• 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 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 2 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 3 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 4 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 5 Waldon Triplets
  • 6 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 7 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 8 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 9 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 10 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 11 The Geneva marionettes

  • 12 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 13 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 14 Bideford regatta

  • 15

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 16 Picking the pops

  • 17 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 18 Last train from Torrington

  • 19 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 20 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 21 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 22 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 23 Devil sent packing

  • 24 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 25 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 26 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 27 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 28 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 29 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 30 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 31 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 32 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 33 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 34 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 35 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 36 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 37 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 38 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 39 He beat the floods

  • 40 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 41 New civic medallions

  • 42 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 43 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 44 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 45 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 46 Some mushroom!

  • 47 Recognise this resort?

  • 48 First ship in 8 years

  • 49 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 50

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

  • 52 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 53

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 54

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 55 Blanchards ad.>
  • 56 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 57 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 58 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 59 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 60 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 61 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 62 All aboard the ark

  • 63 Weare Giffard potato

  • 64 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 65 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 66

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 67 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 68 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 69

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 70 Artisans' Club

  • 71 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 72 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 73 School crossing patrol begins

  • 74 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 75 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 76 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 77 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 78 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 79 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 80 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 81 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 82 Littleham family's five generations

  • 83 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 84 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 85 Picking the pops

  • 86 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 87 They are parted pro-tem

  • 88 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 89 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 90 Puppet characters introduced

  • 91 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 92 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 93 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 94 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 95 Hartland postman retires

  • 96 All for the love of a lady!

  • 97 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 98

    First prize
  • 99 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 100 Six footed lamb

  • 101

    Exhibition of school work
  • 102 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 103 Torrington children build igloo
  • 104 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 105 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 106 Simple Item 138
  • 107 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 108 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 109 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 110

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 111

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 112 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 113 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 114 No sale of Springfield House

  • 115 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 116

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 117 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 118 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 119

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 120 Out of puff!

  • 121 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 122 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 123

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 124 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 125 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 126 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 127 Clovelly nightmare

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

  • 129 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 130 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 131 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 132 Filming at Hartland

  • 133 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 134 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 135 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 136 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 137 It really was the 'last time'

  • 138 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 139 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 140 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 141 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 142 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 143 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 144 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 145 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 146 Life begins at 80

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

  • 148 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 149 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 150 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 151 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 152 Centenary of Gazette

  • 153 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 154 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 155 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 156 Ships at Bideford

  • 157

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

  • 159 Light reading for the lighthouse

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

  • 161 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 162 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 163 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

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

  • 165 Torrington in 1967

  • 166 Over the bank together>
  • 167 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 168 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 169 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 170 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 171 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 172 So this is the mainland!

  • 173 Sweets derationing

  • 174 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 175 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 176 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 177 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 178 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 179 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 180 In their new robes and hats

  • 181 New art gallery opened

  • 182 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 183 Bideford loses training ship

  • 184 Future of Torrington almshouses

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

  • 186 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 187 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 188 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 189 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 190 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 191 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 192 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 193 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 194 Pannier Market's future?

  • 195 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 196 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 197 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 198 A man and his wheel

  • 199 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 201 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 202 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 203 Hartland's invitation

  • 204 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 205 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 206 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 207 Finished in 1876

  • 208 Circus comes to town

  • 209 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 210 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 211 Service with a smile

  • 212 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 213 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 214 Jumble sale fever

  • 215 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 216 A bird of their own!

  • 217 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 218 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 219 113 years at Instow

  • 220 Happy Days!

  • 221

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 222 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 223

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 224 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 225 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 226 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

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

  • 228 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 229 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 230 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 231 Some 240 exhibits

  • 232 Burnard family reunion

  • 233 Variety in summer weather

  • 234 The cab at the corner>
  • 235 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 236 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 237 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 238 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 239 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 240 New Post Office

  • 241 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 242

    Married in 1908
  • 243 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 244 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 245

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 246 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 247 Cruising down the river

  • 248 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 249 Hartland Dancers
  • 250 Modern living at Bideford

  • 251 Police station view of Bideford

  • 252 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 253 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 254 Northam footballers of the future

  • 255 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 256 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 257 Mobile missionary

  • 258 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 259 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 260 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 261 From Bobby to Brian

  • 262 The art of the thatcher

  • 263 Record player of 80 years ago

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

  • 265 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 266 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 268 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 269 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 270 Loads of black and white

  • 271

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 272 New choral society's growing response

  • 273 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 274 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 275 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 276 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 277 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 278 Traditions and skills still there

  • 279 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 280 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 281

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 282 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 283 Appledore's largest

  • 284 By pony and trap to market

  • 285 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 286 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 287 Torrington's new amenity

  • 288 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 289 Sight of a lifetime

  • 290 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 291 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 292 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 293 Can spring be far away?

