• 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 Last train from Torrington

  • 2 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 3 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 4 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 5 Penny for the guy

  • 6 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 7 Northam's almshouse

  • 8 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 10 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 11 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 12 New look in the hayfields

  • 13 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 14 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 15 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 16 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 17

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 18 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 19 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 20 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 21 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 22 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 23 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 24 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 25 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 26 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 27 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 28 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 29 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 30

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 31 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 32 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 33 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 34

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 35 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 36 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 37 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 38 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 39 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 40

    Bidefordians
  • 41 Pannier Market's future?

  • 42 For crying out loud!

  • 43 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 44 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 45 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 46 Twenty-one yachts

  • 47 New civic medallions

  • 48 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 49 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 50 So this is the mainland!

  • 51 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 52 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 53 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 54 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 55 School's link with cargo ship

  • 56 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 58 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 59 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 60 New choral society's growing response

  • 61 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 62 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 63

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 64 Torrington's new amenity

  • 65 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 66 End of the line

  • 67 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 68 Peter poses for TV film

  • 69

    Married in 1908
  • 70 New addition to Quay front

  • 71 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 72 Variety in summer weather

  • 73 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 74 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 75 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 76 The Geneva marionettes

  • 77 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 78 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 79 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 80 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 81 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 83 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 84 Private home for public pump

  • 85 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 86 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 87 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 88 Warmington's garage ad

  • 89 Hartland postman retires

  • 90 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 91 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 92 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 93 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 94 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 95 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 96 Happy Days!

  • 97 Clovelly nightmare

  • 98

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 99 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 100 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 101 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 103 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 104 Bridging the stream

  • 105 Emergency ferry services

  • 106 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 107

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 108

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 109

    Relatives all over the world
  • 110 Bideford loses training ship

  • 111 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 112 Six footed lamb

  • 113 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 114 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 115 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 116 Cruising down the river

  • 117 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 118 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 119 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 120 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 121 Ten year old scrambler

  • 122

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 123 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 124 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 125

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 126 Record pebble-throwing day

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

  • 128 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 129 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 130

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 131 Simple Item 138
  • 132 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 133 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 134 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 135 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 136 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 137 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 138 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 139 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 140 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 141 Ships at Bideford

  • 142

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 143 No laughing matter

  • 144 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 145 From Bobby to Brian

  • 146 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 147 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 148 Picking the pops

  • 149 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 150 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 151 Capers on the cobbles

  • 152 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 153 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 154 Can spring be far away?

  • 155 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 156 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 157 Puppet characters introduced

  • 158 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 159 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 160 A man and his wheel

  • 161 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 162 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 163

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 164 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 165 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 166 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 167 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 168 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 169 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 170 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 171 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 172 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 173 A roof-top view - where?

  • 174 New Post Office

  • 175 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 176 Picking the pops

  • 177 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 178

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 179 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 180 River scenes that enchant the visitors

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

  • 182 Recognise this resort?

  • 183 No sale of Springfield House

  • 184 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 185 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 186 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 187 Littleham family's five generations

  • 188

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 189 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 190 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 191 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 192

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 193 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 194 First ship in 8 years

  • 195

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 196 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 197 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 198 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 199 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 200

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 201 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 202 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 203 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 204 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 205

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 206 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 207 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 208 Sweets derationing

  • 209

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 210 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 211 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 212 New Lundy stamps

  • 213 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 214 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 215 Jumble sale fever

  • 216 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 217 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 218 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 219 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 220 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 221 Some mushroom!

  • 222 New art gallery opened

  • 223 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 224 Appledore's largest

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

  • 226 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 228 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 229 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 230 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 231 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 232 Finished in 1876

  • 233 Over the bank together>
  • 234

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 235 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 236 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 237 Circus comes to town

  • 238 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 239 Hartland Dancers
  • 240 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 241 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 242 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 243 A story to tell!

  • 244 Police station view of Bideford

  • 245 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 246 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 247 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 248 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 249 Weare Giffard potato

  • 250 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 251 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 252 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 253 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 254 What's the time?

  • 255 Out of puff!

