• 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 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 2 Some 240 exhibits

  • 3 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 4 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 5 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 6 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 7 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 8 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 9 All for the love of a lady!

  • 10 New look in the hayfields

  • 11 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 12 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 13 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 14 Parkham plan realised

  • 15 Emergency ferry services

  • 16

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 17 Riverside mystery

  • 18 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 19 North Devon Driving School

  • 20 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 21 So this is the mainland!

  • 22 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 23 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 24 Torrington's new amenity

  • 25

    Exhibition of school work
  • 26

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 27 Revenge in style

  • 28 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 29 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 30 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

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

  • 33 Happy Days!

  • 34 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 35 113 years at Instow

  • 36 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 37 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 38 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 39 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 41 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 42 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 43 What's the time?

  • 44 Littleham family's five generations

  • 45 Weare Giffard potato

  • 46 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 47 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 48 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 49 New choral society's growing response

  • 50 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 51 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 52 New life for Hartland organ

  • 53 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 54 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 55 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 56 Pannier Market's future?

  • 57 Recognise this resort?

  • 58 Blanchards ad.>
  • 59 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 60 Caught in the act>
  • 61 Sweets derationing

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

  • 63 Penny for the guy

  • 64 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 65 Hartland Dancers
  • 66 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 67 Appledore's largest

  • 68 A bird of their own!

  • 69 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 70 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 71 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 72 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 73 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 74 Simple Item 138
  • 75 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 76 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 77 A roof-top view - where?

  • 78 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 79 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 80 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 81 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 82 No sale of Springfield House

  • 83 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 84 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 85

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 86 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 87 Loads of black and white

  • 88 Torrington in 1967

  • 89 Out of puff!

  • 90 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 91 They are parted pro-tem

  • 92 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 93 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 94 Service with a smile

  • 95 No laughing matter

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

  • 97 Filming at Hartland

  • 98 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 99 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 100 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 101 Picking the pops

  • 102 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 103 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 104 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 105

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 106 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 107 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 108 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 109 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 110 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 111 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 112 Bideford computer stars

  • 113 First ship in 8 years

  • 114 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 115 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 116 In their new robes and hats

  • 117 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 118 Can spring be far away?

  • 119 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 120 From Bobby to Brian

  • 121

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 122 It really was the 'last time'

  • 123 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 124 Life begins at 80

  • 125 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 126 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 127 Twenty-one yachts

  • 128

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 129 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 130

    Building works
  • 131 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 132 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 133 For crying out loud!

  • 134 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 135 Variety in summer weather

  • 136 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 137 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 138

    First prize
  • 139 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 140 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 141 Burnard family reunion

  • 142 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 143 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 144 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 145 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 147 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 148 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 149 Police station view of Bideford

  • 150 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 151 Finished in 1876

  • 152

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 153

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 154 The cab at the corner>
  • 155 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 156 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 157

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 158 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 159 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 160 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 161

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 162 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 163 Bridging the stream

  • 164 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 165 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 166 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 167 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 168 Northam's almshouse

  • 169 New art gallery opened

  • 170 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 171 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 172 Hartland's invitation

  • 173 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 175 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 176 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 177 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 178 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 179 Jumble sale fever

  • 180 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 181 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 182 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 184 Mobile missionary

  • 185 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 186 New civic medallions

  • 187 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 188 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 189 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 190 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 191 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 192 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 193 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 194 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 195 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 196 Ships at Bideford

  • 197 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 198 Cruising down the river

  • 199 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 200 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 201 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 202 Private home for public pump

  • 203 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 204 Over the bank together>
  • 205 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 206 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 207 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 208

    Was a missionary
  • 209 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 210 New Lundy stamps

  • 211 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 212 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 213 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 214 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 215

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 216 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 217 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 218 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 219 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 220 Traditions and skills still there

  • 221 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 222 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 223 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 224 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 225 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 226 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 228 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 229 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

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

  • 231

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 232 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 233 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 234

    Relatives all over the world
  • 235 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 236 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 237 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 238 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 239

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 240 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 241 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 242 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 244 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 245

    Bidefordians
  • 246 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 247 Hartland postman retires

  • 248 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 249 New Post Office

  • 250 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 251 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 252 Six footed lamb

  • 253 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 254 By pony and trap to market

  • 255 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 256 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 257 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 258 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 259 Clovelly custom

  • 260 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 261 Bideford regatta

  • 262 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 263 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 264

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 265 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 266 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 267 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 268 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 269 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 270 Huntshaw TV mast

