• 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 New shipyard on schedule

  • 2 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 3 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 4 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 5 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 6 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 7 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 8 What's the time?

  • 9 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 10 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 11 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 12

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 13 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 14 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 15 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 16 Burnard family reunion

  • 17 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 18 Finished in 1876

  • 19 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 20 Just over a year old

  • 21 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 22 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 23 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 24 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 25 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 26 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 27 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 28 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 29 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 30 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 31 A roof-top view - where?

  • 32 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 33

    Married in 1908
  • 34 The art of the thatcher

  • 35 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 36 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 37 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 38 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 39 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 40 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 41 Sweets derationing

  • 42 Simple Item 138
  • 43

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 44 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 45 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 46 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 47 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 48 Littleham family's five generations

  • 49 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 50 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 51 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 52

    Bidefordians
  • 53 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 54 Can spring be far away?

  • 55 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 56 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 57 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 58 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 59 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 60 New Lundy stamps

  • 61 Hartland Dancers
  • 62 Bideford loses training ship

  • 63 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 64 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 65 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 66 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 67 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 68 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 69 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 70 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 71 Bridging the stream

  • 72 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 73 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 74 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 75 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 76 For crying out loud!

  • 77 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 78 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 79 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 80 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 81 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 82 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 83 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 85 In their new robes and hats

  • 86 From Bobby to Brian

  • 87 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 88 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 89 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 90 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 91 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 92 Modern living at Bideford

  • 93 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 94 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 95 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 96

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

  • 98 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 99

    First prize
  • 100 By pony and trap to market

  • 101 Torrington children build igloo
  • 102 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 103 End of the line

  • 104 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 105 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 106 A story to tell!

  • 107 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 108 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 109 Ships at Bideford

  • 110 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 111 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 112 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 113 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 114 They set out for Bideford and became lost

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

  • 116 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 117 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 119

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 120 Six footed lamb

  • 121 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

  • 123 Some 240 exhibits

  • 124 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 125 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 126 Caught in the act>
  • 127 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 128 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 129 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 131 Devil sent packing

  • 132 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 133 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 134 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 135 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 136 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 137 A bird of their own!

  • 138 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 139 Waldon Triplets
  • 140 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 141 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 142 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 143 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 144 A man and his wheel

  • 145 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 146 Sight of a lifetime

  • 147 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 148 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 149 Recognise this resort?

  • 150 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 152 Picking the pops

  • 153 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 154 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 155 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 156 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 157 Capers on the cobbles

  • 158 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 159 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 160 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 161 Life begins at 80

  • 162 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 163 Variety in summer weather

  • 164 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 165 Filming at Hartland

  • 166 Bideford regatta

  • 167 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 168 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 169

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 170 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 171 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 172 New civic medallions

  • 173 School crossing patrol begins

  • 174 New addition to Quay front

  • 175

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 176 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 177 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 178 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 179 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 180 Cruising down the river

  • 181 Hartland postman retires

  • 182 The Geneva marionettes

  • 183 Happy Days!

  • 184 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 185 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 186 Northam footballers of the future

  • 187 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 188 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 189 Warmington's garage ad

  • 190 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 191 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 192 Jumble sale fever

  • 193 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 194 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 195 The cab at the corner>
  • 196 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 197 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 198 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 199 Bideford computer stars

  • 200 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 201 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 202 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 203 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 204 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 205 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 206 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 207 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 208 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 209 Parkham plan realised

  • 210 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 211 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 212 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 213 New Post Office

  • 214 113 years at Instow

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

  • 216 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 217 Blanchards ad.>
  • 218 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 219 Loads of black and white

  • 220 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 221 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

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

  • 224 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 225 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 226 Mobile missionary

  • 227

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 228 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 229 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 230 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 231 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 232

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 233 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 234

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 235 Puppet characters introduced

  • 236 Peter poses for TV film

  • 237 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 238 Service with a smile

  • 239 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 240

    New gateway
  • 241 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 242 School's link with cargo ship

  • 243 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 244 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 245 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 246

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 247 Northam's almshouse

  • 248 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 249 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 250 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 251 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 252 Decontrol of meat

  • 253 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 254 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 255 Out of puff!

