• 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 Blanchards ad.>
  • 2

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 3 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 4

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 5 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 6 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 7 Warmington's garage ad

  • 8 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 10 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 11 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 12 New Lundy stamps

  • 13 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 14 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 15 Modern living at Bideford

  • 16 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 17 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 18 Peter poses for TV film

  • 19 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 20 Police station view of Bideford

  • 21 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 23

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 24 New art gallery opened

  • 25 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 26 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 27 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 28 Waldon Triplets
  • 29 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 30 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 31 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 32 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 33

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 34 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 35 Hartland postman retires

  • 36 Littleham family's five generations

  • 37 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 38 New civic medallions

  • 39 Torrington in 1967

  • 40 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 41 Penny for the guy

  • 42 New shipyard on schedule

  • 43 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 44 Torrington's new amenity

  • 45 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 46 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 47 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 48 Sweets derationing

  • 49 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 50 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 51 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 52 A bird of their own!

  • 53 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 54 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 55 Northam footballers of the future

  • 56 Puppet characters introduced

  • 57 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 58 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 59 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 60 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 61 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 62

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 63

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 64 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 65 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 66 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 67 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 68 Centenary of Gazette

  • 69 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 70 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 71 Revenge in style

  • 72 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 73 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 74 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 75 Picking the pops

  • 76

    First prize
  • 77 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 78 New choral society's growing response

  • 79 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 80 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 81

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 82 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 83 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 84 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 85 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 86

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 87 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 88 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 89 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 90 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 91

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 92 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 93

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 94 Circus comes to town

  • 95 In their new robes and hats

  • 96 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 97 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 98

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 99 Picking the pops

  • 100

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 101 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 102 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 103 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 104

    Relatives all over the world
  • 105 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 106 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 107

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 108 A story to tell!

  • 109 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 110 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 111 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 112 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 113 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 114 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 115

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 116 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 117 First ship in 8 years

  • 118 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 119 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 120 Pannier Market's future?

  • 121 Over the bank together>
  • 122 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 123 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 124 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 125 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 126 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 127 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 128 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 129 Capers on the cobbles

  • 130 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 131 Weare Giffard potato

  • 132 He beat the floods

  • 133 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 134 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 135 Variety in summer weather

  • 136 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 137 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 138 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 139 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 140 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 141 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 142 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 143 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 144 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 145 Bideford computer stars

  • 146 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 147 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 148 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 149 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 150 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 151 Service with a smile

  • 152 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 154 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 155

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 156 Ten year old scrambler

  • 157 The art of the thatcher

  • 158 All aboard the ark

  • 159 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 160 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 161 From Bobby to Brian

  • 162 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 163 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 164 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 165 Chess - their bridge over the years

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

  • 167 The cab at the corner>
  • 168 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 169 Northam's almshouse

  • 170 Cruising down the river

  • 171 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 172 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 173 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 174 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 175 End of the line

  • 176 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 177 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 178 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 179 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 180 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 181 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 182 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 183 For crying out loud!

  • 184 113 years at Instow

  • 185 Bridging the stream

  • 186 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 187 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 188 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 189 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 190 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 191 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 192 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 193 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 194

    Exhibition of school work
  • 195 Parkham plan realised

  • 196 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 197 It really was the 'last time'

  • 198 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 199 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 200 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 201 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 202 No sale of Springfield House

  • 203 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 204 A roof-top view - where?

  • 205 A man and his wheel

  • 206 Some mushroom!

  • 207 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 208 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 209 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 210 Twenty-one yachts

  • 211

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 212 Loads of black and white

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

  • 214 Riverside mystery

  • 215 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 216 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 217 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 218 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 219 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 220 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 221 Out of puff!

  • 222 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 223

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 224 Ships at Bideford

  • 225 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 226 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 227

    New gateway
  • 228

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 229 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 230 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 231 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 232

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 233 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 234 The Geneva marionettes

  • 235 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 236 Jumble sale fever

  • 237 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 238

    Building works
  • 239 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 240 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 241 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 242 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 243 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 244 Recognise this resort?

  • 245 North Devon Driving School

  • 246 New life for Hartland organ

  • 247 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 249 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 250 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 251 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 252 New Post Office

  • 253

    Was a missionary
  • 254 Simple Item 138
  • 255 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 256 What's the time?

