• 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 It really was the 'last time'

  • 2 Ships at Bideford

  • 3 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 4 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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

  • 6 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 7 Waldon Triplets
  • 8 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 10 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 11 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 12 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 13 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 14 First ship in 8 years

  • 15

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 16 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 17 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 18 Bideford computer stars

  • 19 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 20 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 21 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 22 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 23 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 24 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 25 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 26 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 27 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 28

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 29 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 30 Warmington's garage ad

  • 31 Traditions and skills still there

  • 32 Parkham plan realised

  • 33 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 34 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 35 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 36 Pannier Market's future?

  • 37

    First prize
  • 38 Burnard family reunion

  • 39 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

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

  • 42 Clovelly nightmare

  • 43 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 44 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 45 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 46 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 47 The Geneva marionettes

  • 48 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 49 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 50 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 51

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 52 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 53 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 54 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 55 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 56 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 57 Happy Days!

  • 58 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 59 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 60 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 61 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 62 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 63 New civic medallions

  • 64 Twenty-one yachts

  • 65 Modern living at Bideford

  • 66 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 67 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 68 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 69 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 70 Ten year old scrambler

  • 71 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 72 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 74 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 75 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 76 No laughing matter

  • 77 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 78 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 79 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 80 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 81 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 82 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 83 Sight of a lifetime

  • 84 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 85 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 86 Weare Giffard potato

  • 87 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 88 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 89 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 90 No sale of Springfield House

  • 91 Northam's almshouse

  • 92

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 93 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 94 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 95 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 96 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 97 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 98 Hartland's invitation

  • 99 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 100 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 101 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 102 The art of the thatcher

  • 103 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 105

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 106 Loads of black and white

  • 107

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 108 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 109 Sweets derationing

  • 110 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 111

    Married in 1908
  • 112 Northam footballers of the future

  • 113 Blanchards ad.>
  • 114

    Was a missionary
  • 115 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 116 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 117 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 118 Appledore's largest

  • 119 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 120

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 121 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 122 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 123 Revenge in style

  • 124 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 125 End of the line

  • 126 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 127 Can spring be far away?

  • 128 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 129 Riverside mystery

  • 130 New Lundy stamps

  • 131 New life for Hartland organ

  • 132 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 133

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 134 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 135 Torrington's new amenity

  • 136 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 138 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 139 Some 240 exhibits

  • 140 Police station view of Bideford

  • 141 The cab at the corner>
  • 142 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 143 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 144 Life begins at 80

  • 145 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 146 Hartland Dancers
  • 147 Littleham family's five generations

  • 148

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 149 Bideford loses training ship

  • 150 Torrington in 1967

  • 151

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 152 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 153 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 154 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 155 Artisans' Club

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

  • 157 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 158 Some mushroom!

  • 159 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 160 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 161 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 162 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 163 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 164 New art gallery opened

  • 165 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 166

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 167 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 168 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 169 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 170 Off on a great adventure

  • 171

    New gateway
  • 172 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 173 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 174 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 175

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 176 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 177 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 178 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 179 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 180 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 181 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 182 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 183 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 184 Bideford regatta

  • 185

    Exhibition of school work
  • 186 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 187 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 188 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 189 They are parted pro-tem

  • 190 New choral society's growing response

  • 191 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 192 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 193 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 194

    Bidefordians
  • 195 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 196 Bridging the stream

  • 197 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 198 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 199 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 200 Devil sent packing

  • 201 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 202 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 203 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 204 New shipyard on schedule

  • 205 Simple Item 138
  • 206 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 207

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 208 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 209 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 210 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 211 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 212 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 213 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 214 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 215 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 216 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 217 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 218 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 219 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 220 For crying out loud!

  • 221 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 222

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 223

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 224 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 225 Recognise this resort?

  • 226 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 227 A story to tell!

  • 228

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 229 Over the bank together>
  • 230 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 231 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 232 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 233 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 234 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 235 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 236 Just over a year old

  • 237

    Building works
  • 238 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 239 Mobile missionary

  • 240 113 years at Instow

  • 241 Torrington children build igloo
  • 242 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 243 What's the time?

  • 244 A bird of their own!

