• 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 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 2 Picking the pops

  • 3 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 4

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 5 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 6

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 7 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 8 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 9

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 10

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 11 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 12 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 13 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 14 New shipyard on schedule

  • 15

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 16 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 17 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 18 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 19 Bridging the stream

  • 20 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 21 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 22 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 23

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 24 Service with a smile

  • 25 North Devon Driving School

  • 26 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 27 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 28 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 29

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 30 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 31 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 32 Parkham plan realised

  • 33 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 34 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 35 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 36 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 37 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 38 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 39 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 40 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 41 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 42 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 43 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 44

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 45 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 46 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 47 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 48 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 49 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 50 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 51 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 52 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 53 Puppet characters introduced

  • 54 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 55 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 56 A bird of their own!

  • 57 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 58 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 59 For crying out loud!

  • 60 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 61 Bideford loses training ship

  • 62

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 63

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 64 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 65 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 66 Police station view of Bideford

  • 67 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 68

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 69 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 70 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 71 The cab at the corner>
  • 72 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 73 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 74 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 75 Hartland's invitation

  • 76 Simple Item 138
  • 77 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 78 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 79 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 80 Filming at Hartland

  • 81 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 82 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 83 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 84 Bideford computer stars

  • 85

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 86 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 87 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 88 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 89

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 90 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 91 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 92 When horses score over the tractor

  • 93 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

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

  • 95 Private home for public pump

  • 96 The art of the thatcher

  • 97 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 98 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 99 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 100 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 101 Twenty-one yachts

  • 102 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 103 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 104 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 105 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 106 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 107 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 108 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 109 By pony and trap to market

  • 110

    Bidefordians
  • 111 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 112 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 113 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 114 Out of puff!

  • 115 Weare Giffard potato

  • 116 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 117 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 118 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 119 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 120 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 121 Variety in summer weather

  • 122 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 123 Just over a year old

  • 124 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 125 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 126 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 127 Waldon Triplets
  • 128

    New gateway
  • 129 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 130 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 131 New Post Office

  • 132

    Relatives all over the world
  • 133 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 134 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 135 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 136 Some 240 exhibits

  • 137 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 138 Circus comes to town

  • 139 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 140 New civic medallions

  • 141 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 142 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 143 Last train from Torrington

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

  • 145 Traditions and skills still there

  • 146 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 147 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 148 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 149 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 150 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 151 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 152 Riverside mystery

  • 153 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 154 Burnard family reunion

  • 155

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 156 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 157 Northam's almshouse

  • 158 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 159 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 160 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 161 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 162 Torrington children build igloo
  • 163 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 164 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 165 Emergency ferry services

  • 166 Modern living at Bideford

  • 167 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 168 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 170 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 171 Blanchards ad.>
  • 172 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 173 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 174 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 175 New choral society's growing response

  • 176 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 177 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 178 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 179

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 180 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 181 Littleham family's five generations

  • 182 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 183 Northam footballers of the future

  • 184 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 185 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 186 Appledore's largest

  • 187 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 188 Picking the pops

  • 189 A story to tell!

  • 190 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 191

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 192 Penny for the guy

  • 193 Capers on the cobbles

  • 194 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 195 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 196 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 197 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 198 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 199 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 200 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 201 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 202 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 203 New look in the hayfields

  • 204 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 205

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 206 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 207 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 208 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 209

    Was a missionary
  • 210

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 211 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 213 So this is the mainland!

  • 214 Devil sent packing

  • 215 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 216 Bideford regatta

  • 217 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 218 Six footed lamb

  • 219 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 220 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 221

    Exhibition of school work
  • 222 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 223 Off on a great adventure

  • 224 A roof-top view - where?

  • 225 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 226 It really was the 'last time'

  • 227 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 228 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 229 What's the time?

  • 230 Some mushroom!

  • 231 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 232 113 years at Instow

  • 233 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 234 Ships at Bideford

  • 235 Decontrol of meat

  • 236 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 237 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 238 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 239 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 240 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 241 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 242 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 243 Clovelly custom

  • 244 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 245 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 246 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 247 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 248

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 249 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 250 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 251 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 252 Mobile missionary

  • 253 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 254

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 255 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 256 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 257 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 258 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 259 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 260 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 261 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 262 Jumble sale fever

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

  • 264 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 266 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 267 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 268 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 269 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 270 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 271 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 272 Recognise this resort?

