• 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 Happy Days!

  • 2 Hartland Dancers
  • 3 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 4 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 5 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 6 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 7 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 8 Jumble sale fever

  • 9

    Bidefordians
  • 10 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 11

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 12 Can spring be far away?

  • 13 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 14 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 15 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 16 Sight of a lifetime

  • 17 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 18 Just over a year old

  • 19 New life for Hartland organ

  • 20 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 21 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 22 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 23 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 24 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 25 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 26

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 27 The cab at the corner>
  • 28 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 29 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 30 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 31 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 32 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 33 Some 240 exhibits

  • 34 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

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

  • 36 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 37 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 38 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 39 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 40 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 41 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 42 So this is the mainland!

  • 43 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 44 What's the time?

  • 45 School's link with cargo ship

  • 46 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 47 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 48 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 49 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 50 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 51 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 52 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 53 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 54 A bird of their own!

  • 55 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 56 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 57 Torrington in 1967

  • 58

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 59 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 60 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 61 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 62 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 63 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 64

    Exhibition of school work
  • 65 New shipyard on schedule

  • 66 Centenary of Gazette

  • 67

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 68 For crying out loud!

  • 69 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 70 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 71 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 72 Northam footballers of the future

  • 73 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 74 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 75 Artisans' Club

  • 76 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 77 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 78 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 79 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 80 North Devon Driving School

  • 81 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 82 From Bobby to Brian

  • 83 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 84 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 85

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 86 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 87 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 88 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 89 New Post Office

  • 90 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 91 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 92 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 93 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 94 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 95 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 96 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 97 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 98 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 99 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 100

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 101 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 102

    Married in 1908
  • 103 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 104 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 105 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 106 Simple Item 138
  • 107 Torrington children build igloo
  • 108 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 109 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 110 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 111 They are parted pro-tem

  • 112 Out of puff!

  • 113 New civic medallions

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

  • 115

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 116 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 117 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 118 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 119 Northam's almshouse

  • 120 All aboard the ark

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

  • 122 New choral society's growing response

  • 123 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 124 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 125 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 126 Service with a smile

  • 127 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 128 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 129

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 130 Appledore's largest

  • 131

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 132 No laughing matter

  • 133 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 134

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 135 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 136 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 137 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 138 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 139 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 140 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 141 Off on a great adventure

  • 142 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 143 Hartland's invitation

  • 144 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 145 Appledore's new lifeboat

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

  • 147 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 148 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 149 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 150 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 151 Bideford computer stars

  • 152

    Relatives all over the world
  • 153 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 154 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 155 Mobile missionary

  • 156 By pony and trap to market

  • 157 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 158 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 159 Blanchards ad.>
  • 160 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 161 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 162 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 163 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 164 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 165 Emergency ferry services

  • 166

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 167 Life begins at 80

  • 168 Riverside mystery

  • 169 Weare Giffard potato

  • 170 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 171 No sale of Springfield House

  • 172

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 173 New look in the hayfields

  • 174 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 175 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 176 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 177 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 178 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 179 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 180 First ship in 8 years

  • 181 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 182 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 183 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 184 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 185 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 186 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 187 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 188 Filming at Hartland

  • 189 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 190 113 years at Instow

  • 191 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 192 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 193 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 194 Peter poses for TV film

  • 195 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 196 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 197 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 198 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 199 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 200 School crossing patrol begins

  • 201 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 202 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 203 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 204 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 205

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 206 Bideford loses training ship

  • 207 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 208 Revived market off to splendid start

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

  • 210 Traditions and skills still there

  • 211 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 212 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 213 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 214 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 215

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 216 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 217 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 218 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 219 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

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

  • 221 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 222 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 223 Devil sent packing

  • 224 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 225 All for the love of a lady!

  • 226 Picking the pops

  • 227 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 228 Recognise this resort?

  • 229 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 230 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 231 Littleham family's five generations

  • 232 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 233 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 234 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 235 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 236 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 237 Loads of black and white

  • 238 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 239 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 240 A roof-top view - where?

  • 241 Decontrol of meat

  • 242 Police station view of Bideford

  • 243 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 244 Bideford regatta

  • 245

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 246 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 247 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 248 New Lundy stamps

  • 249 Twenty-one yachts

  • 250 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 251 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 252 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 253 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 254 A story to tell!

