• 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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    Exhibition of school work
  • 2 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 3

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 4 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 5 Police station view of Bideford

  • 6 Sight of a lifetime

  • 7 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 8 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 9 A story to tell!

  • 10 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 11 Torrington's new amenity

  • 12 All aboard the ark

  • 13 Artisans' Club

  • 14 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 15 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 16 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 17 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 18 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 19

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 20 The art of the thatcher

  • 21 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 22 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 23 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 24 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 25 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 26 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 27 From Bobby to Brian

  • 28 First ship in 8 years

  • 29 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 30 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 31 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 32 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 33 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 34 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 35 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 36 New civic medallions

  • 37 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 38 Pannier Market's future?

  • 39 Bideford loses training ship

  • 40 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 41

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 42

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 43 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 44 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 45 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 46 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 47 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 48 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 49 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 50 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 51 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 52 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 53 Bideford regatta

  • 54 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 55 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 56 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 57 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 58 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 60 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 61 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 62 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 63 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 64 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 65 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 66

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 67 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 68

    Bidefordians
  • 69 Finished in 1876

  • 70 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 71 Capers on the cobbles

  • 72 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 73 Private home for public pump

  • 74

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 75 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 76 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 77 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 78 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 79 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 80 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 81 Life begins at 80

  • 82 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 83 Ten year old scrambler

  • 84 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 85 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 86 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 87 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 88 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 89 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 90 Hartland postman retires

  • 91 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 92 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 93 New shipyard on schedule

  • 94

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 95 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 96 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 97

    Married in 1908
  • 98 By pony and trap to market

  • 99 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 100 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 101 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 102 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 103 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 104

    New gateway
  • 105 Blanchards ad.>
  • 106 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 107 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 108 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 109 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 110

    Was a missionary
  • 111 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 112 So this is the mainland!

  • 113 End of the line

  • 114 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 115 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 116 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 117 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 118 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 119 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 120 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 121 Sailing to victory at Appledore

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

  • 123 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 124 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 125 Filming at Hartland

  • 126 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 127 They are parted pro-tem

  • 128 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 129 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 130 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 131 No sale of Springfield House

  • 132 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 133 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 134 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 135 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 136 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 137 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 138 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 139 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 140 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 141 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 142 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 143 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 145

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 146

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 147 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 148 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 149 Bideford computer stars

  • 150 Out of puff!

  • 151 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 152 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 153

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 154 New addition to Quay front

  • 155 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 156 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 157

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 158 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 159 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 160 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 161 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 163 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 164 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 165 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 166 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 168 Revenge in style

  • 169 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 170 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 171 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 172 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 173 Warmington's garage ad

  • 174 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 175 Centenary of Gazette

  • 176 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 177 Picking the pops

  • 178 Loads of black and white

  • 179 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 180 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 181 School's link with cargo ship

  • 182 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 183 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 184 Devil sent packing

  • 185 New Post Office

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

  • 187 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 188 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 189 Some 240 exhibits

  • 190

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 191 Caught in the act>
  • 192 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 193 Penny for the guy

  • 194

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 195 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 196 Service with a smile

  • 197 Hartland's invitation

  • 198 In their new robes and hats

  • 199 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 200

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 201 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 202 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 203 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 204 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 205 Variety in summer weather

  • 206 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 207

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 208

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 209

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 210 When horses score over the tractor

  • 211 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 212 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 213 What's the time?

  • 214 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 215 Northam footballers of the future

  • 216 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 217 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 218 Twenty-one yachts

  • 219 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 220 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 221 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 222 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 223 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 224 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 225 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 226 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 227 Traditions and skills still there

  • 228 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 229 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 230 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 231 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 232 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 233 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 234 Littleham family's five generations

  • 235 113 years at Instow

  • 236 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 237 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 238 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 239

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 240 Happy Days!

  • 241 New art gallery opened

  • 242 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 243 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 244

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 245 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 246 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 247 For crying out loud!

  • 248 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 249

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 250 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 251 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 252 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 253 Off on a great adventure

  • 254 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 255 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 256 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 257 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 258

    Relatives all over the world
  • 259 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 260 Some mushroom!

  • 261 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 262 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 263 Can spring be far away?

