Welcome to the on-line edition of the Community Newsletter for Bideford and adjoining towns, villages, and rural area.
‘Bideford Buzz’ is produced by a team of volunteers and relies on our local community for articles. If you are interested in supporting this newsletter we’ll be glad to hear from you.
Editor – Rose Arno (Bideford Buzz).
Telephone 07929-976120, or E-mail: [email protected]
Bideford Quay.
Oldenburg sailed from Bideford 21/11 for annual drydocking at Sharpness.
Yelland Quay.
No shipping this month.
Appledore – shipyard.
Atherstone back alongside quay.
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Appledore – in port.
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RDJ Maasstroom ; built 2000; flag Rotterdam; owners Dutch; arrived 5/11, sailed 7/11.
Regards,
Norman.
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Torridge District Council has announced that works have commenced to bring the Bideford water fountains on Bideford Quay back to life.
Local companies Northwave Engineering Ltd and Aquatec Water Services Ltd were on site last week to start work on the project to renovate and recommission the Bideford Quay fountains which were originally installed to mark the late queen’s golden jubilee in 2002. The renovations, which are due to be completed by Spring 2026 are expected to cost £60,000 and are being funded by the government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund.
As part of the project the entire system will be given a modern, energy efficient upgrade. A new control system will allow for smarter operation and new high-efficiency pumps designed for long-term reliability are being installed. The valve assemblies will be refurbished to extend the life of the existing assets, and the decorative lighting will also be upgraded to create a better visual experience.
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Please also see our website www.bidefordcinema.org.uk
All showing at The Theatre, Kingsley School.
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Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (12A), 112 mins.
Saturday 6 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
A diamond heist reunites retired Horsemen illusionists with new performers Greenblatt, Smith and Sessa as they target dangerous criminals.
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher. Director: Ruben Fleischer.
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Nuremberg (12A), 148 mins.
Friday 5 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
Saturday 6 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
A WWII psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring.
Stars: Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Michael Shannon. Director: James Vanderbilt.
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Wicked For Good (PG), 138 mins.
Friday 19 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
Saturday 20 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
Saturday 27 December at 5.00pm (doors open 4.30pm).
Sunday 28 December at 6.00pm (doors open 5.30pm).
Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh. Director: Jon M. Chu.
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A collection of articles from the ‘Bideford Gazette’ during December 1925, kindly selected by Bideford Community Archive.
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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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Final proposals to reshape and reimagine the future of local services in Devon are formally considered by councillors.
Reimagining Devon: Believe in Better has been published by seven of Devon’s district councils, outlining a new model for local government to secure a brighter and more prosperous future for the county and its communities.
In December 2024, the UK Government announced plans to simplify the structure of local government across England. Areas such as Devon, which currently has a ‘two-tier’ system comprising a county council and district councils, are being asked to develop new unitary authorities.
East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon district councils have been working together to shape the proposal. Torbay Council has collaborated with the districts in developing the case but is pursuing its own submission which would see it remain as a unitary authority.
The districts’ proposal, known as the 4-5-1 model, includes:
Torbay and Southern Devon – a unitary authority made up of South Hams, Teignbridge, Torbay and West Devon.
Exeter and Northern Devon – a unitary authority made up of East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge.
Plymouth City Council remaining a standalone unitary authority.
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The 4-5-1 model has been designed to create three robust and balanced unitary authorities in which services are designed and delivered close to communities, as well as unlocking place-based economic growth that will ensure no community is left behind.
It facilitates the transformation of public services and promotes integrated delivery across health, social care, education, housing and community services.
Financial modelling conducted as part of the proposal forecasts savings of at least £77.1m from year six, and a cumulative saving of £508m by 10 years.
The initial investment associated with setting up the new councils would be recouped within three years.
In a joint statement, the councils’ leaders said:
“We believe this proposal truly delivers the best possible outcomes for all of Devon’s 1.2 million residents, with three authorities that are big enough to be financially sustainable and deliver major services while remaining local and accessible with communities at their hearts.
