BUZZ WORD.
Welcome to Buzz Word-  the new updated letters’ page. Feel free to send us your Buzzes!

April Buzz
Enjoyed the latest Buzz; thought the cover was a great improvement; nice and bold and attention-getting.  John Henderson

W.H. Friendship.
For the last few years I have been writing the history of photography in North Devon from 1842 to 1914. It started as an article but has mushroomed into a book and should be out next year. Whilst researching Bideford photographers I have become intrigued by W.H.Friendship whose name (and copyright claim) appears on several of the oldest pictures of Bideford including the famous one of the pre-1866 Bridge shown here. Friendship appears in the 1901 Census as the local Tory agent though 5 years later he is identified as an auctioneer. What is most interesting about him is a ‘lantern lecture’ (i.e. with a magic lantern) he gave in April 1905 to the Bideford Debating Society in the Town Hall titled ‘Old and New Bideford’. The North Devon Journal article recording this noted ‘A unique number of photographs recording many old and historical features of the town, were reproduced. These included the Quay, Bridge, and Church, and pictorial reminiscences of parts of ancient Bideford, with the cobble-stone paving.’ All told some 170 slides were shown – which begs the question – what happened to them? If you can give any leads please do contact me at Bideford 473577.
Peter Christie

‘Kathleen and May’ in Liverpool.
Whilst on holiday in Liverpool I visited the Albert Dock and saw the Kathleen and May of Bideford looking extremely well with plenty of maintenance being undertaken.  She is well suited to her new surroundings in the Albert Dock;  if anybody is visiting Merseyside may I suggest a visit to the dock area and also the New Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head. (Photos © Norman Hardaker)
Norman

Northam Twinning
New members are always welcome, and just now we are looking for two couples to twin with both the French and German groups.   We need  two familes with children, as well as two middle-aged couples, to twin with similar families and couples in both countries.   From the children’s point of view, this is an excellent opportunity to experience a slice of life with our Continental neighbours, learn something of their way of life and language;  for adults, it’s much the same, with lots of fun.
Our Twinners are off to Buddenstedt on 4th to 8th May, and the Mondeville visit takes place in October, from 4th to 8th.    So if you would like to know more about Northam Twinning, just pick up the phone and talk to either Jenny Rickard, on 01237 473479,  or to Marilyn Anscombe, on 01237 478016.  Come and join us!
Di Warmington

Thursday 3rd
2.15 pm Thursday Fellowship tel 421956
8pm Bideford Folk Club  Joiners’ Arms

Friday 4th
6pm First Friday events in Bideford;
Open Mic  at Blazey’s
Palladium Club   Fuzy logik – (original rock)
7.45p.m. to 10.15 p.m.    Modern Sequence Dancing  Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho!  Cyril Arnold – 01769 540309
8pm Bideford Ceilidh Club.  Bideford Amateur Athletic Club 476632

Saturday 5th
Arts and Crafts market at Bideford Pannier market
Clovelly Folk Festival
Torridge Ramblers ‘ Day Walk  01805  622183 for details
10.00-5.00 Bucks Cross Art exhibition
Palladium Club Boom Boom Room

Sunday 6th
Clovelly Folk Festival
10.00-5.00 Bucks Cross Art exhibition
10-3. May Day Celebration. Rectory Garden/Northam Community Centre.  01237 45975.

Monday 7th Bank Holiday
Palladium Club The Downfall Band

Tuesday 8th
10am Lavington Church coffee and lunches
10.30am Macular Disease soc meets  Burton Art Gallery  01409-231309
2pm Bideford Salvation Army Fun and Fellowship Club  Bideford Baptist Church.                   Epilepsy Group meets at Henry Williamson Room Barnstaple Library tel 07875577428
8pm Tarka Morris at Bideford Amateur Athletic Club  476632
Palladium Club Open Mic NIght

Wednesday 9th
10.15am Bideford Probus Club  473 337) Royal Hotel, Bideford
11-4pm Buckland Brewer Methodist Church mini market tel 451630

7.30pm Bideford Folk Dance Club meets Northam Hall.: 475138
7.45 p.m. to 10.15 p.m.   Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal  Bideford Town Band Room 01271 860061
8pm Bideford Ceilidh Club.Folk Dancing  Bideford Amateur Athletic Club476632
Palladium Club  Breaks Collective
Holy Karaoke at Crealock  Littleham

