• 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 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 2 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 3 Just over a year old

  • 4 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 5 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 6

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 7 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 8 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 9 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 10 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 11 Northam footballers of the future

  • 12 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 13 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 14

    Was a missionary
  • 15 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 16 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 17 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 18 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 19 New art gallery opened

  • 20 End of the line

  • 21 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 22 Out of puff!

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

  • 24 Jumble sale fever

  • 25 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 26 A man and his wheel

  • 27 Peter poses for TV film

  • 28 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 29 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 30 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 31 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 32 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 33 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 34 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 35 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 36 Can spring be far away?

  • 37 113 years at Instow

  • 38 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 39 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 40 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 41 Torrington in 1967

  • 42 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 43 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 44 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 45 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 46 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 47

    Married in 1908
  • 48 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 49 A story to tell!

  • 50 Waldon Triplets
  • 51 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 52 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 53 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 54 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 55 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 56 New Lundy stamps

  • 57 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 58 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 59 By pony and trap to market

  • 60 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 61 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 62 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 63 Torrington children build igloo
  • 64 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 65 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 66 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 67 Some 240 exhibits

  • 68 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 69 Life begins at 80

  • 70 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 71 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 72 When horses score over the tractor

  • 73 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 74 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 76 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 77 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 78 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 79 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 80 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 81

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 82 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 83 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 84 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 85 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 86 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 87 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 88 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 89 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 90 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 91 Bideford regatta

  • 92 New civic medallions

  • 93 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 94 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 96 Finished in 1876

  • 97 Last train from Torrington

  • 98 Puppet characters introduced

  • 99 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 100 Northam's almshouse

  • 101 New choral society's growing response

  • 102 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 103 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 104 Happy Days!

  • 105 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 106 A bird of their own!

  • 107 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 108 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 109 New shipyard on schedule

  • 110 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 111 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 112 Recognise this resort?

  • 113

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 114 Twenty-one yachts

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

  • 116 All for the love of a lady!

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

  • 118 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 120 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 121 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 122 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 123 So this is the mainland!

  • 124 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 125 Six footed lamb

  • 126 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 127 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 128 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 129 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 130

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 131 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 132 Weare Giffard potato

  • 133 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 134 Filming at Hartland

  • 135 No sale of Springfield House

  • 136 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 137 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 138 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 139 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 140 From Bobby to Brian

  • 141 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 142 Hartland Dancers
  • 143 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 144 New look in the hayfields

  • 145

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 146 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 147 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 148 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 149 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 150 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 151

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 152 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 153 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 154

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 155 First ship in 8 years

  • 156 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 157 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 158 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 159 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 160 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 161 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 162 Police station view of Bideford

  • 163

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 164 Bideford computer stars

  • 165 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 166 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 168 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 169 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 170 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 171 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 172 New addition to Quay front

  • 173 The Geneva marionettes

  • 174 What's the time?

  • 175 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 176 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 177

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 178 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 179

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 180 Traditions and skills still there

  • 181 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 182 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 183 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 184 Variety in summer weather

  • 185 Some mushroom!

  • 186 Centenary of Gazette

  • 187 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 188 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 189 Littleham family's five generations

  • 190 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 191 Riverside mystery

  • 192 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 193 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 194 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 195 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 196 Revenge in style

  • 197

    Bidefordians
  • 198 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 199

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 200 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 201 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 202 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 203 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 204 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 205 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 206 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 207 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 208

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 209 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 210 Caught in the act>
  • 211

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 212 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 213 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 214 The cab at the corner>
  • 215 Penny for the guy

  • 216 Burnard family reunion

  • 217 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 218 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 220 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 221 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 222 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 223 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 224 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 225 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 226 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 227 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 228 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 229 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 230

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 231 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 232 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 233 Circus comes to town

  • 234

    Relatives all over the world
  • 235 New Post Office

  • 236 Clovelly custom

  • 237 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 238 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 239 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 240 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 241 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 242 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 243 Bridging the stream

  • 244 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 245 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 246 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 247 Artisans' Club

  • 248 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 249

    New gateway
  • 250 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 251 Off on a great adventure

  • 252 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 253 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 254 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 255 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 256 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 257 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 258 School's link with cargo ship

  • 259 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 260 Torrington's new amenity

  • 261 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 262 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 263 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 264

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 265 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 266 In their new robes and hats

  • 267 Mobile missionary

  • 268 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 269 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 270 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 271 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 272 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 273 Decontrol of meat

  • 274 Ten year old scrambler

  • 275 New life for Hartland organ

  • 276 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 277 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 278 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 279 He beat the floods

  • 280 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 281

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 282

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 283 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 284 Picking the pops

  • 285 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 286 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 287 Picking the pops

  • 288 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 289 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 290 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 291 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 292 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 293 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 294 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 295 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 296 The art of the thatcher

  • 297 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 298 A roof-top view - where?

