• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Private home for public pump

  • 2 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 3 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 4 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 5 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 6 End of the line

  • 7 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 8 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 9

    New gateway
  • 10 Torrington children build igloo
  • 11 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 12 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 13 Circus comes to town

  • 14 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 15 From Bobby to Brian

  • 16 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 17 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 18 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 19 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 20 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 21 Life begins at 80

  • 22 School's link with cargo ship

  • 23 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 24 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 25

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 26 Twenty-one yachts

  • 27 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 28 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 29 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 30 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 31 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 32 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 33 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 34 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 35 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 36 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 37 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 38 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 39

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 40 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 41 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 42 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 43 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 44 New shipyard on schedule

  • 45 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 46 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 47 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 48

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 49 The Geneva marionettes

  • 50 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 51 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 52 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 53

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 54 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 55 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 56 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 57 He beat the floods

  • 58

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 59 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 60 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 61 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 62 Photo of town's first car wins prize

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

  • 64 So this is the mainland!

  • 65 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 66 Some mushroom!

  • 67 Bridging the stream

  • 68 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 69 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 70 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 71 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 72

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 73 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 74 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 75 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 76 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 77 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 78 Six footed lamb

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

  • 80 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 81

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 82 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 83 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 84 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 85 Northam footballers of the future

  • 86 Police station view of Bideford

  • 87 Sweets derationing

  • 88 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 89 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 90 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 91 New Lundy stamps

  • 92 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 93 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 94 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 95 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 96 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 97 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 98 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 99 Variety in summer weather

  • 100 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 101 By pony and trap to market

  • 102 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 103 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 104 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 105

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 106 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 107 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 108 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 109 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 110 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 111 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 112 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 113 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 114 Cruising down the river

  • 115 Happy Days!

  • 116

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 117 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 118 Finished in 1876

  • 119 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 120 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 121

    Relatives all over the world
  • 122 Hartland's invitation

  • 123 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 124 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 125

    Married in 1908
  • 126 Devil sent packing

  • 127 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 128 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 129

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 130 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 131

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 132 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 133 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 134 New Post Office

  • 135 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 136 Weare Giffard potato

  • 137 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 138 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 139 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 140 Simple Item 138
  • 141

    Was a missionary
  • 142 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 143 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 144 They are parted pro-tem

  • 145 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 146 School crossing patrol begins

  • 147 Littleham family's five generations

  • 148 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 149 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 150 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

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

  • 152 Hartland postman retires

  • 153 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 154 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 155 Northam's almshouse

  • 156 Off on a great adventure

  • 157 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 158 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 159 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 160 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 161 Bideford computer stars

  • 162 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 163 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 164 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 165 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 166 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 167 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 168 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 169 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 170

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 171 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 172 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 173

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 174 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 175 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 176 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 177 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 178 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 179 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 180 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 181 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 183 What's the time?

  • 184 Caught in the act>
  • 185 Loads of black and white

  • 186 North Devon Driving School

  • 187 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 188 Artisans' Club

  • 189 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 190 Ships at Bideford

  • 191 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 192 Emergency ferry services

  • 193 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 194 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 195 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 196 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 197 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 198 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 199 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 200 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

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

  • 202 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 203 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 204 Ten year old scrambler

  • 205 New look in the hayfields

  • 206 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 207 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 208 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 209 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 210 Clovelly custom

  • 211

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 212 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 213 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 214 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 215 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 216 113 years at Instow

  • 217 Sight of a lifetime

  • 218

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 219 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 220 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 221 Bideford loses training ship

  • 222 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 223 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 224 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 225 For crying out loud!

  • 226 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 227 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 228 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 229 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 230 New life for Hartland organ

  • 231 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 232 Burnard family reunion

  • 233 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 234 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 235 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 236 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 237 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 238

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 239

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 240 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 241 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 242 A man and his wheel

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

  • 244 Traditions and skills still there

  • 245 Peter poses for TV film

  • 246 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 247 Clovelly nightmare

  • 248 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 249 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 250 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 251 Riverside mystery

  • 252 All aboard the ark

  • 253 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 254 Capers on the cobbles

  • 255 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 256 When horses score over the tractor

  • 257 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 258 Picking the pops

  • 259 A roof-top view - where?

