• 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 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 2 Simple Item 138
  • 3 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 4 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 5 Traditions and skills still there

  • 6 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 7 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 8 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 9 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 10 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 11 A bird of their own!

  • 12 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 13 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 14

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 15

    First prize
  • 16 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 17 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 18 Picking the pops

  • 19 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 20 A roof-top view - where?

  • 21

    Married in 1908
  • 22 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 23 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 24 Happy Days!

  • 25 The cab at the corner>
  • 26 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 27 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 28 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 29 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 30 Over the bank together>
  • 31 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 32 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 33

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 34 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 35 Police station view of Bideford

  • 36 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 37 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 38 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 39 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 40 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 41 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 43 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 44 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 45 All for the love of a lady!

  • 46 Weare Giffard potato

  • 47 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 48 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 49

    Building works
  • 50 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 51 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 52 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 53 Twenty-one yachts

  • 54 They are parted pro-tem

  • 55 The Geneva marionettes

  • 56 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 57 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 58 Bideford loses training ship

  • 59 When horses score over the tractor

  • 60 It really was the 'last time'

  • 61 End of the line

  • 62 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 63

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 64 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 65 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 66 Hartland Dancers
  • 67 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 68 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 69 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 70 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 71 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 72 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 73 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 74 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 75 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 76 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 77 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 78 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 79

    New gateway
  • 80 Caught in the act>
  • 81 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 82 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 83

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 84 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 85 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 86 Bideford regatta

  • 87 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 88 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 89 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 90 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 91 Appledore's largest

  • 92 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 93 No sale of Springfield House

  • 94 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 95 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 96

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 97 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 98 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 99 Ships at Bideford

  • 100 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 101 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 102 Littleham family's five generations

  • 103 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 104 Torrington in 1967

  • 105 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 106 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 107

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 108 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 109 Burnard family reunion

  • 110 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 111 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 112 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 113 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 114 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 115 Parkham plan realised

  • 116 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 117 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 118 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 119 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 120 Hartland postman retires

  • 121 Emergency ferry services

  • 122 What's the time?

  • 123 Six footed lamb

  • 124

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 125 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 126 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 127 Afternoon tea in the park

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

  • 129 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 130

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 131 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 132 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 133

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 134 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 135 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 136 New Post Office

  • 137 Waldon Triplets
  • 138 School crossing patrol begins

  • 139 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 140 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 141 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 142 Torrington's new amenity

  • 143 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 144 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 145 New addition to Quay front

  • 146 Blanchards ad.>
  • 147 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 148 Off on a great adventure

  • 149

    Was a missionary
  • 150 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 151 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 152 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 153 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 154 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 155 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 156 From Bobby to Brian

  • 157 Mobile missionary

  • 158 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 159 Riverside mystery

  • 160 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 161 By pony and trap to market

  • 162 Modern living at Bideford

  • 163 Last train from Torrington

  • 164 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 165 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 166 North Devon Driving School

  • 167 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 168 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 169 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 170 Clovelly custom

  • 171

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 172 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 173 Sweets derationing

  • 174 Warmington's garage ad

  • 175 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 176 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 177 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 178 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 179 Filming at Hartland

  • 180 Northam's almshouse

  • 181 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 182 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 183 Bideford computer stars

  • 184 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 185 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 186 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 187 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 188 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 189 Pannier Market's future?

  • 190 Revenge in style

  • 191 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 192 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 193 First ship in 8 years

  • 194 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 195 Torrington children build igloo
  • 196 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 197 New Lundy stamps

  • 198 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

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

  • 201 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 202 Bridging the stream

  • 203 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 204 All aboard the ark

  • 205 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 206 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 207

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 208 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 209 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 210 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 211 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 212 Artisans' Club

  • 213 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 214 Out of puff!

  • 215 113 years at Instow

  • 216 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 217 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 218 Capers on the cobbles

  • 219 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 220 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 221 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 222 Can spring be far away?

  • 223 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 224 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 225 Decontrol of meat

  • 226 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 227 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 228 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 229 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 230 Ten year old scrambler

  • 231 School's link with cargo ship

  • 232 Clovelly nightmare

  • 233 A story to tell!

