• 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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    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 2 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 3 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 4 Parkham plan realised

  • 5 School crossing patrol begins

  • 6 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 7 Six footed lamb

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

  • 9 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 10 New civic medallions

  • 11 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 12 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 13 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 14 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 15 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 16 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 17

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 18 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 19 Out of puff!

  • 20 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 21 Mobile missionary

  • 22 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 23 Hartland postman retires

  • 24 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 25 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 26 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 27 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 28 A man and his wheel

  • 29 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 30 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 31

    Relatives all over the world
  • 32 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 33 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 34 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 35 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 36 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 37 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 38 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 39 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 40 Revenge in style

  • 41 No sale of Springfield House

  • 42 Last train from Torrington

  • 43 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 44

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 45 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 46 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 47 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 48 From Bobby to Brian

  • 49 Bridging the stream

  • 50 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 51 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 52 So this is the mainland!

  • 53 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 54 Just over a year old

  • 55 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 56 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 57 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

  • 59 New Post Office

  • 60 A roof-top view - where?

  • 61

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 62 First ship in 8 years

  • 63 Off on a great adventure

  • 64 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 65 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 66 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 67 Ten year old scrambler

  • 68 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 69 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 70

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 71 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 72

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 73

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 74 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 75 Recognise this resort?

  • 76 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 77 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 78 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 79 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 80 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 81 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 82 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 83 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 84 The Geneva marionettes

  • 85 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 86 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 88 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 89 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 90 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 91 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 92 Circus comes to town

  • 93 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 94 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 95 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 96 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 97 Hartland's invitation

  • 98 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 99 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 100 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 101 All aboard the ark

  • 102 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 103 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 104 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 105 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 106 They are parted pro-tem

  • 107 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 108 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 109 No laughing matter

  • 110 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 111 Ships at Bideford

  • 112 Private home for public pump

  • 113 Riverside mystery

  • 114 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 115 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 116 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 117 New Lundy stamps

  • 118 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 119 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 120 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 121 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 122 Peter poses for TV film

  • 123 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 124 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 125 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 126 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 127 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 128 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 129 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 130 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 131 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 132

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 133

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 134 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 135 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 136

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 137 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 138 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 139 New art gallery opened

  • 140

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 141 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 142 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 143 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 144 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 145 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 146

    Married in 1908
  • 147 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 148 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 149

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 150 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 151 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 152 Sight of a lifetime

  • 153 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 154 Loads of black and white

  • 155 Happy Days!

  • 156 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 157 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 158 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 159 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 160 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 161 School's link with cargo ship

  • 162 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 163 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 164 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 165 Finished in 1876

  • 166 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 167 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 168 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 169 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 170 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 171 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 172 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 173 Torrington children build igloo
  • 174 A story to tell!

  • 175 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 176 Twenty-one yachts

  • 177 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 178 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 179 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 180 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 181

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 182 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 183 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 184 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 185 Littleham family's five generations

  • 186 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 187 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 188 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 189 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 190 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 191 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 192 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 193 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 194 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 195 In their new robes and hats

  • 196 Jumble sale fever

  • 197 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 198 Hartland Dancers
  • 199 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 200 Burnard family reunion

  • 201 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 202 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 203 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 204

    Bidefordians
  • 205 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 206 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 207 Traditions and skills still there

  • 208 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 209 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 210 Clovelly custom

  • 211 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 212 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 213 Some mushroom!

  • 214 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 215 A bird of their own!

