• 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 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 2 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 3 Over the bank together>
  • 4 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 5

    Married in 1908
  • 6 Blanchards ad.>
  • 7 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 8 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 9 Six footed lamb

  • 10 He beat the floods

  • 11 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 12 A man and his wheel

  • 13 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 14 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 15 New Post Office

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

  • 17 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 18 Puppet characters introduced

  • 19

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 20 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 21 School's link with cargo ship

  • 22 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 23 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 24

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 25 New choral society's growing response

  • 26 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 27

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 28 Ships at Bideford

  • 29 New look in the hayfields

  • 30 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 31 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 32 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 33 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 34 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 35 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 36 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 37 Jumble sale fever

  • 38 New civic medallions

  • 39 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 40 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 41 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 42 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 43 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 44 A roof-top view - where?

  • 45 Recognise this resort?

  • 46 For crying out loud!

  • 47 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 48

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 49 Appledore's largest

  • 50 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 51 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 52

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 53 The Geneva marionettes

  • 54 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 55 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

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

  • 57 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 58 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 59 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 60

    First prize
  • 61 Off on a great adventure

  • 62 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 63 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 64 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 65 In their new robes and hats

  • 66 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 67 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 68 A story to tell!

  • 69 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 70

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 71 Littleham family's five generations

  • 72 Parkham plan realised

  • 73 Hartland's invitation

  • 74 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 75 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 76 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 77 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 78 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 79 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 80 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 81 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 82 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 83 Decontrol of meat

  • 84

    Was a missionary
  • 85 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 86 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 87 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 88 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

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

  • 90 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 91 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 92 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 93 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 94 Artisans' Club

  • 95 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 96 Warmington's garage ad

  • 97 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 98 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 99

    Building works
  • 100 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 101 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 102 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 103

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 104 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 105 Burnard family reunion

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

  • 107 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 108 Penny for the guy

  • 109 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 110 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 111 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 112 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 113 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 114 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 115 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 116 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 117 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 118 Peter poses for TV film

  • 119 The art of the thatcher

  • 120 Variety in summer weather

  • 121 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 122 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 123 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 124 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 125 New art gallery opened

  • 126

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 127 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 128 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 129 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 130 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 131 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 132 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 133 Riverside mystery

  • 134 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 135 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 136

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 137 Ten year old scrambler

  • 138 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 139 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 140 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 141 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 142 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 143 Bideford computer stars

  • 144 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 145 Cruising down the river

  • 146 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 147 Happy Days!

  • 148 Picking the pops

  • 149 The cab at the corner>
  • 150 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 151 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 152 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 153 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 154 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 155 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 156 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 157

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 158 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 159

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 160

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 161 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 162 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 163 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 164 Private home for public pump

  • 165 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 166 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 167 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 168 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 169 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 170 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 171 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 172 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 173

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 174 Picking the pops

  • 175 Northam footballers of the future

  • 176 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 177 Caught in the act>
  • 178 It really was the 'last time'

  • 179 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 180 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 181 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 182 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 183 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 184 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 185 New Lundy stamps

  • 186 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 187 Police station view of Bideford

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

  • 189 Sweets derationing

  • 190 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 191 Last train from Torrington

  • 192 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 193 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 194 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 195

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 196 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 197 First ship in 8 years

  • 198 Out of puff!

  • 199 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

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

  • 201 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 202 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 203 Torrington in 1967

  • 204 No sale of Springfield House

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

  • 206 Modern living at Bideford

  • 207 Fleet of foot and fair of face

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

  • 209 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

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

  • 211 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 212 Service with a smile

  • 213 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 214 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 215 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 216 Devil sent packing

  • 217 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 218 Bridging the stream

  • 219 Torrington children build igloo
  • 220 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 221 113 years at Instow

  • 222 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 223 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 224 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 225

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 226 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 227 Clovelly nightmare

  • 228

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 229 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 230 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 231 Life begins at 80

  • 232 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 233 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 234 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 235 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 236 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 237 Hartland Dancers
  • 238 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 239 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 241 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 242 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 243 Loads of black and white

  • 244 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 245 Sight of a lifetime

  • 246 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 247 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 248 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 249 Centenary of Gazette

  • 250 Filming at Hartland

  • 251 Just over a year old

  • 252 By pony and trap to market

  • 253 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 254 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 255 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 256 New shipyard on schedule

  • 257 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 258

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 259 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 260 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 261

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 262 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 263 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 264 Pannier Market's future?

