• 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 Emergency ferry services

  • 2 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 3 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 4 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 5 Some 240 exhibits

  • 6 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 7 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 8 Bridging the stream

  • 9 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 10 All aboard the ark

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

  • 12 Bideford loses training ship

  • 13 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 14 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 15 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 16 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 17 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 18 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 19 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 20 North Devon Driving School

  • 21 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 22 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

  • 24 New civic medallions

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

  • 26 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 27

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 28 Hartland Dancers
  • 29 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 30 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 31 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 32 Circus comes to town

  • 33 They are parted pro-tem

  • 34 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 35 Capers on the cobbles

  • 36 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 37 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 38 Simple Item 138
  • 39 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 40 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 41 Northam footballers of the future

  • 42 New Post Office

  • 43 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 44 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 45

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 46 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 47 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 48 Revenge in style

  • 49 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 50 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 51 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 52 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 53 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 54 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 55 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 56 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 57 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 58 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 59 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 60

    Bidefordians
  • 61 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 62 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 63 Caught in the act>
  • 64

    Exhibition of school work
  • 65 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 66 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 67 Police station view of Bideford

  • 68 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 69 Life begins at 80

  • 70

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 71 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 72 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 73 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 74 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 75 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 76 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 77 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 78 Cruising down the river

  • 79 New art gallery opened

  • 80 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 81 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 82 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 83 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 84 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 85 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 86 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 87 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 88 He beat the floods

  • 89

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 90 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 91 Weare Giffard potato

  • 92 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 93 The art of the thatcher

  • 94 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 95

    First prize
  • 96 Hartland postman retires

  • 97 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 98 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 99 Pannier Market's future?

  • 100

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 101 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 102 First ship in 8 years

  • 103 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 104 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 105 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 106 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 107 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 108 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 109 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 110 School's link with cargo ship

  • 111 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 112 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 113 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 114 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 115 Six footed lamb

  • 116 From Bobby to Brian

  • 117 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 118 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 119 Picking the pops

  • 120 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 121 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 122 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 123 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 124 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 125 Northam's almshouse

  • 126 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 127 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 128 Sight of a lifetime

  • 129 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 130 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 131 Last train from Torrington

  • 132 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 133 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 134 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 135 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 136 Sweets derationing

  • 137 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 138 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 139 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 140 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 141 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 142 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 143 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 144 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 145

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 146 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 147 Parkham plan realised

  • 148 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 149 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 150 School crossing patrol begins

  • 151 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 152 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 153 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 154 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 155

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 156 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 157 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 158 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 159 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 160 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 161 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 162 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 163 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 164 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 165 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 166 Devil sent packing

  • 167 Loads of black and white

  • 168 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 169 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 170 Waldon Triplets
  • 171 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 172 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 173 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 174 Recognise this resort?

  • 175 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 176 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 177 No sale of Springfield House

  • 178 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 179 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 180 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 181 In their new robes and hats

  • 182 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 183 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 184 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 185 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 186 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 187 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 188 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 189 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 190 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 191 113 years at Instow

  • 192 No laughing matter

  • 193 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 194 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 195 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 197 Over the bank together>
  • 198 So this is the mainland!

  • 199 Off on a great adventure

  • 200 Out of puff!

  • 201 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 202 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 203 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 204 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 205 Filming at Hartland

  • 206 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 207 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

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

  • 209 Traditions and skills still there

  • 210 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 211 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 212

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 213 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 214 Blanchards ad.>
  • 215 New Lundy stamps

  • 216

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 217 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 218 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 219 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 220 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 221 Picking the pops

  • 222 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 223 For crying out loud!

  • 224 The cab at the corner>
  • 225 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 226 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 227 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 228 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 229 Burnard family reunion

  • 230 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 231 Some mushroom!

  • 232 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 233 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 234 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 235 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 236 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 237 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 238 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 239 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 240 Just over a year old

  • 241

    Was a missionary
  • 242 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 243 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 244

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 245 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 246 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 247 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 248 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 249 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 250 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 251 Variety in summer weather

  • 252 Torrington in 1967

  • 253 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 254 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 255 Artisans' Club

  • 256 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 257 New addition to Quay front

  • 258 Private home for public pump

  • 259 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 260 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 261 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 262 Peter poses for TV film

  • 263 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 264 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 265 Ships at Bideford

  • 266 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 267

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 268 It really was the 'last time'

  • 269 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 270 Ten year old scrambler

  • 271 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 272 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 273 Bideford computer stars

  • 274 Bideford regatta

  • 275 Riverside mystery

  • 276 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 277 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 278 Clovelly nightmare

  • 279 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 280 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 281 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 282 New life for Hartland organ

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

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

  • 285 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 286 Penny for the guy

  • 287 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 288 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 289

    Building works
  • 290 End of the line

  • 291 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 292 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 293 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 294

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 295 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 297 Hartland's invitation

  • 298

    New gateway
  • 299

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 300 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 301 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 302 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 303 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 304 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 305 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 306 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 307 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 309 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 310 Service with a smile

  • 311

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 312 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 313 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 314

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 315 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 316 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 317 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 318 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 319 Clovelly custom

  • 320 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 321

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 322 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 323 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 324 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 325 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 326 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 327

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 328 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 329 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 330

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 331

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 332 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 333 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 334

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 335 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 336 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 337 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 338 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 339 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 340 Can spring be far away?

