• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 2 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 3 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 4 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 5 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 6 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 7 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 8 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 9 New civic medallions

  • 10 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 11 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 12 Picking the pops

  • 13 Bideford regatta

  • 14 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 15

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 16 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 17 Traditions and skills still there

  • 18 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 19 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 20 Some mushroom!

  • 21 Ships at Bideford

  • 22 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 23

    Married in 1908
  • 24 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 25

    Bidefordians
  • 26 New look in the hayfields

  • 27 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 28 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 29 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 30 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 31 New art gallery opened

  • 32 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 33 Twenty-one yachts

  • 34 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 35 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 36 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 37 School crossing patrol begins

  • 38 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 39 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 40 Hartland postman retires

  • 41 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 42 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 43 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 44 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 45 Meredith's ironmongers

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

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

  • 48 The Geneva marionettes

  • 49 Littleham family's five generations

  • 50 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 51 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 52 Caught in the act>
  • 53 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 54 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 55 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 56 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 57 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 58 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 59 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 61 Last train from Torrington

  • 62 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 63 All for the love of a lady!

  • 64 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 65 Variety in summer weather

  • 66 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 67 The cab at the corner>
  • 68 By pony and trap to market

  • 69 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 70

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 71 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 72 Puppet characters introduced

  • 73 New Post Office

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

  • 75 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 76 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 77 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 78 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 79 First ship in 8 years

  • 80 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 82 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 83

    Building works
  • 84 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 85 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 86 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 87 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 88 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 89 Torrington children build igloo
  • 90 Picking the pops

  • 91 Six footed lamb

  • 92 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 93 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 94 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 95 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 96 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 97 A sense of humour in advertising

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

  • 99 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 100 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 101 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 102 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 103 Torrington in 1967

  • 104 End of the line

  • 105 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 106

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 107 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 108 Pannier Market's future?

  • 109 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 110 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 111 Waldon Triplets
  • 112 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 113

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 114 Simple Item 138
  • 115 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 116 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 117 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 118 Appledore's largest

  • 119 Warmington's garage ad

  • 120 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 121 113 years at Instow

  • 122 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 123 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 124 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 125

    Exhibition of school work
  • 126 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 127 Burnard family reunion

  • 128 So this is the mainland!

  • 129 Northam's almshouse

  • 130 Weare Giffard potato

  • 131 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 132 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 133 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 134 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 135 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 136 New addition to Quay front

  • 137

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 138 Just over a year old

  • 139 Some 240 exhibits

  • 140 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 141 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 142 No sale of Springfield House

  • 143 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 144 Life begins at 80

  • 145 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 146 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 147

    First prize
  • 148 Capers on the cobbles

  • 149 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 150 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 151 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 152 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 153 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

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

  • 155 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 156 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 157 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 158 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 159 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 160 Emergency ferry services

  • 161 The art of the thatcher

  • 162 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 163 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 164 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 165 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 166 Blanchards ad.>
  • 167 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 168 Peter poses for TV film

  • 169 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 170 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 171 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 172 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 173 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 174 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 175 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 176 They are parted pro-tem

  • 177 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 178 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 179 Northam footballers of the future

  • 180 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 181 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 182 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 183 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 184 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 185 Bideford computer stars

  • 186 New shipyard on schedule

  • 187 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 188 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 189 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 190 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 191 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 192 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 193 A bird of their own!

  • 194 Over the bank together>
  • 195 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 196 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 197

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 198 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 199 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 200 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

  • 202 Modern living at Bideford

  • 203 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 204 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 205 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 206 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 207 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 208

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 209 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 210 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 211 Bideford loses training ship

  • 212 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 213 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 214 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 215 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 216 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 217 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 218 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 219 Recognise this resort?

  • 220 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 221 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 222 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 223 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 224 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 225 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 226

    New gateway
  • 227 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 229 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 230 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 231 In their new robes and hats

  • 232

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 233 Circus comes to town

  • 234 No laughing matter

  • 235 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 236 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 237 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 238 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 239 A man and his wheel

  • 240 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 241 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 242 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 243 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 244 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 245

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 246 Revenge in style

  • 247

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 248 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 249 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 250 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 251 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 252 A roof-top view - where?

  • 253 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 254 Filming at Hartland

  • 255 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 256 Can spring be far away?

  • 257 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 258 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 259 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 260 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 261 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 262 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 263 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 264 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 265

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 266 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 267 School's link with cargo ship

  • 268 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 269 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 270

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 271 Bridging the stream

  • 272 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 273 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 274 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 275 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 276 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 277 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 278 When horses score over the tractor

  • 279 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 280 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 281 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 282 A story to tell!

