• 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

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 2 Some 240 exhibits

  • 3 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 4 New Lundy stamps

  • 5 Traditions and skills still there

  • 6 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 7 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 8 Torrington's new amenity

  • 9 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 10 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 11 Hartland postman retires

  • 12 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 13 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 14 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 15 New life for Hartland organ

  • 16 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 17 New art gallery opened

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

  • 19 No laughing matter

  • 20 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 21 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 22 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 23 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 24 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 25 Just over a year old

  • 26 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 27 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 28 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 29 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 30

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 31 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 32 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 33 Police station view of Bideford

  • 34

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 35 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 36 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 37 Appledore's largest

  • 38 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 39 Blanchards ad.>
  • 40 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 41 What's the time?

  • 42 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 43 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 44 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 45 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

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

  • 47 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 48 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 49 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 50 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 51 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 52 Recognise this resort?

  • 53 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 54 Six footed lamb

  • 55 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 56 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 57

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 58 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 59 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 60 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 61 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 62 Decontrol of meat

  • 63 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 64 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 65 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 66

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 67 When horses score over the tractor

  • 68 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 69

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 70 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 71 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 72 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 73 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 74 He beat the floods

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

  • 76 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 77

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 78 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 79 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 80

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 81 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 82 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 83 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 84 New civic medallions

  • 85 Twenty-one yachts

  • 86 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 87 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 88 Bideford loses training ship

  • 89 Jumble sale fever

  • 90 Cruising down the river

  • 91 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 92

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 93 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 94 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 95 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 96 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 97 School's link with cargo ship

  • 98 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 99 For crying out loud!

  • 100

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 101

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 102 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 103 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 104 Caught in the act>
  • 105 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 106

    Was a missionary
  • 107 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 108 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 109 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 110 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 111 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 112 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 113 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 114 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 115 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 116 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 117 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 118 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 119 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 120

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 121 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 122 Big develolpment at Calveford

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

  • 124 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 125 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 126

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 127 A roof-top view - where?

  • 128 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 129 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 130 Artisans' Club

  • 131 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 132 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 133 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 134 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 135 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 136 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 137 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 138 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 139 Warmington's garage ad

  • 140 North Devon Driving School

  • 141 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 142 Life begins at 80

  • 143 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 144 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 145 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 146 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 147 The art of the thatcher

  • 148 Emergency ferry services

  • 149 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 150 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 151 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 152 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 153 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 154 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 155 Bideford computer stars

  • 156

    Married in 1908
  • 157

    Bidefordians
  • 158 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 159 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 160 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 161 Last train from Torrington

  • 162 All aboard the ark

  • 163 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 164 So this is the mainland!

  • 165 Waldon Triplets
  • 166 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 167 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 168 Weare Giffard potato

  • 169 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 170 New addition to Quay front

  • 171 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 172 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 173 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 174 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 175 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 176 Parkham plan realised

  • 177 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 178 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 179 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 180 Clovelly custom

  • 181 They are parted pro-tem

  • 182 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 183 Simple Item 138
  • 184 Bideford regatta

  • 185 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 186 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 187 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 188

    Exhibition of school work
  • 189 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 190 All for the love of a lady!

  • 191 Out of puff!

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

  • 193

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

  • 195 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 196 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 197 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 198 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 199 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 200 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 201 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 202 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 203 Safe door weighing two tons

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

  • 205 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 206 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 207 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 208 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 209 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

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

  • 211 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 212 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 213 Burnard family reunion

  • 214 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 215 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 216 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 217 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 218 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 219 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 220 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 221 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 222 Sight of a lifetime

  • 223 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 224 Puppet characters introduced

  • 225

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 226 The Geneva marionettes

  • 227 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 228 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 229 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 230 Finished in 1876

  • 231 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 232 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 233 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 234 Ten year old scrambler

  • 235 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 236 From Bobby to Brian

  • 237 Filming at Hartland

  • 238 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 239 Picking the pops

  • 240 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 241

    Relatives all over the world
  • 242 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 243 End of the line

  • 244 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 245 Loads of black and white

  • 246 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 247 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 248 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 249 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 250 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 251 Clovelly nightmare

  • 252 New choral society's growing response

  • 253 New Post Office

  • 254 Ships at Bideford

  • 255 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 256 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 257 Littleham family's five generations

  • 258 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 259 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 260 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 261 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 262 A bird of their own!

