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]
Torridge District Council is introducing important changes to its recycling services from 1st April 2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to improving safety and expanding the range of materials residents can recycle.
From this date, cartons (Tetra Paks) will be accepted as part of the district’s kerbside recycling service, in line with simpler recycling requirements. This includes items such as juice cartons, long life milk containers, soup cartons and other liquid food packaging. Residents should place cartons in their brown recycling bag, with caps left on, as they can be recycled together.
At the same time, the Council will no longer accept batteries in its weekly kerbside recycling collections This change is essential to address the serious fire risks and environmental hazards posed when batteries are mixed with general recycling materials. Batteries can ignite if damaged or exposed to certain conditions during the recycling process, creating a significant fire hazard for collection crews, recycling facilities and the wider community. They also contain chemicals that can leak and contaminate other recyclable materials, making them unsafe and unsuitable for standard recycling streams.
Although batteries cannot go in your recycling bin, they can, and should, be recycled safely at dedicated collection points:
Recycling Centres – Local facilities have designated battery disposal areas, including Deep Moor, Bideford and Anvil Corner Recycling Centres.
Retail Collection Points – Many major retailers, such as supermarkets, chemists, charity shops and electronics shops have dedicated battery recycling bins.
To find your nearest battery recycling locations, use the Recycle Now search tool at: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator.
The Council would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents to continue ‘washing and squashing’ all plastics before placing them in the green recycling box, which helps to maximise space and increase the amount that can be recycled.
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Torridge District Council is inviting cat and dog owners to attend two free microchip-checking events on Wednesday 18th March. At these sessions, staff will scan each pet’s microchip and confirm which database the number is registered with. Owners will receive a card showing the chip number and the name of the database so they have a record and can check or update their own details if they wish.
Neighbourhood Officers from the Council will be available at the following locations:
Stanhope Park, Holsworthy – 9:00am to 11:00am.
Northam Burrows Visitor Centre – 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their owners. In the UK, all dogs must be microchipped and have their current owner details registered on an approved database, with failure to register a dog or keep details updated resulting in fines of up to £500.
Legal protection for cats has also been strengthened. Since 10th June 2024, it has been compulsory for all pet cats in England to be microchipped by 20 weeks of age, a measure designed to increase the likelihood of lost or stolen cats being returned home and to reduce pressure on animal welfare organisations.
Microchips, each about the size of a grain of rice, contain a unique 15 digit code that can be easily scanned to identify the registered keeper. The implanting procedure is quick, simple, and generally no more uncomfortable for a pet than a routine vaccination.
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Torridge District Council is pleased to announce that the Bideford Fountains are now firing again. After 17 years of silence, the water fountains on Bideford Quay have been brought back to life, thanks to Government investment through the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
To mark the milestone, councillors from Torridge District Council, head of the Bideford Regeneration Board, Clare Coghill, along with year 12 students from Bideford College (who sit on the Bideford Regeneration Board), representatives from Northwave and Aquatech and children from Muddy Boots Pre-school, gathered at Bideford Quay 11th March to enjoy the firing of the fountains.
The Bideford Quay Fountains, first installed for the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, have now been fully refurbished ahead of schedule. Local firms Northwave Engineering Ltd and Aquatech Water Services Ltd have delivered a modern, energy-efficient upgrade, including new high-efficiency pumps and a smarter control system that responds to tide levels and wind conditions to prevent spray reaching the Quay. The valve assemblies have also been refurbished to extend the life of the system, and the decorative lighting has been upgraded for a better night-time display.
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Torridge District Council announced that it has been granted planning permission to undertake the necessary works to change the use of the former Bideford Library to create a multifunctional sport and fitness facility.
The proposed development also includes further internal works to the wider building to provide a co-working facility, consisting of three open plan co-working spaces, a meeting room, a manager’s office, and ancillary facilities, including a break-out space, staff room, and toilet/shower facilities.
As part of the refurbishment programme, significant renovation works will take place to improve the energy efficiency of the building. This will include:
Replacement of the building’s roof in its entirety, to include upgraded levels of insulation to the wider roofscape.
Replacement of single-storey extension to the rear of the former Library building.
Rebuilding of the existing dormers.
Upgrades to the existing windows, through the provision of secondary glazing.
Upgrades of internal doors to provide additional fire safety and accessibility improvements.
Upgrades to the heating, power, lighting, and ventilation systems.
Rebuilding of the rear retaining boundary wall, adjoining Nunnery Walk.
In addition, there will be general conservation, repair and maintenance work to the Listed Building, including masonry repairs, to ensure the development retains the existing character of the façade, albeit with minor additional signage areas.
Work is expected to start on-site Summer 2026 and will take around 14 months to complete.
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Toll charges on Northam Burrows are set to resume on Friday 3 April 2026, and season tickets will be available to purchase from Monday 9 March. Tickets cost £70 (plus an additional £3 postage charge if buying online or over the phone) and provide unlimited access for one vehicle, with the option to register a second vehicle on the same ticket – although only one may enter the park at a time.
To buy a season ticket, visitors should have their vehicle registration details ready before they begin. You can buy a season ticket in three simple ways:
Online at www.torridge.gov.uk/northamburrows.
By calling Torridge District Council’s Customer Services team on 01237 428700 and selecting option 9.
In person at the Toll Kiosk from 3 April, where payment can be made by card (including contactless) or cash.
