One Hundred Years ago – December 1925.

A collection of articles from the ‘Bideford Gazette’ during December 1925, kindly selected by Bideford Community Archive.

www.bidefordarchive.org.uk

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A petrol lorry runs amok down High Street, Bideford.

For shingling, bobbing and Marcel Waving, go to Mrs Seymour Searle, Hairdresser, 1 Bridge Street, Bideford.

Visit Truscott’s, 12 High Street, Bideford. Buy the British Empire Buick at Heard Brothers Ltd.

The Children’s Ward at Bideford & District Hospital need £250 at once. The Committee of Devonians in Bristol through the kind influence of Mr Aldred Beer, have unanimously voted £5 5s to the new Bideford Hospital Fund. The widespread response to the Appeal towards the Building Fund has produced in the minds of all who care for the sick – and who does not care? – a feeling of sincere gratitude.

Bideford Fire Brigade – Northam accepts terms.

Bideford Rotarians were given an especially interesting paper at their fortnightly luncheon by Rotarian J D Herridge, who spoke on the history and development of the British Postal Service. The Vice-President, Mr F Lee, who occupied the chair, referred to the national loss in the death of Queen Alexandra, observing that her life symbolized the spirit of Rotary – Service above self.

On Saturday, 7 November, I was at Northam and left about 10pm. When I got to Mr Carnegie’s I went into Chope’s allotment and pulled a lot of greens and filled up that bag. I also pulled off an armful of cabbages. I heard someone in the road, and I dropped them and ran away. Some I wasted in the lane. I don’t know what made do it.” This, according to PC W H Uglow’s statement to Bideford County Magistrates, was what a Bideford labourer, told him when the constable informed him that a rush basket and an umbrella similar to what he was seen carrying had been found in Chope’s allotment. He was summoned for damage with intent to steal the cabbages, the property of Mr William Turner, gardener, of Clevelands Cottage, Northam.

John Pinsent, electrician, High Street, Bideford, is fined.

The 3rd North Devon (Bideford) Troop, BP Scouts held their annual whist drive and dance at the BAAC Hall and a most successful evening was the result. The drive commenced at 7.15pm and about 120 people sat down to the tables. More were expected but owing to the severity of the weather the Scouts considered themselves favoured to have had so many brave the rain. The MC was Scoutmaster F Cole, assisted by Patrol Leader R Sheeres, and everything was done to keep things moving and to finish at the appointed time. Prizes were distributed, the winners being: Mrs L Purves, Miss Smale, Mrs Burton, Mr Braddick, Mr C Ashton, Mr E W Cox. Lucky number prizes were won by Miss Hilda Gigg and Mrs Maude Cole, both of which should prove very useful as well as ornamental to the ladies.

Mrs Ward of Bideford has been appointed as one of the Devon County Lawn Tennis Association Selection Committee to assist in connection with ladies’ matches.

The silver plated flask presented to the local police force by Capt J R Braddick, MC, for the best miniature rifle shot, has been won by PC Olding after a close contest with Inspector Parr, only two points dividing them in the final. PC Olding left Bideford having been moved to Broadhempston, his place at Bideford being taken by PC Cotton.

There was an interesting presentation to Mr John Adams at Bideford United Methodist Church Assembly Hall.

On behalf of the officers, teachers and scholars of the Lavington Sunday School, Bideford, the Rev Alfred Clegg presented to Mrs F Willis, now of Appledore, a copy of the Worship song, as a mark of their appreciation of her services as teacher at the Sunday School for many years.

The marriage arranged between Mr George Lorns Carter-Campbell, of Possil, Lanark, only son of the late Mr Arthur Carter-Campbell, and of Mrs Frank Berkworth, and Diana, daughter of the late Sir Robert Park Lyle, Bart., and Lady Park Lyle, of Eaton Place, took place at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge. Mr Robert Kirkwood gave the bride away. Miss Betty Baldwin, daughter of the Prime Minister and Mrs Baldwin, headed the retinue of six bridesmaids, the others being Miss Dorothy Campbell, Miss Pamela Baker, Miss Rosemary Cohen, Miss Jean Combe and Miss Romaine Combe. Preb Leith Boyd performed the ceremony, and Mr John Paton, late Grenadier Guards was best man. The honeymoon is being spent in the south of France.

