• 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 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 2

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 3 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 4 North Devon Driving School

  • 5 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 6 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 7

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 8 All aboard the ark

  • 9 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 10 Circus comes to town

  • 11 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 12

    Was a missionary
  • 13 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 14 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 15 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 16 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 17 New Post Office

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

  • 19 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 20

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 21 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 22

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 23 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 24 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 25 Twenty-one yachts

  • 26 Decontrol of meat

  • 27 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 28 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 29 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 30 Puppet characters introduced

  • 31 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 32 School crossing patrol begins

  • 33 Hartland Dancers
  • 34 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 35

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 36 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 37 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 38 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 39 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 40 Clovelly nightmare

  • 41 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 42

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 43

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 44 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 45 New choral society's growing response

  • 46 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 47 Capers on the cobbles

  • 48 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 49 Off on a great adventure

  • 50 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 51 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 52 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 53 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 54 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 55 Finished in 1876

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

  • 57

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 58 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 59 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 60 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 61 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 62 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 63 Warmington's garage ad

  • 64 Blanchards ad.>
  • 65 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 66 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 67 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 68 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 69 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 70

    Relatives all over the world
  • 71 What's the time?

  • 72 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 73 By pony and trap to market

  • 74 Last train from Torrington

  • 75 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 76 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 77 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 78 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 79 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 80 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 81 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 82 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 83 Some 240 exhibits

  • 84 No sale of Springfield House

  • 85 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 86 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 87 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 88 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 89 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 90 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 91 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 92 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 93 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 94 Cruising down the river

  • 95 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 96 For crying out loud!

  • 97 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 98 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 99 Northam footballers of the future

  • 100 Private home for public pump

  • 101 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 102 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 103 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 104 113 years at Instow

  • 105 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 106

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 107 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 108 Over the bank together>
  • 109 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 110 Sweets derationing

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

  • 112 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 113 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 114 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 115 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 116 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 117 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 118 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 119 Sight of a lifetime

  • 120 Variety in summer weather

  • 121 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 122 Filming at Hartland

  • 123 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 124 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 125 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 126 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 127 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 128 Weare Giffard potato

  • 129 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 130 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 131 New civic medallions

  • 132 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 133 Traditions and skills still there

  • 134 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 135 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 136 Clovelly custom

  • 137 Ten year old scrambler

  • 138 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 139 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 140 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 141 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 142 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 143 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 144 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 145 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 146 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 147 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 148 Caught in the act>
  • 149 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 150 Sooty is quick on the draw

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

  • 152 So this is the mainland!

  • 153 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 154 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 155 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 156 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 158 It really was the 'last time'

  • 159 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 160 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 161 No laughing matter

  • 162 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 163 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 164 Torrington in 1967

  • 165 He beat the floods

  • 166 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 167 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 168 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 169 Picking the pops

  • 170 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 171 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 172 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 173 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 174

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

  • 176 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 177 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 178 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 179 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 180 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 181 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 182 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 183 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 184 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 185

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 186

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 187 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 188 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 189 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 190 Out of puff!

  • 191 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 192 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 193 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 194 The Geneva marionettes

  • 195 Mobile missionary

  • 196 In their new robes and hats

  • 197 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 198 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 199 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 200 New life for Hartland organ

  • 201 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 203 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 204

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 205 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 206 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 208 Torrington children build igloo
  • 209 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 210 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 211 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 212 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 213

    Building works
  • 214 Peter poses for TV film

  • 215

    Exhibition of school work
  • 216 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 217 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 218 New addition to Quay front

  • 219

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 220 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 221 Life begins at 80

  • 222 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 223 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 224 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 225 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 226 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 227

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 228 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 229 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 230

    Bidefordians
  • 231 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 232 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 233 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 234 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 235 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 236 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 237 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 238 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 239 Waldon Triplets
  • 240

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 241 Northam's almshouse

  • 242 School's link with cargo ship

  • 243

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 244 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 245 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 246 New look in the hayfields

  • 247 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 248 New art gallery opened

  • 249 Hartland's invitation

  • 250 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 251 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 253 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 254 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 255 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 257 Devil sent packing

  • 258 Appledore's largest

  • 259 Burnard family reunion

  • 260 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 261 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 262 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 263 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 264 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 265 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 266 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 267 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 268 Six footed lamb

  • 269 All for the love of a lady!

  • 270 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 271 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 272 Some mushroom!

  • 273 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 274

    First prize
  • 275 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 276 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 277 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 278 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 279 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 280 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 281 Jumble sale fever

  • 282 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 283 Modern living at Bideford

  • 284 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 285

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 286 Torrington's new amenity

  • 287 A roof-top view - where?

