• 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 Blanchards ad.>
  • 2 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 3 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 4 Hartland postman retires

  • 5 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 6 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 7 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 8 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 9 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 10 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 11 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 12

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 13 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 14 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 15 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 16

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 17 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 18 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 19 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 20 Last train from Torrington

  • 21 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 22 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 23

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 24 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 25

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 26

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 27 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 28 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 29 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 30 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 31 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 32 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 33 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 34 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 35 Burnard family reunion

  • 36 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 37 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 38 They are parted pro-tem

  • 39 Out of puff!

  • 40 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 41 Traditions and skills still there

  • 42 Torrington children build igloo
  • 43 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 44 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 45 The Geneva marionettes

  • 46 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 47 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 48 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 49 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 50 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 51 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 52 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 53

    Exhibition of school work
  • 54 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 55 Over the bank together>
  • 56 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 57 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 59 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 60 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 61 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 62 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 63 The cab at the corner>
  • 64 Devil sent packing

  • 65 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 66 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 67 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 68 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 69

    Was a missionary
  • 70 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 71 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 72 Ten year old scrambler

  • 73 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 74 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 75 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 76 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 77 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 78 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 79 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 80 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 81 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 82 A man and his wheel

  • 83 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 84 It really was the 'last time'

  • 85 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 86 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 87 Hartland's invitation

  • 88 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 89 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 90 Northam's almshouse

  • 91 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 92 Recognise this resort?

  • 93 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 94 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 95 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 96 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 97 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 98 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 99 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 100 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 101 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 102 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 103 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 104 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 105 Modern living at Bideford

  • 106 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 107 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 108 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 109 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 110 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 111 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 112 Caught in the act>
  • 113 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 114 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 115 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 116 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 117 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 118 He beat the floods

  • 119 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 120 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 121 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 123 Can spring be far away?

  • 124 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 125 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 126

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 127 Torrington in 1967

  • 128 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 129 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 130 Simple Item 138
  • 131 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 132 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 133 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 134 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 135 In their new robes and hats

  • 136 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 137 A roof-top view - where?

  • 138 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 139 All for the love of a lady!

  • 140 Sweets derationing

  • 141 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 142 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 143 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 144 Littleham family's five generations

  • 145 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 146 New choral society's growing response

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

  • 148 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 149 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 150 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 151 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 152 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 153

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 154 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 155 A bird of their own!

  • 156 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 157 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 158 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 159

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 160 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 161 By pony and trap to market

  • 162 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 163 Parkham plan realised

  • 164 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 165 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 166 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 167 Penny for the guy

  • 168 New shipyard on schedule

  • 169 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 170 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 171 113 years at Instow

  • 172 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 173 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 174

    Building works
  • 175 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 176 Finished in 1876

  • 177 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 178 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 179 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 180 End of the line

  • 181 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 182 Clovelly nightmare

  • 183 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 184

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 185 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 186 North Devon Driving School

  • 187 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 188 The art of the thatcher

  • 189 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 190 New look in the hayfields

  • 191 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 192 New Lundy stamps

  • 193 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 194 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 195

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 196 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 197 Sight of a lifetime

  • 198

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 199 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 200 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 201 Bridging the stream

  • 202 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 203 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 204 New life for Hartland organ

  • 205 Mobile missionary

  • 206

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 207 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 208 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 209 Off on a great adventure

  • 210 Loads of black and white

  • 211

    First prize
  • 212 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 213 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 214 So this is the mainland!

  • 215 New art gallery opened

  • 216 New civic medallions

  • 217

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 218

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 219 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 220 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 221 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 222 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 223 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 224 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 226 Capers on the cobbles

  • 227 First ship in 8 years

  • 228 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 229 Service with a smile

  • 230

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 231 No sale of Springfield House

  • 232 Peter poses for TV film

  • 233 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 234 Bideford regatta

  • 235

    Relatives all over the world
  • 236

    Bidefordians
  • 237 Clovelly custom

  • 238 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 239 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 240 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 241 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 242

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 243 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 244 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 245 Some 240 exhibits

  • 246 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 247 Filming at Hartland

  • 248 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 249 Hartland Dancers
  • 250 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 251 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 252 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 253 For crying out loud!

  • 254 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 255 Picking the pops

  • 256 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 257 No laughing matter

  • 258 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 259 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 260 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 261 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 262 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 263 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 264 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 265 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 266 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 267 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 268 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 269 What's the time?

  • 270 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 271 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 272

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 273 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 274 School's link with cargo ship

  • 275 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 276 They never miss a game at Torrington

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

  • 278

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 279 Twenty-one yachts

  • 280

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 281 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 282 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 283 A story to tell!

  • 284 Puppet characters introduced

  • 285 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 286 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 287 Circus comes to town

  • 288 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 289 Some mushroom!