The funeral of Charles John Short, of 23 Sunnyside, East-the-Water. The funeral took place at the Higher Cemetery, Bideford, of the late Mr William Hearn of Coronation Road, Bideford. The Rev W T Kershaw officiated.

We regret to announce the death of Mrs Braithwaite, wife of Canon Braithwaite. The deceased lady was the eldest daughter of the late Mr E U Vidal, of Cornborough, near Bideford. She began Church work at a very early age, being a Sunday School teacher at the age of 12. She spent a great part of her time in visiting people, though the Church and village were 1½ miles from her home. Canon Braithwaite’s father was curate of Bideford, where the Canon was born, so he and his future wife knew each other from a very early age. Mrs Braithwaite was one of the earliest secretaries of the GFS being appointed by the Rural Deaneries of Hartland and Torrington. The deceased lady had been in declining health for some three months and suddenly became unconscious and sank to rest.

Death and funeral of Bideford tradesman, Mr Edward Pridham.

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The Coastal Rivers Project.

A pioneering partnership between the North Devon World Surf Reserve (NDWSR), the National Trust, Earth Action North Devon (EAND) and the Save the Waves Coalition is driving an ambitious effort to restore and protect North Devon’s rivers, beginning at Combesgate, near Woolacombe.

The pilot Coastal Rivers project aims to improve river health, slow the flow to reduce erosion and flooding, and enhance water quality that feeds into the North Devon World Surf Reserve. By working with the landscape rather than against it, the project is already showing how practical, low-cost interventions can make a measurable difference.

In the Combesgate valley, the National Trust team has completed 27 interventions so far, involving the removal and breaking up of historic land drains and the installation of nature-based measures including leaky dams and baffles. These structures help slow the flow of water and trap sediment before it reaches the beach – reducing polluted runoff from land into the surf zone. By holding more water in the landscape for longer, these interventions help filter pollutants, reduce erosion, support wetland creation, and increase carbon capture and biodiversity. Early monitoring suggests these natural measures are already improving water quality and building resilience.

Thanks to seed funding from the Save The Waves Climate Mitigation Fund, match funding from the National Trust via the Species Survival Fund (funded by Defra), and generous support from Dryrobe, the National Trust team has already made a strong start in the Combesgate valley. Early work is showing how natural interventions, such as restoring vegetation, reconnecting floodplains, and managing runoff, can help rivers recover and thrive.

This project is about regeneration – restoring balance between land, water, and the coast,” said Claire Moodie from EAND. “With heavier, more intense rainfall now a reality of climate change, we need low-cost, nature-led interventions like these. The work at Combesgate shows how practical solutions can make a measurable difference to water quality and local resilience.”

Alex Palmer, Project Manager, Riverlands, National Trust: “Our Coastal Rivers project aims to improve the smaller streams running directly into sea from our landholding and beyond. These streams are not only important habitats for the species that use them, they are also the last line of defence to stop pollutants entering the marine environment. We are already seeing improvements to these water courses and hope by working in partnership with other landowners we can further enhance their effectiveness.”

The pilot at Combesgate will act as a blueprint for expanding similar restoration work to other rivers and tributaries that flow through National Trust land into the World Surf Reserve, with a long-term goal of improving five catchments across North Devon.

Our coastal rivers are unregulated and underfunded. It’s down to organisations like the National Trust and smaller, local conservation charities and local landowners to improve river quality and biodiversity,” added Claire. “You can help us continue and fast track this work.”

The project has launched a Crowdfunder and every £1 donated towards interventions will be match funded by the National Trust, meaning support goes twice as far.