  • 260 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 261

    Building works
  • 262 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 263 New civic medallions

  • 264 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 265 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 266 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 267 First ship in 8 years

  • 268 Puppet characters introduced

  • 269 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 270 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 271 New art gallery opened

  • 272 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 273 Penny for the guy

  • 274 Just over a year old

  • 275 Parkham plan realised

  • 276 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 277 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 278 Blanchards ad.>
  • 279 Bideford regatta

  • 280 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 281 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 282 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 283 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 284 Pannier Market's future?

  • 285 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 286 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 287 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 288 New addition to Quay front

  • 289 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 290 Recognise this resort?

  • 291 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 292 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 293

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 294 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 295 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 296 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 297 Entente cordiale in Bideford

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

  • 299 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 300 Waldon Triplets
  • 301 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 302 Over the bank together>
  • 303 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 304

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 305 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 306 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 307 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 308 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 309 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 310 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 311 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 312 In their new robes and hats

  • 313 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 314 Picking the pops

  • 315 Torrington in 1967

  • 316 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 317 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 318 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 319 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 320 Centenary of Gazette

  • 321 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 322 Modern living at Bideford

  • 323 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 324 A bird of their own!

  • 325 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 327 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 328

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 329 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 330 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 331 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 332

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 333 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 334 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 335 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 336

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 337 Making way for the double-deckers

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

  • 339 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 340 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

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

  • 342 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 343 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 344 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 345 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 346

    First prize
  • 347 Jumble sale fever

  • 348 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 349 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 350 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 351 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 352 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 353 Out of puff!

  • 354 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 355 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 356 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 357 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 358 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 359 Torrington's new amenity

  • 360 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 361 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 362 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 363 Last train from Torrington

  • 364 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 365 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 366 It really was the 'last time'

  • 367 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 368

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 369 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 370

    Exhibition of school work
  • 371 Getting up steam for tomorrow

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

  • 373 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 374 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 375 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 376 Warmington's garage ad

  • 377 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 378 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 379 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 380 Service with a smile

  • 381 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 382 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 383 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 384 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 385 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 386 Hartland Dancers
  • 387 No sale of Springfield House

  • 388 Revenge in style

  • 389 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 390 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 391 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 392 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 393 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 394 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 395 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 396 A story to tell!

  • 397 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 398 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 399 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 400 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 401 No laughing matter

  • 402

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 403 Some 240 exhibits

  • 404

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 405 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 406 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 407 Mobile missionary

  • 408 Decontrol of meat

  • 409 New choral society's growing response

  • 410 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 411

    Bidefordians
  • 412 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 413 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

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

  • 415 All for the love of a lady!

  • 416 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 417 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 418 Filming at Hartland

  • 419 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 420 Can spring be far away?

  • 421 The cab at the corner>
  • 422 Appledore's largest

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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;

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Folk Dancing Comes to Monkleigh WI

Mrs Morrish, who was welcomed by Mrs Bagilhole, gave practical instruction in folk dancing at the January meeting of Monkleigh Women’s Institute.

16.1.1959 Monkleigh WI

There were only three entries for the monthly competition – six meringues. Mrs Morrish was the judge and her awards were – Mrs Bale, Mrs W Gilber and Mrs E Wicks.
Mrs Ridgeman and Miss Shirley Ridgeman were welcomed as new members. On behalf of a well known firm, Mrs Homes served tea and biscuits, and presented each member with a sample of tea.
The full Gazette article is dated 16 January 1959

More Than Four Inches of Rain

More Than Four Inches of Rain - 9th June 1967

9.6.1967 Monkleigh rain
 

More than four inches of rain in May and still bucketing down at Monkleigh on Saturday, but in a good cause.
Seen watching this unsuccessful tilt at the village fete on Saturday are Mr Peter Mills M.P. and Mrs Mills.

£20 For Guide Dog Fund

£20 For Guide Dog Fund - 11th March 1977

11.3.1977 Monkleigh guide dog fund
 

A whist drive at Monkleigh raised £20 for the Monkleigh Primary School guide dog for the blind fund.
Winners were: Martyn Hocking, Mr Lewis Grigg, Mr Jom Martin, Nicky Braunton, Miss Marjorie Redcliffe, Mrs Nina Matthews, Mrs C Taylor, Mrs Beryl Braunton.
MC was Mr Jack Tanton, a draw was run by Mrs Beryl Braunton and Mrs J Glover provided refreshments.

  • 1

Login Form