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

  • 2 The cab at the corner>
  • 3 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 4 Service with a smile

  • 5 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 6 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 8 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 9 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 10 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 11 Sight of a lifetime

  • 12 No laughing matter

  • 13 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 14 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 15 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 16 Bideford computer stars

  • 17 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 18 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 19 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 20

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 21 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 22 Puppet characters introduced

  • 23 Bridging the stream

  • 24 Loads of black and white

  • 25 New life for Hartland organ

  • 26

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 27 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 28 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 29

    New gateway
  • 30 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 31 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 32 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 33 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 35 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 36 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 37 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 38 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 39 Bideford regatta

  • 40 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 41 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 42 All for the love of a lady!

  • 43 Emergency ferry services

  • 44 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 45 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 46 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 47 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

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

  • 49 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 50

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 51 They are parted pro-tem

  • 52 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 53 New choral society's growing response

  • 54 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 55 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 56 It really was the 'last time'

  • 57 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 58 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 59 Riverside mystery

  • 60

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 61

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 62 He beat the floods

  • 63 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 65 New look in the hayfields

  • 66 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 67 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 68 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 69

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 70 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 71 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 72 Mobile missionary

  • 73 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 75 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 76 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 77 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 78 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 79 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 80 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 81 Just over a year old

  • 82 Northam footballers of the future

  • 83 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 84 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 85 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 86 Bideford loses training ship

  • 87 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 88 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

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

  • 90 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 91 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 92 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 93 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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

  • 95 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 96 Some mushroom!

  • 97 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 98 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 99

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 100 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 101 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 102 Off on a great adventure

  • 103 A man and his wheel

  • 104 Pannier Market's future?

  • 105 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 106

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 107 Clovelly custom

  • 108 Traditions and skills still there

  • 109 Finished in 1876

  • 110 What's the time?

  • 111 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 112 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 113

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 114 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 115 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 116 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 117 Artisans' Club

  • 118 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 119 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 120 Appledore's largest

  • 121 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 122 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 123 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 124 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 125 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 126 For crying out loud!

  • 127 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 128 Blanchards ad.>
  • 129 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 130 A bird of their own!

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

  • 132 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 133 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 134 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 135 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 136 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 137 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 138 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 139 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 140 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 141 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 142 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 143 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 144 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 145 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 146 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 147 Simple Item 138
  • 148 All aboard the ark

  • 149 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 150 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 151 Picking the pops

  • 152 End of the line

  • 153 Recognise this resort?

  • 154 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 155

    Married in 1908
  • 156 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 157 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 158 Weare Giffard potato

  • 159 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 160 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 161 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 162 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 163 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 164 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 165 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 166 In their new robes and hats

  • 167 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 168 Last train from Torrington

  • 169 Decontrol of meat

  • 170 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 171 Out of puff!

  • 172 Centenary of Gazette

  • 173 Hartland Dancers
  • 174 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 175 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 176 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 177 By pony and trap to market

  • 178 Capers on the cobbles

  • 179 Northam's almshouse

  • 180 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 181 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 182 Littleham family's five generations

  • 183 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 184 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 185 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 186 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 187 Torrington in 1967

  • 188 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 189 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 190

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 191

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 192 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 193 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 194 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 195 Six footed lamb

  • 196 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 197 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 198 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 199 Ships at Bideford

  • 200 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 201 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 202 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 204 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 205 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 206 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 207 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 208 School's link with cargo ship

  • 209 Filming at Hartland

  • 210 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 211 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 212 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 213 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 214 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 215

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 216 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 217 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 218 Variety in summer weather

  • 219 No sale of Springfield House

  • 220 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 221 A roof-top view - where?

  • 222 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 223 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 224 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 225 Devil sent packing

  • 226 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 227 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 228 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 229 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 230 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 231 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 232 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 233 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 234 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 235 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 236

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 237 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 238 The Geneva marionettes

  • 239 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 240 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 241 Private home for public pump

  • 242 Hartland's invitation

  • 243 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 244 From Bobby to Brian

  • 245 Revenge in style

  • 246

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 247

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 248 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 249 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 250 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 251 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 252 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 253 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 254 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 255 Warmington's garage ad

  • 256 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 257 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 258 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 259 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 260 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 261 When horses score over the tractor

  • 262 First ship in 8 years

  • 263 Penny for the guy

  • 264 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 265 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 266 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 267 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 268

    Exhibition of school work
  • 269 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 270 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 271 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 272 Happy Days!

