• 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 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 2 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 3 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 4 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 5 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 6 Some 240 exhibits

  • 7 It really was the 'last time'

  • 8 Off on a great adventure

  • 9 Some mushroom!

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

  • 11 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 12 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 13 From Bobby to Brian

  • 14 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 15 All aboard the ark

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

  • 17 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 18 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 19 Sight of a lifetime

  • 20 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 21 Peter poses for TV film

  • 22 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 23 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 24 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 25 New Post Office

  • 26 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 27 Weare Giffard potato

  • 28 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 29 Blanchards ad.>
  • 30 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 31 Private home for public pump

  • 32 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 33 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 34 113 years at Instow

  • 35 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 36

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 37 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 38 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 39 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 40

    First prize
  • 41 What's the time?

  • 42 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 43 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 44 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

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

  • 46 Cruising down the river

  • 47 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 48 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 49 Traditions and skills still there

  • 50 Variety in summer weather

  • 51 Decontrol of meat

  • 52 Northam's almshouse

  • 53

    Was a missionary
  • 54 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 55 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 56 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 57 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 58 New look in the hayfields

  • 59 Mural in the whimsical fashion

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

  • 61 Revenge in style

  • 62 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 63 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 64 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 65 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 66 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 67

    Exhibition of school work
  • 68 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 69 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 70 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 71 Out of puff!

  • 72

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 73 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 74

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 75 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 76 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 77 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 78 Hartland postman retires

  • 79 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 80 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 81 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 82 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 83 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 84 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 85 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 86 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 87 Happy Days!

  • 88 The Geneva marionettes

  • 89 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 90 Ships at Bideford

  • 91 The art of the thatcher

  • 92 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 93 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 94 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 95 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 96 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 97 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 98 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 100 Burnard family reunion

  • 101 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 102

    Married in 1908
  • 103 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 104 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 105 Recognise this resort?

  • 106 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 107 Hartland Dancers
  • 108 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 109 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 110 Picking the pops

  • 111 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 112 Can spring be far away?

  • 113 Warmington's garage ad

  • 114 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 115

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 116 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 117 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 118 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 119 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 120 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 121 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

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

  • 123 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 125 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 126 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 127 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 128

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 129 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 130 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 131 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 132 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 133 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 134 Torrington children build igloo
  • 135 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 136 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 137 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 138 School crossing patrol begins

  • 139 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 140 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 141 Penny for the guy

  • 142 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 143 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 144 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 145 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 146 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 147 Waldon Triplets
  • 148 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 149 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 150 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 151 Pannier Market's future?

  • 152

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 153 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 154 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 155 No sale of Springfield House

  • 156 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 157 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 158 A story to tell!

  • 159 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 160 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 161 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 162 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 163 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 164 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 165 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 166 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 167 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 168 New life for Hartland organ

  • 169 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 170

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 171 No laughing matter

  • 172 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

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

  • 174 Clovelly custom

  • 175 Bideford computer stars

  • 176 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 177 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 178 Caught in the act>
  • 179 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 180 New addition to Quay front

  • 181 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 182 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 183 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 184 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 185 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 186 Finished in 1876

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

  • 188 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 189 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 190 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 191 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 192 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 193 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 194 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 195 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 196 Torrington in 1967

  • 197 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 198 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 199 Northam footballers of the future

  • 200 Littleham family's five generations

  • 201 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 202 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 203 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 204 Ten year old scrambler

  • 205

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 206 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 207 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 208 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 209 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 210

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 211 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 212 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 213 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 214 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 215 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 216 Filming at Hartland

  • 217 Simple Item 138
  • 218 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 219 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 220 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 221 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 222 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 223 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 224 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 225 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 226 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 227 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 228 New Lundy stamps

  • 229 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 230 Twenty-one yachts

  • 231 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 232 Jumble sale fever

  • 233 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 234

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 235 Bideford regatta

  • 236 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 237 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 238 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 239 Loads of black and white

  • 240 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 241 Circus comes to town

  • 242 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 243 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 244 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 245 New art gallery opened

  • 246 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 247 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 248 A roof-top view - where?

  • 249 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 250 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 251 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 252 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 253 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 254 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 255 A man and his wheel

  • 256 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 257

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 258 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 259 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 260 New shipyard on schedule

  • 261 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 262 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 263 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 264 Six footed lamb

  • 265 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 266 North Devon Driving School

  • 267 End of the line

  • 268 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 269 Riverside mystery

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

  • 271 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 272 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 273 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 274 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 275 Appledore's largest

  • 276 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 277 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 278 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 279

    Relatives all over the world
  • 280 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 281 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 282 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 283 For crying out loud!

  • 284 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 285 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 286 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 287 Hartland's invitation

  • 288 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 289 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 290 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 291 New choral society's growing response

  • 292 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 293 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 294 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 295 Life begins at 80

  • 296 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 297 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 298 A bird of their own!