Those wishing to contribute to the project’s growth can visit the Coastal Rivers Project crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/coastal-rivers

Adam Hall, co-founder of NDWSR: “Feeling powerless about coastal water quality? We get it. That’s why we’ve created something simple but powerful that everyone can do. As heavier rainfall and runoff events increase, projects like this matter more than ever.”

There is a short introductory film on the project here: https://youtu.be/d9KgyXfhHlk?si=rGo-RCwqSM0ggVYs

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Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre progresses.

Torridge District Council has announced it has appointed BAM Construction to act as the main contractor for the delivery of the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre. The Centre has been partly funded through the Levelling Up Fund, Community Regeneration Partnership and funding from the UK Government as part of the Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal, managed by Devon County Council.

Torridge District Council has been working with BAM to progress and finalise the designs for the Centre, which will include workshops, offices and collaboration space together with parking facilities and improved access to the slipway. The Centre is expected to be completed in 2026.

Initial works will involve making improvements to the wall adjoining New Quay Street before works to construct the building commence in the Autumn. Early enabling works to deliver a new quay to provide improved access for users of the building to the estuary, commenced onsite in April. A kind spring has allowed the project to progress at pace.

BAM Construction is looking to use local contractors and businesses wherever possible. In October, a ‘‘Meet the Buyer’ event was held in Appledore. Since then, several local suppliers have joined the project’s supply chain and will contribute during the main construction phase. The team continues to engage with local businesses to ensure opportunities remain accessible throughout the build.

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The Murder Mystery Company.

www.murderwewrote.co.uk

Have You Ever Thought About Murder?

Murder We Wrote is North Devon’s premier Murder Mystery Company, based right here in Bideford. MWW is part of Atlantic Coast Theatre, who were previously responsible for many large-scale popular musicals at the Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, including; Avenue Q, Legally Blond, Grease, The Addams Family, Footloose and many more. However, following the pandemic, like many clubs and societies, we found ourselves having to move in a different direction. Many members no longer fancied the 8 week intensive rehearsal schedule required for such large-scale productions, nor did they want to learn all those lines, songs and dance routines. So, we decided to form a Murder Mystery Company where the majority of the dialogue is ad-lib, made up as we go and we normally only have a couple of rehearsals for each new storyline or script.

Four years down the line we are finding that the quality of our offering is far beyond other companies who offer a Murder Mystery experience. Normally they might only have four or five characters, one of which doubles as the Police Inspector and you never get to see the body. Whereas we field seven to over ten characters, we don’t double up roles and our Inspector only appears towards the end to help the audience solve the case – and yes, you always get to see the poor victim. We are so lucky to have a team of talented actors who not only bring our crazy characters to life but are also able to perform live singing and even the odd dance routine. Our events are fully interactive with the characters chatting to you at your tables, it’s not a sit down and watch type of stage theatre event. Having said that, you don’t have to get involved and if you pay attention all the clues are there for you to determine who the guilty party is. Our events normally run for about 2 1/2 hours and are based around a meal. How’s that for value for money?

So, where can you enjoy our next performance? We have two bookings coming up in August and October at The Cedars, Barnstaple and we’re looking forward to bringing some haunted fun to The Royal Hotel, Bideford on Halloween. You can check out how our events work and meet our acting team, as well as checking out a photo gallery and details of other forthcoming public events on our website www.murderwewrote.co.uk

Atlantic Coast Theatre is a registered charity, and all proceeds from our events go to purchasing authentic costumes, wigs, make-up, sound and lighting equipment. You can find out more information and how to book us or get in contact via our website.

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Cargo ships dock on back-to-back tides at Appledore.

Appledore welcomed the latest in a run of cargo ships to Navantia UK’s New Quay dock over the weekend. The latest two ships arrived on back-to-back tides – making it the first time that two ships have called successively into the estuary for at least ten years.

Sea Melody” approaches Appledore.

Sea Melody” docks at New Quay dock.

