Bideford Buzz

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.

You can submit your article on disc or by e-mail.    However, ‘snail mail’ is equally acceptable. Material for publication should reach us during the month preceding the month of publication.

Editor – Rose Arno (Bideford Buzz).        

Telephone 07929-976120, or E-mail: [email protected]

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Christmas & New Year refuse & recycling dates.

Torridge District Council would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to residents who have continued to boost the recycling rates across the District which now also includes small electrical goods and batteries. While the festive season is a period for many of us to relax and spend time with family and friends, the message being sent out is to KEEP RECYCLING,especially all the cardboard, drinks containers and other waste items Christmas celebrations usually generate.

Torridge crews will be taking a well-deserved short break during the festive period and there will be no kerbside recycling collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. However, crews will be working normally on other days across the holiday period to collect any festive leftovers. The Council is asking people to check their collection dates on their online calendar as some of the collections will be a day later or earlier than usual as a result of the public holidays.

To accommodate the extra work over this period, as usual, there will be no garden waste collections between Monday 23rd December 2024 and Sunday 5th January 2025. Collections will start again on Monday 6th January 2025.

Lots of festive items can be fully recycled, including:

Real Christmas Trees – Ideally chopped up and placed in the Green Wheelie bin, or whole trees can be placed next to the Green Bin.

Plastic bottles, containers and tins (green box).

Foil trays (green box).

Glass bottles and jars (black box).

Christmas cards without glitter (brown bag).

Christmas card envelopes (brown bag).

Food waste, including turkey bones (green food caddies).

Cardboard (broken up or flattened) which must be placed in the brown bag. Each household can have two brown bags and to order an extra one people should visit the Council’s website.

There are some items which unfortunately cannot be recycled:

Large, oversized cardboard boxes may be rejected unless broken into pieces and placed in the brown bags, or alternatively these can be taken to one of the local Devon County Council recycling centres.

Items covered in glitter.

We can only accept brown wrapping paper, due to the low-grade nature of standard wrapping paper for which there is currently no commercial end use.

Items that can’t be recycled will be collected in the black bag waste collections but no waste will be sent to landfill as these collections are sent to an energy from waste plant where it is processed to generate electricity.

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The winners of TDC’s refuse vehicle naming competition.

Earlier this year Torridge District Council launched a competition to name two brand new street cleansing vehicles that have recently joined the Council fleet.

Over one hundred entries were received with many unique and comic name suggestions. The winning names for the vehicles have been chosen by the crews, supervisors, and managers of the Council’s waste and recycling service and have been turned into stylised graphic designs and printed onto templates, which have been applied to the vehicles for everyone to see.

The winning vehicle names were Binderella, suggested by Carly and Freddie Tucker, and Lightning McClean suggested by Mr Lavers.

The supervisors and crews had a great time looking through the name suggestions. The vehicles are now all in service and stationed in Holsworthy, to support the Cleansing Team with various tasks, such as cleaning toilets, emptying litter and dog bins, and clearing any illegally dumped waste.

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Free family events at Northam Burrows.

Looking for something to do between the Christmas and the New Year period and want to get the family out in the fresh air? Then why not join in with some of the activities being organised on Northam Burrows by our enthusiastic team of Rangers!

On Saturday 28 December, there will be a beach clean session with Plastic Free Torridge and the Northam Burrows Rangers between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Meet at the Westward Ho! Slipway.

Also on Saturday 28 December, join the Rangers and local experts to learn about the birds that spend the winter around the Skern saltmarsh. The team will be at Greysands car park at the end of Skern road, between 2pm and 4pm. They will be sharing tips and tricks to help with identifying different species. The event is free, and no booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Throughout the school holidays there will also be a winter activity trail which can be collected from the Pebbleridge kitchen beside the Northam Burrows visitor centre. The café will be open between 9am and 4pm every day except Christmas day. The trail is a fun way to discover more about the habitats of Northam Burrows and the fascinating creatures that inhabit it.

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One Hundred Years Ago – December 1924.

A collection of articles from the ‘Bideford Gazette’ over December 1924, kindly selected by Bideford Community Archive.

A notable feature of the Christmas was the overwhelming and unprecedented rush on the Bideford Post Office. All previous records were broken by the vast amount of inward and outward mails that were experienced at the office during the days preceding Christmas Day. Temporary postmen were employed, and these with the regular staff had difficulty in coping with the work.

