• 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 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 2 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 3 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 4 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 5 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 6 All aboard the ark

  • 7 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 8

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 9 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 10 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 11 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 12 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 13 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 14 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 15 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 16 New art gallery opened

  • 17 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 18 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 19 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 20 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 21

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 22 Caught in the act>
  • 23 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 24 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 25 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 26 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 27 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 28 Parkham plan realised

  • 29 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 30 Traditions and skills still there

  • 31 Filming at Hartland

  • 32 Can spring be far away?

  • 33 Clovelly nightmare

  • 34 New Post Office

  • 35 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 36 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 37

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 38 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 39 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 40 A man and his wheel

  • 41 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 42 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 43 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 44 The Geneva marionettes

  • 45 So this is the mainland!

  • 46 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 47 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 48 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 49 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 50 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 51 In their new robes and hats

  • 52 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 53 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 54 New addition to Quay front

  • 55 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 56 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 57

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 58 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 59 Torrington in 1967

  • 60 Some mushroom!

  • 61 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 62

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 63 Capers on the cobbles

  • 64 Cruising down the river

  • 65 Torrington children build igloo
  • 66 All for the love of a lady!

  • 67 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 68 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 69 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 70

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 71 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 72 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 73 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 74 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 75 Life begins at 80

  • 76 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 77 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 78 First ship in 8 years

  • 79 Bideford computer stars

  • 80 Last train from Torrington

  • 81 Blanchards ad.>
  • 82 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 83 Appledore's largest

  • 84 Devil sent packing

  • 85

    Married in 1908
  • 86 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 87 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 88 Artisans' Club

  • 89 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 90 Northam's almshouse

  • 91 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 92 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 93 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 94 Out of puff!

  • 95 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 96 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 97 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 98 113 years at Instow

  • 99 Emergency ferry services

  • 100 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 101 A story to tell!

  • 102 What is future of railway goods yard?

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

  • 104 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 105 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 106 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 107 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 108 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 109 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 110 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 111 Wishing well is pixielated

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

  • 113 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 114 A bird of their own!

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

  • 116

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 117 Torrington's new amenity

  • 118 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 119 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 120 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 121 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 122 When horses score over the tractor

  • 123 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 124 Riverside mystery

  • 125 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 126 Six footed lamb

  • 127 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 128 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 129 From Bobby to Brian

  • 130 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 131 Clovelly custom

  • 132 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 133 New life for Hartland organ

  • 134 Hartland postman retires

  • 135 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 136 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 137 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 138 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 139 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 140 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 141 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 142 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 143 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 144 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 145 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 146 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 147 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 148 Jumble sale fever

  • 149 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 150 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

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

  • 153 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 154 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 155 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 156 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 157 They are parted pro-tem

  • 158 End of the line

  • 159 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 160 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 161 Puppet characters introduced

  • 162 No ancient Grecian temple this

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

  • 164 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 165 Bideford regatta

  • 166 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 167 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

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

  • 169 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 170 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 171 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 172 North Devon Driving School

  • 173 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 174 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 175 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 176 Twenty-one yachts

  • 177 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 179 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 180 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 181 No laughing matter

  • 182 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 183 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 184

    New gateway
  • 185 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 186

    First prize
  • 187 A roof-top view - where?

  • 188 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 189 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 190 Variety in summer weather

  • 191 Warmington's garage ad

  • 192 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 193

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 194 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 195 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 196 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 197 Waldon Triplets
  • 198

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 199 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 200 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 201 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 202 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 203 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 204 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 205 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 206 Burnard family reunion

  • 207 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 208 He beat the floods

  • 209 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 210 Weare Giffard potato

  • 211

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 212 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 213 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 214 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 215 Hartland's invitation

  • 216 Over the bank together>
  • 217 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 218 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 219 Modern living at Bideford

  • 220 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 221 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 222 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 223 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 224 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 225 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 226 Pannier Market's future?

  • 227 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 228 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 229 Bideford loses training ship

  • 230 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 231

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 232 Off on a great adventure

  • 233 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 234 Service with a smile

  • 235 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 236 Centenary of Gazette

  • 237 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 238 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 239 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 240 Simple Item 138
  • 241 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 242 New choral society's growing response

  • 243 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 244

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 245

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 246 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 247 Picking the pops

  • 248 New civic medallions

  • 249 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 250 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 251 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 252 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 253 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 254 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 255 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 256

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 257 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 258 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 259 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 260 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 261 Private home for public pump

  • 262 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 263 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 264 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 265 Sweets derationing

  • 266 Just over a year old

  • 267 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 268

    Exhibition of school work
  • 269 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 270 Revenge in style

  • 271

    Was a missionary
  • 272 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 273 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 274 Ships at Bideford

  • 275 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 276 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 277 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 278 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 279 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 280 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 281 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 282 New look in the hayfields

  • 283 School crossing patrol begins

  • 284 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 285 Recognise this resort?

