• 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 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 2 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 3 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 4 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 5 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 7 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 8

    Was a missionary
  • 9 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 10 New Post Office

  • 11 New art gallery opened

  • 12 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 13 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 14 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 15 Six footed lamb

  • 16 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 17 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 18 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 19 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 20 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 21 Waldon Triplets
  • 22 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 23 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 24 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 25 Pannier Market's future?

  • 26 Appledore's largest

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

  • 28

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 29 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 30 The Geneva marionettes

  • 31 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 32 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 33 Simple Item 138
  • 34 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 35 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 36 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 37 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 38 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 39 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 40 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 41 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 42 Northam's almshouse

  • 43 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 44 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 45

    Building works
  • 46 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 47 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 48 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 49 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 50 North Devon Driving School

  • 51 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 52 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 53 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 54 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 55 Traditions and skills still there

  • 56 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 57 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 58 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 59 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 60 Sweets derationing

  • 61 Modern living at Bideford

  • 62 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 63 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 64 Service with a smile

  • 65 Sight of a lifetime

  • 66 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 67 In their new robes and hats

  • 68 No sale of Springfield House

  • 69 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 70 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 71 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 72 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 73 Some 240 exhibits

  • 74 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 75

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 76 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 77 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 78 Torrington in 1967

  • 79 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 80 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 82 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 83 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 84 Ten year old scrambler

  • 85 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 86 Hartland's invitation

  • 87 Over the bank together>
  • 88 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 89 So this is the mainland!

  • 90 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 91 Bridging the stream

  • 92 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 93 The cab at the corner>
  • 94 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 95 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 96 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 97 113 years at Instow

  • 98 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 99 Hartland Dancers
  • 100 Puppet characters introduced

  • 101 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 102 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 103 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 104 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 105 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 106 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 107 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 108 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 109 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 111 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 113 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 114 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 115 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 116 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 117 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 118 Warmington's garage ad

  • 119

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 120 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 121 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 122 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 123 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 124 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 125 No laughing matter

  • 126 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 128 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 129 School's link with cargo ship

  • 130 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 131

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 132

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 133 First ship in 8 years

  • 134 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 135 Devil sent packing

  • 136 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 137

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 138 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 139 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 140 The art of the thatcher

  • 141 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 142 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 143 Life begins at 80

  • 144 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 145 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 146 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 147 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 148 Peter poses for TV film

  • 149

    Bidefordians
  • 150 Mobile missionary

  • 151 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 152 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 153 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 154 Picking the pops

  • 155 What's the time?

  • 156 Twenty-one yachts

  • 157 New civic medallions

  • 158 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 159 Private home for public pump

  • 160

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 161 Happy Days!

  • 162 Off on a great adventure

  • 163 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 164 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 165 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 166 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 167 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 168 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 169 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 170 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 171 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 172 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 173 All aboard the ark

  • 174 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 175 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 176 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 177 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 178 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 179 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 180 A bird of their own!

  • 181 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 182 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 183 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 184 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 185 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 186 By pony and trap to market

  • 187 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 188 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 189 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 190

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 191 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 192 Revenge in style

  • 193 Bideford regatta

  • 194 Circus comes to town

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

  • 196 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 197 From Bobby to Brian

  • 198 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 199 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 200 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 201 Artisans' Club

  • 202 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 203 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 204 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 205 New look in the hayfields

  • 206 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 207 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 208 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 209

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 210

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 211 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 213 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 214 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 215 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 216 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 217 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 218 New life for Hartland organ

  • 219 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 220 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 221 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 222

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 223 Parkham plan realised

  • 224 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 225 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 226 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 227 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 228

    Exhibition of school work
  • 229 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 230 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 231 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 232 Ships at Bideford

  • 233 Recognise this resort?

  • 234 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 235

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 236

    Married in 1908
  • 237 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 238

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 239 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 240 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 241 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 242

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 243 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 244 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 245

    Relatives all over the world
  • 246

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 247

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 248 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 249 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 250 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 251 Finished in 1876

  • 252 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 253 Out of puff!

