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Category Archives: History
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
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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
Posted in archives, History
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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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August 2011 Mind the hot embers!
The goods train used to go through Victoria wharf and load and unload goods. The line went to the Devon Trading Company. They had their own sawmill and steam lorries which I remember. There were big fire pans underneath the … Continue reading
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Loxdown Cross. – Transport history in the Torridge Valley.
Loxdown Cross is now just a picnic site off the A386 mid way between Bideford and Torrington, but it hides a legacy of travel from pre-history to the present day. Long before there was any pathway up the valley of … Continue reading
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Tagged Loxdown Cross
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July 2011 The Bideford Free Public Library and the librarian
(I came across this the other day in the North Devon Journal for 20th August 1891. We all know the present librarian is nothing like the one described here – but when are we going to get real fires back … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged Bideford, bideford buzz, Interesting fact, library, News
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