• 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 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 2 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 3 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 4 Jumble sale fever

  • 5

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 6 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 7 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 8 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 9 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 10 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 11 Bideford regatta

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

  • 13 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 14 New choral society's growing response

  • 15

    Building works
  • 16 Parkham plan realised

  • 17 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 18 Capers on the cobbles

  • 19 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 20

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 21 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 22

    Bidefordians
  • 23 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 24 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 25

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 26 Blanchards ad.>
  • 27 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 28 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 29 Bridging the stream

  • 30 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 31

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 32 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 33 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 34 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 35 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 36 All aboard the ark

  • 37 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 38 Simple Item 138
  • 39 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 40 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 41 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 42 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 44 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 45 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 46 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 47

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 48 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 49 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 50 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 51 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 53 Life begins at 80

  • 54 Hartland's invitation

  • 55 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 56

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 57 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 58

    Married in 1908
  • 59

    First prize
  • 60 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 62

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 63 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 64 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 65 Bideford Bridge re-opens

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

  • 67 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 68 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 69

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 70 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 71 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 72 Decontrol of meat

  • 73 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 74 They are parted pro-tem

  • 75 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 76 New shipyard on schedule

  • 77 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 78 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 79 He beat the floods

  • 80 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 81 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 82 Caught in the act>
  • 83 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 84 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 85 Some 240 exhibits

  • 86 Revenge in style

  • 87 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

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

  • 89 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 90 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 91 No sale of Springfield House

  • 92 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 93 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 94 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 95 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 96 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 97 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 98 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 99

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 100 New life for Hartland organ

  • 101 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 102 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 103

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 104 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 105

    Was a missionary
  • 106 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 107 New Lundy stamps

  • 108 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 109 Peter poses for TV film

  • 110 Traditions and skills still there

  • 111 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 112 Northam's almshouse

  • 113 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 114 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 115 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 116 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 117 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 118 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 119 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 120 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 121

    Relatives all over the world
  • 122 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 123 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 124 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 125

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 126 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 127 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 128 No laughing matter

  • 129 Police station view of Bideford

  • 130 A bird of their own!

  • 131 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 132 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 133 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 134 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 135 Littleham family's five generations

  • 136 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 137 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 138 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 140 School's link with cargo ship

  • 141 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 142 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 143 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 144 The art of the thatcher

  • 145 Ships at Bideford

  • 146 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 147 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 148 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 149 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 150 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 151 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 152

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 153 Private home for public pump

  • 154 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

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

  • 156 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 157 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 158 North Devon Driving School

  • 159 Loads of black and white

  • 160 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 161 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 162 Artisans' Club

  • 163 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 164 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 165 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 166 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 167 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 168 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 169 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 170

    New gateway
  • 171 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 172 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 173 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 174 Some mushroom!

  • 175 113 years at Instow

  • 176 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 177 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 178 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 179 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 180

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 181 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 182 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 183 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 184 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 185 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 186 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 187 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 188 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 189 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 190 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 191

    Exhibition of school work
  • 192 New look in the hayfields

  • 193 Emergency ferry services

  • 194 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 195 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 196 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 197 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 198 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 199 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 200 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 201 Burnard family reunion

  • 202 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 203 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 204 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 205 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 206 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 207 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 208 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 209 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 210 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 211 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 212 Sweets derationing

  • 213 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 214

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 215

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 216 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 217 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 218 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 219 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 220 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 221 Service with a smile

  • 222 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 223 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 224 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 225 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 226 A roof-top view - where?

  • 227 For crying out loud!

  • 228 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 229 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 230 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 231 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 232

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 233 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 234 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 235 So this is the mainland!

  • 236 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 237 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 238 Torrington in 1967

  • 239 Happy Days!

  • 240

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 241 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 242 Hartland Dancers
  • 243 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 244 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 245 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 246 Torrington's new amenity

  • 247 Pannier Market's future?

  • 248 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 249 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 250 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 251 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 252 Twenty-one yachts

  • 253 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 254 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 255 Clovelly custom

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

  • 257 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 258 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 260 All for the love of a lady!

  • 261 Appledore's largest

  • 262 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 263 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 264 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 265 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 266 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 267 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 268 From Bobby to Brian

  • 269 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 270 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 271 Over the bank together>
  • 272 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 273 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 274 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 275 Clovelly nightmare

  • 276 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 277 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 278 Picking the pops

  • 279 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 280 Hartland postman retires

  • 281 Waldon Triplets
  • 282 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 283 A story to tell!

