• 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 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 2 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 3 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 4 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 5 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 6

    Was a missionary
  • 7 Weare Giffard potato

  • 8 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 9 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 10 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 11 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 12 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 13 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 14 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 15 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 16 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 17 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 18

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 19 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 20 New shipyard on schedule

  • 21 Circus comes to town

  • 22 Appledore's largest

  • 23 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 24 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 25 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 26 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 27 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 28 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 29 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 30 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 31 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 32 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 33

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 34 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 35 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 36 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

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

  • 38

    First prize
  • 39 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 40 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 41 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 42

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 43 New addition to Quay front

  • 44 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 45 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 46 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 47 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 49 Capers on the cobbles

  • 50 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 51 It really was the 'last time'

  • 52 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 53 New Post Office

  • 54 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 55 Last train from Torrington

  • 56 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 57 Puppet characters introduced

  • 58 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 59 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 60 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 61 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 62 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 63 Modern living at Bideford

  • 64 In their new robes and hats

  • 65

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 66 Students help model St Sidwell

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

  • 68 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 69 New life for Hartland organ

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

  • 71

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 72 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 73 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 74 New Lundy stamps

  • 75 Traditions and skills still there

  • 76 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 77 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 78 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 79 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 80 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 81 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 82 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 83 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 84 113 years at Instow

  • 85 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 86 Torrington children build igloo
  • 87 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 88 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 89 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 90 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 91 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 92 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 93 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 94 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 95

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 96 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 97 No sale of Springfield House

  • 98 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 99 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 100

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 101 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 102

    Bidefordians
  • 103 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 104 Cruising down the river

  • 105 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 106 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 107 Devil sent packing

  • 108 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 109 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 110 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 111 All aboard the ark

  • 112 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 113 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 114 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 115 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 116 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 117 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 118

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 119 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 120 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 121 Some 240 exhibits

  • 122 Northam footballers of the future

  • 123 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 124

    Relatives all over the world
  • 125 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 126 By pony and trap to market

  • 127 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 128 Finished in 1876

  • 129 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 130 Warmington's garage ad

  • 131 Waldon Triplets
  • 132

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 133 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 134 From Bobby to Brian

  • 135 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 136 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 137 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 138 Picking the pops

  • 139 Torrington in 1967

  • 140 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 141 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 142 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 143 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 144 Some mushroom!

  • 145 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 146 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 147 Happy Days!

  • 148

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 149 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 150 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 151 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 152 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 153 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 154 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 155 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 156 Clovelly nightmare

  • 157 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 158 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 159 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 160 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 161 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 162 New choral society's growing response

  • 163 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 164 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 165 Service with a smile

  • 166 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 167

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 168 Bridging the stream

  • 169 Variety in summer weather

  • 170

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 171 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 172 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 173 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 174 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 175 Picking the pops

  • 176 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 177 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 178 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 179 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 180 New look for Torrington Lane

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

  • 182 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 183 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 184 Parkham plan realised

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

  • 186 Just over a year old

  • 187

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 188 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 189 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 190 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 191 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 192 Life begins at 80

  • 193 Off on a great adventure

  • 194 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 195 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 196 So this is the mainland!

  • 197 Police station view of Bideford

  • 198

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 199 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 200 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 201 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 202 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 203 A story to tell!

  • 204 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 205 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 206 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 207 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 208 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 209 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 210 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 211 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 212 Can spring be far away?

  • 213 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 214 Loads of black and white

  • 215 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 216 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 217 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 218 School's link with cargo ship

  • 219 First ship in 8 years

  • 220 Sweets derationing

  • 221 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 222 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 223 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 224

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 225 Northam's almshouse

  • 226 All for the love of a lady!

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

  • 228 Centenary of Gazette

  • 229 Filming at Hartland

  • 230 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 231 Clovelly custom

  • 232 Revenge in style

  • 233 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 234 Simple Item 138
  • 235 Caught in the act>
  • 236 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 237 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 238 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 239 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 241 New look in the hayfields

  • 242 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 243 Ten year old scrambler

  • 244 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 245 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 246 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 247 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 248 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 249 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 250 A man and his wheel

  • 251 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 252 Decontrol of meat

  • 253 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 254 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 255 Artisans' Club

  • 256 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 257 Last of Bideford factory chimney

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

  • 259 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 260

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 261 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 262 Emergency ferry services

  • 263 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 264 Riverside mystery

  • 265 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 266 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 267 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 268 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 269 No laughing matter

  • 270 School crossing patrol begins

  • 271 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 272 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 273 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 274 Hartland's invitation

  • 275 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 276 Hartland postman retires

  • 277 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 278 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 279 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 280 A roof-top view - where?