The ‘Sea Melody’, an eighty-nine-metre bulk cargo ship, arrived at Newquay dock in Appledore on Friday 28 March, after sailing from Ghent, Belgium. The ship was carrying over 3,200 metric tons of animal feed pellets for a local agricultural supplies and equipment merchants, who will deliver the product to farms and their manufacturing sites in Devon.

Pilot cutter approaches “Fri Ocean”.

Fri Ocean” approaches New Quay dock.

On Tuesday 1 April,’the ‘Fri Ocean’ was the 8th ship since September 2024 to call at Navantia New Quay in Appledore. Sailing from Rotterdam, the ship was carrying 1,800 tons of wheat gluten feed. The next cargo ships are due into Appledore at the end of April.

Both ships were expertly guided into Appledore by Torridge District Council’s Pilot, Paul Brown. The council through the Port of Bideford are the Competent Harbour Authority for the Taw and Torridge Estuary and are responsible for the safety of navigation and the provision of pilotage.

Torridge District Council and Navantia, in partnership with other agencies, have been working together over the last couple of months to explore the potential possibilities to reopen cargo passage by sea into Torridge. By transporting the product directly to Appledore, rather than other ports along the East or South coast of the UK, the company can eliminate more than 110 lorry journeys from regional roads (per cargo ship). The operation achieves impressive efficiency with a discharge rate of 150 tonnes per hour, enabling complete cargo transfer to ground transportation within a two-day timeframe.

Richard Haste, Operational Services Manager, Torridge District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the return of these cargo ships into New Quay, Appledore. These deliveries are making a very important contribution not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also in putting Appledore on the map as a working and useable port. With more ships due in at the end of the month, we look forward to working with our partners to continue to explore the options for welcoming more ships to the ports of Torridge”.

Head of Operations, Navantia UK Appledore, said: “This partnership demonstrates how maritime infrastructure can directly benefit local communities and businesses. By leveraging our existing facilities to support regional supply chains, we’re helping Devon businesses reduce their carbon footprint while improving access to essential supplies”.

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‘Bideford Legends’ – 5.

Providence House and Pimlico Place, Bideford.

 

Providence House.

Peter Christie, then Mayor of Bideford, unveils the commemorative plaque.

 

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‘Man Down’ mental health support.

 

All men welcome to come along to our friendly, non-judgemental and supportive peer support group.

Directions:When you get to Marlborough Court, turn left and then left again where the car park is. Look out for the Man Down signage at the entrance of car park. Entrance is at the back of the building, through the metal gates.

Hope to see familiar and new faces for a brew and biscuit.

Let’s Talk About It.

Man down – supporting men’s mental health.

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‘Bideford Legends’ – 4.

Marsh Farm was built on a low-lying site in Northam Road, prone to flooding, and became derelict and abandoned some time ago.

The site has now been redeveloped, with levels raised overall, the stream culverted, and the farmhouse restored to its former state.

These photos are of the building before and after the restoration –

Before –

After –

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“Bideford Legends” – 3.

The Hamlyn property.

A fine listed building once the property of the Hamlyn family, who were noted decorators of the time.

(Interior photos courtesy of Rightmove).

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The railway shed in Kingsley Road.

Another listed building, originally an engine and rolling stock shed owned by the Bideford and Westward Ho! Railway company.

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“Bideford Legends” – 2.

The Strand Cinema.

The Strand Cinema was opened by Maurice Prince, Jewish entrepreneur, in 1938. During the war Maurice was a civil defence warden and he also helped Jewish refugees who were escaping from Nazi persecution by sheltering them in the dressing rooms of the premises.

Here is the Cinema as it was –

 

And how it is now, as “Strand Court” –

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Grenville Nursing Home.

Grenville Nursing Home wasn’t as lucky as Torridge Hospital, next door, which survived as flats, perhaps because it did not have protected status.

Here it is in 2009, before demolition –

All that remains are a couple of walls –

On the site there is now a small playground and housing development –

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“Bideford Legends” – 1.

