• 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 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 2 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 3 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 4 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 5 Clovelly nightmare

  • 6 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 7 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 8 Sweets derationing

  • 9 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 10 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 11 New Lundy stamps

  • 12 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 13 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 14 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 15 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 16 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 17 Recognise this resort?

  • 18 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 19 113 years at Instow

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

  • 21 Northam's almshouse

  • 22 New shipyard on schedule

  • 23 New civic medallions

  • 24 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 25 Loads of black and white

  • 26 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 27 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 28 Off on a great adventure

  • 29 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 30 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 31 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 32 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 33 A man and his wheel

  • 34 Peter poses for TV film

  • 35 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 36 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 37 Over the bank together>
  • 38 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 39 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 40 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 41 Centenary of Gazette

  • 42 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 43 Picking the pops

  • 44 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 45 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 46 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 47 Appledore's largest

  • 48 Service with a smile

  • 49 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 50 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 51 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 52 Circus comes to town

  • 53 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 54 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 55

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 56 Waldon Triplets
  • 57 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 58 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 59 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 60 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 61 First ship in 8 years

  • 62 Some 240 exhibits

  • 63 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 64 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 65 Torrington's new amenity

  • 66 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 67 Littleham family's five generations

  • 68 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 69 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 70 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 71 Pannier Market's future?

  • 72 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 73 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 74 Private home for public pump

  • 75

    First prize
  • 76 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 77 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 78

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 79 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 80 Police station view of Bideford

  • 81 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 82 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 83 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 84 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 85 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 86 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 87 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 88

    Building works
  • 89 New Post Office

  • 90 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 91 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 92 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 93 No laughing matter

  • 94 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 95 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 96 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 97

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 98 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 99 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 100 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 101 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 102 A story to tell!

  • 103 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 104 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 105 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 106 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 107 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 108 Devil sent packing

  • 109 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 110 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 111 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 112 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 113 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 115 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 116

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 117

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 118 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 119 New addition to Quay front

  • 120 Weare Giffard potato

  • 121 Variety in summer weather

  • 122 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 123 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 124 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 125 Can spring be far away?

  • 126 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 127

    New gateway
  • 128 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 129 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 130 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 131 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 132 New art gallery opened

  • 133 Warmington's garage ad

  • 134

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 135 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 136 What's the time?

  • 137 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 138 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 139 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 140 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 141 Puppet characters introduced

  • 142 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 143 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 144 Burnard family reunion

  • 145 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 146 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 147

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 148 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 149 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 150 It really was the 'last time'

  • 151 Some mushroom!

  • 152 Modern living at Bideford

  • 153 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 154

    Was a missionary
  • 155 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 156 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 157 Riverside mystery

  • 158 Simple Item 138
  • 159 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 161 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 162 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 163 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 164 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 165 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 166 All aboard the ark

  • 167 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 168 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 169 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 170 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 171

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 172 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 173 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 174

    Married in 1908
  • 175 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 176 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 178

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 179 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 180 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 181 Emergency ferry services

  • 182 When horses score over the tractor

  • 183 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 184 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 185 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 186 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 187 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 188 He beat the floods

  • 189 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 190 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 191 Capers on the cobbles

  • 192 Happy Days!

  • 193 Sight of a lifetime

  • 194 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 195 Filming at Hartland

  • 196 Bideford loses training ship

  • 197 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 198 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 199

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 200 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 201 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 202 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 203 Northam footballers of the future

  • 204 No sale of Springfield House

  • 205 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 206 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 207 Jumble sale fever

  • 208 School crossing patrol begins

  • 209 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 210 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 211 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 212 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 213 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 214 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 215 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 216 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 217 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 218 Blanchards ad.>
  • 219 Bideford computer stars

  • 220 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 221 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 222 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 223 Hartland's invitation

  • 224 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 225 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 226 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 227 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 228 Hartland postman retires

  • 229 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 230 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 231 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 233 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 234 Penny for the guy

  • 235 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 236 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 237

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 238 Cruising down the river

  • 239 School's link with cargo ship

  • 240 Traditions and skills still there

  • 241 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 242 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 243 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 244 Decontrol of meat

  • 245 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 246 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 247 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 248

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 249 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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

  • 251 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 252 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 253 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 254 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 256 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 257 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 258 New look in the hayfields

  • 259 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 260 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 261 Life begins at 80

  • 262 From Bobby to Brian

  • 263 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 264 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 265 Up-to-date Bideford!