  • 256 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 257 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 258 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 259 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 260

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 261 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 262

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 263 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 264 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 265 No laughing matter

  • 266 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 267 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 268 They are parted pro-tem

  • 269 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 270 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 271 Clovelly custom

  • 272 First ship in 8 years

  • 273 Private home for public pump

  • 274 Riverside mystery

  • 275 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 276 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 277 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 278

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 279 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 280 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 281 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 282 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 283 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 284 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 285 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 286 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 287

    Exhibition of school work
  • 288 It really was the 'last time'

  • 289 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 290 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 291 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 293 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 294 Revenge in style

  • 295 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 296 Ten year old scrambler

  • 297 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 298 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 299

    Was a missionary
  • 300 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 301 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 302 Last train from Torrington

  • 303 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 304 New life for Hartland organ

  • 305 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 306 Traditions and skills still there

  • 307 Centenary of Gazette

  • 308 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 310

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 311 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 312 All for the love of a lady!

  • 313 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 314 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 315 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 316 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 317 Off on a great adventure

  • 318 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 319 Twenty-one yachts

  • 320 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 321 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 322

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 323 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 324 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 325

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 326 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 327 Weare Giffard potato

  • 328 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 329 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 330 Circus comes to town

  • 331 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 332

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 333

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 334 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 335 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 336 Penny for the guy

  • 337 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 338 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 339 When horses score over the tractor

  • 340 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 341 North Devon Driving School

  • 342 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 343 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 344 All aboard the ark

  • 345 No sale of Springfield House

  • 346 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 347 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 348 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 349 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 350 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 351 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 352 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 353 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 354 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 355 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 356 Artisans' Club

  • 357 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 358 Appledore's largest

  • 359 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 360 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 361 Hartland's invitation

  • 362 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 363 Pannier Market's future?

  • 364 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 365 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 366 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 367 So this is the mainland!

  • 368

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 369 Picking the pops

  • 370 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 371 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 372

    Relatives all over the world
  • 373 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 374 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 375

    Building works
  • 376

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 377

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 378 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 379 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 380 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 382 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 383 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 384 Some mushroom!

  • 385 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 386

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 387 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 388 New choral society's growing response

  • 389 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 390 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 392

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 393 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 394 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 395 He beat the floods

  • 396 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 397 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 398 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 399

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 400 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 401 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 402 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 403 New art gallery opened

  • 404 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 405 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 406 Over the bank together>
  • 407 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 408 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 409 Torrington's new amenity

  • 410 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 411

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 412 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 413 New look in the hayfields

  • 414 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 415 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 416 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 417 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 419 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 420 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 421 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 422 Torrington in 1967

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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  • 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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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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Mural in the Whimsical Mood

 Mural displayed at Bideford Trades Exhibition

Pictured are students of Bideford School of Art at work on a thirty-foot long mural now displayed at the Bideford District Trades exhibition.

15 June 1951 Mural in the whimsical mood

The mural represents, in whimsical manner, the Festivals of 1851 and 1951 and the trades of Bideford, with a centre theme showing Art coming into its own.

Gazette article 15 June 1951

 

 

Off on a great adventure

 Bideford pupils on a fortnight’s exchange visit to London

Twenty-three pupils of Bideford Secondary Modern School are in London for an educational visit. They come from a wide area served by the school, including Clovelly, Appledore and Northam as well as Bideford and are going on an exchange visit with the same number of children at the Kilmorie Secondary School, Forest Hill, London whose headmaster, Mr Robert B. Hills, was a teacher evacuated to Bideford Secondary Mordern School during the war.

25 May 1951 Off to a great adventure

If this visit is a success it is hoped to make others an annual feature of Bideford Secondary Modern School’s programme. The pupils are a cross-section of the school, ages ranging from 11 to 15. For many of the children it will be their first visit to London.

Gazette article 25 May 1951

 

 

Down at the ‘Donkey House’

Donkey painted on wall 

How the outline of a donkey had been painted on the wall of premises at Bank End, Bideford, overlooking the river was recalled at Bideford Manor Court. The original donkey had been painted in tar by fisherman who at that time had tarred their nets near the building before storing them for the winter. The photograph shows the old donkey painted in tar and the building became known as the ‘donkey house.

13 April 1951 Down at the donkey house

Following the re-erection of the building during the first world war, there was such an outcry for the donkey that a donkey cut in the stone had been placed over the doorway looking in the Appledore direction and still could be seen there.

Gazette article 13 April 1951

 

 

 

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