• 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 Burnard family reunion

  • 2 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 3 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 4 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 5

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 6 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 7 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 8 Picking the pops

  • 9 Peter poses for TV film

  • 10 A story to tell!

  • 11 All aboard the ark

  • 12 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 13 New look in the hayfields

  • 14 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 15 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 16 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 17 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 18 Picking the pops

  • 19 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 20 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 21 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 22 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 23 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 24 A man and his wheel

  • 25 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 26 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 27 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 28 Finished in 1876

  • 29 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 30 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 31 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 32 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 33 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 34 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 35 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 36 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 37 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 38 New life for Hartland organ

  • 39 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 40 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 41 Happy Days!

  • 42 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 43 Variety in summer weather

  • 44 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 45 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 46 All for the love of a lady!

  • 47

    Exhibition of school work
  • 48 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 49 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 50 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 51 Emergency ferry services

  • 52 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 53 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 54 Twenty-one yachts

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

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

  • 57 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 58 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 59 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 60 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 61 Ten year old scrambler

  • 62 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 63 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 64 Bridging the stream

  • 65 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 66 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 67

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 68 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 69 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 70 Blanchards ad.>
  • 71 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 72 Artisans' Club

  • 73 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 74 New civic medallions

  • 75 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 76 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 77 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 78 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 79 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 80 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 81 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 82 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 83

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 84 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 85 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 86 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 87

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 88 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 89 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 90

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 91 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 92 Sight of a lifetime

  • 93 Penny for the guy

  • 94

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 95 113 years at Instow

  • 96 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 97 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 98 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 99 Waldon Triplets
  • 100 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 101 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 102 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 103 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 104 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 105 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 106 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 107 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 108 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 109 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 110 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 111 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 112 Revenge in style

  • 113 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 114 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 115 Torrington in 1967

  • 116 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 117 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 118 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 119 Over the bank together>
  • 120 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 121 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 122 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 123 School crossing patrol begins

  • 124 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 125 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 126 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 127 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 128 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 129 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 130 So this is the mainland!

  • 131 Littleham family's five generations

  • 132

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 133 Modern living at Bideford

  • 134 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 135 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 136 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 137 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 138 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 139

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 140 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 141 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 142 Out of puff!

  • 143 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 144 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 145 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 146 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 147 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 148 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 149 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 150

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 151 What's the time?

  • 152 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 153 Decontrol of meat

  • 154 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 155 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 156 Puppet characters introduced

  • 157 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 159 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 160 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 161 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 162 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 163

    New gateway
  • 164

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 165

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 166

    Married in 1908
  • 167 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 168 New Post Office

  • 169 Northam footballers of the future

  • 170 From Bobby to Brian

  • 171 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 172 Police station view of Bideford

  • 173 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 174 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 175 Hartland postman retires

  • 176 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 177 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 178 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 179 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 180 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 181 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 182 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 183 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 184 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 185 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 186 Hartland Dancers
  • 187 No sale of Springfield House

  • 188 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 189 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 190 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 191 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 192 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 193 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 194 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 196 By pony and trap to market

  • 197 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 198 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 199

    Was a missionary
  • 200 When horses score over the tractor

  • 201 Parkham plan realised

  • 202 New Lundy stamps

  • 203 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 204 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 205 Private home for public pump

  • 206 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 207 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 208 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 209 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 211 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 212 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 213 Traditions and skills still there

  • 214 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 215 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 216 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 217 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 218 Cruising down the river

  • 219 Hartland's invitation

  • 220 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 221 Weare Giffard potato

  • 222

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 223 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 224 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 225 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 226 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 227

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 228 School's link with cargo ship

  • 229 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 230 Off on a great adventure

  • 231 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 232 Appledore's largest

  • 233 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 234 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 235 Loads of black and white

  • 236 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 238 It really was the 'last time'

  • 239 Ships at Bideford

  • 240 Caught in the act>
  • 241 End of the line

  • 242 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 243 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 244 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 245 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 246 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 247 Riverside mystery

  • 248

    Bidefordians
  • 249 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 250 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 251 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 252 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 253 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 254 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 255 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 256 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 257 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 259 Bideford regatta

  • 260 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 261 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