  • 245 Last train from Torrington

  • 246 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 247 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 248 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 249 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 250 Capers on the cobbles

  • 251 Picking the pops

  • 252 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 253 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 254 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 255 Private home for public pump

  • 256 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 257 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 258 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 259 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 260 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 261

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 262 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 263 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 264 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 265 Variety in summer weather

  • 266 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 267 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 268 Puppet characters introduced

  • 269 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 270 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 271 By pony and trap to market

  • 272 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 273 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 274 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 275 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 276 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 277 School's link with cargo ship

  • 278 School crossing patrol begins

  • 279 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 280 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 281 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 282 Decontrol of meat

  • 283 Service with a smile

  • 284 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 285 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 286 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 287 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 288 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 289 Emergency ferry services

  • 290 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 291 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 292 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 293 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 294 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 295 Centenary of Gazette

  • 296 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 297 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 298 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 299 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 300 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 301 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 302 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 303 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 304 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 305 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 306 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 307 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 308 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 309 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 310 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 311

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 312 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 313 Picking the pops

  • 314 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 315 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 316 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 317 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 318 Filming at Hartland

  • 319 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 320 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 321 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 322 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 323 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 324 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 325 Cruising down the river

  • 326 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 327 Hartland postman retires

  • 328

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 329

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 330 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 331 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 332 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 333 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 335

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 336 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 337 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 338 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 339 Peter poses for TV film

  • 340 New addition to Quay front

  • 341 In their new robes and hats

  • 342 North Devon Driving School

  • 343 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 344 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 345 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 346 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 347 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 348 Finished in 1876

  • 349 Six footed lamb

  • 350

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 351 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 352 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 353 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 354 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 355 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 356 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 357 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 358 Clovelly custom

  • 359 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 360 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 361 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 362 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 363 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 364 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 365 A man and his wheel

  • 366 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 367

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 368 Out of puff!

  • 369 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 370 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 371 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 372 Circus comes to town

  • 373 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 374 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 375 Jumble sale fever

  • 376 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 377 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 379 Caught in the act>
  • 380 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 381 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 382 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 383 New Post Office

  • 384 He beat the floods

  • 385 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 386 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 387 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 388

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 389 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 390 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 391 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 392 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 393 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 394 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 395 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 396 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 397 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 398

    Relatives all over the world
  • 399 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 400 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 401 From Bobby to Brian

  • 402 Penny for the guy

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

  • 404 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 405

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 406 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 407 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 408 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 409 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 410 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 411 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 412 New look in the hayfields

  • 413 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 414 When horses score over the tractor

  • 415 So this is the mainland!

  • 416 All aboard the ark

  • 417 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

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

  • 419 All for the love of a lady!

  • 420 A roof-top view - where?

  • 421 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 422 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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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  • 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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  • 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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Dustmen of the days of yore

Bideford dustmen

The two men in the photograph, probably taken some fifty or sixty years ago, were the dustmen of a bygone age when the Bideford health authority was known as the Bideford Local Board.

20 April 1948 Dustmen of the days of yore

The two men are Mr Fred Friendship and Mr Billy Hopgood although it is not known which is which. The photograph was loaned by Mr F.C. Perkins of Mill Street, Bideford, whose shop is now situated in the premises just visible on the left.

At this month’s meeting Bideford Town Council decided that the pre-war practice of sweeping certain streets on Sundays should be resumed.

Gazette article 20 April 1948

 

 

Blanchards ad.

6 April 1948 Blanchard adJPG

 

Gazette ad. 6 April 1948

Gateways with rhymes

Hartland visitors are intrigued

For visitors to Hartland who are intrigued by the verses on the imposing-looking and inscribed pillars at the entrance to some fields along the main road, the following information from Mr Pearse Chope, B.A., will be interesting.

Called the Alpha and Omega Gates, they were erected by the late Mr J. Berriman to mark the beginning and end of his property in Hartland, i.e. Highford (Alpha) and Higher Velly (Omega) Farms. On one of the pillars of each gate is a portrait plaque, one representing Charlemagne and the other Charles Martel.

6 April 1948 Gateways with rhymes

Midway between the two gates the farmhouse of Highford, the entrance to which has two pillars, each surmounted by a group of statuary showing a lion and a lamb lying down tother in amity and each pillar bearing the inscription ‘Oh: How Peaceful Art Thou O Highford. J.B. 1896.'

Gazette article 4 April 1948

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