Buy your Christmas presents from S. Metherell’s at 3 Market Place, Bideford. Or a Jones’ Family C.S. Hand Machine as supplied to H.M. The Queen.

A new debating society is formed – Bideford and District Debating Society for the Discussion of Current Events.

Mr George Cook’s retirement, after 48 years of continuous scholastic life was marked in a very pleasing manner with a presentation in Bideford Old Town Boys’ School, at which, as the ‘Bell’ School, as it was known, Mr Cook attended as a scholar, and in which as a Master he closed his long and honourable teaching career. The presentation took the form of a cheque which will be devoted to the installation of a wireless receiving set.

Torridge View, 4 Buttgarden Street, Bideford, is for sale.

Prizes in connection with the Poor Stock Charity, comprising cheques of the value of £2 downwards, were distributed at Bideford Elementary Schools, boys and girls, by the Mayor, Dr E J Toye.

Mr E T Frayne and Miss S P Braddick are married in Bideford Parish Church.

Justices Shearman and Salter, sitting as a King’s Bench Divisional Court, dismissed the appeal against the decision of the County Court judge (His Honour Judge Lindley) in the action brought by Mr Cloke, motor lorry driver, in respect injuries sustained through his lorry going over in the river on February 4th. Mr Cloke brought his action against the Bideford Bridge trustees and the contractors, Mr Westacott, who were repairing the bridge at the time of the accident. The County Court judge gave judgement against the trustees and by agreement made an order for the indemnity against the contractor.

At Bideford Hospital the Coroner, Mr G W F Brown, held an inquest on the four year old son of Mr Alfred Grant, a carpenter of Geneva Place, who died as a result of an accident in Abbotsham Road. The Coroner returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’ and the driver, Mr Pascoe, a driver for Mr Glover, was exonerated of all blame.

We regret to announce the death of the late Miss Maud Reynolds, daughter of the late Mr William Reynolds, of Wellington, Somerset, and the late Mrs Emma Reynolds, of Kingsdown, Bideford. The deceased lady had taken a very active part in the church life of Bideford for 40 years and …

The funeral of the late Mr W Dennis took place at the Public Cemetery, Bideford, the Rev J Morris officiating. The funeral of the late Mr W H Hookway, of 4 Queen Street, which took place at the Church Cemetery, East-the-Water, was attended, in addition the family mourners by a large number of deceased’s friends, while the Foresters were well represented. A large number of friends heard with great regret of the death of Mr Frederick Thomas Kivell, Riversdale, Torridge Place, East-the-Water, Bideford, after a lengthy illness, patiently and bravely borne. The eldest son of Mr Bob and Mrs Bella Kivell, the deceased was 42 years of age and was an old member of the Bideford Church Lads’ Brigade, and was for many years a member of the band of the Bideford Company of the old Volunteers. A keen and clever musician, his services were in great demand. He served during the war, but the state of his health since has been very precarious. Mr Kivell was held in high respect and the utmost sympathy is felt with his widow and relatives. The death took place of Mr Frank Trapnell, at the age of 79, who was for many years in business in High Street, Bideford, as a tailor and outfitter. For a short period he was a member of the Town Council, acted for a considerable time as sidesman at the Parish Church, and use to be well-known in North Devon hunting circles. Of a genial disposition, he was popular with his townsmen. He leaves a widow, son, and daughter, with whom sincere sympathy is felt. The death took place at 29 Honestone Street, Bideford at the advanced age of 83, of Mr William Garnsey. Deceased was by trade a leather-dresser. For about thirty years he was a member of the Old Volunteers, and he took a great interest in the Ancient Order of Foresters.

An atmosphere of light-heartedness pervaded the Bideford Hospital during the Christmas, laughter came from the wards, and the tasteful Yuletide decorations carried out by the Matron, Miss Jennie Jones, assisted by Nurses Williams and Morgan, made a joyous appeal for the several visitors. Friends were extremely kind with gifts, providing a pleasant time for all.

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Shipping notes no. 236 (November).

Bideford Quay.

Oldenburg left Bideford for Sharpness drydocking (via Lundy) 7th.

Appledore.

