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Category Archives: History
Bideford Bridge goes to war – part 3.
Peter Christie continues his history of Bideford Bridge in World War 2 More notes from Frank Whiting’s reports. No more war items are recorded for seven months when, in March 1943, the minutes contain the following, ‘A matter I have … Continue reading
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Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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One hundred years ago – February 1913.
Wealth Dream Shattered. When Captain Geoffrey Newbold, formerly of the Royal Marines, and Commander Frank Worsley R.N.R., formerly Captain of ‘The Quest’, Shackleton’s Polar Ship, set sail in the ‘George Cochran’ from Appledore last summer with three Appledore men, Messrs … Continue reading
Bideford Bridge goes to war – Part 2.
Peter Christie continues his history of Bideford in wartime. June 1941 onwards- More notes from Frank Whiting’s reports. The next few months are taken up with surveying and costing the damage to the Bideford Laundry buildings (which had earlier been … Continue reading
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Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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One Hundred Years ago – December 1912.
(From the Bideford Gazette). Advertisements for Christmas. After the jollification of Christmas , the damaged wallpaper and the scratched paintwork will show up – in all these matters Mr R Pye of 8 and 9 Meddon St will be found … Continue reading
Mysteries at St. Margaret’s, Northam.
Whilst clearing ivy from gravestones in Northam Churchyard recently, we came across a very well-carved stone commemorating two families, the Blighs and the Copners. Francis Bligh was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and died in 1825. Also named were … Continue reading
Bideford Bridge goes to war – Part 1.
Little has been written on Bideford life during the Second World War. Admittedly we weren’t bombed, but we did provide facilities for training both British and U.S. Servicemen and the area played host to the top-secret Combined Operations. One source … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford Bridge, Bideford Bridge Trust, Peter Christie, World War 2
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Recollections of Reed’s.
Dear Editor, Further to September’s BUZZ WORD re Reeds Cafe, as a member of the Reed Family I can give you more information! Albert Reed was the son of Alfred (my great-uncle) and Esther Reed who owned the Baker’s Shop … Continue reading
Posted in History, Local People
Tagged Appledore, Bideford, North Devon, Reed's cafe
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S.S. “Hebridean” – July, August 1911.
Helped by a nautical author, I have been researching the S.S ‘Hebridean’. We know that in the summer months she left Scottish waters and went south, to Bristol, St Helier and France, but your Bideford Buzz has added another chapter … Continue reading
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – 4th June.
Monday 4th June 2012 will see Bideford marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a civic parade along the Quay followed by a family-friendly party in the park. The parade, led by the Youth Pipe Band, will leave the Town Hall … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford Quay, Diamond Jubilee, Elizabeth II, Jubilee memories, Silver Jubilee 1935
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One hundred years ago – May 1912.
May 1912. Road Conditions – A County Alderman had a tyre of his motor car wrenched off in the road ruts near Monkleigh. Tidal wave or Bore – a remarkable phenomenon, never seen in the Torridge before, was seen this … Continue reading
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Bideford “New” Bridge 25th anniversary, 20th May.
Bideford’s New Torridge Bridge was opened to the public on May 20th 1987 – 25 years ago. This photograph was taken on Sunday 17th May 1987; it was an open day for members of the public to walk across the … Continue reading
Posted in archives, History, Photography
Tagged Bideford, Bideford new bridge, helicopter, North Devon
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“Matthew” calls at Bideford – 6th March.
These photos, taken by “Buzz” shipping correspondent Norman Hardaker, show the “Matthew” as she visited Bideford on 6th March to take on stores. “Matthew” is a replica of the caravel used by John Cabot for his 1497 voyage from Bristol … Continue reading
Posted in History, Shipping
Tagged "Matthew", Bideford, Bristol, Cabot, caravel, exploration, replica ship, South West
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One hundred years ago – March 1912.
One Hundred years ago Horse Ambulance It is expected that the Horse Ambulance required for the Bideford Hospital will cost about £70, and up to the present about £25.12s.6d has been subscribed The Coal Strike This strike which has lasted … Continue reading
Posted in archives, History
Tagged Bideford, Bideford archives, history, North Devon
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One hundred years ago – February 1912.
One Hundred years ago Health– As a result of the death of a 2 year old girl from Diphtheria in the Monkleigh area the medical officer visited the address. The following details were noted – the wages of the father … Continue reading
Posted in archives, History
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Wreck at Westward Ho!
SS4329 : Wreck on Westward Ho! beach, near to Westward Ho!, Devon, Great Britain. The Geograph Britain and Ireland project aims to collect geographically representative photographs and information for every square kilometre of Great Britain and Ireland. Wreck on Westward … Continue reading
Posted in History, Shipping
Tagged Bideford, bideford buzz, Northam burrows, Sally, Westward Ho!
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