• 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 Burnard family reunion

  • 2 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 3 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 4 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 5 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 6 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 7

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 8 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 9 Filming at Hartland

  • 10 Capers on the cobbles

  • 11 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 13 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 14 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 15 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 16 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 17 The cab at the corner>
  • 18 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 19 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 20 End of the line

  • 21 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 22 Puppet characters introduced

  • 23 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 24 Clovelly nightmare

  • 25

    Building works
  • 26 They are parted pro-tem

  • 27 Waldon Triplets
  • 28 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 29 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 30 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 31 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 32 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 33 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 34

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 35 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 37 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 38 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 39 Jumble sale fever

  • 40 Ten year old scrambler

  • 41

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 42 Revenge in style

  • 43 Northam's almshouse

  • 44 First ship in 8 years

  • 45 From Bobby to Brian

  • 46 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 47 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 48 Blanchards ad.>
  • 49 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 50 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 51 Some mushroom!

  • 52 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 53 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 54 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 55 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 56 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 58 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 59 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 60 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 61 Bridging the stream

  • 62 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 63 Centenary of Gazette

  • 64

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 65 Modern living at Bideford

  • 66 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 67 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 68 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 69 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 70 A story to tell!

  • 71 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 72 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 73 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 74 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 75 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 76 No sale of Springfield House

  • 77 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 78 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 80 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 81 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 82 New art gallery opened

  • 83 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 84 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 85 113 years at Instow

  • 86 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 87 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 88 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 89 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 90 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 91 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 92 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 93

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 94 Unique holiday adventure!

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

  • 96 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 97 Penny for the guy

  • 98 Loads of black and white

  • 99 In their new robes and hats

  • 100 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 101 Torrington children build igloo
  • 102 Warmington's garage ad

  • 103 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 104 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 105 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 106 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 107 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 108 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 109 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 110 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 111 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 112 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 113 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 114 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 115 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 116 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 117 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 118 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 119 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 120 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 121 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 122 Decontrol of meat

  • 123 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 124 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 126 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 127 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 128 What's the time?

  • 129 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 130 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 131 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 132 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 133 New addition to Quay front

  • 134 A bird of their own!

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

  • 136 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 137 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 138 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 139 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 140 Happy Days!

  • 141 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 142 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 143 Devil sent packing

  • 144 New Post Office

  • 145 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 146 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 147 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 148 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 149 Torrington's new amenity

  • 150 New civic medallions

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

  • 152 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 153 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 154 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 155 The art of the thatcher

  • 156 Appledore's largest

  • 157 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 158 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 159

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 160 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 161

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 162 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 163 Mobile missionary

  • 164 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 165 The Geneva marionettes

  • 166 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 167 Last train from Torrington

  • 168

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 169 Emergency ferry services

  • 170 Off on a great adventure

  • 171 All aboard the ark

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

  • 173 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 174 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 175 Variety in summer weather

  • 176 Recognise this resort?

  • 177 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 178 New choral society's growing response

  • 179 North Devon Driving School

  • 180 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 181 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 182 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 183 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 184 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 185 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 186 Artisans' Club

  • 187 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 188 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 189 Simple Item 138
  • 190 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 191 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 192 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 193 Traditions and skills still there

  • 194 Picking the pops

  • 195 New Lundy stamps

  • 196 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 197

    Exhibition of school work
  • 198 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 199 Just over a year old

  • 200 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 201 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 202 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 203 Bideford loses training ship

  • 204 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 205 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 206 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 207

    Relatives all over the world
  • 208

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 209 Hartland postman retires

  • 210

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 211 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 212 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 213 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 214

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 215 By pony and trap to market

  • 216 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 217 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 218 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 219 New shipyard on schedule

  • 220 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 221 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 222 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 223 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 224 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 225 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 226 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 227 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 228 Clovelly custom

  • 229 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 230 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 231 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 232 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 233 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 234 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 235 Police station view of Bideford

  • 236 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 237 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 238 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 239 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 240 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 241 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 242 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 243 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 244

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 245 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 246 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

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

  • 248 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 249 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 250

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 251 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 253 Torrington in 1967

  • 254 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 255 Ships at Bideford

  • 256 Hartland's invitation

  • 257 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 258 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 259 All for the love of a lady!

  • 260 Picking the pops

  • 261 Peter poses for TV film

  • 262 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 263 Can spring be far away?

  • 264 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 265 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 266 Caught in the act>
  • 267 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 268 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 269 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 270 School crossing patrol begins

  • 271 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 272 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 274

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 275 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 276 Out of puff!

