• 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 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 2 Sweets derationing

  • 3 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 4 New art gallery opened

  • 5 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 6 Service with a smile

  • 7 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 8 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 9 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 10 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 11 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 12 Devil sent packing

  • 13 Caught in the act>
  • 14 Emergency ferry services

  • 15 Life begins at 80

  • 16 Bideford regatta

  • 17

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 18 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 19 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 20 What's the time?

  • 21 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 22 The art of the thatcher

  • 23 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 24 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 25 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 26

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 27

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 28 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 29 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 30 A roof-top view - where?

  • 31 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 32 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 33 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 34 For crying out loud!

  • 35 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 36 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 37 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 38 End of the line

  • 39 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 40 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 41 113 years at Instow

  • 42 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 43 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

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

  • 45 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 46 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 47 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 48 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 49 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 50 No laughing matter

  • 51 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 52 Finished in 1876

  • 53 Penny for the guy

  • 54 The cab at the corner>
  • 55 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 56 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 57 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 58 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 59

    Exhibition of school work
  • 60 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 61 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 62 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 63 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 64 Pannier Market's future?

  • 65 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 66 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 67

    Married in 1908
  • 68 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 69

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 70 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 71 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 72 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 73

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 74

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 75 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 76 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 77 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 78 Cruising down the river

  • 79 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 80 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 81 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 82 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 83 They are parted pro-tem

  • 84 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 85 Parkham plan realised

  • 86 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 87 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 88 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 89 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 90 The Geneva marionettes

  • 91 New Post Office

  • 92 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 93 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 94 When horses score over the tractor

  • 95 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 96 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 97 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 98 In their new robes and hats

  • 99 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 100 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 101 Beach search for mines takes longer

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

  • 103 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 104 Ten year old scrambler

  • 105 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 106

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 107 First ship in 8 years

  • 108 New look in the hayfields

  • 109 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 110 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 111 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 112 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 113 From Bobby to Brian

  • 114 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 115 New civic medallions

  • 116 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 117 Variety in summer weather

  • 118 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 119 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 120 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 121 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 122 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 123 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 124 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 125 Can spring be far away?

  • 126 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 127 Some mushroom!

  • 128 School's link with cargo ship

  • 129 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 130 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 131 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 132 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 133 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 134 Television comes to Torridge District

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

  • 136 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 137 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 138 Clovelly custom

  • 139 Six footed lamb

  • 140 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 141 Jumble sale fever

  • 142 He beat the floods

  • 143 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 144 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 145 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 146 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 147 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 148 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 149 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 150 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 151 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 152 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 153 Mobile missionary

  • 154 Hartland Dancers
  • 155 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 156 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 157 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 158 By pony and trap to market

  • 159 No sale of Springfield House

  • 160

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 161 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 162 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 163 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 164 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 165 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 166 Filming at Hartland

  • 167 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 168 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 169 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 170

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 171 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 172 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 173 Clovelly nightmare

  • 174 Capers on the cobbles

  • 175 New addition to Quay front

  • 176 All aboard the ark

  • 177 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 178 New Lundy stamps

  • 179 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 180 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 181 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 182 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 183 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 184 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 185 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 186 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 187 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 188

    Building works
  • 189 Northam footballers of the future

  • 190 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 191 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 192 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 193 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 194 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 195 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 196 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 197 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 198 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 199 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 200 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 201

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 202 Out of puff!

  • 203 Waldon Triplets
  • 204

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 205 Loads of black and white

  • 206 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 207 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 208 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 209 Torrington's new amenity

  • 210 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 211 Last train from Torrington

  • 212 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

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

  • 214 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 215

    Bidefordians
  • 216 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 217

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 218 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 219 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 220 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 221 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 222 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 223 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 224 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 225 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 226 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 227 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 228 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 229 Torrington in 1967

  • 230 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 231 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 232 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

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

  • 234 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 235 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 236 Burnard family reunion

  • 237 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 238

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 239 Littleham family's five generations

  • 240 Twenty-one yachts

  • 241 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 242 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 243 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 245 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 246 Just over a year old

  • 247 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 248 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 249 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 250 Bridging the stream

  • 251 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 252 Recognise this resort?

  • 253 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 254 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 255 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 256 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 257 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 258 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 259 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 260 Happy Days!

  • 261 A bird of their own!

