• 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 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 2

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 3 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 4 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 5 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 6

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 7 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 8 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 9 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 10 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 11 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 12 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 13 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 14 By pony and trap to market

  • 15

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 16

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 17 End of the line

  • 18 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 19 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 20 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 21

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 22 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 23 Pannier Market's future?

  • 24 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 25 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 26 Modern living at Bideford

  • 27

    Bidefordians
  • 28 Over the bank together>
  • 29 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 30 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 31 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 32

    New gateway
  • 33 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 34 New addition to Quay front

  • 35 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 36 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 37 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 38 Twenty-one yachts

  • 39 Centenary of Gazette

  • 40 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 41 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 42

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 43 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 44 So this is the mainland!

  • 45 Loads of black and white

  • 46 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 47 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 48 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 49 Revenge in style

  • 50 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 51 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 52 Some 240 exhibits

  • 53 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 54 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 55 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 56 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 57

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 58 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 59 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 60 Torrington children build igloo
  • 61 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 62 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 63 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 64

    Was a missionary
  • 65 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 66 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 67 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 68 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 69 Caught in the act>
  • 70 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 71 No laughing matter

  • 72 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 73 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 74 New Lundy stamps

  • 75 Hartland postman retires

  • 76 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 77 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 78 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 79 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 80 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 81 Clovelly custom

  • 82 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 83 Service with a smile

  • 84 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 85 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 87 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 88 Hartland Dancers
  • 89 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 90 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 91 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 92 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 93 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 94 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 95 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 96 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 97 Picking the pops

  • 98 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 99 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 100 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 101 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 102 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 103 Emergency ferry services

  • 104 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 105 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 106 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 107 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 108 He beat the floods

  • 109 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 110 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 111 Torrington in 1967

  • 112 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 113 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 114 Sweets derationing

  • 115 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 116 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 117 Just over a year old

  • 118 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 119 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 121

    First prize
  • 122 When horses score over the tractor

  • 123 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 124 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 125 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 126 Jumble sale fever

  • 127 Weare Giffard potato

  • 128 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 129 Ships at Bideford

  • 130 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 131

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 132 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 133 It really was the 'last time'

  • 134 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 135 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 136 Recognise this resort?

  • 137

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 138 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 139 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 140 In their new robes and hats

  • 141 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 142 The Geneva marionettes

  • 143 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 145

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 146 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 147 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 148 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 149 Simple Item 138
  • 150 Hartland's invitation

  • 151 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 152 No sale of Springfield House

  • 153 For crying out loud!

  • 154 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 155 Northam footballers of the future

  • 156 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 157 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 158 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 159 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 160

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 161 Artisans' Club

  • 162

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 163 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 164 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 165 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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

  • 167 A bird of their own!

  • 168

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 169 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 170 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 171

    Married in 1908
  • 172 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 173 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 174 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 175 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 176 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 177 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 178 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 179 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 180 The cab at the corner>
  • 181 Blanchards ad.>
  • 182 Six footed lamb

  • 183 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 184 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 185 A story to tell!

  • 186 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 187 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 188 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 189 Bideford computer stars

  • 190 Ten year old scrambler

  • 191 Some mushroom!

  • 192 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 193 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 194 Last train from Torrington

  • 195 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

  • 197 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 198 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 199 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 200 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 201

    Exhibition of school work
  • 202 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 203

    Relatives all over the world
  • 204 All aboard the ark

  • 205 School's link with cargo ship

  • 206 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 207 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 208 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 210 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 211 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 212 Out of puff!

  • 213 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 214 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 215 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 216 New life for Hartland organ

  • 217 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 218 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 219 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 220 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 221 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 222 Appledore's largest

  • 223

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 224 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 225 Bideford regatta

  • 226 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 227 New art gallery opened

  • 228 Decontrol of meat

  • 229 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 230

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 231 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 232 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 234 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 235 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 236 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 237 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 238 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 239 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 240

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 241 Torrington's new amenity

  • 242 Puppet characters introduced

  • 243 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 244 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 245 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 246 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 247 Mobile missionary

  • 248

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 249

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 250 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 251 Waldon Triplets
  • 252 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 253 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 254 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 255 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 256 A roof-top view - where?

