• 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 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 2 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 3 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 4 Over the bank together>
  • 5 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 6 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 7 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 8 Caught in the act>
  • 9 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 10 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 11 Finished in 1876

  • 12 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 13 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 14 Warmington's garage ad

  • 15 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 16 New Post Office

  • 17 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 18 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 19 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 20

    Married in 1908
  • 21 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 22 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 23 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 24 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 25 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 26 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 27 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 28 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 29 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 30 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 31 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 32 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 33 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 34 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 35 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 36 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 37 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 38 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 39 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 40 Just over a year old

  • 41 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 42 Circus comes to town

  • 43 It really was the 'last time'

  • 44 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 45 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

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

  • 47 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 48 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 49 Artisans' Club

  • 50

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 51 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 52 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 53 Hartland postman retires

  • 54

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 55 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 56 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 57 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 58 New addition to Quay front

  • 59 Riverside mystery

  • 60

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 61 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 62 Penny for the guy

  • 63 Ten year old scrambler

  • 64 New life for Hartland organ

  • 65 School's link with cargo ship

  • 66

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 67 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 68 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 69 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 70 All aboard the ark

  • 71 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 72

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 73 Revenge in style

  • 74 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 75 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 76 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 77 Life begins at 80

  • 78 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 79 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 80 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 81 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 82

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 83 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 84 Modern living at Bideford

  • 85 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 86 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 87 Torrington Church's new organ

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

  • 89 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 90 Centenary of Gazette

  • 91 Emergency ferry services

  • 92 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 93 Hartland's invitation

  • 94 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 95 New civic medallions

  • 96

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 97 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 98 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 99 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 100 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 101 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 102 Loads of black and white

  • 103

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 104 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 105 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 106 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 107 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 108 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 109 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 110 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 111 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 112 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 113 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 114 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 115 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 116 Recognise this resort?

  • 117 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 118 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 119 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 120 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 121 Bideford regatta

  • 122 From Bobby to Brian

  • 123 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 124 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 125 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 126 Can spring be far away?

  • 127 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 128 Capers on the cobbles

  • 129 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 130 Picking the pops

  • 131 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 132 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 133 Mobile missionary

  • 134 Some 240 exhibits

  • 135 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 136 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 137 Torrington in 1967

  • 138 A bird of their own!

  • 139

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 140 Six footed lamb

  • 141 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 142 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 143 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 144 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 145 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 146 The art of the thatcher

  • 147 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 148 Second Monte Carlo Rally

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

  • 150

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 151 Bridging the stream

  • 152 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 153 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 154 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 155 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 156 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 157 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 158 Simple Item 138
  • 159 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 160 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 161 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 162 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 163 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 164 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 165 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 166 What's the time?

  • 167

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 168 So this is the mainland!

  • 169 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 170 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 171 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 172 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 173 Parkham plan realised

  • 174 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 175 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 176 Happy Days!

  • 177 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 178 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 179 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 180 Hartland Dancers
  • 181 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 182 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 183 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 184 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 185

    Building works
  • 186 Burnard family reunion

  • 187 113 years at Instow

  • 188 By pony and trap to market

  • 189 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 190 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 191 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 192 Some mushroom!

  • 193 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 194 Ships at Bideford

  • 195 Decontrol of meat

  • 196 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 197 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 198 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 199 Devil sent packing

  • 200 In their new robes and hats

  • 201 Clovelly custom

  • 202 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 203 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 204 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 205 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 206 A roof-top view - where?

  • 207 North Devon Driving School

  • 208 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 209 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 210 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 211 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 212 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 213 New Lundy stamps

  • 214 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

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

  • 216 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 217 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 218 They are parted pro-tem

  • 219 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 220 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 221 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 222 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 223 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 224 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 225 Bideford computer stars

  • 226

    Bidefordians
  • 227 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 228 Peter poses for TV film

  • 229 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 230 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 231 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 232 End of the line

  • 233

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 234 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 235 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 236 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 237 Service with a smile

  • 238 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 239 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 240 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 241 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 242

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 243 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 244 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 245 Littleham family's five generations

  • 246 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

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

  • 248 New shipyard on schedule

  • 249 A man and his wheel

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

  • 251 No laughing matter

  • 252 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 253 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 254 Police station view of Bideford

  • 255 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 256 Pannier Market's future?

  • 257 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 258 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 259 Private home for public pump

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

  • 261 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 262 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 263 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 264 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 265 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 266 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 267 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 268 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 269

    First prize
  • 270 Filming at Hartland

  • 271 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 272 Variety in summer weather

  • 273 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 274 No sale of Springfield House

  • 275

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 276 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

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

  • 278 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 279 He beat the floods

  • 280 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 281 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 282 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 283 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 284

    Exhibition of school work
  • 285 The cab at the corner>
  • 286

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 287 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 288 Sight of a lifetime

  • 289 The Geneva marionettes

  • 290 Clovelly nightmare

  • 291 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 292 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 293 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 294 Torrington children build igloo
  • 295 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 296 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 297 Twenty-one yachts

  • 298 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 299 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 300 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 301 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 302 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 303 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 304

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 305 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 306 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 307 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 308 School crossing patrol begins

  • 309 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 310

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 311 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 312 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 313 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 314 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 315

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 316 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 317 Appledore's largest

  • 318 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 319 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 320 For crying out loud!