  • 255 Six footed lamb

  • 256 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 257 Burnard family reunion

  • 258 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 259 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 260 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 261 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 262 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 263 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 264

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 265

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 266 Over the bank together>
  • 267 Circus comes to town

  • 268 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 269 New addition to Quay front

  • 270

    Was a missionary
  • 271 Torrington's new amenity

  • 272 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 273 Pannier Market's future?

  • 274 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 275 Last train from Torrington

  • 276 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 277 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 278 Capers on the cobbles

  • 279 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 280 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 281 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

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

  • 283 Puppet characters introduced

  • 284 Hartland postman retires

  • 285 Revenge in style

  • 286 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 287 New art gallery opened

  • 288 Bridging the stream

  • 289 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 290 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 291 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 292 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 293 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 294 It really was the 'last time'

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

  • 296 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 297 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 298 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 299

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 300 Picking the pops

  • 301 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 302 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 303 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 304 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 305 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 306

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 307 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 308 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 309 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 310 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 311 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 312 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 313 When horses score over the tractor

  • 314 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 315 Penny for the guy

  • 316 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 317 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 318 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 319 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 320 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 321 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 322 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 323

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 324 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 325 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 326 Variety in summer weather

  • 327 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 328 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 329 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 330 Private home for public pump

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

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

  • 333 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 334 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 335 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 336 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 337 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 338 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 339 Clovelly custom

  • 340 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 341 Some mushroom!

  • 342 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 343 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 344 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 345 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 346 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 347 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 348 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 349 Waldon Triplets
  • 350 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 351 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 352 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 353 Clovelly nightmare

  • 354 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 355 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 356

    First prize
  • 357 Finished in 1876

  • 358

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 359 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 360 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 361 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 362 He beat the floods

  • 363 East-the-Water sets town an example

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

  • 365 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 366 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 367 The Geneva marionettes

  • 368 In their new robes and hats

  • 369 Modern living at Bideford

  • 370 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 371 Ships at Bideford

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

  • 373 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 374

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 375

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 376 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 377 Caught in the act>
  • 378

    New gateway
  • 379 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 380 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 381 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 382 The art of the thatcher

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

  • 384

    Building works
  • 385 A man and his wheel

  • 386 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 387 Ten year old scrambler

  • 388 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 389 Parkham plan realised

  • 390 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 391 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 392 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 393 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 394 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 395 Cruising down the river

  • 396 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 397 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 398 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 399 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 400 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 401 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 402 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 403 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 404 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 405 Sweets derationing

  • 406 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 407 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 408

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 409 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 410 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 411 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 412 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 413 End of the line

  • 414 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 415 Warmington's garage ad

  • 416 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 417 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 418 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 419 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 420 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 421

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 422 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

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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  • 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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  • 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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Policemen’s Heroism Recognised

Two local police officers who risked their lives last November to rescue a 15 year old Bideford teenager from drowning have been awarded the Royal Humane Society’e testimonial on vellum.

4.5.1973 police heroes

They are PC Peter Murphy, who lives in Clifton Street, Bideford, and Motor Patrol Constable John Truelove who lives at Westward Ho!
The boy they rescued, Paul Reeve, of the Stores Café, Barnstaple Street, Bideford, had gone into the River Torridge to swim to his parents’ boat when he got into difficulties in the ice cold water.
A 999 call brought the two officers to the scene and between them they brought the boy to shore safely.
Paul’s father, Mr Roy Reeve, said afterward: “We would have lost our son if it had not been for their action which was beyond the call of duty.”
Gazette article dated 5 May 1973

And WPC Christine Joins The Bideford Scene

The Sex Discrimination Act may have brought its fair share of controversy and problems, but at Bideford at least it has one compensation – the town now has its first woman police officer.

6.2.1976 Christine Short

But any locals who feel they might ‘get away’ with anything when faced with a slim 23 year old brunette instead of a burly six-fott ‘bobby’ are likely to be sadly disappointed.
For WPC Christine Short of Westward Ho! is an experienced officer, having served with the Bristol force for two and a half years and then at Barnstaple before moving to Bideford. “I arrested several while at Bristol” was her cool reply when asked what she would do if confronted, for instance, with a drunk.
Her posting to Bideford was something of a homecoming for Christine, for her parents, Mr and Mrs William Pickett, live at Burrough Road, Northam.
She lives with her husband Tony – also a police officer – in a Westward Ho! police house.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 February 1976

Coming soon!

 

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