• 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 First ship in 8 years

  • 2 113 years at Instow

  • 3 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 4 Traditions and skills still there

  • 5 Pannier Market's future?

  • 6 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 7 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 8 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 9 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 10 Twenty-one yachts

  • 11 New addition to Quay front

  • 12 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 13 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 14 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 15 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 16 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 17 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 18 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 19

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 20 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 21

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 22 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 23

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 24

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 25 The cab at the corner>
  • 26 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 27

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 28 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 29 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 30 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 31 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 32 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 33 A story to tell!

  • 34 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 35 Life begins at 80

  • 36

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 37 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 38 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 39 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 40 Happy Days!

  • 41 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 42 Service with a smile

  • 43 Northam's almshouse

  • 44 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 45 Appledore's largest

  • 46 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 47 A man and his wheel

  • 48 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 49 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 50 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 51 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 52 Sweets derationing

  • 53 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 54 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 55 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 56 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 57 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 58 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 59 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 60 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 61 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 62 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 63 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 64 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 65 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 66 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 67 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 68 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 69 Jumble sale fever

  • 70 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 71 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 72 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 73 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 74 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 75 New choral society's growing response

  • 76 North Devon Driving School

  • 77

    First prize
  • 78 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 79 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 80 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 81 Decontrol of meat

  • 82 It really was the 'last time'

  • 83 Modern living at Bideford

  • 84 New art gallery opened

  • 85 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 86 Circus comes to town

  • 87 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 88 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 89 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 90

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 91 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 92 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 93 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 94 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 95 Off on a great adventure

  • 96 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 97 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 98 Ten year old scrambler

  • 99 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 100 By pony and trap to market

  • 101 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 102 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 103 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 104 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 105 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 106 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 107 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 108 School crossing patrol begins

  • 109 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 110 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 111 Bridging the stream

  • 112 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 113 Picking the pops

  • 114 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 115 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 116 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 117

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 118 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 119 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 120 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 121 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 122 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 123 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 124 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 125 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 126 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 127 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 129 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 130 Recognise this resort?

  • 131 Sight of a lifetime

  • 132 Bideford regatta

  • 133 They are parted pro-tem

  • 134 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 135 The Geneva marionettes

  • 136 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 137 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 138 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 139 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 140 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 141 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 142 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 143 Hartland Dancers
  • 144 No laughing matter

  • 145 He beat the floods

  • 146 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 147 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 148 A bird of their own!

  • 149 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 150 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 151 Weare Giffard potato

  • 152 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 153 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 154 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 155 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 156 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 157 Filming at Hartland

  • 158 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 160 Cruising down the river

  • 161 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 162 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 163 Police station view of Bideford

  • 164 Torrington children build igloo
  • 165 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 166 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 167 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 168 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 169 All for the love of a lady!

  • 170 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 171 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 172 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 173 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 174 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 175 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 176 Waldon Triplets
  • 177 New Post Office

  • 178 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 179 Torrington's new amenity

  • 180 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 181 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 182 Private home for public pump

  • 183 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 184 Clovelly custom

  • 185 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 186 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 187 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 188 When horses score over the tractor

  • 189 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 190 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 191 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 192

    Was a missionary
  • 193 Warmington's garage ad

  • 194 New look in the hayfields

  • 195 In their new robes and hats

  • 196 Finished in 1876

  • 197 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 198 Revenge in style

  • 199 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 200 Variety in summer weather

  • 201 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 202 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 203 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 204 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 205 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 206 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 207 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

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

  • 209 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 210 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 211 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 212

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 213 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 214 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 215 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 216 Can spring be far away?

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

  • 218

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 219

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 220 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 221 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 222 Peter poses for TV film

  • 223 School's link with cargo ship

  • 224 So this is the mainland!

  • 225 Down at the dump something stirs

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

  • 227 Parkham plan realised

  • 228 Over the bank together>
  • 229 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 230 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 231 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 232 No sale of Springfield House

  • 233 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 234 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 235 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 236 From Bobby to Brian

  • 237

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 238 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 239 Littleham family's five generations

  • 240 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 241 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 242

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 243 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 244

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 245 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 246

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 247 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 249 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 250 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 251 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 252 New Lundy stamps

  • 253 Just over a year old

  • 254

    Building works
  • 255 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 256 Hartland postman retires

  • 257 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 258 Hartland's invitation

  • 259 Allhalland Street - then and now

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

  • 261 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 262 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 263 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 264 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 265 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 266 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 267 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 268 Caught in the act>
  • 269 Riverside mystery

  • 270 Simple Item 138
  • 271 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 272 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 274 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 275 A roof-top view - where?

