• 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 regatta

  • 2 Revenge in style

  • 3 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 4 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 5 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 6 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 7 Sweets derationing

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

  • 9 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 10 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 11 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 12 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 13 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 14 Littleham family's five generations

  • 15 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 16

    First prize
  • 17 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 18 Hartland's invitation

  • 19 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 20 Life begins at 80

  • 21 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 22 Northam's almshouse

  • 23 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 24 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 25 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 26 No laughing matter

  • 27 A roof-top view - where?

  • 28 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 29 End of the line

  • 30 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 31 Ships at Bideford

  • 32 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 33 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 34

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 35 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 36 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 38 Twenty-one yachts

  • 39 New shipyard on schedule

  • 40 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 41 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 42 Over the bank together>
  • 43 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 44 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 45 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 46 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 47 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 48 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 49 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 50 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 51 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 52 A bird of their own!

  • 53 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 54 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 55 New Post Office

  • 56 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 57 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 58 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 59 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 60 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 62 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 63 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 64 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 65 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 66 Picking the pops

  • 67

    Building works
  • 68 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 69 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 70 Penny for the guy

  • 71

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 72 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 73 Riverside mystery

  • 74 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 75 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 76 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 77 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 78 Cruising down the river

  • 79 Burnard family reunion

  • 80 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 81 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 82 School crossing patrol begins

  • 83 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 84 A man and his wheel

  • 85 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 86 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 87 Blanchards ad.>
  • 88 Filming at Hartland

  • 89 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 90

    Was a missionary
  • 91 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 93 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 94 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 95 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 96

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 97 Artisans' Club

  • 98 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 99 When horses score over the tractor

  • 100 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 101 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 102 Clovelly nightmare

  • 103 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 104 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 105 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 106 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 107 Just over a year old

  • 108 He beat the floods

  • 109 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 110 Some mushroom!

  • 111 No sale of Springfield House

  • 112 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 113 Torrington children build igloo
  • 114 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 115

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 116 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 117 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 118 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 119 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 120 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 121 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 122

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 123 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 124 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 125

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 126 Sight of a lifetime

  • 127 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 128 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 129 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 130 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 131 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 132 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 133 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 134 Jumble sale fever

  • 135

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 136 Some 240 exhibits

  • 137 Emergency ferry services

  • 138 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 139 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 140

    Married in 1908
  • 141 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 143 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

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

  • 145 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 146 First ship in 8 years

  • 147 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 148 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 149 Private home for public pump

  • 150 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 151 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 152 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 153 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 154 Circus comes to town

  • 155 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 156 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 157 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 158 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 159 New addition to Quay front

  • 160 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 161 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 162 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 163 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 164

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 165 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 166 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 167 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 168 Warmington's garage ad

  • 169 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 170 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 171 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 172 Police station view of Bideford

  • 173 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 174 School's link with cargo ship

  • 175 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 176 It really was the 'last time'

  • 177 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 178 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 179 113 years at Instow

  • 180 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 181 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 183 Devil sent packing

  • 184 Torrington's new amenity

  • 185 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 186 Caught in the act>
  • 187 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 188 Off on a great adventure

  • 189 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 190 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 191 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 192 North Devon Driving School

  • 193 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 194

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 195 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 196 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 197 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 198 Ten year old scrambler

  • 199 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 200 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 201 The cab at the corner>
  • 202 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 203 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 204 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 205 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 206 Bideford computer stars

  • 207 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 208 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 209 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 210 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 211 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 212 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 213 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 214 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 215 All for the love of a lady!

  • 216 Puppet characters introduced

  • 217 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 218

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 219 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 220 By pony and trap to market

  • 221 They are parted pro-tem

  • 222 Happy Days!

  • 223 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 224 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 225 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 226 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 227 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 228 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 229

    Relatives all over the world
  • 230 Out of puff!

  • 231 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 232 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 233 Last train from Torrington

  • 234 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 235 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 236 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 237 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 238 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 239 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 240 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 241 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 242 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 243 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 244 Peter poses for TV film

  • 245 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 246 Bideford loses training ship

  • 247 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 248 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 249 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 250 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 251 Six footed lamb

  • 252 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 253 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 254 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 255

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 256 Parkham plan realised

  • 257 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 258 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 259 Bridging the stream

  • 260 Centenary of Gazette

  • 261 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 262 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 263 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 264 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 265 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 266 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 268 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 269 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 270 The art of the thatcher

  • 271 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 272 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 273 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 274 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 275 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 276 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 277 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 278 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 279 Appledore's largest

  • 280 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 281 Recognise this resort?

