Red Cross volunteers are providing help and support to patients discharged from hospital under a new scheme launched in partnership with NHS Devon and the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.  The ‘Home from Hospital’ service launched in December and provides patients with support at home with the aim to help them regain their confidence and independence and prevent re-admission to hospital.

The service will run initially for 12 months, with Red Cross volunteers on hand for a period of up to six weeks for each patient; assisting with day to day tasks such as shopping, collecting prescriptions and generally helping patients rebuild confidence after an accident or illness.

Karen Jupp, Operational Manager of the Pathfinder Team which facilitates patient discharges at North Devon District Hospital explains:

“We are delighted to launch this scheme in partnership with the Red Cross and NHS Devon.  Most of our patients want to get home as soon as possible and the Home from Hospital service will benefit patients that need some extra help with day to day tasks which will in turn help them regain their confidence and independence.

“This new service does not replace NHS care, but helps fill a recognised gap in support for some patients after they leave hospital”.

John Towers, Senior Service Manager at the Red Cross said: “We’re excited to be starting up this new service for people in the North Devon area. Sometimes it’s only something very small – such as making sure there’s food in the cupboards, or having a chat and a cup of tea – that prevents re-admission to hospital. By preventing unnecessary hospital admissions we are also helping to save vital NHS funds.

“Red Cross volunteers are highly trained and ideally placed to ease the transition from hospital to home, helping to build confidence and resilience, aid recovery and reduce isolation.”

Paul Baker, Head of Locality Commissioning for NHS Devon said: “It’s a fantastic example of listening and then working with local partner organisations to design and launch a service that responds to what patients told us.

“Even at this early stage we are seeing real benefits in terms of being better able to support people in their home setting and where they have experienced a stay in hospital to reduce the likelihood of them needing to be readmitted.”

It is anticipated around 400 patients will benefit from the service over the 12 month pilot period.  These will be patients who have been admitted to hospital following an illness and patients will be identified by the nursing teams whilst on the wards at NDDH or in one of the five community hospitals in northern Devon.

The Red Cross already provides the service in other parts of the South West, where thousands of people have been helped by trained volunteers able to support them in a range of practical and emotional ways when they return home.

It is hoped if the initial pilot is successful, the scheme will be rolled out on a permanent basis.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities with the scheme, contact Devon volunteer support officer Rosalyn Pascoe on 01392 353276 or Jen Kirk, Home from Hospital Service Co-ordinator on 01271 318080.

Torridge Community Transport Association  (TCTA) endeavours to provide a “transportation safety net for all”, young and old, able bodied and disabled. The association works with all members of the community to address their transport needs aiming to develop community transport services within the area. These vital services will attempt to tackle aspects of social exclusion brought about by transport infrastructure issues, thus promoting equality of opportunity and improving access to social, health, employment, leisure, and education services.

TCTA’s Ring & Ride service is now operating on a weekly basis throughout the area and this is due to a generous funding award from Tesco’s supermarkets. As part of a Section 106 Planning Gain encompassed in the development of their new store at East-the-Water Bideford, Tesco’s donated funds to enable TCTA to purchase a 15 seater Minibus. As an added bonus this funding also enabled the purchase of a smaller 7 seater vehicle with wheelchair accessibility offering safe transport for the user who has to remain in their wheelchair during a journey. The three vehicles now operated by the association enable TCTA to offer supplementary services such as a Passenger Excursion Club and a Community Group Hire service giving registered passengers and groups the ability to utilise the vehicles at weekends and evenings.

TCTA currently operates one of the largest volunteer car schemes in Devon providing transport services not just within its core area of 36 parishes in northern Torridge, but also in the surrounding areas as required, meaning that the populous of approximately 50 parishes receives this particular transport solution.

With the support of the Bideford Bridge Trust TCTA also administers a Taxi Voucher scheme. Passengers who are eligible for the scheme receive up to £200 worth of vouchers that can be used with approved taxi firms within the Bideford area

TCTA has a dedicated band of volunteers who use either their own cars or the association’s vehicles to transport passengers. These volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation and without them generously giving up their time the services would not exist. TCTA is always ready to welcome new volunteers through its doors and will ensure that suitable training will be offered to those wishing to offer up some of their free time to assist other members of their community by driving for the association.