  • 216

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 217 Picking the pops

  • 218 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 219

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 220 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 221 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 222 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 223 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 224 Appledore's largest

  • 225 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 226 New addition to Quay front

  • 227

    Building works
  • 228 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 229 Weare Giffard potato

  • 230 Puppet characters introduced

  • 231 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 232 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 233 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 234 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 235 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 236 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 237 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 238 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 239 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 241 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 242 Modern living at Bideford

  • 243 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 244 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 245 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 246 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 247 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 248 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 249 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 250 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 251

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 252 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 253 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 254 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 255 Cruising down the river

  • 256 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 257 Torrington in 1967

  • 258 Centenary of Gazette

  • 259 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 260 113 years at Instow

  • 261 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 262 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 263 Picking the pops

  • 264 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 265 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 266 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 267

    Was a missionary
  • 268 Northam footballers of the future

  • 269 New shipyard on schedule

  • 270 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 271 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 272 New life for Hartland organ

  • 273 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 274 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 275

    First prize
  • 276 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 277 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 278 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 279 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 280

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 281 End of the line

  • 282 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 283 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 284 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 285 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 286 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 287 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 288 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 289 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 290 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 291 Filming at Hartland

  • 292 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 293 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 294 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 295 What's the time?

  • 296 Clovelly nightmare

  • 297 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 298 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 299 Simple Item 138
  • 300

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 301 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 302 Artisans' Club

  • 303 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 304 New look in the hayfields

  • 305 For crying out loud!

  • 306 Penny for the guy

  • 307 Waldon Triplets
  • 308 Some 240 exhibits

  • 309 Service with a smile

  • 310 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 311 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 312 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 313 Bideford computer stars

  • 314 Variety in summer weather

  • 315 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 316 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 317 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 318 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 320 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 321

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 322 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 323 Record pebble-throwing day

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

  • 325

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 326 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 327 Blanchards ad.>
  • 328 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 329 Pannier Market's future?

  • 330 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 331 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 332 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 333 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 334 Devil sent packing

  • 335 When horses score over the tractor

  • 336 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 337 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 338 By pony and trap to market

  • 339

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 340 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 341 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 342 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 343 New choral society's growing response

  • 344 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 345 Life begins at 80

  • 346 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 347 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 349 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 350 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 351 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 352 Bideford loses training ship

  • 353 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 354 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 355 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 356 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 357 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 358

    New gateway
  • 359

    Exhibition of school work
  • 360 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 361 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 362 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 363 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 364 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 365 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 366 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 367 It really was the 'last time'

  • 368 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 369 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 370 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 371 The art of the thatcher

  • 372 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 373 He beat the floods

  • 374 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 375 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 376 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 377 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 378 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 379 Emergency ferry services

  • 380 Police station view of Bideford

  • 381 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 382 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 383 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 384

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 385 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 386 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 388 Torrington's new amenity

  • 389 Capers on the cobbles

  • 390

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 391 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 392 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 393 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 394 All for the love of a lady!

  • 395 Sweets derationing

  • 396 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 397 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 398 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 399 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 400 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 401 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 402 Over the bank together>
  • 403 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 404

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 405 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 406 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 407 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 408 Caught in the act>
  • 409 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 410 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 411 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 412 Bideford regatta

  • 413 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 415 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 416 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 418 Decontrol of meat

  • 419 North Devon Driving School

  • 420 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 421 The cab at the corner>
  • 422

    Successful motor cycling team
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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  • 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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  • 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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Bideford school pioneers new constructional method

Bideford school pioneers new constructional method 15th February 1963

bideford school pioneers new constructional methodFirst school to be built in this country using a structure of aluminium girders is at present being erected in Bideford.

New junior school for pupils of Stella Maris Convent being erected in the Convent's grounds near Mignonette Walk.  Main contractors for the work are the Bideford firm of A F (Colin) Beer & Son.  The use of new lightweight girders in the building trade is the idea of the designer of the school, Mr Bruce Martin, of London.

Diamond Wedding

Two of the best known of North Devon Methodists, the Rev and Mrs Richard Pyke, have just celebrated their diamond wedding.

1960 Rev Pyke


Mr Pyke was once a minister on the Barnstaple Thorne Memorial Circuit. He and his wife were married at the Bear Street church.
He has been a governor of Shebbear College for nearly 50 years and was recently made a life governor.

Schools

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