• 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 Happy Days!

  • 2 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 3 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 4 New art gallery opened

  • 5 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 6 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 7 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 8 Private home for public pump

  • 9 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 10 Loads of black and white

  • 11 Clovelly nightmare

  • 12 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 13 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 14 Twenty-one yachts

  • 15 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 16 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 17 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 18 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 19 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 20 Circus comes to town

  • 21 New civic medallions

  • 22 No laughing matter

  • 23 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 24 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 25

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 26

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 27 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 29

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 30 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 31 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 32 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 34 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 36 Waldon Triplets
  • 37 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 38 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 39 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 40 The Geneva marionettes

  • 41 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 42 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 43 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 44 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 45 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 46 Emergency ferry services

  • 47

    Relatives all over the world
  • 48 Hartland's invitation

  • 49 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 50 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 51 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 52 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 53 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 54 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 55 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 56 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 57

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 58 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 59 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 60 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 61 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 62 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 63 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 64 For crying out loud!

  • 65 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 66 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 67 A story to tell!

  • 68 Sweets derationing

  • 69 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 70 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 71

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 72

    Bidefordians
  • 73 New Lundy stamps

  • 74

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 75 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 76 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 77 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 78

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 79 Puppet characters introduced

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

  • 81 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 82 Blanchards ad.>
  • 83 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 84 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 85 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 86 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 87 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 88 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 89 Weare Giffard potato

  • 90 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 91 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 93 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 94

    New gateway
  • 95 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 96 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 97 End of the line

  • 98 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 99 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 100 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 101 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 102 Northam's almshouse

  • 103 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 104 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 105 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 106 Off on a great adventure

  • 107 Life begins at 80

  • 108 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 109 Traditions and skills still there

  • 110 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

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

  • 113 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 114 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 115 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 116

    First prize
  • 117 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 118 A man and his wheel

  • 119 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 120

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 121 Littleham family's five generations

  • 122 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 123 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 124 Modern living at Bideford

  • 125 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 126 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 127 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 128 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 129 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 130 Penny for the guy

  • 131 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 132 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 133 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 134 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 135 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 136 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 137 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 138 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 139 Northam footballers of the future

  • 140 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 141 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 142 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 143 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 144 New addition to Quay front

  • 145 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 146 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 147 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 148 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 149 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 150

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 151 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 152 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 153 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 154

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 155 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 156 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 157

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 158 School's link with cargo ship

  • 159 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 160 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 161 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 162 Torrington children build igloo
  • 163 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 164 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 165 New life for Hartland organ

  • 166 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 167 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 168

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 169 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 170 Six footed lamb

  • 171 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 172 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 173 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 174 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 175 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 176 What's the time?

  • 177 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 178 Riverside mystery

  • 179 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 180 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 181 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 182 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 183 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 184 Warmington's garage ad

  • 185 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 186 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 187 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 188 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 189 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 190 Over the bank together>
  • 191 Ships at Bideford

  • 192 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 193 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 194 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 195 Peter poses for TV film

  • 196 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 197 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 198 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 199 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 200

    Was a missionary
  • 201 New Post Office

  • 202 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 203 Appledore's largest

  • 204 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 205 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 206 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 207 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 208 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 209 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 210 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 211 Parkham plan realised

  • 212 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 213 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 214 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 215 No sale of Springfield House

  • 216 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 217 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 218 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 219 The art of the thatcher

  • 220 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 221 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 222 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 223

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 224 New shipyard on schedule

  • 225 Torrington's new amenity

  • 226 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 227

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 228 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 229 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 230 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 231 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 232 Out of puff!

  • 233 Artisans' Club

  • 234

    Married in 1908
  • 235 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 236 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 237 The cab at the corner>
  • 238 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 239 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 240 A roof-top view - where?

  • 241 Bideford computer stars

  • 242 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 243 Filming at Hartland

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

  • 245 Caught in the act>
  • 246 Bideford regatta

  • 247 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 248 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 249 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 250 Devil sent packing

  • 251

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 252 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 253 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 254 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 255 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 256 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 257 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 258 First ship in 8 years

  • 259 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 260 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 261 He beat the floods

  • 262 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 263

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 264 School crossing patrol begins

  • 265

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 266 New choral society's growing response

  • 267 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 268 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 269 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 270 Bridging the stream

  • 271 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 273 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 274 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 275 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 276 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 277 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 278 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 279 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 280 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 281 Picking the pops

  • 282 Centenary of Gazette

  • 283 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 284 Hartland postman retires

  • 285 A bird of their own!