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

  • 263

    Relatives all over the world
  • 264 The art of the thatcher

  • 265 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 266 New addition to Quay front

  • 267 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 268 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 269

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 270 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 271 Circus comes to town

  • 272 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 273 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 274

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 275 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 276 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 277 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 278 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 279

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 280 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 281 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 282 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 283 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 284

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 285 Capers on the cobbles

  • 286 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 287 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 288 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 289 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 290 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 291 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 292

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 293 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 294 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 295 Simple Item 138
  • 296 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 297 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 298 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 299 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 300 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 301

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 302 New art gallery opened

  • 303 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 304 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 305 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 306 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 307 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 308

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 309 Torrington children build igloo
  • 310 Last train from Torrington

  • 311 Centenary of Gazette

  • 312 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 313 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 314 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 315 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 316 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 317 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 318 Just over a year old

  • 319 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 320

    First prize
  • 321 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 322

    Building works
  • 323 They are parted pro-tem

  • 324 No laughing matter

  • 325 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 326 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 327 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 328 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 329 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 330 Northam's almshouse

  • 331 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 332 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 333 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 334 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 335 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 336 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 337 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 338 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 339

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 340 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 341 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 342 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 343 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 344 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 345 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 347 New Estate's view of estuary activities

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

  • 349 Clovelly custom

  • 350 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 351 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 352 First ship in 8 years

  • 353 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 354 For crying out loud!

  • 355 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 356 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 357 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 358 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 359 Torrington's new amenity

  • 360 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 361 Clovelly nightmare

  • 362 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 363 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 364 Jumble sale fever

  • 365 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 366 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 367 Sweets derationing

  • 368 A roof-top view - where?

  • 369 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 370 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 371

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 372 Six footed lamb

  • 373 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 374

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 375 Warmington's garage ad

  • 376 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 377 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 378 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 379 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 380 New shipyard on schedule

  • 381 Mobile missionary

  • 382 North Devon Driving School

  • 383 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 384 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 385 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 386 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 387 Devil sent packing

  • 388 Pannier Market's future?

  • 389 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 390 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 391 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 392 He beat the floods

  • 393 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 394 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 395 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 396 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 397 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 398 The Geneva marionettes

  • 399 The cab at the corner>
  • 400 Service with a smile

  • 401 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 402 A bird of their own!

  • 403 New choral society's growing response

  • 404 Can spring be far away?

  • 405 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 406 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 407 Bideford computer stars

  • 408 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 409

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 410 Filming at Hartland

  • 411 Recognise this resort?

  • 412 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 413 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 414 Some mushroom!

  • 415 Life begins at 80

  • 416 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 417 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 418 In their new robes and hats

  • 419 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 420 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 421 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 422

    Cadets are given certificates
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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Sunshine and shade at Appledore

 New housing estate

A heartening sight of post-war enterprise at Appledore is part of Northam Urban District Council’s housing estate at Tomouth. Trees on the estate were undisturbed and, as is seen above, add a delightful framework to the picture.

31 August 1951 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

Gazette article 31 August 1951

 

 

 

Thirty bridges cross Torridge

Torridge flows through 36 parishes

That the Torridge rises in Cornwall on the same ridge as the river Tamar may come as a surprise as well as the fact that thirty bridges cross it during its 50-mile length.

24 August 1951

Above is a sketch plan with which Miss S.L. Hutchinson introduces her pictorial study of the river in water colours exhibited at Bideford School of Art under the auspices of Bideford Festival of Britain committee. Visitors have included a large proportion from the 36 parishes through which the Torridge flows.

Gazette article 24 August 1951

 

 

 

All aboard the ark

Bound for Weston-super-Mare 

Painted in bright colours, the Noah’s Ark, was built by Messrs. M.W. Blackmore and Sons of New Road, Bideford to the orders of Weston-Super-Mare Corporation for use on the town’s Marine Pleasure Lake.

17 August 1951 All aboard the ark

The cartoon figures seen in nautical garb around the vessel’s sides are the work of Mr Charles King, the Bucks Mills artist.

She is pictured on her Board of Trade trials on the river before being hoisted out by crane to start her journey by road to Weston.

Gazette article 17 August 1951

 

 

 

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