• 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 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 2 Circus comes to town

  • 3 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 4 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 5 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 6 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 7 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 8 Revenge in style

  • 9 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 10 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 11

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 12 Finished in 1876

  • 13 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 14 Torrington's new amenity

  • 15 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 16

    Bidefordians
  • 17 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 18 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 19 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 20 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 21 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 22 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 23 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 24 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 25 Hartland Dancers
  • 26 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 27 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 28 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 29 The Geneva marionettes

  • 30 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 31 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 32 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 33 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 34 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 36 Life begins at 80

  • 37 Blanchards ad.>
  • 38 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 39 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 40 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 41 Appledore's largest

  • 42 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 43 A man and his wheel

  • 44 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 45 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 46 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 47 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 48

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 49 Warmington's garage ad

  • 50 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 51

    Relatives all over the world
  • 52 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 53 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 54 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 56 Hartland postman retires

  • 57 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 58 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 59 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 60 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 61 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 62 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 63

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 64 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 65 A roof-top view - where?

  • 66 Puppet characters introduced

  • 67 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 68 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 69 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 70 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 71 Torrington children build igloo
  • 72 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 73 From Bobby to Brian

  • 74 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 75 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 76 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 77 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 78 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 79 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 80 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 81 Off on a great adventure

  • 82 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 83 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 84 Artisans' Club

  • 85 Last train from Torrington

  • 86 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 87 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 88 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 89 Bideford computer stars

  • 90 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 91 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 92 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 94 For crying out loud!

  • 95 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 96 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 97 Out of puff!

  • 98 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 99 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 100 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 101 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 102 Emergency ferry services

  • 103 School's link with cargo ship

  • 104 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 105 Traditions and skills still there

  • 106 Picking the pops

  • 107 Capers on the cobbles

  • 108 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 109 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 110 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 111 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 112 All aboard the ark

  • 113 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 114 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 115 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 116 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 117 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 118 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 119 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 120 Bideford regatta

  • 121 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 122

    New gateway
  • 123 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 124 New civic medallions

  • 125 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 126 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 127 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 128 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 129 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 130 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 131 Some 240 exhibits

  • 132 Private home for public pump

  • 133 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 134 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 136 No laughing matter

  • 137 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 138 Happy Days!

  • 139

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 140 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 141

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 142 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 143 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 144 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 145

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 146 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 147 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 148 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 149 Service with a smile

  • 150 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 151 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 152 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 153

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 154 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 155 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 156 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 157 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 158 New Post Office

  • 159

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 160 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 161 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 162 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 163 The cab at the corner>
  • 164 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 165 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 166 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 167 Mobile missionary

  • 168 Riverside mystery

  • 169 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 170 Clovelly nightmare

  • 171 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 172 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 173 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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

  • 175 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 176 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 177 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 178

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 179

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 180 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 181 Ten year old scrambler

  • 182 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 183 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 185 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 186 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 187 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 188 End of the line

  • 189 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 190 Police station view of Bideford

  • 191 113 years at Instow

  • 192 It really was the 'last time'

  • 193 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 194 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 195 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 196

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 197 Bridging the stream

  • 198 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 199 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 200 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 201 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 202 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 203 Over the bank together>
  • 204 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 205 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 206 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 207

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 208 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 209 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 210

    Building works
  • 211

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 212 They are parted pro-tem

  • 213 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 215 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 216 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 217

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 218

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 219 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 220 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 221 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 222 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 223

    Exhibition of school work
  • 224 Northam's almshouse

  • 225 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 226 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 227 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 228

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 229 New life for Hartland organ

  • 230 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 231 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 232 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 233 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 234 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 235 Torrington in 1967

  • 236 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 237 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 238 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 239 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 240 So this is the mainland!

  • 241 New look in the hayfields

  • 242 Penny for the guy

  • 243 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 244 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 245 A bird of their own!

  • 246 Pannier Market's future?

  • 247 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 248 New art gallery opened

  • 249 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 250 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 251 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 252 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 253 Northam footballers of the future

  • 254 School crossing patrol begins

  • 255 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 256 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 257 Loads of black and white

  • 258 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 259 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 260 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 261 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 262 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 263 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 264 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 265

    Was a missionary
  • 266 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 267 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 268 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 269 New addition to Quay front

  • 270 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 271 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 272 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 273 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 274 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 275 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 277 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 278 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 279 Devil sent packing

  • 280 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 281 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 282 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 283 Littleham family's five generations

  • 284

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 285 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 286 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 287 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 288 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 289 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 290 Twenty-one yachts

  • 291 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 292 Can spring be far away?

