The cruise on the MS Oldenburg this year will take place on Friday June 8th 2012, and as it is at the end of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations it will have a definite celebration theme!
Departure from Bideford Quay at 7.45pm, returning at 9.30pm and tickets will be £15.00 each. Bring a picnic if you wish and please contact annabelcope@northamlodge.co.uk or ring 01237.477238 for more information
Big Changes at Bideford Library
What’s happening ?
Things are going to be a little bit different at Bideford Library from later this spring. In line with other libraries across the county, Bideford will be doing away with the traditional counter and date stamps and introducing shiny new self-service terminals. Borrowers who have ventured as far as Barnstaple or even Ilfracombe or South Molton will already be familiar with these machines. Instead of handing books and library card to a library assistant to issue, return or renew items, borrowers will be able to do it for themselves. The system is very simple and works with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID for short). Each book at the library has been tagged with an intelligent label so all that is needed is a swipe of the library card and the new terminals are able to detect which books the borrower has selected and transfer them to their account as if by magic.
But what about the nice people who normally serve me?
That’s a good question and one the staff themselves were very keen to know the answer to! The good news is that no members of staff are losing their jobs because of this new technology. All the people who you currently see in the library will still be there to help you, particularly in the early days as you get used to the new system. In fact, assisted-service would be better than self-service as a description of how it will work. But with borrowers able to do all the basic tasks of borrowing, returning and renewing books, it means the library staff will have more time to do all the other important things like answering enquiries and helping people. And yes, they still like to speak to people so please say hello even if you haven’t got an enquiry.
Any other changes?
Yes. To make room for the new terminals and smaller enquiry desk things will have to be moved around. This presents a good opportunity to improve the layout. Changes will include: more shelf space for popular fiction, a seating area where borrowers can sit and work or browse the newspapers and magazines, display space for local organisations and greater privacy for computer users. Other changes include the provision of free WiFi so visitors can connect to the internet with their own devices and also the ability to make payments with bank cards as well as cash. Altogether it should be an exciting time for the library and borrowers should see the benefits of a new and improved service.
To make sure all this happens, Bideford Library will be closed from Wednesday 7th March to Sunday 18th March 2012 inclusive, reopening at 9.30am on Monday 19th March. Borrowers will be able to take out items for a bit longer to cover the closure period, or take extra items and items can still be renewed or reserved on-line at www.devon.gov.uk/libraries. Don’t forget you can also use any other library in Devon too, with Northam being the nearest library, just up the road and open 21 hours a week.We look forward to seeing you again on March 19th in your newly upgraded library.
Bideford Library – Events in March
Reminiscence Session – Take a trip down memory lane
Wednesday March 14th 10:30-12
Remember back… and look forward to sharing your memories with others -
chatting, looking at old items, perhaps creating a book of memories together
Meditation and Relaxation Group
Wednesday 21st March 14:15-15:00
Guided meditation and relaxation group for parents with Nicola MacDonald
Gardening Club
Wednesday 28th March. 19:30
Horticultural discussions plus a useful selection of books at close hand!
Northam Library - events in March.
1st March (World Book Day), 10.00-12.00
Coffee morning and booksale All welcome.
Saturday 31st March, 10.30-12.00
Making Easter cards with Sue : age 4 – 10 years.
Help celebrate Bideford’s rich heritage by creating a team of costume makers and Tudor 
costumes.
Bideford 500 is a voluntary organisation researching, celebrating and promoting Bideford’s exciting past. The highlight of the year is Heritage Day – this year on Saturday June 30th, with a focus on the Town Charter given by Sir Richard Grenville during the reign of Elizabeth 1st.
We want to encourage local people to dress up for the day, and our team of Town Heritage Guides will set the trend with accurate period clothing.
We are offering a FREE three-session training course in Bideford to establish a voluntary sewing group to make Tudor costumes. It will be led by Jen Hood, who over the years has made costumes from the Roman period to the 1920’s. She plans to make Women’s and Men’s costumes with the team and to show how each member of the group how to use traditional and modern techniques and source and adapt the patterns, using traditional fabrics.
You won’t need great experience, but basic sewing ability is helpful and a willingness to learn to work with wool and linen fabrics and discover a new world in the past. Doublet and Hose with a Ruff – you could be making them in March this year, ready for Heritage Day in June!
So … if you want to have a go at simple sewing and are interested in joining the team on Tuesday evenings 6, 13 and 20th March, please contact Yaz as soon as possible on 07717217853 for more details. Spaces are limited so call soon!
Bideford 500 is a voluntary group, who value Bideford’s rich heritage. Its
management committee is made up of individuals and representatives from
local organisations. It is funded by grants from LEADER Plus, Torridge
District and Bideford Councils, and The Bridge Trust, amongst others. It employs
a part time Project worker – Sadie Green, who may be reached on Wednesdays
and Thursdays on 01237428871 0r 07855760411 and via e-mail on
info@bidefordheritage.co.uk . More information on their website
http://www.bidefordheritage.co.uk/
Jen Hood, who will lead the course is a Director of ‘Pastpresent’ and can be
reached via info@pastpresent.org.uk : their website is
http://www.pastpresent.org.uk/
The Volunteer Co-ordinator for the Bideford 500 project is Yasmin
Olins-Dixon who may be contacted on 07717217853 or yasmin@olins.fsnet.co.uk.
Bideford 500 has a range of volunteering opportunities for all ages.
DAFFODIL DAY AND MOTHERING SUNDAY, Sunday 18th March 2012,
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hartland Abbey is holding its Daffodil Day again this year on Mothering Sunday. It will be a lovely chance to come with the family to see the wonderful collection of historic daffodils, many planted 150 years ago. In the past few years many more have been transplanted from Grenville College , formerly Moreton House, home to the Stucley family until 1950. Hartland Abbey wild flower days have now become established as really good fun days out for everyone (including the dogs, of which literally hundreds turned up last year – with their owners!).
Visitors will be able to see not only the daffodils, but also lots of camellias, hellebores, early spring bulbs, mimosas and the lovely wild primroses and violets but due to the vagaries of the English weather, who knows what will be out then! Parts of the estate, normally closed to the public because they are stocked, will be open and there is plenty of opportunity for a really good walk to Blackpool Mill, which starred as ‘Barton Cottage’ in the BBC adaptation of ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Walk through wild flowers to the Gazebo and the newly restored Summer House, hidden since 1945. During this winter yet another path has been restored which links the Summerhouse and The Gazebo, making a wonderful circular walk. The Abbey itself will be open between 12 –4pm at a small extra charge
Warming hot pasties, light lunches and really good home-made cream teas will be provided by the wonderful ladies of St. Nectan’s Church with all the profits going to this beautiful church. Visitors are advised to bring wellies!
Hartland Abbey Daffodil Day and Mothering Sunday
Sunday 18 March
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hartland Abbey, Hartland, nr. Bideford, EX39 6DT
Website: www.hartlandabbey.com
Contact Tel: 01237-441264
Admission charges:
Adults: £3.50; Children over 5 £1; Under 5s free. House open from 12-4 at £4, children free.