  • 254 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 255 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 256 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 257 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 258

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 259 Caught in the act>
  • 260 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 261 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 262 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 263

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 264 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 265 Some mushroom!

  • 266 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 267 Hartland postman retires

  • 268 New Lundy stamps

  • 269

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 270 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 271 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 272 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 273 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 275 Loads of black and white

  • 276 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 277 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 279 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 280 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 281 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 282 When horses score over the tractor

  • 283 Riverside mystery

  • 284 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 285 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 286 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 287 Jumble sale fever

  • 288 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 289 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 290 New choral society's growing response

  • 291 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 292 Filming at Hartland

  • 293

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 294 Variety in summer weather

  • 295 Blanchards ad.>
  • 296 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 297 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 298 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 299 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 300 School crossing patrol begins

  • 301 Torrington's new amenity

  • 302 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 303 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 304 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 305 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 306 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 307 A man and his wheel

  • 308 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 309 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 310 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 311 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 312 Bideford loses training ship

  • 313 Penny for the guy

  • 314

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 315 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 316 Bideford computer stars

  • 317 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 318 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 319 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 320 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 321 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 322 Torrington children build igloo
  • 323 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 324

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 325 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 326 It really was the 'last time'

  • 327 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 328 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 329 Centenary of Gazette

  • 330 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 331 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 332 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 333 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 334 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 335 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 336 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 337 Cruising down the river

  • 338 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 339

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 340 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 341 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 342 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 343 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 344 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 345 Can spring be far away?

  • 346 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 347 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 348 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 349 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 350 Police station view of Bideford

  • 351 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 352 A roof-top view - where?

  • 353 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 354 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 355 Clovelly custom

  • 356 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 357 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 358 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 359 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 360 End of the line

  • 361 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 362 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 363 Just over a year old

  • 364 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 365 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 366 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 368 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 369 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 370 He beat the floods

  • 371 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 372 Littleham family's five generations

  • 373 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 374 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 375 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 376 Clovelly nightmare

  • 377 A story to tell!

  • 378 They are parted pro-tem

  • 379 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 380 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 381 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 382 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 383 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 384 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 385 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 386 All for the love of a lady!

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

  • 388 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 390

    New gateway
  • 391 Weare Giffard potato

  • 392 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 393 Decontrol of meat

  • 394

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 395 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 396 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 397 Picking the pops

  • 398 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 399 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 400 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 401 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 402 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 403 New addition to Quay front

  • 404 For crying out loud!

  • 405 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 406 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 407 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 408

    First prize
  • 409 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 410 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 411 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 412 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 413 Last train from Torrington

  • 414 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 415 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 416 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 418 Northam footballers of the future

  • 419

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 420 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 421 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 422 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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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  • 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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  • 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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Passing of a Torrington landmark

No regrets!

Normally the passing of a landmark is to be regretted but there are no regrets at the demolition of the ruin of Sydney House, Torrington.

27 October 1950 Passing of a Torrington landmark

It stood as a tragic reminder of the fire which in 1941 gutted the main premises, then used as a County Council open-air school for delicate children, five of whom lost their lives in the outbreak.

Gazette article 27 October 1950

 

 

Northam footballers of the future

Boys at Northam Carnival

The ball will be well and truly kept rolling if the lively smiles of these youngsters at Northam Carnival are any guide.

29 September 1950 Northam footballers of the future

Taking part in the tableau were : John Pickett, Kenneth Smale, Howard Davis, Tony Kelly, John Davies, Philip Stevens, John Slay-Maker, David Gale, Philip Prust, Derek James, and Trevor Jameson.

Gazette article 29 September 1950

 

Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

New sewerage scheme

8 September 1950 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

One of Clovelly’s famous donkeys, who carry ‘light-weights’ up the steep cobbled street of the village, watches ‘donkey work’ on the new sewerage scheme there made easier by the light railway across a portion of the beach.

Gazette article 8 September 1950

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