  • 234 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 235 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 236

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 237 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 238 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 239

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 240 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 241 Some 240 exhibits

  • 242

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 243 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 244 New choral society's growing response

  • 245 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 246 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 247 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 248 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 249 New shipyard on schedule

  • 250 Hartland's invitation

  • 251

    Bidefordians
  • 252 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 253 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 254

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 255 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 256 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

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

  • 258 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 259 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 260 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 262 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 263 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 264 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 265 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 266 Jumble sale fever

  • 267 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 268 Peter poses for TV film

  • 269 New art gallery opened

  • 270 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 271 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 272 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 273 A man and his wheel

  • 274 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 275 Picking the pops

  • 276 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 277 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 278 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 279

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 280 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 281 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 282 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 283 New look in the hayfields

  • 284 Born 1883 - still going strong

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

  • 286 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 287 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 288 Penny for the guy

  • 289 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 290 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 291 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 292 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 293 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 294 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 295 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 296 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 297 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 298 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 299 Northam footballers of the future

  • 300 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 301 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 302 Recognise this resort?

  • 303 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 304 Circus comes to town

  • 305 Just over a year old

  • 306 Devil sent packing

  • 307 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 308 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 309 Centenary of Gazette

  • 310 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 311 Service with a smile

  • 312 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 313 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 314 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 315 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 316 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 317

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 318 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 319 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 320 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 321 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 322 Some mushroom!

  • 323 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 324

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 325

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 326 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 327 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 328

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 329 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 330 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 331 For crying out loud!

  • 332 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 333

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 334 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 335 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 336 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 337 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 338 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 339 Private home for public pump

  • 340 Loads of black and white

  • 341 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 342

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 343 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 345

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 346 Life begins at 80

  • 347 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 348 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 349 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 350

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 351 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 352 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 353 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 354 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 355 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 356 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 357 Sight of a lifetime

  • 358 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 359 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 360 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 361 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 362 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 363 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 365 He beat the floods

  • 366 No laughing matter

  • 367 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 368 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 369 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 370

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 371 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 372

    Relatives all over the world
  • 373 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 374 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 375 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 376 Puppet characters introduced

  • 377 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 378 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 379 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 380 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 381 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 382 Cruising down the river

  • 383 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 384 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 385 New civic medallions

  • 386 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 387 The art of the thatcher

  • 388 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 389 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 390 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 391 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 393 Variety in summer weather

  • 394 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 395 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 396 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 397 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 398 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 399 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 400

    Exhibition of school work
  • 401 In their new robes and hats

  • 402 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 403 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 404 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 405 New life for Hartland organ

  • 406 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 407 Finished in 1876

  • 408 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 409 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 410 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 411 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 412 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 413 So this is the mainland!

  • 414 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 415 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 416 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 417 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 418 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 419 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 420 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 421 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

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

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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Cinderella at Westward Ho!

For the 18th consecutive year,

Westward Ho! Follies, a section of Westward Ho! Community Association, are presenting a pantomime at the Kingsley Hall.

9.2.1968 Westward Ho Follies

This year's choice is Cinderella in three acts. Script, production and direction are again by Ada Powell.

Cast in order of appearance (some people in numerous roles): Phyl Stevens, Clare, Geraldine, Hillary, Janet, Julie, Julia, Rachael, Arthur Eagle, Ray Wilson, Sybil Thompson, Caroline Newell, Judy Sherbourne, Marion Owen, Doris Thisby, David Eveleigh, Grenville Thisby, Jackie Turner, Julia, Roger, Wendy and Julie, Geraldine, Janet, Rachael, Sybil.

Pianist is Doris Watts.

Dancers in the Fantasia and Fairies in the ballroom are members of Jackie Turner's dancing group. Scenery is by Kingsley Decorators.

Gazette February 9, 1968

Soccer Star on Holiday

The day they played soccer with Nat Lofthouse at Westward Ho!

Bolton Wanderers' manager Nat Lofthouse is on holiday at Westward Ho! this week.

20.6.1969 Westward Ho Nat Lofthouse football

Nat joined Bolton as a 15 year old the day after the outbreak of World War II. Twelve months later he made his first appearance with Bolton's first team. Since then he has played over 700 league games. In 1961 he became assistant trainer and was later appointed chief coach. Last August he took over as manager.

Nat is staying at the Atlanta Hotel, with his wife Alma and daughter Vivien.

In the photograph he enjoys a kick around with some young holidaymakers in the hotel grounds.

Gazette dated 20 June 1969

Who has the rights to the Pebble Ridge?

Mr Hobart Braddick

A claim which might involve expensive litigation would probably be abandoned.

25.7.1916 WHo Hobart Braddick

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