• 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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    Married in 1908
  • 2 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

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

  • 4 Torrington's new amenity

  • 5 New choral society's growing response

  • 6 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 7 Circus comes to town

  • 8 Last train from Torrington

  • 9 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 10 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 11 New Lundy stamps

  • 12 All for the love of a lady!

  • 13

    Was a missionary
  • 14 Caught in the act>
  • 15 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 16 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 17 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 18 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 19 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 20 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 21 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 22 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 23 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 24

    Exhibition of school work
  • 25 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 26 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 27 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 28 Blanchards ad.>
  • 29 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 30 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 31 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 32 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 33 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 34

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 35

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 36 They are parted pro-tem

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

  • 38 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 39 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 40 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 41 Can spring be far away?

  • 42 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 43 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 44 North Devon Driving School

  • 45 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 46 A roof-top view - where?

  • 47

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 48 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 49 Some mushroom!

  • 50 Hartland's invitation

  • 51 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 52 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 53

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 54

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 55 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 56 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 57 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 58 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 59 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 61 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 62 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 63 A story to tell!

  • 64 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 65 When horses score over the tractor

  • 66 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 67 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 68 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 69 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 71 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 72 Weare Giffard potato

  • 73 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 74 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 75 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 76 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

  • 78 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 79 Northam's almshouse

  • 80 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 81 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 82

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 83 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 84

    Bidefordians
  • 85 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 86 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 87 So this is the mainland!

  • 88 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 89 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 90 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 91

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 92 New look in the hayfields

  • 93 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 95 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 96 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 97 New life for Hartland organ

  • 98 Puppet characters introduced

  • 99

    First prize
  • 100 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 101 Life begins at 80

  • 102 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 103 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 104 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 105 Littleham family's five generations

  • 106 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 107 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 108 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 109 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 110 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 111 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 112 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 113 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 114 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 115 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 116 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 117 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 118 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 119

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 120 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 121 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 122 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 123 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 124 Bideford computer stars

  • 125 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 126 Finished in 1876

  • 127 Sweets derationing

  • 128 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 129 Recognise this resort?

  • 130 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 131 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 132 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 133 School's link with cargo ship

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

  • 135 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 136 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 137 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 138 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 139 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 140

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 141 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 142 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 143 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 144 Revenge in style

  • 145 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 146 For crying out loud!

  • 147 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 148 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 149 Riverside mystery

  • 150 Ships at Bideford

  • 151

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 152 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 153 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 154 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 155 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 156 Twenty-one yachts

  • 157 Private home for public pump

  • 158 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 159 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 160

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 161 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 162 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 163

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 164 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 165 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 166 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 167 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 168 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 169 From Bobby to Brian

  • 170 Torrington in 1967

  • 171 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 172

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 173 Police station view of Bideford

  • 174 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 175 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 176

    Relatives all over the world
  • 177 Some 240 exhibits

  • 178 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 179 Out of puff!

  • 180 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 181 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 182 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 183 Off on a great adventure

  • 184 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 185 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 186 New civic medallions

  • 187 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 188 Peter poses for TV film

  • 189 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 190 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 191 Artisans' Club

  • 192 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 193 In their new robes and hats

  • 194 Ten year old scrambler

  • 195 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 196 New shipyard on schedule

  • 197 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 198 Clovelly custom

  • 199 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 200 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 201 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 202 Traditions and skills still there

  • 203 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 204 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 205 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 206 Modern living at Bideford

  • 207 Service with a smile

  • 208 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 209 New addition to Quay front

  • 210 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 211 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 212 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 213 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 214 Loads of black and white

  • 215 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 216 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 217 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 218 The Geneva marionettes

  • 219 Variety in summer weather

  • 220 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 222 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 223 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 224 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 225 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 226 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 227 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 228 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 229

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 230 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 231 113 years at Instow

  • 232 Picking the pops

  • 233 Designed and made in Bideford

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

  • 235 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 236

    Building works
  • 237 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 238 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 239 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 240 Bideford loses training ship

  • 241 Hartland Dancers
  • 242 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 243 No sale of Springfield House

  • 244 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 245 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 246 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 247 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 248 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 249

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 250

    New gateway
  • 251 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 252

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 253 Bridging the stream

  • 254 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 255 Over the bank together>
  • 256 New art gallery opened

  • 257 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 258 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 259 Waldon Triplets
  • 260 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 261 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 262 Burnard family reunion

  • 263 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 264 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 265 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 266 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 267 The cab at the corner>
  • 268 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 269 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 270 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 271 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 272 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 273 He beat the floods

  • 274 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 275 All aboard the ark

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

  • 277 Emergency ferry services

  • 278 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 279 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 280 Devil sent packing

  • 281 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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

  • 283 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 284 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 285 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 286 The art of the thatcher

  • 287 Sight of a lifetime

  • 288 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 289 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 290 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 291 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 292 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 293 A bird of their own!

