• 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 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 2 No sale of Springfield House

  • 3 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 4 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 5 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 6 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 7 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 8 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 9

    First prize
  • 10 Littleham family's five generations

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

  • 12

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 13 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 14 So this is the mainland!

  • 15 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 16

    Was a missionary
  • 17 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 18 New life for Hartland organ

  • 19 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 20 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 21 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 22 Centenary of Gazette

  • 23 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 24 Bideford regatta

  • 25 Peter poses for TV film

  • 26 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 27 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 28 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 29 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 30 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 31 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 32 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 33

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 34

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 35 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 37 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 38 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 39 Six footed lamb

  • 40 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 41 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 42 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 43 Hartland's invitation

  • 44 Caught in the act>
  • 45 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 46 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 47

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 48 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 49 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 50 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 51 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 53

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 54 Torrington children build igloo
  • 55 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 56

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 57 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 58 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 59 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 60 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 61 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 62 Loads of black and white

  • 63 New Lundy stamps

  • 64 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 65 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 66 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 68 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 69 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 70 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 71 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 72 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 73 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 74

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 75 Clovelly nightmare

  • 76 A bird of their own!

  • 77 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 78 Picking the pops

  • 79 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 80 New Post Office

  • 81

    Exhibition of school work
  • 82 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 83 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 85

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 86 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 87 Artisans' Club

  • 88 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 89

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 90 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 91 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 92 A roof-top view - where?

  • 93 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 94 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 95 New shipyard on schedule

  • 96 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 97 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 98 No laughing matter

  • 99 Penny for the guy

  • 100 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 101

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 102 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 103 When horses score over the tractor

  • 104 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 105 Off on a great adventure

  • 106

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 107 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 108 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 109 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 110 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 111 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 112 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 113 Devil sent packing

  • 114

    Relatives all over the world
  • 115 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 116 From Bobby to Brian

  • 117 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 118 Over the bank together>
  • 119

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 120 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 121 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 122 Torrington's new amenity

  • 123 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 124 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 125 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 126 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 128 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 129 All for the love of a lady!

  • 130 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 131 They are parted pro-tem

  • 132 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 133 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 134 Cruising down the river

  • 135

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 136

    New gateway
  • 137 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 138 North Devon Driving School

  • 139 Some mushroom!

  • 140 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 141 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 142 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 143 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 144 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 145 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 146 Ten year old scrambler

  • 147 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 148 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 149 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 150 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 151 New art gallery opened

  • 152 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 153 Picking the pops

  • 154

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 155 All aboard the ark

  • 156 School's link with cargo ship

  • 157 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 158 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 159 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 160 Life begins at 80

  • 161 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 162 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 163 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 164 A story to tell!

  • 165 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 166 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 167 A man and his wheel

  • 168 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 169 Filming at Hartland

  • 170 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 171 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 172 It really was the 'last time'

  • 173 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 174 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 175 Simple Item 138
  • 176 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 177 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 178 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 179 Variety in summer weather

  • 180 New civic medallions

  • 181 Last train from Torrington

  • 182 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 183 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 184 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 185 Riverside mystery

  • 186 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 187

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 188 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 189 What's the time?

  • 190 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 191 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 192 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 193 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 194 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 195 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 196 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 197 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 198 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 199 Hartland postman retires

  • 200 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 201 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 202 Burnard family reunion

  • 203 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 204 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 205 Northam's almshouse

  • 206 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 207 School crossing patrol begins

  • 208 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 209 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 210 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 211 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 212 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 213 New look in the hayfields

  • 214 Finished in 1876

  • 215 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 216 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 217 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 218 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 219 Ships at Bideford

  • 220 Circus comes to town

  • 221 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 222 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 223 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 224 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 225 The art of the thatcher

  • 226 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 227 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 228 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 229 Decontrol of meat

  • 230 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 231

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 232 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 233 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 234 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 235 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 236 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 237

    Married in 1908
  • 238 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 239 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 240 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 241 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 242 Puppet characters introduced

  • 243 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 244 New choral society's growing response

  • 245 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 246 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 247 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 248 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 249 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 250 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 251

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 252 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 253 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 254 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 255 Revenge in style

  • 256 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 257 Clovelly custom

  • 258 Hartland Dancers
  • 259

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 260 Mobile missionary

  • 261 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 262

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 263 Waldon Triplets
  • 264 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 265 Twenty-one yachts

  • 266 End of the line

  • 267 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 268 The cab at the corner>
  • 269 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 270 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 271 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 272 Recognise this resort?

