• 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 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 2 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 3 For crying out loud!

  • 4 Artisans' Club

  • 5 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 6 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 8 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 9 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 10 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 11 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 12 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 13 Caught in the act>
  • 14 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 15 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 16 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 17 New addition to Quay front

  • 18 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 19 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 20 Clovelly custom

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

  • 22 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 23 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 24 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 25 They are parted pro-tem

  • 26 He beat the floods

  • 27 Happy Days!

  • 28 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 29 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 30 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 31

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 32 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 33 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 34 Waldon Triplets
  • 35 End of the line

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

  • 37 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 38 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 39 Peter poses for TV film

  • 40 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 41 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 42 Filming at Hartland

  • 43 Hartland's invitation

  • 44 Over the bank together>
  • 45 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 46 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 47

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 48 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 49 Hartland Dancers
  • 50 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 51

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 52 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 53 All for the love of a lady!

  • 54

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 55 Parkham plan realised

  • 56

    New gateway
  • 57 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 58 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 59 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 60 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 61 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 62 Twenty-one yachts

  • 63 Circus comes to town

  • 64 Hartland postman retires

  • 65 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 66 So this is the mainland!

  • 67 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 68 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 69 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 70 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 71

    Bidefordians
  • 72 New life for Hartland organ

  • 73 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 74 Appledore's largest

  • 75

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 76 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 77 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 78 113 years at Instow

  • 79 Off on a great adventure

  • 80 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 81 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 82 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 83 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 84 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 85 Emergency ferry services

  • 86 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 87

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 88 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 89 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 90 School crossing patrol begins

  • 91 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 92 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 93 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 94 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 95 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 96 A bird of their own!

  • 97 When horses score over the tractor

  • 98 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 99 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 100 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 101 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 102 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 103 Life begins at 80

  • 104 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 105 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 106 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 107

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 108 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 109

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 110 Torrington children build igloo
  • 111 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 112 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 113 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 114 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 115 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 116 North Devon Driving School

  • 117 Bideford computer stars

  • 118 Capers on the cobbles

  • 119 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 120

    Married in 1908
  • 121 New Post Office

  • 122 Devil sent packing

  • 123 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 124 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 125

    First prize
  • 126 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 127 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 128 Finished in 1876

  • 129 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 130 The art of the thatcher

  • 131 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 132 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 133 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 134 New choral society's growing response

  • 135

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 136 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 137 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 138 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 139 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 140 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 141 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 142 Some 240 exhibits

  • 143 Ten year old scrambler

  • 144 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 145 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 146 Bridging the stream

  • 147 In their new robes and hats

  • 148 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 150 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 151 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 152 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 153 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 154 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 155 New Lundy stamps

  • 156 Clovelly nightmare

  • 157 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 158 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 159 School's link with cargo ship

  • 160 Some mushroom!

  • 161 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 163 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 164

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 165 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 166 Out of puff!

  • 167 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 168 No laughing matter

  • 169 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 170 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 171

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 172 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 173

    Building works
  • 174 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 175 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 176

    Exhibition of school work
  • 177 It really was the 'last time'

  • 178 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 179 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 180

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 181 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 182 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 183

    Was a missionary
  • 184 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 185 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 186

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 187 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 189 Simple Item 138
  • 190 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 191 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 192 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 193 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 194 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 195 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 196 The cab at the corner>
  • 197 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 198 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 199 Pannier Market's future?

  • 200

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 201 Revenge in style

  • 202 Riverside mystery

  • 203 Mobile missionary

  • 204 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 205 Northam footballers of the future

  • 206 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 207 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 208 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 209 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 210 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 211 By pony and trap to market

  • 212

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 213 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 214 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 215 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 216

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 217 Torrington in 1967

  • 218 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 219 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 220 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 221 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 222

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 223 Recognise this resort?

  • 224 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 225

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 226 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 227 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 228 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 229 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 230 No sale of Springfield House

  • 231 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 232 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 233 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 234 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 235 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 236 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 237 Jumble sale fever

  • 238 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 239 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 240 New art gallery opened

  • 241 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 242 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 243 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 244 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 245 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 246 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 247 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 248 Bideford regatta

  • 249

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 250 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 251 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 252 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 253 What's the time?

  • 254 A roof-top view - where?