  • 293 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 294 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 295 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 296

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 297 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

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

  • 299 Picking the pops

  • 300 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 301 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 302 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 303 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 304 Recognise this resort?

  • 305 Bideford loses training ship

  • 306 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 307 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 308 Six footed lamb

  • 309 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 310 All for the love of a lady!

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

  • 312 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 313 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 314 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 315 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 316

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 317 Hartland's invitation

  • 318 In their new robes and hats

  • 319 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 320 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 321 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 322 Some mushroom!

  • 323 Sweets derationing

  • 324 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 325 Waldon Triplets
  • 326 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 327 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 328 Cruising down the river

  • 329 Peter poses for TV film

  • 330 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 331 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 332 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 333 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 334 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 335 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 336

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 337 Modern living at Bideford

  • 338

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 339 Simple Item 138
  • 340 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 341 Decontrol of meat

  • 342 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 343 What's the time?

  • 344 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 345 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 346 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 347 Just over a year old

  • 348 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 349 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 350 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 351 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 352 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 353

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 354 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 355 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 356 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 357 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 359 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 360 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 361 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 362 Sight of a lifetime

  • 363 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 364 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 365 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 366 No sale of Springfield House

  • 367 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 368 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 369 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 370 By pony and trap to market

  • 371 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 372 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 373 New shipyard on schedule

  • 374 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 375 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 376 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 377 When horses score over the tractor

  • 378 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 379

    Married in 1908
  • 380 He beat the floods

  • 381 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 382

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 383

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 384 Weare Giffard potato

  • 385 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 386 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 387 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 388 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 390 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 391 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 392

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 393 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 394 Variety in summer weather

  • 395 A story to tell!

  • 396 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 397 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 398 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 399 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 400 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 401 First ship in 8 years

  • 402 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 403 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 404 Clovelly custom

  • 405

    First prize
  • 406 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 407 Caught in the act>
  • 408 Burnard family reunion

  • 409 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 410 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 411 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 412 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 413 Centenary of Gazette

  • 414 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 415 North Devon Driving School

  • 416 Filming at Hartland

  • 417 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 418 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 419 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 420 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 421 The art of the thatcher

  • 422 New choral society's growing response

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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  • 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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  • 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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World War 1

Westward Ho!

13.7.1918 Westward Ho

On Friday last, at Northam Churchyard, the funeral of the late William Henry Norman, of Westward Ho! took place, the service at the church and graveside being conducted by the Rev Gerald G Payne Cook (Vicar). The polished coffin, with brass fittings, bore the inscription ‘William Henry Norman, died 30th June 1918, aged 74 years’.
There was a large number of wreaths, and a large attendance. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr N Allin, of Northam.

While fishing with a rod and line from the rocks at Westward Ho! last week Mr A W Heard was successful in landing a fine salmon bass, weighing over 8½lbs.

Gazette article dated 13 July 1918

World War 1

Westward Ho!

2.7.1918 Westward Ho

On Wednesday, the 26th, tea was given by Mrs Hammersley to the wounded soldiers from “The Commons” and Torrington Hospital, at Westward Ho! followed by a concert organised by Mrs Cutbill, assisted by many well known local artists.
Cigarettes were handed round to the men during the performance by Miss Mary Granville and Miss Jane Smith, who also made a silver collection amongst the rest of the audience in aid of the ‘Westward Ho! Wounded Soldiers’ Tea” Fund which realised £10
Gazette article dated 2 July 1918

Bideford Bride-To-Be To Cross The Atlantic

Westward Ho! bridegroom now with Canadian Air Force

27.6.1958 WHo Beer

As the coastline of Canada appears on the horizon from the bows of the liner, Empress of England, so the wedding day for 20 years old Miss Rosemary Beer, 25 Meddon Street, Bideford, will be nearer both in days and miles.
Rosemary, who is the only daughter of Mr and Mrs F Beer, will commence her 3,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from Liverpool, a fortnight today, July 11th.
She and her fiancé, Mr Terry Powell, aged 24, elder son of Mr and Mrs W Powell, 2 Nelson Terrace, Westward Ho! plan to marry in Toronto in the middle of August.
When Rosemary does get married she will walk up the aisle on the arm of a former well-known Bideford footballing personality, Mr Franz Belak.
Carefully packed away in her luggage will be numerous wedding presents, including a cheque from Messrs F W Woolworth and Co Ltd, and a clock from the Bideford staff.
Rosemary will be accompanied by her mother and aunt when she leaves Bideford to go to Liverpool and before she get married in Canada, she will live with her great-aunt, Mrs Nell Smith, in Toronto.
Full Gazette article dated 27 June 1958

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