  • 321 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 322 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 323 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 324 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 325 Traditions and skills still there

  • 326 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 327 Jumble sale fever

  • 328 Off on a great adventure

  • 329 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 330 First ship in 8 years

  • 331 Sweets derationing

  • 332 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 333 When horses score over the tractor

  • 334 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 335 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 336 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 337 All for the love of a lady!

  • 338 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 339 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 340 New art gallery opened

  • 341 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 342

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 343 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 344 Cruising down the river

  • 345 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 346 Northam footballers of the future

  • 347 Puppet characters introduced

  • 348 Out of puff!

  • 349 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 350 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 351 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 352 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 353

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 354 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 355 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 356 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 357 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 358 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 359 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 360 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 361

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 362 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 363

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 364 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 365 A story to tell!

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

  • 367 New choral society's growing response

  • 368

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 369 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 370 Waldon Triplets
  • 371 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 372 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 373 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 374 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 375 Last train from Torrington

  • 376 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 377 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 378 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 379 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 380 Picking the pops

  • 381 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 382 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 383 Northam's almshouse

  • 384 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 385 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 386 Bideford loses training ship

  • 387 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 388 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 389 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 390 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 391 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 392 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 393 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 394 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 395 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 396

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 397 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 398 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 399 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 400 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 401 New look in the hayfields

  • 402 Torrington's new amenity

  • 403

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 404

    Relatives all over the world
  • 405 Weare Giffard potato

  • 406 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 407 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 408 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 409 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 410 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 411 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 412 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 413 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 414 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 415 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 416 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 417 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 418 Blanchards ad.>
  • 419 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 420

    New gateway
  • 421

    Was a missionary
  • 422 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

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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  • 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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  • 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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Pigeon Pioneers Pleased in 1961

The longest distance young bird race ever attempted by Bideford fanciers proved an outstanding success for the Racing Pigeon Club.

1961 pigeon pioneers

 

Eight pioneers sent their best candidates to compete in this classic marathon held in conjunction with the West of England Continental Amalgamation. Some doubts expressed prior to the race, that the distance from Margate of approximately 245 miles would prove beyond the physical capacity of immature pigeons of about six months of age. Such was not to be the case, however.
Race controller Waldron after consultation with liberator Hancock, decided to release the racers at 7.30am in ideal weather conditions. Shortly after 2pm the pigeons began homing to their local lofts, and finally six out of the eight competing members had timed in arrivals.
Congratulations are due to all these very gallant pigeons for blazing another new trail in local pigeon circles. Appledore and Northam, however, derive most pleasure and credit from the race as they provided the first five winners, the sole Bideford arrival bringing up the rear. Winners and their velocities are: Cann 1,061; Lamey 998; Joe Keen 994: James 966; Jewell 963; and Waldron 797.
So ends another successful attempt at long distance young bird racing by those who have the courage of their convictions, and the faith in their racers to surmount the obstacles en route.

People

At Hartland Wedding

At Hartland Wedding - 2nd March 1937

2.3.1937 Hartland wedding
 

Bridegroom And Best Man In Light-Keepers Uniform

Both bridgegroom and best man wore their light-keeper's uniform at the wedding at St Nectan's on Saturday, of Mr Redvers Ewart, younger and only surviving son of Mrs Annie and the late Mr William Buckler, to Bessie Iverna R., younger daughter of Mr and Mrs Ernest W Pyne, of Blagdon. The weather cleared just in time for the ceremony.
The Vicar (Rev Ivon Gregory, R.D.) officiated, Mr G Burrow being organist.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of white satin with train, embroidered veil and coronet of orange blossoms, white satin shoes and carried a bouquet of arum lilies, white carnations, white heather, and ferns. She was attended by her only sister Mrs Doris Barnes, of St Anne's Lighthouse, as matron of honour, who wore an ankle length marina marocain dress, hat to tone and silver shoes.
Bridesmaids were Miss May Westlake, Miss Cissy Lane, Miss L Stanbury. They wore ankle length marina satin dresses, net caps to tone, trimmed with velvet flowers and silver leaves, silver sandal shoes, and carried bouquets of pink carnations, white heather and ferns. Mr G Hy Prebble (Hartland Point) was best man. The bride's mother wore a brown marocain dress with brown hat, and the bridegrooms's mother one of navy blue silk and navy blue hat.
The bride's preesnt to the bridegroom was a gold watch chain and the bridegroom gave the bride a cabinet sewing machine. He also gave the Misses Lane and Stanbury silver bangles, and Mrs Barnes and Miss Westlake gold signet rings.
About forty attended a reception at Blagdon House. The honeymoon is being spent at Bournemouth the bride travelling in a brown dress and coat and rust coloured going away hat.
The bride and bridegroom's new address will be Devon House, Edmund Street, Holyhead, N Wales.

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