• 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 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 2 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 3

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 4 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 5 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 6 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 7 Six footed lamb

  • 8 Bridging the stream

  • 9 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 10 Revenge in style

  • 11 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 12 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 13 Hartland's invitation

  • 14 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 15 Waldon Triplets
  • 16 Appledore's largest

  • 17 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 18 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 19 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 20 New civic medallions

  • 21 New Lundy stamps

  • 22 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 23 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 24 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 25 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 26 They are parted pro-tem

  • 27 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 28 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 29 So this is the mainland!

  • 30 Devil sent packing

  • 31 Bideford regatta

  • 32 For crying out loud!

  • 33 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 34 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 35 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 36

    Exhibition of school work
  • 37 Bideford computer stars

  • 38 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 39 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 40 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 41 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 42 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 43 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 44 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 45 Recognise this resort?

  • 46 The Geneva marionettes

  • 47 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 48 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 49 From Bobby to Brian

  • 50 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 51 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 52

    First prize
  • 53 113 years at Instow

  • 54 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 55 All aboard the ark

  • 56 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 57 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 58 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 59 Ten year old scrambler

  • 60 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 61 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 62 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 63 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 64 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 65 Twenty-one yachts

  • 66 Modern living at Bideford

  • 67 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 68 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 69

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 70 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 71 Water Board mains spread through villages

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

  • 73 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 74 Decontrol of meat

  • 75 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 76 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 77 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 78 Life begins at 80

  • 79 School's link with cargo ship

  • 80 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 81 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 82 Puppet characters introduced

  • 83 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 84 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 85 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 86 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 87 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 88

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 89 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 90

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 91 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 92 Hartland postman retires

  • 93 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 94 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 95 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 96

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 97 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 98 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 99 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 100 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 101 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 102 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 103 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 104 Bringing shopping home by goat

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

  • 106 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 107 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 108 What's the time?

  • 109 A story to tell!

  • 110 Northam's almshouse

  • 111 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 113 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 114 Jumble sale fever

  • 115 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 116

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 117 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 118

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 119 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 120 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 121 Northam footballers of the future

  • 122 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 123 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 124 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 125

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 126 Capers on the cobbles

  • 127 He beat the floods

  • 128 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 129 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 130

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 131 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 132 Happy Days!

  • 133 Riverside mystery

  • 134 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 135 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 136 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 137

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 138 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 139 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 140 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 141 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 142 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 143 It really was the 'last time'

  • 144

    New gateway
  • 145 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 146 New art gallery opened

  • 147 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 148 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 149 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 150 New life for Hartland organ

  • 151 Finished in 1876

  • 152 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 153 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 154 End of the line

  • 155 The cab at the corner>
  • 156 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 157

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 158 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 159 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 160 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 161 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 162 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 163 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 164 Some mushroom!

  • 165 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 166 Penny for the guy

  • 167 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 168 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 169 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 170 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

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

  • 172 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 173 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 174 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 175 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 176 Burnard family reunion

  • 177

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 178

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 179 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 180 Torrington's new amenity

  • 181 First ship in 8 years

  • 182 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 183 School crossing patrol begins

  • 184 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 185 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 186 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 187 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 188 Ships at Bideford

  • 189 Blanchards ad.>
  • 190 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 191 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 192 Can spring be far away?

  • 193 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 194

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 195 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 196 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 197 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 198 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 199 Bideford loses training ship

  • 200 Caught in the act>
  • 201 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 202 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 203 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 204 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 205 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 206 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 207 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 208 New choral society's growing response

  • 209 North Devon Driving School

  • 210 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 211 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 213 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 214 Private home for public pump

  • 215 All for the love of a lady!

  • 216 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 217 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 218 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 219

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 220 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 221 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 222 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 223 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 224

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 225 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 226 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 227 Parkham plan realised

  • 228 Sweets derationing

  • 229 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 230 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 231 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 232 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 233 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 234 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 235 Peter poses for TV film

  • 236 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 237 Artisans' Club

  • 238 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 239 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 240 Littleham family's five generations

  • 241 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 242 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 243 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 244 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 245 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 246 Torrington to have first woman mayor

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

  • 248 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 249 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 250 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 251 A lost Bideford 'island'

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

  • 253 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 254 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 255 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 256 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 257

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 258 Picking the pops

  • 259 Simple Item 138
  • 260 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 261 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 262 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

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

  • 264 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 265 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 266 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 267 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 268 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 269 Over the bank together>
  • 270 Traditions and skills still there

  • 271 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 272 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 273 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 274 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 275 Filming at Hartland

  • 276 New look in the hayfields

  • 277 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 278 Circus comes to town

  • 279 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 280 Out of puff!