  • 299

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 300 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 302 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 303

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 304

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 305 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 306 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 307 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 308 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 309 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 310 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 311 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 312 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 313 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 314 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 315 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 316 The cab at the corner>
  • 317 Parkham plan realised

  • 318 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 319 Bridging the stream

  • 320

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 321

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 322 Mobile missionary

  • 323 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 324 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 325 Emergency ferry services

  • 326 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 327 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 328

    Bidefordians
  • 329 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 330 Over the bank together>
  • 331 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 332 Torrington's new amenity

  • 333 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 334 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 335 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 336 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 337 All for the love of a lady!

  • 338 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 339 School's link with cargo ship

  • 340 They are parted pro-tem

  • 341 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 342 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 343 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 344 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 345 Police station view of Bideford

  • 346 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 347 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 348 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 349 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 350 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 351 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 352

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 353 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 354 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 355 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 356

    Building works
  • 357 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 358 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 359 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 360 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 362 Sweets derationing

  • 363 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 364

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 365 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 366 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 367 Artisans' Club

  • 368 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 369 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 370 New civic medallions

  • 371 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 372 So this is the mainland!

  • 373 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 374 When horses score over the tractor

  • 375 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 376 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 377 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 378 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 379 He beat the floods

  • 380 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 381 Clovelly nightmare

  • 382 Puppet characters introduced

  • 383 Picking the pops

  • 384 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 385

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 386 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 387 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 388 Last train from Torrington

  • 389 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 390

    New gateway
  • 391 First ship in 8 years

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

  • 393 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 394 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 395

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 396 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 397

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 398 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 399 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 400 Bideford loses training ship

  • 401 Devil sent packing

  • 402 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 403 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 404 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 405 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 406

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 407 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 408 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 409

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 410 Just over a year old

  • 411 By pony and trap to market

  • 412 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 413 Service with a smile

  • 414 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 415 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 416

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 417 Capers on the cobbles

  • 418

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 419 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 420 In their new robes and hats

  • 421 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 422 Fish nearly pulled him in

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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  • 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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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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Pork Prizes At Alwington

A pig was given to be cut up for prizes for a whist drive held at Alwington Village Hall on Friday to aid the village hall repair fund.

7.3.1958 Alwington

There were 25½ tables and the duties of the MC were carried out by Mr L G Elston. Door stewards were Mrs Taylor, Miss M Hillman and Mr T Headon.
Prize winners were: Mrs S Brend; Mrs J L Parsons; Mrs V Headon; Mrs E Metherell; Mrs D Cornish; Mrs C Hedden; Mrs Rawle; Mr K Poole, Mr R Stoneman; Mrs H M Butler; Mr R Poole; Mr P Colwill; Mr E J Grigg; Mr G Lewis; Mr M Curtice; Mr F W Heard; Mrs A C Glover; Mr D R Wickett; Mr W G Tucker; Mr R Cooper; Mr E H Rowbottom; Felix; Mrs E M Cork. Mrs J Bailey was the holder of the lucky number ticket.
The full Gazette article is dated 7 March 1958

World War 1

Alwington

30.7.1918 Alwington Bradworthy

For the four best cottage allotments prizes have been awarded as follows: - Bailey, Woodtown, 1; J Daniel, Spamone, 2; J Beer, Woodtown, 3; T Glover, Woodtown. 4. The scheme was promoted by Major Kirkwood. Mr G Sleep, head gardener at Hartland Abby, was the judge, assisted by Messrs Sherriff and Luxton. Mr Sleep and Mr Sherriff also visited the school garden and commended the boys for their work, which as they said deserved a much better piece of ground.

Gazette article dated 30 July 1918

Alwington Enrols Guides and Brownies

Two mothers of Brownies, who had themselves been Girl Guides in the original Company, were among the many parents and friends attending the first enrolment held by the 1st Alwington Girl Guides and Brownie Company since it was re-formed last December.

2.5.1958 Alwington Girl Guides Brownies


Three members of the 1st Weare Giffard Guide Company formed the colour party and the ceremonies of enrolment were performed by the District Commissioner Mrs Coham-Fleming, assisted by Mrs P Metherell, Guide Captain, and Mrs J Hopper, Brown Owl.
The nine Girl Guides enrolled were Valerie Bailey, Wendy Beer, Janet Daniel, Mary Kay, Rosina Kay, Ann Lewis, Sylvia Martin, Jane Moase and Valerie Smale.
Patricia Daniel, Jill Dyke and Alice Kay were enrolled as Brownies.
Following the enrolments, the District Commissioner talked about the life of Lord Baden Powell and explained how the Guide Movement began.
The full Gazette article is dated 2 May 1958

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