• 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 Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 2 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 3 New addition to Quay front

  • 4 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 5 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 6 Artisans' Club

  • 7 When horses score over the tractor

  • 8 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 9 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 10 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 11 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 12 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 13 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 15 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 16 End of the line

  • 17 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 18

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 19 Finished in 1876

  • 20

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 21 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 22 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 23 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 24 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 25 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 26 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 27 The Geneva marionettes

  • 28 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 29 Decontrol of meat

  • 30 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 32 Puppet characters introduced

  • 33 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 34 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 35 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 36 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 37 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 38 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 39 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 40 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 41 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 42 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 43

    Married in 1908
  • 44 What's the time?

  • 45 Ships at Bideford

  • 46 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 47 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 48 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 49 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 50 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 52

    Was a missionary
  • 53 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

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

  • 55 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 56 Clovelly nightmare

  • 57 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 58 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 59 Police station view of Bideford

  • 60 Clovelly custom

  • 61 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 62 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 63

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 64 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 65 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 67 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 68 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 69 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 70 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 71 Pannier Market's future?

  • 72 New life for Hartland organ

  • 73 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 74 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 75 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 76 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 77

    New gateway
  • 78 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 79 From Bobby to Brian

  • 80 A man and his wheel

  • 81 School's link with cargo ship

  • 82 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 83 Can spring be far away?

  • 84 Cruising down the river

  • 85 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 86 Simple Item 138
  • 87 Riverside mystery

  • 88 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 89 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 90 Some 240 exhibits

  • 91 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 92 So this is the mainland!

  • 93 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 94 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 95 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 96

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 97 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 98 Over the bank together>
  • 99 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 100 No laughing matter

  • 101 School crossing patrol begins

  • 102 Modern living at Bideford

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

  • 104 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 105 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 106 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 107

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 108 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 109 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 110 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 111 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 113 Just over a year old

  • 114 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 115 Hartland Dancers
  • 116 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 117 Parkham plan realised

  • 118 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 119 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 120 Penny for the guy

  • 121 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 122 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 123 Appledore's largest

  • 124 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 125 No sale of Springfield House

  • 126 Blanchards ad.>
  • 127

    Building works
  • 128 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 129 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 130 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 131 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 132 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 133 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 134 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 135 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 136 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 137 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 138 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 139 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 140 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 141 Circus comes to town

  • 142 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 143 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 144 Some mushroom!

  • 145 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 146 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 147 Torrington in 1967

  • 148 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 149 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 150

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 151 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 152 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 153 New gateway to King George's Fields

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

  • 155 Centenary of Gazette

  • 156 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 157 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 158 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 159

    Relatives all over the world
  • 160 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 161 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 162 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 163 A story to tell!

  • 164 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 165 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 166 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 167 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 168 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 169 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 170 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 171 Bideford regatta

  • 172 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 173 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 174 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 175 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 176 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 177 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 178 Caught in the act>
  • 179 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 180 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 181 A roof-top view - where?

  • 182 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 183 Littleham family's five generations

  • 184 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 185 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 186 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 187 A bird of their own!

  • 188

    First prize
  • 189 Out of puff!

  • 190 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 191 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 192 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 193 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 194 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 195 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 196 Emergency ferry services

  • 197 Sight of a lifetime

  • 198

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 199 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 200 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 201 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 202 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 203 Picking the pops

  • 204 Recognise this resort?

  • 205 Loads of black and white

  • 206 Capers on the cobbles

  • 207 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 208 Hartland's invitation

  • 209 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 210

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 211 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 212 Revenge in style

  • 213 The cab at the corner>
  • 214 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 215 The art of the thatcher

  • 216 Variety in summer weather

  • 217 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 218 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 219 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 220 Private home for public pump

  • 221

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 222

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 223 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 224 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 225 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 226 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 227 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 228 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 229 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 230 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 231 Jumble sale fever

  • 232 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 233 New civic medallions

  • 234 Northam's almshouse

  • 235 They are parted pro-tem

  • 236 Photo mural in Bideford bank

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

  • 238 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 239 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 240 Mobile missionary

  • 241 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 242 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 243 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 244 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 245 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 246

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 247 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 248 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 249 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 250 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 251 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 252 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 254 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 255 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 256 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 257 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 258

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 259

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 260 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 261 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 262 In their new robes and hats

  • 263 Quads join a Langtree happy family

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

  • 265 Ten year old scrambler

  • 266 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 267 Hartland postman retires

  • 268 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 269 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 270 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 271 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 272 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 273 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 275 Bideford computer stars

  • 276 All aboard the ark

  • 277 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 278 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 279 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 280 He beat the floods

  • 281 Twenty-one yachts

  • 282 Sweets derationing

  • 283 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 284 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 285 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 286 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 287 Life begins at 80

  • 288 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 289 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 290 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 291 Picking the pops

  • 292 Happy Days!

