• 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 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 2 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 3 Picking the pops

  • 4 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 5 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 6 113 years at Instow

  • 7 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 8 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 9

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 10 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 11 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 12 Torrington children build igloo
  • 13 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 14 Northam footballers of the future

  • 15 New art gallery opened

  • 16 So this is the mainland!

  • 17 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 18 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 20 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 21 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 22 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 24 Torrington's new amenity

  • 25

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 26 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 27 Loads of black and white

  • 28

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 29 Hartland Dancers
  • 30 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 31 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 32 Six footed lamb

  • 33 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 34 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 35 For crying out loud!

  • 36 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 37

    Was a missionary
  • 38 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 39 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 40 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 41

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 42 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 43 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 44

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 45 The art of the thatcher

  • 46 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 48 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 49 Filming at Hartland

  • 50 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 51 Out of puff!

  • 52 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 53 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 54 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 55

    New gateway
  • 56 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 57 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 58 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 59

    Married in 1908
  • 60 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 61 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 62 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 63 Off on a great adventure

  • 64 School's link with cargo ship

  • 65 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 66 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 67 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 68 Burnard family reunion

  • 69 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 70 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 71 A story to tell!

  • 72 Police station view of Bideford

  • 73 Private home for public pump

  • 74 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 75 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 76 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 77 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 78 New look in the hayfields

  • 79 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 80 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 81 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 82

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 83 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 84 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 85 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 86 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 87 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 88 By pony and trap to market

  • 89

    Building works
  • 90 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 91 Recognise this resort?

  • 92 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 93 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 94 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 95 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 96 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 97

    Bidefordians
  • 98 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 99 Bideford loses training ship

  • 100 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 101 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 102 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 103 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 104

    First prize
  • 105 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 106 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 107 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 108 Hartland postman retires

  • 109 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 110 School crossing patrol begins

  • 111 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 112 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 113 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 114 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 115 Weare Giffard potato

  • 116 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 117 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 118 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 119 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 121

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 122 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 123 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 124 The Geneva marionettes

  • 125 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 126 Centenary of Gazette

  • 127 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 128 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 129 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 130 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 131 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 132 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 133 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 134 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 135 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 136 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 137 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 138 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 139 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 140 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 141 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 142 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 143 From Bobby to Brian

  • 144 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 145 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 146 It really was the 'last time'

  • 147 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 148

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 149 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 150 Life begins at 80

  • 151 Caught in the act>
  • 152 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 153 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 154 Sight of a lifetime

  • 155 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 156 No sale of Springfield House

  • 157 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 158 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 159 First ship in 8 years

  • 160 Penny for the guy

  • 161 Artisans' Club

  • 162 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 163 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 164 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 165 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 166 A roof-top view - where?

  • 167 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 168 No laughing matter

  • 169 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 170 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 171 Puppet characters introduced

  • 172 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 173 New life for Hartland organ

  • 174

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 175 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 176 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 177 In their new robes and hats

  • 178 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 179 New choral society's growing response

  • 180 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 181 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 182 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 183 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 184 Ships at Bideford

  • 185 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 186 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 187 Bridging the stream

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

  • 189 Blanchards ad.>
  • 190 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 191 Sweets derationing

  • 192 All aboard the ark

  • 193 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 194

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 195 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 196 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 197 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 198 Devil sent packing

  • 199 Happy Days!

  • 200 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 201 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 203 Torrington in 1967

  • 204 When horses score over the tractor

  • 205 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 207 Revenge in style

  • 208 Clovelly donkey film star

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

  • 210 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 211 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 212 Picking the pops

  • 213 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 214 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 215 What's the time?

  • 216 Jumble sale fever

  • 217

    Exhibition of school work
  • 218 Some 240 exhibits

  • 219 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 220 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 221 Ten year old scrambler

  • 222 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 223 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 224 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 225 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 226 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 227 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 228 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 229 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 230 Peter poses for TV film

  • 231 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 232 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 233

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 234 Traditions and skills still there

  • 235 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 236 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 237 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 238 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 239 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 240 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 241 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 242 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 243 A bird of their own!

  • 244 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 245 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 246 Clovelly custom

  • 247 Variety in summer weather

  • 248 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 249 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 250 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 251 Over the bank together>
  • 252 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 253 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 255 Waldon Triplets
  • 256 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 257 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 258 Hartland's invitation

  • 259 North Devon Driving School

  • 260 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 261 The cab at the corner>
  • 262 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 263 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 264 Bideford computer stars

  • 265 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 266

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 267 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 268 Littleham family's five generations

  • 269 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 270 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 272 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 273 Just over a year old

  • 274 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 275 New Post Office

  • 276 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 277 Pannier Market's future?