Introducing “Bideford Legends”.

My name is Tanya Harrison, I was born abroad and came to live in Bideford in 2017. By profession I am a Teacher of English to foreign students, not a photographer, not a writer, not an expert or historian. I don’t drive which makes me walk a lot, I am attentive to details and curious about the place. Bideford has its unique historical character which is worth memorising.

The aim of my project “Bideford Legends” (FB Bideford Legends) is to show the beauty of the buildings or images that are not very noticeable and sometimes forgotten, to highlight a different view on ordinary things and to encourage our community to share their priceless memories, knowledge, and experience.

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Bideford Carnegie (“Old”) Library.

Now they say the old Library will be converted, probably into a gym.

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Bideford Hospital.

The former Torridge Hospital, which was built as a workhouse. It still looks magnificent but it is said that people didn’t like going there because of its past.

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A tribute to Peter Christie.

Peter Christie.

We were very sorry to hear the news of the death of Peter Christie, Torridge councillor, author and historian, and loyal contributor to “Buzz”. He wrote a host of articles over the years, all of which have been saved for posterity in the Buzz Archives, and many which can be found on this website. He was a loyal supporter of the newsletter from its earliest days in 2005, helping us with funding via his role on the Bridge Trust, Bideford Town Council and Torridge District Council. He answered numerous questions posed by our readers on historical matters and was the ‘go to’ source for many local history queries.

He was also a personal friend and an adviser in my other role as Bideford Librarian.

All of us at “Buzz” send his friends and family our condolences at this sad time. We will miss him.

Rose Arno. Editor, “Bideford Buzz”.

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‘Upstream Thinking’ project has many benefits.

More than 40,000 native trees are being planted for farms and landowners to help reduce land run-off and improve natural water quality as part of South West Water’s catchment management programme, Upstream Thinking.

The trees, which were provided by the Woodland Trust, will be delivered and planted by Upstream Thinking partners Devon Wildlife Trust, and will see a range of native tree species like blackthorn, hazel and oak delivered to farms across Devon.

The native trees will encourage water to soak into the ground and thus help to stabilise the soil, reducing the rate of run-off from land into watercourses and thereby improving water quality. The trees will also help to capture carbon and increase biodiversity on the land.

The latest intake of trees will be delivered to around 60 farms across eight river catchments, taking the number of trees planted across the region by the Upstream Thinking programme to 260,000.

Tim Dart, Upstream Thinking Project Manager at Devon Wildlife Trust, said: “We are really pleased to be delivery partners on South West Water’s Upstream Thinking programme and for their support in delivering this important project to improve water quality and resilient water resources, along with the environmental benefits this brings for wildlife and people”.

Upstream Thinking is an award-winning catchment management programme delivered in partnership with Westcountry Rivers Trust, the Wildlife Trusts in Devon and Cornwall, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and South West Lakes Trust. The programme involves working with landowners to look at how land is managed to drive improvements in raw water quality in rivers across the region.

Eleanor Lewis, South West Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust said: “The benefits of trees are numerous and we are pleased to be able to support the Upstream Thinking project. Partnership working is key and this highlights how organisations can come together to work with landowners and farmers to find solutions to some of the problems we face”.

South West Water is committed to boosting nature recovery through planting 300,000 trees by 2025, and expanding Upstream Thinking to provide benefits to 146,500 hectares of land by 2030.

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A Devonshire poem about the Piskies.

Here is an amusing poem in the local dialect by J C Harding, who spent his final years in the ‘White House’, which I believe was the name of the Bideford workhouse.

Mr Harding filled an exercise book in his own copperplate handwriting with a collection of poems that he had composed on a number of topics. They are of considerable interest for their subject matter; one is about the sinking of the Titanic, their political attitude (strongly imperialist), and above all their local concerns, such as Appledore lifeboat men, historical events, and the beauty of the district. A few, like this, are in dialect. I hope that readers today can still understand it!

