• 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 When horses score over the tractor

  • 2 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 3 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 4 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 5 Cruising down the river

  • 6 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 7

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 8 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 9 No laughing matter

  • 10

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 11 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 12 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 13 Six footed lamb

  • 14 North Devon Driving School

  • 15 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 16

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 17 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 18 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 19 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 20

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 21 Traditions and skills still there

  • 22 Pannier Market's future?

  • 23 Bideford loses training ship

  • 24 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 25 Torrington's new amenity

  • 26

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 27 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 28 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 29 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 30 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 31 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 32 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 33 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 34 Jumble sale fever

  • 35 New Lundy stamps

  • 36 Finished in 1876

  • 37 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 38 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 39

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 40 All for the love of a lady!

  • 41 Bridging the stream

  • 42 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 43 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 44 Twenty-one yachts

  • 45 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 46 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 47 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 48 Centuries old but today busier than ever

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

  • 50 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 51 Some 240 exhibits

  • 52 Picking the pops

  • 53 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 54 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 55 End of the line

  • 56 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 57 Peter poses for TV film

  • 58 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 59 Over the bank together>
  • 60 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 61 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 62 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 63 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 64 What's the time?

  • 65 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 67 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 68 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

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

  • 70 Parkham plan realised

  • 71 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 72 Northam footballers of the future

  • 73 Mobile missionary

  • 74 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 75 Artisans' Club

  • 76 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 77 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 78 Burnard family reunion

  • 79 A man and his wheel

  • 80 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 81

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 82

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 83 New life for Hartland organ

  • 84 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 85 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 86 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 87 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 88

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 89 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 90 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 91

    Exhibition of school work
  • 92 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 93

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 94 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 95 Devil sent packing

  • 96 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 97 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 98 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 99 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 100 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 101 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 102 Bideford regatta

  • 103 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 104 Happy Days!

  • 105

    First prize
  • 106 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 107 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 108 113 years at Instow

  • 109

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 110 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 111 In their new robes and hats

  • 112 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 113 New civic medallions

  • 114 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 115 Capers on the cobbles

  • 116 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 117 New shipyard on schedule

  • 118 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 119 Last train from Torrington

  • 120

    Bidefordians
  • 121 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 122

    Was a missionary
  • 123 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 124 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 125 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 126 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 127 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 128 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 129 A roof-top view - where?

  • 130 New choral society's growing response

  • 131

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 132 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 133 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 134 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 135 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 136 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 137

    Relatives all over the world
  • 138 Variety in summer weather

  • 139 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 140 Decontrol of meat

  • 141 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 142

    Building works
  • 143 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 144 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 145

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 146 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 147 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 148 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 149 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 150 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 151 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

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

  • 153 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 154 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 155 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 156 For crying out loud!

  • 157 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

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

  • 159 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 160 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 161 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 162 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 163 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 164 Blanchards ad.>
  • 165 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 166 From Bobby to Brian

  • 167 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 168 Sight of a lifetime

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

  • 170 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 171 New look in the hayfields

  • 172 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 173 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 174 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

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

  • 176 Puppet characters introduced

  • 177 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 178 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 180

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 181 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 182 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 183 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 184 Some mushroom!

  • 185 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 186 Warmington's garage ad

  • 187 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 189 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 190 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 191 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 192 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 193 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 194 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 195 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 196 They are parted pro-tem

  • 197 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 198 New art gallery opened

  • 199 Holiday scene near Sandymere

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

  • 201 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 202 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 203

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 204 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 205 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 206 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 207 Simple Item 138
  • 208 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 209 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 210 By pony and trap to market

  • 211 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 212 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 213 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 214 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 215 Just over a year old

  • 216 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 217 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 218 He beat the floods

  • 219 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 220 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 221 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 222 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 223 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 224

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 225 Can spring be far away?

  • 226 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 227 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 228 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 229 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 230 Littleham family's five generations

  • 231 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 232

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 233 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 234 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 235 Bideford computer stars

  • 236 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 237 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 238 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 239 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 240 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 241

    Married in 1908
  • 242 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 243

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 244

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 245 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 246 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 247 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 248 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 249

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 250 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 251 Private home for public pump

  • 252 Fundraising trip for RNLI

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

  • 254 Filming at Hartland

  • 255 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 256 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 257 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 258 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 259 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 260 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 261 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 262 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 263 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 264 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 265 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 266 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 267 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 268 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 269 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 270 The art of the thatcher

  • 271 All aboard the ark

  • 272 Riverside mystery

  • 273 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 274 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 276 A bird of their own!

