• 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 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 2 New civic medallions

  • 3 Northam's almshouse

  • 4 New shipyard on schedule

  • 5 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 6 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 7 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 8 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 9 Ten year old scrambler

  • 10 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 11 Decontrol of meat

  • 12 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 14 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 15 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 17 Sweet success at Langtree School

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

  • 19 Bideford computer stars

  • 20 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 21 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 22 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 23 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 24 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 25 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 26

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 27 Service with a smile

  • 28

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 29 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 30 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 31 All for the love of a lady!

  • 32 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 33 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 34 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 35 Twenty-one yachts

  • 36 Six footed lamb

  • 37 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 38 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 39 Loads of black and white

  • 40 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 41 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 42 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 43 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 44 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 46 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 47 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 48 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 49 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 50 The Geneva marionettes

  • 51 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 52 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 53 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 54 Circus comes to town

  • 55 Mobile missionary

  • 56 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 57 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 58 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 59 Picking the pops

  • 60 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 61 A roof-top view - where?

  • 62 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 63 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 64 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 65 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 66 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 67 Can spring be far away?

  • 68 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 69 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 70 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 71 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 72 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 73 Capers on the cobbles

  • 74 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 75 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 76 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 77 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 78 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 79

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 80 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 81 In their new robes and hats

  • 82 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 83 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 84 Off on a great adventure

  • 85 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 86 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 87 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 88 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 89 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 90 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 91 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 92

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 93 New Lundy stamps

  • 94 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 95 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 96 Waldon Triplets
  • 97 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 98 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 99 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 100 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 101 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 102 Happy Days!

  • 103

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 104 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 105 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 106 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 107 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 108 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 109 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 110 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 111 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 112 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 113 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 114 By pony and trap to market

  • 115 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 117 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 118 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 119 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 120 For crying out loud!

  • 121 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 122 Recognise this resort?

  • 123 New art gallery opened

  • 124

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 125 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 126 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 127

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 128

    Exhibition of school work
  • 129 New addition to Quay front

  • 130 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 131 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 133 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 134

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 135 Burnard family reunion

  • 136 Devil sent packing

  • 137 Over the bank together>
  • 138 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 139 Bideford regatta

  • 140 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 141 Centenary of Gazette

  • 142 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 143

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 144 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 145

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 146 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 147 Littleham family's five generations

  • 148 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 149 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 150 Some 240 exhibits

  • 151 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 152 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 153 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 154 So this is the mainland!

  • 155 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 156 Hartland Dancers
  • 157

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 158 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 159 He beat the floods

  • 160 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 161 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 162

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 163 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 164 Torrington children build igloo
  • 165 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 166 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 167 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 168 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 169 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 170 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 171 Picking the pops

  • 172 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 173 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 174 Weare Giffard potato

  • 175

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 176 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 177 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 178 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 179 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 180 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 181 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 182 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 183 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 184 The cab at the corner>
  • 185 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 186 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 187 The art of the thatcher

  • 188 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 189 From Bobby to Brian

  • 190 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 191 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 192 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 193 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 194 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 195 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 196 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 197 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 198 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 199 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 200 New choral society's growing response

  • 201

    Bidefordians
  • 202 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 203 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 204 When horses score over the tractor

  • 205 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 206 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 207 Warmington's garage ad

  • 208 North Devon Driving School

  • 209 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 210 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 211 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 212 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 213 Puppet characters introduced

  • 214 Filming at Hartland

  • 215

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 216 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 217

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 218 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 219 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 220 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 221 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 222 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 223 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 224 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 225 End of the line

  • 226 Caught in the act>
  • 227 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 228 No sale of Springfield House

  • 229 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 230

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 231 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 232

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 233 Northam footballers of the future

  • 234 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 235 A bird of their own!

  • 236 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 237 No laughing matter

  • 238 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 239 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 240 Penny for the guy

  • 241 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 242 Traditions and skills still there

  • 243 Life begins at 80

  • 244 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 245 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 246 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 247 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 248 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 249 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 250 Blanchards ad.>
  • 251 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 252 Private home for public pump

  • 253 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 254 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 256 Simple Item 138
  • 257 Last train from Torrington

  • 258 Clovelly custom

  • 259 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 260 Artisans' Club

  • 261 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 262 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 263 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 264 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 265

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 266 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 268 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 269 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 270 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 272 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 273

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 274 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 275 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 276 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 277 Police station view of Bideford

  • 278 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 279 All aboard the ark

  • 280 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 281 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 282 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 283 Sight of a lifetime

  • 284 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 285 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 286 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 287 Some mushroom!