  • 264 The Geneva marionettes

  • 265 Modern living at Bideford

  • 266 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 267 Simple Item 138
  • 268 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 269 Clovelly custom

  • 270 Mobile missionary

  • 271 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 272 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 273 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 275 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 276 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 277 New life for Hartland organ

  • 278 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 279 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 281 Picking the pops

  • 282 The cab at the corner>
  • 283 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 284 New Lundy stamps

  • 285 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 286 Weare Giffard potato

  • 287 Last train from Torrington

  • 288 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 289 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 290 Burnard family reunion

  • 291 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 292 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 293 Six footed lamb

  • 294 New choral society's growing response

  • 295 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 296 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 297 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 298 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 299 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 300 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 301 Just over a year old

  • 302 Circus comes to town

  • 303 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 304 School crossing patrol begins

  • 305 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 306 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 307 Parkham plan realised

  • 308 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 309 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 310 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 311 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 312 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 313 Puppet characters introduced

  • 314 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 315 Recognise this resort?

  • 316 New look in the hayfields

  • 317 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 318 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 319 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 320 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 321 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 322 Emergency ferry services

  • 323 Northam's almshouse

  • 324 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 325 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 327 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 328 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 329 Torrington children build igloo
  • 330 Jumble sale fever

  • 331 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 332 Peter poses for TV film

  • 333 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 334 North Devon Driving School

  • 335 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 336 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 337 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 338

    First prize
  • 339 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 340 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 341 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 342 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 343 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 344 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 345 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 346 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 347 Decontrol of meat

  • 348 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 349 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 350 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 351 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 352 Over the bank together>
  • 353 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 354

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 355 Ships at Bideford

  • 356 Cruising down the river

  • 357

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 358 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 359 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 360 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 361 He beat the floods

  • 362 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 363

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 364 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 365 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 366 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 367 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 368 Torrington in 1967

  • 369 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 371 Appledore's largest

  • 372 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 373 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 374 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 375 Sweets derationing

  • 376

    Building works
  • 377 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 378 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 380 All for the love of a lady!

  • 381 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 382 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 383 No laughing matter

  • 384 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 385 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 386 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 387 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 388 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 389 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 390 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 391 Waldon Triplets
  • 392 A roof-top view - where?

  • 393 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 394 A bird of their own!

  • 395 Bridging the stream

  • 396 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 397 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 398 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 400 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 401

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 402 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 403 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 404 Riverside mystery

  • 405 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 406 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 407 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 409 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 410 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 411 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 412 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 413 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 414 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 415 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 416 A man and his wheel

  • 417 Hartland Dancers
  • 418 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 419 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 420

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 421 It really was the 'last time'

  • 422 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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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  • 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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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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Riverside mystery

How many can fix this Bideford object?

Is it St George? Is it one of Caesar’s men? Does it depict the guarding spirit of a reputable centre of hospitality?

We know it is a familiar symbol above the main entrance to Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, where it commands the river stretch and Long Bridge.

29 August 1952 Riverside mystery

One supposition is that it was a ship’s figurehead from an old sailing vessel repaired in the port which found its way into the hands of a previous owner of the hotel. Mr Berale, the manager of the hotel, said he understood the legend to be that a sea captain who couldn’t pay his bill and left his ship’s figurehead in lieu in about 1865.

Gazette article 29 August 1952

 

Unique holiday adventure!

In the footsteps of Dr Johnson and Mr Boswell

James Boswell, the biographer of Dr Johnson, showed an admiration for literary men. He made a tour of the Hebrides with him in 1773, the Journal of which he afterwards published.

At the present moment, a Bidefordian, Miss E.F. (Betty) Stucley, daughter of Sir Hugh Stucley of Moreton, is following in the footsteps taken by that famous partnership nearly 200 years ago. She is accompanied by her adopted son, David, aged 8 and her companion.

15 August 1952 Unique holiday adventure

The picture above shows the disused Bideford motor ambulance which has been converted into a caravan for the tour at Messrs. Petherick’s Northam Road garage, Bideford. The name plate ‘Dr Johnson and Mr Boswell’ has pride of place on the front.

Gazette article 15 August 1952

 

Television comes to Torridge District

Thanks to new Wenvoe station

Official opening planned for 15 August. During the past few weeks test signals have been sent out daily, giving local radio dealers an opportunity to adjust sets to this frequency.

Mr Leslie Braddick of Westward Ho! was completely satisfied with results obtained in Northam and Westward Ho!. Reception in Bideford was reported last week as fair. Isolated instances of poor reception will no doubt occur but these will be gradually cleared-up.

8 August 1952 Television comes to Torridge district

Television is virtually new to the district with only a few scattered sets being installed.

Gazette article 8 August 1952

 

 

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