  • 257 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 258 New look in the hayfields

  • 259 Warmington's garage ad

  • 260 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 261 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 262 Chess - their bridge over the years

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

  • 264 113 years at Instow

  • 265 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 266 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 267 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 268 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 269 Riverside mystery

  • 270 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 271 Bideford loses training ship

  • 272 From Bobby to Brian

  • 273 North Devon Driving School

  • 274 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 275

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 276 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 277 New choral society's growing response

  • 278 New civic medallions

  • 279 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 280 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 281 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 282 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 283 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 285 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 286 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 287 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 288

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 289 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 290 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 292 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 293 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 294 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 295

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 296 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 297

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 298 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 299 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 300 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 301 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 302 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 303 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 304 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 305 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 306 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 307 A man and his wheel

  • 308 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 309 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 310 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 311 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 312 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 313 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 314 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 315 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 316 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 317 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 318 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 319 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 321 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 322 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 323 Bridging the stream

  • 324 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 325 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 326 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 327 Private home for public pump

  • 328 Off on a great adventure

  • 329 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 330 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 331 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 332 Devil sent packing

  • 333 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 334 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 335 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 336 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 337 New shipyard on schedule

  • 338 School crossing patrol begins

  • 339 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 340 Life begins at 80

  • 341 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 342 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 343

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 344 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 345 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 346 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 348 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 349 What's the time?

  • 350 Traditions and skills still there

  • 351 New Post Office

  • 352 Can spring be far away?

  • 353 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 354 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 355 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 356 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 357 Variety in summer weather

  • 358 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 359 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 360 Filming at Hartland

  • 361 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 362 Parkham plan realised

  • 363 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 364 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 365 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 366 Littleham family's five generations

  • 367 Cruising down the river

  • 368 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 369 Police station view of Bideford

  • 370 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 371 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 372 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 373 Circus comes to town

  • 374 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 375 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 376 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 377 Burnard family reunion

  • 378 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 379 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 380 The art of the thatcher

  • 381 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 382

    Building works
  • 383 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 384 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 385 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 386 They are parted pro-tem

  • 387

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 388 Sight of a lifetime

  • 389 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 390 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 391 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 392 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 393 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 394 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 395

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 396 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 397 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 398 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 399 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 400 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 401 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 402 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 403 Peter poses for TV film

  • 404 Finished in 1876

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

  • 406 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 407 Capers on the cobbles

  • 408 Penny for the guy

  • 409 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 410 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 411 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 412 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 413 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 414 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 415 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 416 All for the love of a lady!

  • 417 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 418 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 419 Happy Days!

  • 420 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 421 Northam's almshouse

  • 422 Picking the pops

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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  • 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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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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Faithful To The Work

W.V.S and C.D Medals

When, at the start of Bideford Town Council meeting, the Mayor, Cllr Mrs Ethelwynne Brown, presented long service (15 year) medals to WVS workers, she said it was especially gratifying in these days when Civil Defence was often decried and hounded down as unnecessary that there were people with sufficient foresight to remain faithful to the work.

It had been intended that she should present six medals, but only three of five WVS members were present. And Mr Roy Ellis, who was to receive a C.D medal was ill. The Mayor visited his home to present it.

6 May 1966 WVS medals Ethelwynne Brown Mayor

In the photograph are Mrs J Latham, Mrs R Croft, Mrs T P Keene, Miss J M Phillipps, Major J E Briscoe, Miss A E Lee, Mrs A J Wensley and Mrs A E Turner

Awards were presented to Mrs A E Turner, Mrs J Latham, and Mrs A J Wensley. Unable to attend were Miss M Pound and Mrs A R Bowen.

Gazette article dated 6 May 1966

Bideford Cadets Soar From Bottom to Top

After languishing at or near the bottom of the list for 16 years,

3.4.1964 Cadets St Johns

Bideford St John Ambulance Cadets have won the North Devon championship.

Not only was their victory in the inter-unit competition, staged at South Molton, a triumph for pertinacity, but it was an overdue award for Cadet Supt G B Clarke who has refused to be daunted by defeat or by odds that were often heavy.

In the competition, the team – Michael Hammett, Peter Jury, John Braund, Roger Birch, with Nigel Skinner reserve – well and truly toppled Barnstaple from top position.

To set the seal, their No. 2, Peter Jury, carried off the Hoerman individual cup.

In the team event, competitors had to deal with a mock accident. The judge was Dr P Bush, while Dr W McIntosh of Northam and Dr T O Candler of Bideford judged the individual tests.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1964

Centuries Old Tradition

Dating back to 1605 from a bequest made by a wealthy local merchant named John Andrew, 40 New Year loaves were distributed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford (Mr and Mrs Pat Hughes) at the Town Hall on Monday morning.  

7.1.1972 tradition

This year the oldest recipient attending was 91 year old Mr Tom Johns, of Barton Tors.
Those who were unable to attend in person had the gifts delivered to them by the Mayoress and her daughter Suzanne, as seen in the picture above.
Gazette article dated 7 January 1972

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