Tickets bought online or by phone will be posted directly to the purchaser’s home address.
Northam Burrows Country Park spans approximately 253 hectares and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its mix of salt marsh, sand dunes, grassland, and coastal plain provides a rich habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including rare plants, birds, and other animals. The Burrows also offers direct access to the award winning Blue Flag beach at Westward Ho!, making it a popular starting point for visitors.
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Bideford Quay.
No commercial shipping this month.
Appledore – in port.
Baltic Sun (built 2022); flag Limasol; arrived 4/2, sailed 5/2; dischaged approx. 3,000 tons animal feed.
Yelland Quay.
No shipping at Yelland this month.
Regards,
Norman.
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Please also see our website www.bidefordcinema.org.uk
All showing at The Theatre, Kingsley School.
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Crime 101. (15) 140 mins.
Saturday 14 March at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
An elusive thief, eyeing his final score, encounters a disillusioned insurance broker at her own crossroads. As their paths intertwine, a relentless detective trails them hoping to thwart the multi-million dollar heist they are planning.
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry.
Director: Bart Layton.
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Splitsville. (15) 104 mins.
Friday 20 March at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
Saturday 21 March at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).
When Ashley asks for a divorce, the good-natured Carey runs to his friends, Julie and Paul, for support. Their secret to happiness is an open marriage; that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos.
Stars: Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin.
Director: Michael Angelo Covino.
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The Testament of Ann Lee. (15) 137 mins.
Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, is proclaimed as the female Christ by her followers. This film depicts her establishment of a utopian society and the Shakers’ worship through song and dance, based on real events.
Stars:Amanda Seyfried, Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie.
Director: Mona Fastvold.
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As part of its commitment to improve play spaces across the district, Torridge District Council has announced that four play areas in East-the-Water, Bideford; Hartland and Winkleigh will undergo £210,000 worth of refurbishment works in February and March 2026.
At Pollyfield, East-the-Water, Bideford, the council is working in partnership with the Pollyfield Community Centre to refurbish the infant play area. The Pollyfield Community Centre and local councillors have supported the project with some amazing fundraising events, alongside S106 housing development funds and Council Contribution, to ensure that a more interactive and usable space is created for the community. Local installer TK Play is due to start work on Monday 23 February.
In Winkleigh, after consulting with Winkleigh Councillors and parents of local children, Elms Meadow will undergo a total refurbishment programme receiving all new equipment, with Westcotts Drive gaining a new multi-unit with surfacing and a new bench. Wicksteed Limited is due on site from 2 March to carry out the works.
In Hartland, the Northgate Play Area will also receive a significant upgrade. Kompan Ltd is due on site, from 23 February. Local councillors, Hartland Recreation Ground representatives and parents of local children were involved and consulted with prior to the final design being agreed.
Winkleigh and Hartland sites are being funded by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund.
For safety, all play areas will be closed and unavailable for the duration of the works. Weather permitting, all projects are expected to be completed in time for the start of the Easter Holidays.
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Beaford – The Lost Decades Project.
Calling Bideford people! This is an exciting project from Beaford about their community Old Archive. Take a look at the weblinks below and add any details you can to these wonderful old photographs.
Discover North Devon’s Lost Decades…
This project explores how rural life changed between 1945 and 1970. Beaford is working with five local communities – Atherington, Bideford, Dolton, Hatherleigh & Kings Nympton – to understand the images we already have from before this period and identify the gaps.
Each week Beaford will share five images on their Facebook page, one from each community. If you recognise the people, places or events, submit your information via the online form here: beaford.org/aicf
Explore all images: beaford.org/thelostdecades
Explore images from Bideford: https://beaford.org/tld-bideford
Your memories will help fill in the missing decades and connect past and present.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Lost Decades Project is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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We all know how beneficial spending time in nature can be, but finding the time isn’t always easy. That’s where the Northam Burrows Rangers’ Free Guided Walks come in! With two different walk styles and plenty to discover along the way, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
On Mondays, join the ‘Good Start to the Week’ walk for a two-hour guided hike and the chance to learn more about our unique local landscapes. If you prefer a gentler pace, the ‘Wellbeing Walk’ on Thursdays offers a shorter, relaxed amble with friendly company and plenty of fresh air.
Upcoming walks include:
Monday 23rd March (2pm – 4pm) – Meet at Westward Ho! Slipway for a tour of our coastal habitats.
Thursday 2nd April (3pm – 4pm) – Join a gentle stroll along the historic promenade, starting from Westward Ho! Slipway.
Monday 20th April (2pm – 4pm) – Meet at the Appledore Gate of Northam Burrows for a loop through the lanes and hills of Appledore.
All events are free to attend and no booking is required. Appropriate clothing and footwear are advised. For more information, email [email protected] or call 01237 479708.
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Bideford Quay.
No commercial shipping at Bideford this month.
Yelland Quay.
Deo Gloria – 1/1 (1 trip): 2/1 (2 trips): 3/1 (2 trips): 4/1 (2 trips): 5/1 (2 trips): 6 /1 (2 trips): after this trip the vessel returned to her base on the Mersey (Garston).
Appledore.
Deo Gloria left Appledore pm 1/1.
In port –
Hoogvliet – built 2013; arrived 4/1, sailed 6/1; cargo presumed animal feed.
Regards,
Norman.
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