• 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 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 3 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 4 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 5 Blanchards ad.>
  • 6 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 7 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 8 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 9 Artisans' Club

  • 10 Can spring be far away?

  • 11 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 12 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 13 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 14

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 15 Life begins at 80

  • 16 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 17 Cruising down the river

  • 18 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 19 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 20 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 21 Hartland postman retires

  • 22 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 23 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 24 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 25 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 26 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 27 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 28 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 29 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 30

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 31 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 32 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 33

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 34 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 35 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 36 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 37 In their new robes and hats

  • 38 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 39 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 40 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 41 A man and his wheel

  • 42 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 43 Six footed lamb

  • 44 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 45 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 46 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 47 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 49 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 50 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 51 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 52 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 53 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 54 Recognise this resort?

  • 55 Picking the pops

  • 56 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 57 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 58 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 59 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 60 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 61 Emergency ferry services

  • 62 Sight of a lifetime

  • 63 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 64 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 65 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 66

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 67 Parkham plan realised

  • 68 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 69 Pannier Market's future?

  • 70 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 71 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 72 Jumble sale fever

  • 73 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 74 School crossing patrol begins

  • 75 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 76 Bridging the stream

  • 77

    First prize
  • 78 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 79 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 80 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 81 Some 240 exhibits

  • 82 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 84 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 85 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 86 No laughing matter

  • 87 He beat the floods

  • 88 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 89 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 90 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 91 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 92 Ships at Bideford

  • 93 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 94

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 95 New look in the hayfields

  • 96 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 98 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 99 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 100 Picking the pops

  • 101 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 102 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 103 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 104 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 105 The art of the thatcher

  • 106 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 107 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 108 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 109 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 110 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 111 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 112 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 113 Circus comes to town

  • 114 Peter poses for TV film

  • 115 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 116 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 117 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 118 Last train from Torrington

  • 119

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 120 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 121 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 122

    Relatives all over the world
  • 123 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 124 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 125 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 126 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 127 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 128 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 129 First ship in 8 years

  • 130 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 131 Off on a great adventure

  • 132

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 133 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 134 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 135 Centenary of Gazette

  • 136 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 137

    Married in 1908
  • 138

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 139 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 140 They are parted pro-tem

  • 141 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 142 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 143 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 144 North Devon Driving School

  • 145 Torrington's new amenity

  • 146 A story to tell!

  • 147 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 148

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 149 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 150 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 151 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 152 Torrington children build igloo
  • 153 Bideford loses training ship

  • 154 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 155 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 156 No sale of Springfield House

  • 157

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 158 Puppet characters introduced

  • 159

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 160 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 161

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 162 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 163 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 164 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 166 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 167 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 168 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 169 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

  • 171 Decontrol of meat

  • 172 Appledore's new lifeboat

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

  • 174 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 175 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 176 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 177

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 178 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 179 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 181 Hartland Dancers
  • 182 Weare Giffard potato

  • 183 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 184 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 185 Revenge in style

  • 186 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 187 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 188 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 189 113 years at Instow

  • 190 Service with a smile

  • 191 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 192 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 193 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 194 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 195 Over the bank together>
  • 196 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 197 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 198 A bird of their own!

  • 199 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 200 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 201 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 202 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 203 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 204 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 205 Some mushroom!

  • 206 Warmington's garage ad

  • 207 Bideford regatta

  • 208 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 209 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 210 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 211

    New gateway
  • 212 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 213 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 214 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 215 Northam's almshouse

  • 216 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 217 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 218 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 219 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 220 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 221 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 222 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 223 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 224 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 225 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 226 Burnard family reunion

  • 227 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 228 Hartland's invitation

  • 229 All for the love of a lady!

  • 230 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 232 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 233 School's link with cargo ship

  • 234 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 235 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 236 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 237 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 238 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 239 Torrington in 1967

  • 240 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 241 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 242 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 243 New addition to Quay front

  • 244 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 245 The Geneva marionettes

  • 246

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 247 Mobile missionary

  • 248 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 249

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 250 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 251 Happy Days!

  • 252 Caught in the act>
  • 253 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 254 Littleham family's five generations

  • 255

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 256 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 257 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 258 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 259 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 260 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 261 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 262 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 263 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 264

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 265

    Was a missionary
  • 266 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 267

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 268 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 269 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 270 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 271 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 272 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 273 What's the time?