  • 299 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 300 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 301 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 302 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 303

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 304 Private home for public pump

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

  • 306 Service with a smile

  • 307 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 308 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 309 Simple Item 138
  • 310 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 311 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 312 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 313 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 314 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 315 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 317

    First prize
  • 318 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 320

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 321 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 322 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 323 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 324 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 325 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 326 Ships at Bideford

  • 327 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 328 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 329 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 330 Loads of black and white

  • 331 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 332 Warmington's garage ad

  • 333 Parkham plan realised

  • 334 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 335 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 336 Sight of a lifetime

  • 337 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 338 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 339 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 340 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 341

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 342 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 343 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 344 Modern living at Bideford

  • 345 Over the bank together>
  • 346 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 347 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 348 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 349 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 350 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 351 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 352 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 353 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 354 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 355 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 356 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 357 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 358 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 359 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 360 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 361 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 362 All aboard the ark

  • 363 No laughing matter

  • 364 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 365 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 366 School crossing patrol begins

  • 367 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 368 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 369 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 370 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 371 Hartland's invitation

  • 372 Sweets derationing

  • 373 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 374 For crying out loud!

  • 375 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 376 Cruising down the river

  • 377 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 378 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 379 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 380

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 381 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 382 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

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

  • 384 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 385

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 386 Emergency ferry services

  • 387 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 388 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 389 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 390 Hartland postman retires

  • 391 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 392 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 393 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 394

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 395 Pannier Market's future?

  • 396 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 397

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 398 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 399 Devil sent packing

  • 400

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 401 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 402

    Building works
  • 403 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 404 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 405 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 406 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 407 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 408 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 409 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 410 It really was the 'last time'

  • 411 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 412 Blanchards ad.>
  • 413 Appledore's largest

  • 414 Capers on the cobbles

  • 415 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 416 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 417 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 418 They are parted pro-tem

  • 419

    Exhibition of school work
  • 420 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 421 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 422 They set out for Bideford and became lost

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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East and West Putford

East and West Putford are combining to celebrate the Coronation and some £62 for this purpose was raised from a house to house collection and donations. 

29.5.1953 Putford

Mr J Walter, chairman of the organising committee, has lent a field for the afternoon children’s sports which follow the combined service in the Parish Church to be conducted by the Vicar, assisted by Mr Walling (Methodist). Putford’s Women’s Institute have taken over the arrangements for the parish tea in the Methodist Schoolroom and the children will be presented with their souvenir mugs as they leave. Sports for the grown-ups take place in the evening and a social and dance in the Council schoolroom ends the day. 

At various times during the day the bells of the Parish Church will be adding their contribution to the celebrations.

Full Gazette article dated 29 May 1953

Fancy Dress Parade at Parkham

A fancy dress parade in the school playground with good prizes and classes for all ages will be a highlight of celebrations at Parkham. 

29.5.1953 Parkham

Over £70 has been collected to meet the expenses of the day.

A United service in the Parish Church at 2.30pm will be followed by sports. All parishioners are to be entitled to a free tea in the schoolroom. To conclude the day there will be a social in the school in the evening. Rev J Williams is chairman of the Parish Coronation Committee; Mr M Honey, secretary; and Mr G Jacob, treasurer. 

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

A Toast on Lundy

While the islanders of Lundy will probably be busy catering for the enjoyment of others – one of the Bristol Channel white funnel steamers is scheduled to call at the island on Coronation day – every endeavour will be made to make the day one of enjoyment and festivity writes the Resident Agent, Mr F W Glade.

29.5.1953 Lundy

‘Without doubt, we shall drink to the health, happiness and long life of our charming and wholly delightful young Queen and that of her equally charming Consort.’The Marisco Tavern will be decorated and the Union Jack will fly at masthead and also at the mast heads of the Lundy North and Lundy South lighthouses. 

There is to be a special issue of seven Lundy stamps.

The full Gazette article is dated 29 May 1953

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