Bideford News

Naturalists' gift

13 May 1966

Ambition realised

20 May 1966

Great fun courtesy of Mr Blight

22 August 1969

Bollards are given a facelift

30 January 1959

Nothing changes

13 August 1954

Promise is kept after 18 years

a promise made to a Bideford family, the Durants, is kept

Start on five-year scheme at Bideford

work to start on Post Office at North Bank

Susan Petherick to meet Princess Margaret

she will present a purse of money

Buffaloism at Bideford

several Brothers are raised to the second defree

Dressmaking - Bideford Community College

Members of dressmaking classes at Bideford Community College display outfits

'Mothercraft', Bideford County Secondary School

As a pupil at Bideford County Secondary School, did you take part in ‘mothercraft’ courses?

Oak Beam - Bideford Bridge

An eight foot oak beam found in 1968 within a demolished part of Bideford Bridge is thought

Buffalo dinner in Bideford 1923

Celebrating their anniversary

Bideford’s Bridging Needs Petition

On 23 February 1968, the Gazette published a picture of County Councillor Mrs Vivian Patt

Bideford Plumber Wins Holiday Prize

Unsure what prize he had won from Nibco Ltd until being called on stage by the compere

Wedding of Kenneth Hocking, 1968

In the Gazette on 16 February 1968, there’s a picture and article about the wedding of

A Postman's Pilgrimage

All along the route of his pilgrimage to Buckland Brewer on Tuesday in the steps of Bideford's

Bideford Rotary Club Floral Piece

This year's floral set-piece in Bideford's Victoria Park is the Rotary emblem with wording

Hugh Henny Fined £2

Three times asked - three times refused - Chips Paper on Pavement

Dairy Employees Wed

Two employees of Bideford Dairies, Ltd. were married at St Margaret's Church, Northam, on Monday

Naturalists' gift
13 May 1966

At a ceremony attended by members of the British Naturalists' Association and others,

the president of the local branch, Miss V M C Mackenzie, handed to Bideford's Parks Superintendent, Mr L H Motts, a bird table for erection in the Victoria Park.

Beside fostering bird life it would, they hoped, give pleasureable interest to local bird lovers, said Miss Mackenzie. She asked those who feed the gulls to spare some crumbs for the bird table and so encourage its full use.

Accepting the gift on behalf of Bideford Borough Council, Mr Mott said he and his staff took a great interest in the Park's bird life and were delighted to have such a table. He then hung it from a branch of the Gingko tree, out of the reach of cats.

The table bears the inscription "Presented by Torridge and District Branch, BNA, in memory of Eleanor Blake and Phyllis Parker, who loved birds. May 1966"

Gazette article dated 13 May 1966

Opening for Whitsun

Councillor Mrs Vivian Patt, Mayor of Bideford, will open Bideford's first ever zoo at Ford House. The sole owner is Mrs Katherine Tottenham, the only daughter of Gen and Mrs Dreyer of Limers Lane, Bideford.

Gazette article 20 May 1966

One of the attractions of the experimental holiday playscheme,

organised by the young people of the North Devon Volunteers, for primary school-age children at East-the-Water was the adventure provided by an old car.

The children swarmed over it. The car was provided by Mr Fred Blight, one of a number of individuals and organisations helping with two play-schemes. Friday was, in fact, the last day of the fortnight’s scheme based on Pollyfield, East-the-Water. A previous fortnight had seen a similar scheme provided at Hartland.

The scheme, as did that at Hartland, proved very popular with the children, and their mums – ‘We were very pleased indeed with it’ Mr John Pearce, of the North Devon Volunteers, told the Gazette.

Interesting and instructive sessions were arranged every day, either outdoors or indoors (using the Community Association hall and St Peter’s Church hall locally). Every day, under the supervision of police volunteers, a group went swimming in Edgehilll College pool....

Gay Caps For Bollards On The Quay

When they are not in use for mooring, bollards on Bideford Quayside have proved something of a hazard for parking motorists and so 32 of these metal ‘protectors’ have been provided and made their appearance during the past week.

Gaily painted in red and white, they look like large dunce’s caps. To prevent boisterous spirits from trying them on they are secured by chains and padlocks. When a ship comes in the bollard doffs its hat – as it should do to greet a lady.

One possible snag is that some thoughtless people will just treat them as new-style litter bins.

Gazette article dated 30 January 1959

Holiday traffic crowds Bideford's High Street but is kept gently on the move.

Pavements are thronged with shoppers, many of them holiday makers bringing a gay touch of beach wear or, if skies are not favourable, wearing the now almost ubiquitous plastic mackintosh.