  • 255 New look in the hayfields

  • 256 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 257 Torrington's new amenity

  • 258 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 259 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 260 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 261 Variety in summer weather

  • 262

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 263 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 264 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 265 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 266 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 268 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 269 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 270 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 271 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 272 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 273 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 274 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 275 Decontrol of meat

  • 276 From Bobby to Brian

  • 277 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 278 New shipyard on schedule

  • 279 The Geneva marionettes

  • 280 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 281 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 282 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 283 Can spring be far away?

  • 284 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 285 Blanchards ad.>
  • 286 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

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

  • 288 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 289 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 290 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 291 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 292 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 293 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 294 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 295 Sweets derationing

  • 296 Loads of black and white

  • 297 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 298 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 299 Littleham family's five generations

  • 300 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 301 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 302 Picking the pops

  • 303

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 304 Modern living at Bideford

  • 305 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 306 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 307 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 308 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 309 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 310 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 311 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 313 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 314 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 315 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 316 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 317 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 318 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 319 Northam's almshouse

  • 320 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 321 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 322 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 323 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 324 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 325 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 326 Saving money, wear and tear

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

  • 328 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 329 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 330 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 331 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 332 Sight of a lifetime

  • 333 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 334 Burnard family reunion

  • 335 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 336

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 337 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 338 Six footed lamb

  • 339 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 340 Penny for the guy

  • 341 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 342 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 343 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 344 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 345 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 346 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 347 All aboard the ark

  • 348 Warmington's garage ad

  • 349 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 350 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

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

  • 352 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 353 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 354

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 355 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 356 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 357 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 358 A story to tell!

  • 359 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 360 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 361 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 363 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 364 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 365 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 366 First ship in 8 years

  • 367 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 368 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 369 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 370 Just over a year old

  • 371 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 372 Watch the dicky bird!

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

  • 374 Ships at Bideford

  • 375 Puppet characters introduced

  • 376

    Relatives all over the world
  • 377 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 378 Centenary of Gazette

  • 379

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 380 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 381 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 382 Weare Giffard potato

  • 383 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 384 New civic medallions

  • 385 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 386 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 387 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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

  • 389 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 390 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 391 Last train from Torrington

  • 392 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 393 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 394 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 395 A man and his wheel

  • 396 Bideford loses training ship

  • 397 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 398 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 399 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 400 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 401 Police station view of Bideford

  • 402 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 403 Cruising down the river

  • 404 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 405 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 406 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 407 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 408 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 409 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 410

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 411 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 412 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 413 Service with a smile

  • 414 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 415 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 416 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 417 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 418 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 419 Private home for public pump

  • 420 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 421 Picking the pops

  • 422 Torrington Church's new organ

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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Bradworthy Opens Its Memorial Hall

On Saturday nearly 2,000 people attended the opening of Bradworthy Memorial Hall

21.7.1961 Bradworthy Hall

When it was decided to build a hall as a war memorial, a substantial sum was given by Lieut-Col E J W Spread im memory of his sons who were killed in the 1939-45 war. In 1953 a suitable site was bought for £250, and the building began in November 1960, the cost to be about £7,250.

Up to Saturday there about £4,000 in hand, £2,300 of which had been raised since July of last year. The Ministry of Education has promised a grant of £2,150.

Mr G V Northcott, of Exmouth, who opened the hall, was introduced by Mr R G Pomeroy, chairman of the hall committee. After a prayer of dedication by the Rev T R Gibby, Vicar, Mr Northcott unlocked the door of the hall.

The chairman read a telegram of congratulation and good wishes from Col Spread, who was unable to make the journey from Sussex, where he now lives.

Gazette article dated 21 July 1961

New Year Honour For Farmer

Bradworthy farmer Mr Richard Pomeroy, an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

4.1.1974 Bradworthy Pomeroy

Aged 57, he lives at Great Dinworthy, Bradworthy, and has been a regional member of the Western Counties Milk Marketing Board for some years. He is a former chairman of Devon NFU and when elected was the youngest farmer to fill this position. Starting with a smallholding at Highampton, he now runs a 400 acre dairy farm with his son Alan.
The full Gazette article is dated 4 January 1974.

World War 1

Bradworthy

18.6.1918 Bradworthy


The Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary blessed by glorious weather, proved to be an unqualified success.
On Sunday, Rev P Collier gave excellent sermons. There are many regrets at the possibility of his leaving this circuit at the next Conference. The singing was hearty and the collections good.

Gazette article dated 18 June 1918

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