• 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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    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 2 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 3 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 4 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 5 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 6 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 7 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 8 Bideford regatta

  • 9 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 10 Some mushroom!

  • 11 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 12 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 13 Off on a great adventure

  • 14 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 15 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 16 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 17 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 18 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 19 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 20 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 21 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 22 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 23 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 24

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 25

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 26 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 27 A bird of their own!

  • 28 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 29 Capers on the cobbles

  • 30 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 31 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 32 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 33 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 34 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 36 When horses score over the tractor

  • 37 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 38 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 39 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 40 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 41 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 42 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 43 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 44 A story to tell!

  • 45 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 46 Caught in the act>
  • 47 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 48 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 49 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 50 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 51 New Post Office

  • 52 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 53 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 54 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 55 They are parted pro-tem

  • 56 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 57 Burnard family reunion

  • 58 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 59 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 60 All for the love of a lady!

  • 61 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 62 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 63 Daisy's pride and joy

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

  • 65 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 66 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 67 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 68 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 69 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 70 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 71 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 72

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 73 Decontrol of meat

  • 74 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 75 All aboard the ark

  • 76 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 77 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 78 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 79 Ten year old scrambler

  • 80 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 81 Can spring be far away?

  • 82 Torrington's new amenity

  • 83 Recognise this resort?

  • 84 A roof-top view - where?

  • 85 Littleham family's five generations

  • 86 Life begins at 80

  • 87 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 88

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 89 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 90 The art of the thatcher

  • 91 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 92 Hartland's invitation

  • 93 Traditions and skills still there

  • 94 Circus comes to town

  • 95 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 96 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 97 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 98 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 99 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 100 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 101 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 102 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 103

    New gateway
  • 104

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 105 By pony and trap to market

  • 106 Simple Item 138
  • 107

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 108 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 109 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 110

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 111 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 112 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 113 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 114 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 115 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 116 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 117 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 118 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 119

    Relatives all over the world
  • 120 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 121 Ships at Bideford

  • 122 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 123 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 124 Clovelly nightmare

  • 125 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 126 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 127 New shipyard on schedule

  • 128 Waldon Triplets
  • 129 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 130 No laughing matter

  • 131 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 132 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 133 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 134 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 135 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 136 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 137 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 138 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 139 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 140 Appledore's largest

  • 141

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 142 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 143 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 144 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 145 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 146 Torrington children build igloo
  • 147

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 148 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 149 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 150 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 151 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 152 North Devon Driving School

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

  • 154 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 155 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 156 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 157 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 158 Variety in summer weather

  • 159 New look in the hayfields

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

  • 161

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 162 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 163 For crying out loud!

  • 164 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 165 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 166 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 167 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 168 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 169 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 170 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 171

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 172 Over the bank together>
  • 173 Bideford loses training ship

  • 174 Twenty-one yachts

  • 175 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 176 What's the time?

  • 177

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 178 113 years at Instow

  • 179 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 180 Hartland postman retires

  • 181 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 182 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 183 So this is the mainland!

  • 184 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 185 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 186 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 187 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 188 Happy Days!

  • 189 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 190 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 191 The Geneva marionettes

  • 192 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 193 Sight of a lifetime

  • 194 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 195 Revenge in style

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

  • 197 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 198 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 199 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 200 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 201 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 202 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 203 New life for Hartland organ

  • 204 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 205

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 206 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 208

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 209 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 210 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 211 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 212 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 213 In their new robes and hats

  • 214 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 215 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 216

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 217 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 218 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 219 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 220 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 221

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 222

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 223 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 224 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 225 Hartland Dancers
  • 226 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 227 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 228 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 229 Picking the pops

  • 230 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 231

    Exhibition of school work
  • 232 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 233 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 234

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 235 New Lundy stamps

  • 236 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 237 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 238 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 239 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 240 End of the line

  • 241 Pannier Market's future?

  • 242 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 243 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 244 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 245 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 246 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 247 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 248 Warmington's garage ad

  • 249 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 250 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 251 It really was the 'last time'

  • 252 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 253 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 254 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 256 New civic medallions

  • 257 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 258 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 259 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 260 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 261 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 262 Artisans' Club

  • 263

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 264 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 265 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 266 A man and his wheel

  • 267 Service with a smile

  • 268 Six footed lamb

  • 269 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 270 Mobile missionary

  • 271 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 272 School's link with cargo ship

  • 273 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 274 Sweets derationing

  • 275 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 277 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 278 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 279 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 280 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 281 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 282 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 283

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 284 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 285 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 286 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 287 Centenary of Gazette

  • 288 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 289 New choral society's growing response

  • 290 Finished in 1876

  • 291 Northam footballers of the future

  • 292 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 293 School crossing patrol begins

  • 294 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 295 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 296 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 297 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 298 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 299 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 300 Emergency ferry services

  • 301 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 302 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 303

