• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 2 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 3 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 4 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 5 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 6 Centenary of Gazette

  • 7 Hartland's invitation

  • 8 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 9

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 10 Waldon Triplets
  • 11

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 12 Mobile missionary

  • 13 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 14 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 15 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 16 Riverside mystery

  • 17 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 18

    Married in 1908
  • 19 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 20

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 21 113 years at Instow

  • 22 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 23 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 24 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 25 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 26 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 27 Bideford regatta

  • 28 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 29 Police station view of Bideford

  • 30 Sweets derationing

  • 31 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 32

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 33 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 34 Ten year old scrambler

  • 35 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 36 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 37 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 38 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 39 Northam footballers of the future

  • 40 All aboard the ark

  • 41 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 42 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 43 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 44

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 45 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 46 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 47 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 48 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 49 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 50 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 51

    Was a missionary
  • 52 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 53 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 54 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 55 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 56 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 57

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 58 In their new robes and hats

  • 59 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 60 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 61 Modern living at Bideford

  • 62

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 63 Life begins at 80

  • 64 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 66 Blanchards ad.>
  • 67 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 68 Can spring be far away?

  • 69 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 70 Jumble sale fever

  • 71 Peter poses for TV film

  • 72 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 73 Recognise this resort?

  • 74 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 75 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 76 It really was the 'last time'

  • 77 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 78 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 79 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 80 Hartland postman retires

  • 81 New Lundy stamps

  • 82 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 83 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 84 Caught in the act>
  • 85 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 86 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 87 Clovelly custom

  • 88 Bridging the stream

  • 89 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 90 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 91 No laughing matter

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

  • 93 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 94 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 95

    Building works
  • 96

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 97 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 98 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 99 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 100 New civic medallions

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

  • 102 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 103 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 104 Decontrol of meat

  • 105 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 106 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 107 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 108 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 109 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 110 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 111 A bird of their own!

  • 112 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 113 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 114 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 115 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 116 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 117 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 119 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 120 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 121 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 122 For crying out loud!

  • 123 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 124 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 125 Finished in 1876

  • 126 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 127 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 128 Cruising down the river

  • 129 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 130 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 131 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 132 The cab at the corner>
  • 133 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 134

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 135 Burnard family reunion

  • 136 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 137

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 138 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 139 Penny for the guy

  • 140 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 141 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 142

    Exhibition of school work
  • 143

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 144 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 145 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 146 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 147 Puppet characters introduced

  • 148 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 149 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 150 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 151 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 152 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 153 Torrington in 1967

  • 154 No sale of Springfield House

  • 155 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 156 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 157 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 158 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 159 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 160 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 161 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 162 A man and his wheel

  • 163 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 164 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 165

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 166 Happy Days!

  • 167 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 168 When horses score over the tractor

  • 169 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 170 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 171 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 172 By pony and trap to market

  • 173 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 174

    Relatives all over the world
  • 175 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 176 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 177

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 178 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 179 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 180 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 182 Off on a great adventure

  • 183 Ships at Bideford

  • 184 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 185 Picking the pops

  • 186 Simple Item 138
  • 187 From Bobby to Brian

  • 188 What's the time?

  • 189 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 190 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 191

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 192 Six footed lamb

  • 193 Light reading for the lighthouse

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

  • 195 New look in the hayfields

  • 196 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 198 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 199 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 200 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 201 Out of puff!

  • 202 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 203 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 204 Littleham family's five generations

  • 205 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 206 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 207 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 208 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 209 They are parted pro-tem

  • 210 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 211 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 212 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 213 Parkham plan realised

  • 214 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 215 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 216 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 217 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 218 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 219 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 220 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 221 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 222 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 223 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 224 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 225 Circus comes to town

  • 226 Last train from Torrington

  • 227 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 228 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 229 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 230 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 231

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 232 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 234 School crossing patrol begins

  • 235 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

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

  • 238 New shipyard on schedule

  • 239 Sight of a lifetime

  • 240 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 241 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 242

    Bidefordians
  • 243 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 244 New addition to Quay front

  • 245 New Post Office

  • 246 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 247 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 248 Bideford computer stars

  • 249 Twenty-one yachts

  • 250 Variety in summer weather

  • 251 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 252 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 253 The art of the thatcher

  • 254 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 255 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 257 Devil sent packing

  • 258 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 259 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 260 End of the line

  • 261 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 262 So this is the mainland!