  • 273 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 274 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 275

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 276 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 277 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 278 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 280 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 281 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 282 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 283 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 284 Circus comes to town

  • 285 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 286 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 287 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 288 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 289 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 290 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 291 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 292 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 293 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 294 Caught in the act>
  • 295 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 296 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 297 North Devon Driving School

  • 298 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 299 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 300 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 301 A story to tell!

  • 302 113 years at Instow

  • 303 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 304 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 305 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 306 Sweets derationing

  • 307 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 308 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 309 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 310 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 311 New addition to Quay front

  • 312 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 313 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 314 Modern living at Bideford

  • 315 The art of the thatcher

  • 316 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 317 Parkham plan realised

  • 318 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 319 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 320 Some 240 exhibits

  • 321 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 322

    First prize
  • 323 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 324 Can spring be far away?

  • 325 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 326 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 327 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 328 Police station view of Bideford

  • 329 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 330 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 331 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 332

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 333 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 334 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 335

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 336

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 337 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 338 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 339 New shipyard on schedule

  • 340 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 341 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 342 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 343 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 344 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 345 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 346 Ten year old scrambler

  • 347 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 348 Peter poses for TV film

  • 349

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 350 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 351 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 352 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 353 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 354 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 355 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 356 Twenty-one yachts

  • 357 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 358 New Lundy stamps

  • 359 Picking the pops

  • 360 Waldon Triplets
  • 361

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 362 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 363 New Post Office

  • 364 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 365 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 366

    Bidefordians
  • 367 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 368 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 369 New civic medallions

  • 370 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 371 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 372

    Was a missionary
  • 373 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 374 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 375 Cruising down the river

  • 376 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 377 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 378 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 379 Over the bank together>
  • 380 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 381 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 382 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 383 Hartland postman retires

  • 384 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 385 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 386 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 387 New art gallery opened

  • 388 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 389 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 390 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 391 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 392 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 393

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 394 Torrington children build igloo
  • 395 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 396 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 397 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 398 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 399 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 400 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 401 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 402 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 403 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 404 So this is the mainland!

  • 405 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 406

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 407 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 408 School crossing patrol begins

  • 409 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 410

    Relatives all over the world
  • 411 Life begins at 80

  • 412 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 413 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 414

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 415

    Building works
  • 416 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 417 Torrington's new amenity

  • 418 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 419 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 420 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 421 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 422

    Hamburger is part of modern life
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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  • 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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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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Golden Wedding, Stapleton - 1957

Golden Wedding, Stapleton - 1st November 1957

1.11.1957 Golden Wedding Stapleton
 

A Day of Memories...

Next Sunday will be a day of memories for Mr and Mrs Arthur Stapleton, of 70a Calf Street, Torrington - memories of fifty years of married life, for it is on that day that they celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
A family gathering at their home will mark the anniversary.
Mr and Mrs Stapleton were married in 1907, at Torrington Baptist Church by the Rev. Franklin Owen.
They have four surviving children, three sons and a daughter, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. One daughter died in 1914.
The sons are Messrs Reg Stapleton, of Torrington, and Fred and Bill Stapleton of London, and the daughter is Mrs Rene Mills, of Torrington.
Mr Arthur Stapleton, who is 73, left school at the age of 13 and worked on a farm at Peters Marland for 12 months before going to Croydon in the grocery business. He later moved to Teignmouth in the same business.
After returning to Torrington at 16 he worked for a short time at Clay Moor, at Marland and later was employed at the Devonport and then the Swansea dockyards before returning to this district to work again at Clay Moor. Just after his marriage, Mr Stapleton was working at Clay Moor for nine hours a day at 4d. an hour.
During the 1914-18 war he served with the R.A.M.C in France and Belgium and received the M.M. in 1917 at Ypres for rescuing wounded under heavy shell fire. After the war he resumed work at Clay Moor until his retirement at the age of 66.
Mrs Stapleton, formerly Miss Selina (Lena) Page, is 69. Leaving school at 13 she worked at a Torrington gloving factory for 2s 6d a week. After her marriage, at the age of twenty, she continued her work at the factory.
Both Mr and Mrs Stapleton enjoy fairly good health and they are both very active.
Like many people of the same age, Mr and Mrs Stapleton did not find things too "easy going" during their earlier married life but, looking back over the years, they both agree "We have no regrets or anything we would really have changed if we had had the chance."

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