  • 263 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 264 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 265 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 266 Off on a great adventure

  • 267 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 268 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 269 Service with a smile

  • 270 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 271 Over the bank together>
  • 272 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 273 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 274 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 275 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 276 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 277 In their new robes and hats

  • 278

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 279 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 280 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

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

  • 282 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 283 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 284 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 285 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 286 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 287 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 288 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 289 Happy Days!

  • 290 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 291 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 292 Pannier Market's future?

  • 293 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 294 Penny for the guy

  • 295 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 296 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 297 Modern living at Bideford

  • 298 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 299 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 300 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 301 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 302 113 years at Instow

  • 303

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 304 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 305 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 306 Hartland Dancers
  • 307

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 308 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 309 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 310 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 311 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 312 Sweets derationing

  • 313 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 314

    New gateway
  • 315 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 316 A man and his wheel

  • 317

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 318 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 319 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 320 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 321 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 322 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 323 It really was the 'last time'

  • 324 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 325 First ship in 8 years

  • 326 New shipyard on schedule

  • 327 Circus comes to town

  • 328 Devil sent packing

  • 329 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 330 Riverside mystery

  • 331 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 332 No sale of Springfield House

  • 333 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 334 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 335 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 336 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 337 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 338 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 339 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 340 Bridging the stream

  • 341 Revenge in style

  • 342 Mobile missionary

  • 343 New look in the hayfields

  • 344 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 345 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 346

    First prize
  • 347 Hartland's invitation

  • 348 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 349 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 350 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 351 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 352 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 353 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 354 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 355

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 356 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 357 Picking the pops

  • 358 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 359 Torrington in 1967

  • 360 Eight to strike and a race to win

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

  • 362 School crossing patrol begins

  • 363 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 364 The cab at the corner>
  • 365 A story to tell!

  • 366 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 367 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 368 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 369 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 370 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 371 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 372

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 373 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 374 Private home for public pump

  • 375 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 376 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 377

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 378 Some mushroom!

  • 379 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 380 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 381 Torrington children build igloo
  • 382 Peter poses for TV film

  • 383

    Building works
  • 384 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 385 Can spring be far away?

  • 386 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 387

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 388 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 389 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 390 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 391 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 392 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 393 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 394 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 395 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 396

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 397 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 398 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 399 Northam footballers of the future

  • 400 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 401 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 402 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 403 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

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

  • 405 Northam's almshouse

  • 406 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 407 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 408 By pony and trap to market

  • 409 Capers on the cobbles

  • 410 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 411

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 412 Centenary of Gazette

  • 413 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 414 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 415 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 416 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 417 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 418 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 419 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 420 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 421 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 422 Variety in summer weather

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

Introducing The Newcombe Special

Ten weeks’ spare time work went into the making of this primrose coloured hill climb and trials special, pictured here a few days after coming off its solo assembly line.

5.8.1960 Newcombe transport

Builder and owner of the care is 23 years old Mr Peter Newcombe, 9 Coldharbour, Bideford, who is employed at Raleigh Garage, Bideford. 

Using equipment borrowed from the garage, Mr Newcombe has been working on it in the evenings and other spare time. Most of the components of the car are new, but a few have come from a variety of other cars, so that it is a hybrid. Motive power behind the special is a Ford engine of about 800cc. There is also a Ford gear box and back axle.
The body work is all hand made – “I just bent and hoped” Mr Newcombe told a Gazette reporter. Here welding equipment from the garage was used.
The special has had trials on the roads, but Mr Newcombe is not sure when he will start using it for trials, as several modifications have yet to be made. “ Mostly curing of rattles” he explained with a smile.
Extra weight is also needed. Although the car is not built for high speeds – the low gears necessary for hill climbs limit speed – when she does get going she is inclined to jump about a bit at present. Grass track racing without more weight is also out of the question. “If I had her on a grass track at the moment she would just spin”, said Mr Newcombe.
But he is satisfied with the progress of his machine so far, and hopes it will not be long before it is ready for its intended purpose.

Gazette article dated 5 August 1960

Two Way Traffic

Whether you travel by Penny Farthing, Steam Roller, Rolls, Mini, or Shank’s Pony

3.3.1972 Meddon Street

Meddon Street Is Open To Two-Way Traffic.
Customers welcome as usual at: Bideford Motors, access bottom of Torridge Hill: Comer’s Fish Bar; I Glover, Meddon Street Bakeries; Hopkins Garage, ND SAAB Dealers; Meddon Galleries, Pictures and Framing; Mitchells Pain Shop, Signwriting, etc; E Northwood and Co, Antiques and Property Sales; Miss F Taylor, Draper and Milliner; Reubery’s Fruit and Vegetable Shop.
Article dated 3 March 1972

  • 1

Login Form