• 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 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 2 Centenary of Gazette

  • 3 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 4 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 5 113 years at Instow

  • 6 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 7 Pannier Market's future?

  • 8 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 9 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 10 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 11 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 12 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 13 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 14 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 16 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 17 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 18 Clovelly nightmare

  • 19 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 20 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 21 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 22

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 23 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 24 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 25 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 26 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 27 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 28 Sight of a lifetime

  • 29

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 30 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 31 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 32 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 33

    Relatives all over the world
  • 34 Modern living at Bideford

  • 35 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 36 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 38 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 39

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 40 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 41 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 42 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 43 Twenty-one yachts

  • 44 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 45 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 46 Devil sent packing

  • 47 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 48 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 49 By pony and trap to market

  • 50

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 51 What's the time?

  • 52 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 53 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 54 Service with a smile

  • 55 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 56 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 57 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 58 A roof-top view - where?

  • 59 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 60 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 61 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 62 Can spring be far away?

  • 63 Some mushroom!

  • 64 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 65 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 66 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 67 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 68 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 69 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 70

    Bidefordians
  • 71 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 72 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 73 Waldon Triplets
  • 74 All aboard the ark

  • 75

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 76 Bideford computer stars

  • 77 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 78 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

  • 80 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 81 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 82 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 83 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 84 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 85 Decontrol of meat

  • 86 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 87 Circus comes to town

  • 88

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 89 Torrington in 1967

  • 90 Happy Days!

  • 91 Finished in 1876

  • 92 A man and his wheel

  • 93 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 94 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 95 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 96 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 97 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 98 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 99 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 100 School's link with cargo ship

  • 101 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 102 Revenge in style

  • 103 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 104 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 105 Last train from Torrington

  • 106 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 107 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 108 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 109 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 110 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 111 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 112 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 113 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 114 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 115 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 116 Private home for public pump

  • 117 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 119 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 120 So this is the mainland!

  • 121 Off on a great adventure

  • 122

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 123 New look in the hayfields

  • 124 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 125 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 126 Torrington children build igloo
  • 127 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 128 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 129 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 130 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 131 Puppet characters introduced

  • 132 Recognise this resort?

  • 133 For crying out loud!

  • 134 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 135 No sale of Springfield House

  • 136 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 137 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 139 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 140 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 141 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 142 Bridging the stream

  • 143 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 144 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 146 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 147 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 148 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 149 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 150 Hartland Dancers
  • 151 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 152 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 153 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 154 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 155 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 156 Life begins at 80

  • 157 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 158 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 159 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 160 New Post Office

  • 161 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 162 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 163 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 164 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 165 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 166 North Devon Driving School

  • 167

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 168 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 169 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 170 Out of puff!

  • 171 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 172 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 173 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 174 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 176

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 177 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 178 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 179 Six footed lamb

  • 180 The cab at the corner>
  • 181 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 182 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 183 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 184 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 185 Penny for the guy

  • 186 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 187 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 188

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 189 New life for Hartland organ

  • 190 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 191 In their new robes and hats

  • 192 Bideford regatta

  • 193 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 194 Mobile missionary

  • 195 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 196 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 197 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 198 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 199

    New gateway
  • 200 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 201 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 202 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 203 New addition to Quay front

  • 204 Ten year old scrambler

  • 205 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 206 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 208 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 209 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 210

    Married in 1908
  • 211 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 212 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 213 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 214 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 215 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 216 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 217 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 218 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 219 Picking the pops

  • 220 Torrington's new amenity

  • 221 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 222 Simple Item 138
  • 223 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 224 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 225 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 226 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 227 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 228 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 229 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 230 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 231 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 232 A bird of their own!

  • 233 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 234 Capers on the cobbles

  • 235 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 236 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 237 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 238

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 239 Parkham plan realised

  • 240 Artisans' Club

  • 241 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 242 A story to tell!

