• 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 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 2 Riverside mystery

  • 3 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 4 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 5 Modern living at Bideford

  • 6 Capers on the cobbles

  • 7 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 8 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 9 Service with a smile

  • 10 Can spring be far away?

  • 11 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 12 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 13 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 14 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 15 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 16 New civic medallions

  • 17 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 18 Bideford regatta

  • 19 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 20 Traditions and skills still there

  • 21 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 22 First ship in 8 years

  • 23 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 24 Caught in the act>
  • 25 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 26 The art of the thatcher

  • 27 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 28 Police station view of Bideford

  • 29 Happy Days!

  • 30 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 31 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 32 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 33 Some 240 exhibits

  • 34

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 35 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 37 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 38

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 39

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 40 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 41 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 42 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 43 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 44 Torrington in 1967

  • 45 Centenary of Gazette

  • 46 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 47 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 48 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 49 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 50 Clovelly custom

  • 51 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 52 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 53 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 54 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 55 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 56 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 57 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 58 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 59 Waldon Triplets
  • 60 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 61 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 62 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 63 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 65

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 66 The cab at the corner>
  • 67 Decontrol of meat

  • 68 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 69 End of the line

  • 70 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 71 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 72 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 73 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 74 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 75

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 76 Northam's almshouse

  • 77 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 78 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 79 When horses score over the tractor

  • 80 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 81

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 82 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 83

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 84 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 85 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 86 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 87 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 88 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 89

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 90 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 91 Private home for public pump

  • 92 Torrington children build igloo
  • 93 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 94 Loads of black and white

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

  • 96 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 97 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 98 Weare Giffard potato

  • 99 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 100 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 101 New art gallery opened

  • 102 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 103 What's the time?

  • 104 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 105 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 106 No sale of Springfield House

  • 107 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 108 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 110

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 111 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 112 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 113 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 114 Bideford loses training ship

  • 115 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 116 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 117 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 118 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 119 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 120 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 121 Over the bank together>
  • 122 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 123

    Married in 1908
  • 124 A bird of their own!

  • 125 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 126 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 127 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 128 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 129 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 130 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 131 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 132 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 134 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 136 Sweets derationing

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

  • 138 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 139 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 140 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 141 Puppet characters introduced

  • 142 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 143 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 144 Artisans' Club

  • 145 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 146 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 147 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 148 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 149

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 150 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 151 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 152

    Was a missionary
  • 153

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 154 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 155 A man and his wheel

  • 156 A story to tell!

  • 157 Clovelly nightmare

  • 158 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 159 Devil sent packing

  • 160 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 161 Revenge in style

  • 162 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 163 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 164 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 165 School crossing patrol begins

  • 166 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 167 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 168 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 169 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 170 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 171 Mobile missionary

  • 172 113 years at Instow

  • 173 Circus comes to town

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

  • 175 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 176 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 177 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 178 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 179 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 180 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 181 Bridging the stream

  • 182 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 183 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 184 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 185 Six footed lamb

  • 186 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 187 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 188 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 189 Filming at Hartland

  • 190 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 191 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 192 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 193 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 194 New shipyard on schedule

  • 195 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 196 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 197 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 198 Twenty-one yachts

  • 199 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 200 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 201 Picking the pops

  • 202 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 203 Peter poses for TV film

  • 204

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 205 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 206 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 207 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 208 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 209 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 210 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 211 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 212 New look in the hayfields

  • 213

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 214 Hartland postman retires

  • 215 The Geneva marionettes

  • 216 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 217 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 218 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 219 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 220 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 221 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 222 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 223 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 224

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 225 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 226 New Post Office

  • 227 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 228 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 229 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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

  • 231 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 232 No laughing matter

  • 233

    Bidefordians
  • 234 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 235 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 236 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 237 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 238 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 239 From Bobby to Brian

  • 240 Life begins at 80

  • 241 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 242 Variety in summer weather

  • 243 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 244 He beat the floods

  • 245 Hartland's invitation

  • 246 In their new robes and hats

  • 247 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 248 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 249 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 250 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 251 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 252 Ships at Bideford

  • 253 Some mushroom!

  • 254 Blanchards ad.>
  • 255 Sight of a lifetime

  • 256 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 257 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 258 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 259

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 260 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 261 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 262 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 263 Jumble sale fever

  • 264 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 265 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 266

    Relatives all over the world
  • 267 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 268 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 269

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 270 For crying out loud!

