• 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 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 2 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 3 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 4 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 5 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 6 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 7 Bridging the stream

  • 8 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 9 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 11 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 12 Northam footballers of the future

  • 13

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 14 New Lundy stamps

  • 15 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 16

    Building works
  • 17 New look in the hayfields

  • 18 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 19 School crossing patrol begins

  • 20 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 21 Off on a great adventure

  • 22 The cab at the corner>
  • 23 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 24 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 25 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 26

    New gateway
  • 27 Picking the pops

  • 28

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 29 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 30 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 31 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 32 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 33 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 34 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 35 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 36 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 37 A story to tell!

  • 38

    Exhibition of school work
  • 39 Peter poses for TV film

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

  • 41 Parkham plan realised

  • 42 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 43 Out of puff!

  • 44 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 45 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 46 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 47 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 48 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 49 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 50 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 51 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 52 Sweets derationing

  • 53 A roof-top view - where?

  • 54 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 55 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 56 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 57 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 58 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 59 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 60 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 61 Life begins at 80

  • 62 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 63 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 65 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 66 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 67 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 68 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 69 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 70 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 71 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 72 Devil sent packing

  • 73

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 74 Finished in 1876

  • 75 Penny for the guy

  • 76 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 77 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 78 Twenty-one yachts

  • 79 Police station view of Bideford

  • 80 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 81 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 82

    Was a missionary
  • 83 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 84 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 85 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 86

    Relatives all over the world
  • 87 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 88 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 89 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 90 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 91 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 92 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 93 Sight of a lifetime

  • 94 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 95 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 96 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 98 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 99 Decontrol of meat

  • 100 From Bobby to Brian

  • 101 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 102

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 103 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 104 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 105

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 106 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 107 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 108 Can spring be far away?

  • 109 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 110 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 111

    First prize
  • 112

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 113 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 114 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 115 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 116 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 117 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 118 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 119 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 120 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 121 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 122 Picking the pops

  • 123 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 124 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 125 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 126 Service with a smile

  • 127 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 128 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 129 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 130 So this is the mainland!

  • 131 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 132 New addition to Quay front

  • 133 End of the line

  • 134 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 135 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 136 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 137 Torrington's new amenity

  • 138 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 139

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 140 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 141 Ships at Bideford

  • 142 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 143 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 144 Capers on the cobbles

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

  • 146

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 147 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 148 Pannier Market's future?

  • 149

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 150 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 151 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 152 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 153 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 154 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 155 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 156 Private home for public pump

  • 157 New Post Office

  • 158 Last train from Torrington

  • 159 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 160 By pony and trap to market

  • 161 No laughing matter

  • 162 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 163 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 164 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 165

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 166 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 167 A bird of their own!

  • 168 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 169

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 170 Waldon Triplets
  • 171 Traditions and skills still there

  • 172 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 173 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 174 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 175 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 176 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 177

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 178 What's the time?

  • 179 The Geneva marionettes

  • 180 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 182 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 183

    Married in 1908
  • 184 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 185 New civic medallions

  • 186 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 187 Riverside mystery

  • 188 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 189 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 190 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 191 Cruising down the river

  • 192 Variety in summer weather

  • 193 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 194 He beat the floods

  • 195 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 196 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 197 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 198

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 199 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 200 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 201 Mobile missionary

  • 202 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 203 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 204 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 205 First ship in 8 years

  • 206

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 207 When horses score over the tractor

  • 208 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 209 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 210 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 211 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 212 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 213 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 214

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 215 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 216 Hartland's invitation

  • 217 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 218 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 219 Filming at Hartland

  • 220 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 221 It really was the 'last time'

  • 222 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 223 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 225 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 226 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 227 All for the love of a lady!

  • 228 Centenary of Gazette

  • 229 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 230 Caught in the act>
  • 231 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 232 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 233 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 234 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 235 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 236 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 237 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 238 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 239 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 240 Artisans' Club

  • 241 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 242 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 243 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 244 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 245

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 246 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 247 Hartland Dancers
  • 248

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 249 Appledore's largest

  • 250 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 251 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 252 Revenge in style

  • 253 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 254 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 255 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 256 Emergency ferry services

  • 257 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 258 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 259 In their new robes and hats

  • 260 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 261

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 262 The art of the thatcher

  • 263 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 264

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 265 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 266 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 267 Clovelly custom

  • 268 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 269 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 270 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 271 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 272 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 273 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 274 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 275 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 276 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 277 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 278 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 279 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 280 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 281

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 282 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 283 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 285 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 286 Ten year old scrambler

  • 287 Puppet characters introduced

  • 288 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 289 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 290 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 291 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 292 Some mushroom!