Atherstone still alongside the quay, Quorn still in shed. No commercial shipping this month.

Yelland Quay.

No shipping this month.

Bristol Channel observations.

1/11 at 07.52 cargo vessel Eems Dart, 3,725 tons d.w., owners Eems Dart B.V .Netherlands, inward bound for Newport.

2/11 at 12.15 vehicle carrier Centaurus Leader, 21,471 tons d.w., owners Nippon Yusen Kaisha Japan, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 09.58 3rd outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 05.14). At 13.15 vehicle carrier Auto Aspire, 12,000 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 09.42.

3/11 at 11.05 cargo vessel Celtic Ambassador, 5,699 tons d.w., owners Charles W Willie Cardiff, inward bound for Cardiff. At 11.25 cargo vessel Saareman, inward bound for Avonmouth,

5/11 at 06.40 vehicle carrier Vega Leader, 16,396 tons d.w., owners Latte Maritima S.A Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 10.45 container vessel Valdivia, 22,229 tons d.w., owners Dohle Schiffahts Germany, inward bound for Portbury. At 10.50 cargo vessel Eems Fivel, owners Eems Fivel B.V Netherlands, inward bound for Newport.

7/11 at 11.50 vehicle carrier RCC Honor, owners Ray Car Israel, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 07.46. At 13.40 ro-ro vessel Ville de Bordeaux, owners French, inward bound for Portbury. At 17.26 vehicle carrier Odin Highway, owners Japanese, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 12.06.

9/11 at 09.35 vehicle carrier Grande Italia, 12,549 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury. At 17.27 hrs ro-ro vessel Eurocargo Livorno, 10,780 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Avonmouth.

10/11 at 09.07 vehicle carrier Neptune Aegli, 6,580 tons d.w., owners Aegli Shipping Greece, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 03.35. At 16.35 cargo vessel Spanaco Loyalty, owners German. inward bound for Newport. At 18.00 vehicle carrier Auto Advance, 12,457 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury.

11/11 at 16.06 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owner UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 11.31. At 16.37 cargo vessel Anana, owners Netherlands, inward bound for Cardiff.

12/11 at 05.08 vehicle carrier Emerald, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 00.35. At 13.00 cargo vessel Prima Lady, inward bound for Newport.

13/11 at 07.52 tanker Aland, inward bound for Cardiff.

14/11 at 13.50 container ship Elbteam, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 08.14.

15/11 at 13.14 vehicle carrier Auto Achieve,12,456 tons d.w., owners UECC Unipersssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. At 13.35 cargo vessel Patron, inward bound for Sharpness.

16/11 at 05.45 tug En Avant 9, 134 gross tons, owners Muller of Dordrecht Netherlands, inward bound for Avonmouth. At 09.46 cargo vessel Aeroe, outward bound from Swansea having sailed at 06.27. At 09.55 cargo vessel Frisian River, 2,620 tons d.w., owners Boomsma Shipping Netherlands, inward bound for Avonmouth.

18/11 at 11.06 vehicle carrier Goliath Leader, 20,955 tons d.w., owners Ray Car Carriers Israel, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 11.10 19th outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 06.17). At 05.45 cargo vessel Eems Runner, owners Eems Runner B.V., inward bound for Newport.

19/11 at 09.17 bulk carrier Aasli, owners Aasne Bulk Norway, inward bound for Avonmouth. At 11.06 vehicle carrier Grande Detroit, 12,420 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury.

20/11 at 08.07 chemical tanker Stolt Jaeger, owners Netherlands, inward bound for Barry. At 14.19 cargo vessel Arklow Cape, owners Arklow Shipping Eire, outward bound from Swansea having sailed at 11.14. At 15.51 cargo vessel Arklow Venus, owners Avoca Shipping B.V. Netherlands, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 10.40. At 15.56 vehicle carrier Auto Advance, 12,457 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury.

22/11 at 05.45 cargo vessel Miramar, 5,233 tons d.w., owners atobatc Holding Sweden Leasing, inward bound for Swansea. (Seen again at 16.14 26th outward bound from Swansea having sailed at 12.48).

24/11 at 11.47 cargo vessel Cornion, 4,933 tons d.w., owners Lico Leasing Spain, outward bound from Belfast (had been sheltering from Storm Bert).