  • 294 Mobile missionary

  • 295 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 296

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 297 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 298 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 299 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 300 Appledore's largest

  • 301 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 302 School crossing patrol begins

  • 303 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 304 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 305 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 306 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 307 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 308

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 309 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 310 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 311 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 312

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 313 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 314 Torrington children build igloo
  • 315 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 316 Northam footballers of the future

  • 317 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 318 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 319 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 320 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 321 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 322 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 323 Six footed lamb

  • 324 Pannier Market's future?

  • 325 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 326 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 327 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 328 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 329 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 330 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 331

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 332 First ship in 8 years

  • 333 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 334 Hartland postman retires

  • 335

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 336 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 337 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 338 Parkham plan realised

  • 339 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 340 Jumble sale fever

  • 341 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 342 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 343 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 344 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 345 Penny for the guy

  • 346 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 347 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 348

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 349 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 350 Centenary of Gazette

  • 351 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 352 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 353 A man and his wheel

  • 354 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 355 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 356 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 357 End of the line

  • 358 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 359 Happy Days!

  • 360 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 361 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 362 By pony and trap to market

  • 363 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 364 Capers on the cobbles

  • 365 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 366 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 367 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 368 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 369 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 370 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 371 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 372 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 373 Filming at Hartland

  • 374 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 375

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 376 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 377 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 378 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 379 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 380 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 381 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 382 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 383 What's the time?

  • 384 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 385 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 386 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 387 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 388 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 389 Cruising down the river

  • 390 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 391

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 392 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 393 Bideford regatta

  • 394 Simple Item 138
  • 395 Decontrol of meat

  • 396 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 397 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 398 Clovelly nightmare

  • 399 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 400 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 401 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 402 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 403

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 404 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 405 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 406 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 407 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 408 New Post Office

  • 409 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 410 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 411 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 412 Just over a year old

  • 413 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 414 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 415 Picking the pops

  • 416 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 417 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 418 No laughing matter

  • 419 Quads at Thornhillhead

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

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

  • 422 Warmington's garage ad

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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Littleham Funeral of Miss M Hearn

Littleham Funeral of Miss M Hearn - 19th March 1967

10.3.1967 Littleham funeral Hearn
 

The funeral of Miss Mabel Hearn of 'Lower Langdon', Littleham, took place at Littleham Parish Church.
The Rev L Budge officated and Mr Richards accompanied the hymns.
Immediate mourners were: Bessie, Nellie, Ada, Fred, Syd and Will, Mary, Edith, Gertrude, Cephas and Rodney Brend, Mary and Cyril Marshall, Phyllis and Stanley Wood, Phyllis and Aubrey Phelps, Tot Ford. Norah, Daisy and Annie were unable to attend.
Others attending included: Messrs A G Heywood, J B Westaway, G and H Vaggers, G Hearn, F Withecombe, W J and W Hearn, W and E Stevens, Mesdames G and E Brend, Phelps and E Nicholls, Miss M Wise.
Flowers were: sweetest memory of dear Mabel from Daisy; in loving memory of dear Mabel from Norah, Fred and family; in loving memory of dear Mabel from Bessie, Stanley, Phyllis and children, in loving memory of dear sister Mabel from Nell, Syd and family, in loving memory of dear sister Mabel from Ada, Will and family; Mrs E A Hearn and family; Dorothy, Edgar, Tony, June and Andrew, Mr and Mrs G Hearn and family, Mr and Mrs J Beer and Mr and Mrs G Wise, Mrs M Badcock and family, Mr and Mrs Parkhouse and family.

Littleham Family's Five Generations

Littleham Family's Five Generations - 16th February 1962

16.2.1962 Littleham family1
16.2.1962 Littleham family2
 

Visitors around the chair of 96-year-old Mrs Eliza Wise represented five generations of a Littleham family.
Her daughter is Mrs Mary Ann Beer, of Mount Pleasant, Littleham, who is 77. She and her husband John celebrated their golden wedding last April. Their son, Mr Arthur Beer, works at Axminster and lives at Mount Pleasant. His daughter, Mrs Margaret Ann Smale, gave birth to a daughter, Mrs Wise's great-great granddaughter, christened Mandy Sylvia Mary.

Littleham News

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