  • 341 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 342 When horses score over the tractor

  • 343 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 344 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 345 Torrington's new amenity

  • 346 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 347 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 348 Appledore's largest

  • 349 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 350 New shipyard on schedule

  • 351

    Relatives all over the world
  • 352 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 353 Finished in 1876

  • 354 Happy Days!

  • 355 New choral society's growing response

  • 356 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 357 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 358 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 359

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 360 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 361 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 362 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 364 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 365 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 366

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 367 Puppet characters introduced

  • 368 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 369 A roof-top view - where?

  • 370 Twenty-one yachts

  • 371 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 372 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 373 What's the time?

  • 374 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 375 All for the love of a lady!

  • 376

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 377 Littleham family's five generations

  • 378 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 379 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 380 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 381 A man and his wheel

  • 382

    Married in 1908
  • 383 By pony and trap to market

  • 384 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 385 Centenary of Gazette

  • 386 A story to tell!

  • 387 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 388 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 389 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 390 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 391 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 392 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 393 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 394 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 395 Mobile missionary

  • 396 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 397 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 398 Modern living at Bideford

  • 399 Torrington children build igloo
  • 400 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 401 New look in the hayfields

  • 402

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 403 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 404 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 405 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 406 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 407 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 408 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 409 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 410 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 411 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 413 Warmington's garage ad

  • 414

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 415 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 416 A bird of their own!

  • 417 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 418 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 419 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 420 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 421 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 422 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Lighting Meeting

At the annual lighting meeting, held at the New Inn, there was a fair attendance of villagers to hear the statement concerning village street lighting during the past year and consider future commitments.

11.3.1955 Clovelly lighting

Mr J C Hilton, Chairman of the Parish Council, presided and other attending including Mr Tridgell, local representative of the SW Electricity Board, and Mr Pickett, Clerk to the Parish Council.
It was reported that the total expenditure for the year was £52, this including the new light outside the Mount Pleasant which it was resolved to erect at the last annual meeting.
A precept for £55 was authorised for the coming year.
During discussion it was considered that lighting improvements were desirable at three places – Look-Out, Temple Bar and behind the lifeboat house at the end of Fish Street. Mr Tridgell said he would investigate to see if it was possible to adjust the existing lights to meet the requirements and so avoid having to instal additional lights. From inspection on the spot it has since been learned that such adjustments should prove possible.
The meeting concluded with thanks to Mr Godley for the use of the room and to Mr Tridgell and Mr Pickett for their services.
Gazette article dated 11 March 1955

Clovelly Bride

There was considerable local interest in the wedding at All Saints’ Church, Clovelly, on February 18th, of Miss Edna M Cook, daughter of Mr and Mrs T Cook, Winsworthy, Higher Clovelly, and LAC William Hume, Royal Air Force, who has been serving at Gibraltar, eldest son of the late Mr Hume and Mrs Appleby, Manchester.

2.3.1943 Cook Hume1

The bride, who has been working at the Saw Mills of Messrs J Dennis and Son, Ltd, Clovelly, is a member of an old and well known family and is very popular. There was a large congregation to witness the ceremony.
The Rev R P Cavendish officiated and Mr T E Finch presided at the organ. The bridesmaid was Miss Alice Moore and Drvr Leslie Cook, Royal Corps of Signals, bride’s brother, carried out the duties of the best man. As the happy couple left the church, the bride was presented with a lucky silver horse shoe by her cousin, Master Ronnie Thorpe.

2.3.1943 Cook Hume2

The full Gazette article is dated 2 March 1943.

Clovelly Has Made Up Its Mind

After having been told by the chairman of the Parish Council, Mr J Prince: ‘Over the years we have been accused of dilly-dallying and it is time we reached a definite decision and acted upon it’, a Clovelly meeting on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for a parish hall.

10.5.1963 Clovelly Parish hall


It is nearly 20 years since the village decided that the hall should be built and playing field provided as a memorial to those who died in the war. But the project has been dogged by controversy about the most suitable site.
The late Hon. Mrs Asquith gave one at Yellary, but some villagers felt that the hall would be better situated at Berry Meadow or the Rectory. Efforts to obtain these sites failed. On Tuesday Mr Prince said the parish must make up its mind whether it wanted a hall on the Yellary site or no hall.
Mr C Braund declared that everyone felt the whole business had gone on long enough.
Gazette article dated 10 May 1963

  • 1

Login Form