• 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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    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 2 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 3 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 4 Jumble sale fever

  • 5 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 6 Waldon Triplets
  • 7 Emergency ferry services

  • 8 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 9 New fire and ambulance stations

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

  • 11 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 12 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 13 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 14

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 15

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 16 Last train from Torrington

  • 17 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

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

  • 19 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 20 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 21 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 22

    Bidefordians
  • 23 Decontrol of meat

  • 24 Simple Item 138
  • 25 Littleham family's five generations

  • 26 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 27 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 28 Sight of a lifetime

  • 29 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 30 End of the line

  • 31 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 32 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 33 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 34 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 35 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 36 The Geneva marionettes

  • 37 Pannier Market's future?

  • 38 Hartland's invitation

  • 39 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

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

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

  • 42 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 43 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 44 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 45 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 46 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 47 Hartland Dancers
  • 48 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 49 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 50 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 51 Circus comes to town

  • 52 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 53 Picking the pops

  • 54 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 55 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 56 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 57 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 58 A bird of their own!

  • 59 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 60 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 61 North Devon Driving School

  • 62

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 63 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 64 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 65

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 66 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 67 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 68 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 69 From Bobby to Brian

  • 70

    Relatives all over the world
  • 71

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 72 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 73 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 74 A story to tell!

  • 75 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 76 A man and his wheel

  • 77 Bridging the stream

  • 78 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 79 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 80 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 81 New shipyard on schedule

  • 82

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 83 Hartland postman retires

  • 84 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 85 Torrington children build igloo
  • 86 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 87 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 88 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 89 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 90 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 91 Riverside mystery

  • 92 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 93 Picking the pops

  • 94 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 95 The cab at the corner>
  • 96 New look in the hayfields

  • 97 Ships at Bideford

  • 98 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 99 Some mushroom!

  • 100 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 101 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 102 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 103 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 105 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 106 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 107

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 108 Capers on the cobbles

  • 109 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 110 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 111 The art of the thatcher

  • 112 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 113 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 114 Appledore's new lifeboat

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

  • 116 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 117 By pony and trap to market

  • 118 Landmark at Bradworthy

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

  • 120 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 121 Penny for the guy

  • 122 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 123

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 124

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 125 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 126 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 127 New Post Office

  • 128 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 129 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 130 113 years at Instow

  • 131 Finished in 1876

  • 132 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 133 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 134 So this is the mainland!

  • 135 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 136 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 137 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 138 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 139 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 140 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 141 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 142 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 143 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 144 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 145 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 146 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 147 New addition to Quay front

  • 148 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 149 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 150 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 151 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 152 Artisans' Club

  • 153 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 154 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 155 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 156 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 157 Warmington's garage ad

  • 158 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 159 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 160 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 161 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 162 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 164 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 165 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 166

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 167 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 168 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 169 Devil sent packing

  • 170 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 171 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 172

    First prize
  • 173

    Was a missionary
  • 174

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 175 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 176 Private home for public pump

  • 177 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 178 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 179 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 180 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 181 Ten year old scrambler

  • 182 They are parted pro-tem

  • 183 Revenge in style

  • 184 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 185 Caught in the act>
  • 186 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 187 Northam footballers of the future

  • 188 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 189 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 190 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 191 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 192 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 193 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 194 Loads of black and white

  • 195 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 196 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 197 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 198 Life begins at 80

  • 199 Bideford regatta

  • 200 Puppet characters introduced

  • 201 Service with a smile

  • 202

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 203 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 204 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 205 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 206 New life for Hartland organ

  • 207

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 208 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 209 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 210 Some 240 exhibits

  • 211 Recognise this resort?

  • 212

    New gateway
  • 213 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 214 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 215 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 216 Parkham plan realised

  • 217 When horses score over the tractor

  • 218 New art gallery opened

  • 219 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 220 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 221 Torrington in 1967

  • 222 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 223

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 224 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 225

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 226 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 227 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 228 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 229 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 230 Bideford computer stars

  • 231 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 232 Can spring be far away?

  • 233 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 234 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 235 Six footed lamb

  • 236 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 237 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 238

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 239 Out of puff!