  • 281 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 282 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 283 Warmington's garage ad

  • 284 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 285

    Bidefordians
  • 286 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 287 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 288 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 289 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 290 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 291 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 292 Last train from Torrington

  • 293 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 294 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 295 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 296 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 297 Hartland Dancers
  • 298 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 299 By pony and trap to market

  • 300

    Building works
  • 301 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 302 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 303 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 304 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 305 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 306

    Was a missionary
  • 307 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 308 Torrington children build igloo
  • 309 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 310 Variety in summer weather

  • 311 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 312

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 313

    Relatives all over the world
  • 314 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 315 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 316 In their new robes and hats

  • 317 New addition to Quay front

  • 318 Clovelly custom

  • 319 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 320 The art of the thatcher

  • 321 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 322 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

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

  • 324 Sight of a lifetime

  • 325 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 326 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 327 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 328

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 329 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 330 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 331 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 332 Some 240 exhibits

  • 333 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 334 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 335 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 336 When horses score over the tractor

  • 337 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 338 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 339

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 340 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 341 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 342 Cruising down the river

  • 343 Service with a smile

  • 344 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 345 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 346 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 348 No sale of Springfield House

  • 349 Clovelly nightmare

  • 350 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 351 Weare Giffard potato

  • 352 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 353 Pannier Market's future?

  • 354 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 355 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 356 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 357 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 358 A man and his wheel

  • 359

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

  • 361 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 362 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 363 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 364 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 365 Loads of black and white

  • 366 Picking the pops

  • 367 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 368 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 369 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 370 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 371

    Married in 1908
  • 372 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 373 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 374 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 375 A roof-top view - where?

  • 376 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 377 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 378 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 379 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 380 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 381 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 382 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 383 No laughing matter

  • 384

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 385 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 386 Centenary of Gazette

  • 387 Police station view of Bideford

  • 388 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 389 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 390 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 391 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 392 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 393

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 394 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 395

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 396 New Post Office

  • 397 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 398 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 399 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 400 Torrington in 1967

  • 401 Just over a year old

  • 402 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 403 Mobile missionary

  • 404 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 405 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 406 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 407 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 408 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 409 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 410 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 411 A bird of their own!

  • 412 Off on a great adventure

  • 413 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 414 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 415 Emergency ferry services

  • 416 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 417 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 418

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 419 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 420 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 421 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 422 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Torrington Loses Unique Distinction

Torrington is on the point of losing what is probably a unique distinction – its police station in the churchyard.

7.6.1968 Torrington police station1

The Town Council’s General Purposes Committee were told last week that in reply to the Council’s inquiry the County Council had said that the police station and three police houses were now surplus to requirements.
Although the houses have been vacated the police have been awaiting arrival of office furniture before they can move into their new headquarters at Hatchmoor. There five houses have also been built.
At one time in its police history Torrington had an officer of the rank of Superintendent. For many years now it has been in the charge of a sergeant as part of the Bideford sub-division of the North Devon division based at Barnstaple.
The full article is dated 7 June 1968

£100 Cheque For Hospital

Over £250 was raised by the local committee of Exeter Hospital Aid Society in 1975 to buy for patients amenities that are not available under the National Health Service.

4.6.1976 Torrington Cottage Hospital

Latest to benefit are those at Torrington Cottage Hospital, where a cheque is here seen being presented for the purchase of a ripple bed.
A cheque for £100 has been sent to Torridge Hospital, Bideford, to buy a variable height bed and bed tables have been bought by Bideford and District Hospital with £50 from the fund.
Seen in our picture are Miss B Pinsent, matron; Mr D Caldwell, assistant district administrator; Mr G Brion; Mrs R Troth, area secretary; staff nurse Mrs Anne Griffin, and Mr N Edcombe. The patient is Mrs Cecilia Law who has long been a worker for the society.
Gazette article dated 4 June 1976

Torrington Appoints New Town Clerk

A former Town Clerk of Livingstone, Zambia, Mr Allan Fitt, aged 42, has been appointed Town Clerk of Torrington.

7 May 1971 Torrington Town Clerk

He will take over on June 1st from Mr S J Parkes who has held the post for 25 years.
Married with three young children, Mr Fitt is a native of Bournemouth and is at present living with his family at Boscombe. He is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Member of the British Institute of Management.
The full Gazette article is dated 7 May 1971

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