• 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 2 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 3 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 4 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

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

  • 6 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 7 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 8 Appledore's largest

  • 9 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 10 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 11 Just over a year old

  • 12 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 13 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 14 New look for Torrington Lane

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

  • 16 Cruising down the river

  • 17 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 18 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 19 Emergency ferry services

  • 20 New art gallery opened

  • 21 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 22

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 23 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 24 A man and his wheel

  • 25 Northam footballers of the future

  • 26 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 27 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 28 A roof-top view - where?

  • 29 No sale of Springfield House

  • 30 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 31 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 32 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 33 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 34 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 35 The cab at the corner>
  • 36

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 37 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 38 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 39 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 40 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 41 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 42 Bridging the stream

  • 43 Riverside mystery

  • 44 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 45 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 46 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 47 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 48 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 49 New life for Hartland organ

  • 50 Warmington's garage ad

  • 51 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 52 New Lundy stamps

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

  • 54 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 55 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 56 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 57 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 58 Private home for public pump

  • 59 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 60 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 61 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 62 Bideford loses training ship

  • 63 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 64

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 65 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 66 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 68 Penny for the guy

  • 69 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 70 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 71 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 72 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 73

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 74 Torrington in 1967

  • 75 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 76 Puppet characters introduced

  • 77 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 78 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 79 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 80 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 81 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 82 What's the time?

  • 83 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 84

    First prize
  • 85 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 86 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 87 School's link with cargo ship

  • 88 Service with a smile

  • 89

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 90 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 91 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 92 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 93

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 94 Hartland postman retires

  • 95 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 96 Mobile missionary

  • 97

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 98 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 99 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 100

    Building works
  • 101 Ships at Bideford

  • 102 Happy Days!

  • 103 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 104 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 105 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 106 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 107 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 108 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 109 Caught in the act>
  • 110 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 111 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 112 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 113

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 114 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 115 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 116

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 117 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 118 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 119 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 120 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 121 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 122 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 123 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 124 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 125 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 126

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 127 113 years at Instow

  • 128 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 129 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 130 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 131 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 132 All for the love of a lady!

  • 133 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 134 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 135 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 136 The art of the thatcher

  • 137 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 138 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 139 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 140 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 141 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 142 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 143 When horses score over the tractor

  • 144 Peter poses for TV film

  • 145 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 146 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 147 Weare Giffard potato

  • 148 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 149 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 150 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 151 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 152 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 153 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 154 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 155 Waldon Triplets
  • 156 Parkham plan realised

  • 157 New civic medallions

  • 158 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 159 Clovelly nightmare

  • 160 Northam's almshouse

  • 161 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 162 New addition to Quay front

  • 163 In their new robes and hats

  • 164 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 165 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 166 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 167 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 168 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 169 Capers on the cobbles

  • 170 A bird of their own!

  • 171 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 172 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 173 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 174 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 175 Off on a great adventure

  • 176 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 177 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 178 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 179

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 180 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 181 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

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

  • 183 Torrington's new amenity

  • 184 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 185 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 186 Twenty-one yachts

  • 187 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 188

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 189 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 190 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 191 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 192 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 193 Hartland's invitation

  • 194 New look in the hayfields

  • 195

    New gateway
  • 196 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 197 Police station view of Bideford

  • 198 Sight of a lifetime

  • 199 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 200 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 201 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 202 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 203 Ten year old scrambler

  • 204

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 205 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 206 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 207 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 208 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 209 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 210 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 211 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 212 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 213 Pannier Market's future?

  • 214 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 215 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 216 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 217 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 218 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 219 New Post Office

  • 220 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 221 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 222

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 223 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 225 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 226 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 227 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 228 Loads of black and white

  • 229 Filming at Hartland

  • 230 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 231 Over the bank together>
  • 232 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 233

    Bidefordians
  • 234 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 235 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 236

    Exhibition of school work
  • 237 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 238 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 239 Littleham family's five generations

  • 240 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 241 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 242 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 243 Traditions and skills still there

  • 244 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 245 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 246 So this is the mainland!

  • 247 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 248

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 249 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 250 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 251 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 252 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 253 Blanchards ad.>
  • 254 Artisans' Club

  • 255 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 256 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 257 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 258 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 259 Recognise this resort?

  • 260 Some 240 exhibits

  • 261 Variety in summer weather

  • 262 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 263 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 264 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 265 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 267 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 268 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 269 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 270 Hartland Dancers
  • 271 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 272 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 273 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 274 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 275 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 276 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 278 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 279 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 280 He beat the floods

  • 281 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 282 Clovelly custom

  • 283 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 284 New choral society's growing response

  • 285 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 286 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 287 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 288

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 289 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 290 All aboard the ark

  • 291 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 292

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 293 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 294 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 295 It really was the 'last time'

  • 296 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 297 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 298 North Devon Driving School

  • 299 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 300 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 301 Out of puff!