  • 274 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 275 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 276 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 277 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 278 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 279 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 280 Capers on the cobbles

  • 281 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 282 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 283

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 284 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 285 Finished in 1876

  • 286 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 287 A roof-top view - where?

  • 288 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 289 Modern living at Bideford

  • 290 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 291

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 292 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 293 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 294 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 295 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 296 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 297 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 298 So this is the mainland!

  • 299 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 300 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 301 Twenty-one yachts

  • 302 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 303 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 304 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 305 New civic medallions

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

  • 307 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 308 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 309 Clovelly nightmare

  • 310 New choral society's growing response

  • 311 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 312 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 313 Penny for the guy

  • 314 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 315 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 316 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 317 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 318

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 319 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 320 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 321 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 322 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 323 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 324 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 325

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 326 Clovelly custom

  • 327 Riverside mystery

  • 328 Sweets derationing

  • 329 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 330 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 331 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 332 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 333 Variety in summer weather

  • 334 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 335 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 336 New Lundy stamps

  • 337 Simple Item 138
  • 338

    Building works
  • 339 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 340 Police station view of Bideford

  • 341 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 342 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 343 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 344 Appledore's largest

  • 345 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 346 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 347 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 348 Out of puff!

  • 349 It really was the 'last time'

  • 350 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 351 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 352 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 353 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 354 Traditions and skills still there

  • 355 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 356 For crying out loud!

  • 357 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 358 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 359 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 360 Northam footballers of the future

  • 361 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 362 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 363 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 364 Bideford computer stars

  • 365 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 366 From Bobby to Brian

  • 367 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 368 Waldon Triplets
  • 369 Loads of black and white

  • 370 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 371 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 372 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 373 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 374 End of the line

  • 375 The cab at the corner>
  • 376 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 377 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 378 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 379 When horses score over the tractor

  • 380 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 381 Ten year old scrambler

  • 382 All aboard the ark

  • 383 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 384 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 385 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 386 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 388

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 389 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 390 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 391 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 392 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 393 New life for Hartland organ

  • 394 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 395 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 396

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 397 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 398

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 399 Devil sent packing

  • 400 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 401 Filming at Hartland

  • 402 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 403 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 404 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 405 Private home for public pump

  • 406 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 407 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 408

    Bidefordians
  • 409 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 410

    Exhibition of school work
  • 411 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 412 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 413 Just over a year old

  • 414 New Post Office

  • 415 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 416 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 417 New art gallery opened

  • 418 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 419 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 420 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 421 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 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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Presentation to Mr Fred Vodden of Torrington in 1964

Presentations have been made to Mr Fred Vodden, of 11 Mill Street, Torrington, to mark his 50 years with the Torrington glove firm of William Vaughan and Sons.. and he is still going strong.

September 1964 Fred Vodden
On the right is the managing director, Mr Michael Vincent, who presented Mr Vodden with a cheque on behalf of the firm. From fellow employees, whose spokesman is on the left, Mr Vodden received a chiming clock.

September 1964 Vodden

Torrington Couple’s Celebration Lunch – 50 years wed

To celebrate their golden wedding last week, a Torrington couple, Mr and Mrs Thomas Newcombe, of 199 New Street, had lunch at an Exeter hotel before going on to visit their only daughter, Mrs Doris Tickle, at Topsham.

2 January 1959 Newcombe Golden Wedding

The day’s expenses were met by their grandson, David.The day’s expenses were met by their grandson, David.

Mr and Mrs Newcombe were married at St Michael’s Parish Church on December 23 1908 by the then Vicar of Torrington, the Rev Frank Emlyn Jones. Now aged 74, Mr Newcombe left school at Langtree at the age of 11 to work on his father’s farm, and continued on the land with Mr Woolacott, of Yarnscombe. After eight years he joined the staff at Torrington railway station where he served for 25 years until his retirement in 1947. Mrs Flossie Newcombe, who is 71, was formerly Miss Pantoll. A native of Torrington, she left school at 13 and worked for Mr Jackson making athletic and sports equipment before going to Messrs Vaughans, the glove manufacturers. She now runs a general store at their home. 

Their daughter, Mrs Tickle, was well known at a Bideford school teacher and a Sunday school teacher at Torrington.

Swimming Pool Project at Torrington 1972

Swimming Pool Project at Torrington 1972

Approval given for the construction of a heated indoor swimming pool

The heated indoor swimming pool is to be on the cattle market site, at an estimated cost of £36,000

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