Thursday 10th
2.15pm Thursday Fellowship tel 421956
8pm Bideford Folk Club  Joiners’ Arms

Friday 11th
7.30pm Abbotsham WI meets at Abbot sham Village Hall tel 01237 474711
7.45pm Modern Sequence Dancing  Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! Cyril Arnold – 01769 540309
8pm Bideford Ceilidh Club.  Bideford Amateur Athletic Club 476632

Saturday 12th
9am – 2pm Bideford Farmers’ market Bideford Quay
Palladium Club Weird Jazz
10am – 3pm Buckland Brewer plant sale village green
Barn Dance at Parsonage Farm Newton Tracey chemo appeal 01271 858546

Sunday 13th

11am – 3pm Buckland Brewer plant sale village green. – 12.30pm Methodist Chapel Safari Lunch
Tickets £7Enid Booth (01237) 451655

Monday 14th
10-12noon Lip reading classes at Ethelwynne Brown community room or 07923- 536908        (heatherathoneywells@hotmail.com)
7.30pm Bideford Stamp Club   Robins’ Nest football club. 472101

Tuesday 15th
10am Lavington Church coffee  and lunches
2pm Salvation Army Fun and Fellowship Club; Bideford Baptist Church
Palladium Club – Open Mic  Jam Night
8pm Tarka Morris at Bideford Amateur Athletic Club  476632

Wednesday 16th
7.30pm Bideford Folk Dance Club  at  Northam Hall. Tel: 475138

Thursday 17th
2.15pm Thursday Fellowship  outing tel 421956
8pm Bideford Folk Club  Joiners’ Arms

Friday  18th
7.45 p.m. to 10.15 p.m.   Modern Sequence Dancing  Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho!  Cyril Arnold – 01769 540309
7.30pm Bideford Folk Dance Club meets at Northam Hall 01237 429080.
Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal  Bideford Town Band Room 01271 860061
Palladium Club Spaced invaders
8pm Bideford Ceilidh Club.  Bideford Amateur Athletic Club 476632

Saturday19th
Palladium Club; Auction for the promise club

Sunday 20th
Torridge Ramblers’ afternoon walk
423663

Monday 21st
10am Memory cafe meets at Northam  Hall ;     10 – 12 noon. Lip reading classes at Ethelwynne Brown community room  07923 536 908    HeatherSmith   (heatherathoneywells@hotmail.com)
10.32 am Olympic Torch arrives in Bideford; Kingsley Rd
7pm Bideford Carers’ Support group Communal Room, Marlborough Court
01271 372811
7.30pm Appledore Singers rehearse  at Appledore School  01769 560034.
8.30pm Jazz at the Beaver Inn  tel 421065

Tuesday 22nd
10am Lavington Church coffee morning  lunches (-1.15pm)
2pm Bideford Salvation Army Fun and Fellowship Club;  Bideford Baptist Church
8pm Tarka Morris at Bideford Amateur Athletic Club 01237 476632
Palladium Club – Open Mic  Jam Night

Wednesday 23rd
10.15am Bideford Probus Club (Tel 473 337) Royal Hotel, Bideford

Thursday 24th
7pm     Bideford Buzz Agm Bideford Library
8pm Bideford Folk Club  Joiners’ Arms

Friday 25th
10am-1pm Lundy Art Group St Mary’s Church Appledore
7.45 p.m. to 10.15 p.m .?Modern Sequence Dancing  Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho!  Cyril Arnold – 01769 540309
8pm Bideford Ceilidh Club.    Bideford Amateur Athletic Club 476632
Palladium Club; Escape artists

Saturday26th
9am – 2pm Bideford Farmers’ market Bideford Quay
Torridge Ramblers 10.5 miles 01237 423663
2pm Bucks Cross village hall spring table top sale.
7.30pm Appledore band concert for Appledore Lifeboat Station / Band Fund Appledore Baptist Church
Palladium Club; 9 yards

Monday 28th
10-12noon Lip reading classes at Ethelwynne Brown community room or 07923 536 908 heatherSmith (heatherathoneywells@hotmail.com)
7.30pm Appledore Singers  Appledore School 01769 560034.

