• 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 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 2 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 3 New Lundy stamps

  • 4 Twenty-one yachts

  • 5

    Bidefordians
  • 6

    Building works
  • 7 Service with a smile

  • 8 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 9

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 10 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 11 New shipyard on schedule

  • 12 The Geneva marionettes

  • 13

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 14 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 15

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 16 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 17 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 18 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 19 The cab at the corner>
  • 20 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 21 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 22 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 23 Can spring be far away?

  • 24 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 25 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 26 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 27 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 28 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 29 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 30 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 31 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 33

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 34 Clovelly custom

  • 35 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 36 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 37 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 38

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 39 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 40 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 41 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 42

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 43 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 44 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 45 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 46 Hartland Dancers
  • 47 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 48 All for the love of a lady!

  • 49 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 50 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 51 Decontrol of meat

  • 52 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 53 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 54 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 55 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 56 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 57 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 58 A story to tell!

  • 59 No laughing matter

  • 60

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 61 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 62 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 63 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 64 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 65 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 66 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 67

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 68 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 69

    Married in 1908
  • 70 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 71 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 72 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 73 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 74 A man and his wheel

  • 75 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 76 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 77 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 78 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 79 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 80 Bideford regatta

  • 81 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 82 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 83 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 84 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 85 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 86 New addition to Quay front

  • 87 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 88 Puppet characters introduced

  • 89 New choral society's growing response

  • 90 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 91 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 92 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 93 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 94 Northam footballers of the future

  • 95 He beat the floods

  • 96 A roof-top view - where?

  • 97 Last train from Torrington

  • 98 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 99 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 100 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 101 Some 240 exhibits

  • 102 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 103 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 104 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 105 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 106 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 107 Artisans' Club

  • 108 Over the bank together>
  • 109 By pony and trap to market

  • 110 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 111 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 112 Recognise this resort?

  • 113 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 114 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 115 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 116

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 117 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 118 The art of the thatcher

  • 119 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 120 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 121

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 122 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 123 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 124 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 125 It really was the 'last time'

  • 126

    New gateway
  • 127 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 128 Ten year old scrambler

  • 129 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 130 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 131 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 132

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 133 Littleham family's five generations

  • 134 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 135 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 136 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 137 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 138 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 139

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 140 Private home for public pump

  • 141 Hartland postman retires

  • 142 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 143 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 144

    First prize
  • 145 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 146 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 147 From Bobby to Brian

  • 148 No sale of Springfield House

  • 149 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 150 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 151 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 152 Modern living at Bideford

  • 153 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 154 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 155 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 156 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 157 Parkham plan realised

  • 158 Penny for the guy

  • 159 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 160 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 161 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 162 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 163 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 164 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 165 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 166 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 167 Life begins at 80

  • 168 113 years at Instow

  • 169 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 170

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 171 Sweets derationing

  • 172 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 173 North Devon Driving School

  • 174 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 175 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 176 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 177 For crying out loud!

  • 178 Sight of a lifetime

  • 179 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 180

    Relatives all over the world
  • 181

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 182 Bideford loses training ship

  • 183 Burnard family reunion

  • 184 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 185 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 186 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 187 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 188

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 189 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 190 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 191 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 192

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 193 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 194 Torrington's new amenity

  • 195 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 196

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 197 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 198 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 199 Pannier Market's future?

  • 200 Blanchards ad.>
  • 201 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 202 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 203 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 204 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 205 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 206 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 207 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 208 Cruising down the river

  • 209 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 210 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 211 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 212 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 213 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 214 End of the line

  • 215 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 216 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 217 Six footed lamb

  • 218 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 219 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 220 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 221 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 222 Revenge in style

  • 223 Ships at Bideford

  • 224 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 226 First ship in 8 years

  • 227 New look in the hayfields

  • 228 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 229 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 230 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 231 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 232 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 233 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 234 Bridging the stream

  • 235

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 236 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 237 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 238 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 239 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 240 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 241 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 242 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 243 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 244 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 245

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 246 Bideford computer stars

  • 247 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 248 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 249 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 250 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 251 So this is the mainland!

  • 252 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 253 Torrington in 1967

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

  • 255

    Exhibition of school work
  • 256 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 257 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 258 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 259 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 260 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 261 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 262 School crossing patrol begins

  • 263 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 264 Torrington children build igloo
  • 265 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 266 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 267 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 268 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 269 In their new robes and hats

  • 270 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 271 Picking the pops

  • 272 Waldon Triplets
  • 273 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 274 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 275 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 276 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 277 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 278 Jumble sale fever

  • 279 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 280 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 281 Caught in the act>
  • 282 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 283 Devil sent packing

  • 284 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 285 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 286 Some mushroom!

