• 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 Service with a smile

  • 2 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 3 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 4

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 5 The Geneva marionettes

  • 6

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 7 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 8 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 9 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 10 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 11

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 12 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 14 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 15 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 16 Ten year old scrambler

  • 17 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 18 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 19 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 20 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 21 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 22 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 23 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 24 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 25 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 26 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 27 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 29 Loads of black and white

  • 30 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 31 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 32 Circus comes to town

  • 33 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 34

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 35 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 36 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 37 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 38 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 39 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 40 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 41 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 42 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 43 Torrington's new amenity

  • 44 Twenty-one yachts

  • 45 Finished in 1876

  • 46 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 48 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 49 Jumble sale fever

  • 50

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 51 Mobile missionary

  • 52 So this is the mainland!

  • 53 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 54 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 55 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 56 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 57 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 58 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

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

  • 60 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 61 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 62 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 63 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 64 Penny for the guy

  • 65 Over the bank together>
  • 66

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 67 Clovelly custom

  • 68 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 69 Bideford regatta

  • 70 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 71 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 72 Weare Giffard potato

  • 73 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 74 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 75 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 76

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 77 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 78 A roof-top view - where?

  • 79 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 80 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 81

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 82 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 83 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 84 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 85 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 86 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 87 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 88 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 89 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 90 Torrington children build igloo
  • 91 Artisans' Club

  • 92 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 93

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 94

    Relatives all over the world
  • 95 Variety in summer weather

  • 96 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 97 A story to tell!

  • 98 Pannier Market's future?

  • 99 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 100 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 101 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 102 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 103 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 104

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 105 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 106 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 107 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 108 Picking the pops

  • 109

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 110 Life begins at 80

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

  • 112 Some mushroom!

  • 113 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 114 Cruising down the river

  • 115 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 116 School crossing patrol begins

  • 117 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 118

    First prize
  • 119 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 120 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 121 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 122 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 123 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 124 A bird of their own!

  • 125 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 126 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 127 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 128 School's link with cargo ship

  • 129 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 130 No sale of Springfield House

  • 131 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 132 New look in the hayfields

  • 133 Private home for public pump

  • 134 Modern living at Bideford

  • 135 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 136 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 137 Bideford loses training ship

  • 138 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 139 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 140 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 141 Puppet characters introduced

  • 142 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 144 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 145 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 147 End of the line

  • 148 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 149 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 150 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 151 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 152 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 153 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 154 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 155 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 156 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 157 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 158 Picking the pops

  • 159 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 160 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 161 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 162 Police station view of Bideford

  • 163 Hartland's invitation

  • 164

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 165 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 166 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 167 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 168 They are parted pro-tem

  • 169 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 170 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 171 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 172 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 173 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 174 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 175 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 176 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 177 Last train from Torrington

  • 178 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 179 Recognise this resort?

  • 180 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 181 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 182

    Exhibition of school work
  • 183 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 184 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 185 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 186 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 187 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 188 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 189 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 190 No laughing matter

  • 191 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 192 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 193 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 194 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 195 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 196 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 197 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 198 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 199 Centenary of Gazette

  • 200 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 201 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 202 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 203 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 204 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 205 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 206 Salmon netting at Bideford

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

  • 208 Six footed lamb

  • 209 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 210 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 211 New Post Office

  • 212 Riverside mystery

  • 213 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 214

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 215 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 216 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 217

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 218 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 219 Littleham family's five generations

  • 220 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 221 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 222 Appledore's largest

  • 223 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 224 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 225 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 226

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 227 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 228 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 229 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 230 Bridging the stream

  • 231 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 232 Caught in the act>
  • 233

    Building works
  • 234 Capers on the cobbles

  • 235 Sight of a lifetime

  • 236 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 237 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 238 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 239 Traditions and skills still there

  • 240 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 241 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 242 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 244 All for the love of a lady!

  • 245 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 246 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 247

    Married in 1908
  • 248 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 249 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 250 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 251 By pony and trap to market

  • 252 Clovelly nightmare

  • 253

    New gateway
  • 254 Filming at Hartland

  • 255 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 256 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 257 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 258 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 259 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 260 Blanchards ad.>
  • 261

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 262 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 263 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 264 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 265 It really was the 'last time'

  • 266 Off on a great adventure

  • 267 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 268 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 269 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 270 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 271 New shipyard on schedule

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

  • 273 North Devon Driving School

  • 274 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 275 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 276 New addition to Quay front

  • 277 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 278 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 279

    Bidefordians
  • 280 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 281 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 282 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 283 Peter poses for TV film

  • 284 New civic medallions

  • 285 Bideford computer stars

  • 286 Northam's almshouse

  • 287 Just over a year old

  • 288

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 289 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 290 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 291 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 292 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 293 New art gallery opened

  • 294 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 295 For crying out loud!

