• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 For crying out loud!

  • 2 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 3 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 4 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 5 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 6 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 7 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 8 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 9 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 10 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 11 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 12 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 14 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 15 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 16 The cab at the corner>
  • 17 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 18

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 19 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 20 All aboard the ark

  • 21 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 22 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 23 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 24 Peter poses for TV film

  • 25 Torrington in 1967

  • 26 Filming at Hartland

  • 27 Ten year old scrambler

  • 28 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 29 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 30 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 31 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 32 Cruising down the river

  • 33 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 34 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 35 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 36 New shipyard on schedule

  • 37 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 38 What's the time?

  • 39 He beat the floods

  • 40 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 41 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 42 Burnard family reunion

  • 43 Finished in 1876

  • 44 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 45

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 46 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 47 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 48 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 49 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 50 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 51 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 52 First ship in 8 years

  • 53 Ships at Bideford

  • 54

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 55 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 56 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 57 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 58 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 59 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 61 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 62

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 63 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 64 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 65 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 66 Six footed lamb

  • 67 School crossing patrol begins

  • 68 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 69 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 70 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 71 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 72

    Married in 1908
  • 73 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 74 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 75

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 76 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 77 Can spring be far away?

  • 78 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 79 Puppet characters introduced

  • 80

    Bidefordians
  • 81

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 82 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 83 Simple Item 138
  • 84

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 85 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 86 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 87 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 88

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 89 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 90 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 91 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 92 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 93 Torrington's new amenity

  • 94

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 95 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 96 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 97 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 98 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 99 Recognise this resort?

  • 100 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 101 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 102 Service with a smile

  • 103 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 104 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 105 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 106 Devil sent packing

  • 107 Traditions and skills still there

  • 108 The Geneva marionettes

  • 109

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 110 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 111 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 112 Bideford computer stars

  • 113 Last train from Torrington

  • 114 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 115 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 116 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 117 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 118 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 119 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 120 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 121 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 122 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 123 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 124 New art gallery opened

  • 125 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 126 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 127 Picking the pops

  • 128 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 129 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 130 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 131

    First prize
  • 132 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 133 Appledore's largest

  • 134

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 135 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 136 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 137 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 138 Some 240 exhibits

  • 139 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 140 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 141

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 142 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 143 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 144 By pony and trap to market

  • 145 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 146 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 147 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 148 Warmington's garage ad

  • 149

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 150 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 152 They are parted pro-tem

  • 153 North Devon Driving School

  • 154 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 156 New civic medallions

  • 157 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 158 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 159 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 160 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 161 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 162 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 163 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 164 Happy Days!

  • 165 Private home for public pump

  • 166 Loads of black and white

  • 167 Clovelly custom

  • 168 Northam footballers of the future

  • 169 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 170

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 171 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 172 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 173 Riverside mystery

  • 174 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 175 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 176 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 177 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 178 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 179

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 180

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 181 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 182 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 183 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 184 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 185 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 186 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 187 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 188 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 190

    Was a missionary
  • 191 New addition to Quay front

  • 192 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 193 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 194 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 195 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 196 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 197 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 198 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 199 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 200 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 202 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 203 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 204 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 205 Hartland Dancers
  • 206 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 207 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 208

    Relatives all over the world
  • 209 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 210

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 211 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 212 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 213 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 214 Revenge in style

  • 215

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 216 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 217 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 218 From Bobby to Brian

  • 219 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 221 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 222 Parkham plan realised

  • 223

    New gateway
  • 224 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 225 New Lundy stamps

  • 226 Sweets derationing

  • 227 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 228 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 229 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 230 Torrington children build igloo
  • 231 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 232 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 233 So this is the mainland!

  • 234 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 235 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 236 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 237 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 238 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 239 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 240 Penny for the guy

  • 241 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 242 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 243 Variety in summer weather

  • 244 Clovelly nightmare

  • 245 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 246 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 247 Out of puff!