  • 277

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 278 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 279 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 280 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 281 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 282 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 283 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 284 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 285 No laughing matter

  • 286

    Bidefordians
  • 287 New look in the hayfields

  • 288 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 289 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 290 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 291 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 292 School's link with cargo ship

  • 293 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 294 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 295 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 296 Northam footballers of the future

  • 297 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 298

    First prize
  • 299 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 300 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 301 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 302 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 303 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 304 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 305 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 306 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 307 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 308

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 309

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 310 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 311 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 312 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 313 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 314 Private home for public pump

  • 315

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 316

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 317 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 318 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 319 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 320 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 321

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 322 Life begins at 80

  • 323 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 324

    New gateway
  • 325 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 326 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 327 A man and his wheel

  • 328 Six footed lamb

  • 329

    Was a missionary
  • 330 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 331 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 332 Finished in 1876

  • 333 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 334 Circus comes to town

  • 335 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 336 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 337 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 338 Riverside mystery

  • 339 Some 240 exhibits

  • 340 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 341 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 342 Bideford computer stars

  • 343 Over the bank together>
  • 344

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 345 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 346 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 347 It really was the 'last time'

  • 348 Pannier Market's future?

  • 349 When horses score over the tractor

  • 350 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 351 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 352 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 353 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 354 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 355 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 356 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 357 Weare Giffard potato

  • 358 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 359 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 360 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 361 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 362 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 364 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 365 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 366 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 367 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 368 Sight of a lifetime

  • 369 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 370 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 371 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 372 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 373 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 374 He beat the floods

  • 375

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 376 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 377

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 378 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 379 Cruising down the river

  • 380 Littleham family's five generations

  • 381 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 382 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 383 Hartland Dancers
  • 384 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 385 Twenty-one yachts

  • 386

    Married in 1908
  • 387 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 388 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 389 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 390 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 391 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 392 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 393 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 394 New life for Hartland organ

  • 395 A roof-top view - where?

  • 396 Service with a smile

  • 397

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 398 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 399 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 400 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 401 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 402 So this is the mainland!

  • 403 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 404 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 405 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 406

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 407 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 408 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 409 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 410 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 411 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 412 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 413 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 414 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 415 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 416 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 417 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 418 Bideford regatta

  • 419 For crying out loud!

  • 420 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 421 Sweets derationing

  • 422 Children's procession with foxgloves

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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  • 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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  • 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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Northam School - 1972

Northam School - 10th March 1972

10.3.1972 Northam School1
10.3.1972 Northam School2
 

St Margaret's School

Winners of a new under 12 years old section of Northam urban district road safety quiz were St. Margaret's Scool, Notham, "A" team, seen here with the plaques they received to mark their success. Left to right - William Peacock, Kim Bernard, Carol Moorefield and Beverley Tutton.

Northam School Netball

Northam School Netball - 13th May 1977

13.5.1977 Northam School netball
 

These young pupils of St Margaret's School, Northam, have plenty to smile about.
Since the 11-year-olds formed a netball team last September they have played some 20 matches and they have won them all.
Their latest success came in Torridge District Schools football and netball rally at which they won the netball trophy with a 13-10 victory over East-the-Water School, Bideford in the final.
The team comprises: Lindsay Warmington, Alison Jarvis, Julie Chattey, Sandra Maxfield, Carolynne Moore, Suzanne Holder, Polly Hughes with Harriet Peacock and Cerys Parry as reserves.

Bid To Protect Memorial From Vandals

Bid To Protect Memorial From Vandals - 13th January 1967

13.1.1967 Northam Bonehill
 

News that the flagstaff at Bonehill, Northam, is to be repaired was welcomed by Northam Urban Council.
The surveyor, Mr Clive Barber, reported that although £125 had been allowed in the estimates for such a repair, it would probably cost a good deal more. Mr A C Saunders hoped that not only the flagstaff but the whole memorial would be restored.
Most of the seats had borne brass plates indicating that they had been placed there to commemorate the golden jubilee in 1887 of Queen Victoria but several of them had been removed. To commemorate the diamond jubilee there was a stone to represent each year of the Queen's reign. There were silver coins embedded but mostly these had disappeared through vandalism and deterioration.
Mr Saunders suggestd that to prevent further vandalism the memorial should be padlocked at night. The matter could safely be left in the hands of the Surveyor, said Mrs E M Hilder who presided.
It was in May 1897 that at a parish meeting in Northam Mr W Blakeney, R.N. of 'Hillsborough', Westward Ho! moved that a permanent memorial should be erected 'on the rocky knoll outside the churchyard wall.' It was decided to provide a cairn and flagstaff, the cairn to be formed from 60 pebbles from the foreshore of Bideford Bay. On these stones would be chiselled the names of some of the seamen of North Devon who in the days of Queen Elizabeth sailed over the Bay to defeat her enemies and lay the foundations of England's sea power. In the event stones in the cairn at the base of the flagstaff bore the names of Drake, Raleigh and Grenville and the Gazette of June 23rd 1897 recorded: 'Should funds increase other names of great Elizabethans will be engrave upon the remaining boulders.' This was done.
Above a brass tablet setting out the circumstances surrounding the memorial and bearing a quotation from Kingsley's 'Westward Ho!' the Gazette said, was embedded in the rock 'an authentic bronze medal cast in Rome by order of Pope Suxrus V to convey his sanction to the Spanish Armada attempting the conquest of England'. The medal was presented by Mr W Blakeney.
In a large pebble below the tablet was embedded a silver coin with the inscription 'Terra Mari Securitas 1588'. The flagstaff has subsequently been renewed.

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