• 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 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 2

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 3 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 4 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 5 He beat the floods

  • 6 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 7 Devil sent packing

  • 8 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 9 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 10 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 11 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 12 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 13 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 14 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 15 First ship in 8 years

  • 16 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 17 New Post Office

  • 18 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 19 All for the love of a lady!

  • 20 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 21 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 22 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 23 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 24 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 25 Bridging the stream

  • 26 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 27 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 28 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 29 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 30 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 31 Circus comes to town

  • 32

    Married in 1908
  • 33 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 34 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 35 Happy Days!

  • 36 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 37 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 38 They are parted pro-tem

  • 39 Parkham plan realised

  • 40 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 41 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 42 Bideford loses training ship

  • 43 Blanchards ad.>
  • 44

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 45 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 46 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 47 113 years at Instow

  • 48 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 49 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 50 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 51 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 52 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 53 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 54 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 55 A bird of their own!

  • 56 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 57 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 58 Can spring be far away?

  • 59 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 60 A roof-top view - where?

  • 61

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 62 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 63 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 64 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 65 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 66 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 67 Six footed lamb

  • 68 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 69 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 70 Jumble sale fever

  • 71 In their new robes and hats

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

  • 73 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 74 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 75 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 76 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 77 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 78 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 79 Northam footballers of the future

  • 80 New look in the hayfields

  • 81 Recognise this resort?

  • 82 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 83 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 84 Ships at Bideford

  • 85 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 86 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 87 Caught in the act>
  • 88 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 89 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 90 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 91 Modern living at Bideford

  • 92 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 93 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 94 Torrington's new amenity

  • 95 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 96 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 97 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 98 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 99 Picking the pops

  • 100 Clovelly nightmare

  • 101 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 102

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 103 Just over a year old

  • 104 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 105 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 106 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 107 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 108 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 109 Off on a great adventure

  • 110 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 111 From Bobby to Brian

  • 112 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 113 New life for Hartland organ

  • 114

    Exhibition of school work
  • 115

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 116 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 117 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 118 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 119 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 120 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 121 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 122 New civic medallions

  • 123 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 124 The cab at the corner>
  • 125 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 126 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 127 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 128 End of the line

  • 129 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 130 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 131 So this is the mainland!

  • 132 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 133 Littleham family's five generations

  • 134 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 135 Northam's almshouse

  • 136 What's the time?

  • 137 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 138 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 139 Sweets derationing

  • 140 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 141 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 142 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 143 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 144 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 145 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 146 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 147 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 148 Clovelly custom

  • 149

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 150 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 151 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 152 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 153 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 154 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 155 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 156

    Was a missionary
  • 157 New art gallery opened

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

  • 159

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 160 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 161 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 162 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 163 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 164 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 165 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 166

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 167 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 168 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 169 A story to tell!

  • 170 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 171 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 172 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 173 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 174 Some 240 exhibits

  • 175

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 176

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 177 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 178 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 179

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 180 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 181 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 182 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 183

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 184 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 185 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 186 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 187 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 188 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 190 Finished in 1876

  • 191 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 192 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 193 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 194 Out of puff!

  • 195

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 196 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 197 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 198 No laughing matter

  • 199 New choral society's growing response

  • 200 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 201 Life begins at 80

  • 202 Space dominates Hartland carnival

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

  • 204

    Relatives all over the world
  • 205 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 206 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 207 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 208 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

  • 210 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 211 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 212 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 213 School's link with cargo ship

  • 214 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 215 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 216 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 217 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 219 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 220

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 221 Waldon Triplets
  • 222 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 223 Pannier Market's future?

  • 224 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 225 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 226 New Lundy stamps

  • 227

    Bidefordians
  • 228 For crying out loud!

  • 229 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 230 Filming at Hartland

  • 231 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 232 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 233 Hartland postman retires

  • 234 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 235 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 236 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 237 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 238 Hartland Dancers
  • 239 Riverside mystery

  • 240

    New gateway
  • 241 First steel ship built at Bideford

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

  • 243

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 244 Sight of a lifetime

  • 245 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 246 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 247 Revenge in style

  • 248 Bideford regatta

  • 249 Peter poses for TV film

  • 250 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 251 Hartland's invitation

  • 252 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 253

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 254 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 255

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 256

    First prize
  • 257 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 258 Emergency ferry services

  • 259 By pony and trap to market

  • 260 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 261 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 262 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 263 Penny for the guy

  • 264 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 265 Warmington's garage ad

  • 266 Cruising down the river

  • 267 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 268 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 269 Torrington children build igloo
  • 270 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 272

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 273 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 274 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 275 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 276 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 277 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 278 Artisans' Club