  • 283 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 284 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 285 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 286 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 287

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 288 Centenary of Gazette

  • 289 New life for Hartland organ

  • 290 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 291 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 292 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 293

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 294 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 295 Sweets derationing

  • 296 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 297 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 298 Mobile missionary

  • 299 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 300

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 301 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 302 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 303 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 304

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 305 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 306

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 307 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 308 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 309 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 310 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 311

    Was a missionary
  • 312 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 313 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 314 Riverside mystery

  • 315 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 316 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 317 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 318 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 319 Parkham plan realised

  • 320 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 321 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 322 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 323

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 324 Police station view of Bideford

  • 325 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 326 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 327 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 328 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 329 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 330 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 331

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 332 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 333 North Devon Driving School

  • 334 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 335 Decontrol of meat

  • 336 Ten year old scrambler

  • 337 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 338 Floral dancing at Appledore

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

  • 340 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 341 He beat the floods

  • 342 Loads of black and white

  • 343 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 344 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 345 Hartland's invitation

  • 346 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 347 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 348 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 349 Cruising down the river

  • 350 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 351 Private home for public pump

  • 352 Childrens' model of Torrington

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

  • 354 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 355 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 356

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 357 For crying out loud!

  • 358 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 359 Penny for the guy

  • 360 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 361 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 362 From Bobby to Brian

  • 363 Service with a smile

  • 364 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 365 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 366 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 367 Torrington's new amenity

  • 368

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 369 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 370 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 371 It really was the 'last time'

  • 372 What's the time?

  • 373 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 374

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 375 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 376 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 377

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 378 All aboard the ark

  • 379 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 380 New Lundy stamps

  • 381 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 382 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 383 Jumble sale fever

  • 384 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 385 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 386 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 387 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 388

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 389 Hartland Dancers
  • 390 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 391 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 392 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 393 Out of puff!

  • 394 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 395 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 396 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 397 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 398 Artisans' Club

  • 399 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 400 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 401 Sight of a lifetime

  • 402 Off on a great adventure

  • 403 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 404 Devil sent packing

  • 405 Finished in 1876

  • 406 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 407 Happy Days!

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

  • 409 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 410 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 411 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 412 Clovelly custom

  • 413 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 414 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 415

    Relatives all over the world
  • 416 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 417 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 418 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 419 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 420 New choral society's growing response

  • 421 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 422 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Bideford Gazette Appointment - R Balsdon, 1965

Bideford Gazette Appointment - R Balsdon, 1965

Bideford Gazette Appointment - R Balsdon, 1965
 

Mr R G Balsdon, who has been appointed a director of Bideford Gazette Ltd. joined the Gazette from Bideford Grammar School as an apprentice to journalism. During the war he joined with the Devons, was commissioned and saw active service as a captain in the Reconnaisssance Corps in Western Europe. Shortly after his return, he transferred from the editorial department to the commercial side as advertisement manager, gaining knowledge of all departments, and is now commercial manager.
Aged 47, Mr Balsdon is a member of the Rotary Club, of which he was the honorary secretary for some years, has assisted Bideford Chamber of Commerce as joint organiser of one of its trade exhibitions and has co-operated with Bideford Joint Advertising Committee as publicity manager. He is married with one daughter.

 

Death of Major J R Braddick - 1948

Death of Major J R Braddick - 1948

Death of Major J R Braddick - 1948
 

Member of a well-known Bideford family, Major J R Braddick, M.C., youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs J J Braddick, of Silford Farm, Bideford, died at Fairfield, St Agnes, on Tuesday. He leaves a widow. Aged 58, Major Braddick served with the Royal Artillery udring the first World War, when he was awarded the Military Cross and mentioned in despatches. During the 1939-45 war he was also cited for gallantry and good service by the Commander in Chief, Home Forces.
Following the 1914-18 war Major Braddick served in the Colonial Service in West Africa, retiring in 1932. He was early in the field of A.R.P, first on a voluntary basis, then being appointed to a post in London and subsequently to that of A.R.P organiser for the city of Glasgow. Early on the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, he rejoined the army and was appointed to the staff.
Relatives from Bideford were among those attending the cremation at Plymouth. There was no mourning and flowers at his request.

 

Bideford Shot is Chosen for England

Bideford Shot is Chosen for England - 1970

Bideford Shot is Chosen for England - 1970
 

Bideford businessman Mr Graham Braddick, Devon and Southern Counties clay pigeon shooting champion, who has been selected as first reserve for the All-England team. He thus wins his first England blazer badge and joins in the team another Devonian, Mr Arthur Pickard, of Beaford, who has been a regular member for the past four years. The team meets Scotland, Ireland and Wales at Leamington Spa on July 17th and 18th.

 
  • 1

Login Form