Tuesday 29th
10am Lavington Church coffee morning and lunches (- 1.15pm)
2pm Bideford Salvation Army Fun and Fellowship Club; Bideford Baptist Church
8pm Tarka Morris at Bideford Amateur Athletic Club   476632
Palladium Club Open Mic Night
8.30pm West Country Inn Music/folk session tel 01237 441724/07812751555

Wednesday 30th
Bideford Folk Dance Club meets  in Northam Hall. Tel: 475138
7.30pm British Humanists’ Assoc Annex of Fremington Parish Hall   01237 477851.             Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal  Bideford Town Band Room  – 01271 860061

Thursday 31st
Torridge Ramblers’ Evening Walk  01271 322082
8pm Bideford Folk Club  Joiners’ Arms

Friday 1st June
Carl Herring at Lavington URC Church
tel 422858

All welcome.    Refreshments included.

Come and support your local newsletter and help us think of some fund raising ideas !

Bideford Blind Club
I thought your readers might be interested to know that Bideford Blind Club now has a website which can be accessed at www.bidefordblindclub.co.uk.It provides details of how the club is run, the activities we undertake and who to contact for further information.
Sue Overton

Families in Grief (FIG)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for promoting our Christmas Sparkle event, front paging it in the December issue. You will be pleased to know that evening raised over £500.
It is thanks to community interest and support like yours that FIG is gaining local recognition, so enabling us to reach out to more families in need of our services.
The ‘ Collection of FIG and celebrity recipes’ is available in return for a small donation. Please send a stamped addressed a5 envelope to me at the  address below. They are also available in bulk for  anyone wishing to host a fund-raising coffee morning or ladies lunch. Cheques should be made payable to FIG.  Thank you Buzz
Alison Berridge
(Families in Grief  Rose Hill Heywood Rd Bideford Ex39 3PS)

Spoonbills seen
I write to say that on Sunday 28th  February at 7.45am a spoonbill flew in on the mudflats (East side)  and stayed feeding at high water mark;it then took off and went down the  river. The spoonbills are under threat from marsh damage and pesticides. I have only seen two in seven years on the river.
Derek L Barnes

National Bus Pass Renewal – ?Many National Bus Passes will expire on the 31st of March 2013. Devon County Council is now making preparations to issue eligible Devon residents with a replacement bus pass . Please help us to make sure that you are able to enjoy uninterrupted free local and England-wide bus travel. If you have changed address since your original pass was issued, you will need to update your details with Devon County Council as soon as possible. Transport Co-ordination Service (Concessionary Fares)  Room 18 Matford Lane Offices County Hall ExeterEX2 4QD 01392 383468

Parkinson’s UK. The Torridge Branch of Parkinson’s UK is holding a “Spring Fayre” at Weare Giffard Village Hall on Saturday 21st April, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. There will be a variety of stalls, plus a Blind Auction and  a Raffle . The entry fee of £1.50 (children under 11 years) includes a free cup of tea and biscuits. There is plenty of parking, and a bus stop (route 70) right outside.

Agony Aunt

This month, students from Bideford College give their advice…

Dear Bideford Buzz,
My mum and dad are so mean – I’m 14 and my curfew to be home is still 6.30!  All my friends are staying out late and I’m always being left out, what can I do to change my mum and dad’s mind?
Angel, aged 14
Angel, I think you should just talk to them, tell them you are unhappy because you are getting left out – maybe they’d give you a later curfew but don’t keep nagging them it will just make things worse.

Dear Bideford Buzz,
I really like this boy in my class – he’s really nice but I’m afraid that he doesn’t feel the same, what should I do?
Laura, aged 13
We think you should go for it! Maybe get to know him better first but we think you should ask him, if he says no ask him if you can just be friends, if you do that you will never be disappointed.

Dear Bideford Buzz,

I am really worried about my weight. All my friends are thinner than I am and I have been telling my mum she needs to buy me fat free or low fat foods so that I don’t put on any more weight – but all she says is that I am fine as I am. So, I have started to eat less food but it’s not really helping. Anonymous
This is a very serious issue as it can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia. The best thing to do in this situation is to go and see your doctor as they can tell you if you really need to lose weight or not. You also need to remember that everyone is different and you will definitely be a different shape to all of your friends, but if you still worry about your weight then it is best to tell an adult or someone you can trust as they can be honest with you about it.

