78 Circus comes to town

  • 79 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 80

    Exhibition of school work
  • 81

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 82 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 83 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 85 Recognise this resort?

  • 86 They are parted pro-tem

  • 87 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 88 New choral society's growing response

  • 89 Picking the pops

  • 90 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 91 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 92 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 93 School crossing patrol begins

  • 94 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 95 Blanchards ad.>
  • 96 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 97 New art gallery opened

  • 98 Hartland postman retires

  • 99 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 100 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 101 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 102 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 103 New civic medallions

  • 104 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 106 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 107 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 108 When horses score over the tractor

  • 109 Caught in the act>
  • 110 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 111 Hartland's invitation

  • 112 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 113 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 114 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 115 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 116 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 117

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 118 Life begins at 80

  • 119 Can spring be far away?

  • 120 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 121 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 122 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 123 By pony and trap to market

  • 124 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 125 Decontrol of meat

  • 126 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 127 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 128 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 129 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 130 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 131 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 132 Six footed lamb

  • 133

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 134 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 135 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 136 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 137 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 138 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 139 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 140 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 141 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 142 Service with a smile

  • 143 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 144 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 145 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 146 Over the bank together>
  • 147 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 148

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 149 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 150 All aboard the ark

  • 151 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 152 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 153

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 154 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 155 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 156

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 157 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 158 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 159 Ships at Bideford

  • 160 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 161 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 162 First ship in 8 years

  • 163 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 164 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 165 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 166 Northam footballers of the future

  • 167 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 168 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 169 Emergency ferry services

  • 170 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 171 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 172 Artisans' Club

  • 173 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 174 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 175 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 176 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 177 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 178 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 179 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 181 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 182 Torrington children build igloo
  • 183 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 184 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 185 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 186 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 187 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 188 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 189 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 190 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 191

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 192

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 193 New life for Hartland organ

  • 194 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 195

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 196 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 197 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 198 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 199 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 200 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 201 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 202

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 203 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 204 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 205 Torrington's new amenity

  • 206 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 207 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 208 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 209 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 210 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 211 Littleham family's five generations

  • 212 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 213 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 214 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 215 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 216 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 217 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 218

    Married in 1908
  • 219 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 221 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 222 Appledore's largest

  • 223 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 224 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 225 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 226 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 227 Northam's almshouse

  • 228 113 years at Instow

  • 229 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 230 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 231 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 232 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 233 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 235 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 236 Parkham plan realised

  • 237 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 238 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 239 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 240 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 241 Puppet characters introduced

  • 242

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 243 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 244 Last train from Torrington

  • 245 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 246 New addition to Quay front

  • 247 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 248 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 249 Variety in summer weather

  • 250 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 251 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 252 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 253 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 254 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 255

    Building works
  • 256 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 257 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 258 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 259

    Relatives all over the world
  • 260 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 261 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 262 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 263 Traditions and skills still there

  • 264 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 265 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 266 Clovelly custom

  • 267 Twenty-one yachts

  • 268

    Was a missionary
  • 269 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 270 Bideford regatta

  • 271 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 272 Just over a year old

  • 273 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 274 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 275 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 276 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 277 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 278 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 279 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 280 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 281

    Bidefordians
  • 282 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 283

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 284 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 285 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 286 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 287 Picking the pops

  • 288 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 289 Cruising down the river

  • 290 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 291 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 292 Torrington in 1967

  • 293 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 294 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 295 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 296 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 297 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 298 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 300 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 301

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 302 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 303 A story to tell!

  • 304 New shipyard on schedule

  • 305 Riverside mystery

  • 306 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 307 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 308 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 309 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 310 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 311 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 312 Hartland Dancers
  • 313 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 314 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 315 New Post Office

  • 316 Weare Giffard potato

  • 317 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 318

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 319 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 320 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 321 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 322 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 323 A man and his wheel

  • 324 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 325 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 326 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 327 What's the time?

  • 328 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 329

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 330 Jumble sale fever

  • 331 No sale of Springfield House

  • 332 Sight of a lifetime

  • 333 North Devon Driving School

  • 334 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 335 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 336 Penny for the guy

  • 337 School's link with cargo ship

  • 338 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 339 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 340 Simple Item 138
  • 341 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

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

  • 344

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 345 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 346 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 347 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 348 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 349 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 350

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 351 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 352 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 353 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 354 New look in the hayfields

  • 355 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 356 No laughing matter

  • 357 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 358 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 359 Loads of black and white

  • 360 A bird of their own!

  • 361 Finished in 1876

  • 362 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 363 For crying out loud!

  • 364 Mobile missionary

  • 365

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 366 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 367 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 368 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 369 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 370

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 371 Ten year old scrambler

  • 372 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 373 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 374 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 375 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 376 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 377 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 378 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 379

    First prize
  • 380 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 381 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 382 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 383 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 384 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 385 The cab at the corner>
  • 386 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 387 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 388 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 389 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 390 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 391 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 392 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 393 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 394 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 395

    New gateway
  • 396 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 397 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 398 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 399 He beat the floods

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

  • 401 From Bobby to Brian

  • 402 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 403 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 404 Bideford computer stars

  • 405 Centenary of Gazette

  • 406 Police station view of Bideford

  • 407 A roof-top view - where?

  • 408 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 409 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 410

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 411 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 412 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 414

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 415 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 416 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 417 Waldon Triplets
  • 418 New Lundy stamps

  • 419

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 420 Bideford loses training ship

  • 421 The Geneva marionettes

  • 422 Burnard family reunion

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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Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

Old photograph at Hartland Abbey

A fascinating piece of social history is this picture taken, it is believed, shortly after the turn of the century outside Hartland Abbey. It shows estate employees – mostly or all outdoor staff – holding where possible tools of their trade. There are gardeners, game keeper, carpenter, woodsman and, with his watch chain across his ample chest, the foreman.

30 September 1966 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff

Something of a mystery figure is the elegant young man reclining on the left of the picture, possibly a footman. One suggestion is that he was a member of the Stucley family.

The print is from a plate found among the effects of the late Mr Cory Burrow, who was editor, reporter, compositor, printer and publisher of the now-defunct Hartland Chronicle.

Gazette article 30 September 1966

 

 

‘Little Big Ben’

New facts about Bideford’s clock

Apart from the generous response of local subscribers to the appeal to modernise and re-start St Mary’s Church clock, there has been a response from another direction. Mr T.R. Robinson, technical journalist , writer, and broadcaster on ‘Tower Clocks’ has made a visit of inspection.

8 July 1966 Little Big Ben

The Bideford clock, he describes, as a fine example of a form of construction first adopted for the great Westminster clock, indeed a ‘little Big Ben’. The clock was made by Messrs Gillett and Johnston, of Croydon and is characteristic of many hundreds of their clocks. Mr Robinson believes with complete overhaul, repairs and proper maintenance the clock should be capable of serving the town for much longer in the future than it had in the past.

Gazette article 8 July 1966

 

 

 

Bideford Zoo’s first baby is big draw

Baby llama arrives

First inmate to be born at Bideford Zoo is this llama, son of Larry and Yma. The baby arrived on Sunday and has been named Julian – after July. He is proving a big draw with visitors. His father is well-known – perhaps notorious would be a better word. That is because, with unerring aim, he can spit into the eye of some unsuspecting bystander at a range of six feet.

8 July 1966 Bideford Zoos first baby

The zoo continues to expand, due for completion in about a week is a huge cage that will accommodate a family of rhesus monkeys.

Gazette article 8 July 1966

 

 

 

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