• 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 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 2 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 3 A roof-top view - where?

  • 4 Recognise this resort?

  • 5 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 6 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 7 Burnard family reunion

  • 8 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 9 Weare Giffard potato

  • 10 Torrington children build igloo
  • 11 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 12 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 13 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 14 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

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

  • 16 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 17 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 18 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 19 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 20 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 21 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 22 Penny for the guy

  • 23 New choral society's growing response

  • 24 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 25 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 26 Warmington's garage ad

  • 27 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 28 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 29 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 30 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 31 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 33

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 34 Appledore's largest

  • 35

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 36 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 37 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 38 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 39 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 40 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 41 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 42 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 43 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 44 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 45

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 46 From Bobby to Brian

  • 47 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 48 Blanchards ad.>
  • 49 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 50 The Geneva marionettes

  • 51 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 52 Filming at Hartland

  • 53 When horses score over the tractor

  • 54 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 55 Artisans' Club

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

  • 57 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 58 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 59 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 60 Torrington in 1967

  • 61 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 62 New addition to Quay front

  • 63

    Bidefordians
  • 64 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 65

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 66 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 67 Modern living at Bideford

  • 68 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 69 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 70

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 71 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 72 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 73 Parkham plan realised

  • 74

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 75

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 76 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 77 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 78 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 79 Revenge in style

  • 80 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 81 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 82 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 83 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 84 They are parted pro-tem

  • 85 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 86 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 87 Off on a great adventure

  • 88

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 89 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 90

    New gateway
  • 91 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 92 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 93 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 94 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 95 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 96 The cab at the corner>
  • 97 End of the line

  • 98 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 99 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 100 Littleham family's five generations

  • 101 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 102 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 103 Traditions and skills still there

  • 104 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 105

    Exhibition of school work
  • 106 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 107 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 108 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 109 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 110 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

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

  • 112

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 113 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 114 So this is the mainland!

  • 115 Variety in summer weather

  • 116 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 117 Finished in 1876

  • 118 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 119 Some 240 exhibits

  • 120 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 121 No laughing matter

  • 122 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 123 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 124 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 125 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 126 Some mushroom!

  • 127

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 128 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 129 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 130 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 131 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

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

  • 133 Sight of a lifetime

  • 134 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 135 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 136 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 137 New Lundy air-mail stamps

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

  • 139 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 140 He beat the floods

  • 141 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 142 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 143 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 144

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 145 Caught in the act>
  • 146 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 147 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 148 Six footed lamb

  • 149 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 150 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 151 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 152 Northam footballers of the future

  • 153 What's the time?

  • 154 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 155 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 156 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 157 Just over a year old

  • 158 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 159 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 160 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 161

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 162 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 163 Devil sent packing

  • 164

    First prize
  • 165 New life for Hartland organ

  • 166 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 167 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 168 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 169 Pannier Market's future?

  • 170 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 171 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 172 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 173 Service with a smile

  • 174 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 175 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 176 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 177

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 178 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 179 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 180 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 181 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 182 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 183 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 184 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 185 A story to tell!

  • 186 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 187 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 188 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 189 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 190 New shipyard on schedule

  • 191 Peter poses for TV film

  • 192 Picking the pops

  • 193 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 194 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 195

    Was a missionary
  • 196 All for the love of a lady!

  • 197 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 198 New civic medallions

  • 199 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 200 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 201 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 202 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 203 First ship in 8 years

  • 204 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 205 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 206 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 207 Clovelly custom

  • 208 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 209 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 210

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 211 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 212 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 213 Police station view of Bideford

  • 214 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 215 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 216 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 217 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 218 Puppet characters introduced

  • 219 Private home for public pump

  • 220

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 221 Riverside mystery

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

  • 223 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

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

  • 225 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 226 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 227 Centenary of Gazette

  • 228

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 229 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 230 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 231

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 232 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 233 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 234 Hartland Dancers
  • 235 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 236 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 237 Clovelly nightmare

  • 238 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 239 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 240 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 241 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 242 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 243 Loads of black and white

  • 244 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 245 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 246 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 247 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 248 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 249 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 250 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 251

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 252 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 253 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 254 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 255 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 256 A bird of their own!

  • 257 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 258 Jumble sale fever

  • 259 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 260 Cruising down the river

  • 261 Hartland postman retires

  • 262 School crossing patrol begins

  • 263 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 264 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 265 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 266 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 267

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 268 A man and his wheel

  • 269 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 270 Happy Days!

