• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

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  • 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 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 2 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 3 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 4 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 5 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 6 A man and his wheel

  • 7 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 9 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 10 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 11 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 12 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 13 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 14 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 15 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 16 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 17 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 18 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 19 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 20 Jumble sale fever

  • 21 The art of the thatcher

  • 22 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 23 Centenary of Gazette

  • 24 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 25 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 26 Hartland postman retires

  • 27 Penny for the guy

  • 28 Riverside mystery

  • 29 Northam footballers of the future

  • 30

    Building works
  • 31 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 32 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 33 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 34 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 35

    Bidefordians
  • 36 Six footed lamb

  • 37 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 38 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 39 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 40 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 41

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 42 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 43 From Bobby to Brian

  • 44 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 45 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 46 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 47 New shipyard on schedule

  • 48 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 49 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 50 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 51

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 52 Loads of black and white

  • 53 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 54

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

  • 56 Appledore's largest

  • 57 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 58 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 59 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 60 New civic medallions

  • 61 New Lundy stamps

  • 62 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 63 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 64 Revenge in style

  • 65 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 66 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 67 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 68

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 69

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 70 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 71 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 72 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 73 Torrington children build igloo
  • 74

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 75 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 76 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 77 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 78 School's link with cargo ship

  • 79 Police station view of Bideford

  • 80 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 81 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 82 All for the love of a lady!

  • 83 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 84 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 85 Littleham family's five generations

  • 86 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 87 Bridging the stream

  • 88 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 89 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 90 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 91 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 92 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 93 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 94 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 95 Private home for public pump

  • 96 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 97 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 98 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 99 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 100 Peter poses for TV film

  • 101 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 102 First ship in 8 years

  • 103 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 104 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 105 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 107 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 108 Torrington's new amenity

  • 109 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 110 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 111 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 112

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 113 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 114 Blanchards ad.>
  • 115 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 116 Hartland Dancers
  • 117 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 118 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 119 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 120

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 121 Service with a smile

  • 122 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 123 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 124 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 125 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 126 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 127

    Relatives all over the world
  • 128 New life for Hartland organ

  • 129 Capers on the cobbles

  • 130 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 131 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 132 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 133 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 134 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 135 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 136 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 137 Caught in the act>
  • 138 Sweets derationing

  • 139 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 140 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 141 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 142 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 143 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 144 Cruising down the river

  • 145 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 146 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 147 Recognise this resort?

  • 148

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 149 They are parted pro-tem

  • 150 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 151 What's the time?

  • 152 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 153 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 154 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 155 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 157 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 158 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 159 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 160 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 161 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 162 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 163 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 164 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 165 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 166 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 167 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 168 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 169 New look in the hayfields

  • 170

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 171 113 years at Instow

  • 172 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 173 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 174 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 175 Variety in summer weather

  • 176 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 177 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 178 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 179 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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

  • 181

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 182 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 183 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 184 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 185 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 186

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 187 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 188 Circus comes to town

  • 189 No laughing matter

  • 190 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 191 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 192 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 193 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 194 Off on a great adventure

  • 195 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 196 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 197 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 198 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 199 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 200 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 201 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 202 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 203 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 204 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 205 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 206 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 207 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 208 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 209 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 210 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 211 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 213

    Married in 1908
  • 214

    Was a missionary
  • 215 Decontrol of meat

  • 216 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 217 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 218 Emergency ferry services

  • 219 New choral society's growing response

  • 220 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 221 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 222 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 223 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 224 New Post Office

  • 225 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 226 Pannier Market's future?

  • 227 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 228 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 229 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 230 Last train from Torrington

  • 231 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 232 Ten year old scrambler

  • 233 Picking the pops

  • 234 Artisans' Club

  • 235 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 237 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 238 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 240 End of the line

  • 241 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 242 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 243 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 244 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 245 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 246 Clovelly nightmare

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

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

  • 249 Some 240 exhibits

  • 250 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 251 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 252 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 253 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 254 Clovelly custom

  • 255 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 256 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 257 New art gallery opened

  • 258 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 259

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 260 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 261 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 262 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 263 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 264 Hartland's invitation

  • 265

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 266 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 267 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 268 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 269 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 270 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 271 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 272 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 273 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 274 Warmington's garage ad

  • 275 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 276 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 277 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 278 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 279 Devil sent packing

  • 280 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 281 In their new robes and hats

  • 282 For crying out loud!

