• 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 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 2 Modern living at Bideford

  • 3 New look in the hayfields

  • 4 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 5 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 6 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 7 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 8 Riverside mystery

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

  • 10 When horses score over the tractor

  • 11 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 12 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 13 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 14 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 15 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 16 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 17 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 19 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

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

  • 21 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 22 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 23 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 24 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 25 Cruising down the river

  • 26 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 27 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 28 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 29 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 30

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 31 Clovelly custom

  • 32 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 33 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 34

    Married in 1908
  • 35 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 36

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 37 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 38 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 39 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 40 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 41 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 42 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 43 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 44 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 45 Gloves fit for a king!

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

  • 47 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 48

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 49 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 50 What's the time?

  • 51 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 52 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 53 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 54 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 55 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 56 The cab at the corner>
  • 57 A roof-top view - where?

  • 58 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 59 School crossing patrol begins

  • 60 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 61 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 62 Traditions and skills still there

  • 63 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 64 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 65 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 66 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 67 North Devon Driving School

  • 68 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 69 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 70 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 71 Last train from Torrington

  • 72 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 73 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 74 New Lundy stamps

  • 75 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 76 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 77 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 78 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 79 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 80 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 81 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 82 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 83 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 84 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 85 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 86 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 87 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 88 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 89 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 90 Centenary of Gazette

  • 91 New shipyard on schedule

  • 92 Life begins at 80

  • 93 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 94 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 95 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 96 Service with a smile

  • 97 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 98

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 99 Devil sent packing

  • 100 Capers on the cobbles

  • 101

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 102 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 103 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 104 Torrington children build igloo
  • 105 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 106

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 107 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 108

    Exhibition of school work
  • 109 Out of puff!

  • 110

    First prize
  • 111 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 113 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 114 Revenge in style

  • 115 Finished in 1876

  • 116 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 117 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 118 New art gallery opened

  • 119 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 120 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 121 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 122 Filming at Hartland

  • 123 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 124 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 125 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 126 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 127 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 128 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 129 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 130 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 131 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 132 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 133 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 134 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 136 Private home for public pump

  • 137 Artisans' Club

  • 138 Peter poses for TV film

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

  • 140 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 141 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 142 Recognise this resort?

  • 143 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 144 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 145 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 147

    New gateway
  • 148 Pannier Market's future?

  • 149 By pony and trap to market

  • 150 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 151

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 152 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 153 From Bobby to Brian

  • 154 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 155 Littleham family's five generations

  • 156 All aboard the ark

  • 157

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 158 Jumble sale fever

  • 159 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 160 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 161 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 162 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 163 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 164 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 165 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 166 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 167 A story to tell!

  • 168 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 169 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 170 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 171 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 172 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 173 Mobile missionary

  • 174 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 175 First ship in 8 years

  • 176 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 177

    Relatives all over the world
  • 178 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 179 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 180 He beat the floods

  • 181

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 182

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 183 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 184 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 186 Six footed lamb

  • 187 Warmington's garage ad

  • 188 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 189 Sweet success at Langtree School

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

  • 191 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 192 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 193 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 194 Simple Item 138
  • 195 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 196 Waldon Triplets
  • 197

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 198 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 199 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 200 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 201 A man and his wheel

  • 202 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 203 Just over a year old

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

  • 205 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 206 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 207 Ships at Bideford

  • 208 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 209 Emergency ferry services

  • 210 Bideford loses training ship

  • 211 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 212 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 213 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 214 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 215 Police station view of Bideford

  • 216 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 217 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 218 It really was the 'last time'

  • 219 Sweets derationing

  • 220 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 221 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 222 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 223 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 224 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 225 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 226 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 227 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 228 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 229 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 230 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 231 The art of the thatcher

  • 232 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 233 They are parted pro-tem

  • 234 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 235 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 236 Appledore's largest

  • 237 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 238 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 239 Sight of a lifetime

  • 240 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 241 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 242 New choral society's growing response

  • 243 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 244 Parkham plan realised

  • 245 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 246 Over the bank together>
  • 247 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 248 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 249 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 250 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 251 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 252 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 253 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 254 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 255 No sale of Springfield House

  • 256 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 257 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 258 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 259 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 260 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 261 All for the love of a lady!

  • 262 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 263 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 264 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 265 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 266 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 267 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 268

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 269 Can spring be far away?

  • 270 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 271 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 272 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 273

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 274 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 275 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 276 New addition to Quay front

  • 277 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 278 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 279 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 280 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 281 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 282

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 283 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 284 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 285 Loads of black and white

  • 286 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 287 Picking the pops

  • 288 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 289 Happy Days!

  • 290 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 291 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 292 Penny for the guy

  • 293 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 294 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 295 Hartland Dancers
  • 296

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 297 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 298 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 299 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 300 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 301 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 302 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 303 Northam footballers of the future

  • 304 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 305 Puppet characters introduced

  • 306 For crying out loud!

  • 307 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 308 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 309 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 310 Twenty-one yachts

  • 311

    Bidefordians
  • 312 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 313 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 314 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 315 Caught in the act>
  • 316 Some mushroom!

