Category Archives: Local People

Time capsules and the Port Memorial.

Saturday April 11th saw an interesting event on the Quay when the restored Port Memorial and Ornamental Gardens were re- opened by the Mayor following refurbishment. Councillor David Howell had also organised a ceremony with the Sea Scouts to bury … Continue reading

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Training the Army Horse.

(Whilst turning out old cassette tapes recently, I came across a recording in Devonshire dialect, made by my father, Percy Reed (1907 – 2001) of Northam, in 1985. It told the tale of a childhood incident in which he was … Continue reading

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Coronation Day, 1953.

Photos from Owen Vaggers. In the paper edition of November’s “Buzz”, we published this – Two photographs of the Coronation Day, 1953, which took place at the bottom of Pitt Hill, Appledore . I cannot remember all the the names … Continue reading

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More memories of Bideford Hospital.

There were three wards: male, female and children’s. Off the corridor leading to the female ward were three rooms for private patients. The staff, as far as I can remember, included the Matron, Miss Daymond. There was one Welsh SRN … Continue reading

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More memories of St. Peter’s Church, East the Water.

Following on from Mike Davy’s article (July Buzz), here are some memories. My first is of 1974 when I brought my elder daughter Caroline to the Sunday school run by Rosemary Butler. Living in Torridge Mount, it was only a … Continue reading

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My role as Bideford’s Beadle & Macebearer.

In 2009 I had the great honour of becoming Bideford’s first lady Beadle, and later in 2010 of being appointed as the first lady Macebearer. Ever since I was a child I have been interested in the ceremonial and regalia … Continue reading

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Memories of Bideford Hospital.

Bideford Hospital 1962 My father had a chemist’s shop in the High Street and I married a local girl just before my final exams. From a London teaching hospital to Bideford Hospital was a steep learning curve for me as … Continue reading

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Graham Frisby (1958-2013).

Last month I attended the memorial service for Graham at the new Westward Ho! Baptist Church. Graham’s sons spoke eloquently and movingly about their father, a lovely sociable man whom we all remember from trips to Bideford Pannier market where … Continue reading

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The original “Lost Shops” list.

Here’s the original list, serialised in “Buzz” over the last few months.  Thank you to everyone who responded with their own memories and additions. Listed below are some of the businesses that Bideford has lost over the last 50/60 years  … Continue reading

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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

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Immature student

Have you ever bored yourself rigid with “Someday I will” thoughts? Someday I will be skinny, someday I will leave this terrible job, and someday I will travel the world. Well my ‘someday’ was “Someday I’ll be a social worker”. … Continue reading

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Northam Twinning Association

Northam Twinning Association Northam Twinning with France and Germany has been going on for almost 40 years, with a good deal of bonhomie, entente cordiale and freundschaft during all that time.   Some of our members were there at the start, … Continue reading

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Bideford Bridge Trust

Bideford Bridge Trust Book Grants are given both to students who live in the Parish of Bideford, who have just finished secondary education, and also to students who live in the north of the Parish but to the south of … Continue reading

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The North Devon Fuchsia Society

A friendly group of people, dedicated to the growing and showing of Fuchsias. Richard Stapley (Secretary) 4, Bowden cottages, Blakes Hill Road, Landkey, Barnstaple, EX32 0LR 01271 831292 Meets on the 1st Thursday of every month except for August (Annual … Continue reading

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The Devon Medieval Combat Alliance

The Devon Medieval Combat Alliance having recently returned from Wales and a trip 500 years back in time are looking forward to the new season, our eleventh .Based in Bideford, we are a non-political, non-religious organisation which sees education as … Continue reading

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