• 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 Torrington in 1967

  • 2 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 3 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 4 Life begins at 80

  • 5 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 6 Little 'Big Ben'

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

  • 8 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 9 What's the time?

  • 10 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 11

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 12 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 13 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 14 Off on a great adventure

  • 15 So this is the mainland!

  • 16 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 17 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 18 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 19 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 20 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 21

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 22 All aboard the ark

  • 23 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 24 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 25 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 26 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 27 Variety in summer weather

  • 28 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 29 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 30 Warmington's garage ad

  • 31 Picking the pops

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

  • 33

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 34 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 35 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 36 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 37

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 38 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 39 Littleham family's five generations

  • 40 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 41

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 42 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 43 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 44 Parkham plan realised

  • 45 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 46 Emergency ferry services

  • 47 Hartland postman retires

  • 48 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 49 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 50 Hartland Dancers
  • 51 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 52 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 53 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

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

  • 55 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 56 Clovelly custom

  • 57 Appledore's new lifeboat

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

  • 59 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 60 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 61 The art of the thatcher

  • 62 Revenge in style

  • 63 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 64 Simple Item 138
  • 65 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 66 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 67 Can spring be far away?

  • 68 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 69 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 70 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 71 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 72 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 73 Torrington's new amenity

  • 74 Ten year old scrambler

  • 75 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 76 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 77 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 78 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 79 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 80 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 81 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 82 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 83

    First prize
  • 84 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 85 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 86 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 87 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 88 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 89 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 90 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 91 Decontrol of meat

  • 92 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 93 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 94 Filming at Hartland

  • 95 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 96 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 97 Centenary of Gazette

  • 98 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 99

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 100 Torrington children build igloo
  • 101 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 102 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 103

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 104 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 105 Clovelly nightmare

  • 106 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 107 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 108 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 109 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 110 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 111

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 112 Caught in the act>
  • 113 When horses score over the tractor

  • 114 It really was the 'last time'

  • 115 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 116 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 117 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 118 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 119 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 120 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 121 The cab at the corner>
  • 122 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 123 Devil sent packing

  • 124

    New gateway
  • 125 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 126 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 127 Picking the pops

  • 128 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 129 School crossing patrol begins

  • 130 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 131 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 132 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 133 Circus comes to town

  • 134 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 135 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 136 Northam footballers of the future

  • 137 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 138 Bideford country dancers on TV

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

  • 140 North Devon Driving School

  • 141 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 142 First ship in 8 years

  • 143 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 144 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 145 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 146 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 147 Burnard family reunion

  • 148 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 149 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 150 A story to tell!

  • 151

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 152 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 153 Police station view of Bideford

  • 154 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 155 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 156 Weare Giffard potato

  • 157 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 158 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 159 Appledore's largest

  • 160 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 161

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 162 Some mushroom!

  • 163 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 164 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 165 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 166 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 167 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 168

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 169 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 170 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 171

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 172 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 173 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 174 For crying out loud!

  • 175 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 176 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 177 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 178 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

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

  • 180 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 181 By pony and trap to market

  • 182 Bideford regatta

  • 183 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 184 All for the love of a lady!

  • 185 Sight of a lifetime

  • 186

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 187 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 188 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 189 He beat the floods

  • 190 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 191 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 192 Over the bank together>
  • 193 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

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

  • 195 School's link with cargo ship

  • 196 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 197 A man and his wheel

  • 198 Loads of black and white

  • 199 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 200 Waldon Triplets
  • 201 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 202 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 203 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 204 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 205 Traditions and skills still there

  • 206

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 207

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 208 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 209 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 210 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 211 Sweets derationing

  • 212 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 213 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 214 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 215 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 216 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 217 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 218 Twenty-one yachts

  • 219 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 220

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 221 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 222 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 223 New Lundy stamps

  • 224 Northam's almshouse

  • 225 New art gallery opened

  • 226 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 227

    Married in 1908
  • 228

    Relatives all over the world
  • 229 Ships at Bideford

  • 230 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 231 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 232 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 233 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 234 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 235 Finished in 1876

  • 236

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 237 Private home for public pump

  • 238 Some 240 exhibits

  • 239 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 240 New civic medallions

  • 241 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 242 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 243 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 244 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 245 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 246 New Post Office

  • 247 Riverside mystery

  • 248 New life for Hartland organ

  • 249 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 250 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 251 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 252 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 253 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 254 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 255 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 256 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 257 Modern living at Bideford

  • 258 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 259 New addition to Quay front

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

  • 261 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 262 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 263 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 264 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 265 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 266 Cruising down the river

  • 267 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 268 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 269 Pannier Market's future?

