• 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 Revenge in style

  • 2 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 3 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 4 Simple Item 138
  • 5 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 6 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 7 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 8 Can spring be far away?

  • 9 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 10 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 11 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 12 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 13 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 14 The art of the thatcher

  • 15 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 16 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 17

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 18 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 19 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 20

    Relatives all over the world
  • 21 New addition to Quay front

  • 22 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 23 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 24 Happy Days!

  • 25 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 26 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 27 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 28 Clovelly nightmare

  • 29 When horses score over the tractor

  • 30 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 31

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 32 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 33 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 34 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 35 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 36 Life begins at 80

  • 37 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 38 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 39 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 40 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 41 What's the time?

  • 42 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 43 Police station view of Bideford

  • 44 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 45 New life for Hartland organ

  • 46 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 47 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 48 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 49 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 50

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 51 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 52 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 53 A bird of their own!

  • 54 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 55

    New gateway
  • 56 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 57 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 58

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 59 Sight of a lifetime

  • 60 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 61 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 62 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 63 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 64 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 65 Emergency ferry services

  • 66 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 67 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 68 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 69 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 70 Riverside mystery

  • 71 Recognise this resort?

  • 72 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 73 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 74 The cab at the corner>
  • 75

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 76 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 77 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 79 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 80

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 81 Bideford computer stars

  • 82 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 83 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 84 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 86 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 87 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 88

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 89 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 90 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 91 Puppet characters introduced

  • 92

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 93

    Married in 1908
  • 94 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 95 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 96 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 97 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 98 A roof-top view - where?

  • 99 Waldon Triplets
  • 100 Blanchards ad.>
  • 101 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 102 Twenty-one yachts

  • 103 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 104

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 105 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 106 Bideford regatta

  • 107 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 108 Circus comes to town

  • 109 By pony and trap to market

  • 110 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 111 Torrington children build igloo
  • 112 Peter poses for TV film

  • 113 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 114 All for the love of a lady!

  • 115 New shipyard on schedule

  • 116 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 117

    Exhibition of school work
  • 118 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 119 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 120 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 121 Traditions and skills still there

  • 122 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 123 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 124 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 125 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 126 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 127 Hartland Dancers
  • 128 A story to tell!

  • 129 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 130 Penny for the guy

  • 131 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 132 New Post Office

  • 133 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 134 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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

  • 136 Out of puff!

  • 137 For crying out loud!

  • 138 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 139 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 140 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 141 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 142

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 143 New civic medallions

  • 144

    Bidefordians
  • 145 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 146 New art gallery opened

  • 147 Torrington in 1967

  • 148 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 149 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 150 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 151 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 152 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 153 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 154 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 155 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 157 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 158 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 159 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 160 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 161 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 162 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 163 Service with a smile

  • 164 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 165 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 166 It really was the 'last time'

  • 167

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 168 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 169 So this is the mainland!

  • 170 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 171 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 172 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 173 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 174 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 175 Modern living at Bideford

  • 176

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 177 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 179 Cruising down the river

  • 180 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 181 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 182 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 183 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 184 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 185 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 186 Northam's almshouse

  • 187 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 188 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 189 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 190 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 191 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 192 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 193 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 194

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 195 From Bobby to Brian

  • 196 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 197 School's link with cargo ship

  • 198 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 199 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 200 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 201 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 202 North Devon Driving School

  • 203 Some mushroom!

  • 204 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 205 Six footed lamb

  • 206 Mobile missionary

  • 207 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 208 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 209 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 210 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 211 Hartland postman retires

  • 212 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 213

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 214 Torrington's new amenity

  • 215 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 216 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 217 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 218 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 219 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 220 They set out for Bideford and became lost

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

  • 222 Some 240 exhibits

  • 223 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 224 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 225 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 226

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 227 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 228 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 229 A man and his wheel

  • 230 Filming at Hartland

  • 231 New choral society's growing response

  • 232 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 233 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 234 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 235 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 236 Burnard family reunion

  • 237 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 238 He beat the floods

  • 239

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 240 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 241 Picking the pops

  • 242

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 243 All aboard the ark

  • 244 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 245 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 246 They are parted pro-tem

  • 247 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 248 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 249 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 250 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 251 Warmington's garage ad

  • 252 Northam footballers of the future

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

  • 254 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 255 Hartland's invitation

  • 256 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 257 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 258 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 259 Capers on the cobbles

  • 260 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 261 Devil sent packing

  • 262 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 263 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 264 Variety in summer weather

  • 265 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 267 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 268 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 269 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 270 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 271 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 272 The Geneva marionettes

  • 273 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 274 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 275

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 276 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 277 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 278 No laughing matter

  • 279 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 280 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 281 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 282 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 283 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 284 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 285 School crossing patrol begins