  • 283 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 284 Bideford loses training ship

  • 285

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 286 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 287 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 288 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 289 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 290 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 291 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 292 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 293 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 294

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 295 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 296 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 297 Bideford computer stars

  • 298 A story to tell!

  • 299 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 300 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 301 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 302 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 303

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 304 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 305 Over the bank together>
  • 306 Modern living at Bideford

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 309 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 310

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 311 The cab at the corner>
  • 312 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 313

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 314 It really was the 'last time'

  • 315 He beat the floods

  • 316

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 317 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

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

  • 319 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 320 Northam's almshouse

  • 321 New addition to Quay front

  • 322 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 323 Weare Giffard potato

  • 324 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 325 Torrington in 1967

  • 326 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 327 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 328 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 329 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 330 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 331 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 332 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 333 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 334 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 335 Burnard family reunion

  • 336 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 337

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 338 When horses score over the tractor

  • 339 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 340 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 341

    Exhibition of school work
  • 342 Filming at Hartland

  • 343

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 344

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 345 Twenty-one yachts

  • 346 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 347 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 349 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 350 So this is the mainland!

  • 351 Happy Days!

  • 352 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 353 Finished in 1876

  • 354 Bideford regatta

  • 355 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 356 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 357 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 358 Ships at Bideford

  • 359 Sight of a lifetime

  • 360 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 361 A bird of their own!

  • 362 A roof-top view - where?

  • 363 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 364 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 365 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 366 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 367 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 368 By pony and trap to market

  • 369 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 370 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 371 Puppet characters introduced

  • 372 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 373 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 374 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 375 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 376 The Geneva marionettes

  • 377

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 378 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 379 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 380 North Devon Driving School

  • 381 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 382 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 383 Just over a year old

  • 384 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 385

    New gateway
  • 386 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 387 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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

  • 389 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 390 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 391 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 392 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 393 Parkham plan realised

  • 394 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 395 Simple Item 138
  • 396 Some mushroom!

  • 397 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 398 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 399 Can spring be far away?

  • 400 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 401 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 402 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 403 All aboard the ark

  • 404 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 405 Waldon Triplets
  • 406 Picking the pops

  • 407 School crossing patrol begins

  • 408 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 409 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 410 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 411 Out of puff!

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

  • 413

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 414 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 415

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 416 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 417 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 418 Life begins at 80

  • 419 Mobile missionary

  • 420 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 421 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 422 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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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Appledore builds tug for Persian Gulf State 10th April 1953

Appledore builds tug for Persian Gulf State 10th April 1953

Appledore builds tug for Persion Gulf StateRapidly taking shape in the Richmond dry dock at the Appledore ship building yard of Messrs P K Harris & Sons, is a diesel tug being built to the orders of the government of Kuwait on the Persian Gulf. 

Photograph shows the first plate being fitted into its positon towards the bow of the vessel and inside the ship are two members of the rivetting team.

'Pirate spirit' goes 'down the hatch' 16th June 1950

'Pirate spirit' goes 'down the hatch' 16th June 1950

Pirate spirit goes down the hatchPirates were taking the Treasure Island film ship Hispaniola on her last voyage from Appledore to Scarborough where the ship will become part of the town's maritime display.  The Hispaniola was commended by Lieut Commander S Gorrell and manned by 2 Appledore seamen, Messrs E Bignell and Kelly Eastman, and a number of amateur sailors, Messrs W Glover, S Sanders, T R Davies and Wing Commander Johnson.

At Scarborough Mrs Pat Pulleyn, wife of the Chairman of Scarborough Harbour Committee, was first on board.  A mayoral reception was accorded the crew and among those present were Lee Savold (who was then in Scarborough preparing for his fight with Bruce Woodcock), Jimmy Wilde and Nat Fleischer.

Mr Ernest Bignell was met on his arrival by his siter, Mrs J Parkin.

Corvette becomes fishing and depot ship 5th April 1949

Corvette becomes fishing and depot ship 5th April 1949

Corvette becomes fishing and depot ship

Described by Messrs P K Harris and Sons as the biggest conversion job they have done, the ex "Flower" class corvette Anchusia, now being converted at Appledore into a fishing and depot ship renamed Silver Lord, is nearing completion.  Wheel-house of the ship and the bridge deck are built of teak taken from HMS Warspite when she was broken up.  Alongside the Silver Lord is another former corvette, now named Silver King.  Work on this vessel has not yet commenced.

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