• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 2 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 3 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 4 Happy Days!

  • 5 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 6 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 7 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 8 All for the love of a lady!

  • 9 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 10 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 11 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 12 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 13 It really was the 'last time'

  • 14 Circus comes to town

  • 15 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

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

  • 18 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 19 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 20 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 22 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 23

    Was a missionary
  • 24 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 25 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 26 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 27 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 28 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 29 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 30 Decontrol of meat

  • 31 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 32 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 33 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 34 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 35 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 36 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 37 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 38 Out of puff!

  • 39 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 40 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 41 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 42 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 43

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 44 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 45 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 46 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 47 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 48 Private home for public pump

  • 49 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 50 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 51 Hartland's invitation

  • 52

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 53 Capers on the cobbles

  • 54 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 55 Puppet characters introduced

  • 56 A roof-top view - where?

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

  • 58

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 59 Loads of black and white

  • 60 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 61 Bridging the stream

  • 62

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 63 Artisans' Club

  • 64 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 65 Torrington in 1967

  • 66 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 67 Centenary of Gazette

  • 68 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 69 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 70 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 71 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 72 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 73 By pony and trap to market

  • 74 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 75 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 76 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 77 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 78

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 79 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 80 In their new robes and hats

  • 81 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 82 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 83 Torrington's new amenity

  • 84 The art of the thatcher

  • 85 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 86 Recognise this resort?

  • 87 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 88 No sale of Springfield House

  • 89 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 90 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 91 New shipyard on schedule

  • 92 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 93 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 94 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 95

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 96 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 97 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 98 New Lundy stamps

  • 99 New life for Hartland organ

  • 100

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 101 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 102 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 103 Parkham plan realised

  • 104 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 105 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 106 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 107 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 108 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 109 Life begins at 80

  • 110 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 111 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 112 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 113 Mobile missionary

  • 114 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

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

  • 116 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 117

    First prize
  • 118 From Bobby to Brian

  • 119 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 120 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 121 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 122 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 123 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 124 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 125 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 126 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 127 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 128 New choral society's growing response

  • 129 Blanchards ad.>
  • 130 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 131

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 132 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 133 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 134 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 135 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 136 Appledore's largest

  • 137 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 138

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 139 Some 240 exhibits

  • 140 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 141 Warmington's garage ad

  • 142 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 143 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 144

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 145 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 146 New civic medallions

  • 147 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 148 Northam's almshouse

  • 149 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 150 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 151 Bideford loses training ship

  • 152 113 years at Instow

  • 153 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 154 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 155 Last train from Torrington

  • 156 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 157 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 158 Just over a year old

  • 159 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 160 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 161 Peter poses for TV film

  • 162 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 163 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 164 New art gallery opened

  • 165 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 166

    Building works
  • 167 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 168 What's the time?

  • 169 Hartland Dancers
  • 170 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 171 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 172 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 173 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 174 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 175 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 176 No laughing matter

  • 177 First ship in 8 years

  • 178

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 179 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 180 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 181 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 182 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 183 Service with a smile

  • 184 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 185 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 186 So this is the mainland!

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

  • 188 Ten year old scrambler

  • 189 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 190 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 191 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 192 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 193 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 194 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 195 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 196 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 197 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 198 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 199 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 200 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 201 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 202

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 203 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 204 A bird of their own!

  • 205 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 206 Jumble sale fever

  • 207

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 208 Revenge in style

  • 209 Littleham family's five generations

  • 210 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 211 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 212 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 213 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 214 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 215 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 216 A man and his wheel

  • 217 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 218

    Relatives all over the world
  • 219 Picking the pops

  • 220 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 221 Picking the pops

  • 222 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 223

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 224 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 225

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 226 For crying out loud!

  • 227 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 228 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 229

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 230 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 231 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 232 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 233

    Married in 1908
  • 234 Caught in the act>
  • 235 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 236 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 237 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 238 Penny for the guy

  • 239 Can spring be far away?

  • 240 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 241 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 242 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 243 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 244 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 245 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 246 Clovelly nightmare

  • 247 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 248 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 249 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 250 North Devon Driving School

  • 251 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 253 Cruising down the river

  • 254

    Exhibition of school work
  • 255 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 256 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 257 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 258

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 259

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 260 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 261 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 262 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 263 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 264 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 265 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 266 Hartland postman retires

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

  • 268 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 269 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 270 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 271 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 272 Bideford computer stars

  • 273 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 274 A story to tell!

  • 275 Riverside mystery

  • 276 Torrington children build igloo
  • 277 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 278 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 279 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 280 School crossing patrol begins

  • 281 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 282 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 283 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 284 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 285 Variety in summer weather

  • 286 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 287 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 288 He beat the floods

  • 289 New Post Office

  • 290 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 291 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 292 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 293 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 294 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 295 End of the line

  • 296 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 297 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 298 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 299 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 300 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 302 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 303 When horses score over the tractor

  • 304 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 305 Weare Giffard potato

  • 306 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 307 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 308 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 309 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 310 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 311 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 312 School's link with cargo ship

  • 313 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 314 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 315 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 316 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 317 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 318 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 319 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 320 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 321 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 322 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 323 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 324

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 325 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 326

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 327 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 329 The cab at the corner>
  • 330 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 331 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 332 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 333 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 334 Burnard family reunion

  • 335 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 336

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 337 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 338 Off on a great adventure

  • 339 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 340

    Bidefordians
  • 341 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 342

    New gateway
  • 343

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 344 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 345 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 346 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 347

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 348 New look in the hayfields

  • 349 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 350 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 351 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 352 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 353 New addition to Quay front

  • 354 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 355 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 356 Sweets derationing

  • 357 Police station view of Bideford

  • 358 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 359 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 360 Finished in 1876

  • 361 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 362 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 363 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 365 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 366 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 367 Some mushroom!

