• 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 childrens' cinema opens

  • 2

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 3 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 4 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 5 Northam footballers of the future

  • 6 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 7 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 8

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 9 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 10

    Exhibition of school work
  • 11 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 12 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 13 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 14 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 15 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 16 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 17 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 18 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 19 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 20 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 21 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 22 It really was the 'last time'

  • 23 Steep street of old Bideford

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

  • 25 Life begins at 80

  • 26 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 28 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 29 Torrington's new amenity

  • 30 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 31 Sweets derationing

  • 32 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 33 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 34 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 35 Clovelly custom

  • 36 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 37 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 38 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 39 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 40 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 41 Six footed lamb

  • 42 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 43 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 44 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 46 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 47 Service with a smile

  • 48 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 49 Filming at Hartland

  • 50 Record player of 80 years ago

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

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

  • 53 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 54 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 55 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 56 Some 240 exhibits

  • 57 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 58 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 59 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 60 Farewell to passenger trains

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

  • 62

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 63 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 64

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 65 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 66 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 67 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 68 Recognise this resort?

  • 69 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 70 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 71 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 72 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 73 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 74 So this is the mainland!

  • 75 End of the line

  • 76 When horses score over the tractor

  • 77 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 78 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 79 Riverside mystery

  • 80 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 81 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 82 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 83 The art of the thatcher

  • 84 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

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

  • 86 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 87 Littleham family's five generations

  • 88 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 89 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 90 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 91 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 92 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 93 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 94 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 95 All for the love of a lady!

  • 96 New Post Office

  • 97 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 98

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 99 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 100 They are parted pro-tem

  • 101 Picking the pops

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

  • 103 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 104 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 105 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 106 Picking the pops

  • 107 Twenty-one yachts

  • 108 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 109 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 110 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 111 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 112 What's the time?

  • 113 Penny for the guy

  • 114 A story to tell!

  • 115 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 116 Jumble sale fever

  • 117 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 118 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 119 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 120 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 121

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 122 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 123 Traditions and skills still there

  • 124 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 125

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 126 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 127 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 128 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 129

    Bidefordians
  • 130 Variety in summer weather

  • 131

    Was a missionary
  • 132 Hartland's invitation

  • 133 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 134

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 135 Bideford regatta

  • 136 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 137 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 138 Bideford computer stars

  • 139 Clovelly nightmare

  • 140 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 141 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 142 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 143 New choral society's growing response

  • 144 Parkham plan realised

  • 145 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 146 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 147 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 148 Circus comes to town

  • 149 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 150

    Relatives all over the world
  • 151 Bideford loses training ship

  • 152 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 153 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 154 Centenary of Gazette

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

  • 156 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 157 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 158 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 159 New art gallery opened

  • 160 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 161 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 162 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 163 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 164 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 165 Mobile missionary

  • 166 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 167 Warmington's garage ad

  • 168 New look in the hayfields

  • 169 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 170 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 171 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 172 Out of puff!

  • 173 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 174 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 175 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 176 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 177 Ten year old scrambler

  • 178 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 179 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 180 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 181 Peter poses for TV film

  • 182 Ships at Bideford

  • 183 He beat the floods

  • 184 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 185 Blanchards ad.>
  • 186 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 187 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 188 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 189 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 190 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 191 North Devon Driving School

  • 192

    First prize
  • 193 Northam's almshouse

  • 194

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 195 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 196 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 197 Decontrol of meat

  • 198 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 199 Last train from Torrington

  • 200 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 201 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 202 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 203 Some mushroom!

  • 204 The Geneva marionettes

  • 205 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 206 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 207

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 208 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 209 'Les Girls' of Hartland

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

  • 211 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 212 113 years at Instow

  • 213 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 214 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 215 Private home for public pump

  • 216 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 217 Bridging the stream

  • 218 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 219 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 220 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 221 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 222 All aboard the ark

  • 223

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 224 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 225 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 226 Revenge in style

  • 227 Hartland postman retires

  • 228 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 229 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 230 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 231 Cruising down the river

  • 232

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 233 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 234 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 235 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 236 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 237 Calf thinks of mare as mum

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

  • 239 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 240 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 241 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 242 New addition to Quay front

  • 243 Artisans' Club

  • 244 New life for Hartland organ

  • 245 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 246 Happy Days!

  • 247 First ship in 8 years

  • 248 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 249 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 250 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 251 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 252 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 253 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 254 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 255 New shipyard on schedule

  • 256 Hartland Dancers
  • 257 Devil sent packing

  • 258 Finished in 1876

  • 259 Off on a great adventure

  • 260 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 261 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 262 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 263

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 264 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 265

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 266 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 267 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 268 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 269 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 270 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 271 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 272 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 273 No sale of Springfield House

  • 274 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 275 Modern living at Bideford

  • 276

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 277 A man and his wheel

  • 278 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 279 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 280 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 281 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 282 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 283 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 284 In their new robes and hats

  • 285 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 286 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 287

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 288 Can spring be far away?