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

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

  • 292 Bideford computer stars

  • 293 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 294 New Post Office

  • 295 Riverside mystery

  • 296 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 297 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 298 All aboard the ark

  • 299 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 300 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 301 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 302 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 303 Torrington's new amenity

  • 304 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 305 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 306 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 308 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 309 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 310 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 311 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 312

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 313 When horses score over the tractor

  • 314 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 315

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 316 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 317 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 318 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 319 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 320 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 321 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 322 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 323 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 324 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 325 Police station view of Bideford

  • 326 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 327 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 328 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 329 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 330 Waldon Triplets
  • 331 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 332 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 333 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 334 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 335 Happy Days!

  • 336 New addition to Quay front

  • 337 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 338 Bideford loses training ship

  • 339 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 340 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 341 Revenge in style

  • 342 Pannier Market's future?

  • 343 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 345 Six footed lamb

  • 346 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 347 Warmington's garage ad

  • 348 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 349 Artisans' Club

  • 350 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 351 Decontrol of meat

  • 352

    New gateway
  • 353 Just over a year old

  • 354 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 355 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 356 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 357 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 358 Life begins at 80

  • 359 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 360 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 361 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 362 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 363 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 365 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 366

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 367

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 368 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 369 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 370 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 371 Ships at Bideford

  • 372 From Bobby to Brian

  • 373 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 374

    Married in 1908
  • 375 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 376 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 377 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 378 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 379 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 380 Northam footballers of the future

  • 381 Emergency ferry services

  • 382 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 383 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 384 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 385 Appledore's largest

  • 386 School crossing patrol begins

  • 387 Picking the pops

  • 388 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 389 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 390 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 391 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 392

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 393 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 394 Centenary of Gazette

  • 395 Cruising down the river

  • 396 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 397 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 398 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 399 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 400 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 401 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 402 Jumble sale fever

  • 403 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 404 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 405 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 406 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

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

  • 408 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 409 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 410 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 411 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 412 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 413

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 414 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 415 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 416 Private home for public pump

  • 417 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 418 Variety in summer weather

  • 419 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 420 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 421 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 422 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

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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All Looking Forward To Their Great Day

These are the children who will be the centre of attraction when the crowning of the  May Queen takes place at Torrington May Fair on May 7th. 

3 April 1959 Torrington May Fair1

Seated in the front centre is this year’s May Queen, Elizabeth Somerfield. 

Pictured are Alan Combes, Pauline Burridge, Rodney Oke, Janet Symons, Elaine Morris, Jacqueline Stacey, Pauline Jenkins, Isabel Downing, Diane Ward, Elizabeth Somerfield, Elizabeth Webb, Pauline Hooker.

3 April 1959 Torrington May Fair2

Full Gazette article dated 3 April 1959

Torrington To Have Its First Woman Mayor

Miss Florence L Lake accepts Council’s unanimous invitation.

7.4.1955 Torrington Woman Mayor1

For the first time in its history Torrington will have a woman as Mayor when Miss Florence L Lake, of Windyridge, Furzebeam Terrace, Torrington, the only woman ever to have been elected to the Borough Council, takes office in May. 

Announcement that Miss Lake had accepted the invitation of the Council to succeed Cllr J H Long, Mayor for the past two years, was made at Monday night’s Council meeting. Miss Lake’s energies in the political field earned her the honour of being elected President of the South West Area Liberal National Council in earlier days and the leading part she played locally in the merging of the National Liberal and Conservative causes has been recognised by her election as Dame President of the Torrington Division United Liberal and Conservative Association. 

Second daughter of the late Mr and Mrs W Lake, of Beam Farm, Torrington, Miss Lake has an intimate knowledge of the town in which she has spent all her life and a great many of its inhabitants can speak at first hand of her kindliness and readiness to help. A sympathetic interest characterised her work as a member, and later as Vice-Chairman, of the Bideford-Torrington Guardians Committee, as a member of which she followed in the steps of her late father with whom she was a frequent visitor at the Torrington Institution. Care for the young has also claimed her interest and she was a member of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Committee. During the war and after she was local hon. Secretary of the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association. 

Miss Lake will have a younger sister, Mrs B Howard, Penlea, Queen’s Terrace, New Street, Torrington, as Mayoress during her year of office. Through another sister, Mrs F J Webber, West House, New Street, Torrington, the Mayor and Mayoress elect have a link with the Mayoralty for Mrs Webber’s father-in-law, Mr Silvanus Webber, was Mayor of Torrington in 1893, 1913 and 1914. 

7.4.1955 Torrington Woman Mayor

The full Gazette article is dated 7 April 1955.

Preparing For Their Great Day

Nicola Creighton (seated) who is to be this year’s May Fair queen at Torrington, with her crowner, Crystal Heaver. 

16.3.1973 Torrington May Fair1

Both are pupils of Torrington County Primary School, are 10 years old and live in New Street, Torrington. May Fair is Thursday May 3. 

Gazette article dated 16 March 1973

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