• 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 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 2 Six footed lamb

  • 3

    Building works
  • 4 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 5 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 6 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 7 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 8 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 9 Modern living at Bideford

  • 10 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 11 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 12 A bird of their own!

  • 13 Littleham family's five generations

  • 14 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 15 For crying out loud!

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

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

  • 18 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 19 Cruising down the river

  • 20 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 21 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 22 First ship in 8 years

  • 23 New life for Hartland organ

  • 24

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 25 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 26 In their new robes and hats

  • 27 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 28 Circus comes to town

  • 29 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 30 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 31 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 32 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 33 Sweets derationing

  • 34 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 35 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 36 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 37 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 38 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 39 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 40 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 41 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 42 Police station view of Bideford

  • 43 Over the bank together>
  • 44 So this is the mainland!

  • 45

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 46 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 47 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 48 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 49 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 50 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 51 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 52 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 53 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 54 Traditions and skills still there

  • 55 Puppet characters introduced

  • 56 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 57

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 58 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 59 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 60 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 61 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 62 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 63 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 64 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 65 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 66

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 67 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 68

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 69 Clovelly custom

  • 70 Hartland's invitation

  • 71 Torrington children build igloo
  • 72 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 73 Loads of black and white

  • 74 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 75 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 76 No sale of Springfield House

  • 77 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 78 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 79 It really was the 'last time'

  • 80 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 81 Some mushroom!

  • 82 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 83 Symbol of Lundy independence

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

  • 85 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 86 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 87 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 88 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 89 Decontrol of meat

  • 90 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 91 Simple Item 138
  • 92 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 93 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 94 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 95 Peter poses for TV film

  • 96

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 97 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 98 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 99 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 100 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 101 North Devon Driving School

  • 102 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 103 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 104 Emergency ferry services

  • 105 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 106 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

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

  • 108 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 109 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 110 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 111 When horses score over the tractor

  • 112

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 113 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 114 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 115 They are parted pro-tem

  • 116 Picking the pops

  • 117 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 118

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 119 New shipyard on schedule

  • 120 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 121 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 122

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 123 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 124 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 125 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 126 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 127 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 128 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 129 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 130 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 131 By pony and trap to market

  • 132 A story to tell!

  • 133 Warmington's garage ad

  • 134 Sight of a lifetime

  • 135 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 136 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 137 End of the line

  • 138 He beat the floods

  • 139 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 140 Just over a year old

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

  • 142 New civic medallions

  • 143 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 144 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 145 Torrington's new amenity

  • 146 Private home for public pump

  • 147 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 148 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 149 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 150 Jumble sale fever

  • 151 Clovelly nightmare

  • 152 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 153

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 154 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 155 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 156 Appledore's largest

  • 157 Devil sent packing

  • 158 Life begins at 80

  • 159 Capers on the cobbles

  • 160 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 161 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 162 New choral society's growing response

  • 163 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 164 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 165 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 166 No laughing matter

  • 167 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 168 New Post Office

  • 169 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 170 Penny for the guy

  • 171

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 172 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 173

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 174 Caught in the act>
  • 175

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 176 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 177 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 178 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 179 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 180 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 181 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 182 Bideford regatta

  • 183 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 184

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 185 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 186 Filming at Hartland

  • 187 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 188 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 189 Service with a smile

  • 190 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 191 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 192 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 193 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 194 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 195

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 196 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 197 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 198 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 199 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 200 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 201 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 202 New art gallery opened

  • 203 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 204 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 205 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 206 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 207 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 208 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 209 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 210 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 211 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 212 What's the time?

  • 213

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 214 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 215 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 216 Ships at Bideford

  • 217 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 218 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 219 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 220 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 221 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 222 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 223 Hartland Dancers
  • 224

    Relatives all over the world
  • 225 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 226 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 227 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 228 Riverside mystery

  • 229 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 230

    Married in 1908
  • 231 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 232 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 233 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 234 Off on a great adventure

  • 235 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 236

    New gateway
  • 237 All for the love of a lady!

  • 238 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 239

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 240

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 241 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 242 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 243 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 244 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 245 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 246 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 247 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 248 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 249 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 250 Pannier Market's future?

  • 251 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 252 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 253 Twenty-one yachts

  • 254 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 255 Picking the pops

  • 256 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 257 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 258 Revenge in style

  • 259 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 260 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 261 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 262 Artisans' Club

  • 263 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 264 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 265 A roof-top view - where?

