• 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 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 2 113 years at Instow

  • 3 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 4 Filming at Hartland

  • 5 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 6 Waldon Triplets
  • 7 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 8 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 9 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 10 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 11 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 12 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 14 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 15 Caught in the act>
  • 16 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 18 Police station view of Bideford

  • 19 A bird of their own!

  • 20 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 21

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 22 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 23 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 24 Weare Giffard potato

  • 25 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 26 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 27 Some mushroom!

  • 28 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 29 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 30 Penny for the guy

  • 31 New life for Hartland organ

  • 32 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 33 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 34 All aboard the ark

  • 35 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 36 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 37

    First prize
  • 38 Hartland's invitation

  • 39 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 40 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 41

    Relatives all over the world
  • 42 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 43 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 44 Torrington in 1967

  • 45 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 46 Jumble sale fever

  • 47 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 48 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 49 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 50 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 51 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 52 End of the line

  • 53 The Geneva marionettes

  • 54 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 55 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 56 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 57 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 58 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 59 Out of puff!

  • 60 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 61 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 62 Hartland Dancers
  • 63

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 64 Northam footballers of the future

  • 65 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 66 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 67 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 68 They are parted pro-tem

  • 69 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 70 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 71 Parkham plan realised

  • 72 Simple Item 138
  • 73 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 74 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 75 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 76 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 77 Just over a year old

  • 78 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 79 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 80 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 81 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 82 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 83 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 84 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 85

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 86 New civic medallions

  • 87

    Building works
  • 88 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 89 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 90 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 91 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 92 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 93

    Married in 1908
  • 94 Riverside mystery

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

  • 96 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 97 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 98 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 99 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 100 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 101 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 102 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 103 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 104 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 105 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 106 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 107

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 108 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 109 Bideford regatta

  • 110 Traditions and skills still there

  • 111 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 112 He beat the floods

  • 113 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 114 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 115 Decontrol of meat

  • 116 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 117 Bridging the stream

  • 118 Private home for public pump

  • 119 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 120 No laughing matter

  • 121 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 122 Hartland postman retires

  • 123

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 124

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 125

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 126 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 127 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 128 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 129 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 130 Over the bank together>
  • 131 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 132 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

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

  • 135 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 136 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 137 A roof-top view - where?

  • 138 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 139 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 140 For crying out loud!

  • 141 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 142 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 143 All for the love of a lady!

  • 144 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 145 Last train from Torrington

  • 146 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 147 New addition to Quay front

  • 148

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 149 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 150 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 151 Revenge in style

  • 152 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 153 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 154 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 155 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 156 New Lundy stamps

  • 157 Torrington children build igloo
  • 158 By pony and trap to market

  • 159 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 160 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 161

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 162

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 163 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 164 Cruising down the river

  • 165 Picking the pops

  • 166 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 167 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 168 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 169 Warmington's garage ad

  • 170 No sale of Springfield House

  • 171 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 172 Life begins at 80

  • 173 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 174 Twenty-one yachts

  • 175 Bideford loses training ship

  • 176 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 177 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 178 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 179 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 180 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 181 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 182 Circus comes to town

  • 183 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 184 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 185 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 186

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 187 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 188 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 189 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 190 Northam's almshouse

  • 191 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 192 School's link with cargo ship

  • 193 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 194

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 195

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 196 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 197 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 198 Ten year old scrambler

  • 199 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 200 Sweets derationing

  • 201 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 202 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 203 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 204 From Bobby to Brian

  • 205 Recognise this resort?

  • 206 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 207 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 208 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 209 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 210 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 211 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 212 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 213 Picking the pops

  • 214 Sight of a lifetime

  • 215 Mobile missionary

  • 216 Blanchards ad.>
  • 217 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 218 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 219 In their new robes and hats

  • 220 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 221

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 222 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 223 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 224 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 225 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 227 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 228 Pannier Market's future?

  • 229 Peter poses for TV film

  • 230 A story to tell!

  • 231 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 232 Calligrapher extraordinary

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

  • 234 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 235 Puppet characters introduced

  • 236 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 237 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 238 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 239 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 240 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 241 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 242 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 243 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 244 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 245 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 246 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 247 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 248 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 249 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 250 Artisans' Club

  • 251 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 252 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 253

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 254 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 255 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 256

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 257 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 258 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 259 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 261 Service with a smile

  • 262 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 263 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 264 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 265 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 266 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 267 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 268

    Was a missionary
  • 269

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 270 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 271

    Bidefordians
  • 272 Clovelly nightmare

  • 273 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 274 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 275 Modern living at Bideford

  • 276 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 277 Happy Days!

  • 278 The cab at the corner>
  • 279 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 280 New Post Office

  • 281 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 282 Capers on the cobbles

  • 283 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 284 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 285 Six footed lamb

  • 286 Torrington's new amenity

  • 287 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 288 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 289 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 290 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 291

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 292 Burnard family reunion

  • 293 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 294 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 295

    Exhibition of school work
  • 296 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 297 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 298 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 299 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 300 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 301 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 302 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 303 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 304 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 305

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 306 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 307 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 308 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 310 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 311 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 312 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 313 Some 240 exhibits

  • 314 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 315 It really was the 'last time'

  • 316 Clovelly custom

  • 317 New shipyard on schedule

  • 318 Loads of black and white

  • 319 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 320 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 321 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 322 School crossing patrol begins

  • 323 A man and his wheel

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

  • 325

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 326 Appledore's largest

  • 327 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 328 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 329 North Devon Driving School

  • 330 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 331

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 332 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 333 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 334 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 335 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 336 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 337 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 338 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 339 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 340 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 341 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 342

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 343 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 344 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 345 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 346 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 347 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 348 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 349 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 350 New look in the hayfields

  • 351 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 352 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 353 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 354

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 355 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 356 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 357 Off on a great adventure

  • 358 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 359 First ship in 8 years

  • 360 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 361 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 362 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 363 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 364 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 366 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 367 Variety in summer weather

  • 368 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 369 So this is the mainland!

  • 370

    New gateway
  • 371 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 372 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 373 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 374 New choral society's growing response

  • 375 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 376 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 377 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 378 Finished in 1876

  • 379 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 381 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 383 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 384 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 385 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 386 What's the time?

  • 387 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 388 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 389 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 390 New art gallery opened

  • 391 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 392

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 393 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 394 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 395 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 396

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 397 The art of the thatcher

  • 398 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 399 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 400 Devil sent packing

  • 401 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 402 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 403 Emergency ferry services

  • 404 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 405 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 406 Centenary of Gazette

  • 407 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 408 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 409 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 410 Littleham family's five generations

  • 411 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 412 Ships at Bideford

  • 413 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 414 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 415 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 416 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 417 When horses score over the tractor

  • 418 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 419 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 420 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 421 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 422 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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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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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