  • 277 Hartland Dancers
  • 278 Loads of black and white

  • 279 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 280 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 281

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 282

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 283 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 284 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 285 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 286 Ships at Bideford

  • 287 First ship in 8 years

  • 288 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 289 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 290 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 291 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 292 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 293 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 294 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 295 So this is the mainland!

  • 296 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 297 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 298 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 299 Emergency ferry services

  • 300 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 301 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 302 New addition to Quay front

  • 303 Penny for the guy

  • 304 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 305 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 306 Circus comes to town

  • 307 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 308 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 309 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 310 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 311 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 312 Service with a smile

  • 313 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 314 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 315 Weare Giffard potato

  • 316 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 317 Clovelly nightmare

  • 318 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 319 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 320 Recognise this resort?

  • 321 Police station view of Bideford

  • 322 Shoes certainly not made for walking

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

  • 324 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 325 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 326 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 327 The Geneva marionettes

  • 328

    New gateway
  • 329 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 330 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 331 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 332 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 333 Modern living at Bideford

  • 334 Centenary of Gazette

  • 335 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 336 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 337 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 338 Revenge in style

  • 339 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 340 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 341 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 342 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 343 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 344 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 345 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 346 Waldon Triplets
  • 347 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 348 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 349 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 350 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 352 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 353 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 354 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 355 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 356 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 357 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 358 School crossing patrol begins

  • 359 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 360 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 361 Caught in the act>
  • 362 It really was the 'last time'

  • 363 School's link with cargo ship

  • 364 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 365 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 366 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 367 Sweets derationing

  • 368 Clovelly custom

  • 369 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 370 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 371 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 372 A story to tell!

  • 373 Ten year old scrambler

  • 374 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 375 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 376 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 377 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 378 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 379 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 380 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 381 Torrington children build igloo
  • 382 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 383 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 384 No sale of Springfield House

  • 385 Northam's almshouse

  • 386 Off on a great adventure

  • 387 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 388

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 389 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 390 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 391 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 392 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 393 Out of puff!

  • 394 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 395

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 396 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 397 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 398 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 399 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 400 Appledore's largest

  • 401 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 402 Hartland postman retires

  • 403 The cab at the corner>
  • 404 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 405 Torrington in 1967

  • 406 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 407 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 408 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 409 Hartland's invitation

  • 410 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 411 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 412 New Post Office

  • 413 Life begins at 80

  • 414

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 415 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 416 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 417 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 418 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 419 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 420 Picking the pops

  • 421 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 422 An early 'special' to Bideford

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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Marriage of Lang and Stevens

Marriage of Blake and Stevens

Marriage of Blake and Stevens 1945

 

Marriage of David Charles Blake Lang RAF son of Mr F G Lang and late Mrs Lang of Old Town Bideford, and Miss Daphne Grace Stevens daughter of Mr and Mrs J Stevens of Westward Ho! Rev T E Clarke officiated. Best Man was Frank Babb

Mr French awarded Degree

Mr French awarded Degree

10.2.1967 Alan French

Mr Alan French, 25 , son of Mr & Mrs SJ French of 3 Union Street Bideford awarded Master of Letters Degree at University of Bristol. Old boy of Bideford Grammar School. Dip Ed Exeter University.

Where Bideford rope makers walked

Where Bideford rope makers walked

Where Bideford rope makers walked

WHERE BIDEFORD ROPE-MAKERS WALKED

From the above photograph most readers will immediately recognise the Strand but fewer will recall the wooden posts which formed part of the extension to 'Rope' Walk which ran from the foreground of the picture back past the bottom of Chingswell Street, across the bottom of Willett Street to the Quay end of Bridgeland Street.
The ancient and principal ropewalk in Bideford, where ropes were made by hand, was owned from very early times by the Wren family, and later was acquired by Mr H M Restarick. It extended from the bottom of Bridgeland Street to the farther end of the Strand, shown above, and was covered by a slight roof for a distance of about 160 yards, measuring from the Bridgeland Street end, where the machine, which was worked by hand, was placed.

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