• 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 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 2 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 3 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 4 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 5 Artisans' Club

  • 6 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 7 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 8 Six footed lamb

  • 9 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 10 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 11 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 12 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 13 Cruising down the river

  • 14 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 15 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 16 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 17 Recognise this resort?

  • 18 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 19 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 20 A story to tell!

  • 21 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 22 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 23 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 24 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 25 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

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

  • 27 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 28 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 29 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 30 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 32 Circus comes to town

  • 33 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 34 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 35 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 36 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 37 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 38 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 39 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 40 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 41

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 42 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 43 No sale of Springfield House

  • 44 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 45 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 46 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 47 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 48 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 49 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 50 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 51 First ship in 8 years

  • 52 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 53 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 54 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 55 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 56 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 57 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 58 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 59 It really was the 'last time'

  • 60 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 61 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 62 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 63 Bridging the stream

  • 64 Life begins at 80

  • 65 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 66 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 67 Off on a great adventure

  • 68 North Devon Driving School

  • 69 Hartland postman retires

  • 70 Northam's almshouse

  • 71 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 72 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 73 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 74 New look in the hayfields

  • 75 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 76 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 77 A bird of their own!

  • 78 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 79 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 80 Loads of black and white

  • 81 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 82 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 83 Over the bank together>
  • 84 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 86

    Relatives all over the world
  • 87 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 88

    First prize
  • 89 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 90 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 91 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 92 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 93 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 94 He beat the floods

  • 95

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 96

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 97 Some 240 exhibits

  • 98 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 99 All aboard the ark

  • 100 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 101 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 102 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 103 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 104 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 105 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 106 End of the line

  • 107

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 108 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 109 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 110 Out of puff!

  • 111 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 112

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 113 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 114 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 115 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 116 Puppet characters introduced

  • 117 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 118 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 119 In their new robes and hats

  • 120 Capers on the cobbles

  • 121 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 122 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 123 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 124 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 125 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 126 Burnard family reunion

  • 127 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 128 Finished in 1876

  • 129 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 131 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 132 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 133 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 134 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 135 Can spring be far away?

  • 136 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 137 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 138 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 139 Bideford computer stars

  • 140 No laughing matter

  • 141

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 142 Bideford loses training ship

  • 143 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 144 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 145 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 146 Traditions and skills still there

  • 147 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 148 Mobile missionary

  • 149 New civic medallions

  • 150 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 151 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 152 The cab at the corner>
  • 153

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 154 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 155 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 156 Torrington's new amenity

  • 157 Picking the pops

  • 158 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 159 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 160 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 161 The art of the thatcher

  • 162 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 163 All for the love of a lady!

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

  • 165 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 166 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 167

    Married in 1908
  • 168 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 169

    Building works
  • 170 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 171 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 172 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 173 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 174 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 176 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 177 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 178 For crying out loud!

  • 179

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 180 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 181 Torrington in 1967

  • 182 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 183 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 184 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 185 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 186 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 187 Clovelly nightmare

  • 188 Caught in the act>
  • 189

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 190 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 191 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 192 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 193 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 194 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 195 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 196 Simple Item 138
  • 197 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 198

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 199 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 200 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 201 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 202 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 203 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 204 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 205 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 206 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 207

    Exhibition of school work
  • 208 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 209 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 210 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 211 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 212

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 213 Weare Giffard potato

  • 214 Sight of a lifetime

  • 215

    Was a missionary
  • 216 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 217 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 218 Riverside mystery

  • 219 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 220 Warmington's garage ad

  • 221 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 222 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 223 School's link with cargo ship

  • 224 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 225

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 226 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 227 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 228 New life for Hartland organ

  • 229 New art gallery opened

  • 230 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 231 Filming at Hartland

  • 232 Clovelly custom

  • 233 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 234 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 235 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 236 Centenary of Gazette

  • 237 By pony and trap to market

  • 238 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 239 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 240 Hartland's invitation

  • 241 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 242 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 244

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 245 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 246 Torrington children build igloo
  • 247 New Post Office

  • 248 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 249 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 250 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 251

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 252 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 253 New choral society's growing response

  • 254 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 255 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 256

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 257 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 258 They are parted pro-tem

  • 259 Police station view of Bideford

  • 260 Decontrol of meat

  • 261 So this is the mainland!

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

  • 263 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 264 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 265

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 266 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 267 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 268 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 269 Private home for public pump

  • 270 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 271 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 272 Some mushroom!