  • 270 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 271 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 272 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 273 Hartland's invitation

  • 274 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 275 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 276 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 277 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 278 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 279 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 280 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 281 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 282 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 283

    Was a missionary
  • 284 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 285 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 286 A bird of their own!

  • 287 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 288 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 289 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 290 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 291 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 292 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 293 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 294 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 295

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 296 End of the line

  • 297 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 298 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 299 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 300 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 301 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 302 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 303 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 304

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 305 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 306

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 307 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 308 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 309 New choral society's growing response

  • 310 No sale of Springfield House

  • 311 Service with a smile

  • 312 From Bobby to Brian

  • 313 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 314 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 315 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 316 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 317 The Geneva marionettes

  • 318 Puppet characters introduced

  • 319 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 320 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 321 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 322 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 323 Bridging the stream

  • 324 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 325

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 326 Six footed lamb

  • 327 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 328 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 329 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 330 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 331 Jumble sale fever

  • 332 Capers on the cobbles

  • 333 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 334 Artisans' Club

  • 335 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 336 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 337 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 338 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 339 113 years at Instow

  • 340 Penny for the guy

  • 341 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 342 They are parted pro-tem

  • 343 Mobile missionary

  • 344 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 345 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 346 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 347 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 348 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 349 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 350 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 351 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 352 Just over a year old

  • 353 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 354 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 355 Recognise this resort?

  • 356 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 357 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 358 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 359 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 360

    Bidefordians
  • 361 In their new robes and hats

  • 362

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 363 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 364

    Exhibition of school work
  • 365 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 366 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 367

    Building works
  • 368 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 369 Happy Days!

  • 370 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 371 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 372 Out of puff!

  • 373 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 374 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 375

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

  • 377 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 378 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 379 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 380 New shipyard on schedule

  • 381 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 382 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 383 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 384 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 385 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 386 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 387 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 388

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 389 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 390

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 391 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 392 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 393 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 394 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 395 Bideford loses training ship

  • 396 Bideford computer stars

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

  • 398 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 399 New look in the hayfields

  • 400 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 401 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 402 A roof-top view - where?

  • 403 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 404 Last train from Torrington

  • 405 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 406 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 407 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 408 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 409 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 410 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 411 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 413 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 414 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 415 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 416 Blanchards ad.>
  • 417 No laughing matter

  • 418 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 419 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 420 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 421 Peter poses for TV film

  • 422 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

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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Queen Picks Lundy For A Few Hours Off Duty

Queen Picks Lundy For A Few Hours Off Duty - 12th August 1977

12.8.1977 Lundy Queen
 

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Edward and Andrew enjoyed a day off on Sunday during their Westcounty tour with rare informality when they visited Lundy Island and walked over it for three hours in perfect weather.
Only a handful of people knew of the projected visit and their lips were sealed until Saturday night when the island's 30 inhabitants plus 70 visitors were called to a meeting in the Church of St Helena, the only building large enough to contain them all.
It was the first-ever visit by a reigning monarch to the island although the Queen Mother had landed there, also from the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1958. That day was recalled to Her Majesty by Mr Felix Grade, the former agent, when he met the Queen outside the Marisco Tavern. Among the people they met were Mr and Mrs John Smith of the Landmark Trust which now administers the island on behalf of the National Trust.
Among those relieved that stormy weather had not interfered with the visit was Mr Barry Chinchen of Eastleigh, the distributor of Lundy stamps.

Church Damage May Total £1,000

Church Damage May Total £1,000 - 12th October 1962

12.10.1962 Emergency repairs on Lundy
 

Emergency Repairs On Lundy

Between £700 and £1,000 worth of damage was caused to Lundy church following the exceptionally high winds of a fortnight ago.
On Saturday builders went to the island in the Lundy Gannet to carry out emergency repairs to the east end window (which, in fact, faces south), part of which has crumbled away. But the Vicar of Appledore and priese-in-charge of Lundy (Rev Royston Dixon) considers that these repairs which will cost in the region of £200-£300, will be sufficient to last for several years.

Lundy Tribute

Lundy Tribute - 2nd April 1977

22.4.1977 Lundy bell
 

The 15cwt tenor bell of St Helena's Church on Lundy has been returned to the island following repair and is to be re-hung to ring out in honour of the Royal silver jubilee in June.

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