• 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 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 2 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 3 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 4 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 5 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 6 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 7 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 9 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 10 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 11 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 12 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 13 No laughing matter

  • 14 Weare Giffard potato

  • 15 Twenty-one yachts

  • 16 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 17 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 18 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 19 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 20 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 21 New look in the hayfields

  • 22 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 23 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 24

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 25 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 26

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 27 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 28 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 29 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 30 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 31 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 32 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 33 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 34 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 35 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 36 Service with a smile

  • 37 Sweets derationing

  • 38 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 39 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 40 He beat the floods

  • 41 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 42 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 43 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 44

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 45 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 46 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 47 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 48 Cruising down the river

  • 49 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 50 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 51 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 52 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 53 Private home for public pump

  • 54 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 55 Can spring be far away?

  • 56 The Geneva marionettes

  • 57 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 58 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 59 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 60 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 61 Burnard family reunion

  • 62 New civic medallions

  • 63 Some 240 exhibits

  • 64 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 65 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 66 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 67 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 68 Hartland Dancers
  • 69 A roof-top view - where?

  • 70

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 71 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 72

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 73 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 74 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 75 It really was the 'last time'

  • 76

    Bidefordians
  • 77 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 78 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 79 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 80 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 81 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 82 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 83 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 84 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 85 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 86 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 87 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 88 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 89 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 90 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 91 Over the bank together>
  • 92 A bird of their own!

  • 93 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 94 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 95

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 96 The art of the thatcher

  • 97 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 98 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 99 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 100

    Married in 1908
  • 101

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 102

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 103 All for the love of a lady!

  • 104

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 105 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 106 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 107 They are parted pro-tem

  • 108 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 109 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 110 When horses score over the tractor

  • 111 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 112 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 113 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 114 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 115 Ten year old scrambler

  • 116 Bideford loses training ship

  • 117 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 119

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 120 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 121 Filming at Hartland

  • 122 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 123 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 124 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 125 Decontrol of meat

  • 126 Finished in 1876

  • 127 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 128 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 129 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 130

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 131 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 132 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 133 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 134 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 135 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 136 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 137 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 138 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 139 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 140 Simple Item 138
  • 141 Warmington's garage ad

  • 142 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 143 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 144 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 145 Hartland postman retires

  • 146 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 147 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 148 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 149 Hartland's invitation

  • 150 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 151 So this is the mainland!

  • 152 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 153 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 154 Police station view of Bideford

  • 155 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 156 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 157

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 158 By pony and trap to market

  • 159 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 160 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 161 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 162 Littleham family's five generations

  • 163 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 164 Last train from Torrington

  • 165 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 166 School crossing patrol begins

  • 167 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 168 Artisans' Club

  • 169 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 171 Centenary of Gazette

  • 172 The cab at the corner>
  • 173

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 174 North Devon Driving School

  • 175 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 176 Modern living at Bideford

  • 177 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 178 End of the line

  • 179 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 180 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 181 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 183 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 184 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 185 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 186 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 188

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 189 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 190 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 191 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 192 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 193 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 194 All aboard the ark

  • 195 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 196 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 197 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 198 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 199 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 200 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 201 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 202 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 203 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 204 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 205 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 206 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 207 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 208 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 209 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 210 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 211 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 212 Riverside mystery

  • 213 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 214 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 215 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 216

    Exhibition of school work
  • 217 Happy Days!

  • 218 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 219 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 220

    Was a missionary
  • 221 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 222 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 223 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 224 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 225 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 226 New art gallery opened

  • 227 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 228

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 229

    Relatives all over the world
  • 230 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 231 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 232 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 233 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 234 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 235

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 236 In their new robes and hats

  • 237 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 238 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 239 Life begins at 80

  • 240 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 242 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 244 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 245 Caught in the act>
  • 246 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 247 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 248 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 249 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 250 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 251 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 252 113 years at Instow

  • 253 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 254 Penny for the guy

  • 255 Recognise this resort?

  • 256 Waldon Triplets
  • 257 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 258 First ship in 8 years

  • 259 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 260 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 261 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 262 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 263 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 264 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 265 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 266 Emergency ferry services

  • 267 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 268 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 269 Torrington in 1967

  • 270 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 271 New addition to Quay front

  • 272 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 273 Clovelly custom

  • 274 Picking the pops

  • 275 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 277 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 278 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 279 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 280 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 281 Out of puff!

