• 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 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 2 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 3 Bideford regatta

  • 4 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 5 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 6 Cruising down the river

  • 7 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 8 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 9 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 10 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 11 Ships at Bideford

  • 12 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 13

    Bidefordians
  • 14 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 15 Mobile missionary

  • 16 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 17 Revenge in style

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

  • 19 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 20 Clovelly custom

  • 21 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 22 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 23 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 24 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 25 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 26 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 27 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 28 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 29

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 30 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 31 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 32 Northam footballers of the future

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

  • 34 Six footed lamb

  • 35 Off on a great adventure

  • 36 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 37 Peter poses for TV film

  • 38 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 39 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 40 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 41 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 42 Life begins at 80

  • 43 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 44 The Geneva marionettes

  • 45 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 46 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 47 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 48 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 49 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 50 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 51 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 52 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 53 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 54 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 55 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 56 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 57 New addition to Quay front

  • 58 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 59

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 60 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 61 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 62 They are parted pro-tem

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

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

  • 65 Traditions and skills still there

  • 66 Twenty-one yachts

  • 67 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 68 Private home for public pump

  • 69 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 70 In their new robes and hats

  • 71 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 72 Clovelly nightmare

  • 73 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 74 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 75

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 76 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 77 Burnard family reunion

  • 78 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 79 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 80 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 81

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 82 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 83 From Bobby to Brian

  • 84 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 85

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 86 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 87 Loads of black and white

  • 88 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 89

    Building works
  • 90 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 91

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 92 Service with a smile

  • 93

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 94 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 95 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 96 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 97 For crying out loud!

  • 98 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 99 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 100 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 101 Ten year old scrambler

  • 102 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 103

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 104 All aboard the ark

  • 105 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 106 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 107 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 108 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 109

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 110 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 111 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 112 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 113 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 114 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 115 Artisans' Club

  • 116 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 117

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 118 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 119 Riverside mystery

  • 120 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 121 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 122 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 123 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 124 Modern living at Bideford

  • 125 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 126 Centenary of Gazette

  • 127 Hartland postman retires

  • 128 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 129 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 130 It really was the 'last time'

  • 131 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 132 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 133 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 134

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 135 End of the line

  • 136 Parkham plan realised

  • 137 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 138

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 139 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 140 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 141 Decontrol of meat

  • 142 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 143

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 144 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 145 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 146 A story to tell!

  • 147 Pannier Market's future?

  • 148 Variety in summer weather

  • 149 Police station view of Bideford

  • 150 A roof-top view - where?

  • 151 Finished in 1876

  • 152 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 153 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 154 Hartland Dancers
  • 155 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 156 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 157 Hartland's invitation

  • 158 Sweets derationing

  • 159 The cab at the corner>
  • 160 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 161 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 162 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 163 New shipyard on schedule

  • 164 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 166 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 167 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 168 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 169 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 171 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 172 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 173 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 174 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 175

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 176 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 177 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 178 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 179 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 180 Jumble sale fever

  • 181 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 182 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 183 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 184 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 185 New civic medallions

  • 186 Bideford computer stars

  • 187 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 188 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

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

  • 190 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 191 He beat the floods

  • 192 No laughing matter

  • 193 A bird of their own!

  • 194 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 195 By pony and trap to market

  • 196 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 197 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 198 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 199 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 200 Out of puff!

  • 201 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 202

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 203 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 204 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 205 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 206

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 207 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 208 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 209 Over the bank together>
  • 210 Bridging the stream

  • 211 Can spring be far away?

  • 212 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 213

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 214 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 215 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 216 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 217 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 218 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 219 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 220 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 221 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 222 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 223 Picking the pops

  • 224 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 225 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 226 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 227

    First prize
  • 228

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 229 New Post Office

  • 230 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 231 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 232

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

  • 234 Devil sent packing

  • 235 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 236 School crossing patrol begins

  • 237 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 238 Puppet characters introduced

  • 239 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 240 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 241 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 242

    Was a missionary
  • 243 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 244 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 245 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 246 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 247 New choral society's growing response

  • 248 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 249

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 250 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 251 New look in the hayfields

  • 252 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 253 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 254 Some mushroom!

  • 255 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 256 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 257 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 258 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 259 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 260 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 261 Capers on the cobbles

  • 262 What's the time?