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

  • 272 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 273 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 274 Ten year old scrambler

  • 275 Artisans' Club

  • 276 School's link with cargo ship

  • 277 Off on a great adventure

  • 278 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 279 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 280 Clovelly nightmare

  • 281 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 282 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 283 A man and his wheel

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

  • 285 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 286 Devil sent packing

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

  • 288 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 289 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 290 Decontrol of meat

  • 291 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 292 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 293 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 294 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 295 Centenary of Gazette

  • 296 Last train from Torrington

  • 297 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 298 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 299

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 300 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 301 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 302 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 303 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 304 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 305 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 306 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 307 End of the line

  • 308 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 309 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 310 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 311 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 312 Just over a year old

  • 313 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 314

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 315 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 316 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 317 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 318 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 319 He beat the floods

  • 320 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 321 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 322 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 323 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 324 School crossing patrol begins

  • 325 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 326 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 327 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 328 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 329

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 330 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 331 Some mushroom!

  • 332 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 333 Modern living at Bideford

  • 334

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 335 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 336 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 337 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 338 All aboard the ark

  • 339 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 340 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 341 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 342 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 343 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 344 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 345 Sight of a lifetime

  • 346 When horses score over the tractor

  • 347 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 348 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 349 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 350 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 351

    New gateway
  • 352 A story to tell!

  • 353 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 354 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 355 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 356 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 357 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 358 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 359

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 360 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 361 Northam footballers of the future

  • 362 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 363 Puppet characters introduced

  • 364 Waldon Triplets
  • 365 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 366

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 367 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 368 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 369 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 370 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 371 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 372 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 373 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 374 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 375 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 376 Circus comes to town

  • 377

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 378 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 379 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 380

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 381

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 382 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 383 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 384 Warmington's garage ad

  • 385 Torrington children build igloo
  • 386 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 387 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 388 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 389 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 390 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 391 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 392 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 393 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 394 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 395 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 396 Picking the pops

  • 397 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 398

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 399 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 400 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 401 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 402 Bideford loses training ship

  • 403 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 404

    Married in 1908
  • 405 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 406

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 407 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 408 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 409 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 410 Peter poses for TV film

  • 411 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 412 New shipyard on schedule

  • 413 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 414 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 415 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 416 The art of the thatcher

  • 417 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 418 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 419 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 420 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 421 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 422 Capers on the cobbles

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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Christmas Babies At Torrington

The birth of two babies at Torrington Cottage Hospital – one on Christmas Eve and the other on Boxing Day – added to the joy of patients there at Christmas.

29 December 1948 Torrington Christmas babies

Although there was a fair number of patients in the Hospital and some shortage of staff, the Matron, Miss L M Bray, and her nurses spared no efforts to make it a happy Christmas for the patients. The wards and entrance hall had been gaily decorated and each patient had presents from the staff on their breakfast trays and off the Christmas tree.
There was goose and plum pudding for Christmas Day dinner and patients each entertained two visitors to tea. On Boxing Day there was a turkey, the gift of Dr G A Y West for dinner.
Visitors to the Hospital at Christmas included the choirs of the Parish Church and the Methodist Church, who sang carols.
Gazette article dated 29 December 1948

Britain in Bloom

Torrington's Mayor, Dr Harry Cramp, shows the plaque the town won in the Britain in Bloom Competition to Mr W Jeffery, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, and Mr L R Randall, Torrington area foreman of Torridge Council's parks department.

27.10.1978 Britain in Bloom

Also in the picture, Town Clerk, Mr M C F Howe.

Gazette article dated 27 October 1978

‘O, What A Fall Was There…’

From the top to the bottom in one easy stage.

17.7.1964 Torrington School2

That was the experience of Combe House at Torrington County Secondary School sports on Thursday week. As Cleave House soared to the top to win the shield by a substantial margin, Combe, the holders, sank to fourth position.
Points gained: Cleave, 116½; Leigh, 91½; Barton, 85; Combe, 84.

17.7.1964 Torrington School1


In the picture the two captains, of Cleave House, Michael Woolacott and Gwen Copp, are seen receiving the shield from Mrs M E Pitts. On the right is the headmaster, Mr J W Bastin.
The various events were keenly contested and three school records were broken.
In the senior shot Stephen Broer achieved 34ft 9in as against 34ft. Sally Darch created a new record of 13ft 10in for the senior girls’ long jump, and J Hewitt, with 4ft 3in, a new record in the junior girls’ high jump.
Gazette article dated 17 July 1964

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