  • 273 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 274 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 275 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 276 School crossing patrol begins

  • 277 Northam footballers of the future

  • 278 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 279 Penny for the guy

  • 280 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 281 Devil sent packing

  • 282 Hartland Dancers
  • 283 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 284

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 285 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 286 Bideford regatta

  • 287 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 288 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 289 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 290 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 291 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 292 The Geneva marionettes

  • 293 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 294 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 295 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

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

  • 297 Emergency ferry services

  • 298 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 299 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 300

    New gateway
  • 301 Appledore's largest

  • 302 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 303 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 304 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 305 Jumble sale fever

  • 306 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 307 Picking the pops

  • 308 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 309 Littleham family's five generations

  • 310 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 311 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 312 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 313 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 314 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 315 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 316 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 317 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 319 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 320 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 321 Parkham plan realised

  • 322 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 323 When horses score over the tractor

  • 324 What's the time?

  • 325 New addition to Quay front

  • 326 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 327 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 328 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 329 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 331 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 332 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 333 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 334 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 335 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 336 Just over a year old

  • 337 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 338 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 339 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 340 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 341 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 342 From Bobby to Brian

  • 343 Peter poses for TV film

  • 344 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 345 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 346

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 347 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 348 Variety in summer weather

  • 349 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 350

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 351 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 352 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 353 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 354 Modern living at Bideford

  • 355 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 356 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

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

  • 358 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 359 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 360 Waldon Triplets
  • 361 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 362 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 363 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 364 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 365 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 366 A man and his wheel

  • 367

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 368 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 369 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 370 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 371 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 372 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 373 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 374 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 375

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 376 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 377 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 378 New Lundy stamps

  • 379 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 380 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 381 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 382 Sweets derationing

  • 383 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 384 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 385 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 386

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 387 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 388 Last train from Torrington

  • 389 Blanchards ad.>
  • 390 Pannier Market's future?

  • 391 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 392 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 393 Ships at Bideford

  • 394 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 395 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 396

    Bidefordians
  • 397 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 398 New shipyard on schedule

  • 399 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 400 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 401 Twenty-one yachts

  • 402 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 403 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 404

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 405 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 406 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 407 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 408 Revenge in style

  • 409 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 410 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 411 Happy Days!

  • 412 113 years at Instow

  • 413 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 414 Service with a smile

  • 415 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 416 A roof-top view - where?

  • 417

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 418 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 419 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 420

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 421 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 422 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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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20 Sunday Schools Took Scripture Examination

All but five Sunday schools affiliated to the Bideford and Torridge district Sunday School Union took part in the Scripture examination last year, Mrs J Vanstone told the Sunday school union’s annual meeting at Lavington Congregational Church.

1.3.1963 Scriptures

Mrs Vanstone said they were pleased to receive entries from Dolton and Frithelstock Baptist Sunday schoosl and a welcome return was made by Abbotsham.
The temperance examination secretary, Mr A E Pettitt, said that four Bideford Sunday schools participated in the temperance exams in November and the results were satisfying.
The general secretary, Miss Delia Jones, pointed out that in October 1962, in the 25 schools associated in the union, there were 907 scholars, 24 fewer than the previous year, and 192 teachers (one less). Of the 156 scholars who left during the year 21 joined the teaching staff.
Treasurer Mr F R Hoyle reported they had a bank balance of nearly £24.
Election of officers: Mrs Goodwin; Miss R Lang; Mr F R Hoyle; Mr Evely; Mr A E Pettitt; Mrs J Vanstone; Mrs Pettitt; Miss D Jones; Mr S G Squire; Mr F Burrow.
Mrs Goodwin was appointed representative to the committee of the Bideford and District Association for the Handicapped and Mr Squire appointed to the Mayor of Bideford’s ‘Freedom from hunger’ campaign committee.
Solos and a duet were sung by Mrs J Granger and Miss G Copp, pianist being Miss Marie Bird. Prayers were led by the minister, Rev Gladys Smith, and guest speaker was Rev Bernard Chart, of Heavitree Congregational Church.
A vote of thanks to the speaker was proposed by Mr Rosekilly.
Full Gazette article dated 1 March 1963

Langtree Methodist’s Jubilee Effort

External and internal renovations have been carried out at the Methodist Chapel at Langtree to mark the golden jubilee of the opening of the building and a very successful re-opening day was held on Thursday of last week.

Friends from a wide area gave their support.

1954 Langtree Methodist

The re-opening was performed by Mrs E Johns, of Sutcombe, who was associated with the chapel in its early days and was the first bride to be married from it.
Seen from left to right in the picture are: Rev Harold Sharrett (Hatherleigh), Rev A Olds, Pamela Daniel, Mrs Johns and Pastor C C Capener. After the service there was a public tea, followed by a meeting over which Mr W E Short (Burrington) presided. Rev H Sharrett gave an address and Mr T Squire (Northam) contributed personal recollections of the opening of the building fifty years ago. The Rector, Rev T R Gibby, was among those present at the tea and evening meeting.
Soloist at the afternoon and evening gatherings were Mr Henry Ford.
Proceeds of the day, with those of a gift night earlier and other donations, went towards the renovation fund. In the region of £173 has been raised to the time of writing.
Gazette article dated 5 November 1954

Coming soon!

 

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