• 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 inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 2 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 3 Artisans' Club

  • 4 Caught in the act>
  • 5 Torrington children build igloo
  • 6 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 7 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 8 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 9

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 10 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 11 North Devon Driving School

  • 12 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 13 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 14 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 15 Ships at Bideford

  • 16 Loads of black and white

  • 17 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 18 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 19 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 20 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 21 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 22 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 23 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 24 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 25 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 26 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 27 Centenary of Gazette

  • 28 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 29 Emergency ferry services

  • 30 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 31

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 32 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 33 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 34 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 35 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 36

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 37 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 38 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 39 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 40 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

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

  • 42 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 43 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 44 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 45 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 46 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 47 What's the time?

  • 48 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 49 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 50 A bird of their own!

  • 51

    Was a missionary
  • 52 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 53 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 54 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 55 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 56 New shipyard on schedule

  • 57

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 58 A roof-top view - where?

  • 59 Ten year old scrambler

  • 60 Last train from Torrington

  • 61 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 62 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 63 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 64 Clovelly custom

  • 65 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 66

    Exhibition of school work
  • 67 New addition to Quay front

  • 68 Happy Days!

  • 69 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 70 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 71 By pony and trap to market

  • 72 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 73

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 74 Revenge in style

  • 75 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 76 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 77 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 78 New Post Office

  • 79 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 80 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 81 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 82 Traditions and skills still there

  • 83 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 84 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 85 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 86 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 87 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 88 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 89 It really was the 'last time'

  • 90 Appledore's largest

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

  • 92 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 93 113 years at Instow

  • 94

    Bidefordians
  • 95 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 96 From Bobby to Brian

  • 97 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 98 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 99 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 100 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 101 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 102 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 103 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 104 New life for Hartland organ

  • 105 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 107 Sight of a lifetime

  • 108 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 109 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 110 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 111 Sweets derationing

  • 112 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 113 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 114

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 115 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 116 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 117 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 118 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 119 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 120 Torrington in 1967

  • 121 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 122 School crossing patrol begins

  • 123 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 124 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 125 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 126 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 127 Capers on the cobbles

  • 128 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 129 Puppet characters introduced

  • 130 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 131 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 132 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 133 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 134 The Geneva marionettes

  • 135 A story to tell!

  • 136 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 137 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 138 When horses score over the tractor

  • 139

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 140 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 141

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 142 Littleham family's five generations

  • 143 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 144 Can spring be far away?

  • 145

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 146 Out of puff!

  • 147 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 148 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 149 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 150 Clovelly nightmare

  • 151 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 152 Pannier Market's future?

  • 153 Riverside mystery

  • 154 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 155 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 157 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 158 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 159 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 160 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 161

    Relatives all over the world
  • 162 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

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

  • 165

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 166 Decontrol of meat

  • 167 Bridging the stream

  • 168 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 169 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 170 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 171 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 172 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 173

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 174 Bideford loses training ship

  • 175 Penny for the guy

  • 176 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 177 Waldon Triplets
  • 178 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 179 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 180 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 181 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 182 Simple Item 138
  • 183 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 184 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 185 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 186 Blanchards ad.>
  • 187 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 188 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 189

    New gateway
  • 190 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 191 Picking the pops

  • 192 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 193 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 194 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 196 Over the bank together>
  • 197 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 198

    First prize
  • 199 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 200 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 201 In their new robes and hats

  • 202 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 203 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 204 Hartland's invitation

  • 205 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 206 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 207 No sale of Springfield House

  • 208 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 209 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 210 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 211

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 212 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 213 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 214 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 215 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 216 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 217 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 218 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 219 New art gallery opened

  • 220 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 221 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 222 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 223 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 224 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 225

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 226 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 227 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 228

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 229 Northam footballers of the future

  • 230 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 231 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 232 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 233 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 234 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 235 Off on a great adventure

  • 236 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 237 Weare Giffard potato

  • 238 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 239 Mobile missionary

  • 240 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

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

  • 242 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 243 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 244 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 245 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 246 Filming at Hartland

  • 247 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 248 Twenty-one yachts

  • 249 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 250 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 251 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 252 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 253 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 254 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 255

    Building works
  • 256 They are parted pro-tem

  • 257 Modern living at Bideford

  • 258 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 259 New look in the hayfields

  • 260 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 261 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 262 Devil sent packing

  • 263 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 264 Six footed lamb

  • 265 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 266 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 267 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 268 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 269 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 270 Hartland Dancers
  • 271 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 272 Bideford computer stars

  • 273 So this is the mainland!