25/11 at 17.03 cargo vessel Arklow Villa, 4,925 tons d.w., owners.Avoca Shipping B.V Netherlands, outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 21.45 22nd. At 19.07 vehicle carrier Neptune Aegli, 6,580 tons d.w., owners Aegli Shipping Greece, inward bound for Portbury. At 19.20 bulk carrier Propel Mission, 33,636 tons d.w., outward bound from Newport having sailed at 12.45. At 19.44 vehicle carrier Neptune Dynamis, 6,850 tons d.w., owners Dynamis Shipping Greece, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 22.01 22nd.

27/11 at 06.02 cargo vessel Wilson Durness, owners Wilson Shipowning Norway, inward bound for Cardiff. At 07.53 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. At 07.53 vehicle carrier Auto Advance, 12,457 tons d.w., owners UECC uniperssoal Madeira, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 03.50. At 08.01 vehicle carrier Laio He Kou, owners Cosco Shipping China, inward bound for Portbury.

28/11 at 06.12 vehicle carrier Toronto, 19,628 tons d.w., owners Wallenius Wilhelmsen Stockholm and Oslo, inward bound for Portbury. At 06.53 vehicle carrier Coral Leader, 12,164 tons d.w., owners Nippon Yusen Kaisha Japan, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 01.46. At 16.44 cargo vessel Artica Hav, 2,324 tons d.w., owners Hav Bulk Norway, inward bound for Newport.

30/11 at 08.20 vehicle carrier Mediterranean Highway, 17,228 tons d.w., owners Kawaski Kisen K.K. Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 14.23 cargo vessel Lady Habarka, 4,200 tons d.w., owners Wijnne & Barends Cargodoors-en-Agentuurkantoren BV Netherlands, inward bound for Newport

Regards,

Norman.

Photograph from my collection – Irish vessel LE Samuel Beckett.

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Free parking days in Torridge for December.

This December, Torridge District Council is supporting Small Business Saturday, which aims to highlight small business success and encourage consumers to ‘shop local’ and support local shops, restaurants, and other Torridge businesses.

The festive season is an important trading period businesses and Torridge is in the lucky position of having many high quality and unique independent retailers right on its doorstep. To help support local businesses town councils, supported by Torridge District Council, are providing a number of free parking days:

Bideford.

Saturday 21 December: Bridge Street, The Quay, Manor, and Pill car parks.

Great Torrington.

Saturday 21 December: Sydney House car park will be free all day.

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Bideford Town Band – carol concerts.

Come and Listen to Bideford Town Band this Christmas

Saturday 21st December 10.30am -12 noon Carol playing in Mill Street

Come Along and Join In Singing Carols at 11am outside the Baptist Church

Sunday 22nd December from 10.30am Carol playing at Morrisons, Bideford

Monday 23rd December 6 – 7pm The Big Sing Community Carol Singing at The Guillemot, Westward Ho!

Tuesday 24th December 10.30am – 12 noon Carol playing by the Co-op Store in Mill Street, Bideford

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Bideford Film Society – December & early January events.

Please also see our website www.bidefordcinema.org.uk

All showing at The Theatre, Kingsley School.

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Paddington in Peru (PG).

Saturday 21 December at 5.00pm (doors open 4.30pm).

Saturday 28 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

Starring – Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw. Director: Dougal Wilson.

Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey.

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Wicked (PG).

Saturday 21 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

Sunday 22 December at 6.00pm (doors open 5.30pm).

Friday 27 December at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

Saturday 28 December at 4.00pm (doors open 3.30pm).

Starring – Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey. Director: Jon M. Chu.

Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.

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2025

Moana 2 (PG).

Friday 3 January at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

Saturday 4 January at 5.00pm (doors open 4.30pm).

Saturday 4 January at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

Stars (voices of): Dwayne Johnson, Auli’i Cravalho, Alan Tudyk. Directors:  David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller.

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

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Winter birds at Northam Burrows need your protection.

The Rangers at Northam Burrows are advising visitors and residents to be extra vigilant at this time of year, as the area welcomes an influx of winter birds. As some UK birds such as swallows and house martins head off to warmer climates, Northam Burrows welcomes a large influx of Scandinavian and Northern European species escaping the harsher winters found elsewhere.