Fortunately the manuscript has survived, as Mr Harding passed it to my grandfather Mr Jack Elliott of the Swan Inn in Mill Street for safekeeping. (My grandfather retired in the early 1950’s). I have owned it for many years, and now that “Buzz” has made it possible to bring it to the notice of the public I am sharing it, and will then send it to the Bideford and District Community Archive.

John Davies.

 

How Zammy Dawe zeed the piskies.

Wat es et young maister, wat es et yu zay,

Du I think thare iz piskies? I du then ees fay;

En wat’s more then thet , I kin tull ee ver shure,

I zeed min wan nite, out pin tap Burden moare.

Aw ees yu kin laff, en zay tes all stuff,

Bit zeeins beleevin, ees, thet’s gude anuff.

Wat,tull ee the story? Wull kum rest yer bones

Bezide aw ma basket, thare, tap aw the stones.

 

Yes yurs ago now, close pin mikkymes dey

I wiz working tu Stickypule vaarm, Welkin wey.

New wan day the maister zed, ‘Zam I declare,

Ef temarra want be the West Kintry vaare.

I mist geet awver airly , the marnin,’ sez ee;

En yu kim awn arter wi dree bastes,dee zee,

Ess,mist try geet min een tu West Kuntry zaale

Ver I think thare’ll be chance ver a purty gude dale.’

 

Next marnin dree Bullucks I draw tu the vaare,

En vury gude bizness the maister din thare.

Zo he zed tu ma, ‘Zam, yew kin vinish the day

But mind be hoam airly, tu late dont ee stay,

Ver I mist geet awver tu Harton chuch town,

Zo taake thicky shillun, tu du yerzel down.’

 

Wul yu knaw, times like thet wan draps pin owld vriends

Tedden mutch thet ee drinks, er eet wat ee spends,

The time slippeed by vor I knawed ware twiz tu,

En twiz tain vor I thawt thet et hoam I wiz du.

 

Wul I staarted awf hoam, jist a little bit vrisky,

Not nawthin like boozed, tho I’d had leetle wisky.

Twiz a ruff, lownsum rawd, en I’d seven mile tu go,

Bit a bewtivil nite, wi the mune all aglow.

 

I got awn purty wul teal I got pin the moare.

New it zimeed I cudden geet no vaarder voare.

The harder I tried,the moar I wid vind,

Er at laist es I thawt, I got vurder behind.

Thinks IZammy Dawe yu mist be piskie laid,

Ver I’d yurd zim quare caapers they little vooks plaid.

I wiz thare pin the moare, een a purty owld plite.

Aw Zammy owld man yu wuz maazed zure thet nite.

I keept waalkin awn, altho I wiz zure

I wiz offaw ma rawd een the middle the moare.

New awl ov a zidden a lite sheened out claare.

Thinks I tu mezel, thare’s a howze awver thaare

 

Zo I made ver thick lite es well es I may.

But tha vaarder I vaint, et vaint vaarder away.

Then tha thawt et kim entu me fulush owld hed

Thet’s a Jack een the lantern, I’m mitey avraid.

Thare wiz I Zammy Dawe es tired es a dug,

Avraid evvry minit I’d stick een a bug.

Me poare legs wiz akeen, me hed een a buzz

Zo I draaed mezel down be a gurt clat a vuzz.

I cudden a bin thare a minnet I’m zure

Wen the zownds aw sweet mewsick kim awver the moare.

 

The zownds kim cloase up ta ma thare ware I lies.

Aw massy, the zight wen I awpened me eyes,

Thare wiz hunnerds a leetle vooks dansin around,

Es thick es vuzz blawzim they cuvvered the grownd.

Zum dressed een gowld traade, en urd cloathes hed zum,

But nat wan aw min thare wiz es high es yer thumb.

Thare wiz zum riding rown pin the back ov a toad,

En zum ver a grasshopper wadden a load.

Thare wiz zum playeen mewsick, en zum aw min dansed

Arown een a ring they all galloped en pransed.