  • 288 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 289 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 290 Revenge in style

  • 291 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 292 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 293 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 294 Picking the pops

  • 295 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 296 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 297 Artisans' Club

  • 298 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 299 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 300 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 301 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 302 Riverside mystery

  • 303 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 304 Simple Item 138
  • 305 Pannier Market's future?

  • 306 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 307 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 308 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 309 When horses score over the tractor

  • 310 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 311 A bird of their own!

  • 312 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 313 First ship in 8 years

  • 314 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 315 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 316 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 317 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 318 Littleham family's five generations

  • 319 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 320 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 321 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 322 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 323 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 324 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 325 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 326 Bridging the stream

  • 327 Recognise this resort?

  • 328 Police station view of Bideford

  • 329 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 330 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 331 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 332 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 333 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 334 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 335 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 336

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 337 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 338

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 339 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 340 The cab at the corner>
  • 341

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 342 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 343 Emergency ferry services

  • 344

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 345 Hartland postman retires

  • 346 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 347 Service with a smile

  • 348 Can spring be far away?

  • 349

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 350 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 352 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 353 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 354 Just over a year old

  • 355 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 356 From Bobby to Brian

  • 357 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 358 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 359

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 360 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 361 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 362 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 363 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 364 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 365 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 366 New shipyard on schedule

  • 367 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 368 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 369 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 370 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 372 A story to tell!

  • 373 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 374 Parkham plan realised

  • 375 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 376 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 377 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 378 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 379 End of the line

  • 380 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 381 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 382 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 383 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 384 Bideford computer stars

  • 385 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 386 Ships at Bideford

  • 387 A man and his wheel

  • 388 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 389 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 390 First steel ship built at Bideford

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

  • 392 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 393 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 394 Centenary of Gazette

  • 395 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 396 Bideford regatta

  • 397 Happy Days!

  • 398 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 399 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 400

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 401 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 402 The art of the thatcher

  • 403 Penny for the guy

  • 404 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 405 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 406 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 407 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 408 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 409 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 410 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 411

    New gateway
  • 412

    Married in 1908
  • 413 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 414 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 415 Loads of black and white

  • 416 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 417 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 418 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 419 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 420 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 421 Bideford loses training ship

  • 422 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

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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Faints as she wins national competition

Wins national dressmaking competition

When Miss Brenda Brown learned that she had won a national dressmaking competition with the trouser suit she is here seen modelling, she fainted.

Faints as she wins national competition

Miss Brown (20) of The Store, Buckland Brewer, a member of Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club was a Devon representative in the contest organised by the National Federation in Malvern. The 41 qualifiers had to model their creations so that the judges could assess the fit. The subject was a travel outfit to cost not more than £8 and Miss Brown was awarded 98½ per cent marks. She won not only a challenge cup but an electric sewing machine. When her name was announced she sank back in her chair, was urged forward to receive the cup – and passed out.

Gazette article dated 9 May 1969

 

 

Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

Equine pub crawl in Torrington

Two horses and a donkey caused quite a stir in Torrington on Saturday night. Led by Mr Laurie Alexander (seen in photograph) they visited the public bars of several local hostelries for a May Fair drink.

Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink at Torrington

They had just trotted around the streets of Torrington in pouring rain as part of the gipsy camp tableaux entered for the Carnival by Mr Alexander and friends. “The evening began with just one donkey, but we ended up with a donkey and two horses. We didn’t have any trouble getting the horses to go in the pubs but it was quite a job trying to get them to turn round and go out again. They certainly seemed to enjoy their beer!”

Gazette article dated 9 May 1969

 

Thought of winning slogan in bath

Bideford mother wins 10,000 Green Shield Stamps

A bright idea that came to her as she was having a bath resulted in Mrs Barbara Purnell of Tonara, Rectory Park, Bideford, winning 10,000 Green Shield Stamps in the competition in the Gazette a fortnight ago.

She had answered the questions correctly but was then stuck for a slogan. But in the bath several hours later it came to her – “I can save for luxuries whilst buying necessities.” With the stamps, Mrs Purnell plans to buy a tri-pendant ceiling light, a wind-break for the beach and something for her two children Paul (3) and Claire (18 months). Her husband Tony is a chemist at Yelland Power Station where they met when she was employed there as a receptionist.

Bideford winning slogan

In the photograph Mrs Purnell is seen settling down to the mammoth task of sticking the stamps into books.

Gazette article dated 13 June 1969

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