• 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 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 2 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 3 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 4 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 5 What's the time?

  • 6 Traditions and skills still there

  • 7 A story to tell!

  • 8 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 9 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 10 Modern living at Bideford

  • 11 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 12 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 13 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 14 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 15 North Devon Driving School

  • 16 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 17 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 18 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 19 Over the bank together>
  • 20 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 21 Can spring be far away?

  • 22 When horses score over the tractor

  • 23 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 24 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 25 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 26 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 27 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 28 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 29 New choral society's growing response

  • 30 Torrington children build igloo
  • 31 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 32 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 33 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 34 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 35 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 36 New life for Hartland organ

  • 37 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 38 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 39 Bridging the stream

  • 40 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 41 Hartland's invitation

  • 42 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 43 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 44 The art of the thatcher

  • 45 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 46

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 47 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 48 Bideford loses training ship

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

  • 50

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 51 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 52 Northam's almshouse

  • 53 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 54 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 55 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 56 New addition to Quay front

  • 57 Simple Item 138
  • 58

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 59 Recognise this resort?

  • 60 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 61 By pony and trap to market

  • 62 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 63

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 64 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 65 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 66 Variety in summer weather

  • 67 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 68 Off on a great adventure

  • 69 A man and his wheel

  • 70 Service with a smile

  • 71 Centenary of Gazette

  • 72 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 73

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 74 Filming at Hartland

  • 75 Sweets derationing

  • 76 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 77

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 78

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 79 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 80 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 81 School's link with cargo ship

  • 82 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 83 Waldon Triplets
  • 84 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 85 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 86

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 87 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 88 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 89 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 90 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 91 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 92 The cab at the corner>
  • 93 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 94 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 95 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 96 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 97 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 98 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 99 Out of puff!

  • 100 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 101 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 102

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 103

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 104 Pannier Market's future?

  • 105 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 106 A bird of their own!

  • 107 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 108 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 109 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 110 Blanchards ad.>
  • 111 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 112

    Exhibition of school work
  • 113 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 114 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 115 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 116 All for the love of a lady!

  • 117 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 118

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 119

    New gateway
  • 120 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 121 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 122 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 123 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 124 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 125 So this is the mainland!

  • 126

    Building works
  • 127 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 128 Finished in 1876

  • 129 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 130 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 131 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 132 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 133 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 134 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 135 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 136 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 137 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 138 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 139 Burnard family reunion

  • 140 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 141 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 142 Capers on the cobbles

  • 143 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 144 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 145 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 147 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 148 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 149 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 150 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 151 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 152 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 153 In their new robes and hats

  • 154 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 155 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 156 Clovelly custom

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

  • 158 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 159 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 160

    Was a missionary
  • 161 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 162 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 163 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 164 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 165 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 166 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 167 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 168 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 169 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 170 Ships at Bideford

  • 171 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 172 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 173 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 174 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 175 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 176 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 177 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 178 Mobile missionary

  • 179

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 180 Penny for the guy

  • 181 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 182 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 183 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 184 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 185 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 186 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 187 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 188 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 189 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 190

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 191 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 192 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 193 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 194 All aboard the ark

  • 195

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 196 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 197 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 198 Just over a year old

  • 199

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 200 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 201 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 202 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 203 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 204 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 205

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 206 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 207 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 208 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 209 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 210 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 211 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 212

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 213 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 214 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 215 Sight of a lifetime

  • 216 New look in the hayfields

  • 217 Bideford regatta

  • 218 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 219

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 220 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 221 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 222 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 223 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 224 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 225 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 226 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 227 From Bobby to Brian

  • 228

    Married in 1908
  • 229 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 230 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 231 New art gallery opened

  • 232 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 234 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 235 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 236 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 237 Last train from Torrington

  • 238 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 239 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 240 It really was the 'last time'

  • 241 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 242 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 243 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 244

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 245 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 246

    Relatives all over the world
  • 247 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

  • 249 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 250 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 251 End of the line

  • 252 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 253 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 254 New civic medallions

  • 255 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 256 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 257 Happy Days!

  • 258 Warmington's garage ad

  • 259 Artisans' Club

  • 260 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 261 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 262 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 263 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 264 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 265 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 266 Life begins at 80

  • 267 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 268 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 269 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 271 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 272 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 273 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 274 Clovelly nightmare

  • 275 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 276 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 277 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 278 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 279 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 280 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 281 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 282 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 283 New shipyard on schedule

  • 284 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 285 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 286 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 287 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 288 Hartland Dancers
  • 289 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 290 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 291 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 292 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 293

    Bidefordians
  • 294 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 295

    First prize
  • 296 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 297 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

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

  • 299 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 300 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 301 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 302 Loads of black and white

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

  • 304 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 305 Devil sent packing

  • 306 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 307 Picking the pops

  • 308 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 309 Ten year old scrambler

  • 310 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 311

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 312 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 313 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 314 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 315 A roof-top view - where?

