• 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 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 2 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 3

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 4

    Married in 1908
  • 5 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 6 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 7 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 8 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 9 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 10 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 11 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 12 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 13 Life begins at 80

  • 14 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 15 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 16 A roof-top view - where?

  • 17 Picking the pops

  • 18 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 19 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 20 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 21 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 22 Devil sent packing

  • 23 Twenty-one yachts

  • 24

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 25 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 26 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 27 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 28 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 29 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 30 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 31 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 32 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 33 Sweets derationing

  • 34 Parkham plan realised

  • 35 Bideford regatta

  • 36 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 37 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 38

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 39 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 40 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 41 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 42 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 43 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 44 A man and his wheel

  • 45 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 46

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 47

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 48

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 49 All for the love of a lady!

  • 50 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 51 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 52 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 53 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 54 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 55 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 56 No sale of Springfield House

  • 57 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 58 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 59 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 60 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 61 Ships at Bideford

  • 62

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 63 When horses score over the tractor

  • 64 All aboard the ark

  • 65 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 66 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 67 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 68 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 69 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 70 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 71 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 72 Revenge in style

  • 73 It really was the 'last time'

  • 74 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 75 Hartland Dancers
  • 76 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 77 Emergency ferry services

  • 78 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 79 New shipyard on schedule

  • 80 Out of puff!

  • 81 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 82 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 83 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 84 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 85 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 86 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 87 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 88

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 89 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 90 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 91 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 92 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 93 Clovelly custom

  • 94 North Devon Driving School

  • 95

    Was a missionary
  • 96 Puppet characters introduced

  • 97 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 98 In their new robes and hats

  • 99 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 100 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 101 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 102 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

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

  • 104 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 105 Artisans' Club

  • 106 Recognise this resort?

  • 107

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 108

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 109 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 110 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 111 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 112 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 113 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 114 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 115 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 117 The art of the thatcher

  • 118 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 119 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 120 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 121 Mobile missionary

  • 122 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 123 Circus comes to town

  • 124 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 125 Torrington in 1967

  • 126 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 127 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 128 Torrington's new amenity

  • 129 Blanchards ad.>
  • 130 Riverside mystery

  • 131

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 132 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 133 Variety in summer weather

  • 134 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 135 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 136 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 137 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 138 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 139 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 140 Hartland's invitation

  • 141 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 142 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 143 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 144 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 145 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 146 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 147 New Lundy stamps

  • 148 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 149 Cruising down the river

  • 150 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 151 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 152 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 153 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 154 Modern living at Bideford

  • 155 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 156 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 157 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 158 New addition to Quay front

  • 159 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 160 Decontrol of meat

  • 161

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 162 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 163 Happy Days!

  • 164 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 165 The Geneva marionettes

  • 166

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 167 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 168 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 169

    Exhibition of school work
  • 170 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 171 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 172 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 173 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 174 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 175 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 176 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 177 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 178 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 179 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 180 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 181 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 182 Picking the pops

  • 183 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 184 For crying out loud!

  • 185 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 186 Just over a year old

  • 187 Caught in the act>
  • 188 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 189 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 190 The cab at the corner>
  • 191 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 192 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 193 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 194 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 195 New art gallery opened

  • 196 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 197

    First prize
  • 198 Last train from Torrington

  • 199 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 200

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 201 Weare Giffard potato

  • 202

    New gateway
  • 203 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 204 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 205 Waldon Triplets
  • 206 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 207

    Bidefordians
  • 208 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 209 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 210

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 211 Torrington children build igloo
  • 212 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 213 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 214 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 215 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 216 Centenary of Gazette

  • 217 New Post Office

  • 218 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 219 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 220 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 221 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 222 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 223 Penny for the guy

  • 224 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 225 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 226 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 227 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 228 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 229 Bridging the stream

  • 230 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 231 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 232 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 233 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 234 End of the line

  • 235 Ten year old scrambler

  • 236 Appledore's largest

  • 237 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 238 Some 240 exhibits

  • 239 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 240 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 241 A story to tell!

  • 242 Finished in 1876

  • 243 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 244

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 245 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 246 Service with a smile

  • 247 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 248 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 249 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 250 Filming at Hartland

  • 251 New choral society's growing response

  • 252 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 253 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 254 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 256 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 257 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 258

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 259 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 260 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 261 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 262 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 263 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 264 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 266 Police station view of Bideford

  • 267 Simple Item 138
  • 268 School's link with cargo ship

  • 269 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 270

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 271

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 272 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 273 Traditions and skills still there

  • 274 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 275 A bird of their own!