  • 257 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 258 Traditions and skills still there

  • 259 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 260 School crossing patrol begins

  • 261 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 262 Devil sent packing

  • 263 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 264 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 265 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 266 Fishermen of Greencliff

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

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

  • 269 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 270 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 271 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 272

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 273 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 274

    Married in 1908
  • 275 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 276 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 277 Clovelly nightmare

  • 278 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 279 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 280 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 281 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 282 Sight of a lifetime

  • 283 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 284 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 285 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 286 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 287 Off on a great adventure

  • 288 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 289 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 290 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 291 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 292 Life begins at 80

  • 293 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 294 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 295 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 296 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 297 Can spring be far away?

  • 298 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 299 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 300 Some 240 exhibits

  • 301 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 302 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 303 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 304 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 305 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 306 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 307 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 309 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 310 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 311 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 312 Private home for public pump

  • 313 Artisans' Club

  • 314 Hartland Dancers
  • 315 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 316 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 317 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 318 Appledore's largest

  • 319 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 320 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 321 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 322

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 323 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 324 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 325

    Bidefordians
  • 326 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 327 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 328 Clovelly custom

  • 329 Filming at Hartland

  • 330 Bideford's new market opens next week

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

  • 332 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 333 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 334 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 335 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 336 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 337 So this is the mainland!

  • 338 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 339 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 340 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 341 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 342 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 343 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 344 Happy Days!

  • 345 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 346 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 347 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 348 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 350 School's link with cargo ship

  • 351 New addition to Quay front

  • 352 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 353 Emergency ferry services

  • 354 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 355 They are parted pro-tem

  • 356 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 357 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 358 By pony and trap to market

  • 359 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 360 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 361 Six footed lamb

  • 362 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 363 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 364 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 365 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 366 No laughing matter

  • 367 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 368 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 369 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 370 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 371 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 372 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 373

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 374 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 375 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 376 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 377 Torrington children build igloo
  • 378 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 379

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 380 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 381 Bideford regatta

  • 382 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 383 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 384 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 385 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 386 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 387 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 388 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 389

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 390

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 391 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 392 Bideford loses training ship

  • 393 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 394 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 395 Hartland's invitation

  • 396 Mobile missionary

  • 397 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 398 Decontrol of meat

  • 399 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 400 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 401 Just over a year old

  • 402 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 403 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 404 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 405 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 406 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 407 Caught in the act>
  • 408 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 409 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 410 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 411 All for the love of a lady!

  • 412 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 413 Last train from Torrington

  • 414 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 415 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 416 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 417 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 418 Finished in 1876

  • 419 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 420 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 421 Burnard family reunion

  • 422 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
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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One hundred and three this week

Celebrations for 103rd birthday

Formerly of Torrington, where she lived for 67 years, Mrs Mary Mills, now of North Tawton, celebrated her 103rd birthday on Wednesday.

One hundred and three this week

Mrs Mills was born at Weare Giffard. In her nineties she learnt to crochet and she is at present busy making squares for blankets for refugees.

Before moving to North Tawton she was at Dolton for several years.

Gazette article 2 February 1973

 

Opening of new Lounge Bar at Bideford Liberal Club

Jeremy Thorpe opens new lounge bar

Liberal leader Mr Jeremy Thorpe officially opened the new £2,500 lounge bar at Bideford Liberal Club on 9 January. He congratulated Mr Reg Trott, chairman, and committee on their vision in bringing about “this wonderful improvement”. He also paid tribute to Mr W.G. Potten who not only dispenses the drinks but also played a large part in the drawing up of the plans.

Opening Liberal club lounge bar

Mr Thorpe then ‘pulled’ the first pints.

Gazette article 12 January 1973

 

 

 

Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

Trawler Goliath went ashore at Hartland Point

Two French seamen, ship’s engineer Francoise Lautrant and deck hand Christian Stephan, lost their lives when the trawler ‘Goliath’ went ashore south of Hartland Point on 17 March.

Nothing was known of the tragedy until four of the survivors who had scrambled barefoot up the cliffs, arrived at farms up to a mile away. Two awakened Mr Stanley Gifford and his family at Southole. Mr Gifford and his two sons Colin and Kenneth, went in search of the wreck. The ‘Goliath’ had ploughed through a reef of rocks about 100 yards offshore. A hole had been torn in her port side. Driven in by the sea, she had stopped on her starboard side near the base of the 500 ft. high Sandor Cliffs. The other two survivors arrived at Elmscott Farm, surprising Mr John Goaman and workman Mr Lew Rowe. The alarm was raised and the Coastguards, unaware of the wreck, called the Clovelly lifeboat but neither she, nor the R.A.F. rescue helicopter could do anything, the helicopter being defeated by wind conditions.

Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

Since the above picture was taken soon after the tragedy, the trawler, battered by the seas and swept almost to the base of the cliff, has begun to disintegrate.

Gazette article dated 21 March 1969

 

 

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