  • 293 Bideford loses training ship

  • 294 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 295

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 296 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 297 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 298 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 299 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 300 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 301 Northam's almshouse

  • 302 Warmington's garage ad

  • 303 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 304 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 305 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 306 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 307 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 308 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 309 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 310 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 311 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 312 Loads of black and white

  • 313 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 314 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 315 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 316 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 317 All aboard the ark

  • 318

    Bidefordians
  • 319 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 320 New choral society's growing response

  • 321 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 322 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 323 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 324 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 325 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 326 Burnard family reunion

  • 327 Happy Days!

  • 328 Jumble sale fever

  • 329 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 331 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 332 Hartland postman retires

  • 333 Torrington children build igloo
  • 334 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 335 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 336 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 337 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 338 North Devon Driving School

  • 339 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 340 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 341 Modern living at Bideford

  • 342 Just over a year old

  • 343 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 344

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 345 A man and his wheel

  • 346 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 348 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 349 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 350 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 351 For crying out loud!

  • 352 School's link with cargo ship

  • 353 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 354 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 355 New shipyard on schedule

  • 356 Over the bank together>
  • 357 They are parted pro-tem

  • 358 Weare Giffard potato

  • 359 Circus comes to town

  • 360 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 361 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 362 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 363 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 364 Bideford regatta

  • 365 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 366 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 367

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 368 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 369 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 370 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 371 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 372 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 373 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 374 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 375 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 376 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 377 113 years at Instow

  • 378 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 379 Some 240 exhibits

  • 380 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 381 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 382 Simple Item 138
  • 383 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 384 New art gallery opened

  • 385 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 386 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 387 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 388 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 389

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 390 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 391 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 392 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 393 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 394 New life for Hartland organ

  • 395 Bideford's private wharves busier

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

  • 397 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 398 Bideford computer stars

  • 399 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 400 Littleham family's five generations

  • 401 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 402 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 403 Blanchards ad.>
  • 404 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 405 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 406 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 407 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 408 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 409 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 410 Six footed lamb

  • 411 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 412 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 413 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 414 Torrington in 1967

  • 415 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 416 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 417 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 418 No sale of Springfield House

  • 419 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 420 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 421 Recognise this resort?

  • 422

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
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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An Important Day For Jenefer

For Jenefer Fleetwood, of Bideford, Friday evening was a doubly special occasion

2.7.1965 Bideford Jenefer Fleetwood

Not only was she enrolled as a Girl Guide but she received from the hands of Miss M E Bindloss (County Guide Commissioner) the Star of merit award, recognising her fortitude over a long period of medical treatment and her determination to share in Brownie and Guide activities.

Her parents, the Rev and Mrs A T Fleetwood, older brother Michael and younger sisters, Elizabeth and Catherine, were present at the ceremony.

Jenefer was a Brownie with the 8th Hornchurch Pack until a year ago when the family moved to Bideford when her father became minister of Bideford Baptist Church. A pupil of Westcroft Junior School Jenefer is now a member of the 1st Bideford Guides who were among those at the ceremony.

There was a surprise presentation at the gathering when Miss A E Lee, on behalf of the local Girl Guides Association, presented a token of appreciation to Mrs E A Booth, who for nine years was captain of the 1st Bideford Guides, relinquishing the appointment last November.

2 July 1965

Annual Dinner Party

Little Torrington WI 

5.2.1965 Little Torrington WI

has started the New Year with their annual dinner party.

The dinner was held at the New Inn, Bideford, and was followed by a social. Mrs Popham was the pianist. There was an attendance of 29 members.

The monthly competition – “My prettiest Christmas card” – resulted 1. Miss E Down; 2. Mrs D Murch; 3. Miss Margaret Crocker.

New activities with the New Year include soft furnishing classes.

Gazette article dated February 5, 1965

Magnificent Produce

Everyone at the annual show of Bideford and District Horticultural Society and Allotments Association

was talking about and admiring the magnificent leeks and other vegetables grown by 73 year old Mr Roland Davis, of 18 Torridge Street, Bideford.

31.10.1952 Bideford Davis Pinwire

Mr Davis, who is affectionately known to a host of friends as ‘Pinwire’ is seen proudly displaying some of his wonder leeks and in the other hand is holding the Bideford and North Devon Gazette cup which he won for the second year in succession. The trophy is awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in amateur and allotment holders’ classes of the show.

Last weekend, produce grown by Mr Davis was used to decorate the Blacksmith Arms for a harvest festival. Mr Davis is a veteran of the first world war during which he served with the 2nd Battalion, the Wiltshire Regiment.

31 October 1952

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