• 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 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 2 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 3 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 4 Last train from Torrington

  • 5 All for the love of a lady!

  • 6 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 8 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 9 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 10 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 11 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 12

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 13 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 14 Modern living at Bideford

  • 15 Riverside mystery

  • 16 A man and his wheel

  • 17 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 18 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 19 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 20 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 21 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 22 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 23 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 24 Sweets derationing

  • 25 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 26 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 27 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 28

    Exhibition of school work
  • 29 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 30 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 31 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 32 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 33 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 34 Decontrol of meat

  • 35 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 36 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 37

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 38 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 39 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 40

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 41 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 42 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 43 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 44 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 45 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 46 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 47 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 48 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

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

  • 50 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 51 Emergency ferry services

  • 52 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 53 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 54 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 55 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 56 Picking the pops

  • 57

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 58 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 59 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 60 Bideford computer stars

  • 61 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 62 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 63 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 64 Appledore's largest

  • 65 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 66 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 67 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 68 Off on a great adventure

  • 69 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 70 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 71 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 72 Devil sent packing

  • 73 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 74 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 75 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 76 Recognise this resort?

  • 77 Weare Giffard potato

  • 78 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 80 North Devon Driving School

  • 81 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 82 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 83 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 84 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 85 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 86 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 87 Six footed lamb

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

  • 89

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 90 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 91 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 92 For crying out loud!

  • 93

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 94 Ships at Bideford

  • 95 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 96 New addition to Quay front

  • 97 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 98 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 99 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 100 Loads of black and white

  • 101 113 years at Instow

  • 102 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 103 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 104 New look in the hayfields

  • 105 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 106 Bideford regatta

  • 107 No sale of Springfield House

  • 108 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 110 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 111 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 112 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 113 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 114 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 115 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 116 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 117 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 118 Some 240 exhibits

  • 119 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 120 Peter poses for TV film

  • 121 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 122 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 123 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 124 Private home for public pump

  • 125 A roof-top view - where?

  • 126 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 127

    Bidefordians
  • 128 New choral society's growing response

  • 129 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 130 What's the time?

  • 131 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 132 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 133

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 134 A bird of their own!

  • 135 Picking the pops

  • 136 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 137 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 138 They are parted pro-tem

  • 139 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 140 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 141 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 142 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 143 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 144 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 145 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 146 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 147 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 148 School crossing patrol begins

  • 149 Can spring be far away?

  • 150 Bideford loses training ship

  • 151 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 152 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 153

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 154 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 155 End of the line

  • 156 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 157 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 158 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 159 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 160 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 161 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 162 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 163 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 164 Northam's almshouse

  • 165 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 166 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 167 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 168 New art gallery opened

  • 169 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 170 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 171 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 172 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 173 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 174 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 175 Cruising down the river

  • 176

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 177 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 178 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 179 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 180 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 181 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 182

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 183 Clovelly nightmare

  • 184 A story to tell!

  • 185 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 186 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 187 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 188 Out of puff!

  • 189 First ship in 8 years

  • 190 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 191 Mobile missionary

  • 192 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 193 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 194 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 195 Torrington in 1967

  • 196 Life begins at 80

  • 197 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 198 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 199 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 200 Burnard family reunion

  • 201 Parkham plan realised

  • 202 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 203

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 204 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 205 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 207 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 208 Warmington's garage ad

  • 209 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 210 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 211 Revenge in style

  • 212 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 214 Circus comes to town

  • 215 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 216 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 217 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 218 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 219

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 220 Northam footballers of the future

  • 221 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 222 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 223 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 224 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 225 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 226 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 227 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 228 He beat the floods

  • 229 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 231 Hartland postman retires

  • 232 Capers on the cobbles

  • 233 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 234 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 235 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 236 From Bobby to Brian

  • 237 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 238

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 239 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 240 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 241 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 242 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 243

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 244 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 245 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 247 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 248 Torrington's new amenity

  • 249 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 250 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 251 Service with a smile

  • 252 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 253 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 254 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 255 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 256 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 257 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 258 Police station view of Bideford

  • 259 Penny for the guy

  • 260 New life for Hartland organ

  • 261 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 262 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 263 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 264 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 265 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 266 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 268 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 269 Hartland Dancers
  • 270 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 271 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 272 The cab at the corner>
  • 273 Finished in 1876

  • 274 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 275 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 276 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 277 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 278 Happy Days!

