• 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 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 2 Jumble sale fever

  • 3 Life begins at 80

  • 4 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 5 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 6 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 7 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 8 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 9 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 10 Just over a year old

  • 11 Loads of black and white

  • 12 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 13 Some mushroom!

  • 14

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 15 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 16 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 17 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 18 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 19 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 20 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 21 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 22

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 23 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 24 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 25 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 26 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 27 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 28 School crossing patrol begins

  • 29 Hartland's invitation

  • 30 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 31 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 32 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 33 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 34 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 35 New shipyard on schedule

  • 36 By pony and trap to market

  • 37 Revenge in style

  • 38

    New gateway
  • 39

    Was a missionary
  • 40 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 41 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 42 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 43

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 44 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 45

    Married in 1908
  • 46 Ten year old scrambler

  • 47 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 48 So this is the mainland!

  • 49 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 50

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 51 New life for Hartland organ

  • 52 Sweets derationing

  • 53

    Exhibition of school work
  • 54 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 55 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 56 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 57 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 58 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 59 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 61 Traditions and skills still there

  • 62 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 63 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 64 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 65 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 66 Hartland Dancers
  • 67 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 68 Service with a smile

  • 69 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 70 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 71 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 72 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 73

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 74 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 75 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 76 Devil sent packing

  • 77

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 78 New art gallery opened

  • 79 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 80 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 81 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 82 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 83 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 84 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 85 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 86 When horses score over the tractor

  • 87

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 88 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 89 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 90 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 91 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 92 Private home for public pump

  • 93 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 94 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 95 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 96

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 97 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 98 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 99 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 100 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 101 Six footed lamb

  • 102 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 103 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 104

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 105 Decontrol of meat

  • 106 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 107 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 108 113 years at Instow

  • 109 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 110

    Building works
  • 111 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 112 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 113 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 114 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 115 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 116 Northam's almshouse

  • 117 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 118 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 120 They are parted pro-tem

  • 121 He beat the floods

  • 122 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 123 Some 240 exhibits

  • 124 Can spring be far away?

  • 125 The cab at the corner>
  • 126 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 127 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 128 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 129 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 130 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 131 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 132 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 133 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 134 No laughing matter

  • 135 Pannier Market's future?

  • 136 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 137 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 138 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 139

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 140 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 141

    Relatives all over the world
  • 142 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 143 New addition to Quay front

  • 144 Twenty-one yachts

  • 145 Cruising down the river

  • 146 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 147 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 148 The Geneva marionettes

  • 149 Puppet characters introduced

  • 150 Centenary of Gazette

  • 151 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 152 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 153 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 154 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 155 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 156 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 157 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 158 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 159 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 160 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 161 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 162 Picking the pops

  • 163 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 164 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 165 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 166 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 167 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 168 All for the love of a lady!

  • 169

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 170 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 171 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 172 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 173 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 174 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 175 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 176 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 177 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 178

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 179 Recognise this resort?

  • 180 A bird of their own!

  • 181 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 182 Littleham family's five generations

  • 183 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 184 Northam footballers of the future

  • 185 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 186 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 187 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 188 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 189 For crying out loud!

  • 190 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 191 Weare Giffard potato

  • 192 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 193 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 194

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 195 Off on a great adventure

  • 196 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 197 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 198 Circus comes to town

  • 199 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 200 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 201 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 202 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 203 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 204 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 205 No sale of Springfield House

  • 206 Waldon Triplets
  • 207 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 208 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 209 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 210 Capers on the cobbles

  • 211 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 212 Torrington children build igloo
  • 213 Riverside mystery

  • 214 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 215 New Lundy stamps

  • 216

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 217 Simple Item 138
  • 218 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 219 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 220 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 221 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 222 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 223 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 224 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 225 Peter poses for TV film

  • 226 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 227 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 228 New choral society's growing response

  • 229 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 230 Mobile missionary

  • 231 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 232 Over the bank together>
  • 233 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 234 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 235

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 236 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 237 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 239 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 240 Hartland postman retires

  • 241 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 242 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 243 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 244 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 245 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 246 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 247 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 248

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 249 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 250 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 251 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 252 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 253 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 254 Bideford regatta

  • 255 Picking the pops

  • 256 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 257 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 258 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 259 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 260 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 261 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 263 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 264 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 265 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 266 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 267 What's the time?