  • 286 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 287 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 288 Decontrol of meat

  • 289 New shipyard on schedule

  • 290 Northam footballers of the future

  • 291 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 292 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 293 Ten year old scrambler

  • 294 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 295 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 296

    Bidefordians
  • 297 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 298 The art of the thatcher

  • 299 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 300 Sight of a lifetime

  • 301 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 302 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 303 School's link with cargo ship

  • 304 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 305 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 306 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 307 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 308 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 309 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 310

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 311

    Building works
  • 312 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 313 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 314 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 315 No sale of Springfield House

  • 316 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 317 Police station view of Bideford

  • 318 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 319 Loads of black and white

  • 320 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 321 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 322

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 323 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 324 Hartland Dancers
  • 325 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 326 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 327 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 328

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 329 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 330 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 331 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 332 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 333 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 334 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 335 Penny for the guy

  • 336 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 338 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 339 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 340 Mobile missionary

  • 341 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 342 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 343 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 344 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 345 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 346 Circus comes to town

  • 347 Peter poses for TV film

  • 348

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 349 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 350 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 351

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 352 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 353 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 354 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 355 What's the time?

  • 356 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 357 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 358

    Relatives all over the world
  • 359 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 360 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 361 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 362 Bridging the stream

  • 363 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 364

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 365 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 366 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 367 New Lundy stamps

  • 368 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 369 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 370 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 371 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 372 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 373 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 374 By pony and trap to market

  • 375 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 376 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 377 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 378 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 379

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 380 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 381 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 382 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 383 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 384

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 385 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 386 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 387 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 388 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 389 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 390 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 391 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 392 It really was the 'last time'

  • 393 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 394 Finished in 1876

  • 395 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 396 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 397 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 398 The cab at the corner>
  • 399 Littleham family's five generations

  • 400

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 401 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 402 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 403 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 404 Picking the pops

  • 405 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 406 For crying out loud!

  • 407 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 408

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 409 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 410 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 411 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 412

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 413 Some 240 exhibits

  • 414 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 415 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 416 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 417 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 418 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 419 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 420 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 421 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 422 Happy Days!

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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  • 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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  • 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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Grand Double Easter Ball

The Southern/Western National Social Club, Bideford

Grand Double Easter Ball At the Westward Ho! Holiday Centre Ballroom

18.4.1957 Easter Ball WHo Holiday Centre

On Easter MondayApril 22 1957

From 8pm to 1am

Frank Fuge and his Orchestra (Plymouth)The Arcadians

Tickets 6/6

Licensed Bar Refreshments

Free transport from Bideford 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm Free transport from Appledore 8pm and 8.45pm

Returning at 1am

Gazette article dated 18 April 1957

No Winter Ban On Parking At Westward Ho!

Double yellow lines painted along a Westward Ho! road have no significance in the winter. 

10.3.1967 WHo parking

This fact emerged at a meeting of Bideford Road Safety Committee on Friday. Mr M Crosley had asked why the lines were there together with signs saying that there must be not parking ‘at any time’ when an official notice in the local Press had said that parking was allowed during the winter. This type of seasonal order, replied Police Sergt D Page, was made a great deal of use of in small North Devon coastal villages where there was an influx of summer traffic. 

The Minister of Transport, Mrs Barbara Castle, has been invited to visit Bideford during the forthcoming Road Safety Week. The chairman of the organising committee, Mr G Robinson, told the meeting she had been asked to present the awards. 

The full Gazette article is dated 10 March 1967

£250,000 Sale At Westward Ho!

The Westward Holiday Village in Westward Ho! has been sold for more than £250,000 to the Bideford based Woodsmith Group of Companies. 

16.3.1973 WHo Holiday Village

The selling agents were Messrs John C Webber and Son, of Bideford. Woodsmith intend developing the 19 acre site with holiday bungalows and flats. Twenty three holiday bungalows and 36 flats, built on part of the land by the previous owner are being renovated. 

The first of the renovated bungalows are now on offer through agents John C Webber and Son’s Bideford office and Morris Dibben of Winchester. The purchase price of £3,500 for a 90 year lease (ground rent £65pa) includes equipment and furnishings to sleep six people.

Gazette article dated 16 March 1973

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