  • 271 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 272 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 273 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 274 Torrington's new amenity

  • 275 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 276 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 277 Last train from Torrington

  • 278 Over the bank together>
  • 279 New look in the hayfields

  • 280

    Married in 1908
  • 281 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 282 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 283 New art gallery opened

  • 284 Life begins at 80

  • 285 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 286 Circus comes to town

  • 287 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 288 Out of puff!

  • 289 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 290 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 291 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 292 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 293 Can spring be far away?

  • 294 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 295 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 296 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 297 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 298 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 299 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 300 Twenty-one yachts

  • 301 Bideford loses training ship

  • 302 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 303 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 304 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 305 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 306 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 307 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 308 No sale of Springfield House

  • 309 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 310 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 311 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 312 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 313 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 314 North Devon Driving School

  • 315

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 316 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 317 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 318 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 319 New Lundy stamps

  • 320 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 321 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 322 Waldon Triplets
  • 323 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 324 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 325 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 326 Ships at Bideford

  • 327 New Post Office

  • 328 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 329 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 330 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 331 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 332 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 333 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 334 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 335 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 336 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 337 All aboard the ark

  • 338 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 339 Bridging the stream

  • 340 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 341 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 342 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 343 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 344 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 345 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 346 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 347 For crying out loud!

  • 348 Hartland's invitation

  • 349 Mobile missionary

  • 350 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 351 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

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

  • 353 By pony and trap to market

  • 354 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 355 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 356 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 357 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 358 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 359 In their new robes and hats

  • 360 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 361 Emergency ferry services

  • 362

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 363 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 364 113 years at Instow

  • 365 Sweets derationing

  • 366 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 367 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 368 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 369 Bideford regatta

  • 370 It really was the 'last time'

  • 371 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 372

    Building works
  • 373 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 374 Decontrol of meat

  • 375

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 376 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 377 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

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

  • 379 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 380 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 381 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 382 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 383 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 384 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 385 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 386 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 387

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 388 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 389

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 390

    Relatives all over the world
  • 391 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 392 School's link with cargo ship

  • 393 Picking the pops

  • 394 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 395 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 396 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 397 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 398 The art of the thatcher

  • 399 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 400

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 401 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 402 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 403 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 404 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 405 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 406 Northam's almshouse

  • 407 Capers on the cobbles

  • 408 Ten year old scrambler

  • 409 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

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

  • 411 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 412 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 413 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 414 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 415 Pretty pennies at Beaford

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

  • 417 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 418 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 419 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 420 Bideford computer stars

  • 421 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 422 Simple Item 138
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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Bellringing Competition At Monkleigh

A bell ringing competition, arranged by Mr G Nicholls, took place on Saturday by kind permission of Rev R P Newton- Priest-in-charge, in connection with the Harvest Festival.

1950 bell ringing Monkleigh

Ten teams of the Association entered the contest. The judges were Messrs C R Bissett, S Nicholls and F Bailey.
The results were: 1, Chawleigh; 2, St Giles; 3, Down St Mary; 4, Frithelstock; 5, High Bickington; 6, Sheepwash; 7, Alwington; 8, Petrockstowe; 9, Northam; 10, Parkham.
Certificates which were presented to the five winning teams by Mrs M H Hill were the gifts of Mr G Nicholls.

Gazette article dated 22 September 1950

A Family Wedding Peal

Mr E C Nicholls and Miss J M Sanders

1950 Littleham

The bridegroom’s grandfather, father and two uncles and the bride’s brother were among those who rang the bells as the wedding at St Nectan’s Church, Welcombe, of Mr Ernest Claud Nicholls, of Shutta Farm, Littleham, to Miss Joyce Mary Sanders, daughter of Mr and Mrs Sanders, Linton Farm, Welcombe.
The bridegroom is chairman of the Buckland Brewer Young Farmers’ Club and the bride one of the organists of Welcombe Church and a bell-ringer.
The bridesmaid was Miss Edith Joyce Gifford and Mr Arthur Bisset was best man.
The bouquets were afterwards placed at the graves of the grandparents at Stoke, Hartland and Welcombe.
The reception was held at the bride’s home and sixty guests were present. All were interested in the display of presents, among those being a delightful gift from the bride’s two tiny nephews, Norman Sanders and John Lee, and another from the Littleham Skittles Club.
London was chosen for the honeymoon.

The full Gazette article is dated 2 June 1950

Winkleigh Parish Church Bell 5th April 1973

Winkleigh Parish Church Bell 5th April 1973

Winkley bellsWinkleigh Parish Church bells are to be re-tuned.  Here Mr Arthur Fidler (right), of Bow, and his assistant, who lowered the eight bells from the tower, are seen prepared two of the largest bells for dispatch to the foundry at Loughborough.

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