  • 281 Peter poses for TV film

  • 282 Burnard family reunion

  • 283 Bideford computer stars

  • 284 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 285 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 286 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 287 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 288 Pannier Market's future?

  • 289 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 290 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 291 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 292 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 293 Bideford's first woman councillor

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

  • 295 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 296 A bird of their own!

  • 297 What's the time?

  • 298 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 299 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 300 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 301

    New gateway
  • 302 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 303 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 304 He beat the floods

  • 305 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 306 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 307 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 308 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 309 New art gallery opened

  • 310 Private home for public pump

  • 311 Bideford loses training ship

  • 312 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 313 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 314 New civic medallions

  • 315

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 316 Out of puff!

  • 317

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 318 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 319 An early 'special' to Bideford

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

  • 321 End of the line

  • 322 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 323 Sight of a lifetime

  • 324 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 325 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 326 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 327 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 328 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 329 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 330 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 331 For crying out loud!

  • 332 The cab at the corner>
  • 333 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 334 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 335 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 336 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 337 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 338 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 339 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 340 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 341 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 342 North Devon Driving School

  • 343

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 344 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 345 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

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

  • 347 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 348 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 349

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 350 Bideford regatta

  • 351 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 352 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 353 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 354 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 355 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 356 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 357 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 358 Recognise this resort?

  • 359 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 360

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 361 Jumble sale fever

  • 362 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 363 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 364 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 365 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 366 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 367 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 368 Six footed lamb

  • 369 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 370 Torrington's new amenity

  • 371 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 372 Over the bank together>
  • 373 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 374 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 375 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 376 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 377

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 378 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 379 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 380 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 381 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 382 They are parted pro-tem

  • 383 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 384 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 385 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 386 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 387 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 388 The art of the thatcher

  • 389 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 390 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 391 Penny for the guy

  • 392 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 393 Mobile missionary

  • 394 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 395 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 396 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 397 The Geneva marionettes

  • 398 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 399 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 400 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 401

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 402 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 403

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 404 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 405 When horses score over the tractor

  • 406 Blanchards ad.>
  • 407 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 408

    Building works
  • 409 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 410 Ships at Bideford

  • 411 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 412

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 413 Twenty-one yachts

  • 414 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 415

    Married in 1908
  • 416 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 417 Littleham family's five generations

  • 418 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 419 Hartland Dancers
  • 420 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 421 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 422

    Exhibition of school work
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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Lundy’s Bells Inspected

The eight bells of the church on the island of Lundy

26.10.1962 Lundys bells

have been silent for a number of years, having become unsafe through the deterioration of fittings and the tower.

On the arrival of a bell-hanger to rehang the re-cast bells of Appledore Parish Church, the opportunity was taken to let him inspect and report on the island’s church tower and bells. The tenor bell on Lundy weighs 15½cwt compared with the 10¼cwt of the tenor bell at Appledore.

The bell-hanger, Mr J Walker, visited the island on Saturday in the Lundy Gannet whose passengers also included the co-owner of Lundy, Mr Albion Harman.

A report will in due course be received at Appledore from the bell-founders.

Gazette article dated 26 October 1962

Bells Ring Out Again At Welcombe

St Nectan's Parish Church, Welcombe, now has a team of bell-ringers for the first time for a number of years

14.7.1961 Welcombe bells

The Vicar, Rev Andrew T H Jones, explained that a suggestion had been put forward at the annual parish meeting that a team should be revived and they had been fortunate in getting five or six youngsters to come forward to train under the captaincy of Mr Jack Saunders, of Lynton Farm, Welcombe, who is an experienced ringer.

Appropriately, the first peal by the new team was rung at the church's Patronal Festival on June 18th and they have rung on successive Sundays.

'We are very thrilled with it' commented the Vicar.

14.7.1961 Welcombe bells1

Gazette article dated 14 July 1961

Weare Giffard Bells To Be Heard In Vancouver

Already heard in London


11.8.1961 Weare Giffard bells

The sound of the bells of Weare Giffard Parish Church, recently rung for the first time after being re-hung, will be heard in Vancouver.

The Rector, Rev J M Lucas, explains in the current issue of the Hartland Deanery Magazine that a visitor from Vancouver, staying at Landcross, came to Weare Giffard one evening and tape-recorded the bells.

‘Our ringers gave a good account of themselves and I understand that the bells of Weare Giffard will sound forth on the local radio in Vancouver and will also be amplified from the church tower of the church in which our visitor worships’ writes Mr Lucas.

Incidentally the bells have already been heard in London – by someone who telephoned Mr Lucas on the first occasion the bells were rung since the re-hanging.

Gazette article dated 11 August 1961

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