  • 282 New civic medallions

  • 283 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 284 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 285 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 286 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 287

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 288 Clovelly custom

  • 289 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 290 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 291 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 292 What's the time?

  • 293 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 294 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 295 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 296 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 297 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 298 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 299

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 300

    New gateway
  • 301 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 302 Waldon Triplets
  • 303 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 304 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 305 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 306 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 307 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 308 For crying out loud!

  • 309 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 310 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 311

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 312 Weare Giffard potato

  • 313 Hartland postman retires

  • 314 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 316 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 317 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 318 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 319 Pannier Market's future?

  • 320 All aboard the ark

  • 321 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 322 Service with a smile

  • 323 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 324 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 326 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 327 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 328 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 329 A story to tell!

  • 330 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 331 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 332 Mobile missionary

  • 333 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 334 Simple Item 138
  • 335 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 336 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 337

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 338 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 339 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 340 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 341 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 342 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 343 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 344 Hartland Dancers
  • 345 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 346 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 347 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 348 So this is the mainland!

  • 349 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 350 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 351 Northam footballers of the future

  • 352 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 353 The Geneva marionettes

  • 354 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 355 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 356 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 357 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 358 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 359 Traditions and skills still there

  • 360 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 361 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 362 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 363 New choral society's growing response

  • 364 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 365 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 366 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 367 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 369 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 370 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 371

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 372 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 373

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 374 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 375 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 376 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 377 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 378 New Lundy stamps

  • 379

    Exhibition of school work
  • 380 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 381 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 382 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 383 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 384

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 385 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 386 Capers on the cobbles

  • 387 Picking the pops

  • 388 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 389 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 390

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 391 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 392

    Bidefordians
  • 393 Modern living at Bideford

  • 394 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 395 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 396 New art gallery opened

  • 397

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 398

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 399 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 400 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 402 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 404 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 405 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 406

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 407

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 408 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 409 From Bobby to Brian

  • 410

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 411 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 412 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 413 Finished in 1876

  • 414 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 415 Loads of black and white

  • 416

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 417 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 418 In their new robes and hats

  • 419 Torrington in 1967

  • 420 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 421 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 422 Record pebble-throwing day

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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Sharp reception for council's letter 6th April 1962

Sharp reception for council's letter 6th April 1962

Sharp receptionNortham Urban Council were accused of having an "I am the dictator" attitude by Mr Horace Ford, Chairman of Northam Burrows Committee, when the committee decided to write to Minister of Housing and Local Government to obtain more information concerning the transfer of the lease of the Burrows with the manorial rights from the Royal North Devon Golf Club to Northam Council.

The Council have still to decide how they will carry out the day-to-day administration of the Burrows but, as Mr Richards (R.N.D.G.C. Steward of the Manor) thought they would like to have some idea of this before the meeting.

If the Council interfere with the grazing then we shall have to step down on them, said Mr H Hodgkins "the trouble is that we have been too weak in the past

At the last Manor Court meeting the secretary Mr Harold Ford brought up the fact that all negotiations were going on.  Mr J Harknett had tried to co-operate with the Burrows Committee and it seemed useless.

The committee decided to write to Northam Council and the Royal North Devon Golf Club about the question of contributing towards the repair of Pebble Ridge, damaged by severe gales and rough seas.

 

Ex Surveyor Spent More Than £1m!

Mr H J Denne, former Borough Surveyor, was presented with a silver tray and silver rose bowl by the Mayor, Cllr Harold Blackmore, at Monday’s meeting of Bideford Town Council on behalf of present and past members of the Council.

November 1967 Mr Denne retires

The Mayor said they wished to place on record deep and sincere thanks to Mr Denne for his 16½ years’ service. He had been at all times a faithful and loyal officer to the Council who had always found him generous and courteous. He had served with ability and distinction and had been responsible for an enormous amount of development.
The Council, added the Mayor, were grateful to Mrs Denne for the help and support she had always given to her husband. He presented her with a bouquet.
Thanking subscribers for their generosity Mr Denne said he had seen a large variety of schemes put through and he had discovered that he had spent on the Council’s behalf more than £1 million. He thanked the staff and the Council for their help.

Children’s Card Gets Royal Reply

The children of class seven of East-the-Water CP School, Bideford, made a silver wedding card and sent it, bearing all their names, to the Queen and Prince Philip who celebrate their silver wedding anniversary on November 20th.

November 1972 Royal reply

The children, who are aged seven to eight, were thrilled to receive this week a letter in reply from Buckingham Palace. A lady-in-waiting on behalf of the Queen wrote thanking the class for their good wishes and kindly thought.

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