• 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 Filming at Hartland

  • 2 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 3 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 4 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 5 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 6 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 7 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 8 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 9 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 10 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 11

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 12 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 13 No laughing matter

  • 14 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 15 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 16 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 17

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 18 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 19 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 20 New Lundy stamps

  • 21 Just over a year old

  • 22 In their new robes and hats

  • 23 For crying out loud!

  • 24 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 25

    New gateway
  • 26 Penny for the guy

  • 27

    Bidefordians
  • 28 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 29

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 30 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 31 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 32 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

  • 34 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 35 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 36 Littleham family's five generations

  • 37 Service with a smile

  • 38

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 39 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 40

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 41 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 42 New shipyard on schedule

  • 43 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 44 Can spring be far away?

  • 45 End of the line

  • 46 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 47 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 48 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 49 The art of the thatcher

  • 50 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 51 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 52 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 53 Bideford regatta

  • 54 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 55 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 56 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 57 A story to tell!

  • 58 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 59 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 60 Torrington children build igloo
  • 61 New addition to Quay front

  • 62 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 63 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 64 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 65 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 66 All aboard the ark

  • 67 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 68 Waldon Triplets
  • 69 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 70 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 71 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 73 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 74 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 75 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 76

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 77 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 78 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 80 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 81 From Bobby to Brian

  • 82 A man and his wheel

  • 83 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 84 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 85 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 86 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 87 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 88 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 89 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 90 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 91 Life begins at 80

  • 92 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 93

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 94 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 95 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 96 Sweets derationing

  • 97 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 98 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 99 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 100 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 101 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 102 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 103 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 104 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 105 Ten year old scrambler

  • 106 New Post Office

  • 107 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 108 A roof-top view - where?

  • 109 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 110 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 111

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 112 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 113 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 114 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 115 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 116 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 117 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 118 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 119 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 120

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 121 Finished in 1876

  • 122 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 123 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 124 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 125 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 126 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 127 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 128 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 129 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 130 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 131 No sale of Springfield House

  • 132 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 133 Decontrol of meat

  • 134 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 135 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 136 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 137 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 138 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 139 It really was the 'last time'

  • 140 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 141 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 142 Hartland Dancers
  • 143 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 144 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 145

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 146 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 147 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 148 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 149 Weare Giffard potato

  • 150 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 151 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 152 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 153 Modern living at Bideford

  • 154 Capers on the cobbles

  • 155 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 156

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 157 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 158 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 160 Traditions and skills still there

  • 161 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 162 Appledore's largest

  • 163 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 164 Caught in the act>
  • 165 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 166 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 168

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 169 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 170 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 171 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 172 Bideford computer stars

  • 173 Riverside mystery

  • 174 New civic medallions

  • 175

    Married in 1908
  • 176 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 177 Six footed lamb

  • 178 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 179 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 180 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

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

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

  • 183 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 184

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 185 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 186 Burnard family reunion

  • 187 Warmington's garage ad

  • 188 They are parted pro-tem

  • 189 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 190 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 191 Blanchards ad.>
  • 192 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 193 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 194 Circus comes to town

  • 195 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 196

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 197 By pony and trap to market

  • 198 Artisans' Club

  • 199 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 200 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 201 Puppet characters introduced

  • 202 Northam footballers of the future

  • 203 The cab at the corner>
  • 204 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 205 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 206 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 207 Private home for public pump

  • 208 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 209 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 210

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 211 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 212 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 213 Loads of black and white

  • 214 Out of puff!

  • 215 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 216 Revenge in style

  • 217 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 218 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 219 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 220 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 221 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 222 Happy Days!

  • 223 New look in the hayfields

  • 224 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 225 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 226 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 227 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 228 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 229 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 230 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 231 Over the bank together>
  • 232 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 233 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 234 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 235 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 236 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 237 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 238 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 239 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 240 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 241 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 242 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 243 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 244 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 245 113 years at Instow

  • 246 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 247 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 248 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 249 School crossing patrol begins

  • 250 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 251 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 252 Mobile missionary

  • 253 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 254 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 256 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 257 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 258 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 259 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 260 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 261 All for the love of a lady!

  • 262 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 263 When horses score over the tractor

  • 264 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 265 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 266 Bideford loses training ship

  • 267

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 268 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 269 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 270 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 271

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 272 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 273 Emergency ferry services

  • 274 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 275 Recognise this resort?

  • 276 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 277 Centenary of Gazette

  • 278 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 279 New art gallery opened

  • 280 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 281

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 282 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 283 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 284

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 285 Clovelly nightmare

  • 286

    First prize
  • 287 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 288 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 289 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 290 Simple Item 138
  • 291 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 292 A bird of their own!