  • 282

    First prize
  • 283 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 284 Puppet characters introduced

  • 285 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 286 Torrington children build igloo
  • 287 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 288 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 289 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 290 Bridging the stream

  • 291 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 292 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 293 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 294 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 295 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 296 Jumble sale fever

  • 297

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 298

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 299 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 300 From Bobby to Brian

  • 301 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 302 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 303 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 304 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 305 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 306 Northam's almshouse

  • 307 School's link with cargo ship

  • 308 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 309 Bideford computer stars

  • 310 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 311

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 312 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 313 Mobile missionary

  • 314 Off on a great adventure

  • 315 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 316 New choral society's growing response

  • 317 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 318 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 319 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 320 Six footed lamb

  • 321 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 322 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 323 Sight of a lifetime

  • 324 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 325 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 326

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 327 Ships at Bideford

  • 328

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 329 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 330 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 331 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 332 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 333 Appledore's largest

  • 334 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 335 Circus comes to town

  • 336 Pannier Market's future?

  • 337 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 338 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 339 New life for Hartland organ

  • 340 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 341 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 342 Bideford regatta

  • 343 Just over a year old

  • 344 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 345 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 346 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 347 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 348 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 349 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 350 Some mushroom!

  • 351 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 352 A story to tell!

  • 353 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 354 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 355 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 356 Parkham plan realised

  • 357 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 358 New shipyard on schedule

  • 359 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 360 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 361 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 362 Picking the pops

  • 363 New Lundy stamps

  • 364 New Post Office

  • 365

    Building works
  • 366 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 367 Devil sent packing

  • 368 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 369 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 370 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 371 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 372

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 373 Revenge in style

  • 374 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 375 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 376 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 377 Blanchards ad.>
  • 378 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 379 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 380 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 381 For crying out loud!

  • 382 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 383 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 384 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 385 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 386 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 387 Clovelly nightmare

  • 388 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 389 Peter poses for TV film

  • 390 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 391

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 392 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 393 Torrington's new amenity

  • 394 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 395 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 396 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 398

    New gateway
  • 399 No sale of Springfield House

  • 400

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 401 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 402 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 403 Northam footballers of the future

  • 404 Capers on the cobbles

  • 405 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 406 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 407 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 408

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 409 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 410 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 411 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 412 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 413 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 414 A man and his wheel

  • 415 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 416 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 417 What's the time?

  • 418 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 419 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 420 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 421 Traditions and skills still there

  • 422 Loads of black and white

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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Featured Articles

Seafield House

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.

Seafield House
 

The house was built as a summer residence by Brinsley de Courcey Nixon (5 May 1825-18 April 1903) whose occupation on the 1881 Census was a ‘banker’ from London. Of Irish and Scottish descent he was born in Edinburgh and died in 1903 whilst on holiday at Seafield. There were 4 children from his marriage to Frances Evelyn Hampton – Charlotte; Gladys; Fergus and Brinsley (1884-1971). He entered the house of Messrs W R Robinson and Co. Russian Merchants, London but because his interest was in studying other habits, customs and resources of European nations, as well as the American continent, considerable time was spent abroad. He was one of the founders of the London and Provincial Bank and for several years, an officer in the West Somerset Yeomanry. He stood as a Liberal politician, first at West Bristol, but on the introduction of the Home Rule Bill, he seceded from the Liberal Party and contested Dundee as a Unionist. He was unsuccessful in both campaigns. The Spectator described Mr Nixon as an ‘upright and straightforward politician, if ever there was one’.

In 1906, the youngest son, Brinsley, married Elizabeth Hughes who was born in the Ukraine, and spent much of her younger life in Russia. On marrying, she lived at Seafield with her maid and he visited her once a week preferring to live with his sister in Bay View Road.

During the war years the house was accommodation for British officers and the field became a prison for Italians, though Elizabeth was horrified at Seafield being requisitioned and painted grey. She would walk from Diddywell each day to see the house. Elizabeth died on 13 March 1950 with the service being held at Holy Trinity Church, Westard Ho! and conducted by the Vicar of Northam, Rev. E B Bridger. A private cremation was held at Plymouth.

Seafield House was put up for auction at the Tantons Hotel on Wednesday 31 May but was sold by Private Treaty. In the early 50s, it became a bed and breakfast establishment.

 

Torrington May Fair Queen

Torrington May Fair Queen and Attendants

Torrington May Fair Queen
 

Names from left to right: Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row) Jean Rowe; Brenda Copp; Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex; Pat Parkhouse; Robert Knight (Page)

The May Queen and retinue also took part in the Carnival procession.

 
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