  • 279 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

  • 281 Blanchards ad.>
  • 282 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 283

    Was a missionary
  • 284

    Building works
  • 285

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 286 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 287 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 288 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 289 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 290 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 291 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 292 It really was the 'last time'

  • 293 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 294 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 295 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 296 Ten year old scrambler

  • 297 The Geneva marionettes

  • 298 Filming at Hartland

  • 299 Centenary of Gazette

  • 300 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 301 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 302 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 303 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 304 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 305 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 306 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 307

    New gateway
  • 308 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 309 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 310 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 311 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 312 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 313 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 314 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 315 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 316 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 317 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 318 Simple Item 138
  • 319 New shipyard on schedule

  • 320 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 321

    Relatives all over the world
  • 322 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 323 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 324

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 325 Bridging the stream

  • 326 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 327 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 328 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 329 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 330 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 331 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 332 Artisans' Club

  • 333

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 334 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 335 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 336 The art of the thatcher

  • 337 Jumble sale fever

  • 338 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 339 Littleham family's five generations

  • 340 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 342 Caught in the act>
  • 343 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 344 No laughing matter

  • 345 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 346 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 347 Twenty-one yachts

  • 348

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 349

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 350 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 351 Clovelly custom

  • 352 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 353 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 354 Traditions and skills still there

  • 355 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 357 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 358

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 359

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 360 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 361 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 362 So this is the mainland!

  • 363 Hartland's invitation

  • 364 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 365 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 366 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 367 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 368 Puppet characters introduced

  • 369 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

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

  • 371 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 372 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 373 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 374 In their new robes and hats

  • 375 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 376 New Post Office

  • 377 Pannier Market's future?

  • 378

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 379 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 380 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 381 Over the bank together>
  • 382 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 383 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 384

    Married in 1908
  • 385 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 386 Some mushroom!

  • 387 New civic medallions

  • 388 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 389 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 390 New Lundy stamps

  • 391 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 392 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 393 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 394 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 395 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 396 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 397 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 398

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 399 Sight of a lifetime

  • 400 Just over a year old

  • 401

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 402 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 403 Waldon Triplets
  • 404 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 405 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 406 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 407 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 408 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 409 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 410 Variety in summer weather

  • 411 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 412 Torrington children build igloo
  • 413

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 414 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 415 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 416 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 417 When horses score over the tractor

  • 418 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 419 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 420 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 421 All aboard the ark

  • 422

    First prize
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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Appledore Carnival Queen Chosen

A 17 year old telephonist-receptionist Miss Pauline Screech,

has been chosen to be Queen of Appledore Carnival on July 31st. She has been an attendant on two previous occasions.

9.7.1954 Appledore Carnival Screech

Pauline was selected from 20 entrants by four judges – Miss J Lomas, Lieut-Com B R Faunthorpe, Mr J McLaren and Mr J Cockerell. Entries were restricted to local residents.

As her attendants, Miss Screech, who lives at 2a Bude Street, Appledore, will have Miss Eunice Sims, a 17 year old chemist’s assistant, 4 Vernons Lane, Appledore, Miss Jean Littlejohns, an 18 year old cler, 19 South Road, Appledore, Miss Marlene Cawsey, 17 year old shop assistant, 22 Meeting Street, Appledore; and Miss Pamela Powe, a 16 year old typist, 107 Irsha Street, Appledore.

The Carnival Queen choosing took place at a dance at the Appledore Hall on Friday evening.

Gazette article dated 9 July 1954

Four Generations Of Appledorians

Proud

Mr Fred S Harris, MBE, head of the well known Appledore firm of Messrs P K Harris and Sons, and a member of Northam Urban District Council,
is naturally proud of the four generations of the family seen in the photograph above.
On Mr Harris' right is his daughter, Mrs W Richards, and on his left his granddaughter, Mrs G Piper, holding his great-granddaughter, Lesley Piper.

5.10.1951 Harris Appledore


Gazette article dated 5 October 1951

Appledore Girl’s Fan Mail From Ghana

A pretty girl’s picture in a national magazine caught the eye of 18 years old Alexander Oduni, who decided to write to her.

13.6.1958 Appledore pen pal


He wrote a letter and addressed it simply to Miss Judith Ashley, Appledore, North Devon, posting it at Cape Coast, Ghana, where is a Government Trade School student.
Some days later it arrived safely at 21 Irsha Street, the home of 18 years old Judy, who is a solicitor’s clerk in Bideford.
“I shall correspond with him” Judy told a Bideford Gazette reporter.
Full Gazette article dated 13 June 1958

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