“This proposal has been built by rigorous evidence-based analysis and assessment, and extensive engagement with residents, businesses, partners and community groups. The result, this reimagining of Devon, will give our residents the local services they want, tailored to their needs, and ensures our councils are future-proof and resilient for generations to come.”
Each council formally considered approving the proposal at their own respective meetings between 25 November and the deadline for submission of proposals on 28 November.
The full proposal, Reimagining Devon: Believe in Better, is available to view at https://www.reimaginingdevon.org
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With the festive season fast approaching, Torridge District Council is encouraging residents to think ahead and make choices that reduce waste this Christmas. By planning early and shopping smart, we can all do our bit and even save money along the way!
Over the next few weeks, the Council will be sharing practical tips and advice for a greener holiday period. Taking time to consider how and what we buy can not only help reduce the amount of waste produced but also save you money!? Many of us will be tempted by seasonal sales. But with increased spending comes increased waste. In the UK alone, over 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging are thrown away at Christmas, and the surge in online shopping adds millions of extra parcels and packaging.*
Small changes can make a big difference – here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
Shop locally – Support community businesses and help cut down on unnecessary packaging.
Choose sustainable wrapping – Use recycled or recyclable cards, wrapping paper, and reusable gift bags. Avoid glitter, foil, bows, and ribbons as these can’t be recycled and should therefore go in your black bag.
Plan your meals – Around 4.5 million Christmas dinners are wasted every year in the UK.* Careful planning helps prevent overbuying and ensures leftovers are enjoyed. For creative recipe ideas, check out Have Your Food And Eat It Recipe Book – Recycle Devon.
Recycle packaging – Items like plastic advent calendar trays, cream pots, brandy sauce pots, pudding basins, sweet tubs, and mince pie trays can all be recycled.
Rehome Unwanted Gifts – If you don’t receive what you want this Christmas, consider donating any unwanted items to a charity shop or pass them on through local Facebook groups.
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The festive season is an important trading period for businesses and Torridge is in the lucky position of having many high quality and unique independent retailers right on its doorstep.
To support consumers and business owners and in partnership with the local town councils, there will be a number of free parking days throughout December as an incentive for people to shop locally and to engage in festive community events.
In Bideford on Saturday 6 and 13 December, there will be free parking from 10am at Bridge Street, The Quay, The Manor and Bridge Street car parks.
In Great Torrington, Sydney House car park will be free all day on Saturday 6, 13, and 20 December.
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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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Torridge District Council have installed a new water bottle refill station at the Northam Burrows Visitor Centre to help tackle plastic pollution. The refill station was part funded and supplied by Our Only World, a Cornish based charity set up to promote marine conservation. Partly made with recycled fishing nets the refill station will help reduce single use plastics by enabling visitors to top up their re-usable bottles with drinking water.
It is estimated that one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute world-wide. While these are widely recycled, many of them are not disposed of responsibly and often end up in the world’s ocean where they are harmful to marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins and turtles.
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Bideford Town Band Carol Playing during December
Bideford Town Band are pleased to be playing Christmas Carols for the community to enjoy getting in the festive spirit.
Saturday mornings and Christmas Eve in Mill Street 10.30am to 12 noon
Saturday 20th 11am with the Baptist Church, for community singing – please
come and join us.
Saturday 6th December 7.30pm Christmas Concert at the Pollyfield Centre, Tickets ring 01237 475653 or https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bideford-town-band
Sunday 7th December Bideford Light Switch On 5pm
Thursday 11th December 6pm Tesco Extra, Sticklepath, Barnstaple
Saturday 13th December 6pm Carols by Candlelight CHSW
Monday 15th December 6pm ASDA Bideford
Thursday 18th December 6pm Tesco, Bideford
Bideford Pannier Market
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Bideford Quay.
Oldenburg has completed her crossings to Lundy for this year. Now off to Sharpness for her annual drydocking.
Yelland Quay.
No shipping this month.
Appledore – in port.
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Helen B – (Ex- Aramis 2004, Helen G ’10); built 2004; flag Antigua & Barbuda; arrived 23/10, sailed 25/10; cargo unknown.
Bristol Channel Observations – not included this month.
