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A Devonshire poem about the Piskies.
Here is an amusing poem in the local dialect by J C Harding, who spent his final years in the ‘White House’, which I believe was the name of the Bideford workhouse. Mr Harding filled an exercise book in his … Continue reading
Upper Tamar Lake sailing club.
If you haven’t sailed for a while and would like to get back on the water, the Club would love to hear from you – you and your family will be made very welcome. We sail on Sunday and Wednesday … Continue reading
Benjamin Donn, 1729 – 98.
The man who put Bideford on the map. During the eighteenth century, business in all the ports on the Atlantic coast of England was booming. This was due to increasing trade, both imports and exports, with the American colonies. There … Continue reading
Check the bathing water quality between May & September.
Regular testing of water quality by the Environment Agency is now underway at 150 designated bathing sites across Devon and Cornwall. High standards of water quality at swimming locations are important for people’s enjoyment of beaches and other beauty spots … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
Tagged beach quality, Environment Agency, South West, water quality
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Explorer app for visitors to Northern Devon.
North Devon UNESCO Biosphere launches sustainable tourism App for visitors to Northern Devon! North Devon UNESCO Biosphere have launched a new web app aimed at visitors and residents, to highlight the fantastic experiences available in the area, while helping to … Continue reading
The Huntshaw Church bells project.
Huntshaw’s Historic Bells drop into the limelight – After 500 years! For over a year the ‘Friends of Huntshaw Bells’ have been raising money through grants, sponsorship and events and have raised so far £17k. There is a long way … Continue reading
Posted in Events, History, Local People
Tagged bell ringing, Huntshaw Church, Huntshaw Church bell fund
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The ‘Way of the Wharves’ project.
‘Way of the Wharves’. The Torridge Estuary and Bideford have a long and fascinating maritime history with boat building documented back to Elizabethan times. On the east bank of the Torridge, opposite Bideford town, East-the-Water was an industrial and transport … Continue reading
Posted in Books, History, Local People
Tagged Bideford, East the Water, river Torridge, Way of the Wharves
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The “Freshspring” project.
Steamship ‘Freshspring’ celebrates four years in Bideford. During the Second World War, a fleet of freshwater-carrying steam ships was commissioned by the Royal Navy to deliver water to warships. These became the ‘Fresh’ class of ships and the last one … Continue reading
Posted in History, Local People, Shipping
Tagged Bideford, maritime history, SS Freshspring, volunteers
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Abbotsham – an historical note.
If you have been watching the last series of ‘Poldark’ you will know that the final episodes dealt with the threat of invasion in the West Country by the French. This threat was temporarily resolved by the Peace of Amiens … Continue reading
Heroine of India honoured with statue in Torrington.
A bronze statue of Sister Nivedita (1867-1911) was unveiled by Great Torrington Town and Torridge District Councillors in Great Torrington Cemetery on Saturday 27th August . Sister Nivedita, who was born Margaret Elizabeth Noble, spent much of her life in … Continue reading
One hundred years ago – May 1919.
Echoes of the war are still evident in some areas of life. R Blackmore & Sons Auctioneers, of New Road, Bideford, have been instructed to sell agricultural items which are surplus to the requirements of the North Devon Agricultural Committee. … Continue reading
One hundred years ago – March 1919.
Property for sale: At an auction held at the New Inn, Messrs Dymond & Son sold Swiss Cottage, Northam, which was knocked down to Mr A Chamberlain for £925; 3 pasture fields [2 adjacent Bloody Corner and 1 at White … Continue reading
Felicity’s sustainable fish cookery – March.
Finnish Herring Pie – baked herring with tomatoes. Ingredients. 4 /6 herrings. 2 large onions. oil/ butter. 1-2 ½ lbs of potatoes (6-med/large potatoes). S &P. ½pt. milk. Method. Scale and bone the herring and clean by … Continue reading
One hundred years ago – January 1919.
At the beginning of January it was announced by the Food Controller, Mr Clynes, that no more ration books will be printed. The current issue will expire on April 19th. Margarine will be the first rationed food to be “de-rationed” … Continue reading
One hundred years ago – November 1918.
In the Gazette of 9th November we learn that President Wilson has transmitted to Germany the Terms of Surrender required by the Allies as reached at the Versailles meeting. There are reports of a German Naval mutiny; the Naval Commandant … Continue reading