• 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 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 2 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 3 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 4 By pony and trap to market

  • 5 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 6 Bideford computer stars

  • 7 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 8 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 9 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 10 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 11 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 12 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 13 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 14 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 15 Torrington's new amenity

  • 16

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 17 Picking the pops

  • 18 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 19 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 20 Clovelly nightmare

  • 21 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 22 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 23 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 24 Emergency ferry services

  • 25 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 26 Simple Item 138
  • 27 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 28

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 29 Traditions and skills still there

  • 30 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 31 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 32 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 33 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 34 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 35 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 36 Just over a year old

  • 37 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 38

    Married in 1908
  • 39 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 40 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 41 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 42 Revenge in style

  • 43 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 44 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 45 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 46 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 47 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 48

    First prize
  • 49 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 50 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 51 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 52 Warmington's garage ad

  • 53 Waldon Triplets
  • 54 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 55 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 56 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 57 Twenty-one yachts

  • 58 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 59 Bideford loses training ship

  • 60

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 61 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 62

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 63 Filming at Hartland

  • 64 Life begins at 80

  • 65 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 66 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 67 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 68 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 69 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 70 Recognise this resort?

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

  • 72 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 73 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 74 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 75 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 76 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 77

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 78

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 79 He beat the floods

  • 80 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 81 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 82 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 83 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 85 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 86 Appledore's largest

  • 87 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 88 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 89 Weare Giffard potato

  • 90

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 91 Cruising down the river

  • 92 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 93 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 94 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 95 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 96 Modern living at Bideford

  • 97 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 98

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 99 Parkham plan realised

  • 100 When horses score over the tractor

  • 101 Last train from Torrington

  • 102 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 103 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 104 Centenary of Gazette

  • 105 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 106 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 107

    Building works
  • 108 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 109 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 110 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 111 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 112 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 113 North Devon Driving School

  • 114 New Lundy stamps

  • 115 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 116 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 117 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 118 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 119

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 120 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 121 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 122 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 123 Artisans' Club

  • 124 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 125 End of the line

  • 126 Hartland's invitation

  • 127

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 128 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 129 Penny for the guy

  • 130 Riverside mystery

  • 131 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 132 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 133 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 134 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 135 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 136 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 137 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 138 Puppet characters introduced

  • 139 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 140 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 141

    New gateway
  • 142 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 143 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 144 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 145 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 147 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 148 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 149 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 150 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 151 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 152 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 153 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 154 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 155 First ship in 8 years

  • 156 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 157 School's link with cargo ship

  • 158 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 159 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 160 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 161 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 162 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 163 New choral society's growing response

  • 164 From Bobby to Brian

  • 165 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 166 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 167 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 168 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 169 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 170 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 171 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 172 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 173 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 174 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 175 It really was the 'last time'

  • 176 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 177 Blanchards ad.>
  • 178 Bridging the stream

  • 179 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 180 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 181 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 182 113 years at Instow

  • 183 Ships at Bideford

  • 184 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 185 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 186 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 187 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 188 Sweets derationing

  • 189 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 190

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 191 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 192 Some mushroom!

  • 193 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 194 In their new robes and hats

  • 195 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 196 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 197 New look in the hayfields

  • 198 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 199 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 201 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 202 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 203 Burnard family reunion

  • 204 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 205 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 206 A story to tell!

  • 207 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 208

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 209 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 210 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 211 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 212 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 214 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 215 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 216 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 217 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 218 Mobile missionary

  • 219 A man and his wheel

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

  • 221 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 222 All aboard the ark

  • 223 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 224 Peter poses for TV film

  • 225 Pannier Market's future?

  • 226 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 227 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 228 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 229

    Was a missionary
  • 230 The art of the thatcher

  • 231 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 232

    Bidefordians
  • 233 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 234 New Post Office

  • 235 New life for Hartland organ

  • 236 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 237 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 238 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 239 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 240 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 241 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 242 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 243 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 244 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 245 Bideford regatta

  • 246 Torrington children build igloo
  • 247 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 249 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 250 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 251 All for the love of a lady!

  • 252 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 253 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 254 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 255 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 256 Devil sent packing

  • 257 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 258 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 259 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 260 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 261 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 262 Northam's almshouse

  • 263

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 264 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 265 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 266 Capers on the cobbles

  • 267 So this is the mainland!

  • 268 Hartland Dancers
  • 269 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 270 Off on a great adventure

  • 271

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 272 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 273 New civic medallions

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

  • 275 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 276

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

  • 278 Northam footballers of the future

  • 279

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 280 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 281 Torrington Church's new organ

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

  • 283 Sight of a lifetime

  • 284 Some 240 exhibits

  • 285 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 286 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 287 Police station view of Bideford

  • 288 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 289 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 290 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 291 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 292 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 293 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 294 Service with a smile

  • 295

    Relatives all over the world
  • 296 Torrington in 1967

  • 297 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 298 Finished in 1876

  • 299 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 300 For crying out loud!