  • 286

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 287 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 288 Decontrol of meat

  • 289 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 290 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 291 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 292 Some 240 exhibits

  • 293

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 294 In their new robes and hats

  • 295 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 296 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 297 Pannier Market's future?

  • 298 Burnard family reunion

  • 299 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 300 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 301 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 302 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 303 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 304 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 305 Can spring be far away?

  • 306 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 307 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 308 Torrington in 1967

  • 309 Variety in summer weather

  • 310 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 311 Ten year old scrambler

  • 312 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 313 Just over a year old

  • 314 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 315 Service with a smile

  • 316

    Building works
  • 317

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 318 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 319

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 320 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 321 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 322 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 323 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 324 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 325 From Bobby to Brian

  • 326 All for the love of a lady!

  • 327 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 328 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 329 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 330 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 331 It really was the 'last time'

  • 332 Finished in 1876

  • 333

    Exhibition of school work
  • 334 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 335 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 336 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 337 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 339 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 340 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 341 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 342 North Devon Driving School

  • 343 They are parted pro-tem

  • 344 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 345 Some mushroom!

  • 346 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 347 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 348 Police station view of Bideford

  • 349 When horses score over the tractor

  • 350 Picking the pops

  • 351 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 352 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 353 Sight of a lifetime

  • 354 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 355 Bideford loses training ship

  • 356 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 357

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 358 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 359 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 360 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 361 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 362 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 363 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 364 Revenge in style

  • 365 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 366 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 367 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 368 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 369 Cruising down the river

  • 370 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 371 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 372 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 373 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 374 Clovelly custom

  • 375 Hartland Dancers
  • 376 New look in the hayfields

  • 377 So this is the mainland!

  • 378 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 379 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 380 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 381 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 382 Mobile missionary

  • 383 Simple Item 138
  • 384 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 385 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 386 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 387 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 388 All aboard the ark

  • 389 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 390 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 391 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 392 Recognise this resort?

  • 393 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 394 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 395 By pony and trap to market

  • 396 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 397 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 398 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 399 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 400 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 402

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 403 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 405 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 406 113 years at Instow

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

  • 408 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 409

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 410 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 411 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 412 Last train from Torrington

  • 413 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 414 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 415 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 416 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 417 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 418 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 419

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 420 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 421 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 422 Capers on the cobbles

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

Early picture of Bideford

A young artist fleeing from his extravagant living in London ‘caught’ this picture of Bideford. It was 1810 and the artist was Rowlandson.

14 April 1950 Bideford as Rowlandson saw it

He was a cartoonist as well as a painter and the original of the picture is now at the Gazette office.

Gazette article 14 April 1950

 

Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

Attractive design by staff

The very attractive window display in the South Western Electricity Board’s Service Centre at High Street Bideford has won for the staff responsible a place in the qualifying round of an area competition, the winner of which will receive a challenge cup. The first three in each sub-area contest qualify for the area competition. Bideford will be up against strong competition against places like Bristol, Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth.

31 March 1950 Bideford electricity window display

The display was designed and executed by a team drawn from the staff at 20 High Street, headed by Mr V. Biddle, the district commercial officer, assisted by Mr E. Balment, sales representative, Mrs D. Branch and Miss M. Bellamy service centre attendants, Mr W. Holwill, draughtsman and Mr L. Davey and Mr A. Carpenter, electricians.

Gazette article 31 March 1950

 

Old Girls revisit Edgehill

Dramatic moments recalled

One of the most successful reunions of Edgehill College Old Girls took place at Bideford during the past weekend. They returned not only to enjoy personal reunions but to see how the College was at work today under modern conditions.

Dramatic moments were recalled by the visit of one Old Girl. Then a boarder at the school, she was the first to wake up and give the alarm of fire which destroyed the buildings in June 1920.

10 March 1950 Old girls revisit Edgehill

Above is given an aerial view of the present school which has been specially re-photographed to show what has grown so triumphantly from the past.

Gazette article 10 March 1950

 

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