  • 273 Sight of a lifetime

  • 274 Revenge in style

  • 275 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 276 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 277 Warmington's garage ad

  • 278

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 279 Appledore's new lifeboat

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

  • 281 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 282 Life begins at 80

  • 283 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 284 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 285 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 286 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 287 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 288 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 289 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 290 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 292 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 293

    Building works
  • 294 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 295 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 296 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 297 New Lundy stamps

  • 298 All aboard the ark

  • 299 Cruising down the river

  • 300 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 301 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 302

    Married in 1908
  • 303 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 304

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 305 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 306 Over the bank together>
  • 307 Sweets derationing

  • 308 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 309 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 310 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 311 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 312 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 313 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 314 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 315 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 316 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 317 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 318 Happy Days!

  • 319 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 320 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 321 Can spring be far away?

  • 322 New addition to Quay front

  • 323 Torrington in 1967

  • 324 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 325 Torrington's new amenity

  • 326

    First prize
  • 327 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 328 First ship in 8 years

  • 329

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 330 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 331 Artisans' Club

  • 332 New art gallery opened

  • 333 School's link with cargo ship

  • 334 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 335 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 336 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 337 End of the line

  • 338 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 339 Pannier Market's future?

  • 340 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 341

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 342 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 343 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 344 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 345 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 346 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 347 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 348 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 349 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 350 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 351 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 352 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 353

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 354 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 355 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 356 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 357 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 358 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 359 Hartland postman retires

  • 360 In their new robes and hats

  • 361 Peter poses for TV film

  • 362 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 363 Torrington's shelter for the aged

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

  • 365 From Bobby to Brian

  • 366 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 367 First tankers arrive at new depot

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

  • 369 He beat the floods

  • 370 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 371 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 372 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 373 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 374 A man and his wheel

  • 375 Clovelly nightmare

  • 376 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 377 Loads of black and white

  • 378 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 379 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 380 New life for Hartland organ

  • 381 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 382 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 383 Finished in 1876

  • 384 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 385 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 386 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 387 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 388 No sale of Springfield House

  • 389 Caught in the act>
  • 390 No laughing matter

  • 391 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 392 They are parted pro-tem

  • 393 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 394 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 395 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 396 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 397 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 398 Hartland Dancers
  • 399 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 400 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 401 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 402 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 403 The Geneva marionettes

  • 404 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 405 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 406 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 407 All for the love of a lady!

  • 408 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 409 Centenary of Gazette

  • 410 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 411 Ten year old scrambler

  • 412 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 413 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 414 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

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

  • 416 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 417 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 418 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 419 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 420 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 421 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 422 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

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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  • 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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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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Eighty Eight Years

Eighty Eight Years - 6th May 1977

6.5.1977 Buckland Brewer Blight
 

Two Buckland Brewer brothers, Messrs Roy and Leonard Blight, are to receive long service agricultural certificates and tankards at Devon County Show.
Both are ringers at Buckland Parish Church, Roy being the Captain, and both play skittles. Roy, who is 60, lives at 1 Rolles Terrace, employed by Messrs F J Babb and Son, he has worked at Batsons for 47 years. Brother Leonard, two years's older, lives at Tower Hill and has worked for 41 years at Barton Farm where he is employed by Messrs G Heywood and Sons.
A certificate and tankard will also go to Mr Louis Oke of Worden Farm, Milton Damerel, employed by Mr W B Harris he has worked at Bountisthorne, East Putford, for 40 years. Another recipient is forestry worker Mr Terence Knight of 11 Forestry Houses, Holsworthy.

Celebrating A Teaching Centenary

Celebrating A Teaching Centenary - 7th April 1977

7.4.1977 Buckland Brewer School
 

Pupils of Buckland Brewer School turned back the clock by wearing Victorian style clothes to mark the day, exactly 100 years ago, when their school opened. Helen and Alison Wood were among the children who dressed up.
A centenary exhibition was opened by Mr Michael Tunnicliffe and Mr Tom Cock presented the school with a special silver cup. In the evening the children entertained parents and other friends. Speakers were the Vicar, Rev Raymond Lucas, and the Methodist Minister, Rev P J Collingwood. Mrs E M Simpson has written an interesting booklet detailing records and personal memories, the history of the school, and an ex pupil, Mr Lloyd Prance, has written a centenary song set to music by Mrs Withecombe.

Rings The Bells That His Great Grandfather Cast

Rings The Bells That His Great Grandfather Re-Cast - 15th July 1977

15.7.1977 Buckland Brewer bells
 

Mr Paul Taylor of the famous firm of Loughborough bellfounders joined the ringers in the tower to ring the bells that were re-cast in the village foundry in 1825 by John Taylor, his great-grandfather. During the eight years he lived in Buckland, John Taylor cast over 100 bells at the Southwood Farm foundry.

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