• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 2 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 3 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 4 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 5 Life begins at 80

  • 6

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 7 Circus comes to town

  • 8 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 9 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 10 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 11 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 12 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 13 New shipyard on schedule

  • 14 Out of puff!

  • 15

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 16 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 17 Revenge in style

  • 18 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 19 New civic medallions

  • 20 Decontrol of meat

  • 21

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 22 Finished in 1876

  • 23 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 24 Ships at Bideford

  • 25 Simple Item 138
  • 26 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 27 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 28 Last train from Torrington

  • 29 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 30 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 31 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 32 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 33 Off on a great adventure

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

  • 35 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 36 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 37 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 38 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 39 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 41 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 42 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 43

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 44 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 45 Hartland's invitation

  • 46 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 47

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 48 It really was the 'last time'

  • 49 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 50 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 51 New addition to Quay front

  • 52 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 53 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 54 Clovelly custom

  • 55 Emergency ferry services

  • 56 From Bobby to Brian

  • 57 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 58 School's link with cargo ship

  • 59 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 60 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 61 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 62 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 63 Loads of black and white

  • 64 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 65

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 66 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 67 Littleham family's five generations

  • 68 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 69 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 70 Torrington children build igloo
  • 71 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 72 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 73 Hartland Dancers
  • 74 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 75

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 76 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 77 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 78 Torrington in 1967

  • 79 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 80 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 81 113 years at Instow

  • 82 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 83 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 84 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 85 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 86 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 87 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 88 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 89 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 90 All aboard the ark

  • 91 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 92 A story to tell!

  • 93 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 94 Picking the pops

  • 95 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 96 A bird of their own!

  • 97 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 98 Capers on the cobbles

  • 99 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 100 Just over a year old

  • 101 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 102 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 103 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 104 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 105 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 106 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 107 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 108 Twenty-one yachts

  • 109 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 110 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 111 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 112

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 113 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 114 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 115 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 116 Blanchards ad.>
  • 117 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 119 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 120 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 121 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 122 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 123 Bideford computer stars

  • 124 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 125 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 126 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 127 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 128

    Building works
  • 129 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 130 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 131 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 132 Mobile missionary

  • 133 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 134 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 135 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 136 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 137 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 138 The Geneva marionettes

  • 139 New life for Hartland organ

  • 140 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 141 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 142 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 144 Weare Giffard potato

  • 145 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 146 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 147 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 148 Riverside mystery

  • 149 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 150 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 151 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 152

    Married in 1908
  • 153 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 154 Filming at Hartland

  • 155 For crying out loud!

  • 156 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 157 Variety in summer weather

  • 158 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 159

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 160

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 161 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 162

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 163 End of the line

  • 164 Parkham plan realised

  • 165 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 166 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 167 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 168 Devil sent packing

  • 169 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 170 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 171 New Post Office

  • 172 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 173 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 174 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 175 Bideford loses training ship

  • 176 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 177 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 178

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 179 New choral society's growing response

  • 180 Centenary of Gazette

  • 181 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 182 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 183 Sweets derationing

  • 184 Some mushroom!

  • 185 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 186 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 187 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 188 New Lundy stamps

  • 189 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 190 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 191 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 192 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 193 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 194 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 195 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 196 Happy Days!

  • 197 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 198

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 199 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 200 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 201 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 202 Northam's almshouse

  • 203 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 204 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 205 Waldon Triplets
  • 206 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 207 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 208

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 209 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 210 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 211 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 212

    Relatives all over the world
  • 213 Some 240 exhibits

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

  • 215 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 216 Artisans' Club

  • 217 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 218 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 219 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 220 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 221 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 222 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 223 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 224 No sale of Springfield House

  • 225 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 226 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 227 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 228 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 229 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 230 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 231 So this is the mainland!

  • 232

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 233

    Exhibition of school work
  • 234 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 235 Puppet characters introduced

  • 236 A man and his wheel

  • 237 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 238 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 239 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 240 Appledore's largest

  • 241 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 242 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 243 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

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

  • 245 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 246 Recognise this resort?

  • 247 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 248 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 249 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 250 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 251 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 252 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 253 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 254 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 255 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 256 Penny for the guy

  • 257 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 258 Service with a smile

  • 259 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 260 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 261 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 262 All for the love of a lady!