  • 256 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 258 The art of the thatcher

  • 259 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 260 Just over a year old

  • 261 He beat the floods

  • 262 New life for Hartland organ

  • 263 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 264 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 265 113 years at Instow

  • 266 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 267 New shipyard on schedule

  • 268 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 269 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 270 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 271 Service with a smile

  • 272 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 273 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 274 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 275 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 276 Riverside mystery

  • 277 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 278 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 279 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 280 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 282

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 283 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 284 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 285

    Was a missionary
  • 286

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 287 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 288 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 289 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 290 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 291 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 292 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 293 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 294 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 295 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 296 Revenge in style

  • 297 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 298 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 299 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 300 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 301 Mobile missionary

  • 302 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 303 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 304 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 305 Some 240 exhibits

  • 306 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 307 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 308 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 310 All aboard the ark

  • 311

    Exhibition of school work
  • 312 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 313 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 314 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 315 Artisans' Club

  • 316 When horses score over the tractor

  • 317 Devil sent packing

  • 318 Traditions and skills still there

  • 319 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 320 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 321 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 322 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 323

    First prize
  • 324 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 325 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 326 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 327 Waldon Triplets
  • 328 Filming at Hartland

  • 329 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 330 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 331 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 332 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 333 Off on a great adventure

  • 334 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 335 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 336 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 337 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 338 Burnard family reunion

  • 339 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 340 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 341

    New gateway
  • 342 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 343 Torrington children build igloo
  • 344 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 345 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 346 North Devon Driving School

  • 347 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 348 A bird of their own!

  • 349 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 350 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 351 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 352 Centenary of Gazette

  • 353 Sight of a lifetime

  • 354 Blanchards ad.>
  • 355

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 356 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 357 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 358 Loads of black and white

  • 359 Bideford regatta

  • 360 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 361 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 362 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 363 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 364 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 365 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 366 Torrington in 1967

  • 367 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 368 School crossing patrol begins

  • 369 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 370 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 371 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 372 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 373 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 374

    Building works
  • 375

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 376 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 377 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 378 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 379 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 380 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 381 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 382 It really was the 'last time'

  • 383 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 384 Northam footballers of the future

  • 385 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 386 All for the love of a lady!

  • 387 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 388 By pony and trap to market

  • 389 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 390 Bideford computer stars

  • 391 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 392 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 393 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 394 Decontrol of meat

  • 395 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 396 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 397

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 398 In their new robes and hats

  • 399 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 400 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 401 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 402 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 403 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 404 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 405 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 406 Parkham plan realised

  • 407 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 408 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 409 The cab at the corner>
  • 410 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 411 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 412 Life begins at 80

  • 413 They are parted pro-tem

  • 414 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 415 Caught in the act>
  • 416 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 417 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 418 Hartland's invitation

  • 419 Clovelly custom

  • 420 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 421 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 422 Safe door weighing two tons

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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Torrington May Sell Market

Negotiations are to be opened by Torrington Town Council with a property development company who want to buy the pannier market.

6.4.1973 Torrington Pannier Market

But it was stressed at Monday’s meeting that at this stage there would be no commitment.
The council is asking for particulars soon about the company’s detailed proposals for dealing with existing tenants of the market, including relocation of Devon county library.
At the appropriate time the council should engage private valuers, recommended the Highways Committee.
Councillor Michael Street said that the council must get the maximum price for this property, which belonged to ratepayers. He was told by the Town Clerk, Mr Alan Fitt: “I am doubtful if you would find two firms prepared to do the same work”.

The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1973

Over £10,000 For Double Building Site

A building plot with planning permission for the erection of a pair of semi-detached bungalows was sold for what is believed to be a local record figure of £10,150 at an auction conducted by Braddicks Estate Agency Ltd, at the New Inn Hotel, Bideford.

6.4.1973 Northam building plots

The plots, at Jackets Lane (Sandymere Road), Northam, were purchased by a local builder, Mr R M Quance, of Merley Road, Westward Ho!
Commenting after the sale the auctioneers said the auction indicated that the price of land is still rising in spite of present difficulties in financing building projects.
Gazette article dated 6 April 1973

Over £10,000 For Double Building Site

A building plot with planning permission for the erection of a pair of semi-detached bungalows was sold for what is believed to be a local record figure of £10,150 at an auction conducted by Braddicks Estate Agency Ltd, at the New Inn Hotel, Bideford.

6.4.1973 Northam building plots

The plots, at Jackets Lane (Sandymere Road), Northam, were purchased by a local builder, Mr R M Quance, of Merley Road, Westward Ho!
Commenting after the sale the auctioneers said the auction indicated that the price of land is still rising in spite of present difficulties in financing building projects.
Gazette article dated 6 April 1973

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