• 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 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 2 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 3 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 4 Decontrol of meat

  • 5 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 6 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 7 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 8 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 9 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 10 New addition to Quay front

  • 11 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 12 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 13 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 14 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 15 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 16 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 17

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 18 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 19 Finished in 1876

  • 20 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 21 The Geneva marionettes

  • 22 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 23 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 24 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 25 Some 240 exhibits

  • 26 Recognise this resort?

  • 27 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 28 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 29 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 30 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 31 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 32 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 33 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 34 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 35 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 36 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 37 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 38 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 39 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 40 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 41 Police station view of Bideford

  • 42 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 43 What's the time?

  • 44 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 45 By pony and trap to market

  • 46 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 47 Service with a smile

  • 48 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 49 New civic medallions

  • 50 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 51 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 52 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 53

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

  • 55 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 56 New life for Hartland organ

  • 57 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 58 Last train from Torrington

  • 59 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 60 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 61 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 62 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 63 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 64 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 65 Emergency ferry services

  • 66 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 67 Alwington School closing after 120 years

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

  • 69 Caught in the act>
  • 70

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 71 In their new robes and hats

  • 72 A roof-top view - where?

  • 73 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 74 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 75 Capers on the cobbles

  • 76 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 77 Pannier Market's future?

  • 78 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 79 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 80 The cab at the corner>
  • 81 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 82 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 83 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 84 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 85 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 86 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 87 He beat the floods

  • 88 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 89 Puppet characters introduced

  • 90 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 91 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 92 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 93 No sale of Springfield House

  • 94 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 95 New choral society's growing response

  • 96 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 97 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 98 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 99 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 100 New Lundy stamps

  • 101 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 103 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 104 So this is the mainland!

  • 105 Sweets derationing

  • 106 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 107 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 108 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 109 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 110 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 111 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 112 School's link with cargo ship

  • 113 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 114 Bideford loses training ship

  • 115 Bridging the stream

  • 116 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 117 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 118 A story to tell!

  • 119 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 120 A man and his wheel

  • 121 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 122 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 124 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 125 Riverside mystery

  • 126 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 127 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 128 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 129 Some mushroom!

  • 130 Ships at Bideford

  • 131 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 132

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 133 Artisans' Club

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

  • 135 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 136 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 138 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 139 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 141 The art of the thatcher

  • 142 From Bobby to Brian

  • 143 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 144 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 145 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 146 Hartland's invitation

  • 147 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 148 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 149 Peter poses for TV film

  • 150 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 151 Variety in summer weather

  • 152

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 153 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 154 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 155 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 156 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 157 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 158

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 159 Just over a year old

  • 160 Weare Giffard potato

  • 161 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 162 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 163 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 164 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 165 For crying out loud!

  • 166 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 167 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 168 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 169 Torrington children build igloo
  • 170 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 171 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 172 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 173 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 174

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 175

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 176 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 177 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 178 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 179 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 181 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 182

    Building works
  • 183 Blanchards ad.>
  • 184 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 185 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 186 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 187 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 188 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 189 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 190 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 191 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 192 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 193 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 194 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 195 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 196 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 197

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 198 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 199 Traditions and skills still there

  • 200 Off on a great adventure

  • 201 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 202 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 203 Loads of black and white

  • 204 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 205 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 206 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 207 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 208 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 209

    Exhibition of school work
  • 210

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 211 113 years at Instow

  • 212 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 213 Picking the pops

  • 214 Littleham family's five generations

  • 215 Cruising down the river

  • 216 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 217 Sight of a lifetime

  • 218

    Married in 1908
  • 219 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 220 New look in the hayfields

  • 221 Simple Item 138
  • 222 Private home for public pump

  • 223 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 224

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 225 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 226 All for the love of a lady!

  • 227 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 228 First ship in 8 years

  • 229 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 230 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 231 Life begins at 80

  • 232 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 233 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 234 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 235

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 236 End of the line

  • 237 Mobile missionary

  • 238

    Relatives all over the world
  • 239 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 240

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 241 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 242 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 243 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 245 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 246 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 247 Northam's almshouse

  • 248 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 249

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 250 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 251 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 252 Bideford regatta

  • 253 Jumble sale fever

  • 254

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 255 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 256 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 257 Devil sent packing

  • 258 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 259 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 260 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 261

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 262 Penny for the guy

  • 263 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 264 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 265 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 266 Circus comes to town

  • 267 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 268 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 269 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 270 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 271

