• 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 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 2 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 3 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 4 Northam footballers of the future

  • 5 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 6 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 7 Devil sent packing

  • 8 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 9 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 10 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 11 In their new robes and hats

  • 12 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 13 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 14 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 15 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 16 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 17 Simple Item 138
  • 18 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 19 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 20 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 21 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 22 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 23 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 24 Appledore's largest

  • 25 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 26 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 27 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 28 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 29

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 30 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 31 Bideford computer stars

  • 32 Sweets derationing

  • 33 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 34 Jumble sale fever

  • 35

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 36 Buckland goes to County Show

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

  • 38 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 39 So this is the mainland!

  • 40 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 41 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 42 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 43 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 44 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 45 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 46 Life begins at 80

  • 47 Burnard family reunion

  • 48 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 49 No sale of Springfield House

  • 50 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 51 Parkham plan realised

  • 52 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 53 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 54 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 55 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 56 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 57 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 58 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 59 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 60 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 61 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 62 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 63

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 64 Bridging the stream

  • 65 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 66 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 67 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 68 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 70 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 71 They are parted pro-tem

  • 72 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 73 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 74 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 75

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 76 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 77 Six footed lamb

  • 78 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 79 The cab at the corner>
  • 80 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 81 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 82 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 83 Littleham family's five generations

  • 84 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

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

  • 86 Mobile missionary

  • 87 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 88 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 89 Picking the pops

  • 90 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 91 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 92 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 93 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 94 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 95 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 96 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 97 Peter poses for TV film

  • 98 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 99 Torrington children build igloo
  • 100

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 101

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 102 Variety in summer weather

  • 103 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 104 Warmington's garage ad

  • 105 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 106 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 107 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 108 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 109 What's the time?

  • 110 New civic medallions

  • 111 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 112 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 113 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 114 New addition to Quay front

  • 115 Bideford regatta

  • 116 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 117 Emergency ferry services

  • 118 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 119 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 120 Weare Giffard potato

  • 121 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 122 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 123 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 124 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 125 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 126 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 127 Capers on the cobbles

  • 128 A story to tell!

  • 129 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 130 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 131 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 132 Artisans' Club

  • 133 Circus comes to town

  • 134

    Relatives all over the world
  • 135 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 136 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 137 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 138 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 139

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 140 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 141 Out of puff!

  • 142 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

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

  • 145 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 146 A roof-top view - where?

  • 147 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 148 It really was the 'last time'

  • 149 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 150 Off on a great adventure

  • 151 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 152 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 153 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 154 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 155 Some 240 exhibits

  • 156 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 157 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 158 Traditions and skills still there

  • 159 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 160 113 years at Instow

  • 161 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 162 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 163 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 164

    Bidefordians
  • 165 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 166 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 167 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 168

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 169 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 170 Clovelly nightmare

  • 171 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 172 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 173 New look in the hayfields

  • 174 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 175 Pannier Market's future?

  • 176 Just over a year old

  • 177 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 178 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 179 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 181 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 182 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 183 When horses score over the tractor

  • 184

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 185 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 186 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 187 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 188 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 189 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 190

    Exhibition of school work
  • 191

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 192 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 193 School crossing patrol begins

  • 194 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 195

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 196 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 197 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 198 School's link with cargo ship

  • 199 Caught in the act>
  • 200 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 201 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 202 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 203 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 204 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 205 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 206 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 207 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 208 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 209 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 210 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 211 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 212 Hartland postman retires

  • 213 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 214 New choral society's growing response

  • 215 Some mushroom!

  • 216

    New gateway
  • 217 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 218 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 219 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 220 Torrington in 1967

  • 221 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 222

    Was a missionary
  • 223 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 224 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 225 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 226 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 227

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 228 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 229 For crying out loud!

  • 230 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 231 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 232

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 233 Decontrol of meat

  • 234 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 235

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 236 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 237 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 238 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 239 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 240 He beat the floods

  • 241 Filming at Hartland

  • 242

    Building works
  • 243 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 244 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 245 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 246 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 248 All aboard the ark

  • 249 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 250 New Post Office

  • 251 Loads of black and white

  • 252 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 253 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 254 Centenary of Gazette

  • 255 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 256 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 258 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 259 Ten year old scrambler

  • 260 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 261 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 262 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 263 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 264 Clovelly custom

  • 265 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 266 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 267 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 268 Hartland's invitation

  • 269 First ship in 8 years

  • 270 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 271 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 272 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 273 Ships at Bideford

  • 274 Last train from Torrington

  • 275 Torrington's new amenity

  • 276 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 277 Riverside mystery

  • 278 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 279 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 280 All for the love of a lady!