As the birds are likely to be a lot closer to the shore around high tide, dog owners are advised to stick to the designated paths and to keep their dog under control at these times. If dogs run close to or chase flocks of birds that are overwintering or migrating it can affect their future chances of staying healthy enough to survive and breed, especially if they are already exhausted or short of food.

Torridge District Council has been working with other stakeholders to produce a leaflet to raise awareness of this issue and encourage everyone to act responsibly when visiting sites on the Taw and Torridge estuary. This will be made available at tourist information and other visitor centre in the local area.

Despite the need for extra vigilance, it’s a great time for nature lovers to observe all the exotic visitors, which also include Snow Buntings, and Brent Geese. Winter favourites include species such as the Curlew, Golden Plover, Lapwing and noisy native Oystercatchers. Shelduck are also abundant and many of these species like to spend the winter months on the tideline around the salt marshes, sand dunes and sand banks of the Taw and Torridge estuary, which borders Northam Burrows.

As with previous years Rangers are hopeful that with a little effort the right balance between recreation and conservation can be achieved.

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‘Light up a Life’ for Christmas.

northdevonhospice.org.uk/light

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RHS Rosemoor events in December.

RHS Rosemoor Glows with seasonal delights this winter.

You needn’t dread the shorter days and longer nights as the seasons change because there are a host of sensory experiences to enjoy at the beautiful RHS gardens in the heart of North Devon.

The festive highlight must be the RHS Glow illuminations which transform the impeccably curated horticultural landscape into a dazzling winter wonderland. Explore the garden and make memories with friends and family on an after-dark trail of kaleidoscopic light and colour. For the first time, the twinkling route with atmospheric light and sound installations reaches the majestic arboretum where you can admire a carpet of colour and harlequin trees. With family entertainment also scheduled every evening, it’s the perfect night out for all ages. Keep a look out for the opportunity to take a starring role! You are advised to book early to secure your preferred time on selected dates up to 28 December.

Prefer to make the most of the daylight hours? Plan to visit the garden before 31 January to admire the work of 40 sculptors from across the UK, including local artists from the West Country. See over 200 sculptures, ranging from fluid installations to thought-provoking, large-scale pieces, set against the architectural textures and subtle tones of winter. Bring the children 25-26 January to enjoy Living Sculpture performances in unexpected places!

However you plan to spend your holidays, you’ll find a great way to relax at RHS Rosemoor this winter.

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Shipping notes No. 235 (October).

Bideford Quay.

Trinity House vessel Mair alongside at Bideford for a few days. On the 29th, vessel in Bideford Bay attending to the fairway buoy.

Yelland Quay.

No shipping this month

Appledore.

Quorn still inside shed, Atherstone alongside quay,

Cargo vessels at Appledore –

Rix Sail – (Ex- Arabella c’94, Ewald ’08, Brigga ’18); flag Liberia; owners Rix Ship Management, Latvia; crew Latvian; from Kleipedia to Bremen; arrived 4/10, sailed 9/10; discharged 4,000 tons rapeseed.

 

Greetje – built 2024; flag Netherlands: owners Scheepvaatondeming B.V Heerenveen, Netherlands; crew Dutch; from Ternezuen to Bilbao; arrived 18/10, sailed 22/10; discharged 3,718 tons rapeseed. This is believed to be her maiden voyage.

 

Bristol Channel Observations.

1/10 at 07.35 vehicle carrier Mercury Ace, 19,110 tons d.w., owners MOL Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 10.16 bulk carrier Seabulk, 82,449 tons d.w., owners Eiko Kisen imbari Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 14.28 bitumen tanker An Hai Wan, 6,165 tons d.w., owners Cosco Shipping China, outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 08.23.

2/10 at 08.29 cargo vessel Eems Servant, 3,410 tons d.w., owners Eems Servant B.V. Netherlands, inward bound for Sharpness. At 10.28 cargo vessel Prima Lady, 3,622 tons d.w., owners Baltic Shipping Co Finland, inward bound for Newport. At 14.28 vehicle carrier Thor Highway, 19,210 tons d.w. owners Soct Holdings Liberia Japan, inward bound for Portbury.

4/10 at 05.45 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tns d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury.