  • 273 New addition to Quay front

  • 274 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 275 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 276 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 277 Appledore's largest

  • 278 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 279 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 280 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 281 Private home for public pump

  • 282 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 283 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 284 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 285 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 286 Bridging the stream

  • 287 Northam footballers of the future

  • 288 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 290 Some 240 exhibits

  • 291 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 292 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 293 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 294 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 295 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 296 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 297 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 298 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 299 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 300 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 301 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 302 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 303

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 304 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 305 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 306 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 307 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 308 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 309

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

  • 311 Just over a year old

  • 312 Blanchards ad.>
  • 313 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 314 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 315 The Geneva marionettes

  • 316 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 317 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 318 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 319 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 320 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 321 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 322 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 323 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 324 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 325 Torrington in 1967

  • 326 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 327 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 328 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 329 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 330 In their new robes and hats

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

  • 332 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 333 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 334

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 335 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 336 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 337 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 338 Police station view of Bideford

  • 339 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 340 By pony and trap to market

  • 341 Out of puff!

  • 342 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 344 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 345 Bideford computer stars

  • 346 Sweets derationing

  • 347 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 348 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 349 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 350 Sight of a lifetime

  • 351 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 352 Modern living at Bideford

  • 353 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 354 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

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

  • 356 Warmington's garage ad

  • 357 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 358 Can spring be far away?

  • 359 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 360 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 361 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 362 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 363

    Building works
  • 364 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 366 Parkham plan realised

  • 367 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 368 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 369 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 370

    Bidefordians
  • 371 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 372 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 373 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 374 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 375

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 376 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 377 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 378 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 379 For crying out loud!

  • 380 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 381 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 382 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 383 Weare Giffard potato

  • 384 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 385 First ship in 8 years

  • 386 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 387 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 388

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 389 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 390 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 391 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 392 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 393 Traditions and skills still there

  • 394 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 395

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 396 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 397 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 398 Pannier Market's future?

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

  • 400 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 401 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 402 Jumble sale fever

  • 403 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 404 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 405 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 406 113 years at Instow

  • 407 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 408 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 409 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 410 Service with a smile

  • 411 Emergency ferry services

  • 412 Bideford loses training ship

  • 413 Happy Days!

  • 414 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 416 He beat the floods

  • 417 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 418 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 419 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 420 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 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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  • 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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Westward Ho! Gets ‘A Piece Of Cake’

The Great Day began for many people with the United Service of prayer and thanksgiving in Holy Trinity Church.

5.6.1953 WHo

Television revealed, as has never been possible before, the deeply religious significance of the Coronation Service, and none could fail to be impressed by our gracious young Queen’s beauty and dignity through the long hours of her consecration to the service of God and her people.
Despite strong wind, a crowd of happy children gathered in the Cricket Field for sports after lunch and later assembled in the gaily decorated Kingsley Hall for a truly royal feast of good things. Souvenir mugs were distributed, and the special broadsheets were presented to each child on leaving, together with a stick of rock, the latter being given by the Committee and Mr W Powell.
The gala social attracted a joyous crowd, and all joined in modern and old time dances, games and competitions, under the able leadership of Mr A Kelly, who acted as MC. A radio set having been kindly loaned by Mr A Kelly, those present were able to listen to the Queen’s broadcast. It was hoped that many people would come in fancy dress but only one youngster, Miss Ann Pooley, responded.
During the evening, the names of prize winners in the house and shop decoration competition were announced. This competition was judged by Mr Vernon Boyle and Mr J Keene, and the results were: Bobbie’s Wool Shop; Empire Stores and Mr Taylor’s hairdressing establishment; Mr M Tarrant, 14 Eastbourne Terrace; The Chalet.
Another feast of good things was served at 10pm. The Coronation cake, won in a competition by Mr Godfrey, 9 Westbourne Terrace, was cut. In a speech, Mr Wickham thanked all who had helped with the organisation, and then Miss Thelma Twose presented a spray of flowers to Mrs Hambly, head of the Catering Committee.
The full Gazette article is dated 5 June 1953.

Coronation Day 1953

Symbolising the Coronation spirit of pulling together is this hearty scene from Westleigh's celebrations where in the tug-o-war competitions the village beat Trayhill, Southcott and farmers' teams.

5.6.1953 Westleigh
Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

Coronation Day 1953

Erecting some of the decorations with which Torrington greeted the great day.

5.6.1953 Torrington

This photogrpah was taken outside Messrs James Tapscott's glove factory.

Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

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