  • 276 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 277 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 278 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 279 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 280 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 281 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 282 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 283 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 284 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 285 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 286 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 287 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

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

  • 289 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 290 Bideford loses training ship

  • 291

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 292 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 293 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 294 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 295 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 296 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 297 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 298 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 299 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 300 Off on a great adventure

  • 301 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 302 Sight of a lifetime

  • 303 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 304

    Relatives all over the world
  • 305 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 306 Over the bank together>
  • 307 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 308 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 309

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 310 Fish nearly pulled him in

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

  • 312 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 313 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 314 Northam footballers of the future

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

  • 316 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 317 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 318 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 320 First ship in 8 years

  • 321 So this is the mainland!

  • 322 Pannier Market's future?

  • 323 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 324 Private home for public pump

  • 325 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 326 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 327 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 328

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 329 Can spring be far away?

  • 330 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 331 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 332 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 333 Jumble sale fever

  • 334 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 335 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 336 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 337 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 338 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 339 Torrington Church's new organ

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

  • 341 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 342 New life for Hartland organ

  • 343 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 344 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 345 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 346 113 years at Instow

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

  • 348 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 349 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 350 He beat the floods

  • 351 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 352 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 353 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 354 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 355 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 356 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 357 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 358 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 359 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 360 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 361 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 363 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 365 Littleham family's five generations

  • 366 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 367 What's the time?

  • 368 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 369 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 370 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 371 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 372

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 373 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 374 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 375 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 376 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 377 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 378 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 379 They are parted pro-tem

  • 380 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 381 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 382 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 383 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 384 New look in the hayfields

  • 385

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 386 Six footed lamb

  • 387 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 388 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 389 Peter poses for TV film

  • 390 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 391 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 392 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 393 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 394 Loads of black and white

  • 395 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 396 Hartland postman retires

  • 397 New civic medallions

  • 398 From Bobby to Brian

  • 399

    Building works
  • 400 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 401 Some mushroom!

  • 402 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 403 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 404 Warmington's garage ad

  • 405 No laughing matter

  • 406 By pony and trap to market

  • 407 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 408 Capers on the cobbles

  • 409 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 410 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 411 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 412 Burnard family reunion

  • 413 Bideford computer stars

  • 414 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 415 Northam's almshouse

  • 416 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 417 Clovelly nightmare

  • 418 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 419 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 420

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 421 School crossing patrol begins

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

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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Rehearsing For Their Great Day

The young May Queen, Josephine Squire, and her retinue take part in a rehearsal last weekend for their leading parts in yesterday’s celebrations at Torrington.

2.5.1958 Torrington Carnival

With her is the crowner, Caroline Bastin, and her attendants Angela Vanstone, Lesley Folland, Sally Darch, Lynn Jury, Susan Copp, Jennifer Lock, Sandra Davis and Trudy Hobson. 

Boys have an equally important part to play in the ceremony but as their uniforms were still awaited the two heralds, Raymond Drayton and Kenneth Cobbledick, are not in the photograph.

Gazette article dated 2 May 1958

Tomorrow’s Carnival Belles

Torrington May Fair Carnival Queen, Mrs Doreen Mills of Langtree, surrounded by her attendants, will lead tomorrow evening’s carnival procession at Torrington.

2.5.1958 Carnival Belles

She is seen here in the centre with her attendants – Miss Rosemary Mitchell, Petrockstowe; Miss Pamela Barkwell, Shebbear; Miss M Watkins, Little Torrington; Miss Jean Moore, Weare Giffard. 

Gazette article dated 2 May 1958

Able Seaman R K Roach and Miss M M E Ayre

The wedding took place at St Michael’s Church, Torrington, on Saturday, March 24th, of Miss Mary Margaret Eileen Ayre, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs William Ayre, 2 Risdon Terrace, Torrington, and Able Seaman Richard Kenneth Roach, RN, only son of Mr and Mrs R E Roach, 3 Mant Row, Aberdare, South Wales.

6.4.1951 Torrington Roach Ayre wedding

The Vicar of Torrington, Rev C J Barker, officiated, Miss M L Wright, at the organ, accompanied the hymns. Mr Robert Snell, uncle of the bride, carried out the duties of the best man. 

Full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1951

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