• 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 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 2 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 3 Recognise this resort?

  • 4 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 5 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 6 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 7 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 8 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 9 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 10 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 11 Bideford regatta

  • 12 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 13 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 15 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 16 When horses score over the tractor

  • 17 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 18 Parkham plan realised

  • 19 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 20 Cruising down the river

  • 21 New choral society's growing response

  • 22

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 23 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 24 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 25 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 26 Emergency ferry services

  • 27 Finished in 1876

  • 28 Circus comes to town

  • 29 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 30

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 31 Torrington children build igloo
  • 32 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 33 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 34 First ship in 8 years

  • 35 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 36 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 37 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 38 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 39

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 40 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 41

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 42 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 43 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 44 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 45 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 46 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 47 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 48 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 49 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 50 So this is the mainland!

  • 51 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 52 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 53 New life for Hartland organ

  • 54 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 55 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 56 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 57 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 58 Modern living at Bideford

  • 59 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 60 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 61 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

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

  • 63 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 64 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 65 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 66 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 67 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 68 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 69

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 70 Littleham family's five generations

  • 71 Pannier Market's future?

  • 72 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 73 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 74 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 75 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 76 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 77 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 78 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 79 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 80 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 81 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 82 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 83 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 84 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 85 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 86 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 87 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 88 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 89 Hartland Dancers
  • 90 For crying out loud!

  • 91 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 92 Northam's almshouse

  • 93 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 94 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 95 Just over a year old

  • 96 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 97 Service with a smile

  • 98 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 99 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 100 By pony and trap to market

  • 101 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 102 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 103

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 104 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 105 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 106 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 107 Out of puff!

  • 108 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 109 Caught in the act>
  • 110 Six footed lamb

  • 111 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 112 Artisans' Club

  • 113 From Bobby to Brian

  • 114 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 115 Picking the pops

  • 116 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 117 Blanchards ad.>
  • 118

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 119 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 120 Loads of black and white

  • 121 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 122 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 123 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 124 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 125 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 126 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 127 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 128 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 129 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 130 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 131 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 132 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 133 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 135 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 136 School's link with cargo ship

  • 137 No sale of Springfield House

  • 138 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 139 Over the bank together>
  • 140 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 141 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 142 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 143 Filming at Hartland

  • 144 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 145 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 146 School crossing patrol begins

  • 147 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 148 Hartland postman retires

  • 149

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 150 Penny for the guy

  • 151

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 152 Bridging the stream

  • 153 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 154

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 155

    Bidefordians
  • 156 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 157 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 158 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 159 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 160 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 161 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 162 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 163 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 164 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 165 New Lundy stamps

  • 166 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 167 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 168 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 169 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 170

    Relatives all over the world
  • 171

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 172 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 173 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 174 New addition to Quay front

  • 175 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 176

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 177 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 178 A bird of their own!

  • 179 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 181 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 182 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 183 Ten year old scrambler

  • 184 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 185 They are parted pro-tem

  • 186 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 187 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 188 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 189 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 190

    Exhibition of school work
  • 191 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 192 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 193 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 194

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 195 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 196 Decontrol of meat

  • 197 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 198 Bideford loses training ship

  • 199 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 200 North Devon Driving School

  • 201

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 202 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 203 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 204

    Married in 1908
  • 205 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 206 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 207 No laughing matter

  • 208 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 209 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 210 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 211 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 212 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 214 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 215 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 216

    New gateway
  • 217 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 218 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 219 Peter poses for TV film

  • 220 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 221 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 222 Appledore's largest

  • 223 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 224 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 225 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 226 Ships at Bideford

  • 227

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 228 Sight of a lifetime

  • 229 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 230 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 231 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 232 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 233

    Was a missionary
  • 234 Revenge in style

  • 235 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 236 Traditions and skills still there

  • 237 Puppet characters introduced

  • 238 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 239 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 240

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 241 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 242 New Post Office

  • 243 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 244 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 245 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 246 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 247 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 248 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 249 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 250 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 252 The cab at the corner>
  • 253 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 254 All for the love of a lady!

  • 255 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 256 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 257 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 258 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 259 Weare Giffard potato

  • 260 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 261 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 262 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 263 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 264 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 265 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 266 Warmington's garage ad

  • 267

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 268 A man and his wheel

  • 269 He beat the floods

  • 270 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 271 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 272 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 273 Mobile missionary

  • 274 Some mushroom!