Dear Bideford Buzz,

My best friend and I have been close since nursery, but since she’s been seeing my brother she’s been completely ignoring me, what can I do? Anonymous
Try talking to your best friend about it, and if it doesn’t improve then try organising activities outside of school like going shopping or going to the movies. Make sure your brother doesn’t come – say it’s just for you and your best friend. I hope you work it out ?

North Devon Maritime Museum Appledore .   The hunt is now on for new volunteers in order to ensure the Maritime Museum at Appledore runs smoothly throughout the coming tourist season – from Easter to the end of October.?A cheerful and warm welcome and a willingness to enthuse about our area are the chief requirements of our volunteers.They enjoy meeting and greeting our visitors many of whom are from Canada, America and Australia and are researching links with their north Devon relatives, or British nationals who have family or maritime links with Appledore.?All new volunteers will be shown the museum’s routines and be supported by the experienced volunteers. A warm welcome awaits everyone. Please contact me if you would like to know more.?Diana Yendell    ?Phone:- 01237 477836?or email:- blue.blur@hotmail.co.uk

The Moorland Mousie Trust .     14th and 17th March will be special Volunteer Recruitment days at the Centre so if you are interested in helping with our work in any way, please do come along between 10am and 3pm.
The Centre is open 10 till 5 every day of the week and if you ring when staff are busy with ponies, a friendly machine will answer you.  If you are making a special trip to visit us, please ring to check that we will be around.
There will be an Easter Open Day on Sunday 1st April (weather permitting!) from 11 till 3 pm so put the date in your diary and come along and join in the fun.
Exmoor Pony Centre Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9QE Tel: 01398 323093
Read more at  www.bidefordbuzz.org.uk

Still within living memory?
Bideford 500, the town’s Heritage Project is hoping to collect as many memories as possible about the Second World War that local people may still be able to recount. As the Project has a special connection with the USA memories of the GI’s ‘invasion’ will be of particular interest.  Whilst the project has brought together many examples of films, photographs, written articles and unearthed information from archives it is still keen to bring the personal experiences of local people during this period into prominence.
WW2 must still remain a significant part of the lives of those who lived in Bideford during 1939 to 1945. It’s their memories, recollections and possibly even their photographs which would add so much value to this project. In addition to the local residents who remained in Bideford it would be interesting to hear about the recollections of local service men and women, memories of the Home Guard and any memories of the activities of  the Bideford Cleave Wood Auxiliary Unit. If anyone can remember for instance particulars of the visit of Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower to the town then the Project needs to hear from them.
Bideford500 aims to develop a practical resource about the period, one that can be left for future generations to both use and enjoy.
The contact for any information is Louise Howell at   BidefordWW2@gmail.com or on 01237 421347.
Louise Howell

Message from South West Foundation
‘The Foundation are delighted with Bidefordbuzz’s work over the years especially their involvement of volunteers in their projects. At this time and due to the Foundation’s small amount of grants it has to allocate it is  rare for The Foundation to able to fund organisations who have previously?obtained a grant,  but we were able to make an exception here.’?     [Thank you for considering us again (Ed)]

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

“Buzz” public distribution points.

ABBOTSHAM.
Post Office.

APPLEDORE.
Library.

BIDEFORD.
Atlantic Village (concourse).
BIDEFORD LIBRARY.
Bideford F.C.
Burton Art Gallery & Museum.
Butchers’ Row.
Council tax office.
Health centre.
Pannier Market.
Park kiosk.

Public houses -   Anchor
Appledore Inn.
Heavitree.
Joiners Arms.
Kings Arms.
Lamb.
Old Custom House.
Portobello.
Riverside.
Talbot.
Tavern.
White Hart.

Riverbank House.
Riversford Hotel.
St.Mary’s Church.
Sure Start.

ALLHALLAND ST.       -   Garland’s.
Roosters.

CLOVELLY ROAD       -   Blights.

COOPER STREET      -   Chiropodist.
Lathwells.
Taxi office.
Karma cafe.
Velvet & Vanilla.

BRIDGELAND STREET – Anton’s hairdressers.
Bazeley’s.
Bond Oxborough.
Citizens Advice Bureau.
Jenny Hoare hairdressers.
Kevin Bright.
Lavington Church.
Oxfam shop.
Vision Express.

CHINGSWELL STREET-  Bottle Stop.

HIGH STREET             -    Banks cafe.
Methodist Church.
Sounds Interesting.
Walter Henry’s bookshop.