To volunteer (Car/Minibus Driving) please contact the TCTA telephone: 01237 425522.

To enquire about the services available telephone: 01237 423232

At least two sheep have had to be put down and one is being treated for its injuries after being chased and bitten by dogs not kept under control by their owners walking across the popular coastal Country Park.

And it’s not just sheep that are suffering. The general disturbance to wildlife – and in particular at this time of the year the wildfowl and waders – is a cause for concern, said Northam Burrows Senior Ranger Shawn Corin. “The vast majority of dog owners coming to the Burrows do behave responsibly, control their dogs, pick up the mess and cause no problems whatsoever. But unfortunately some don’t, and this can lead to tragic consequences, causing death and injury to sheep and wildlife.”

Shawn has also received reports of horses being chased by dogs, and of people deliberately driving their remote controlled cars into the grazing animals, causing considerable distress and panic among the livestock.

The Bideford Police Neighbourhood Beat Team have been working closely with the Council on dog related problems on the Burrows and elsewhere.

PC Dick Rowlands said, “Dog owners must take notice that it is a criminal offence to allow a dog to attack or chase livestock and dogs must be kept on a lead when they are in the vicinity of such animals. The Council’s Environmental Protection Unit works closely with the Police when such offences are reported and investigations have lead to prosecutions and official sanctions where appropriate evidence has been obtained.”

Lead Member for the Natural and Built Environment, Cllr Gaye Tabor added, “These instances of sheep worrying must stop, especially as it’s lambing season now. I find it incredible that remote controlled cars are being used in this way too. I urge people to act responsibly, keep their dogs under control and respect the wildlife and animals on the Burrows. It’s a wonderful natural resource for all of us – let’s keep it that way.”

Anyone with any information regarding any of the instances mentioned above – such as the type and colour of dog, description of the owner and the type and registration number of any car they use – can contact the Police on 101, the Burrows Centre on 01237 479708, or Animal Welfare on 01237 428855.

What better way to spend those dark winter evenings – so why not come along and join us on Tuesday evenings where a warm welcome will always be found.

Good News Celebration

In these rather gloomy times it is great to have some good news.  Friends, volunteers and supporters of Home-Start Torridge gathered on  at Tapeley Park to do just that.

Rachel North, the Scheme Manager, described how we are affiliated to Home-Start U.K., the largest charity supporting families in the U.K., who monitor our activities.  Volunteers with parenting experience visit families who have young children and are under stress, in their homes to offer support, friendship and practical help.

This time last year we faced the possibility of closing the scheme due to the withdrawal   of DCC funding despite the achievement of supporting 87 families with 212 children between March 2010 and 2011. Now we can celebrate the Big Lottery Grant which will cover 52% of the running costs for the next 5 years.  This will allow us to employ two more organisers to train and help the extra volunteers needed to  double the number of families we now support.  We  will also be able to widen activities so that families and volunteers can benefit from increased life and/or employment skills. We also  celebrated  a total of 20 years volunteering  by two of our volunteers.

Good things come in threes.  We were very excited to welcome as our new Patron,  Nick Arnold (see photo)  – a local children’s author and director of the Appledore Book Festival.  He told us how he believed it was very important to have happiness in our lives as it gave us the strength to overcome life’s difficulties and to enjoy life.  As Home-Start aims to do just that for families with children under 5 he was happy to be our Patron.

Thanks were offered to all those organisations and volunteers  who have helped the Scheme to achieve its aims  including Anglo-American Vulcanized Fibre ltd, , who sponsored the refreshments for the event. We were pleased that the Mayors of Bideford and South Molton and the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington were able to join us for our celebration.

