• 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 Ships at Bideford

  • 2 Sweets derationing

  • 3 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 4 Filming at Hartland

  • 5 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 6 Burnard family reunion

  • 7 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 8 Warmington's garage ad

  • 9 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 10 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 11 Picking the pops

  • 12 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 13

    New gateway
  • 14 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 15 Some 240 exhibits

  • 16 New Post Office

  • 17

    Exhibition of school work
  • 18 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 19 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 20 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 21 Service with a smile

  • 22 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 23 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 24 Loads of black and white

  • 25 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 26

    Bidefordians
  • 27 Northam's almshouse

  • 28 Six footed lamb

  • 29 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 30 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 31 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 32 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 33 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 34 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 35 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 36 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 37 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 38 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 39 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 40 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 41

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 42 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 43 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 44

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 45 Torrington in 1967

  • 46 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 47 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 48 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 49 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 50

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 51 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 52 Artisans' Club

  • 53 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 54 Pannier Market's future?

  • 55 Clovelly nightmare

  • 56 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 57 Parkham plan realised

  • 58 Bideford regatta

  • 59 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 60 Life begins at 80

  • 61 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 62 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 63 Revenge in style

  • 64 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 65 Just over a year old

  • 66 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 68 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 69 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 70 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 71 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 72 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 73

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 74 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 75 First ship in 8 years

  • 76 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 77 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 78 Recognise this resort?

  • 79 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 80 Bideford loses training ship

  • 81 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 82 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 83

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 84 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 85 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 86 Jumble sale fever

  • 87 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 88 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 89 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 90 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 91 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 92 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 93 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 94 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 95 Traditions and skills still there

  • 96 Simple Item 138
  • 97 Private home for public pump

  • 98 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 99 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 100 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 101 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 102 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 103 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 104 All aboard the ark

  • 105 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 106 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 107 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 108 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 109 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 110 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 111 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 112 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

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

  • 114

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 115 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 116 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 117 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 118 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 119 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 120

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 121 113 years at Instow

  • 122 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 123 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 124 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 125 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 126 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 127 Puppet characters introduced

  • 128 Hartland Dancers
  • 129 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 130

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 131 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 132 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 133 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 134 Appledore's largest

  • 135 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 136 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 137 Caught in the act>
  • 138 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 139 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 140 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 142 Northam footballers of the future

  • 143 Finished in 1876

  • 144 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 145 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 146 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 147 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 148 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 149 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 150 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 151 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 152 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 153 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 154 Hartland postman retires

  • 155 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 156 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 157 Happy Days!

  • 158 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 159 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 160 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 161 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 162 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 163 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 164 New art gallery opened

  • 165 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 166

    Was a missionary
  • 167 The art of the thatcher

  • 168 Twenty-one yachts

  • 169 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 170 Centenary of Gazette

  • 171 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 172 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 173 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 174 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 175 Clovelly custom

  • 176 School's link with cargo ship

  • 177 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 178 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 179 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 180 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 181 Bridging the stream

  • 182 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 183 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 185 Penny for the guy

  • 186 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 187 Devil sent packing

  • 188 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 189 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 190 Variety in summer weather

  • 191 Littleham family's five generations

  • 192 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 193 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 194 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 195

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 196 No sale of Springfield House

  • 197 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 198 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 199 New Lundy stamps

  • 200 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 201 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 202 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 204 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 205 Riverside mystery

  • 206 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 207 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 208 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 209 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 210 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 211

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 212 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 213 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 214 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 215

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 216 North Devon Driving School

  • 217 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 218 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 219 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 220 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 222 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 223 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 224 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 225 No laughing matter

  • 226

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 227 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 228 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 229 New addition to Quay front

  • 230 It really was the 'last time'

  • 231 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 232 A story to tell!

  • 233 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 234 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 235 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 236

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 237 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 238 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 239 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 240 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 241 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 242 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 243 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 244

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 245 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 246

    Building works
  • 247 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 248 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 249 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 250 From Bobby to Brian

  • 251 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 252 Blanchards ad.>
  • 253 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 254 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 255 New civic medallions

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

  • 257 So this is the mainland!

  • 258 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 259 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 260

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 261 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 262 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 263 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 264

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 265 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 266 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 267 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 268 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 270

    Relatives all over the world
  • 271 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 273 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 274 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 276 Last train from Torrington

  • 277 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 278 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 279 He beat the floods

  • 280 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 281 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 282 Can spring be far away?