  • 240 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 241 First ship in 8 years

  • 242

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 243 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 244 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 245 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 246 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 247 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 248 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 249 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 250 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 251

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 252 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 253 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 254 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 255 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 256 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 257 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 258 Blanchards ad.>
  • 259 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 260 School crossing patrol begins

  • 261 In their new robes and hats

  • 262 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 263 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 264 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 265 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 266 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 267 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 268 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 269 Off on a great adventure

  • 270

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 271 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 272 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 273 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 274 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 275 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 276 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 277 Cruising down the river

  • 278 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 279

    Building works
  • 280

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 281 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 282 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 283 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 284 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 285 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 286

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 287 New civic medallions

  • 288 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 289 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 290 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 291 Torrington's new amenity

  • 292 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 293 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 294 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 295 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 296 Peter poses for TV film

  • 297 Bideford loses training ship

  • 298 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 299 Police station view of Bideford

  • 300 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 301 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 302 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 303 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 304 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 305 Twenty-one yachts

  • 306 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 307 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 308 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 309 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 310 Traditions and skills still there

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

  • 312 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 313 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 314 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 315 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 316 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 317 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 318 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 319 Sweets derationing

  • 320 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 321 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 322 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 323 School's link with cargo ship

  • 324 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 325 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 326 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 327 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 328 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 329 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 330 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 331 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 332 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 333 Variety in summer weather

  • 334 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 335 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 336 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 338 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 339 For crying out loud!

  • 340 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 341 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 342 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 343 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 344 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 345 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 346 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 347 Modern living at Bideford

  • 348 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 349 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 350 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 351 He beat the floods

  • 352 Centenary of Gazette

  • 353 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 354

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 355 No laughing matter

  • 356 Appledore's largest

  • 357 A roof-top view - where?

  • 358 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 359 Just over a year old

  • 360 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 361 No sale of Springfield House

  • 362 New choral society's growing response

  • 363

    Exhibition of school work
  • 364 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 365 Burnard family reunion

  • 366 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 367 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 368 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 369 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 370 Clovelly custom

  • 371 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 372 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 373 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 374 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 375 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 376 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 377 New Lundy stamps

  • 378 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 379 Over the bank together>
  • 380 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 381 Clovelly nightmare

  • 382 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 383 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 384 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 385 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 386 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 387 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 388 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 389 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 390 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 391 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 392 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 393 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 395

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 396 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 397 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 398 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 399 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 400 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 401 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 402

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 403 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 404 All aboard the ark

  • 405 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 406 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 407 Happy Days!

  • 408 Weare Giffard potato

  • 409 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 410 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 411 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 412 What's the time?

  • 413

    Married in 1908
  • 414 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 415 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 416 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 417 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 418 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 419 Filming at Hartland

  • 420 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 421 All for the love of a lady!

  • 422 Mobile missionary

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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  • 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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  • 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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Lake Chapel Re-Opens Following £13,000 Improvements

Shebbear Rejoicing and Generosity

4.7.1958 Lake Chapel Shebbear4

Completion of an improvement scheme estimated to cost nearly £14,000 at Lake Methodist Chapel, Shebbear, was marked on Tuesday with a full day of celebrations, commencing with re-opening and dedication.
Proceeds of the day's celebrations, together with previous gifts, grants and promised gifts, amounted to £12,423 6s. 8d.
Work on the scheme, which was required to meet present day demands, began last October. While it has been in progress Sunday morning services have been held in Shebbear Parish Church and evening meetings in the Village Hall.

The full Gazette article is dated 4 July 1958

Sehbbear?

Known as Sceaft Beara in 1050 and Sepesberia in the Domesday Book, Shebbear has had its name spelt in at least seven different ways over the centuries.

8.2.1974 Shebbear

Devon County Council have found yet another variation for 1974!
Article published in the Gazette 8 February 1974

Shebbear Village’s ‘Ample’ Land For Housing

There would seem to be ample land for housing available within the village of Shebbear to meet general needs, say Department of the Environment inspector Mr W R Arnold. 

4.5.1973 Shebbear

And he has dismissed an appeal by Mr M J Moast against the refusal of the local planning authority to permit the erection of four houses at Bottledown Cross there. Their provision, he adds, would constitute an undesirable and unacceptable intensification of sporadic development in the countryside outside the reasonable limits of the village. The appeal site, the inspector points out, is about three quarters of a mile from the village and 400ft north of a small group of buildings around Bottledown Cross, west of the site on the other side of the class III road are the grounds of Shebbear College. But says the inspector, he cannot agree with the contention that the college and the appeal site should properly be regarded as within the reasonable limits of the village. 

Gazette article dated 4 May 1973

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