  • 286 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 287 Bideford loses training ship

  • 288 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 289 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 290 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 291

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 292 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 294 Just over a year old

  • 295 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 296 Last train from Torrington

  • 297 First ship in 8 years

  • 298 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 299 Littleham family's five generations

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

  • 301 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 302 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 303 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 304 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 305 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 306 Finished in 1876

  • 307 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 308 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 309 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 310 Clovelly custom

  • 311 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 312 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 313

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 314 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 315 Jumble sale fever

  • 316 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 317 Caught in the act>
  • 318 Off on a great adventure

  • 319 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 320 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 321 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 323 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 324 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 325 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 326 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 327 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 328 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 329

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 330 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 331 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 332 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 333 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 334

    Was a missionary
  • 335 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 336 113 years at Instow

  • 337 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 338 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 339 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 340 Decontrol of meat

  • 341 No sale of Springfield House

  • 342 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 343 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 344 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 345

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 346 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 347 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 348 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 349 Pannier Market's future?

  • 350 Over the bank together>
  • 351 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 352 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 353 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 354 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 355 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 356 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 357 End of the line

  • 358 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 359 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 360 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 361 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

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

  • 363 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 364 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 365 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 366 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 367 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 368 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 369 Bridging the stream

  • 370 Picking the pops

  • 371 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 372

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 373 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 374 Loads of black and white

  • 375 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 376 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 377 Ships at Bideford

  • 378 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 379 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 380 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 381 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 382

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 383 Ten year old scrambler

  • 384 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 385 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 386 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 387 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 388 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 389 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 390 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 391 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 392 Appledore's largest

  • 393 New Lundy stamps

  • 394 Bideford country dancers on TV

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

  • 396 New look in the hayfields

  • 397 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 398 Artisans' Club

  • 399 Weare Giffard potato

  • 400 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 401 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 402

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 403 Parkham plan realised

  • 404 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 405

    First prize
  • 406 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 407 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 408 Centenary of Gazette

  • 409 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 410 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 411 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 412 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 413 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 414 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 415 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 416 Private home for public pump

  • 417 In their new robes and hats

  • 418 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 419 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 420

    Building works
  • 421 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 422 Sweets derationing

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Post Office Presentations

Safe Driving Awards

11.11.1947 Safe Driving awards Post Office

Certificates awarded by the Society for Prevention of Accidents for the year 1946 were recently presented to local Post Office drivers by the Head Postmaster (Mr. S. A. Talboys).

Mr. Talboys pointed out that the awards were not presented lightly by the Society but had to be hardly earned. Full enquiries were made in connection with every accident and if the driver was in any way blameworthy he was not eligible for an award. During the year in question the distance covered by the official vans was over 91,800 miles and although there were five accidents in no case was the Post Officer driver considered to be blameworthy. 

The Head Postmaster congratulated the drivers on their records and wished them many years of “accident free” driving. 

Mr. W. R. Harris (Assistant Postmaster), Mr. R.D. Whitefield (Overseer) and Mr. J. Bale (Assistant Inspector) also congratulated the drivers. 

The wards were as follows: Gold Medal, F. Butler, E.A. Colwill, R. A. Whittaker; Oak Leaf Bar to Gold Medal, W. H. Buse; Bar to Silver Medal, E.R. Hill; Silver Medal, S. R. Davies; Diplomas, W.F. Shortridge, W. H. Beer. The following drivers, who were serving in H.M. Forces, received a Certificate: J. Hearn, G. Nicholls, G. Vanstone, C. Wakeley, E. R. Butler.

Gazette article dated 11 November 1947

Schoolboys Rescued

Hightspeed return home!

Two schoolboys who went fishing on Sunday ended up having an unexpected – and extremely enjoyable – highspeed trip in an inshore rescue boat.

Jonathan Gardner, of Woodstock, Sandymere Road, Northam, and Trevor Sparrey, of 60 Morwenna Park Road, Northam, were so engrossed in trying to recover the butt of Trevor’s rod when fishing of a rock near Rocks Nose, Westward Ho! that they did not realise until too late that they had been cut off by the tide.

But their plight was quickly spotted and Appledore IRB reached them as they were beginning to get splashed with spray by waves hitting the rock. Then came a trip back to Appledore to provide them with plenty to talk about to their school friends on Monday.

3.6.1977 Coastguard rescue Northam
Gazette article dated 3 June 1977

Silver Jubilee of WI

Little Torrington WI celebrated their 25th anniversary with a party at Beaford House

5.2.1971 WI Little Torrington1

Six founder-members were among those present.

In the picture Mrs H R Daniel, the president, cuts the cake, assisted by the immediate past president Mrs J Goaman, and the youngest member Miss Elizabeth Hocking.

5.2.1971 WI Little Torrington2

Article dated 5 February 1971

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