  • 263 Emergency ferry services

  • 264 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 265 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 266 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 267 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 268 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 269 Hartland Dancers
  • 270

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 271 Torrington children build igloo
  • 272 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 273 Some 240 exhibits

  • 274 New choral society's growing response

  • 275 Capers on the cobbles

  • 276 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 277 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 278 Just over a year old

  • 279 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 280 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 281 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 282 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 283 Private home for public pump

  • 284 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 285 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 286 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 287 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 288 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 289 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 290 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 291 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 292 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 294 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 295 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 296 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 297 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 298

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 299 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 300 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 301 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 302 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 303 Warmington's garage ad

  • 304 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 305 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 306 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 307 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 308 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 309 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 310 Loads of black and white

  • 311

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 312 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 313 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 314 Picking the pops

  • 315 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 316 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 317 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 318 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 319 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 320 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 321 All for the love of a lady!

  • 322 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 323 Weare Giffard potato

  • 324 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 325 Artisans' Club

  • 326 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 327

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 328 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 329 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 330 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 331 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 332 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 333 A roof-top view - where?

  • 334

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 335 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 336 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 337 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 338 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 339 Clovelly nightmare

  • 340 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 341 First ship in 8 years

  • 342 Revenge in style

  • 343 New art gallery opened

  • 344 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 345 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 346 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 347 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 348 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 349 Northam's almshouse

  • 350 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

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

  • 352 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 353 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 354

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 355 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 356 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 357 Over the bank together>
  • 358 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 359 Appledore's largest

  • 360 He beat the floods

  • 361 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 362 Some mushroom!

  • 363 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 364 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 365 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 366 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 367 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 368 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 369 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 370 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 371 Bideford loses training ship

  • 372 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 373 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 374 New life for Hartland organ

  • 375 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 376 Torrington's new amenity

  • 377 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 378 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 379 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 380 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 381

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 382 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 383 Filming at Hartland

  • 384 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 385 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 386 Service with a smile

  • 387 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 388

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 389

    First prize
  • 390 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 391 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 392 A story to tell!

  • 393 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 394 Pannier Market's future?

  • 395 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 396 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 397 Traditions and skills still there

  • 398 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 399 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 400 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 401 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 402

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 403 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 404 Panto time at Westward Ho!

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

  • 406 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 407 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 408 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 409 The Geneva marionettes

  • 410

    New gateway
  • 411 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 412 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 413 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 414 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 415 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 416 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 417 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 418 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 419 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 420 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 421 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 422 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Coronation Day 1953

Typical of the happy Coronation Street teas was this gathering in Elm Grove, Bideford.

12.6.1953 Elm Grove

At the head of the tables are Miss H Goaman, Mrs E M Cox, Mrs Grant, Mr C A Grant, Mr A Kingdom, Mrs Backway and Mr F C Backway.
Gazette dated 12 June 1953.

Coronation Scenes At Northam And Appledore

Dr and Mrs C J Carey judge the fancy dress entries in the Square, which provided part of Northam’s festive air on Coronation day.

12.6.1953 Coronation scenes Northam and Appledore

Youthful dancers at Appledore enjoying themselves in Marine Parade on the evening of Coronation day.
First prize for the best decorated street at Appledore went to the residents of Tomouth Terrace and Crescent. They were summoned by bugle at 6am on Coronation day for decoration duty and right well they did their work. As our photograph shows they erected a splendid Gothic arch of evergreens decorated with crowns and the Royal Cipher, flanked by life sized wooden Guardsmen in scarlet tunics and bearskins with rifles and fixed bayonets.
Gazette article dated 12 June 1953

Strand Cinema, Bideford

The Coronation in Gevacolor

12.6.1953 Cinema

Full length Coronation News Reel

  • 1

Login Form