• 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 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 2 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 3 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 4 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 5 Private home for public pump

  • 6 New shipyard on schedule

  • 7 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 8

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 9 Finished in 1876

  • 10 Clovelly nightmare

  • 11 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 12 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 13 A man and his wheel

  • 14 New art gallery opened

  • 15 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 16 Capers on the cobbles

  • 17 Circus comes to town

  • 18 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 19 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 20 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 21 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 22 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 23 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 24 Warmington's garage ad

  • 25 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 26 Revenge in style

  • 27 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 28 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 29 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 30 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 31 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 32 No sale of Springfield House

  • 33 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 34 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 35

    Relatives all over the world
  • 36 Weare Giffard potato

  • 37 The Geneva marionettes

  • 38 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 39 Parkham plan realised

  • 40 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 41 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 42 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 43

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 44 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 45 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 46 Life begins at 80

  • 47 Northam's almshouse

  • 48 Torrington's new amenity

  • 49 113 years at Instow

  • 50 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 51 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 52 North Devon Driving School

  • 53 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 54 New choral society's growing response

  • 55 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 56 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 57 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 58 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 59 Police station view of Bideford

  • 60 Blanchards ad.>
  • 61 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 62 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 63 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 64 In their new robes and hats

  • 65 Last train from Torrington

  • 66 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 67

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 68 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 69 Bideford regatta

  • 70 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 71 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 72

    Exhibition of school work
  • 73 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 74 School's link with cargo ship

  • 75 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 76 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 77 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 78 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 79 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

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

  • 81 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 82 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 83

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 84

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 85 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 86

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 87 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 88 It really was the 'last time'

  • 89 Over the bank together>
  • 90 Cruising down the river

  • 91 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 92 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 93 Pannier Market's future?

  • 94 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 95 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 96 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 97 Bideford computer stars

  • 98 Centenary of Gazette

  • 99 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 100 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 101

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 102 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 103 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 104 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 105 Service with a smile

  • 106 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 107 Riverside mystery

  • 108 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 109 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 110 Torrington in 1967

  • 111

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 112 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 113

    Building works
  • 114 Traditions and skills still there

  • 115 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 117 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 118 Hartland's invitation

  • 119 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 120 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 121 Decontrol of meat

  • 122

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 123

    First prize
  • 124 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

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

  • 126 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 127 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 128 Off on a great adventure

  • 129 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 130 Puppet characters introduced

  • 131 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 132 All for the love of a lady!

  • 133 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 134 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 135 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 136 Hartland postman retires

  • 137 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 138 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 139 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 140 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 141 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 142 He beat the floods

  • 143

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 144 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 145 Some 240 exhibits

  • 146 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 147

    New gateway
  • 148 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 149 New addition to Quay front

  • 150 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 151 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 152 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 153 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 154

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 155

    Bidefordians
  • 156 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 157 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 158 Peter poses for TV film

  • 159 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 160 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 161 Penny for the guy

  • 162 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 163 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 164 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 165 Bideford loses training ship

  • 166 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 167

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 168 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 169 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 170

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 171 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 172 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 173

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 174 New Lundy stamps

  • 175 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 176 When horses score over the tractor

  • 177 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 178 Jumble sale fever

  • 179 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 180 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 181 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 182 Can spring be far away?

  • 183 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 184 By pony and trap to market

  • 185 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 186 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 187 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 188 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 189 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 190 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 191 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 192 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 193 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 194

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 195 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 196 Northam footballers of the future

  • 197 Artisans' Club

  • 198 Caught in the act>
  • 199 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 200 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 201 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 202 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 203 A bird of their own!

  • 204 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 205 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 206

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 207 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 208 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 209 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 210 What's the time?

  • 211 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 213 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 214 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 215

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 216 A roof-top view - where?

  • 217 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 218 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 219 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 220

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 221 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 222 New look in the hayfields

  • 223 New life for Hartland organ

  • 224 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 225 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 226 Clovelly custom

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

  • 228 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 229 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 230 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 231 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 232 Hartland Dancers
  • 233 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 234 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 235 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 236 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 237 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 238 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 240 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 241 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 242 Sweets derationing

  • 243 Picking the pops

  • 244 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 245 Bridging the stream

  • 246 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 247 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 248 Loads of black and white

  • 249 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 250 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 251 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 252 New civic medallions

  • 253 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 254 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 255 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 256 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 257 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 258 Variety in summer weather

  • 259 From Bobby to Brian

  • 260 All aboard the ark

  • 261

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 262 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 263 First ship in 8 years

  • 264 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 265 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 266 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 267 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 268 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 269 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 270 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 271 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 272 End of the line

  • 273 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 274 Six footed lamb

  • 275 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 276 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 277 Waldon Triplets
  • 278 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 279 Torrington children build igloo
  • 280 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 281 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 282 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 283 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 284 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 285 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 286 So this is the mainland!

