• 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 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 2 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 3 Private home for public pump

  • 4 Six footed lamb

  • 5 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 6 Jumble sale fever

  • 7 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 8 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 9 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 10 New shipyard on schedule

  • 11 New Post Office

  • 12 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 13 Bideford loses training ship

  • 14 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 15

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 16 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 17 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 18 Bridging the stream

  • 19 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 20 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 21

    Bidefordians
  • 22 Traditions and skills still there

  • 23 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 24 Police station view of Bideford

  • 25 Practical sympathy at Northam

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

  • 27 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 28 Devil sent packing

  • 29 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 30 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 31 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 32 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 33 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 34 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 35 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 36 New Lundy stamps

  • 37

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 38 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 39 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 40 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 41 He beat the floods

  • 42 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 43 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 44 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 45 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 46 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 48 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 49 First ship in 8 years

  • 50 Over the bank together>
  • 51 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 52 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 53 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 54 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 55 They are parted pro-tem

  • 56 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 57 Waldon Triplets
  • 58 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 59

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 60 Circus comes to town

  • 61 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 62 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 63

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 64 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 65 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 66 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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

  • 68 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 69 Torrington in 1967

  • 70 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 71 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 72 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 73 In their new robes and hats

  • 74 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 75 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 76 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 77 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 78 A man and his wheel

  • 79 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 80 Some 240 exhibits

  • 81 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 82 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 83 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 84 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 85 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 86 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 87 Penny for the guy

  • 88 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 90 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 91 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 92 Last train from Torrington

  • 93 It really was the 'last time'

  • 94 Bideford computer stars

  • 95 Bideford's private wharves busier

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

  • 97

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

  • 99 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 100 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 101

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 102 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 103 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 104 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 105 Caught in the act>
  • 106 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 107 New look in the hayfields

  • 108 Mobile missionary

  • 109 Peter poses for TV film

  • 110 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 111 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 112 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 113 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 114 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 115 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 116 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 117 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 118 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 119 The Geneva marionettes

  • 120 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 121 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 122 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 123 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 124 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 125 Torrington children build igloo
  • 126 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 127 A roof-top view - where?

  • 128 Variety in summer weather

  • 129

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 130 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 131 Northam footballers of the future

  • 132 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 133 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 134 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 135 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 136 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 137 From Bobby to Brian

  • 138 Modern living at Bideford

  • 139 Riverside mystery

  • 140

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 141 The cab at the corner>
  • 142 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 143 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 144 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 145 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 146 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 147 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 148 Hartland's invitation

  • 149 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 151 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 152 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 153 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 154 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 155 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 156 All for the love of a lady!

  • 157 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 158 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 159 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 160 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 161 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 162 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 163 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 164

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 165 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 166 Weare Giffard potato

  • 167 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 168 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 169 A story to tell!

  • 170 Ten year old scrambler

  • 171

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 172 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 173 Ships at Bideford

  • 174 Clovelly nightmare

  • 175

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 176 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 177 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 178 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 179 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 180 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 181 Revenge in style

  • 182 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 183

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 184 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 185 Out of puff!

  • 186 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 187 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 188 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 189 Recognise this resort?

  • 190 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 191 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 192 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 193 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 194 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 195 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 196 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 197 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 198 Cruising down the river

  • 199 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 200 Clovelly custom

  • 201 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 202 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 203 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 204

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 205 School's link with cargo ship

  • 206 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 207 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 208 New addition to Quay front

  • 209 Hartland Dancers
  • 210 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 211 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 212 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 213

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 214 A bird of their own!

  • 215 Emergency ferry services

  • 216 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 217 Blanchards ad.>
  • 218 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 219 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 221 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 222 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 223 Decontrol of meat

  • 224 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 225 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 226 Service with a smile

  • 227 Picking the pops

  • 228 Warmington's garage ad

  • 229 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 230 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 231 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 232 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 233 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 234

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 235 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 236 School crossing patrol begins

  • 237 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 238 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 239 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 240 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 241 New choral society's growing response

  • 242 Sight of a lifetime

  • 243 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 244 Northam's almshouse

  • 245 Can spring be far away?

  • 246

    Married in 1908
  • 247 Happy Days!