  • 278 New shipyard on schedule

  • 279 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 280 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 281 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 282 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 283

    Relatives all over the world
  • 284 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 285 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 286 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 287 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 288 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 289 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 290 New addition to Quay front

  • 291 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 292 Some mushroom!

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

  • 294 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 295 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 296 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 297 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 298 All for the love of a lady!

  • 299 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 300 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 301 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 302 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 303

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

  • 305 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 306 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 307 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 308 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 309 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 310 Decontrol of meat

  • 311 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 312 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 313 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 314 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 315 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 316 Appledore's largest

  • 317 Finished in 1876

  • 318 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 319 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 320 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 321 New Lundy stamps

  • 322 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 323 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 324 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 325 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 326 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 327 Cruising down the river

  • 328 He beat the floods

  • 329 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 330 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 331 New civic medallions

  • 332 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 333 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 334 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 335 Clovelly nightmare

  • 336 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 337 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 338 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 339 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 340 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 342

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 343 Riverside mystery

  • 344 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 345 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 346 Capers on the cobbles

  • 347 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 348 Last train from Torrington

  • 349 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 350 A man and his wheel

  • 351 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 352 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 353 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 354 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 355 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 356 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 357 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 358 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 359

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 360 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 361 Simple Item 138
  • 362 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 363 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 364 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 365 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 366 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 367 Circus comes to town

  • 368 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 369 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 370 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 371 Warmington's garage ad

  • 372 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 373 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 374

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 375 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 376 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 377 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 378 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 379 End of the line

  • 380 Northam's almshouse

  • 381 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 382 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 383 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 384 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 385 Parkham plan realised

  • 386

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 387 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 388 They are parted pro-tem

  • 389

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 390 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 391

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 392 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 393

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 394 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 395 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 396 Emergency ferry services

  • 397 Can spring be far away?

  • 398 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 399 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 400

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 401 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 402 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 403 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 404 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 405 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 406 Mobile missionary

  • 407 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 408 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 409 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 410 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 411 Twenty-one yachts

  • 412 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 413 Bideford regatta

  • 414

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 415 Service with a smile

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

  • 417

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 418 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 419 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

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

  • 421

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 422

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
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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World War 1

10 December 1918

Second Lieut. W A R Nelson, Royal Fusiliers, youngest son of the Rev John J Nelson, Pastor, Appledore and Westward Ho! Baptist Churches, has been awarded the Military Cross for gallant conduct whilst serving with the North Russia Expeditionary Force.
The official record is: This officer’s platoon was part of Capt. Edward’s Co. 2/10th Royal Scots. On the 14th to 16th Sept. in operations against Chamova and Navolok this officer showed throughout great dash and exceptional initiative in leading his platoon detailed to clear and hold the village of Chamova and to cover the party from any attack from the South.

10.12.1918 Westward Ho Nelson

World War 1

10 December 1918

At the Band of Hope entertainment given in the United Methodist Schoolroom there was a good attendance, Mr G H Ley presided. Recitations were given by Kitty Hurst, Phyllis Walters, Ethel Millman, Algie Furse, Reggie Gerry, Fred Dymond, Reggie Blight, Kenneth Gerry, Miriam Hearn and Muriel Fursse, and solos rendered by Misses E Moore, E Nethaway and M Colman

10.12.1918 Langtree

World War 1

3 December 1918

The Military Medal has been awarded to Sapper J T Bewes, RE, son of Mrs Bewes, Cow Park, Northam, and a son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Watts, Candile House, Westleigh for bravery under heavy fire. Another son-in-law of Mrs Watts, has also won the Military Medal, viz. Sgt C C T Hedges, RGA, son of Mr Hedges of Bristol for bravery on the field.

It was reported at Thursday’s meeting of the Devon Education Committee that the Northam school managers asked what they should do in regard to giving the children another holiday upon a promise made by an inspector that they should have a half day for every £100 raised by them for the War Loan. They had now reached £600. The Secretary observed that schools were being closed very frequently for one reason and another. Mr G Young asked whether the Government Inspector had the power to bribe the children by the offer of a holiday? The Secretary: this is the only authority that has the power. It was resolved to ask the Managers if the Inspector made such a promise.

1918 Northam

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