  • 293 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 294 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 295 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 296 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 297 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 298 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 299 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 300 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 301 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 302 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

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

  • 304 Last train from Torrington

  • 305 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 306

    Exhibition of school work
  • 307 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 308 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 309 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 310 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 311 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 312 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 313 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 314 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 315 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 316

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 317

    Bidefordians
  • 318 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 319 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 320 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 321 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 322 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 323

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 324 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 325 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 326 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 327 Off on a great adventure

  • 328 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 329 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 330 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 331 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 332 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 333 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 334 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 335 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 336 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 337 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 338 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 339 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 340

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 341 Waldon Triplets
  • 342 Devil sent packing

  • 343 Weare Giffard potato

  • 344 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 345 Bridging the stream

  • 346 Bideford loses training ship

  • 347

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 348 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 349 Torrington children build igloo
  • 350 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 351

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 352 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 353

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 354

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 355 New Post Office

  • 356 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 357 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 358 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 359 New art gallery opened

  • 360 New shipyard on schedule

  • 361 Northam footballers of the future

  • 362 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 363 By pony and trap to market

  • 364 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 365

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 366 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 367 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 368 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 369 Six footed lamb

  • 370 New choral society's growing response

  • 371 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 372 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 373

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 374 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 375 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 376 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 377 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 378 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 379 113 years at Instow

  • 380 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 381 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 382 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 383 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 384 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 385 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 386 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 387 Filming at Hartland

  • 388 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 389 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 390 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 391 For crying out loud!

  • 392 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 393 New Lundy stamps

  • 394 First ship in 8 years

  • 395 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 396 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 397 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 398 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 399 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 400 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 401 Peter poses for TV film

  • 402

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 403 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 404

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 405 All for the love of a lady!

  • 406 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 407 It really was the 'last time'

  • 408 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 409 Service with a smile

  • 410 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 411 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 412 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 413 North Devon Driving School

  • 414 Torrington's new amenity

  • 415 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 416 New look in the hayfields

  • 417 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 418 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 419 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 420 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 421

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 422 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

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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Another Lundy Giant

Mr Arthur Strick, Lundy fisherman, discovered another Lundy giant at the weekend – in his lobster pots.

23.6.1961 Lundy lobster

Lundy is renowned for its lobsters, but this one, weighing 10lb, was described by Mr Trevor Davey (skipper of the ‘Lundy Gannet’) who brought it to the mainland, as ‘the biggest I ever saw’. It was consigned to the New Inn Hotel, Bideford.
The full Gazette article is dated 23 June 1961

New Book On Lundy Tells Its Fascinating History

When Anthony and Myrtle Langham embarked on ‘attempt to collect together all available information about Lundy and to present as complete a picture of the island – past and present – as is yet possible’ they set themselves a monumental task.

3.3.1961 Lundy book

But it is apparent when reading ‘Lundy Bristol Channel’ that here was no task; only a labour of love – a privately printed edition limited to 250 copies – are crammed facts in profusion, but they have been woven into so interesting a tapestry that even those to whom Lundy is little more than a name, or perhaps a smudge on the horizon, cannot, as readers, fail to absorb to a large degree something of the fascination that the island holds for the writers.
It has been the home of people of high degree and the haunt of pirates; the notorious Captain Kidd was taken to the island after his capture in New England; a skeleton discovered in a stone coffin is thought to have been that of Hubba the Dane who was slain at Bloody Corner in 878.
After the Norman conquest Lundy as a centre of political intrigue was a thorn in the flesh of successive monarchs and one owner, William de Marisco, came to a particularly sticky end in 1242.
With Sark, Lundy shares the distinction of being free of Income Tax, and the islanders pay no rates. In fact the only tax they pay is National Health Insurance. No Customs and Excise duties are levied.
The full Gazette article is dated 3 March 1961

Policeman Who Became Lundy Authority 1962

Policeman Who Became Lundy Authority 1962

Mr Blackwell Lundy 1962 Policeman

Mr Alfred Blackwell of Instow, a former London police officer who retired and came to North Devon in 1936 celebrates his golden wedding anniversary. He wrote about Lundy extensively and has broadcast about it on many occasions.

 

 

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