  • 276 Northam footballers of the future

  • 277 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 278 Ships at Bideford

  • 279 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 280 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 281 Bideford loses training ship

  • 282 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 283 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 284 New civic medallions

  • 285 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 286 Liked holidays here - so starts business

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

  • 288 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 289 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 290 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 291 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 292 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 293 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 294 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 295

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 296

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 297 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 298

    Bidefordians
  • 299 Puppet characters introduced

  • 300 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 301 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 302 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 303 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 304 Capers on the cobbles

  • 305 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

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

  • 307 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 308 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 309 Artisans' Club

  • 310 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 311

    Exhibition of school work
  • 312 Picking the pops

  • 313 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 314 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 315 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 316 All aboard the ark

  • 317 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 318 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 319 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 320 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 321 New life for Hartland organ

  • 322 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 323 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 324 Mobile missionary

  • 325 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 326

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 327 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 328 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 329 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 330 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 331 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 332 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 333 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 334 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 335 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 336 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 337

    New gateway
  • 338 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 339 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 340 What's the time?

  • 341 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 342 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 343 Torrington in 1967

  • 344 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 345 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 346 End of the line

  • 347 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 348 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 349 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 350 Burnard family reunion

  • 351 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 352 Some 240 exhibits

  • 353 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 354

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 355 Blanchards ad.>
  • 356 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 357

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 358 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 359 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 360 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 361 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 362

    Relatives all over the world
  • 363 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 364 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 365 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 366 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 367 Out of puff!

  • 368 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 369 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 370

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 371

    Married in 1908
  • 372 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 373 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 374 Some mushroom!

  • 375 Devil sent packing

  • 376 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 377 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 378 Emergency ferry services

  • 379 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 380 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 381 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 382 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 383 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 384 New shipyard on schedule

  • 385 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 386 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 387 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 388 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 389

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 390 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 391 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 392 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

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

  • 394 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 395 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 396 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 397 Clovelly nightmare

  • 398 Centenary of Gazette

  • 399

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 400 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 401 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 402 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 403 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 404 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 405 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 406 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 407 Penny for the guy

  • 408 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 409 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 410 Six footed lamb

  • 411

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 412 For crying out loud!

  • 413 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 414 Loads of black and white

  • 415 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 416 Last train from Torrington

  • 417 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 418 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 419

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 420 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 421 Bideford computer stars

  • 422 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

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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Home-Made Jelly Scarce At Monkleigh

Monkleigh WI store cupboards could only produce one pot of home-made jelly for the competition of the month

and this was exhibited by Miss G Cox, one of the junior members.

10.6.1960 Monkleigh

Mrs L Grigg presided over the meeting, which was held in the Village Hall.

Mrs Lennard gave a very interesting talk on the duties of a JP and was thanked on behalf of members by Mrs Westaway.

Mrs J Gilbert, helped by Mesdames Westaway, Smith and Miss N Gilbert, was tea hostess.

This week the Institute received its annual outing, Dartmouth and Torquay being the venue.

Gazette article dated 10 June 1960

Monkleigh Women's Institute

An enjoyable whist drive organised by Monkleigh Women’s Institute took place in the Village Hall.

1959 Monkleigh


The door steward was Mr Wainwright, and the MC, Mr A Lawrence.
Prizes were won by Mrs Hill, Mrs Johns, Mrs Prance, Miss Evelyn Brooks, Master John Gilber, Mr J Gilbert, Mr Wainwright, Master Alan Prance.
A competition for groceries, in the charge of Mrs E Wicks, was won by Mr W Grigg.
Mrs Smith (President) thanked everyone for their support. Proceeds after deducting expenses amounted to just over £4.
Gazette article dated 3 April 1959

Mr L R Smale and Miss B M Gilbert

The wedding took place at St George’s Church, Monkleigh, on March 10th, of Mr Leslie Roy Smale, second son of Mr and Mrs J R Smale, 6 Kimberley Terrace, Northam, and  Miss Bronwen Margaret Gilbert, second daughter of Mr and Mrs W Gilbert, 10 Saltrens Cottages, Monkleigh. 

30.3.1951 Monkleigh Smale Gilbert wedding

The service was conducted by Rev R P Newton and the organist was Miss Redcliffe. The chief bridesmaid was Gwyneth, younger sister of the bride, and the two smaller bridesmaids were Jennifer, niece of the bride, and Angela, niece of the bridegroom. Duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Wilfred Smale, brother of the bridegroom. 

After a reception held at the Parish Hall, Monkleigh, the happy couple left for their honeymoon which was being spent at St Ives, Cornwall. The three tiered cake was made by the bride’s mother. Flowers were supplied by Mr Beer, Kingsley Nursery, Bideford. 

The full Gazette article is dated 30 March 1951

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