5/10 at 13.45 the buoy tender vessel Galatea, 600 tons d.w., owners Trinity House Harwich seen working of the Bideford Fairway buoy.

6/10 at 09.14 vehicle carrier Vega Leader, 16,396 tons d.w., owners Latte Maritima SA Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 15.31 vehicle carrier Carnation Ace, 16,416 tons d.w., owners Japan, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 13.26 8th outward bound from Portbury, having sailed at 08.57). At 15.37 hrs cargo vessel Falkfjord, 4,748 tons d.w., owners Norwegian, inward bound for Cardiff.

9/10 at 06.51 cargo vessel Eems Dollard, 3,816 tons d.w., owners Eems Dollard B.V. Netherlands, inward bound for Sharpness. At 12.33 vehicle carrier Auto Advance, 12,457 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 08.07. At 13.35 vehicle carrier Grande Spagne, 12,594 tons d.w. owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury. At 15.51 bulk carrier Louisa Bolten, 30,765 tons d.w., owners Lydia Mar Shipping Co S.A Greece, inward bound for Newport. At 16.06 vehicle carrier Neptune Aegli, 6,580 tons d.w., owners Aegli Shipping Ltd Greece, inward bound for Portbury.

10/10 At 05.40 vehicle carrier Gentle Leader, 21,112 tons d.w., owners Ray Car Carriers Israel, inward bound for Portbury.

11/10 at 17.01 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owners UECC Unipersssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. At 10.07 vehicle carrier Auto Energy, 12,727 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury,

12/10 at 06.38 cargo vessel Skagenbank, 4,500 tons d.w., owners Wagenborg Netherlands, inward bound for Avonmouth. At 17.56 vehicle carrier Neptune Dynamis, 6,850 tons d.w., owners Dynamis Shipping Greece, inward bound for Portbury.

13/10 at 13.38 bulk carrier Sunflower, 28,344 tons d.w., inward bound for Newport..

14/10 at 08.25 ro-ro vessel Eurocargo Livorno, 10,438 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Euromed Spa Italy, outward from Portbury having sailed at 03.56. At 16.26 cargo vessel Libero, 2,930 tons d.w., owners Latvian, outward bound from Newport having sailed 21.54 7th (she had been waiting orders and had been anchored in Blue Anchor Bay).

15/10 at 06.34 cargo vessel Eemslift Ellen, 4,204 tons d.w., owners Netherlands, inward bound for Avonmouth.

17/10 cargo vessel Celtica Hav, 2,150tons d.w., owners Hav Shipmanagement AS Norway, inward bound for Newport. (Seen again at 13.26 19th outward bound from Newport having sailed at 06.19). At 11.59 cargo vessel Kleipeda, 3,697 tons d.w., owners Joint Stock Company Alatia Shipping Lithuania, inward bound for Avonmouth. At 12.40 cargo vessel Anmiro, 3,670 tons d.w., owners Briese Shiffahrts GMBH & Co Germany, inward bound for Cardiff.

20/10 at 05.35 vehicle Coral Leader, 12,164 tons d.w., owners Nippon Yusen Kaisha Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 16.34 vehicle carrier Neptune Aegli, 6,580 tons d.w., owners Aegli Shipping Greece, inward bound for Portbury.

21/10 at 05.10 bulk carrier Lavaux, 34,000 tons d.w., owners Suisse-Atlantique Soc de Nav Maritime SA Switzerland, outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed 21.04 20th.

22/10 at 13.16 vehicle carrier Morning Capo, 20,139 tons d.w., owners Eukor Car Carriers Inc. South Korea, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 08.10. At 17.55 vehicle carrier Auto Advance, 12,457 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury.

23/10 at 05.52 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,580 tons d.w., owners Uecc Uniperssoal Madiera, inward bound for Portbury.

25/10 at 05.35 vehicle carrier Morning Lena, 21,139 tons d.w., owners Eukor Car Carriers Inc South Korea, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 08.37 26th outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 04.30).

26/10 at 07.05 vehicle carrier Emerald Leader, 10,821 tons d.w., owners Francis Maritime S.A Norway ,inward bound for Portbury. At 07.35 cargo vessel Rix Mariner, 3,676 tons d.w., owners Rix Management Ltd Latvia, outward bound from Newport having sailed at 01.02. At 15.32 vehicle carrier Neptune Dynamis, 6,850 tons d.w., owners Dynamis Shipping Greece, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 23.24 25th. At 17.40 vehicle carrier Auto Eco, 16,995 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperessoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury.