Article dated 13 August 1954

Promise is kept - after 18 years

A promise made to a Bideford family has been kept - more than 17 years after. When, following VE Day, Mr Frank Willanneuva, a member of the United States Forces, returned to his home country, he promised Mrs M J Durant and her daughters Phyllis and Margaret, at whose home, 'Darracott', Abbotsham Road, he had been billeted for nearly a year, that he would 'write soon'. But then Mr Willanneuva, who hailed from Mexico, could write little English. Now, writing from 700 South Street, Tulare, California, he has invited Miss Phyllis Durant to visit him. Said Miss Durant, 'Naturally I am unable to make the trip but I was very pleased to hear from him'. By a strange coincidence, less than a month before the family received Mr Willanneuva's letter they received a letter of gratitude from Mr Harold Crawford, of Brigg, Lincolnshire. He thanked Mrs Durant for having looked after his wife for three years at the end of the war when he was a casualty and in Bideford...

Post Office project at North Bank - 1960

Work began this week at North Bank, Bideford, on two Post Office projects, but it will be five years before workmen finally leave the site. Here are to be built the vehicle servicing department - to displace that at the rear of the former Post Office building in High Street - and the automatic telephone exchange. But whereas it is anticipated that the new workshops will be in operation by about September of next year, it will be 1965 before local telephone subscribers are able to dial the numbers they require.

A Post Office spokesman told the Gazette that because of the restriction on capital expenditure the various building projects throughout the country have to be graded in order of priority and that Bideford is not considered one of the most urgent. It was for that reason the scheme would take some time to complete. But as far as the telephone exchange is concerned a tremendous amount of work has to be done. Completion of the actual...

Susan (9) to meet Princess Margaret

Happiest girl in North Devon on Saturday was nine year old Susan Petherick, of Northam Road, Garage, Bideford, for she won the right to meet Princess Margaret in London next month.

She will present to the Princess, on behalf of the North Devon auxiliary of the London Missionary Society, a purse of money towards the Society's new missionary ship, the John Williams 7th, completed at a cost of £100,000. The first boat was built by John Williams, a pioneer missionary, who operated it in the South Seas, and who was martyred. Down the years work has continued and it is now a tradition that the children of the Congregational Churches throughout England and Wales should be responsible for building and maintaining the ships. It is the money that they have collected that will be presented to Princess Margaret.

Who should represent North Devon was decided at a rally at Lavington Church, Bideford, on Saturday, when a number of children entered a written...

1923 and an interesting event in Buffaloism took place at Ye Kingsley Lodge, Bideford.

Brother Harry Pickard, KOM, provincial grand master, raised several Brothers to the second degree. Knight Stacey of Ye Barum Lodge presided, and was supported by a large company of Barum Lodge brethren, representatives from the Capstan Lodge, Ilfracombe, being also present. The following Brethren were raised to the 2nd degree: Bros T Cleverdon, F H Bryan, J H Palmer and R Palmer of Ye Kingsley Lodge; Bros G E Davolls, J Tour, C W Shillum and N Pine of Ye Barum Lodge. The Sponsors were Bros C F Miles, CP, T C Trengrove, CP, H Symons, CP, and an appreciation jewel to Bro T C Trengrove, CP. The Lodge officers present were WP Bro. F W Stacey, KOM CM Bro. G Moyses, CSec, Bro. H Palmer, AB. Bro C F Miles, CP, CTy Bro C Waldron, CCh Bro G F Strudwick, CReg Bro A Lewis, CCon Bro J West CMins, Bro F T C Treas. Bro J H Palmer, C Walter, Bro P Kelly.

Dressmaking, Bideford Community College - March 1968

Members of dressmaking classes at Bideford Community College display outfits they have designed and made at a mannequin parade. This was in the Gazette 29 March 1968.

'Mothercraft', Bideford County Secondary School - March 1968

As a pupil at Bideford County Secondary School, did you take part in ‘mothercraft’ courses? This picture was published in the Gazette on 22 March 1968 and shows fourth year girls learning to bathe a baby with help from Mrs J Davies and Mrs A Godfrey. The girls were also taught to make toys and clothes. Other practical sessions included transforming a classroom into a nursery with up to 20 young children attending.

Oak Beam, Bideford Bridge - March 1968

An eight foot oak beam found in 1968 within a demolished part of Bideford Bridge is thought to have been a bridge support in the original 700 year old structure. In the picture, Mr R Finlayson, Mr Alf Walker and Mr Jim Wickham look on.