  • 271 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 272 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 273 Northam footballers of the future

  • 274

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 275 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 276 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 277 All for the love of a lady!

  • 278 New Lundy stamps

  • 279 Parkham plan realised

  • 280 Emergency ferry services

  • 281 New addition to Quay front

  • 282 Last train from Torrington

  • 283 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 284 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 285 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 286

    First prize
  • 287 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 288 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 289 Just over a year old

  • 290 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 291 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 292

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 293

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 294 Ten year old scrambler

  • 295 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 296 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 297 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 298 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 299 Hartland Dancers
  • 300 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 301 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 302 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 303 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 304 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 305 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 306 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 307 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 308 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 309 They are parted pro-tem

  • 310 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 311

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 312 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 313 All aboard the ark

  • 314 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 315 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 316 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 317

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 318 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 319 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 320 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 321

    Building works
  • 322 It really was the 'last time'

  • 323 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 324 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 325 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 326 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 327 Cruising down the river

  • 328 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 329 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 330 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 331 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 332 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 333 Out of puff!

  • 334 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 335 Off on a great adventure

  • 336 A roof-top view - where?

  • 337 New life for Hartland organ

  • 338 Penny for the guy

  • 339 Recognise this resort?

  • 340 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 341 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 342 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 343

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 344 Finished in 1876

  • 345 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 346 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 347 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 348 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 349 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 350 Simple Item 138
  • 351 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 352 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 353 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 354 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 355 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 356 Warmington's garage ad

  • 357 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 358 Littleham family's five generations

  • 359 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 360

    Exhibition of school work
  • 361 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 362 North Devon Driving School

  • 363 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 364 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 365 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 366 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 367 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 368 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 369 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 370 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 371 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 372 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 373 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 374 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 375 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 376 Dismantling of wireless mast

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

  • 378 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 379 Torrington's new amenity

  • 380 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 381

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 382 So this is the mainland!

  • 383 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 384

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 385 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 386 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 387 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 388 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 389 Bideford computer stars

  • 390 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 391 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 393 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 394 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 395 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 396 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 397 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 398 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 399 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 400 By pony and trap to market

  • 401 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 402 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 403 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 404 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 405 Pannier Market's future?

  • 406 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 407 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 408 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 409 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 410 Appledore's largest

  • 411 Burnard family reunion

  • 412

    New gateway
  • 413 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 415 Picking the pops

  • 416 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 417 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 418

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 419 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 420 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 421 New choral society's growing response

  • 422 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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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World War 1

17 December 1918

Strawberries and blackberries have just been picked at Southcott by Mr Garfield Martin.

17.12.1918 Langtree

World War 1

A Rationed Christmas Dinner
Some Hints and Recipes
By Mrs Pember Reeves

The Christmas dinner this year will be eaten under entirely new conditions. Never in the memory of any living person has Christmas fallen while this country was under a regime of rationing. But, even so, that does not put a ban on a Christmas like Christmas dinner. The plum pudding, holly decorated, and the familiar dish of mince pies may be there. Stock of different kind is generally available, and wit this as a foundation delicious soups can still be made. An excellent Christmas soup is Brussels sprouts puree, which is seasonable, palatable, and, from the aesthetic point of view, an addition to any meal. Another suggestion is carrot puree, or French rice soup.

Few will be able to afford the old-time turkey, but the more modest chicken – either stuffed and roasted, or cooked en casserole – is a delicious substitute. For those to whom the price of a chicken is prohibitive, a small piece of beef can, if treated as described below, be made into an excellent and quite imposing dish.

17.12.1918 Christmas rationed

17.12.1918 Christmas rationed2

17.12.1918 Christmas rationed3

The full Gazette article is dated 17 December 1918

World War 1

17 December 1918

The Council decided to offer no objection to a site in front of Chapel Field being utilised for a proposed War Memorial at Appledore.
Housing Scheme. 

The Council is pledged to the provision of 25 workmen’s houses, and after discussion agreed to the Toumouth site as being the most suitable.
Mr J N Tuplin remarked that there were something like a thousand houses in Appledore, and if, as had been reported to them, 50 per cent, of them ought to be taken down they would want to start on something much bigger than 25. A housing scheme, which would entail an expenditure of £5,000 on road making, was turned down, and it was left to the Chairman and the Clerk (Mr W J Barnes) and Surveyor (Mr Champion) to bring up suggestions, with a sketch plan.

17.12.1918 Appledore

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