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 272 Six footed lamb

  • 273 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 274 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 275 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 276 Warmington's garage ad

  • 277 It really was the 'last time'

  • 278 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 280 Waldon Triplets
  • 281 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 282 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 283 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 284 All aboard the ark

  • 285 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 286 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 287 Ten year old scrambler

  • 288 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 289 No laughing matter

  • 290 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 291 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 292 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 293 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 294 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 295 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 296 New art gallery opened

  • 297 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 298 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 299 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 300 Hartland Dancers
  • 301 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 302 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 303 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 304 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 305 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 306 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 307 New Post Office

  • 308 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 309 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 310 Burnard family reunion

  • 311 Parkham plan realised

  • 312 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 313 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 314 When horses score over the tractor

  • 315 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 316 Northam footballers of the future

  • 317 Hartland postman retires

  • 318 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 319 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 320 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 321 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 323 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 324 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 325 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 326 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 327 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 328

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 329 Filming at Hartland

  • 330

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 331

    First prize
  • 332 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 333 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 334 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 335 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 336 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 337 Picking the pops

  • 338 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 339 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 340 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 341 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 342 Clovelly custom

  • 343

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 344 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 345 Bideford computer stars

  • 346 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 347 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 349 Appledore's largest

  • 350 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 351 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 352 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 353 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 354 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 355 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 356

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 357

    Was a missionary
  • 358 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 359

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 360 A bird of their own!

  • 361 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 362 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 363 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 364

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 365 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 366 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 367 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 368 Out of puff!

  • 369 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 370 Torrington's new amenity

  • 371 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 372 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 373 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 374 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 375 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 376 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 377 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 378 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 379 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 380 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 381 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 382 Torrington in 1967

  • 383 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 384 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 385 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 386 Happy Days!

  • 387 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 388 Clovelly nightmare

  • 389 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 390 They are parted pro-tem

  • 391 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 392 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 394 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 395 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 396 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 397 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 398

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 399 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 400 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 401

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 402 Twenty-one yachts

  • 403 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 404 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 405 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 406 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 407 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 408 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 409 School crossing patrol begins

  • 410 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 411

    Bidefordians
  • 412 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 413 North Devon Driving School

  • 414

    New gateway
  • 415 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 416 Over the bank together>
  • 417 New shipyard on schedule

  • 418 Revenge in style

  • 419 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 420 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 421 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 422 Childrens' model of Torrington

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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  • 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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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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Traders protest 'district gets worst rail carriages' 3rd February 1961

Traders protest 'district gets worst rail carriages' 3rd February 1961TRADERS PROTEST

Holiday makers going on to the platform at Waterloo bound for the Westcountry invariably find the worst carriages earmarked for the Bideford-Barnstaple area, says a letter of protest sent to British Railways by Bideford and District Chamber of Trade.  The secretary, Mr C C Prust said the MP for Torrington Division, Mr Percy Browne was also being asked to take the matter up.

Town’s last passenger train

The last train to carry passengers both ways on the Barnstaple-Torrington route will leave Torrington for Bideford at 7.45pm and Bideford for Barnstaple at 7.54pm tomorrow.

October 1965 last train

Although a train leaves Barnstaple at 9.40pm and Bideford for Torrington at 9.58, it returns from Torrington empty. The occasion will not pass unmarked.
The Mayor of Bideford, Mrs Ethelwynne Brown, will be on the station to say farewell to the 7.54pm train. The occasion, she pointed to the Gazette, was certainly not one for celebration. ‘But the least I can do as Mayor is to thank the staff for past services for which we have been so glad for very many years’.
The closure of the line to passenger traffic means that at Bideford two booking clerks and four porters will lose their jobs. But an assurance has been given to Mr Peter Mills, MP, for Torrington, that they will be helped to find new situations. It has come from Mr C Hankins, divisional manager of British Rail’s Western Region. He says he is disappointed to hear that members of the railway staff at Bideford are concerned about the attitude of British Rail towards redundancy. And he pledges that every effort will be made to ‘assist our unfortunate colleagues’ who are made redundant. Every possible vacancy has been held for months in the hope that the redundant staff will have alternative jobs offered to them.
The Bideford staff will receive notice, together with offers of alternative employment, during the coming week.
Mr Mills commented: ‘Redundancy is a big problem in areas like Bideford, but it is comforting to know that everything possible is being done for these men’.

Gazette article dated 1 October 1965

Railways

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