  • 262 Peter poses for TV film

  • 263 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 264 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 265 Warmington's garage ad

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

  • 267 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 268 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 269 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 270

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 271 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 272 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 273 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 274 New shipyard on schedule

  • 275 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 276 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 277 Simple Item 138
  • 278 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 279 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 280 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 281 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 282 A story to tell!

  • 283 Puppet characters introduced

  • 284 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 285 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 286 Blanchards ad.>
  • 287

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 288 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 289 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 290 Artisans' Club

  • 291 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 292

    Relatives all over the world
  • 293 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 294 Weare Giffard potato

  • 295 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 296

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 297 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 298 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 299 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 300 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 301

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 302 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 303 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 304 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 305 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 306 Picking the pops

  • 307 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 308 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 309 North Devon Driving School

  • 310 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 311 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 312 Over the bank together>
  • 313 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 314 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 315 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 316

    Was a missionary
  • 317 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 318 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 319 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 320 Some 240 exhibits

  • 321 Torrington children build igloo
  • 322 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 323 A man and his wheel

  • 324 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 325 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 326 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 327 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 328 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 329 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 330 Picking the pops

  • 331 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

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

  • 333 It really was the 'last time'

  • 334 Private home for public pump

  • 335 Centenary of Gazette

  • 336 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 338

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 339 Northam's almshouse

  • 340 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 341 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 342 Hartland's invitation

  • 343 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 344 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 345 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 346 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 347 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 348 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 349 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 350 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 351 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 352 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 353 Off on a great adventure

  • 354 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 355 New choral society's growing response

  • 356

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 357 Hartland postman retires

  • 358 Revenge in style

  • 359 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 360 Sight of a lifetime

  • 361

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 362 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 363 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 364 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 365 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 366 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 367 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 368 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 369 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 370 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 371 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 372 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 373 Appledore's largest

  • 374 School crossing patrol begins

  • 375 Bideford computer stars

  • 376 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 377 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 378 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 379 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 380

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 381

    New gateway
  • 382 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 383

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 384 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 385

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 386

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 387 Decontrol of meat

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

  • 389 So this is the mainland!

  • 390 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 391 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 392 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 393 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 394 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 395 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 396 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 397 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 398 Bideford loses training ship

  • 399 Riverside mystery

  • 400

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 401 Ships at Bideford

  • 402 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 403 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 404 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 405 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 406 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 407 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 408 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 409 New life for Hartland organ

  • 410 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 411 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 412 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 413 Circus comes to town

  • 414 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 415 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 416 Traditions and skills still there

  • 417 All for the love of a lady!

  • 418 Modern living at Bideford

  • 419 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 420 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 421 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 422

    First prize
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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Melhuish trustees appointed 7th January 1972

Melhuish trustees appointed 7th January 1972

Melhuish trustees appointed

The appointment in the High Court Chancery Division of new trustees for the Melhuish estate means that occupiers of Melhuish property may now be able to apply to acquire the freehold of their property.

Mr Alan Gardner, Clerk of Northam Urban Council, told Gazette "It is a very interesting development and obviously the Council will have to consider what to do".

Zero hour nears 27th February 1970

Zero hour nears 27th February 1970

Zero hour nearsIn little more than a month "the ballon will go up" for a number of people - those who hope to substantiate a claim to the Melhuish Estate, largely comprising Northam Burrows and, it is said, a substantial section of Appledore, and those who occupy what is said to be Melhuish property.  March 28th is the reputed date on which the 200 yr old lease fall in, and from that date a number of claimants will - for who knows how long? - be perched on a knife edge flanked by hope and fear.

Northam Urban Council as lords of the manor will, says their Clerk, Mr A Gardner, carry on on behalf of the freeholders until they turn up.

Golf Club to sell Burrows rights for £5? 25th August 1961

Golf Club to sell Burrows rights for £5? 25th August 1961

Golf club to sell BurrowsMellhuish: Royal North Devon Golf Club have agreed to sell to Northam Urban Council the manorial rights of Northam Burrows for a nominal sum of £5 - subject to a satisfactory outcome of a few points of detail.

The Golf Club acquired the manorial rights in 1895 from the then Lord of the Manor, Mr A L Christie, of Tapeley, Instow.  The 200 year lease of the 800 acres of the Burrows lapses in 9 years time and the Urban Council may then try to acquire the freehold rights.

The Clerk of Northam Council, Mr A Gardner said that the Council wanted to have more control over the Burrows and had borne in mind the question of coast protection for which they have a £500,000 scheme.

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