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Carnival 1992.
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Posted in History
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Westward Ho! celebrates 150 years.
150 years ago the “Northam Burrows Hotel & Villa Company” was formed following the success of Charles Kingsley’s novel “Westward Ho!” which he wrote whilst living in Bideford. The company planned to build a whole resort, marketed at wealthy Victorians … Continue reading
Crossing the Torridge – 11 bridges between Bideford & Torrington !
It’s surprising how they add up once you set out to count the bridges.! The oldest of course were the pack-horse bridges dating from around the 12th century of which there were three, Bideford, Rothern and Taddiport. All these show … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, History
Tagged Bideford, railway, river Torridge, Rolle Canal, Tarka Trail, Torridge bridges, Torrington
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Memories of St. Peter’s Church, East the Water.
This church was consecrated on Saturday June 28th 1890 by the Bishop of Exeter. The cost of the site and building, over £2,000, was defrayed by the then Rector of Bideford, the Rev. Roger Granville. At the conclusion … Continue reading
Memories of Bideford Hospital.
Bideford Hospital 1962 My father had a chemist’s shop in the High Street and I married a local girl just before my final exams. From a London teaching hospital to Bideford Hospital was a steep learning curve for me as … Continue reading
Some memories of World War 2 in Bideford.
REME soldiers were stationed at Instow and many families made friends with them. The church in Bridge St on a Sunday evening hosted by various churches would put on a singsong after church services, and somehow provided simple refreshments for … Continue reading
Bideford Bridge goes to war – part 4.
Peter Christie concludes his history of Bideford Bridge in World War 2 More notes from Frank Whiting’s reports. That the Allies were winning the war is shown from an entry in April 1944 which reads, ‘Now that the Government have … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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The original “Lost Shops” list.
Here’s the original list, serialised in “Buzz” over the last few months. Thank you to everyone who responded with their own memories and additions. Listed below are some of the businesses that Bideford has lost over the last 50/60 years … Continue reading
Bideford Bridge goes to war – part 3.
Peter Christie continues his history of Bideford Bridge in World War 2 More notes from Frank Whiting’s reports. No more war items are recorded for seven months when, in March 1943, the minutes contain the following, ‘A matter I have … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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One hundred years ago – February 1913.
Wealth Dream Shattered. When Captain Geoffrey Newbold, formerly of the Royal Marines, and Commander Frank Worsley R.N.R., formerly Captain of ‘The Quest’, Shackleton’s Polar Ship, set sail in the ‘George Cochran’ from Appledore last summer with three Appledore men, Messrs … Continue reading
Bideford Bridge goes to war – Part 2.
Peter Christie continues his history of Bideford in wartime. June 1941 onwards- More notes from Frank Whiting’s reports. The next few months are taken up with surveying and costing the damage to the Bideford Laundry buildings (which had earlier been … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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One Hundred Years ago – December 1912.
(From the Bideford Gazette). Advertisements for Christmas. After the jollification of Christmas , the damaged wallpaper and the scratched paintwork will show up – in all these matters Mr R Pye of 8 and 9 Meddon St will be found … Continue reading
Mysteries at St. Margaret’s, Northam.
Whilst clearing ivy from gravestones in Northam Churchyard recently, we came across a very well-carved stone commemorating two families, the Blighs and the Copners. Francis Bligh was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and died in 1825. Also named were … Continue reading
Bideford Bridge goes to war – Part 1.
Little has been written on Bideford life during the Second World War. Admittedly we weren’t bombed, but we did provide facilities for training both British and U.S. Servicemen and the area played host to the top-secret Combined Operations. One source … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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Recollections of Reed’s.
Dear Editor, Further to September’s BUZZ WORD re Reeds Cafe, as a member of the Reed Family I can give you more information! Albert Reed was the son of Alfred (my great-uncle) and Esther Reed who owned the Baker’s Shop … Continue reading
Posted in History, Local People
Tagged Appledore, Bideford, North Devon, Reed's cafe
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