  • 302 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 303 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 304 Jumble sale fever

  • 305 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 306 Can spring be far away?

  • 307

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 308 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 309 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 310 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 311 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 312 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 313 Bideford computer stars

  • 314

    Was a missionary
  • 315 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 316 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 317 Six footed lamb

  • 318 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 319

    Relatives all over the world
  • 320 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 321

    Married in 1908
  • 322 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 323 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 324

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 325 New shipyard on schedule

  • 326 School crossing patrol begins

  • 327 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 328 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 329 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 330 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 331 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 332 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 333 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 334 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 335 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 336 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 337 Bideford regatta

  • 338

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 339 By pony and trap to market

  • 340 Torrington children build igloo
  • 341 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 342

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 343 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 344 A story to tell!

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

  • 346 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 347

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 348 Last train from Torrington

  • 349 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 350 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 351 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 352 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 353 First ship in 8 years

  • 354 Some mushroom!

  • 355 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 356 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 357 Sweets derationing

  • 358 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 359 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 360 They are parted pro-tem

  • 361

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 362 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

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

  • 364 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 365 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 366 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 367 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 368 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 369 Life begins at 80

  • 370 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 371 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 372 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 373 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 374 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 375 Simple Item 138
  • 376 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

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

  • 378 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 379 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 380 From Bobby to Brian

  • 381 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 382 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 383 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 384 For crying out loud!

  • 385 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 386 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 387 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 388 No laughing matter

  • 389 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 390 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 391 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 392

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 393 End of the line

  • 394 Centenary of Gazette

  • 395 Devil sent packing

  • 396 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 397 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 398 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 399 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 400 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 401 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 402 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 403 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 404 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 405 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 406

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 407 Revenge in style

  • 408 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 409 Modern living at Bideford

  • 410 Finished in 1876

  • 411 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 412 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 413 The Geneva marionettes

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

  • 415 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 416 Picking the pops

  • 417 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 418 Circus comes to town

  • 419 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 420 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 421 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 422 Picking the pops

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

Read More
and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

READ MORE

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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.

    Read More

  • 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;

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
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...

Read More
 

Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

Read More

Member Of Royal Yacht Crew

Weare Giffard 20-year-old

13.5.1960 Weare Giffard

Aboard the Royal yacht Britannia on the Royal honeymoon cruise through the Caribbean is 20 year old ME (I) Robert John Griffin, of Brook Cottage, Weare Giffard.

Robert, son of Mr and Mrs J Griffin, was educated at Torrington County Secondary School and was a member of the Bideford Sea Cadet Corps.

He joined the Navy three years ago, and became a member of the crew of the Britannia in January this year. He has already been to the West Indies on the Royal yacht – when the Princess Royal visited there.

Gazette article dated 13 May 1960

Bideford Girl’s Birthday Card to Royal Princess

A 12 year old Bideford girl who shares a love of horses with Princess Anne sent the Princess a birthday card

25.8.1972 Karen Hodgins

and has been thrilled to get a reply from Buckingham Palace.

Karen Hodgins, daughter of Mr and Mrs E Dawe, of 18 Sentry Corner, sent the postcard entirely on her own initiative. A pupil at Bideford County Secondary School, her health has not been good lately, a situation not helped by the loss of her pony, and she is receiving medical treatment.

A reply from the Princess, signed by a Lady-in-Waiting, thanks her for her kind message, and adds “Her Royal Highness was most touched by your thought for her and I am to tell you how much she appreciates this.”

Gazette article dated 25 August 1972

Lundy To Greet Royal Visitor On Sunday

Landing depends on wind not being in the east.

9.5.1958 Lundy Queen Mother

Lundy will have its first visit from a member of the British Royal Family when Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, steps ashore on the island on Sunday afternoon.
Provided there is no easterly wind, the Britannia, in which the Queen Mother returns home from Northern Ireland tomorrow will anchor in Lundy Roads off the tiny landing beach on the east coast of the island.
As she steps ashore the Queen Mother will be greeted by the owner of Lundy, Mr Albion Harman, and will meet the inhabitants who now number about twenty.
Arrangements may will be made by Mr F W Gade, the resident agent, who has lived on Lundy for nearly thirty years, for the Royal visitor to be taken up the path in a conveyance drawn by the island’s farm tractor.
Nearing the top of the cliff path, Her Majesty will pass the owner’s residence, Millcombe, built over a century ago by the then owner of the island, the Rev William Hudson Heaven, but since modernised.
The full article is dated 9 May 1958

  • 1

Login Form