  • 283 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 284 School crossing patrol begins

  • 285 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 286 Hartland's invitation

  • 287 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 288 The cab at the corner>
  • 289 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 290 Picking the pops

  • 291

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 292 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 293 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 294 A man and his wheel

  • 295 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 296 Torrington children build igloo
  • 297

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 298 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 299 A bird of their own!

  • 300 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 301 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 302 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 303 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 304 Ten year old scrambler

  • 305 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 306 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 307 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 308

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 309 Police station view of Bideford

  • 310

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 311

    First prize
  • 312 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 313 Out of puff!

  • 314 Waldon Triplets
  • 315 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 316 Capers on the cobbles

  • 317 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 318 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 319 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 321 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 322 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 323 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 324 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 325 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 326 Over the bank together>
  • 327 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 328 New look in the hayfields

  • 329 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 330 Torrington's new amenity

  • 331 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 332 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 333 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 334

    Married in 1908
  • 335 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 336 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 337 All for the love of a lady!

  • 338 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 339 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 340 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 341 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 342 A roof-top view - where?

  • 343 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 344 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 345 What's the time?

  • 346 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 347 Weare Giffard potato

  • 348 Decontrol of meat

  • 349 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 350 Peter poses for TV film

  • 351 Sight of a lifetime

  • 352 Mobile missionary

  • 353 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 354 When horses score over the tractor

  • 355 New choral society's growing response

  • 356 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 357 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 358 Modern living at Bideford

  • 359 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 360 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 361 Cruising down the river

  • 362 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 363 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 364 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 365

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 366 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 367 By pony and trap to market

  • 368 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 369 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 370 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 371 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 372 End of the line

  • 373 For crying out loud!

  • 374 Bideford computer stars

  • 375 In their new robes and hats

  • 376 Emergency ferry services

  • 377 They are parted pro-tem

  • 378 Some mushroom!

  • 379 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 380 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 381 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 382 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 383

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 384 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 385 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 386 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 387 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 388 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 389 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 390 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 391 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 392 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 393

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 394 The Geneva marionettes

  • 395 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 396 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 397 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 398 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 399 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 400 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 401 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 402 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 403 Circus comes to town

  • 404 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 405 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 406 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 407

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 408 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 409 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 410 New shipyard on schedule

  • 411 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 412 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 413 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 414 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 415 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 417

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 418 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 419 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 420 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 421 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 422 Practical sympathy at Northam

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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1953 Coronation Day Celebrations

These happy youngsters at Abbotsham's tea party illustrate that everywhere in Coronation celebrations it was essentially a children's day.

5.6.1953 Abbotsham
Gazette article dated 5 June 1953

Westward Ho! Memento of Queen’s Broadcast

Her Majesty’s ‘Invitation to Youth’ broadcast from Capetown in 1947 on the occasion of her 21st birthday, has been printed on a card together with a reproduction of a photograph of the Queen seated at the microphone before making that famous speech and copies will be distributed as a Coronation memento to all children at Westward Ho!

29.5.1953 WHo

The day’s celebrations commence with a united service at Holy Trinity Church at 9.15am. To conclude the day a gala evening, which will include olde-time and modern dancing, games and a fancy dress parade, commences in the Kingsley Hall at 8pm. 

The old people of Westward Ho! have not been forgotten. A coach outing has been arranged for them for the Thursday after the Coronation and Mrs M D Rowe and Miss V Lewis, of Lewis’s Café will be carrying out the invitation extended by their late mother, Mrs H Lewis, for the party to take tea at the café at the conclusion of the tour. To commemorate the Coronation, Westward Ho! Women’s Institute are planning to plant two flowering trees in the autumn. 

To help raise funds, a large cake was given for competition by Mrs W Powell. Bideford and District Cricket Club, whose playing pitch is at Westward Ho! made a donation.

Chairman of the Coronation Committee is Mr J Wickham and Mrs N M Gibbs is secretary. 

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

Bidefordian Among Mounted Escort

He is Trooper J Bright, of the Household Cavalry (The Life Guards), grandson of the late Ald. J H Bright (a former Mayor of Bideford).

29.5.1953 Trooper Bright

Born in 1934, he left with his parents to live at Stockport in 1939 but has since spent several holidays at Bideford. He will be recalled in particular by members of the BARC. After the Coronation Trooper Bright will be going to Scotland for escort duties during the Queen's visit there. 

The Gazette article is dated 19 May 1953

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