  • 266 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 267 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 268 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 269 The Geneva marionettes

  • 270 Bideford computer stars

  • 271 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 272 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 273 The art of the thatcher

  • 274 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 275 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 276

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 277 Northam's almshouse

  • 278 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 279 Recognise this resort?

  • 280 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 281 New look for Torrington Lane

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

  • 283 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 284 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 285 The cab at the corner>
  • 286 Hartland postman retires

  • 287 Mobile missionary

  • 288

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 289 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 290

    Exhibition of school work
  • 291 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 292 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 293 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 294 Variety in summer weather

  • 295 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 296 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 297 From Bobby to Brian

  • 298 Out of puff!

  • 299 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 300 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 301 113 years at Instow

  • 302 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 303 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 304 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 305 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 306 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 307 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 308 School crossing patrol begins

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

  • 310 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 311 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 312 Waldon Triplets
  • 313 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 314 Last train from Torrington

  • 315 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 316

    First prize
  • 317 Centenary of Gazette

  • 318 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 319 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 320 Can spring be far away?

  • 321 New Lundy stamps

  • 322 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 323 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 324 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 325 All aboard the ark

  • 326 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 327

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 328 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 329 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 330 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 331 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 332 Blanchards ad.>
  • 333 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 334 Weare Giffard potato

  • 335 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 336 Ten year old scrambler

  • 337 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 338 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 339 School's link with cargo ship

  • 340 Bridging the stream

  • 341 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 342 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 343

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 344 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 345 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 346 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 347 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 348 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 349

    Bidefordians
  • 350 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 351

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 352 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 353 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 354 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 355 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 356 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

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

  • 358

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 359 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 360 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 361 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 362 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 363 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 364 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 365

    Was a missionary
  • 366 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 367 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 368 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 369 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 370 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 371 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 372 Parkham plan realised

  • 373 Some 240 exhibits

  • 374 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 375 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 376 Happy Days!

  • 377 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 378 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 379 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 380 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 381 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 382 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 383 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 384 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 385 Northam footballers of the future

  • 386 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 387 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 388 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 389

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 390 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 391 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 392 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 393 Finished in 1876

  • 394 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 395 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 396 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

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

  • 398 New look in the hayfields

  • 399 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 400 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 401 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 402 Burnard family reunion

  • 403 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 404 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 405 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 406 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 407 New addition to Quay front

  • 408 A man and his wheel

  • 409 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 410 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 411 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 412 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 413 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 414 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 415 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 416 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 417 Torrington in 1967

  • 418 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 419 Bideford loses training ship

  • 420 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 421 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 422 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

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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  • 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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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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Hartland Siren Awakens Town

When Hartland fire siren is sounded at dead of night it awakens everyone in the town - but not, sometimes, some of the firemen who live at a distance.

2.7.1971 Hartland siren

Now, following represenations from Mr N Westlake, secretary of Hartland Volunteer Fire Service, the Parish Council are to press for the installation of alarm bells in the homes of the 12 firemen so that the siren need not be sounded during the night.
Mr H Conibear, who is a firemen, reminded the Council that the brigade had one had a handcart and operated only in Fore Street. Now it covers the town and Clovelly, Woolsery and Bradworthy.
Gazette article dated 2 July 1971

New Engine For Torrington’s New Fire Station

Torrington now possesses one of the most modern fire engines in the county – it was recently delivered direct from the works – but although good progress has been made, it will be some weeks before its new ‘home’ will be ready to accommodate it.

25.3.1960 Torrington Fire Station

At the moment the new engine is housed in the fire station that was built by the NFS during the war. The Town Council were then promised that as soon as possible after hostilities ceased a new station would be provided. But the end of the war found the county so badly off for such accommodation that only now has Torrington’s turn arrived.
The full Gazette article is dated 25 March 1960

Local fire and ambulance workers thanked 22nd July 1966

Local fire and ambulance workers thanked 22nd July 1966

Local fire and ambulance

The Mayor of Bideford (Mrs Vivian Patt) expressed thanks to local members of the fire and ambulance services for their valued work for the community when she officially opened the new fire and ambulance stations at Old Town. To symbolise the opening, the Mayor pulled a lever which automatically flings wide the doors of the fire station to enable the applicances to make a quick get away.

Mr J Farrell, chairman of Devon County Fire Brigade Committee opened the proceedings.  The Mayor, who was accompanieed by the Mayoress (Mrs P Galliford) then inspected the parading fire and ambulance men and women.

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