MILL STREET              -    Baptist church.
Blanchards.
Blazey’s cafe / deli.
Danny’s butchers.
Fruit Loop.
Gerties cafe.
Honey’s butchers.
Trawlers fish & chip shop.
Webbers.

MORETON PARK        -    Moreton Park Stores.

NORTH ROAD            -     Employment office.

OLD TOWN                  -    Post Office.

ROPE WALK               -     Pottery.

THE QUAY                   -     Arts Centre.
Britannia Building Society.
Quay cafe.
Radwells newsagent.
Spar shop.
Who’s Next hairdressers.

BUCKS CROSS.
Bideford Bay caravan site.
Post Office.

EAST THE WATER.
Barton Tors post office.
Railway museum.
Royal Hotel.
Pollyfields.
Wooda surgery.

FREMINGTON.
Fish & chip shop.
Premium stores.

HOLSWORTHY.
Library.

INSTOW.
Commodore Hotel.
Johns.

NORTHAM.
Health Centre.
Library.
Marshford Farm.
Swimming pool.

STIBB CROSS.
Shop.

TORRINGTON.
Library.

WESTLEIGH.
Pub.

WESTWARD HO !
Charity shop.
Newsagent.
Post office.

WOOLSERY.
Merry Harriers garden centre.

YELLAND.
Post Office.

On August the 8th, 1720, the Board of Excise ordered that ‘William Kimpton, Supernumerary in the Barnstaple Collection, being dead, as by Mr Jennings the Collectors letter of the 6th instant, Silas Hiscutt, instructed by order of the Board be Supernumerary, ‘the Collector of Sarum to give him notice’.   So Silas Hiscutt, the new recruit or ‘Supernumerary’ rode from Salisbury to Barnstaple all those years ago to begin a career that was to last for 37 years.

In February 1727, Silas married Elizabeth Whitefield of Northam whilst he was Officer of Excise, Bideford 2nd Out Ride.   But in July he was posted back to Barnstaple as Officer for Barnstaple 1st Out Ride. Here, the couple’s first child, Patience, was born, followed by a son, Silas, in 1730 and another daughter, Winifred, in 1731.   On August the 28th, 1732, he was ordered to take the place of Robert Johnson, Officer for Torrington 4th Out Ride, a position he maintained with only a few brief moves for the rest of his career.   The family lived at Abbots Bickington where eight more children were born, the last being Catherine, born May 20th 1750.   She eventually married James Paddon of Abbotsham. Their son, Midshipman Silas Hiscutt Paddon would see action on HM Cutter ‘Viper’ (see Bideford Buzz Nov 02, The Commander) receiving praise from Sir Edmund Pellew in a letter to Earl St Vincent.

In December 1756 Silas claimed ‘Charity’ from the Board of Excise, due to ill health, and this pension was granted him.   We shall never know whether his state of health was due to work or to other events. One year before, his son Silas married Jane Pincombe and then went to sea, not to return to start his family until the end of the Seven Years War in 1764. His parents saw his return and the start of his family but Elizabeth, dying in Bideford in 1768, never saw her grandson Silas who was born in Bideford in 1769.

The life of an Exercise Officer was lonely and dangerous.   Normally recruited outside the area where they worked, to prevent giving favour to friend or family, they were responsible for providing their own horse, for varying their routine, keeping records of nightly journeys, listening for rumours and watching for suspicious activity.   Local Dragoons could be called for help but this was often given grudgingly.    The pay was poor compensation for a job which could end in serious injury or death.   Silas died in Bideford in 1770, fifty years after his ride from Salisbury to Barnstaple.

A.H. Barnstaple

Recipe from Bideford Country market, Bideford Market.

• 2lb Runner beans, chopped or sliced
• 4 or 5 onions
• 1.5 pints vinegar
• 8oz.  demerara sugar
• 0.5 tablespoon cornflour
• 0.5 tablespoons turmeric
• 1 tablespoons dried mustard

Peel & slice the beans & onions.  Place in preserving pan with salted water to cover & boil until tender.  Strain & drain.  Place back in pan, add sugar & 1.25 pint vinegar, bring to the boil while keeping stirred, boil for 15 min.  Mix dry ingredients with remaining .25 pint vinegar, add to main pan, and boil 15 min.  Allow to cool and then spoon into sterilised screw-top jars.

Ready to eat, but flavour improves with keeping.