  • 281 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 282 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 283 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 284

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 285

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 286 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 287 Service with a smile

  • 288 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 289 Cruising down the river

  • 290 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 291 Finished in 1876

  • 292

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 293 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

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

  • 295 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 297 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 298

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 299 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 300 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 301 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 302 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 303 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 304 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 305 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 306 Police station view of Bideford

  • 307 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 308 Revenge in style

  • 309 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 310 Blanchards ad.>
  • 311

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 312 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 313 End of the line

  • 314 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 315 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 316

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 317

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 318 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 319 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 320 Northam's almshouse

  • 321 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 322 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 323 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 324 The Geneva marionettes

  • 325 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 326 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 327 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 328 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 329 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 330 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 331 Penny for the guy

  • 332 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 333 No laughing matter

  • 334 Picking the pops

  • 335 From Bobby to Brian

  • 336 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 337 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 338 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 339 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 340

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 341 A man and his wheel

  • 342 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 343 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 344

    First prize
  • 345 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 346 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 347 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 348 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 349 North Devon Driving School

  • 350

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 351 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 352 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

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

  • 355 New life for Hartland organ

  • 356

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

  • 358 Twenty-one yachts

  • 359 New Lundy stamps

  • 360 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 361 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 362 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 363 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 364 Waldon Triplets
  • 365 New art gallery opened

  • 366 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 367 Hartland Dancers
  • 368 Modern living at Bideford

  • 369 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 370

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 371 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 372

    Married in 1908
  • 373 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 374 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 375 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 376 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 377 Recognise this resort?

  • 378 Sight of a lifetime

  • 379 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 380 Happy Days!

  • 381 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 382 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 383 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 384 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 385 New shipyard on schedule

  • 386 The art of the thatcher

  • 387 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 388 Puppet characters introduced

  • 389 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 391 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 392 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 393 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 394 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 395 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 396 A bird of their own!

  • 397 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 398 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 399 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 400 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 401 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 402 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 403 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 404 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 405 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 406 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 407 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 408 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 409 Private home for public pump

  • 410 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 411 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 412 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 413 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 414 Over the bank together>
  • 415 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 416 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 417 Bideford loses training ship

  • 418 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 419 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 420 Can spring be far away?

  • 421 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 422 They never miss a game at Torrington

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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Bideford Manor Court

Only formal business was transacted at Bideford Manor Court on Saturday. 

13.4.1918 Manor Court

The proceedings were of brief duration, but the Mayor (Mr A R Adams) who presided and thanked the members of the Council and jurors for their attendance, reminded them that the Court was no empty form and had been used for legal purposes, even with regard to the late railway on the Quay. Although at the present moment its duties were light, the time might come again when it would serve some good purpose.

The Manor Court dinner would be held at the same time and place as last year (when there was none) – (laughter).

Those present were Alderman J Cock, T Goaman and W Martin, and Councillors T Pollard, H W Huxham, H R Bazeley, J Heywood, A W Cock, S R Chope and J U Fulford, with the Town Clerk and Steward of the Court (Mr W B Seldon). The jury comprised Messrs A G Duncan, T A Goaman, J Whitefield, F A Searle, H M Bazeley, W J Barnes, E B L Brayley, A D Phillips, F Lee, T A Goaman, R E L Hookway, W T Braddick and J Osborn – Mr W Ascott was re-elected Churchwarden, Mr Sidney Lake tything man and Messrs Ralp Whittaker and T Pridham were re-appointed way-wardens. 

Gazette article dated 13 April 1918

Langtree

The day school has been visited by Mr W Butler, HMI, who expressed his pleasure at the good work being done.

2.4.1918 Langtree

A plot of ground has been provided, and the boys are busy gardening.

A successful concert, in aid of the YMCA, took place. The artistes were wounded soldiers from Torrington, Sergt Hector, Ptes Bracewll and Arden, the Misses Webber and Lile, Mrs H Vincent (Torrington), Miss Tanton (Marland) and W E Crosse, the Revs Wyer Honey (Marland) and W E Crosse-Crosse (Petrockstowe), Messrs F J Weber and J H Sillifant (Torrington). There was a crowded audience and the total profits were £11 12s. 11d., including 5s from the school children. 

Gazette article dated 2 April 1918

Women of Devon

26.3.1918 Women drivers

who want to help their country in its hour of need as Motor Drivers should apply for particulars of our course of instruction to Bideford Motor Works
Personal attention. Success guaranteed.
Gate change or Ford car.

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