  • 248 Just over a year old

  • 249

    First prize
  • 250

    Relatives all over the world
  • 251 Artisans' Club

  • 252 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 253 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 254 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 255 Centenary of Gazette

  • 256 Children's procession with foxgloves

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

  • 258 All aboard the ark

  • 259 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 260 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 261 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 262 Parkham plan realised

  • 263 113 years at Instow

  • 264 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 265 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 266 New art gallery opened

  • 267 Twenty-one yachts

  • 268 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 269 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 270

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 271

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 272 Finished in 1876

  • 273 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 274 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 275 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 276 Bideford regatta

  • 277 Simple Item 138
  • 278 New life for Hartland organ

  • 279 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 280 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 281 Loads of black and white

  • 282 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 283 By pony and trap to market

  • 284 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 285 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 286 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 287 Picking the pops

  • 288 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 289 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 290 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 291 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 292 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 293

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 294 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 295 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 296 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 297 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 298 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 299 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 300 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 301 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 303 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 304 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 305 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 306 Appledore's largest

  • 307

    Exhibition of school work
  • 308 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 309 End of the line

  • 310 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 311 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 312 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 313 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 314

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 315

    Was a missionary
  • 316 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 317 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 319 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 320

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 321 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 322

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 323 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 324 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 325 Life begins at 80

  • 326 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 327 Torrington's new amenity

  • 328 Off on a great adventure

  • 329 Capers on the cobbles

  • 330 Filming at Hartland

  • 331 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 332 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 333 Some mushroom!

  • 334 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 335 What's the time?

  • 336 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 337 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 338 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 339 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 340 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 341 Pannier Market's future?

  • 342 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 343

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 344 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 345 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 346 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 347 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 348 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 349 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 350 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 351 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 352 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 353 Littleham family's five generations

  • 354 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 355 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 356 North Devon Driving School

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

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

  • 359 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 360 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 361 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 362

    New gateway
  • 363

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 364 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 365 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 366 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 367 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 368 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 369 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 370 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 371 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 372 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 373 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 374 For crying out loud!

  • 375 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 376 The art of the thatcher

  • 377 Puppet characters introduced

  • 378 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 379 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 380 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 381 Hartland postman retires

  • 382 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 383 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 384 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 385 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 386 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 387 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 388 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 389

    Building works
  • 390 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 391 Burnard family reunion

  • 392 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 393 No laughing matter

  • 394 Sweets derationing

  • 395 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 396 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 397 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 398 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 399 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 400 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 401 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 402 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 403 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 404 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 405 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 406 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 407

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 408 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 409 New civic medallions

  • 410 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 411 So this is the mainland!

  • 412 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 414 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 415 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 416 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 417 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 418 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 419 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 420 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 421

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 422 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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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Blackmore's Diamond Wedding - 1965

Blackmore's Diamond Wedding - 20th April 1965

15.10.1965 Blackmore diamond wedding
15.10.1965 Blackmore diamond wedding
 

Bideford Veteran Sportsman's Diamond Wedding

William Blackmore first began to date Florence Lee after Sunday evening service at Bideford Parish Church. On Tuesday, Mr and Mrs Blackmore of 20 Rockmount Terrace, Pitt Lane, Bideford, celebrated their diamond wedding.
Mr Blackmore has always been a sportsman. He rowed for Bideford Reds before the first world war. Rugby also claimed his athletic attention, for some years he played for Bideford Scarlets at Sentry Corner. With advancing years, Mr Blackmore took to bowling, and it remains his main sporting interest.
Mr Blackmore spent the whole of his working life in the building trade. For over 30 years he was foreman with Messrs H Glover and Sons, of Bideford and also worked with Messrs Stacey's. One of the buildings he helped construct was High Street Methodist Church. For 18 years Mr Blackmore was a fireman in the town brigade.
Mr and Mrs Blackmore have a family of four - Messres Arthur, John and Alan Blackmore, and Mrs Freda Cross. There are three grandchildren.

Free Men - 1971

Free Men - 17th December 1971

17.12.1971 Free men
 

Five More Honorary Freemen of Bideford

Bideford will have five more honorary freemen if a unanimous recommendation of the Town Council's General Purpose Committee is adopted by the Council.
They are Col Sir Michael Ansell, Ald. Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood, Mr Harold Blackmore, Ald. P J V Fulford and Dr I H Hewetson.

Local Wills

Local Wills - 4th March 1977

4.3.1977 Wills
 

Kate Hewson Bate, 13 Park Avenue, Bideford, who died in August, left £5,213 gross, net the same.
Winifred Alice Jarvis, of 58 Yelland Road, Yelland, who died in December, left £16,979 gross, £16,744 net.
Ada Caroline Jutte, of Castle House Nursing Home, Torrington, who died in December, left £16,370 gross, £15,915 net.
Mary Hannah Gibbons, Silver Threads, Instow, who died in December, left £8,908 gross, £8,728 net.

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