    Was a missionary
  • 304 He beat the floods

  • 305 Loads of black and white

  • 306 Weare Giffard potato

  • 307 Puppet characters introduced

  • 308 Torrington in 1967

  • 309 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 310 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 311 Northam's almshouse

  • 312 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 313 First ship in 8 years

  • 314 The cab at the corner>
  • 315 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 316 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 317 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 318 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 319 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 320 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 321 Last train from Torrington

  • 322 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 323 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 324

    Married in 1908
  • 325

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 326 Peter poses for TV film

  • 327 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 328 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 329 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 330 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 331 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 332 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 333 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 334

    Building works
  • 335 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 336 Penny for the guy

  • 337 New addition to Quay front

  • 338 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 339 Riverside mystery

  • 340 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 341 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 342 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 343 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 344 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 345 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 346 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 347 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 348 Devil sent packing

  • 349 Jumble sale fever

  • 350 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 351 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

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

  • 353

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 354 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 355 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 356 No sale of Springfield House

  • 357 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 358 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 359 Just over a year old

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

  • 361

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 362 New art gallery opened

  • 363 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 364 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 365 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 366 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 367 Filming at Hartland

  • 368 From Bobby to Brian

  • 369

    Bidefordians
  • 370 Picking the pops

  • 371 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 372 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 373 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 374 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 375

    First prize
  • 376 Modern living at Bideford

  • 377 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 378 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 379 Clovelly custom

  • 380 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 381 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 382 Cruising down the river

  • 383 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 384 Some 240 exhibits

  • 385 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 386 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 387 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 388 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 389 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 390 Blanchards ad.>
  • 391 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 393 Parkham plan realised

  • 394 Bridging the stream

  • 395 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 396 Out of puff!

  • 397 Bicycle now does donkey work

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

  • 399 Bideford computer stars

  • 400 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 401 Police station view of Bideford

  • 402 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 403 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 404 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 405 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 406 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 407 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 408 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 409 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 410 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

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

  • 412 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 413 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 414 Private home for public pump

  • 415 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 416 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 417 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 418 Torrington Church's new organ

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

  • 420 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 421 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 422

    Holidaying in north Devon
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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  • 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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  • 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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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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Retirement of Bideford Railway Official in 1938

Mr C T Wesley, Senior

3 May.1938 Mr C T Wesley Senior retires from Bideford Railway

After nearly half a century’s work in connection with the railway, Mr  C T Wesley, of Alton, Alexandra Terrace, Bideford, retired on Saturday from the position of senior good clerk at the Bideford South Railway Station, having reached the age limit of sixty. Well-known and highly respected by Bidefordians, Mr Wesley has been at Bideford for close on 27 years, actually coming to North Devon, in August 1911 as goods clerk, on what was then the London and South Western Railway. Born at Southwick, near Portsmouth, Hampshire, Mr Wesley joined the railway staff in the audit office at Waterloo Station in 1893. He remained there only two years and then went over to the goods side, his first appointment being at Farnham, Surrey, where he was for about five years, and where he met his wife, formerly Miss Vicary, who a native of that place. From Farnham he came nearer to Devon, namely at Chard, Somerset, remaining there for three years, before going to Windsor for two years, to Alton (after which is house is named) for six years and finally to Bideford. The time spent at Bideford has proved very happy for Mr and Mrs Wesley, so much so that in their retirement they will live on here among the many friends they have made during their twenty-seven years sojourn in the Torridge district. Apart from his work on the railway, Mr Wesley’s chief interest has been in the North Road Gospel Hall, of which he has been a member ever since coming to the town. He was connected with similar places of worship in the other districts in which he was stationed. To revert to is railway work. When asked if he had seen many strange ‘goods’ during his career as goods clerk, Mr Wesley replied that so many strange loads were dealt with that one got used to them so that they became no longer strange! Mr Wesley’s son, Mr Victor Wesley, who is married, is also connected with the railway, and is employed in the divisional superintendent’s office at Southampton. There is also a daughter who lives at Bideford. His many friends, pleased to hear than in his retirement he will remain with them, will join in extending to Mr Wesley their best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

New vicar of Buckland Brewer 1947

The Rev Leonard Woolcott, rector of Langton Malton, Yorks, since 1929, has been appointed to the vicariate of Buckland Brewer, rendered vacant recently by the resignation of the Rev J F Beamish.

11.3.1947 Reverend Leonard Woolcott

A Devonian, Mr Woolcott received early education at the Episcopal School, Exeter. He was ordained in 1914. Writing in the March issue of Hartland Deanery Magazine, Rev. L Woolcott says ‘Although it will be some few weeks before I shall be officially inducted to the benefice of Buckland Brewer, I felt I would take this early opportunity of sending you, on behalf of my wife and myself, our warmest greetings. We are much looking forward to living among you, sharing your joys and sorrows, your friendship and goodwill.’

Names

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