  • 287 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 288 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 289 They are parted pro-tem

  • 290 Simple Item 138
  • 291 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

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

  • 293 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 294 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 295 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 296 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 297 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 298 Picking the pops

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

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

  • 301 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 302 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 303 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 304

    Married in 1908
  • 305 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 306 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 307 Out of puff!

  • 308 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 309 The cab at the corner>
  • 310 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 311 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 312

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 313 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 314

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 315 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 316 Happy Days!

  • 317 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 318 Burnard family reunion

  • 319 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 320 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 321 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 322 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 323 School crossing patrol begins

  • 324 Ten year old scrambler

  • 325 Ships at Bideford

  • 326 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 327 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 329 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 330 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 331 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 332 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 333 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 334 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 335 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 336 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 337 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 338 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 339 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 340 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 341 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 342 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 343 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 344 Spray dodging - the new pastime

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

  • 346 Appledore's largest

  • 347 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 348 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 349 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 350 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 351 No laughing matter

  • 352 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 353 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 354 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 355 Emergency ferry services

  • 356

    Was a missionary
  • 357 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 358 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 359 Littleham family's five generations

  • 360 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 361 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 362 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 363 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 364 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 365 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 366 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 367 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 368 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 369 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 370 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 371 New Post Office

  • 372 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 373 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

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

  • 375 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 376 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 377 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 378 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 379 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 380 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 381 Sight of a lifetime

  • 382 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 383 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 384 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 385 Recognise this resort?

  • 386 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 387 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 388 Some mushroom!

  • 389 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 390 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 391 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 392 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 393 Devil sent packing

  • 394 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 395 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 396 Filming at Hartland

  • 397 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 398 Modern living at Bideford

  • 399 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 400 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 401 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 402 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 403 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 404 Just over a year old

  • 405 Mobile missionary

  • 406 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 407 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 408 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 409 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 410 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 411 A story to tell!

  • 412 Torridge wins on time schedule

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

  • 414 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 415

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 416 For crying out loud!

  • 417

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 418 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 419 Twenty-one yachts

  • 420

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 421

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 422 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

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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Council’s Tress Felled By Mistake

Trees on land at Kipling Tors owned by Northam Urban Council had been felled by Braddicks in the belief that the ground belonged to them, members were told.

10.3.1972 Braddicks

The Council expressed concern and agreed that as 20 trees had been damaged, Braddicks should be required to finance their replacement and maintenance.
It was suggested that the 24 replacement trees should consist of three or four varieties of pine and sycamore.
What had happened was regrettable, said Mr P R Galliford, stressing that any doubts about ownership of land should be referred to the Council. The Trees sub-committee tried to preserve trees in the general interest, she pointed out.
Gazette article dated 10 March 1972

Beer Garden Planned For Westward Ho!

A plan to convert the station hall at Westward Ho! into a beer garden style public house was approved by Northam Council – but only on the vote of the chairman, Mr John Smith.

1.3.1974 WHo beer garden

The outline planning application had originally been recommended for refusal by the council but the County Council disagreed with them. Mrs F M Hilder said she felt very strongly that the council had ‘missed the boat’ by not acquiring this property. She added ‘it would have been ideal for us, providing a much needed shelter which we have wanted in Westward Ho! for years and years’. Other members agreed but Mr R F Hill pointed out they had not been able to get the capital allocation. What about the old people at The Chalet home? Asked Mrs E M V Patt. Mrs Hilder alleged that on two occasions the discotheque had been closed by the police.
Lieut-Cmdr M B C Sumner contented ‘If a lot of money is being spent in making a good class place they are not going to be bad neighbours. I think the thing should be given a chance. Mr H S Clements moved that they should refer the matter to the Torridge District Council for refusal but Mr G W Harrison declared that there was a demand for this sort of thing.
The full Gazette article is dated 1 March 1974

Jack and the Beanstalk at Westward Ho!

Three of the cast of the forthcoming Westward Ho! pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk' hard at work on the costumes.

14.2.1972 WHo play1


From left to right - Jean Cockell, Jacqueline Wilkey and Judy Sherborne.
Gazette article dated 14 February 1972

14.2.1972 WHo play2

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