  • 294 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 295 North Devon Driving School

  • 296 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 297 What's the time?

  • 298 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 299 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 300 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 301 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 302

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 303 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 304 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 305 Riverside mystery

  • 306 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 307 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 308 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 309 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 310

    Bidefordians
  • 311 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 312 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 313 For crying out loud!

  • 314 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 315 Ten year old scrambler

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

  • 317 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 318 New Lundy stamps

  • 319 No laughing matter

  • 320 Just over a year old

  • 321 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 322 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 323 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 324 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 326 Peter poses for TV film

  • 327 Emergency ferry services

  • 328

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 329 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 330 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 331 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 332 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 333

    New gateway
  • 334 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 335

    Relatives all over the world
  • 336 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 337 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 338 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 339 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 340

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 341 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 342 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 343

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 344 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 345 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 346 New look in the hayfields

  • 347 New life for Hartland organ

  • 348 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 349 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 350 Twenty-one yachts

  • 351 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 352 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 353 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 354 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 355 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

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

  • 357

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 358 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 359 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 360 A roof-top view - where?

  • 361 Chess - their bridge over the years

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

  • 363

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 364 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 365 Warmington's garage ad

  • 366

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 367 Penny for the guy

  • 368 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 369 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 370

    Was a missionary
  • 371 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 372 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 373 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 374 Revenge in style

  • 375 Capers on the cobbles

  • 376 End of the line

  • 377 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 378 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 379 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 380 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 381 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 382 Private home for public pump

  • 383 Caught in the act>
  • 384 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 385 New shipyard on schedule

  • 386 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 387 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 388 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 389 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 390 Parkham plan realised

  • 391 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 392 New addition to Quay front

  • 393 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 394

    Building works
  • 395 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 396 A story to tell!

  • 397 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 398 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 399 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 400 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 401 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 402 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 403

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 404 Bridging the stream

  • 405 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 406 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 407 Northam's almshouse

  • 408 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 409 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 410 School's link with cargo ship

  • 411 Clovelly custom

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

  • 413 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 414 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 415 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 416 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 417 Off on a great adventure

  • 418 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 419 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 420 Bideford computer stars

  • 421 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 422 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

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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Westward Ho! Wedding

Sergt/Observer Alfred Leonard Bragg, RAF, elder son of Mr and Mrs A Bragg of Sherborne, and Miss Barbara May Arlett, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W H Arlett, Pilgrim's Way, Westward Ho! are photographed after their wedding on March 25th at Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho!

11.4.1944 Bragg

Wed At Appledore

LAC R A Whitlock, RAF, and Miss P M Slade

8.8.1944 Whitlock Slade

The wedding took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Appledore, on July 27th 1944, of Leading Aircraftman R A Whitlock, RAF, only son of Mr and Mrs C Whitlock, 25 Lime Grove, Bideford, and Miss Pamela Mary Slade, only daughter of Mrs D Slade, 18 Meeting Street, Appledore, and the late Capt J V Slade.
Rev Bertram L Hardy officiated and Mrs E Evans presided at the organ.
The bride was given away by her cousin, Capt Wm Slade. There were three bridesmaids and page boy: Misses Dorothy Blackmore, Barbara Whitlock, Joan Porter and Master Norman Piper. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Ronald S Ley.
A reception was held in the Baptist Sunday School room.
The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of numerous presents including: from the Baptist Sunday School, Bideford Food Office; and Pickfords Ltd. About twenty congratulatory telegrams were received.
Weston-Super-Mare was chosen for the honeymoon.
The flowers for the decoration of the Church and the reception was a gift of Mrs M G Hedden, of South Bank, Bideford, where the bridegroom’s father is employed.
The full Gazette article is dated 8 August 1944

Bideford Families United

A.B/St J Osborne and Miss P Trott

8.8.1944 Osborne Trott

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Saturday July 22nd, the wedding took place of A.B/S.T John Osborne, twin son of Mr and Mrs W Osborne, 28 Torrington Lane, Bideford E. and Miss Phyllis Trott, daughter of Mrs M Trott, 13 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, and the late Mr F Trott.
Rev T R Gibby officiated at the ceremony and Mr R Harper was the organ.
Given away by her uncle, Mr G Blackmore, the bride wore a dress of white cloque, with veil and headdress of orange blossom.
The bride’s sister, Miss Alice Trott was bridesmaid. Mr Lewis Gorrell carried out the duties of best man. On leaving the church, the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe good luck token by her cousin, Miss Brenda Seviour.
A.B and Mrs Osborne later left for Parracombe for their honeymoon.
Full Gazette article is dated 8 August 1944

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