  • 265 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 266 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 267 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 268 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 269 End of the line

  • 270 From Bobby to Brian

  • 271 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 272 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 273 Twenty-one yachts

  • 274 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 275 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

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

  • 277 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 278 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 279 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 280 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 281

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 282 Hartland postman retires

  • 283 Bideford loses training ship

  • 284 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 285 No laughing matter

  • 286 All aboard the ark

  • 287 Torrington's new amenity

  • 288 Waldon Triplets
  • 289 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 290 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 291 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 292 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 293 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 294 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 295 School crossing patrol begins

  • 296 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 297 Capers on the cobbles

  • 298 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 299

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 300 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 301 What's the time?

  • 302 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 303 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 304 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 305 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 306 All for the love of a lady!

  • 307 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 308 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 309 Finished in 1876

  • 310 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 311 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 312 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 313 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 314 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 315 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 316 Some mushroom!

  • 317 A bird of their own!

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

  • 319 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 320 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 321 Weare Giffard potato

  • 322 Clovelly custom

  • 323 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 324 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 325 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 326 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 327

    Relatives all over the world
  • 328

    Bidefordians
  • 329 Revenge in style

  • 330 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 331 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 332 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 333 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 334 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 335 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 336

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 337 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 338 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 339 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 340 Mobile missionary

  • 341 Circus comes to town

  • 342 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 343 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 344 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 345 Emergency ferry services

  • 346 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 347 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 348 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 349 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 350 New addition to Quay front

  • 351 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 352 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 353 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 354 Northam's almshouse

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

  • 356 Bideford regatta

  • 357 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 358 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 359 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 360 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 361 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 362 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 363 Westward Ho! combined op

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

  • 365 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 366 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 367 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 368 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 369

    Exhibition of school work
  • 370 Simple Item 138
  • 371 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 372

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 373

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 374 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 375 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 376 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 377 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 378 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 379 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 380 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 381 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 382 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 383 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 384 Some 240 exhibits

  • 385 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 386

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 387 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 388 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 389 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 390 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 391 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 392 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 393 Traditions and skills still there

  • 394 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 395 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 396 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 397 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 398

    New gateway
  • 399 New life for Hartland organ

  • 400 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 401 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 402 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 403 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 404 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 405 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 406 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 407 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 408 When horses score over the tractor

  • 409 Can spring be far away?

  • 410 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 411 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 412 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 413 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 414 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 415 So this is the mainland!

  • 416 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 417 North Devon Driving School

  • 418 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 419 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 420

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 421 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 422 They are parted pro-tem

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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  • 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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  • 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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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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One of the Youngest Police Sergeants in British Isles

 Old Boy of Bideford GS

19.11.1954 Gutsell

His many friends in the Bideford and Northam districts will be pleased to learn of the recent promotion to Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police of Mr Cecil Gutsell, only sone of Lieut. W F Gutsell RN (retd) and Mrs Gutsell, of Inglenook, Northam.

Sergeant Gutsell, who is 25, joined the Poice, after completing his National Service in a Royal Marine commando, in November 1949, and his promotion after a minimum of five years makes him one of the youngest Police Sergeants in the British Isles. He passed an open competitive promotion examination in February of this year.

He is an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School where he was captain of the School rugby XV.

Gazette article dated 19 November 1954

Fair Cop

Police Constables Len Clarke and Ron Fayter made an unusual arrest at the bottom of Bideford High Street at 1am on Wednesday.

7.6.1963 pony

The offender was a pony that was about to take off up the street. It was caught and put into a field. Yesterday morning it had not been claimed.
Gazette article dated 7 June 1963

PC Retires – To New Job

After nearly 27 years’ service in Devon Constabulary, PC Leonard Clarke, of Bideford, is to retire to take up the position of rent and rate collector to Bideford Rural Council.

3.7.1964 Leonard Clarke Bideford

During the nearly four years that he has been stationed in Bideford, in which he was born, PC Clarke has shown a keen interest in road safety and has been road safety organiser and instructor for local schools.
Another important responsibility was that for the administration of the Special Constabulary in the town.
He began his career in the Force at headquarters and his first station was Teignmouth. Subsequently he served in other parts of South Devon as well as at Woolacombe and Torrington. He now lives at 30 Moreton Park, Bideford.
The Rural Council on Tuesday agreed to offer him the post of rate and rent collector at a salary commencing at £755-£780 a year from August 1st, 1964. He will be paid a travelling allowance of 9d a mile and the appointment is subject to the Local Government Superannuation Acts.
Gazette article dated 3 July 1964

 

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