  • 316 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 317 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 318 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 319 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 320 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 321 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 322

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 323 First ship in 8 years

  • 324 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 325 Six footed lamb

  • 326 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 327 Picking the pops

  • 328 Decontrol of meat

  • 329 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 330 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 331 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 332 Appledore's largest

  • 333 For crying out loud!

  • 334

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 335 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 336 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 337 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 338 Jumble sale fever

  • 339 Police station view of Bideford

  • 340 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 341 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 342 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 343 He beat the floods

  • 344 Caught in the act>
  • 345 113 years at Instow

  • 346 Cruising down the river

  • 347 New Post Office

  • 348 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 349 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 350 Twenty-one yachts

  • 351 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 352 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 353 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 354 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 355 School crossing patrol begins

  • 356 No sale of Springfield House

  • 357 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 358 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 359 Private home for public pump

  • 360 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 362 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 363 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 364

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 365 Weare Giffard potato

  • 366

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 367 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 368 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 370 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 371

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 372 Torrington's new amenity

  • 373 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 375 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 376 Peter poses for TV film

  • 377 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 378 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 379 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 380 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 381 Torrington in 1967

  • 382 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 383 They are parted pro-tem

  • 384 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 385 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 386 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 387 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 388 Some 240 exhibits

  • 389 Bideford computer stars

  • 390 Puppet characters introduced

  • 391 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 392 Parkham plan realised

  • 393 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 394 Some mushroom!

  • 395 Northam footballers of the future

  • 396 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 397 New Lundy stamps

  • 398 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 399 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 400 Littleham family's five generations

  • 401 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

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

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

  • 404 Circus comes to town

  • 405 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 406 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 407 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 408 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 409 No laughing matter

  • 410 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 411 Revenge in style

  • 412 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 413 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 414 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 415 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 416 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 417 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 418 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 419 The Geneva marionettes

  • 420 Riverside mystery

  • 421 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 422 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

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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Mixed fortunes for Torrington's football club

End of season 

Torrington Colts' football team look back on a season of mixed fortunes.

13.5.1960 Torrington1 sport

 This team selection shows T Evans, R Bissett, L Hooper, T Taffs, L Williams, L Johns, Mr Arthur Burke (trainer), D Hoare, R Mules, R Newbold, R Jury and D Bryant.

Gazette article dated 13 May 1960

Assured of Support from Brother Organisations

Ladies’ Rowing Club may need new boathouse

Faced with the possibility that in the near future they might have to leave their present boathouse for new headquarters, Bideford and District Ladies’ Rowing Club was assured of full support from sporting and other organisations in the town by speakers at the Club’s first annual dinner.

The present Club boathouse is on a site earmarked for a new Head Post Office.

11.2.1955 Ladies Rowing Club1 2

Miss Mary Marshall, Mrs C A Grant, Mrs Grant, Mrs I Williams, Mr I Williams, Mrs P J V Fulford, Mr Charles Slee, and Mr A J Lee

The attendance of about 80 at the New Inn, Bideford, for this informal and friendly occasion included lady rowers, their husbands and friends, and representatives of kindred associations. The Club chairman, Miss M Marshall, presided, and during the evening there was a prize giving ceremony.

Referring to the formation of a West of England Ladies’ Amateur Rowing Association, the captain and secretary of the Club, Mrs I R Williams, said that they had discussed the idea many times and had agreed that in the future such an organisation would be really essential. At the moment, however, the Bideford club had rather a lot ‘on their plates. What with the ghost on the horizon that we may have to change our boathouse, we feel that we cannot undertake anything else,’ she said.

Mr E Frank Day, the founder of the Club, proposing the toast ‘Lady Rowers’, said ‘I am quite convinced that none of the local clubs is going to let the Ladies’ Rowing Club go out of existence because of a boathouse. If the worst comes we will fit them in somewhere.’

The prize distribution, of plaques to the A and B crews of the Club, and of a tankard to Mr Charlie Slee, their trainer, was made by Mrs C A Grant, wife of the Deputy Mayor, who added her good wishes to the lady rowers. Miss V Goodman, stroke to the A crew, thanked Mrs Grant and the A crew cox, Miss Doreen Balsdon, presented a bouquet to Mrs Grant and a button-hole to Mr Grant.

The plaques were presented to Misses Valerie Goodman, Marion Pilcher, Jean Harris, Pauline Screech, Doreen Balsdon, Janet Parker, Shirley Peel, Phyllis Marshall, Pat Smale, Gillian Taylor and Jean Taylor.

11.2.1955 Ladies Rowing Club1 3

Mrs C A Grant and Miss Doreen Balsdon

Gazette article dated 11 February 1955

Sally-Dall and crew are winners

In their new boat "Sally-Dall"

Bideford Blues' novices won this season's West of England A.R.A championship, fulfilling a confident hope expressed at the naming of the boat in May.

10.9.1965 Sport Rowing

The championship crew, are John Powe, Barry White, Geoff Giddy (cox), George Powe and Ken Taylor.

All except the cox come from Appeldore.

Gazette article dated 10 September 1965

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