  • 274 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 275 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 276 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 277

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 278 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 279 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 280 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 281 All for the love of a lady!

  • 282 Finished in 1876

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

  • 284 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 285 Water Board mains spread through villages

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

  • 287 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 288 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 289 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 290 Parkham plan realised

  • 291 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 292

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 293 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 294 Just over a year old

  • 295 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 296

    Married in 1908
  • 297

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 298 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 299 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 300 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 301 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 302 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 303 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 304 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 305 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 306 Peter poses for TV film

  • 307 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 308 The cab at the corner>
  • 309

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 310 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 311 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 312 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 313

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 314 Bideford regatta

  • 315 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 316 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 317 Private home for public pump

  • 318 Picking the pops

  • 319 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 320 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 321 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 322 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 323 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 324 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 325 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 326 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 327

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 328 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 329 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 330 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 331 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 332 Variety in summer weather

  • 333 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 334 Jumble sale fever

  • 335 School's link with cargo ship

  • 336 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 337 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 338 Life begins at 80

  • 339 All aboard the ark

  • 340 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 341

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 342 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 343 He beat the floods

  • 344 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 345 Cruising down the river

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

  • 347 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 348 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 349 New choral society's growing response

  • 350 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 351 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 352 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 353 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 354 Some 240 exhibits

  • 355 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 356 For crying out loud!

  • 357 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 358 Burnard family reunion

  • 359 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 360 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 361 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 362 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 363 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 364 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 365 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 366 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 367 The creative urge on Saturday morning

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

  • 369 Police station view of Bideford

  • 370 A man and his wheel

  • 371 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 372 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 373 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 375 Hartland postman retires

  • 376 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 378

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 379 No laughing matter

  • 380 Torrington's new amenity

  • 381 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 382 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 383 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 384 Circus comes to town

  • 385 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 386 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 387

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 388 Northam's almshouse

  • 389 The art of the thatcher

  • 390 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 391

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 392 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 393 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 394 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 395 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 396 Warmington's garage ad

  • 397 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 398 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 399 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 400 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 401 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 402 Recognise this resort?

  • 403 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 404 Service with a smile

  • 405 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 406 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 407 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 408 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 409 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 410 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 412 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 413 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 414 End of the line

  • 415 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 416 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 417 New civic medallions

  • 418 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 419 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 420

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 421 Some mushroom!

  • 422 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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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Leaving North Devon

Brig C H M Peto has sold Kenwith Castle, his Abbotsham home, and has left for Marlborough, Wiltshire.

1954 C H M Peto

The new property, says Brig Peto, has about 22 acres, but he is hoping to obtain an adjoining farm to continue his agricultural pursuits. Brig Peto, who is not seeking re-election to Parliament at the next election – he has been Member of Parliament for the former North West Devon Division and, following constituency boundary reviews, for the North Devon Division since 1945 – took up residence at Kenwith Castle at the end of the last war. His late father, Sir Basil Peto, who was also MP for North West Devon for 12 years, was an honorary Freeman of Bideford in appreciation of his services to the community and in particular towards securing the restoration of the title of Port to the borough. ‘I shall, indeed, be sad to go, because my roots seem to have grown down in this neighbourhood and constituency’ Brig Peto said. ‘But Marlborough is within easy distance by road, or rail to London, which is a considerable factor when one has children going out into the world. We want to be able to have them home occasionally for weekends, and this would be practically impossible if we remained here’.

This is a 1954 Gazette article.

Abbotsham - Northam Wedding

Abbotsham - Northam Wedding - 16th January 1970

Wedding Ridd Rucki
 

The wedding has taken place at Bideford Register Office of Mr Kelvin John Charles Ridd, only son of Mr and Mrs John Ridd of 1 Seaview, Abbotsham, and Miss Sheila Mary Rucki, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs John Rucki of 37 Morwenna Park Road, Northam.
Best man was the bride's brother-in-law, Mr John Dyer. The reception was held at Durrant House Hotel.

Silver Jubilee of Abbotsham WI

Silver Jubilee of Abbotsham WI - 10th December 1971

Abbotsham WI 10 Dec 1971
 

A very successful silver jubilee dinner and dance was held in the New Inn Hotel, Bideford, by members of Abbotsham W.I.
The president (Mrs K Vanstone) welcomed a party of 70 members with their husbands and other guests.
A celebration cake, made by Mrs H Graham and iced by Mrs E Violet, was ceremonially cut by Miss Annie James, the oldest member.
Three past presidents were at the party.
Mrs R Beer proposed the toast to the guests, to which Mrs E Hemmel replied.
During the evening a boquet was presented to the president in appreciation of her efforts in arranging the function.

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