  • 288

    Was a missionary
  • 289 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 290 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 291 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 292

    First prize
  • 293 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 294 Parkham plan realised

  • 295 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 296 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 297 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 298 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 299 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 300

    Relatives all over the world
  • 301 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 302 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 303 113 years at Instow

  • 304 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 305 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 306 Ships at Bideford

  • 307 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 308 Variety in summer weather

  • 309 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 310 School crossing patrol begins

  • 311 It really was the 'last time'

  • 312 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 313 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 314 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 315 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 316 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 317 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 318 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 319 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 320 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 321 Cruising down the river

  • 322 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 323 Hartland postman retires

  • 324

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 325 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 326 Bridging the stream

  • 327 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 328 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 329 A man and his wheel

  • 330 Jumble sale fever

  • 331 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 332 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 333 Out of puff!

  • 334 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 335 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 336 Just over a year old

  • 337 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 338 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 339 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 340 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 341 School's link with cargo ship

  • 342 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 343 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 344 Hartland's invitation

  • 345 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 346 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 347 Sweets derationing

  • 348 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 349 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 350 New life for Hartland organ

  • 351 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 352 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 353 Modern living at Bideford

  • 354 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 355 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 356 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 357 Torrington's new amenity

  • 358

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 359 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 360 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 361 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 362 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 363 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 364 Clovelly nightmare

  • 365 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 366 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 367 New Post Office

  • 368 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 369 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 370 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 371 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 372

    Building works
  • 373 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 375 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 376 Peter poses for TV film

  • 377 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 378 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 379

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 380 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 382 Appledore's largest

  • 383 They are parted pro-tem

  • 384 A story to tell!

  • 385 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 386 Riverside mystery

  • 387

    New gateway
  • 388 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 389 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 390

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 391 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 392 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 393 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 394 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 395 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 396 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 397 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 398 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 399 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 400 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 401 What's the time?

  • 402 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 403 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 404

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 405 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 406 New look in the hayfields

  • 407 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 408

    Married in 1908
  • 409 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 410 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 411 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 412 Revenge in style

  • 413 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 414 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 415 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 416 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 417 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 418 Pannier Market's future?

  • 419 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 420 Finished in 1876

  • 421 Torrington in 1967

  • 422

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
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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In their new robes and hats

 Generous gifts to his native town

Bideford Manor Court was further enriched on Saturday when members of the Borough Council sitting as Lords of the Manor made their first public appearance in their new robes of claret edged with black velvet for the aldermen and blue edged with claret for the councillors.

6 april 1951 In their new robes and hats

The robes formed part of a gift to the town by Mr Arthur McTaggart Short, a Bideford-born Cardiff business man. The gifts commemorate the mayoralty of his brother, Collr., W.H. Short.

Gazette article 6 April 1951

 

 

Bideford schoolboy’s courage recognized

Attempted dog rescue 

Before the whole school, Alan J. Hewett, aged 10, of Barton Tors, Bideford, was presented with the RSPCA Certificate of Merit and a book on animals by the Mayor of Bideford (Mr W. H. Short) at East-the-Water County Primary School, Bideford, last Tuesday.

30 March 1951 Bideford schoolboys courage recognised

The presentation was in recognition of his courage in attempting to rescue a dog from a stream near Bideford on 28 January.

Gazette article 30 March 1951

 

 

 

What’s the time?

 Ask the policeman!

At the bottom left is the Policeman who is getting tired of being asked the time. Above is the hand-less clock attached to the Bideford Post Office. The clock was not working satisfactorily (owing to electricity cuts) so the hands were taken off.

9 March 1951 Whats the time

Bideford Bridge Trustees provide and maintain the clock. Mr Frank E. Whiting (Bridge Warden) explained that the original mechanism of weights and pendulums ‘gave out’ during the war. The new electric mechanism installed at the end of the war at a cost of £80 was satisfactory until the power cuts disrupted the timing. A battery-worked mechanism would cost about £130 to fix but that it could not be guaranteed, so it seemed they would have to wait until the new power station got going!

Gazette article 9 March 1951

 

 

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