  • 368 Twenty-one yachts

  • 369 Filming at Hartland

  • 370 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 371 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 372 Clovelly custom

  • 373 Emergency ferry services

  • 374 Simple Item 138
  • 375 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 376 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 377 All aboard the ark

  • 378 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 379 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 380 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 381 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 382 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 383 Six footed lamb

  • 384 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 385 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 386 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 387 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 388 Traditions and skills still there

  • 389 Waldon Triplets
  • 390 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 391 Northam footballers of the future

  • 392 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 393 Modern living at Bideford

  • 394 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 395 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 396 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 397

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 398 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 399 Sight of a lifetime

  • 400 Devil sent packing

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

  • 402 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 403 Bideford regatta

  • 404 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 405 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 406 Over the bank together>
  • 407 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 408 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 409 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 410 X-ray shoe fitting

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

  • 412 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 413 The Geneva marionettes

  • 414 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 415 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 416 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 417 Pannier Market's future?

  • 418 They are parted pro-tem

  • 419 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 420 Ships at Bideford

  • 421

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 422 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

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

Read More

and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE
  • 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.

    Read More
  • 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;

    Read More
  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More

 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Wedding of John Powe 1968

Wedding of John Powe & Maureen Hosegood - March 1968

John Powe Maureen Hosegood Wedding
 

George Powe was best man at his twin brother’s wedding in 1968 and the bride’s cousins Cynthia and Daphne Lamey were bridesmaids.
John Powe of Appledore and Maureen Hosegood, from Bideford, were married by Reverend T Derwent Davies in St Mary’s Church, Bideford. Fellow rowers from Bideford Amateur Athletic Club formed a guard of honour for the bride and groom who had their reception at the Moose Hall, Bideford, and then travelled to Wales for a honeymoon.

 

Sharp Shooter with Dart as well as Ball

Sharp Shooter with Dart as well as Ball

Sharp Shooter Bobbie Bailey
 

This year's individual champion of the Appledore Darts League is Appledore A.F.C.s leading goal-scorer, Bobbie Bailey. In the final held at the Appledore Hall on Friday evening, he defeated last year's winner, Herbie Smale, by the odd leg of three.
Bailey won his place in the final by defeating his team-mate, Briian Jenkins, by two games to one. In the other semi-final Smale knocked out E. Kitto by the same margin.
Two Abbotsham players put up a strong challenge in the pairs competition but were beaten in the final. Here again two Appledore footballers succeeded in reaching the same-final stages.
The prizes were presented by Mrs. W. G. Harris, who was presented with a cut glass basket as a memento of the occasion by Mrs. J. Down.

RESULTS

Singles - Semi-final: R. Bailey (British Legion) beat B. jenkins (Coach) 2-1; H. Smale (Abbotsham) beat E. Kitto (Coach) 2-1. Final: Bailey beat Smale 2-1.
Pairs - Semi-finals: T. Headon and G. Jewell (Abbotsham) beat W. Ross and D. Jones (Coach) 2-1; F. Seath and R. Marshall (Champion) beat H. Hutchings and partner (Golden Lion) 2-1. Final - Seath and Marshall beat Headon and Jewell 2-1.
Team knock-out - Final: Champion B beat Coach Blues 2-1.
Salmon Cup (division I champions v division II champions) - Champion B beat Rising Sun A 2-1.
Our photograph shows a group of darts enthusiasts at the finals night.

 

Appledore Regatta Queen - 1954

Appledore Regatta Queen - 11th June 1954

11.6.1954 Appledore Regatta Queen
 

Appledore is to have a Barnstaple girl - 18 years old Syliva Passmore - as Regatta Queen this year.
Sylvia, who is a clerk in a Barnstaple caol merchant's office, is one of twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Passmore. 83, Pottington Road, Barnstaple. She was chosen from 32 competitors for the honour of Regatta Queen at a largely attended dance at the Appledore Hall on Friday evening by three judges - Mr and Mrs A J Bowyer (Appledore) and Mrs K Prust (Bideford).
Chosen as her four attendants were June Pike, aged 15, of the Kigsley Hotel, Bideford; Sheila Pascoe, 17, of 1 Moor Park Cottages, Bideford East; Hester Sanders, 14, a pupil of Bideford Secondary Modern School, of 10, One End Street, Appledore; and Elizabeth Branch, 17, of 3 One End Street, Appledore.
An amusing unsuccessful "bid" for the crown was made by 50-years-old Mr Dick Taylor, an Appledore shipwright, dressed in full Victorian fashion, as the "Regatta Queen 1888!"
Eighty-years-old Marilyn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Bennett, presented a congratulatory bouquet of flowers to the Regatta Queen. 

  • 1

Login Form