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E H Hopcraft, 1 Mill Street, Bideford – addition of Ladies’ Saloon; G Hopson & Son, 24 Mill Street, Bideford – the Nersag Mattress Support.
Posting Stables, Orchard Hill, near Bideford – horses, carriages, carts, harness, implements for sale by auction.
A Christmas treat for the children of Bideford.
Mr H W Huxham, of Bideford, has been appointed specialist judge of Scandaroon pigeons at the Palace.
Bideford Baptists at the conclusion of their bazaar had the satisfaction of learning that the debt of £142 3s 3d on the Hillgarden property had been completely wiped out with about £10 over. The success was due to the loyal cooperation of Church workers, who prepared an attractive array of stalls and tastefully decorated the Assembly Hall, where the sale of work was held. The opening ceremony, performed by Mr and Mrs R M Rowe of Ilfracombe, was presided over by Mr F T Upton, JP.
At the close of Bideford Borough Sessions, the Mayor, Dr E J Toye, mentioned that as that was the last occasion he should be presiding as chief magistrate, he wished to express his thanks to the Clerk, Mr T A Goaman, and all the officials concerned, for their assistance in the conduct of the business of the court, and which had perhaps given him sometimes the appearance of greater legal erudition than he could claim.
Alderman W T Goaman expressed the pleasure and honour it gave him to propose the election of Alderman Metherell, and mentioned that it was only after some amount of pressure by his colleagues that their good friend was prevailed upon to allow his name to be submitted to the full Council. They realized that although he had filled the office with dignity on two occasions some nineteen or twenty years ago, yet he had done so much public work and had made such sacrifices, material and physical, for the sake of the borough and the district and the county that they felt they would be doing the town an honour and Mr Metherell an honour if they made him Mayor for the third time of this historic town.
A few members of Bideford Swimming Club visited Mr and Mrs Jack Bale, in their new home, and Dr M W Littlewood (captain) in a few well chosen words asked them to accept a small oak table from the members of the Club as a wedding gift.
Mr John Duxbury, a clever elocutionist, gave two recitals in the Bideford Assembly under the auspices of the Bideford and Wesleyan and Baptist Recreation Club. Both recitals were particularly well attended, and Mr Duxbury was given a great ovation. The chair was occupied in the afternoon by Alderman John Cock.
Bideford Borough Magistrates on the application of Mr O W Ward granted Mr J T Miller, of the New Inn Hotel, an extension until 11pm on the occasion of the Mayor’s banquet on November 11th.
Considerable interest was taken in an alleged poaching prosecution which came before Bideford Borough Magistrates and was dismissed after a hearing extending to nearly two hours, though the Bench expressed the opinion that the police were perfectly justified in bringing the case forward. Frederick Charles Nicholls, tailor, of Honestone Street, was summoned to put it briefly, for having been found in possession of rabbits which it was alleged he had poached.
The marriage was solemnized at the United Methodist Church, Bideford, of Miss Annie Cleave, daughter of Mr and Mrs Cleave, of Sunningdale, Abbotsham Road, Bideford, and Mr Alec James Luxton.
Her many friends will learn with great regret of the death in Guy’s Hospital, of Miss Mabel Wheeler, elder daughter of Mr G J D Wheeler, of Victoria House, Clovelly-road, Bideford. Death of Mr H Deighton Pearson, brother of Dr Ellis Pearson, of the Strand, Bideford. The funeral took place, the Rev W G Eeles, of Mrs Margaret Verren, of the old King of Prussia house, New-street, Bideford. Mrs Verren was landlady for 45 years prior to its closing about twelve years ago. A licence for selling beer had been held for 300 years previous. The bearers were six nephews and great nephews, Messrs John Verren, J Verren jnr, William Verren, Albert Verren, Fred Verren and Bert Verren. Mr T Andrew, Clovelly Road, Bideford, has died.
One of Bideford’s oldest and most respected inhabitants passed peacefully away at 6 New Street, Bideford, in the person of Nurse Rounsfille at the age of 89. Of a most kindly disposition, she was greatly beloved by a very wide circle of friends. She leaves two sons, Messrs W Davis and J Davis, JP, and a daughter, Mrs J Brayley, to mourn their loss.
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