  • 275 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 276 Capers on the cobbles

  • 277 Clovelly custom

  • 278 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 279 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 280 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 281 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 282 Private home for public pump

  • 283 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 284 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 285 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 286 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 287

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 288 It really was the 'last time'

  • 289 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 290 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 291 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 292 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 293 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 294 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 295 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 296 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 297 Some 240 exhibits

  • 298 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 299 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 300 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 301 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 302 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 303 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 304 Devil sent packing

  • 305 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 306 Police station view of Bideford

  • 307

    Building works
  • 308

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 309 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 311 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 312 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 313 Life begins at 80

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

  • 315 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 316 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 317 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 318 Simple Item 138
  • 319 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 320 Sweets derationing

  • 321 Northam footballers of the future

  • 322 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 323 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 324 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 325

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 326 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 327 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 328 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 329 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 330 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 331

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 332 Last train from Torrington

  • 333 Waldon Triplets
  • 334 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 335 All aboard the ark

  • 336 New shipyard on schedule

  • 337 A roof-top view - where?

  • 338 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 339 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 340

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 341 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 342 Picking the pops

  • 343

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 344

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 345 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 346 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 347 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 348 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 349 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 350 Clovelly nightmare

  • 351 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 353 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 354 Hartland's invitation

  • 355 Variety in summer weather

  • 356 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 357 Centenary of Gazette

  • 358 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 359 The Geneva marionettes

  • 360 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 361 Twenty-one yachts

  • 362 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 363 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 364 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 365 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 366 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 367 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 368 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 370 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 371 The art of the thatcher

  • 372 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 373 Bideford computer stars

  • 374 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 375 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 376 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 377 Jumble sale fever

  • 378 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 379 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 380 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 381 113 years at Instow

  • 382 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 383 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 384 Happy Days!

  • 385 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 386 New civic medallions

  • 387 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 388 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 389 Burnard family reunion

  • 390 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 391 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 392 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 393 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 394

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 395 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 396 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 397 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 398 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 399 In their new robes and hats

  • 400 Can spring be far away?

  • 401 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 402 Torrington's new amenity

  • 403 Riverside mystery

  • 404 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 405 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 406 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 407 What's the time?

  • 408 New art gallery opened

  • 409 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 410 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 411 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 412 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 413 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 414

    First prize
  • 415 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 416 A story to tell!

  • 417 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 418 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 419 New look in the hayfields

  • 420 End of the line

  • 421 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 422 Off on a great adventure

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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Victory Scenes: Happy Memories

15.5.1945 pictures

15.5.1945 Pictures1

 

Northam

At Northam, the story was just the same – streets and the Northam Urban District Council offices decorated, etc.

15.5.1945 Northam

On VE Day 2 morning, a united service was held at St Margaret’s Church, conducted by the Rev Rev E Basil Bridger (Vicar), assisted by the Rev A E Green (Congregational) and the Rev F E Paod (Methodist), the service being relayed by loudspeaker to the Square. In the evening another thanksgiving service was held at the Congregational Church, conducted by the Pastor (Rev A E Green).

Dances and community singing were held in the square on the eve of VE Day and on VE night and the night after – a dance also taking place at the YMCA – while bonfires proclaimed the good news as in olden times.

The celebration for the children is to be held at some future date.

Members of Northam Urban District Council and staff were among the large and representative congregation attending on Sunday morning at a thanksgiving service at St Margaret’s Church, Northam. The Vicar (Rev E Basil Bridger), conducted the service and gave the address.

Organisations attending included: Detachments of the Regular Forces with the ATS; Home Guards, Civil Defence, WVS, Special Constables, British Legion, and Girl Guides, etc.

The service concluded with singing. Mr H E Champion being the organist.

Gazette article dated

Langtree

Merry peals were rung on the bells at the church throughout the day on Tuesday to celebrate the surrender of Germany.

15.5.1945 Langtree

Mr Charles Walters had the misfortune to break his leg owing to the bell rope breaking. Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.

Thanksgiving services were held in the evening at both the church and chapel. In the evening a grand social was held in the Old Schoolroom where there was a large gathering and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Mrs Barrows, Mrs Madge, Mrs Curtis and Miss Joan Moore supplied the music. Funds were in aid of Welcome Home to the Forces.

Gazette article dated 15 May 1945

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