  • 289 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 290 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 291 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 292 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 293 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 294 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 295 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 296 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 297 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 298 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 299 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 300 Weare Giffard potato

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

  • 302 New civic medallions

  • 303 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 304 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 305 Burnard family reunion

  • 306 Pannier Market's future?

  • 307

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 308 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 309 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 310 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 311 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 312 No laughing matter

  • 313 School crossing patrol begins

  • 314 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 315 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 316

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 317 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 318 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 319 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 320 Loads of black and white

  • 321 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 322 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 323 Police station view of Bideford

  • 324 The cab at the corner>
  • 325 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 326 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 327 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 328 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 329 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 330 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 331 Torrington in 1967

  • 332 School's link with cargo ship

  • 333 Simple Item 138
  • 334 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 335 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 336 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 337 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 338

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 339 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 340 A bird of their own!

  • 341 A roof-top view - where?

  • 342

    Married in 1908
  • 343 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 344 Torrington children build igloo
  • 345 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 346 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 347 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 348

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 349 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 350 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 351 From Bobby to Brian

  • 352 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 353 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 354 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 356 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 357 By pony and trap to market

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

  • 359 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 360 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 361 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 362 Capers on the cobbles

  • 363 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 364 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 365 Emergency ferry services

  • 366 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 367 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 368 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 369 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 370 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 371 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 372 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 373 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 374 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 375 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 376 Puppet characters introduced

  • 377 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 378 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 379 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 380 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 381 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 382

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 383 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 384 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 385 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 386 For crying out loud!

  • 387 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 388 Waldon Triplets
  • 389 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 390 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 391 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 392 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 393 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 394 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 395 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 396 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 397 Over the bank together>
  • 398

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 399

    Building works
  • 400 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 401

    New gateway
  • 402 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 403 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 404

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 405 Just over a year old

  • 406 New Lundy stamps

  • 407 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 408

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 409 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 410 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 411 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 412 Caught in the act>
  • 413 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 414

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 415 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 416 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 417 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 418 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 419 Appledore's largest

  • 420 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 421 Sight of a lifetime

  • 422 Born 1883 - still going strong

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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  • 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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  • 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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Instow's New Telephone Exchange

Switch to automatic

The new automatice exchange at Instow will be brought into service at 1.30pm on Wednesday, February 7th. Subscriber trunk dialling facilities are not being provided at the outset, but should be available for non-coinbox customers later in the year. The new building is at Back Road, Instow, and the equipment was installed by Post Office engineers.

All customers will be able to dial 30 local exchanges and 999 (Emergency) and Speaking Clock facilities will also be available. Local calls will be untimed as at present.

Although the existing manual exchange at Instow will close, operator services will still be available - these calls will, however, be handled at Barnstaple.

12.1.1968 Instow telephone exchange

 

Gazette dated January 12, 1968

Veteran Alderman Starts Big Scheme

Work began on a £60,000

widening scheme on the Back Road, Instow, and Ald Tom Anstey, vice-chairman of Devon Roads Committee and chairman of the Northern Division Roads Committee, informally inaugurated the scheme.

2.7.1965 Instow road widening Anstey

Ald Anstey climbed into a cabin of a Devon County Council diesel driven loader and trench digger, and, with a bit of help from the operator, Mr Mervyn Prust, of Pilton, switched on the engine and sent the bucket biting into the earth to scoop up a cwt. or so of soil.

For over 30 years he has been campaigning for the road widening. The widened road will run for three quarters of a mile.

Ald Anstey admitted that they had waited a long, long time. Since he has been made an alderman his successor, Mr John Andrew, had carried on the good work. Devon County Council had had to acquire 52 plots of land and use compulsory powers.

He warned villagers there were likely to be temporary difficulties. Because of the urgency it had been decided to start right away, now that the land was available. “Don’t grumble; we cannot do this work in the winter” he said.

Children of Instow School had time off to watch the ceremony, and among the guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Mrs E J Brown and Mrs L B Galliford.

Gazette article 2 July 1965

All On A Summer's Day

An 'artistic' moment at Instow during the presentation of the comedy "All on a summer's day" during an entertaining evening in aid of the Cancer Campaign funds, reported last week.

6.6.1958 Instow


The play was written by Mrs P Dreyer, of Instow. Seen in the photograph are: Miss Beckwith, Mrs Green, Mr Alan Bowyer, Mrs Weaver, Mrs Forster, Mrs Harvey and Miss Pilkington.

Gazette article dated 6 June 1958

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