27/10 at 05.07 ro-ro vessel Eurocargo Istanbul, 14,413 tons d.w., owners Malta Motorway of the Sea Malta, inward bound for Avonmouth. (Seen again at 0910 29th outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 04.10). At 05.29 vehicle carrier Grande Napoli, 14,565 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 00.39.

28/10 at 18.40 cargo vessel Eems Delf, 3,800 tons d.w., owners Eems Delf B.V Netherlands, inward bound for Sharpness.

29/10 at 11.09 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owners UECC Uniperssoal Madeira, inward bound for Portbury. At 11.28 bulk carrier Rijn Confidence, 33,328 tons d.w., outward bound from Avonmouth having sailed at 06.18. (This ship has been at Avonmouth since early October; she had a fire in No 2 hold which the local fire brigade attended to).

31/10 at 08.10 cargo vessel Maratona, 4,250 tons d.w., outward bound from Swansea having sailed at 04.57. At 12.31 vehicle carrier Grande Anversa, 12,353 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury.

Regards,

Norman.

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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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‘Active Torridge’ contract extended to 2032.

 

Approval granted for fourth Active Torridge Centre at The Old Library, Bideford.

Torridge District Council has announced that it has extended its contract with Active Torridge to run its Leisure Centre Services until 2032. Since taking over the contract in 2022, Active Torridge has outperformed the ambitions set in its original business plan in the first two years of trading – despite a backdrop of an increase in energy costs and inflation.

With membership levels continuing to grow across its existing sites in Northam, Holsworthy and Great Torrington, the Council also voted to approve plans to add a fourth site to its portfolio. The new Centre will be at old Bideford Town Hall and Library and is scheduled to open in early 2026, once the programme of refurbishment works has been completed. The new venue is projected to alleviate current capacity issues by accommodating more members and expanding the target market.

Bideford Town Hall and Library dates back to the 1880s and is the Council’s largest historic asset and a Grade II Listed Building. However, after previously being used for administrative purposes by the authority and by Devon County Council for the provision of library facilities, the entire premises are now largely vacant.

The underutilised premises have not benefitted from any significant investment in the structure and fabric of the building for several decades. The new investment programme will ensure that the building complex receives the level of funding required to ensure that its long-term future remains secure, whilst providing much needed ‘state-of-the-art’ gym facilities, and a mix of (commercial) office space, in the heart of Bideford Town Centre.

Chris Keeble, Chief Operating Officer, Active Torridge, said: “We are delighted that our contract has been extended to 2032. By being able to plan long term we can manage future growth more effectively, ensuring that Active Torridge can meet the needs of the community. By adapting the site at the Old Library, we will be able to deliver a state-of-the-art gym that meets public demand. Many of our fitness classes are oversubscribed and, as membership levels continue to grow, by offsetting popular classes from existing Active Torridge facilities we will have more space to offer a greater range of sessions and classes”.

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Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre – update.

Torridge District Council has resolved to grant planning permission for its amended plans for the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre.

 The revised drawings and plans were submitted back in July 2024 in response to public feedback and changes in market demand and approved by the planning committee.

The revised plans will ensure that the lettable area can be optimised by reducing ancillary spaces, and that the completed building fully responds to current and future market requirements.

In response to public consultation the height and scale of the building has been reduced. In particular, the entire second floor has been removed, the extent of the first-floor area reduced, and the first floor of the Benson Building has been removed to overcome concerns around overlooking.

There will now only be one point of access to the site. In response to residents’ concerns around traffic, it has been determined that the removal of the second access onto New Quay Street (previously proposed to serve a car park) will simplify vehicle movements around the access to the site compared to the original scheme.

BAM Construction has been appointed to work with Torridge District Council to secure Planning Consent and deliver completed designs. A main construction contract for the build of the Innovation Centre will be awarded in early 2025, with construction anticipated to start soon thereafter. In order to allow the works to be planned and in anticipation of a construction contract, an event will be hosted later this month in Appledore, to allow local businesses to ‘meet the contractor’ and find out more about the work available.

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