  • 279 Capers on the cobbles

  • 280 Ten year old scrambler

  • 281 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 282 Loads of black and white

  • 283 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 284 Service with a smile

  • 285 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 286 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 287 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 288 Police station view of Bideford

  • 289 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 290 Mobile missionary

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

  • 292 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 293 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 294 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 295 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 296 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 297 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 298 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 299 Simple Item 138
  • 300 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 301 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 302 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 303 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 304 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 305 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 306 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 307 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 308 North Devon Driving School

  • 309 New shipyard on schedule

  • 310 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 311 School crossing patrol begins

  • 312 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 313 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 314 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 315

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 316 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 317 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 318 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 320 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 321 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 322 Twenty-one yachts

  • 323 New addition to Quay front

  • 324 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 325 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 326

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 327 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 328 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 329 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 330 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 331 It really was the 'last time'

  • 332 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 333 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 334

    Building works
  • 335 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 336 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 337 A man and his wheel

  • 338 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 339 The art of the thatcher

  • 340 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 341 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 342 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 343 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 344 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 345 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 346 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 347 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 348 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 349

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 350 Last train from Torrington

  • 351 Private home for public pump

  • 352 No sale of Springfield House

  • 353 Over the bank together>
  • 354 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 355 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 356

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 357 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 358 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 359 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 360 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 361 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 362 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 363 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 364 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 365 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 366 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 367 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 368 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 369 Puppet characters introduced

  • 370 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 371

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 372 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 373 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 374 Burnard family reunion

  • 375 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 376 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 377 Traditions and skills still there

  • 378 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 379 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 380 Torrington in 1967

  • 381 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 382 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 384 Centenary of Gazette

  • 385 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 386 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 387 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 388 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 389 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 390 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 391 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 392 Decontrol of meat

  • 393 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 394 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 395 All aboard the ark

  • 396

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 397 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 398

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 399 When horses score over the tractor

  • 400 Some mushroom!

  • 401 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 402 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 403 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 404 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 405 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 406 Variety in summer weather

  • 407 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 408 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 409 The Geneva marionettes

  • 410 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 411 Bideford computer stars

  • 412 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 413 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 414 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 415 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 416 Appledore's largest

  • 417 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 418 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 419 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 420 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 421 Picking the pops

  • 422 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

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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  • 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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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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"Shiver my Timbers - What Next?" 20th November 1953

"Shiver my Timbers - What Next?" 20th November 1953

shiver my timbersFor 90 years, the three masted schooner 'Sedwell Jane' has held the honour of having been the largest and longest vessel ever launched above Bideford  Bridge. 

Messrs M W Blackmore and Sons, Bideford will be launching the largest vessel so far from their yard.  An inshore minesweeper to be known as HMS Broadley, whe will be named by Mrs Durnford-Slater, wife of Rear-Admiral L F Durnford-Slater, of "Landfall" Instow, who is Deputy Controller of the Navy.

The Sedwell Jane was built at Sea Locks, at the terminus of the old Rolle Canal at Weare Giffard, in 1868, Messrs Richard Pickard and John Leonard, the builders, built her to deck height, and then Mr Wm. Leonard of New Road, Bideford took her through the bridge to the bottom of Bridgeland Street where her masts were stepped in and her construction completed.

Shipyard closure hits nearly 500 jobs 8th March 1963

Shipyard closure hits nearly 500 jobs  8th March 1963

 

Shipyard closure hits nearly 500 jobsAfter the first stunning blow caused by the closure, literally at a moment's notice on Friday, of the Appledore shipyards of P K Harris & Sons Ltd, there has been much activity aimed at getting them reopened.

Mr J E Williams, who has been appointed by Lloyds Bank as Receiver, at the request of the directors, is examining the position.  Throughout Mr Percy Browne, MP who is convalescing at his London home, has been in close touch with the problem, as have other local leaders.

P K Harris & Sons Ltd regret to announce that circumstances have compelled them to virtually suspend operations at their shipyard.

For many the tragedy was intensified in that the area's other shipyard - that of M W Blackmore & Sons Ltd - which was Bideford's largest employer of labour, is in voluntary liquidation and is likely to close at the end of this month.

Mr G Maddock, (manager of the Bideford Employment Exchange) described the new closure as "a very sad blow."

Over 30 men lose shipyard jobs and more may follow 1st January 1960

Over 30 men lose shipyard jobs and more may follow 1st January 1960

Over 30 men lose shipyard jobs and more may followMore than 30 hands were laid off by P K Harris & Sons Ltd, the Appledore shipbuilders.  Mr Gordon Harris, a principal of the firm stated there are bound to be some more.  Reason for dismissals is that last year the firm produced 15 or 16 ships many of them in record time, "but at the great expense of Sunday work and overtime."

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