  • 248 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 249 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 250 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 251 Just over a year old

  • 252 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 253 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 254 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 255 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 256 New look in the hayfields

  • 257 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 258 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 259 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 260 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 261 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 262 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 263 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 264 The art of the thatcher

  • 265 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 266 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 267 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 268 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 269 Off on a great adventure

  • 270 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 271 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 273 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 274 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 275 Capers on the cobbles

  • 276

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 277 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 278 Jumble sale fever

  • 279 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 280 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 281 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 282 Centenary of Gazette

  • 283 A man and his wheel

  • 284

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 285 Modern living at Bideford

  • 286 Hartland postman retires

  • 287 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 288 Bideford loses training ship

  • 289 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 290 New Post Office

  • 291 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 292 Decontrol of meat

  • 293 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 294 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 295 Littleham family's five generations

  • 296 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 297 Some mushroom!

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

  • 299 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 300 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 301 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 302 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 303 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 304 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 305 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 306 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 307 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 308 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 309 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 310 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 311 Hartland's invitation

  • 312 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 313 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 314 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 315 Twenty-one yachts

  • 316 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 317 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 318 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 319 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 320 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 321 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 322 New life for Hartland organ

  • 323 Pannier Market's future?

  • 324 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 325 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 326

    Building works
  • 327 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 328 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 329 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 330 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 331 Mobile missionary

  • 332 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 333 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 334 Artisans' Club

  • 335

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 336 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 337 Blanchards ad.>
  • 338 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 339 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 340 No laughing matter

  • 341 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 342 In their new robes and hats

  • 343 New choral society's growing response

  • 344 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 345 End of the line

  • 346 113 years at Instow

  • 347 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 348

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 349 Sight of a lifetime

  • 350 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 351 Weare Giffard potato

  • 352 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 353 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 354

    Exhibition of school work
  • 355 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 356 When horses score over the tractor

  • 357 Circus comes to town

  • 358 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 359

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 360 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 361 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 362 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 363

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 364 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 365 Over the bank together>
  • 366 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 368 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 369 Northam's almshouse

  • 370 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 371 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 372 It really was the 'last time'

  • 373

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 374 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 375 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 377 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 378 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 379 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 380 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 381 Caught in the act>
  • 382 Waldon Triplets
  • 383 Police station view of Bideford

  • 384 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 385 A roof-top view - where?

  • 386 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 387 Life begins at 80

  • 388 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 389 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 390 Bideford regatta

  • 391 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 392 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 393 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 394 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 395 School's link with cargo ship

  • 396 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 397 A story to tell!

  • 398 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 399 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 400 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 401 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 402 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 403 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 404 A bird of their own!

  • 405 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 406 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 407 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 408 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 409 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 410 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 411 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 412 Bridging the stream

  • 413 All for the love of a lady!

  • 414 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 415 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 416 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 417 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 418 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 419 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 420 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 421 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 422 Picking the pops

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Launching the Golden Hinde

Many thousands of people began to converge

on Appledore in the morning of the launch from the Watertown shipyard of Messrs J. Hinks and Son. The public holiday atmosphere was heightened by the presence of the Dartington Morris Men and the Totnes Folk Club and by the costumes of the Totnes Elizabethan Society, the Torrington Cavaliers and Bideford Buccaneers and others.

Launching the Golden Hinde

Prior to the launching by the Countess of Devon, who, true to period, used a bottle of mead, there were speeches and the prayer said by Sir Francis Drake before he set out in 1587 recited by the Bishop of Crediton. A flotilla of small craft was there to greet the ship as helicopters hovered above, flares soared into the sky and cannons roared. The Golden Hinde was soon on her way to the yard of Appledore Shipbuilders where her masts will be stepped. She will leave Plymouth in the late autumn for San Francisco where she is to become a floating museum.

Gazette article 13 April 1973

 

Appledore’s largest

Largest ship built by Appledore Shipbuilders

Everything went smoothly when the 4,500 ton container ship “Manchester Vigour” the largest ship to be built in the covered yard of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd., was eased out into the River Torridge at the weekend.

Appledores largest

The new ship, one of two ordered by Manchester Liners in a contract worth over £4.5 million will be named next month. Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. have just secured £8 million new orders.

Gazette article 23 March 1973

 

Clovelly custom

Clovelly custom

Children from Clovelly Primary School observing the village’s traditional Shrove Tuesday “land-sherd” custom of dragging tin cans on string down the cobbled High Street.

Clovelly custom

The custom, long held in the village but of uncertain origin, aims at driving the devil away from the village for another 12 months with its boisterous noise.

Gazette article 16 March 1973

  • 1

Login Form