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

  • 267 The art of the thatcher

  • 268 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 269 Parkham plan realised

  • 270 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 271 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 272 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 273 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 274

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 275 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 276 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 277 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 278 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 279 Twenty-one yachts

  • 280 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 281 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 282 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 283 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 284 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 285 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 286 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 287 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 288 Ten year old scrambler

  • 289 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 290 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 291 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 292 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 293 Picking the pops

  • 294 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 295 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 296 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 297

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 298 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 299 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 300 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 301 Out of puff!

  • 302 End of the line

  • 303 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 304 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 305 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 306 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 307 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 308 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 309 They are parted pro-tem

  • 310 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 311 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 312 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 313 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 314 Six footed lamb

  • 315

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 316 Last train from Torrington

  • 317

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 318 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 319 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 320 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 321 Clovelly custom

  • 322 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 323 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 324 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 325 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 326 A bird of their own!

  • 327 A roof-top view - where?

  • 328 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 329 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 330 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 331

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 332 Ships at Bideford

  • 333 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 334 Torrington children build igloo
  • 335 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 336 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 337 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 338 Bideford regatta

  • 339 Just over a year old

  • 340 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 341 Caught in the act>
  • 342 The Geneva marionettes

  • 343 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 344

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 345 So this is the mainland!

  • 346 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 347

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 348 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 349 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 350 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 351 Revenge in style

  • 352 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 353 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 354 Artisans' Club

  • 355 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 356 Bridging the stream

  • 357 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 358 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 359

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 360 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 361 New choral society's growing response

  • 362 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 363 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 364 Mobile missionary

  • 365 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 366 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 367

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 368 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 369 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 370 For crying out loud!

  • 371 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 372 All for the love of a lady!

  • 373

    Relatives all over the world
  • 374

    Exhibition of school work
  • 375 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 376 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 377 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 378 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 379 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 380 Hartland Dancers
  • 381 By pony and trap to market

  • 382 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 383 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 384 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 385 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 386

    Bidefordians
  • 387 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 388 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 389 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 390 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 391 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 393 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 394 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 395 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 396

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 397 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 398 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 399 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 400 New life for Hartland organ

  • 401 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 402 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 403 North Devon Driving School

  • 404 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 405 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 406 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 407

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 408 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 409 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 410 The cab at the corner>
  • 411 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 412 Finished in 1876

  • 413

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 414 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 415 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 416 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 417 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 418

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 419 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 420 In their new robes and hats

  • 421 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 422 Torrington in 1967

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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Dancing Benefits the Sick 19.6.1981

Dancing Benefits the Sick 19.6.1981

Dancing Benefits the Sick 19.6.1981

Charities. 6 years ago a group of farmers and their wives formed themselves into the Alwington Dance Club. Bideford and District Hospital benefit by some £4000. Mrs Pat Blight, Cyril Blight, John Barker

Lundy Canoeists Help Cancer Patients 28.8.1981

Lundy Canoeists Help Cancer Patients 28.8.1981

Lundy Canoeists Help Cancer Patients 28.8.81

Charities. A group of Torridge-side canoeists, including two policemen, a lighthouse keeper and a teacher plus 19 others raised £2000 for the Cancer and Leukemia in Childhood Trust. Chief Inspector Godfrey Matthews, Constable Jeff Blaydon, Frank Elson, Don Appleby, Mrs Pat Elson, Miss Samantha Elson, John Moore, Nick Walters

Houdini Effort at Bideford in 1975

The famous underwater escape of Houdina, the greatest escape artist of all time, is to be re-enacted in the river Torridge at Bideford next month.

1975 Houdini escape at Bideford

As a feature of the water festival being organised by Bideford Round Table in aid of local charities, Karl Bartoni of Blackpool, will be locked in several pairs of police handcuffs, secured in ankle stocks and chains, put into a padlocked canvas mailbag and then into a weighted packing case before being lowered to the bottom of the river.
The stunt, which almost cost the life of the famous Houdini in the frozen Hudson River 40 years ago, nearly put an end to Karl Bartoni too, when he tried to emulate the feat in Blackpool in 1970. But sure that he has found the secret that made Houdini the legend he is today Karl, an experienced stunt man with many circus and outdoor feats to his credit, says he is looking forward to attempting the experiment.
It is a particularly dangerous stunt for him as he is a non-swimmer and as soon as he surfaces, divers will have to get him ashore.
Other attractions at the water festival include sponsored raft races, side shows and a display by the Paragliders, water skiers from London.

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