  • 317 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 318 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 319 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 320 Circus comes to town

  • 321 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 322 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 323 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 324 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 325

    Building works
  • 326 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 327 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 328 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 329 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

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

  • 332 Northam's almshouse

  • 333 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 334 New civic medallions

  • 335

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 336 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 337 Picking the pops

  • 338

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 339 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 340 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 341 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 342 New life for Hartland organ

  • 343 Ten year old scrambler

  • 344 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 345 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 346 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 347 In their new robes and hats

  • 348 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 349 Clovelly nightmare

  • 350 The Geneva marionettes

  • 351 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 352 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 353

    Was a missionary
  • 354 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 355 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 356 Burnard family reunion

  • 357 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 358 Blanchards ad.>
  • 359 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 360 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 361 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 362 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 363 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 364 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 365 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 366 No laughing matter

  • 367 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 368

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 369 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 370 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 371 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 372 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 373 End of the line

  • 374 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 375

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 376 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 377 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 378 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 379 Hartland's invitation

  • 380 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 381 Torrington's new amenity

  • 382 Bideford computer stars

  • 383

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 384

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 385

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 386

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 387 Torrington in 1967

  • 388 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 389 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 390 Decontrol of meat

  • 391 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 392 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 393 Some 240 exhibits

  • 394 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 395 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 396 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 397 113 years at Instow

  • 398 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 399 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 400 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 401 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 402 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 403 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 404 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 405

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 406 So this is the mainland!

  • 407 Variety in summer weather

  • 408 Hartland postman retires

  • 409 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 410 A bird of their own!

  • 411 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 412 School's link with cargo ship

  • 413 Bideford regatta

  • 414 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 415 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 416

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 417 Bridging the stream

  • 418 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 419 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 420 Weare Giffard potato

  • 421 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 422 New Post Office

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Lifeboat Rescue Thrill For holidaymakers at Westward Ho! and Bideford

Motor Cabin cruiser in difficulty

In full view of thousands of holiday makers at Westward Ho! at about six o’clock on Saturday evening the Appledore Lifeboat rendered assistance to a motor cabin cruise ‘Helen Mary’ of about four tons in difficulty about one and a half miles from Westward Ho! took her in tow and brought her to Bideford Quay where another large crowd, including many visitors, assembled. There were three occupants of the cabin cruiser, a Mr and Mrs McAlister and their son understood to be from Scotland and cruising around the coast. They came from Ilfracombe on Saturday. On Sunday morning’s tide they left Bideford Quay for Appledore Pool

Several messages to the effect that a vessel was apparently in difficulty and a flag was being waved from it were received within a short space of one another at the Appledore Lifeboat station. One was from Mr B Blake, hon. treasurer and acting secretary of the Appledore Branch of the RNLI. Coastguards at Westward Ho! were in constant touch and sent up a rocket to assure those in the cabin cruiser that their plight had been noticed. As the Appledore Lifeboat under Coxswain Cann was launched, information was also received that the Clovelly Lifeboat under Coxswain Lamey had also been launched. Both lifeboats preceded to the scene, but naturally the Appledore boat, being nearer, was on the scene first, and found the occupants of the cabin cruiser which was approaching the shore and tossing about in the somewhat choppy seas, prepared with life jackets in the emergency. Within six minutes of receiving the call, the Appledore Lifeboat was in the water and took advantage of the wind by using her sails as well as the motor to get to the scene as quickly as possible.

This was the second call within a week for the Clovelly Lifeboat as they were called out a few days previously to search for a man on a raft, who afterwards reported safe. The Clovelly boat was also quick to respond to the call, but on arrival, found that it had been dealt with by their Appledore colleagues.

When the vessel came alongside Bideford Quay, Mr R G Lovell, Receiver of Wreck, and Registrar of shipping, of Appledore, paid a visit.

Lifeboat rescue

Gazette article dated 10 August 1937

With Flowers and Song at Hartland

Annual meeting

Hartland WI

This colourful scene was included in the programme of entertainment presented by members of Hartland WI to the Atlantic Group of WIs, whose annual meeting was held this year at Hartland.

Seen in the photograph are: L Goaman, T Johns, F Webber, J Jeffery, J Pillman, W Cottle, S Heard, D Heard, A Short, A George, L Finch, I Pillman, P R Yeomans, A Cory, W Turner, L Jeffery, M Jeffery, G Heywood, F Thorne, J Clarke, E Davey, J Johns, R Johns, K Homewood, A Jeffery.

Gazette article dated 9 May 1958

Darby and Joan Club party

Two hundred and seventy one years handle the knife for the cutting-the-cake ceremony at Appledore

4.1.1974 Appledore Darby and Joan

 

Left to right - Mrs Bridger, aged 91; Mrs Gayette, 90; and Miss Willard, 90.

The Appledore club has now been in existence for 16 years - but as with most clubs of this kind, there is a shortage of Darbys!

Gazette article dated 4 January 1974

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