  • 293

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 294 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 295

    Building works
  • 296 Success to Festival of the Arts

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

  • 298 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 299 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 300 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 301 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 302 Bridging the stream

  • 303 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 304

    Was a missionary
  • 305 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 306 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 307 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 308 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 309 Jumble sale fever

  • 310 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 311 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 313 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 314 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 315 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 316 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 317 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 318 So this is the mainland!

  • 319 Last train from Torrington

  • 320 Devil sent packing

  • 321 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 322 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 323 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 324 Torrington's new amenity

  • 325 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 326 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 327 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 328 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 329 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 330 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 331 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 332 Clovelly custom

  • 333 First ship in 8 years

  • 334

    Exhibition of school work
  • 335 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 336

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 337 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 338 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 339 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 340 New life for Hartland organ

  • 341 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 342 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 343 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 344 Cruising down the river

  • 345 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 346 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 347 Parkham plan realised

  • 348 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 349 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 350 Ships at Bideford

  • 351 Twenty-one yachts

  • 352

    Relatives all over the world
  • 353 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 354 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 355 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 356

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 357 Hartland postman retires

  • 358 Hartland's invitation

  • 359 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 361 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 362 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 363 What's the time?

  • 364 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 365 Pannier Market's future?

  • 366 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 367 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 368 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 369 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 370

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 371 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 372 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 373 Peter poses for TV film

  • 374 He beat the floods

  • 375 North Devon Driving School

  • 376 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 377 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 378 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 379 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 380

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 381 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 382 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 383 Off on a great adventure

  • 384 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 385 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 386 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 387 Some mushroom!

  • 388 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 389 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

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

  • 391 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 392 The Geneva marionettes

  • 393 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 394 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 395 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 396 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 397 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 398 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 399 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 400 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 401 Picking the pops

  • 402 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 403 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 404 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 405 Picking the pops

  • 406 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 407 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 408

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 409 School's link with cargo ship

  • 410 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 411 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 412 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 413 Some 240 exhibits

  • 414 Police station view of Bideford

  • 415 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 416 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 417 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 418 Torrington in 1967

  • 419 Sight of a lifetime

  • 420 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 422 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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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Andrew bread distribution to end after 370 years 27.12.1974

Andrew  bread distribution to end after 370 years - 27.12.1974

  

Andrew bread distribution to end after 370 years 27.12.1974

Local Government re-organisation has put an end to the distribution of bread to the aged and sick of Bideford under the will of a Bideford merchant, John Andrew, who died in 1605.

For centuries the distribution has been made on New Year's Day by the Mayor and since the early 1960s, butter has been added. But last year only 13 loaves were distributed, due, it was suggested, to the day having been changed because for the first time January 1 was a public holiday.

The clerk of the Town Council, Mr Albert Blatchford, told the Gazette that it was doubtful if the council could continue with the custom. Although the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Frank Colwill, would no doubt be prepared to continue the custom, there was no staff to help them. The former town clerk of Bideford, Mr Leslie Galliford, recalled there had been talk some years ago of discontinuing the distribution because of the failure of those entitled to the bread to turn up to claim it. 

It was the same John Andrew who left he rent of what are now Love Lane allotments for the relief of the poor of the parish and around this time each year, the eight trustees distribute money at their discretion.

One of Bideford's historic charities.

Charities

Bideford Bridge Trust - Early Preparations

Bideford Bridge Trust - Early Preparations

Early preparations med
 

From information in a Bridge Trust Ledger of 1688-1738, it appears that plans really began in March 1690 when the then Feoffees paid one Nathaniel Gascoyne £4.6.0 for 'drawing a design of the new street'. Payment was also made to a John Courtise and labourers for work done in 'digging down the hedges and clearing a way for the building to go on'. In the same year, 'Crangs house' was bought for demolition to provide a passage into the street. A year later, on March 25 1691, £134.14.15d was paid to buy 'house, orchard, gardens and outhouses, the property of Robert Dacy, in order to build the new street'. In 1692 a yard and two cellars, the property of Mr Robert Gozen was purchased for the purpose of making an outlet from the new street to the Quay. At Christmas 1692 'Can and Lang's houses' owned by Richard Pincombe were purchased for demolition. In 1693 Nathaniel Gascoyne was paid £223 for building 70ft of Quay and slip, at the end of the proposed new street and William Lennox was paid for providing the necessary stones.
In 1716 an entry states that Margaret Gascoyne pays rent to the Bridge Trust, so it appears that the Gascoyne family lived for a while in the street which he had designed.
In a lease for ? Bridgeland Street William Linex is given as a brick maker. As he provided the necessary stones did he make the bricks that were required in some of the other specifications.

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