  • 301 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 302 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 303 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 304 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 305 Out of puff!

  • 306 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 307 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 308 Happy Days!

  • 309 New addition to Quay front

  • 310

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 311 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 312

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 313 No sale of Springfield House

  • 314 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 315 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 317 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 318 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 319 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 320 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 321 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 322 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 323

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 324 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 325 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 326 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 327 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 328 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 330 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 331

    Exhibition of school work
  • 332 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 333 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 334 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 335 Ten year old scrambler

  • 336 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 337 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 338 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 339 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 340 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 341 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 342 A bird of their own!

  • 343 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 344 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 345

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 346 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 347 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 348 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 349 A roof-top view - where?

  • 350 Six footed lamb

  • 351 Passing of a Torrington landmark

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

  • 353 New shipyard on schedule

  • 354

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 355 Caught in the act>
  • 356

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 357 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 358 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 359 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 360 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 361 Over the bank together>
  • 362 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 363 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 364

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 365 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 366 Clovelly custom

  • 367 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 368 Littleham family's five generations

  • 369 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 370 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 371 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 372 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 373 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 374 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 375 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 376 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 377 New art gallery opened

  • 378 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 379 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 380 Circus comes to town

  • 381

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 382 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 383 Variety in summer weather

  • 384 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 385 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 386 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 387 The cab at the corner>
  • 388 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 389 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 390 Jumble sale fever

  • 391 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 392 Private home for public pump

  • 393 Picking the pops

  • 394 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 395 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 396

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 397 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 398 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 399 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 400 No laughing matter

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

  • 402 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 403 School crossing patrol begins

  • 404 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 405 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 406 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 407 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 408 What's the time?

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

  • 410 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 411 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 412 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 413 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 414 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 415 The Geneva marionettes

  • 416 Can spring be far away?

  • 417 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 418 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 419 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 420 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 421 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 422 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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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Combined Op at Westward Ho!

Combined Op at Westward Ho!

Members of the handicraft group of Westward Ho! Women’s Institute putting the finishing touches to the patchwork quilt on which they have been working since September. The quilt along with the patchwork cushion and fur teddy bears are to be raffled for WI funds at a coffee morning to be held next March.

5 December 1969 Westward Ho combined op

Gazette article 5 December 1969

Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

Lundy’s youngest and newest inhabitant arrived last week on the island from the mainland in the “Lundy Gannet,” quite unperturbed by the rough weather.

She is Katherine Jane, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Ogilvie, of Barton Cottages on the island. She was born on the mainland on October 1st.

5 December 1969 Lundy Baby Kate returns

Baby Kate spent the three hours on the trip in a carry-cot on deck, carefully watched by her parents who have made their home on the island since their marriage nearly six years ago. Mr Ogilvy is farm bailiff on Lundy. His wife Penny is the only daughter of Dr and Mrs William Ruddock of Bideford, Dr Ruddock being doctor to the island.

Gazette article 5 December 1969

 

700 years old and good for hundreds more

Proclamation read at various points in the town

Next Thursday at 12 noon The Square at Torrington will be a blaze of colour, and visitors from other towns will mingle with the local inhabitants under the flags and banners as the Town Clerk of Torrington (Mr S.J. Parkes) reads the traditional proclamation that sets in motion for yet another year the annual May Fair, standing just outside the Town Hall.

The proclamation is read at various points in the town, and then there comes the highlight of the fair – the crowning of the May Queen.

Each year the two primary schools at Torrington – the Halsdon Road and the Barley Grove school – take it in turn to provide the queen, her attendants, and two heralds. This year it is the turn of the Halsdon Road School and the girl chosen by the popular vote is 10-year-old Elizabeth Somerfield, the only daughter of Torrington’s station-master, Mr .R. Somerfield, and Mrs Somerfield.

1.5.59 Torrington 700 years old and good for hundreds more

Her crowner will be Pauline Burridge, 10-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs Peter Burridge of Well Street, Torrington.

It was 405 years ago that Torrington received the first of its three charters, and it was this one, which was granted by Philip and Mary, that decreed that the borough should have one market on every Saturday in each week and to hold and keep two fairs – one on the Feast of St Michael the Arcangel and “the eve and morrow after,” and the other on the Feast of St George the Martyr and the two days following.”

Under the Fairs Act of 1873 the dates for holding these two fairs were altered to May and October and eventually, after the October Fair had become defunct, the first Thursday in May was fixed as the date on which all future May Fairs should be held.

The date of the very first Torrington fair has been lost. The date 1226 has been mentioned but the historian Lyson published 100 years ago, gave the original date as six years earlier. Many people think that the fair does date back much further, perhaps as far as the days of the Saxons.

At one time Torrington was in very real danger of losing the fair, but since 1924 when the local Chamber of Commerce organised the event’s revival after a lapse of many years, the fair has taken on a new lease of life. Even the war years could not upset the traditional reading of the proclamation which kept the fair in existence: each May the proclamation was read to a deserted Square.

Gazette article 1 May 1959

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