  • 243 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 244 Riverside mystery

  • 245 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 246 New civic medallions

  • 247 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 248 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 249 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 250 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 251

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 252 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 253 New choral society's growing response

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

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

  • 256

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 257

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 258 Some 240 exhibits

  • 259 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 260 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 261 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 262 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 263 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 264 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 265 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 266 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 267 New shipyard on schedule

  • 268 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 269

    Exhibition of school work
  • 270 Police station view of Bideford

  • 271 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 272 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 273 Hartland postman retires

  • 274 Burnard family reunion

  • 275 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 276 Sweets derationing

  • 277 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 278 Littleham family's five generations

  • 279 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 280 Variety in summer weather

  • 281 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 282 Blanchards ad.>
  • 283 Over the bank together>
  • 284

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 285 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 286

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 287 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 288 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 289 Caught in the act>
  • 290 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 291 Loads of black and white

  • 292 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 293

    First prize
  • 294 Cruising down the river

  • 295 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 296 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 297 All for the love of a lady!

  • 298 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 299

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 300 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 301

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 302 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 303 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 304 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 305

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 306 New Lundy stamps

  • 307 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 308 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 309 Appledore's largest

  • 310 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 311 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 312 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 313 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 314 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 315 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 316 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 317 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 318 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 319 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 320 Peter poses for TV film

  • 321 Emergency ferry services

  • 322 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 323 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 324 The Geneva marionettes

  • 325 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 326 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 327 Hartland's invitation

  • 328 Traditions and skills still there

  • 329 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 330 First ship in 8 years

  • 331 It really was the 'last time'

  • 332 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 333 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 334 Clovelly custom

  • 335 From Bobby to Brian

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

  • 337

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 338 He beat the floods

  • 339 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 340 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 341 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 342 Weare Giffard potato

  • 343 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 344 End of the line

  • 345 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 346

    Was a missionary
  • 347 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 348 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 349 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 350 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 351

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 352 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 353

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 354 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 355 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 356 Filming at Hartland

  • 357 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 358 Ships at Bideford

  • 359

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 360 When horses score over the tractor

  • 361 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 362

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 363 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 364 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 365 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 366 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 367 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 368 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 369 Just over a year old

  • 370 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 371 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 372 School crossing patrol begins

  • 373 Bideford loses training ship

  • 374 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 375 Northam footballers of the future

  • 376 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 377

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 378 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 379 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 380 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 381 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 382 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 383 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 384 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 385 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 386 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 387 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 388 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 389 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 390 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 391 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 392 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 393 Northam's almshouse

  • 394 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 396 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 397 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 398 Warmington's garage ad

  • 399 New art gallery opened

  • 400 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 401 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 402

    Building works
  • 403 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 404 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 405 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 406 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 407 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 408 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 409 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 410 Jumble sale fever

  • 411 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 412 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 413 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 414 No laughing matter

  • 415 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 416 The art of the thatcher

  • 417 Picking the pops

  • 418 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 419 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 420 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 421 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 422 They are parted pro-tem

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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113 Years at Instow

North Devon Cricket Club is fourth oldest in country

The club was founded at Barnstaple in 1823 with ground acquired at Pottington for pursuit of the game. In 1837 the club moved to its present quarters overlooking the Taw and Torridge estuary.

1 September 1950 113 years at Instow

The original deed box contains the earliest known match record, that of a game between the club, then ‘The Gentlemen of North Devon,’and Devon County School, now West Buckland School, played in 1845. The Gentlemen’s team comprised six parsons and five officers on that occasion.

Gazette article 1 September 1950

 

Capers on the cobbles

Carnival charm at Clovelly

There was plenty of carnival charm and humour at Clovelly on Bank Holiday Monday.

Mounted on a gaily caparisoned donkey, the Carnival Queen (11 year old Beryl Johns) had two stalwart male escorts as well as her young attendants as she rode down the cobbled street.

18 August 1950 Capers on the cobbles

Left to right: Mr W.A. Pickard, Lorna Jewell, Beryl Johns, Moyra Pickard and Mr R.W. Tridgell.

Gazette article 18 August 1950

 

Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

Accommodation sold out

On Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday the sun shone brightly and attracted visitors and residents alike. This picture shows the popularity of Westward Ho!

11 August 1950 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

Spare accommodation is very scarce in the district and people have been sleeping out in their cars. At least one family spent a rather cramped uncomfortable night in this manner on Bideford Pill, having arrived without booking accommodation and then being unable to find any.

Gazette article 11 August 1950

 

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