  • 284 Sight of a lifetime

  • 285 Ten year old scrambler

  • 286 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 287 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 288 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 289 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 290 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 291 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 292 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 293

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 294 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 295 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 296 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 297 New addition to Quay front

  • 298

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 299 Bideford computer stars

  • 300 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 301 Circus comes to town

  • 302 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 303 Mobile missionary

  • 304 Centenary of Gazette

  • 305 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 306 Devil sent packing

  • 307 Picking the pops

  • 308 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 309

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 310 What's the time?

  • 311 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 312 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 313 When horses score over the tractor

  • 314 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 315 Puppet characters introduced

  • 316 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 317 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 319 It really was the 'last time'

  • 320 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 321 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 322 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 323 The cab at the corner>
  • 324 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 325 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 326 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 327 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 328 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 329 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 330 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 331 New art gallery opened

  • 332 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 333 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 334 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 335 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 336 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 337 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 338 End of the line

  • 339 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 340 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 341 Bideford loses training ship

  • 342 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 343 In their new robes and hats

  • 344 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 345 Just over a year old

  • 346 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 347 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 348 Out of puff!

  • 349 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 350 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 351 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 352 Off on a great adventure

  • 353 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 354 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 355 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 356 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 357

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 358

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 359 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 360 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 361 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 362 By pony and trap to market

  • 363 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 364 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 365 Northam footballers of the future

  • 366 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 367 Six footed lamb

  • 368 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 369 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 370 Finished in 1876

  • 371 New civic medallions

  • 372 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 373 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 374 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 375 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 376 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 377 Riverside mystery

  • 378

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 379 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 380 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 381 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 382 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 384 Cruising down the river

  • 385 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 386 Filming at Hartland

  • 387 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 388 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 389 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 390 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 391 Last train from Torrington

  • 392 School crossing patrol begins

  • 393 The Geneva marionettes

  • 394 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 395 Torrington children build igloo
  • 396 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 397 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 398 Variety in summer weather

  • 399 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 400 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 401 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 402 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 403

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 404 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 405 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 406 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 407 Penny for the guy

  • 408 A man and his wheel

  • 409 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 410 First ship in 8 years

  • 411 Recognise this resort?

  • 412 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 413

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 414 New Post Office

  • 415 Warmington's garage ad

  • 416 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 417 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 418 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 419 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 420 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 421 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 422 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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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Milkman Saw His Van Running Away

A Bideford milkman who left his van on a hill to make a delivery in Westcombe heard the handbrake release and saw the vehicle moving backwards, the local magistrates were told last week. 

5.4.1963 milkman

Terance George Frederick Cox, 69 Clovelly Road, was said to have made a statement that had tried to get into the van to stop it, but was prevented from doing so by the slippery road service. The runaway van, said Police Sergt Honeywill, crashed into the doors of a garage, damaging them and a vehicle in the garage. A Ministry vehicle examiner found that the brakes were efficient on the road, but that a pawl on the handbrake mechanism was worn. When the brake was fully applied the handbrake released itself. 

For using the vehicle with defective brakes Cox was fined £2 and the owners of the van – Bideford Dairies Ltd – were similarly fined for the same offence. Mr P J Evans, managing director of the dairy, said there had been no complaint about the brake and apparently there had been no similar occurrence previously. The vehicles were regularly serviced but it would be difficult to detect such a fault. The manufacturers had now altered this type of brake. 

Gazette article dated 5 April 1963

CSM Bullimore Off Duty

Actor William Hartnell, star of ITV’s ‘The Army Game’ programme as CSM Bullimore, met friends in Bideford over the weekend. 

21.4.1961 William Hartnell

Mr Hartnell is seen with Mr Arthur Braunton, a well-known local hairdresser, and Mrs Mel Moore, wife of the licensee of the Swan, Mill Street. 

Mr Hartnell, who comes from South Devon, and now lives in Sussex, has an aunt, Mrs Bessie Andrew, living at 4 Torridge Mount, Bideford. He stayed at Portledge Hotel.This part of North Devon is one of his favourite holiday haunts and he has been here on several occasions. Beside his TV work he is, of course, well known on the stage. Appearance in the four year run of ‘Seagulls over Sorento’ is particularly well remembered. 

21.4.1961 William Hartnell1

Full Gazette article is dated 21 April 1961

Farewell New Street!

Bulldozers move into New Street, Bideford, which has been made a clearance area.

3.3.1972 New Street

Despite its name, this narrow street of character, between High Street and Lower Gunstone, was one of the oldest parts of the town.
It is said that John Strange, the hero of the plague visitation of Bideford in 1645-46, owned property there.

Gazette article dated 3 March 1972

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