• 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 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 2 Bideford computer stars

  • 3 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 4 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 5 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 6 Last train from Torrington

  • 7 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 8 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 9 The art of the thatcher

  • 10 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 11 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 12 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 13 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 14 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 15 Bideford loses training ship

  • 16 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 17 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 18 Littleham family's five generations

  • 19 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 20 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 21

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 22 All for the love of a lady!

  • 23 New addition to Quay front

  • 24 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 25 Happy Days!

  • 26 Torrington children build igloo
  • 27

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 28 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 29 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 30 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 31 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 32 Hartland Dancers
  • 33 New art gallery opened

  • 34 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 35 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 36 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 37 Peter poses for TV film

  • 38 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 39 Cruising down the river

  • 40 New look in the hayfields

  • 41 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 42 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 43 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 44 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 45 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 46 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 47 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 48 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 49 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 50 Pannier Market's future?

  • 51 Modern living at Bideford

  • 52 Mobile missionary

  • 53 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 54 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 55 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 56 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 57 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 58 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 59 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 60 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 61 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 62 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 63 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 64 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 65 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 66 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 67

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 68 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 69

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 70 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 71 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 72 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 73 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 74 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 75 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

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

  • 77

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 78 Some 240 exhibits

  • 79 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 80 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 81 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 82 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 83

    Was a missionary
  • 84

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 85 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 86 Filming at Hartland

  • 87 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 88 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

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

  • 90 Traditions and skills still there

  • 91 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 92

    Exhibition of school work
  • 93 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 94 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 95 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 96 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 97 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 98 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 99 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 100

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 101 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 102 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 103 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 104 Can spring be far away?

  • 105 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 106 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 107 A man and his wheel

  • 108 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 109 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 110 Appledore's largest

  • 111 By pony and trap to market

  • 112 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 113 What's the time?

  • 114 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 115 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 116 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 117 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 118 Ships at Bideford

  • 119 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 120 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 121 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 122 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 123

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 124 Sweets derationing

  • 125 Clovelly nightmare

  • 126 Centenary of Gazette

  • 127 New life for Hartland organ

  • 128 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 129 Clovelly custom

  • 130 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 131

    Married in 1908
  • 132

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 133 For crying out loud!

  • 134 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 135 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 136 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 137 Puppet characters introduced

  • 138 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 139 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 140 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 141 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 142 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 143 A story to tell!

  • 144 New choral society's growing response

  • 145 Blanchards ad.>
  • 146 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 147 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 148 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 149 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 150 Northam footballers of the future

  • 151 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 152 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 153 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 154 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 155 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

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

  • 157 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 158 Riverside mystery

  • 159 All aboard the ark

  • 160 Parkham plan realised

  • 161 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 163 A roof-top view - where?

  • 164 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 165 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 166 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 167 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 168 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 169 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 170 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 171 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 172 Life begins at 80

  • 173 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 174 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 175 Simple Item 138
  • 176 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 177 Loads of black and white

  • 178 Circus comes to town

  • 179 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 180 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 181 Out of puff!

  • 182 Finished in 1876

  • 183

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 184 Decontrol of meat

  • 185 Revenge in style

  • 186 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 187 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 188 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 189 113 years at Instow

  • 190 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 191 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 192 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 193 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 194 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 195 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 196 Artisans' Club

  • 197 The cab at the corner>
  • 198 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 200 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 201 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 202 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 203 North Devon Driving School

  • 204 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 205 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 206 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 207 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 208 Penny for the guy

  • 209 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 210 New shipyard on schedule

  • 211 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 212 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 213 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 214 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 215 Some mushroom!

  • 216 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 217 Picking the pops

  • 218 Weare Giffard potato

  • 219 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 220 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 221 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 222

    First prize
  • 223 Burnard family reunion

  • 224 Six footed lamb

  • 225

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 226 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 227 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 228 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 229

    New gateway
  • 230 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 231 Off on a great adventure

  • 232 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 233

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 234 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 235 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

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

  • 237 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 238 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 239 New Post Office

  • 240 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 241 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 242 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 243 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 244 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 245 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 246 Twenty-one yachts

  • 247 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 248 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 249 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 250 Torrington in 1967

  • 251 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 252 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 253 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 254 No sale of Springfield House

  • 255 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 256 Variety in summer weather

  • 257 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 258 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 259 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 260 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 261 First ship in 8 years

  • 262 When horses score over the tractor

  • 263 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 264 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 265 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 266 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 267 Bridging the stream

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

  • 269 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 270

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 271 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 272 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 273 Caught in the act>
  • 274 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 275 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 276