Further information can be obtained from: 30 Bridgland Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2PS

Tel   01237 422944         Email   homestart.torridge@btinternet.com

Patricia Swift  (Trustee)

Bideford 500

In October I attended the  very interesting AGM of the Bideford  500

Bideford 500 has been  flourishing since Pauline Smith’s research was presented to the public in 2008 and subsequently the project setting up its constituted group in 2009; to quote from their website  The particular focus , and indeed the continuing work of Bideford 500 being delivered over the next two years, is on the last 500 years of the town’s history and heritage. Bideford 500 continues today as a Constituted Project supported by an enthusiastic Committee intent on celebrating and promoting those 500 years between the 16th and 20th century in Bideford.

One of the projects of the group has been to produce a very good heritage trail which links up with the guided walks around the town based on Peter Christie’s  very useful small guide ‘A walk round Bideford’This guide  is in the process of being updated .

Reading it it occurred to be that over the years Buzz has published many interesting articles on the town’s history  about areas which  could feature in  future editions.  One example  is  the sundial on the outside of Bridge Buildings in Bridge Street, Readers may remember months of correspondence about this sundial and the meaning of its Latin inscription. Secondly,  no mention of the library building although the Town Hall is described in some detail.  I believe that the library’s   collection of local books  including the Pearce Chope collection and  old photographs   will be mentioned next time round as will  more detail on  Burton Art gallery and Museum   East the water is included  in the next edition so I won’t bore you with paint mines  -an important part of Bideford’s  industrial heritage.

Bideford 500 has been responsible for the annual Heritage Day and for forging links with our twin town of Manteo. Their future plans  include more links with our American cousins in the hope of attracting more overseas visitors. They would like to see Bideford on a par with Stratford or York as part of the tourist trail It  looks also as if Bideford may finally get the plaques we’ve all been waiting for  outside well known buildings and with the help of with the help of BBC presenters Dr Mark Horton and Dr Alice Roberts, locate the site of the Native American Rawley’s grave, in St Mary’s Churchyard

Information boards are planned for Chudleigh Fort and Old Town cemetery.

Finally – did someone mention Obama?

RA   For more information on Bideford 500 contact   Sadie Green Project Development Workerwww.bidefordheritage.co.uk  on Wednesdays and Thursdays Working from an office at Torridge District Council on Thursdays, telephone 01237 428871mobile: 07855 760411

Jaw Bone

For very many years there was a large jaw bone at Westward Ho! at the entrance to Kipling Tors at the bottom of Stanwell Hill. I assume it came from a whale, and I wonder if anyone knows what kind of whale had jaws of this size and whether the species was common off North Devon.

With thanks,

Tony Sanders Bridport

Questionnaire

I am a Geography student at the University of Gloucestershire, originally from North Devon, currently undertaking a study of migrants to the area. I am interested in the motivations for moving to North Devon amongst other issues. I have devised a very short online questionnaire aimed at gathering data on in-migration to North Devon. If you have moved to North Devon from outside the region in the last 10 years I would be interested in hearing from you. The link for the survey is given below. If you are interested in taking part, please type this into your browser window. The survey will only take a few minutes.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3PCZJGS

The information collected as part of the research will be confidential and all responses treated anonymously.IIf you would like to know more about this research or are interested in the topic please email victoriawithecombe@connect.glos.ac.uk and I would be happy to discuss it further with you.

Victoria Withecombe,

Appledore Maritime Museum

Apologies for  a slight mistake re the opening times for the Museum in last month’s Buzz.

From October 1^st the museum will be open from 2pm  – 4.30pm every day;after October 31^st it will be closed until Easter.

Quiz for Mencap

I work at Britannia in Bideford and we receive your Buzz magazine every month. It is enjoyed by a lot of our customers who sit and wait for appointments etc.
We are part of the Co-Operative Banking Group and our registered charity for the year is Mencap. We are having a Quiz night to be held in Torridge Vale Social Club, South Street, Torrington, teams of up to 6 people £10.00 per team. Charity Raffle with lots of prizes on Saturday October 22nd  at 7.30pm with all proceeds going to Mencap. With so many Bideford people reading Buzz we would be glad of the opportunity to get as many quiz teams as possible. Phone Valerie on 01805 623858 for details and an entry form.
Valerie Slatter

Volunteers needed

Buzz is urgently seeking a treasurer . The position is not onerous as most of the day to day business is already in hand, but we need someone to help prepare quarterly accounts

If you feel this could be you please get in touch with Rose  Arno either by email at editor@bidefordbuzz.org.uk, telephone 01237 476075 (messages taken) or by post c/o Bideford Library New Rd Bideford Ex39 2HR. We also need volunteers to help with collating information and general help.- again get in touch if you can help. Thank you.

