Transport

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Among employees of the Western National and Devon General Bus Companies who won safe driving awards in 1970 were three drivers from Bideford.

They are G E Kelly, R A J Parker and E K B Jackman. To qualify for awards drivers must have been free from blameworthy accident for at least 20 years.
Gazette article dated December 1971

Road ‘Tug’ Helps Ship Engine Load

Special arrangements had to be made over the weekend to transport a 72-ton engine through Devon roads on its way to Appledore Shipyard.

Because of its weight and size it was not possible to bring it by direct route and the journey from Manchester was via Exeter and Holsworthy.

Extra power was called for in tackling Woodford Hill, part of which is a 1 in 6 gradient, and a ‘tug’ went out from Bideford to assist, as seen above.
On the last stage of the journey the value of the new eastern by-pass at Northam for such traffic was well illustrated.

Gazette article dated 24 November 1972

Complaints About New Bus Service Deplored

Regret that complaints should have been made so soon after the much-needed extension for the bus service to High Park Estate had been arranged on an experimental basis was expressed by Cllr. Clifford Coates, chairman of Bideford Town Council’s Highways Committee.

If people would use their garages or hard standing to park their cars there would be no problem, he said.

The Council were told that the Western National Omnibus Co. Had written pointing out that in the interest of road safety they had on this new service avoided the reversing of one-man operated buses. If the bus stop in the vicinity of a house were withdrawn – and they would agree to this – intending passengers would have to board at the terminus or at the entrance to High Park Estate, and there would be no stops in front of dwellings.

The letter added that it was not possible to provide a morning service for schoolchildren as this would mean obtaining an additional vehicle solely for the purpose. And so far as the children’s return in the later after-noon was concerned a bus left Bideford at 16.30 hours. The previous journey left Bideford at 15.50 hours and no doubt this would be too early even if consideration were given to extending it to High Park.

PLAY AREA FENCE

A letter was read from the Chief Supt. of Police, Barnstaple, suggesting it would not be prudent, after so short a time, for him to recommend re-siting of the previously agreed stops. Should the bus company prefer alternatives, however, he would be prepared to consider their suitability.

The Council agreed that the bus stop in front of the house should be removed; and that an economically-priced fence should be erected along the edge of the play area subject to any necessary consents being secured.

Gazette article dated 24 November 1972