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 277

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 278 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 279 Over the bank together>
  • 280 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 281 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 282 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 283 From Bobby to Brian

  • 284 Hartland postman retires

  • 285 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 286 Service with a smile

  • 287 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 288 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 289 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 290 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 291 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 292 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 293

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 294 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 295 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 296 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 297 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 298 The Geneva marionettes

  • 299 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 300 Faints as she wins national competition

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

  • 302 Devil sent packing

  • 303 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 304 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 305 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 306 Torrington's new amenity

  • 307 Police station view of Bideford

  • 308 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 309 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 310 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 311 End of the line

  • 312 Picking the pops

  • 313 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 314 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 315 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 316 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 317 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 318

    Building works
  • 319 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 320

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 321 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 322 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 323 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 324 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 325 So this is the mainland!

  • 326 New civic medallions

  • 327 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 328 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 329

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 330 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 331 Jumble sale fever

  • 332 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 333 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 334 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 335 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 337 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

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

  • 339 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 340 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 341 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 342 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 343 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 344 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 345 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 346 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 347 Private home for public pump

  • 348 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 349 Sight of a lifetime

  • 350 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 351 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 352 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 353 No laughing matter

  • 354 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 355 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 356 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 357 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 358 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 359 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 360

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 361 Just over a year old

  • 362 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 363 In their new robes and hats

  • 364 Hartland's invitation

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

  • 366

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 367 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 368

    Relatives all over the world
  • 369 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 370 Recognise this resort?

  • 371 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 372 A bird of their own!

  • 373 Bideford regatta

  • 374 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 375 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 376

    Bidefordians
  • 377 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 378 School's link with cargo ship

  • 379 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 380 Northam's almshouse

  • 381 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 383 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 385 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 386 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 387 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 388 Ten year old scrambler

  • 389 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 390 They are parted pro-tem

  • 391 School crossing patrol begins

  • 392 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 393

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 394

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 395 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 396 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 397 Capers on the cobbles

  • 398 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 399 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 400 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 401 Waldon Triplets
  • 402 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 403 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 404 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 405 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 406 Warmington's garage ad

  • 407 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 408 Emergency ferry services

  • 409

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 410 New Lundy stamps

  • 411 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 412 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 413 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 414

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 415

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 416 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 417 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 418 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 419 He beat the floods

  • 420 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 421 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 422 Beach search for mines takes longer

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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  • 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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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 Post Office Raid

Instow Post Office Raid: Three Accused - 5th May 1967

5.5.1967 Instow Post Office raid
 

Three young men accused of robbing Instow Post Office on Wednesday were yesterday afternoon remanded in custody at a special court at Bideford. They were charged that on May 10th at Instow they robbed Doris Sarah Shepherd and stole from her £361-9-3 and 64 National Insurance stamps. On the application of Police Inspector D T P Cowling the men were remanded. Bail was refused.
The Inspector told the magistrate (Mr G Heywood) that the three men entered Instow Post Office and one of them lured the son of the postmistress, Mr William Shepherd, from behind the counter.
At about 4.10pm, the same day, Motor Patrol Constables Joyner and Randall were near the river bridge at Umberleigh when the accused men broke through the road block. They were arrested after a struggle. Throughout the hearing each of the accused was handcuffed to a policeman.

Lloyds Scholarship For Instow Man

Lloyds Scholarship For Instow Man - 14th April 1967

14.4.1967 Instow Molland
 

One of this year's three Lloyd's Register of Shipping scholarships has been awarded to a 26-year-old Instow man, Mr Tony Molland, for naval architecture. Now living in Middlesex, he works for P&O Lines as an assistant navel architect. He went to Barnstaple Grammar School and won a place at Durham University.
He is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs M T Molland of Instow.

Nativity Tableaux At Instow

Nativity Tableaux At Instow - 21st December 1948

21 December 1948 Instow nativity
 

Instow Women's Institute combined with Church members and children to produce Nativity Tableaux, presented in Instow Parish Church.
The producer was Miss Arnold. As each tableaux was presented the Rector Bishop S A Bill read passeges from the Bible to illustrate them. The Women's Institute, conducted by Miss Seyfert, sang carols accompanied by Mrs Atwood at the organ. Those taking part in the tableaux were Miss M Yeo; Miss J Anstey; Mrs Barnes; Miss Berry Torr; Mrs West, Mrs Balman and Mrs Braunton; Mrs Jennings, Miss Cater and Miss Cann; Misses N Stevens, D Tucker, C Lamey, W Lamey and Cole, Tony Molland, John Braunton; Jacqueline Morris, Jane Smallridge; Jacqueline Seymour, Miriam Garde, Janet Garde and Jennifer Cooper.

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