Devonmade Christmas

A warm welcome awaits you in the Old School Rooms, North Molton. An exclusive three day event featuring a variety of local handmade products. A chance to fill your stockings with more original gifts than can be found on the high street. The very best of local handmade, contemporary products all under one roof.

Festive refreshments, disabled access and free parking.

Free Admission Friday 4^th November 12-8pm ;Saturday 5^th November 10.30 – 4.30pm;Sunday 6^th November 10 .30 – 4.30pm

On the recommendation of the General purposes committee an order was given for a dozen new hammers for stone breaking

Long Day in London

The special day excursion by the London and South West railway will leave Bideford and Torrington for London on Friday night arriving at 5.55am and returns at midnight giving a fine opportunity of visiting places of interest. The return fare is 12 shillings.(rather a punishing schedule!)

The Mayor Elect

The Mayor Elect is Councillor WT Goaman JP who was born in Grenville St 46 years ago. He will be following in the steps of his  father Alderman T Goaman. Mr Goaman carries on the business of Messrs Goaman and Son wholesale grocers of Bideford and Barnstaple.

Clovelly

Mr A Wickham of London and Clovelly has recently caught on Clovelly bay with a rod and line a skate weighing 162 lbs. It took him an hour and 45 minutes to land the fish in the boat. Twelve months ago he captured a skate of 160  lbs

Mike Davy

History on our doorstep

This is the slogan of TADHIS- Torrington and District Historical Society which has just published its Winter programme. They are  an enthusiastic group of over 50 members who come from as far afield as Winkleigh, Littleham, Bideford , and Dolton.

Meetings are on the second Monday  each month – in the Winter at Torrington Methodist Church. During the summer there are expeditions to various historical locations.

All talks are by experts in their field. ‘Farming yesteryear’ is the title of October’s meeting followed by

a local Viking mystery ‘The Hubberstone Project’  in November. There is always an historical Christmas ‘do’ at the Torrington Arms in December and in January  industrial archaeology is under review with the ‘Tide Mills of the Taw and Torridge rivers’

Subscription is £10 a year for adults and £2.50 for juniors. Visitors may attend for a fee of £1. If you would like a copy of Historyton , our newsletter please ring Vic Webb on 0769 520428 or just turn up at the meetings.  We look forward to seeing you!

Bideford Blind Club

Local people may not be aware that there is a social club run by volunteers in Bideford that caters for both blind and partially-sighted persons along with their carers/friends and relatives.  The club, which has been operating for over 30 years, meets once every two weeks; usually on a Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm – 4.00pm in the Community Room on the 1^st Floor of Glebefields House, Glebefields Court in Northam.  A mix of fun and games, activities and entertainment is provided at the centre, followed by tea and biscuits or sometimes a lovely cream tea.  Members pay only £1-00 per meeting and bring any small items suitable for a 50p raffle each time.  Outings and occasional lunches at local venues are also enjoyed by the members, with many such activities being grant-aided so free to members of the club.  A spin-off group also enjoys volunteer-supported indoor bowls at the local bowling club in Bideford once a week.  Some of the events currently being planned before Christmas include: an afternoon of home entertainment; a talk from a member of The Greyhound Trust; a musical afternoon with local group Mishmash and a Christmas outing. Transport can often be arranged to pick up and return members to their door and there is always a volunteer helper at the centre to guide them to the meeting area.  We are really keen to welcome new members from the Bideford and Torridge areas; telephone our secretary Hilary Lewis on 01237 421723 for more details.