Zum klimeed the grass stalks es if twiz a tree.

Zich quare owld minewvers I never did zee.

But I tull ee, I wished mezel vaarder away,

Ver I thawt zim ould kickshaw awn me they mite play.

 

New the comicalest crayter yu ever shid zee

Kim away vrim the rest and made vore toward me.

He carred een hees hand a gurt stinging nettle.

Aw I wished mezel back een Westcuntryeen settle.

 

Then vaure he cud raitch ma, the nez thing I knaw

Wiz zumboddy baalin, ‘Yurs owld Zammy Dawe,

Out yur een the cairt howze,rowled up een the straw.

But whare heeth a bin tu I’m zure I dun naw,

Ver he’s cuvvered in mire, en I’m purty wul sure

He’th bin rowlin abowt all the nite awn the moare.’

 

En twiz true, thare wiz I, curled up nice en snug,

Ees rowled een the straw like a vlaay een a rug.

Howevver they little vooks carreed ma thare

I dun naw tu these day, bit I’m raddy tu sware

Een the nite I lied down out pin middle the moare,

En they mist a carreed ma hoam tu vore door.

 

Wats thet yu zay maister, ‘twiz tu menny whiskies’?

Aw no zur, I’m zure twiz they dratted owld piskies.

Bit ef yew nevver zeed wan a course yu dun naw.

Bit zeeins beeleevin at laist tu Zam Dawe.

 

James C. Harding.

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The Huntshaw Church bells project.

Huntshaw’s Historic Bells drop into the limelight – After 500 years!

For over a year the ‘Friends of Huntshaw Bells’ have been raising money through grants, sponsorship and events and have raised so far £17k. There is a long way to go yet to get the full £30k needed, but last month saw a big step on the way.

Because Taylors of Loughborough (the Bell Founders) had a slot in their work schedule come free due to a cancellation they were able to come down and over a 3 day period remove the bells as a first step.

The tower in its present form was added to church in 1439 with 3 bells sitting on a framework of oak trusses; but over the centuries with decay in some of the trusses the bells have been sinking under their own weight making them unringable for the past 20 years, plus also needing attention with new fittings and bearings etc – plus one of them needs specialist welding as it is cracked.

The earliest bell, the tenor, dates from 1505 and was cast by Thomas Gefferies in Bristol, and this will be the first time it has seen daylight in 500 years! The other two are more local, one being cast in in Exeter in 1665 and the other in 1634 by “WK” in Barnstaple – this one is believed to be only 1 of 8 known to exist in the country. We still have some grant applications lodged which we hope will come to fruition soon, but our next event is: –

The Art and Science of Bells and Bell Ringing.” – On Sat 14th May 2.30pm – with Ian Campbell.

Entry free but donations welcome.

Ian will bring an 8 ft high bell stand and large bell into the church to demonstrate ringing in the “up” position and when down. He will also bring a set of handbells and volunteers to demonstrate change ringing, and on his laptop connected to speakers he will demonstrate the “Magic of Bells.” – Ian says his talk will be more like ‘entertainment’ than a talk and afterwards everybody will have a chance to try to ring the bell. Whilst this is happening there will be Cream Teas (with pink bubbly), Devon Guild of Ringers displays and models to view, and activities for the children with some small prizes for them, a bell-shaped cake raffle and a “guess the weight” of a handbell (the handbell being the noisy prize!).

In renovating we also found a pristine 600-year-old hand-made nail in the bell chamber, so at about 4pm we’re going to hold an auction for it – just for Fun! (It will be framed and with certificate of provenance).

Further ahead: – on the afternoon of Sunday 17th July we are holding a “Walking Treasure Hunt” of about 3 to 5 miles ending at the church with a “Beer and Burger BBQ!”

For further info, or to become a sponsor, contact [email protected]

The 1505 Tenor bell comes down – first time in 517 years!

In transit.

In transit.

Ready for the off.

New steel UB goes up as replacement support.

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