  • 287 Appledore's largest

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

  • 289 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 290 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 291 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 292 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 293 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 294 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 295 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 296 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 297 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 298 Warmington's garage ad

  • 299 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 300 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 301 Peter poses for TV film

  • 302 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 303 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 304 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 305 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 306 Police station view of Bideford

  • 307 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 308 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 310 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 311 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 312 Emergency ferry services

  • 313 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 314

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 315 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 316

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 317 Filming at Hartland

  • 318 Traditions and skills still there

  • 319 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 320 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 321 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 322 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 323 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 324 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 325 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 326 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 327 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 328 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 329 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 330

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 331 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 333 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 334 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 335 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 336 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 337 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 338 Clovelly nightmare

  • 339 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 340 Simple Item 138
  • 341 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 342 Variety in summer weather

  • 343 Northam's almshouse

  • 344 Mobile missionary

  • 345 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 346 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 347

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 348 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 349 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 350 When horses score over the tractor

  • 351 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 352 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 353 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 354 They are parted pro-tem

  • 355 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 356 Centenary of Gazette

  • 357 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 358 Picking the pops

  • 359 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 360 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 361 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 362 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 363 A bird of their own!

  • 364 Circus comes to town

  • 365 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 366 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 367 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 368 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 369 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 370 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 371 Loads of black and white

  • 372 What's the time?

  • 373 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 374 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 375 New Post Office

  • 376 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 377 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 378 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 379 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 380 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 381 School's link with cargo ship

  • 382

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 383 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 384 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 385 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 386 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 387 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 388 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 390 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 391 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 392 Finished in 1876

  • 393

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 394 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 395 Just over a year old

  • 396 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 397 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 398 New civic medallions

  • 399 New art gallery opened

  • 400 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 401 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 402 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 403 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 404 Happy Days!

  • 405 Riverside mystery

  • 406 All aboard the ark

  • 407 Out of puff!

  • 408 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 409 Off on a great adventure

  • 410 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 411 Capers on the cobbles

  • 412 Hartland's invitation

  • 413 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 414 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 415 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 416 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 417

    Was a missionary
  • 418 Weare Giffard potato

  • 419 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 420 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 421 New life for Hartland organ

  • 422 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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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  • 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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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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Children Versus Parents Football Matches at Appledore Primary School

Skipper Mike Lloyd laces his boots before he and his Appledore Primary School team take the field for one of their important games of the season – against their mothers.

19.5.1972 Appledore Primary football1

Challengers were the mums – after the fathers had been beaten. The school again won – by 3-1.
Gazette article dated 19 May 1972

World War 1

Appledore

11.5.1918 Appledore World War 1

Pnr S Richards, RE, of Appledore, is officially reported wounded. 

Salmon fishing has up to the present been very quiet in the harbour, and there is nothing like the usual number of boats out this year. 

We are to contradict the report that Private R E (Bobby) Bailey, only son of Mr and Mrs T R Bailey, of 4 Meeting Street, Appledore, is a prisoner of war. The only official information that has been received by his parents is that he has been missing since March 23rd last. It is hoped they will soon hear of his safety. 

At Bideford County Sessions on Tuesday, before Messrs J C T Heriz-Smith, Col F W Bennet and Messrs A G Duncan, J Cock and J H Cock, Alfred Evans who had gone to sea since service of the summons, was summoned for the irregular attendance of his child, John, at school. Aged 13, and in standard 5. Attendance Officer Barber said the boy had made 27 attendances out of 36. Fined 9s, the same as when summoned before. 

Gazette article dated 11 May 1918

John Is Doing Well

Fifteen year old John Screech, who a few months ago joined the British Sailors’ Society Prince of Wales sea training school at Dover, came back to his home at One End Street, Appledore, on leave at Easter, a proud and happy youth. 

3 April 1959 John Screech

Proud because he is the first one of his age to take and pass the school’s Quartermaster examination for 12 years. He also has his signal badge and has been appointed as one of the Guard of Honour to escort VIPs at the Society’s annual meeting at the Mansion House, London, next month. One of the first things John did on his return to Appledore was to thank Mrs J Ommanney who sponsored him. 

After his Guard of Honour service, John will be leaving on his first trip – to Australia.

Gazette article dated 3 April 1959

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