  • 263 Six footed lamb

  • 264

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 265

    First prize
  • 266 Northam footballers of the future

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

  • 268 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 269

    Was a missionary
  • 270 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 271 Police station view of Bideford

  • 272 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 273 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 274 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 275 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 276 Ten year old scrambler

  • 277 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 278 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 279 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 280 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 281 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 282 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 283 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 284 Over the bank together>
  • 285 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 286 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 287 North Devon Driving School

  • 288 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 289 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 290 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 291 Bridging the stream

  • 292 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 293 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 294 Sight of a lifetime

  • 295 Jumble sale fever

  • 296 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 297 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 298 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 299 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 300 No laughing matter

  • 301 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 302 Private home for public pump

  • 303 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 304 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 305

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 306 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 307 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 309 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 310 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 311 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 312 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 314 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 315 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 316 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 317 In their new robes and hats

  • 318 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 319 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 320 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 321 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 322 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 323 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 324 Burnard family reunion

  • 325 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 326 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 327 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 328 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 329 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 330 What's the time?

  • 331 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 332 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 333 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 334 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 335

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 336 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 337 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 338 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 339

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 340 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 341 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 342 Caught in the act>
  • 343 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 344 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 345 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 346

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 347 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 348 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 349 The cab at the corner>
  • 350 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 351 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 352 Picking the pops

  • 353 Clovelly nightmare

  • 354 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 355 Modern living at Bideford

  • 356 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 357 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 358 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 359 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 360 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 361 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 362 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 363 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 364 Can spring be far away?

  • 365

    New gateway
  • 366 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 367 A roof-top view - where?

  • 368

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 369 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 371 Hartland postman retires

  • 372 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 373 Traditions and skills still there

  • 374 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 375 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 376 He beat the floods

  • 377 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 378 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 379 First ship in 8 years

  • 380 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 381 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 382 New art gallery opened

  • 383 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 384 Pannier Market's future?

  • 385 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 386 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 387 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 388 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 389 Peter poses for TV film

  • 390 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 391 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 392 When horses score over the tractor

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

  • 394 Bideford regatta

  • 395 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 396 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 397 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

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

  • 399 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 400 Warmington's garage ad

  • 401

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 402 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 403 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 404

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 405 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 406 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 407 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 408 By pony and trap to market

  • 409

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 410

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 411

    Bidefordians
  • 412 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 413 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

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

  • 415 Cruising down the river

  • 416 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 417 Torrington's new amenity

  • 418 School crossing patrol begins

  • 419 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 420 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 421 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 422 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Weare Giffard And Landcross WI

Weare Giffard And Landcross WI

Weare Giffard Landcross
 

Members of Weare Giffard and Landcross W.I. were entertained by Miss D Luard who gave a talk and showed slides about her visit to Australia. She was thanked by Mrs Bannister.
The competition - scotch eggs - resulted: 1. Mrs Bannister; 2. Mrs Chamings.
A new member, Mrs Moore, was welcomed.

Master Mariner Who Went To Sea At 10

Master Mariner Who Went To Sea At 10 - 22nd April 1977

22.4.1977 Weare Giffard Master mariner
 

Captain Frederick John Gayette, formerly of Myrtle Street, Appledore, who has died, at the age of 93, went to sea at the age of 10.
He had travelled all over the world in sailing and steamships, and served on Merchant Navy ships in the Boer Wars. One of his ships was torpedoed in the First World War and another, the Shoal Fisher, was sunk by bombs in teh World War 2. He then served in the Admiralty in the Torridge estuary. For his services he was appointed M.B.E.
The funeral took place at St Mary's Church, Appledore. Immediate mourners were; Messrs Freddie and Ivor Gayette, Mesdames Linda Marshall and Anne Brennan, Mesdames Gladys and Violet Gayette, Yvonne, Eric, Brian, Pat, Patrick and Diane, Mrs Olive Shortridge.

Weare Giffard Old Inhabitant

Weare Giffard Old Inhabitant - 22nd April 1977

22.4.1977 Weare Giffard old inhabitant
 

Mrs Beatrice Mary Braunton of April Cottage, Weare Giffard, who died at the age of 82 was the widow of Mr Frank Braunton. The funeral took place at Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard.
Immediate mourners were: Mr and Mrs A Braunton, Mr and Mrs C Parish, Mr and Mrs R Baker, Mrs E Brend, Mr J Hocking, Mr A Tanton, Valerie Searle, Tom and Beryl Cruse, Pat Bond, Stella and John Barter, Jill and Neville Heard, Graham and Susan Brend, Ian and Carol Brend, Mrs F Ayre and Mrs P Mitchell. Bearers were Messrs R Randall, F Gordon, H Beer, H Curtis. Unable to attend were: Mrs J Hocking, Susan, Jane, Mandy, Wendy, Joy and Cheryl, Linda, Maureen, Mrs T Avery, Mrs M Ricky, Mre E Mitchell, Mrs J Blake, Mr T Wills.

  • 1

Login Form