  • 268 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 269 School's link with cargo ship

  • 270 New Post Office

  • 271 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 272 From Bobby to Brian

  • 273 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 274 New civic medallions

  • 275 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 276 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 277 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 278 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 279

    First prize
  • 280 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 282 Last train from Torrington

  • 283 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 284 Clovelly nightmare

  • 285 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 286 All aboard the ark

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

  • 288 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 289 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 290

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 291

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 292 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 293 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 294 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 295 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 296 Penny for the guy

  • 297 A man and his wheel

  • 298 First ship in 8 years

  • 299 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 300 Torrington in 1967

  • 301 Variety in summer weather

  • 302 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 303 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 304 Police station view of Bideford

  • 305 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 306 Warmington's garage ad

  • 307 Bridging the stream

  • 308 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 309

    Bidefordians
  • 310 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 311 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 312 New look in the hayfields

  • 313 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 314 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 315 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 316 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 317 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 318 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 319

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 320 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 321 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 322 Emergency ferry services

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

  • 324 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 325 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 326

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 327 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 328 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 329 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 330 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 331 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 332 Happy Days!

  • 333 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

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

  • 335 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 336 Ships at Bideford

  • 337 Artisans' Club

  • 338 Finished in 1876

  • 339 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 340 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 341 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 342 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 343 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 344 Torrington's new amenity

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

  • 346 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 347 Blanchards ad.>
  • 348 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 349 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 350 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 351 End of the line

  • 352 In their new robes and hats

  • 353 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 354 It really was the 'last time'

  • 355 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 356 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 357 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 358 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 359 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 360 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 361 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 362 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 363 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 364

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 365 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 366 Appledore's largest

  • 367 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 368 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 369 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 370 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 371 Clovelly custom

  • 372 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 373 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 374 Filming at Hartland

  • 375

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 376 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 377 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 378 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 379 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 380 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 381 The art of the thatcher

  • 382 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 383 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 384 Parkham plan realised

  • 385 Modern living at Bideford

  • 386 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 387 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 388 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 389 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 390 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 391 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 392 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 393 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 394 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 395 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 396 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 397 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 398

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 399 Burnard family reunion

  • 400 Bideford loses training ship

  • 401

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 402 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 403 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 404 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 405 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 406 A story to tell!

  • 407 Caught in the act>
  • 408 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 409 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 410 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 411 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 412 Out of puff!

  • 413

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 414 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 416 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 417 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 418 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 419 A roof-top view - where?

  • 420 Sight of a lifetime

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

  • 422 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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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  • 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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  • 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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Gift Aid To Cricket Fans

Playing members of Bideford and District Cricket Club

are photographed with their new scoreboard, the gift of Mr John R Gillespie, manager of the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre.

24.8.1951 WHo cricket

The new scoreboard is Mr Gillespie’s answer to the difficulties which hitherto faced visitors and spectators generally who, unless, they asked endless questions, had little idea of the state of the game or even the names of the teams playing.

Those appearing in the photograph are: Mr J R Gillespie, Messrs. A Robinson, A Bidgood, R Parsons, Ray Bird, P Hawke, R Waldon, S Pidler, G Waldon, S Young, R Mills, R Swain and G Bayliss.

Gazette article dated 24 August 1951

Triple New

New strip for a new season in a new league…

and Bideford Blues, busily preparing for their baptism in North Devon’s Junior Division One, find time to pause for a photograph. A memoir, like the runners-up plaques displayed, of their soccer return last season when they won promotion. Average age of the side is just 19.

20.8.1965 Bideford Blues

Photographed are: Dave Butler, Bob Arnold, Ken Taylor, Richard Hookway, Dave Backway, Keith Sowden, Frank Parkhouse, Ivor Jones, Roy Mitchell, Les Braddick, Jack Mitchell, Donald Cawsey, Eddie Shortridge, Bob Barter, Colin Curtis, Freddie Lamey, Chris Sowden.

Gazette article dated 20 August 1965

Peter Bids For Chance To Play World Master

Bideford schoolboy

Peter Gifford will be off to London in 12 days time to compete against 15 other top young darts players in the national finals of the ‘Our Show’ under-16 darts tournament for the Daily Mirror Trophy.

10.3.1978 Darts

Fifteen year old Peter, of 5B Honestone Street, Bideford, was one of two qualifiers at the West of England and Wales regional finals held at Bristol.

Should Peter be lucky enough to win the title he will not only receive the trophy from the reigning World Master and British Open champion Eric Bristow, but will also have the unique opportunity to play against the World’s number one in front of television cameras.

With his father Jack and brothers Paddy and Andy all keen players it was hardly surprising that Peter caught the darts bug at an early age.

The family team up at the Joiners Arms, Bideford.

Gazette article dated 10 March 1978

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