  • 263 Torrington's new amenity

  • 264 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 265 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 266 First ship in 8 years

  • 267 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 268 Torrington in 1967

  • 269 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 270 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 271 Penny for the guy

  • 272 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 273 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 274 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 275 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 276 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 277 New art gallery opened

  • 278 Littleham family's five generations

  • 279 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 280 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 281 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 282 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 283 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 284 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 285 No sale of Springfield House

  • 286 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 287 The art of the thatcher

  • 288 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 289 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 290 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 291 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 292 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 293 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 294 Waldon Triplets
  • 295 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 296

    Married in 1908
  • 297 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 298 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 299 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 300 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 301 All for the love of a lady!

  • 302 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 303 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 304 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 305 Caught in the act>
  • 306 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 307 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 308 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 309 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 310 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 311 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 312 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 313 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 314 Just over a year old

  • 315 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 316 A man and his wheel

  • 317

    Exhibition of school work
  • 318 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 319 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

  • 321 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 322 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 323 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 324 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 325 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 326

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 327 Simple Item 138
  • 328 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 329 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 330 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 332

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 333 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 334 Filming at Hartland

  • 335 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 336 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 337 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 338 Happy Days!

  • 339 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 340 North Devon Driving School

  • 341 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 342 So this is the mainland!

  • 343 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 344 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 345 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 346 Sight of a lifetime

  • 347

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 348

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 349 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 350 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 351 Appledore's largest

  • 352 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 353 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 354 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 355 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

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

  • 357 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 358 When horses score over the tractor

  • 359 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 360 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 361 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 362 Northam's almshouse

  • 363 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 364 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 365 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 366 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 367 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 368 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 369 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 370 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 371 School's link with cargo ship

  • 372

    Relatives all over the world
  • 373 Blanchards ad.>
  • 374 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 375 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 376 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 377 Last train from Torrington

  • 378 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 379 Recognise this resort?

  • 380 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 382 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 383 Some 240 exhibits

  • 384 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 385 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 386 Torrington children build igloo
  • 387

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 388 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 389 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 390 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 391 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 392 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 393 Emergency ferry services

  • 394 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 395 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 396 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 397

    New gateway
  • 398 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 399 Circus comes to town

  • 400 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 401 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 402 113 years at Instow

  • 403 New life for Hartland organ

  • 404 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 405 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 406 Picking the pops

  • 407 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 408 Weare Giffard potato

  • 409 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 410 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 411 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 412 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 413 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 414 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 415 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 416 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 417 Bideford loses training ship

  • 418 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 419 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 420 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 421 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 422 New Lundy stamps

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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  • 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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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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All Aboard The Ark

The Torridge has seen many strange craft come and go but none more unique than the children’s Noah’s Ark pictured above on her Board of Trade trials on the river on Friday.

17.8.1951 Bideford Ark

Painted in bright colours, the Noah’s Ark was built by Messrs M W Blackmore and Sons, of New Road, Bideford, to the orders of Weston-super-Mare Corporation for use on the town’s Marine Pleasure Lake.
The cartoon figures seen in nautical garb are the work of Mr Charles King, the Bucks Mills artist.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 August 1951

Younger members not coming forward to help lifeboat cause 19.11.1954

Younger members not coming forward to help lifeboat cause 19.11.1954

younger membersConcern over the fact that younger people were not coming forward to play their parts in voluntary organisations was expressed at the annual meeting of the Appledore branch of the RNLI held at Bideford Town Hall.

Comments on the point came from the hon. treasurer, Mr W J G Coad and Captain H L Morgan in the course of tributes to the work of the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild.  Although younger members were not coming forward to take their share, the older members of the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild were carrying on their work most ably, said Mr Coad.

16 years as president: When the election of officers was considered, Rear Admiral H G C Franklin recalled that last year their President, Captain the Hon. Denys Scott, had intimated that he wished to resign but had agreed to carry on in the office for another year.  Captain Scott had been a member of the Appledore Lifeboat Committee for 37 years - something of a record.

Putting forward the name of Dr. D Valentine as the new President of the branch, Rear Admiral Franklin said Dr Valentine and his late father had been associated with the lifeboat for a very long time.  Proposal was seconded by Mr C H Ash.

Captain H L Morgan proposed a vote of thanks to the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild, which was seconded by Mr C H Ash and on behalf of the members of the Guild.  Mrs Buckeley thanks Mrs Williams for her leadership.

Crew of Appledore's inshore rescue boat 21.10.1977

Crew of Appledore's inshore rescue boat 21.10.1977

Appledore inshore crew

The crew of Appledore's inshore rescue boat "Wildenwrath Whizzer" can look forward to a restful winter after a hectic summer in which they made 24 rescues. 

The "Whizzer" will be taken to Poole at the end of the month for annual servicing ready to resume her duties next March. (sorry article does not include crew names).

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