  • 296 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 297 Hartland Dancers
  • 298 Out of puff!

  • 299 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 300 Parkham plan realised

  • 301 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 302 Northam footballers of the future

  • 303 In their new robes and hats

  • 304 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 305 Hartland postman retires

  • 306 Happy Days!

  • 307 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 308 Ships at Bideford

  • 309 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 310 Emergency ferry services

  • 311 First ship in 8 years

  • 312 A man and his wheel

  • 313 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 314 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 315 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 316 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 317 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 318 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 319 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 320 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 321 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 322 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 323 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 324

    Was a missionary
  • 325 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 326 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 327

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 328 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 329 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 330 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 331 The art of the thatcher

  • 332 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 333 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 334

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 335 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 336 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 337 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 338 Some 240 exhibits

  • 339 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 340 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 341 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 342 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 343 Devil sent packing

  • 344

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 345 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 346 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 347 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 348

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 349

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 350 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 351 Appledore schooner broadcast

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

  • 353 He beat the floods

  • 354 All aboard the ark

  • 355 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 356 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 357 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 358 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 359 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 360 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 361 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 362 Simple Item 138
  • 363 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 364 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 365 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 366 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 367 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 368 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 369 Can spring be far away?

  • 370 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 371 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 373 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 374 Sweets derationing

  • 375 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 376 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 377 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 378 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 379 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 380 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 381 Revenge in style

  • 382 From Bobby to Brian

  • 383 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 384 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 385 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 386 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 387 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 388

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 389 When horses score over the tractor

  • 390 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 391 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 392 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 393 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 394 Waldon Triplets
  • 395 New choral society's growing response

  • 396

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 397 113 years at Instow

  • 398 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 399 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 400 The cab at the corner>
  • 401 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 402 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 403 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 404 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 405 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 406 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 407 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 408 Torrington in 1967

  • 409 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 410 New Lundy stamps

  • 411 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 412 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 413 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 414 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 415 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 416

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 417 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 418 What's the time?

  • 419 Decontrol of meat

  • 420 Light reading for the lighthouse

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

  • 422 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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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  • 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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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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Burrows Tipping to Stop

Tipping on the Northam Burrows should be completed by March 1977 it is being recommended to the North Devon Torridge Area Highways Committee in a report by the Devon County Engineer’s Department.

17.1.1975 Northam Burrows tipping

With the County Council’s promotion of the Burrows as a country park it was recognised that arrangements would have to be made to cease tipping, says the report.
Read more in the article dated 17 January 1975

Burrows 'Slum' Complaint To BBC

Burrows 'Slum' Complaint To BBC - 13th November 1970

13.11.1970 Burrows BBC1
 

A complaint has been lodged wit the B.B.C., Mr Alan Gardner, Clerk of the Northam Urban Council, revealed this week following a protest from a woman ratepayer about the Burrows being described in a TV progamme as 'an over crowded slum.'
The programme "The Country We Are Making" in which the Duke of Edinburgh took part, went out on B.B.C.2 and dealt with countryside conservation. The Burrows were contrasted with a beautiful area in Scotland.
When the film of the Burrows was screened the narrator, Derek Johns, commented that without planning "Northam Burrows", a beauty spot and one of the loveliest places in Devon, turns into an overcrowded slum".

Patriot And A German Lover

Patriot And A German Lover - 15th September 1914

15.9.14
 

Sir - May I trespass on your kindness by inserting a few remarks in your valuable paper of a man who holds a public position in a village not miles from Bideford re his sentiments and sympathies for the Germans. He has been airing his opinions rather freely in the village street lately and says he 'hopes the Germans will win and that the Kaiser will eat his dinner in London one day this week'. He has also been heard to say that if he saw the Germans coming in over a certain burrows he would not lift his voice in warning nor would he take up a rifle against them. Is it right, Mr Editior, for such a man to be at liberty and casting such sayings broadcast at a time like this when all our thoughts should be with our King and country and all who are fighting for a just cause.
PATRIOT

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