To celebrate the anniversary of Ye Kingsley Lodge, no 4329, RAOB, a dinner was held at The Ship Tavern Hotel, The Quay, Bideford on Wednesday last.

Primo E H Bryan was in the chair, supported by Primos T C Trengrove (Ye Barum Lodge), R Palmer, T Cleverdon, J H Palmer, and B Blanco. There were about 50 Brothers present. Dinner was served at 8pm by the hostess (Mrs Snell) and, judging by the happiness and smiles of all present, it was evident that the ‘good things’ were very appetising. After several toasts had been submitted a concert was given and the following items rendered: March, ‘Stars and Stripes’, Bro. F T Squires, City Min,; mandoline solo, Bro. A Heal; song, ‘Hail Caledonia’ Bro. W H Parsley; song ‘An old-fashioned Town’, Bro. G F Strudwick; monologue, ‘Pardoned Soldier’, Bro. H Leslie; comic song ‘Legal Separation’, Bro. J Avery; comic song ‘Oh, What a Day’, Bro. A Lewis; comic song ‘The Body in the Bag’, Bro. J Hearn (Jimmy was in fine fettle and his encore was song ‘O-Hio’); song ‘Friend of...

Bideford’s Bridging Needs Petition - February 1968

On 23 February 1968, the Gazette published a picture of County Councillor Mrs Vivian Patt, accompanied by Mrs Kitty Blackmore, handing a petition about Bideford’s bridging needs to Mr Peter Mills. Over 15,000 signatures had been collected for the petition which went to the Minister of Transport.

Bideford Plumber Wins Holiday Prize - February 1968

Unsure what prize he had won from Nibco Ltd until being called on stage by the compere at the presentation dinner, Mr W Grant, a plumber from Bideford, won an eight-day holiday, by jet, to Majorca. Mr and Mrs Grant live in Meddon Street, Bideford.

Wedding of Kenneth Hocking & Jennifer Rundle - February 1968

In the Gazette on 16 February 1968, there’s a picture and article about the wedding of Mr Kenneth John Hocking of Bideford and Miss Jennifer Rundle from Northam. The wedding cake, made by the bride’s aunt, was decorated with 21 candles as the bride was also celebrating her 21st birthday. The bridesmaids, Misses Dawn Partridge and Ann Govier, wore white velvet dresses with red velvet trimming, and the pageboy, Jeremy Tolley, wore red velvet trousers and waistcoat. After a reception at the Durrant House Hotel, Mr and Mrs Hocking travelled to London for their honeymoon.

A Postman's Pilgrimage - 1975

All along the route of his pilgrimage to Buckland Brewer on Tuesday in the steps of Bideford's 19th century postman-poet Edward Capern, postman Fred Fuzzens, of Windsor, was greeted by people coming out of their homes to shake his hand and wish him well. At Buckland, children from the village school specially assembled to greet him. Mr Fuzzens, who was wearing a postman's town uniform of the 1860s, read to them Capern's poem "The Rural Postman" and commented on some of the local references in it. Mr and Mrs Tom Boullier, of the sub-post office, entertained him to lunch.

The journey to Buckland did not trouble him for he often walks up to 20 miles a day. It made him appreciate all the more, however, Capern's 13-mile stint which was not along roads as he himself had done it, but across fields, streams and stiles and carrying a heavy bag. Mr Fuzzens was seen off from Bideford Head Post office by the Postmaster Mr Bert Inglis and bu the Mayor of Bideford, Mr...

Bideford Rotary Club Floral Piece - September 1975

This year's floral set-piece in Bideford's Victoria Park is the Rotary emblem with wording reminding that this year Bideford Rotary Club has celebrated its golden jubliee.
On the far right is Mr Jim Shackleton, Torridge District Council's parks superintendent. With him is Mr Ron Smith who was president of the Rotary Club when it marked its jubilee by handing over a fully-equipped ambulance to Bideford and District St John Ambulance Brigade.

Hugh Henny Fined £2 - September 1957

Three times asked - three times refused

Chips Paper on Pavement

Three times he had asked a fairground attendant to pick up a fish and chips bag the man had thrown onto the pavement in Allhalland Street and each time the request was refused, Police Constable G Thrupp told Bideford magistrates on Tuesday. Before the court was Hugh Henny, whose address was given as c/o F Whitelegg's, The Fairground, Bideford, who pleaded "guility" to depositing litter on the highway in contravention of a Borough bye-law.
Henny, who told the magistrates he had nothing to say, was fined £2 with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment. He said he earned £6 a week and was paid on Sundays. He was allowed until September 23rd to pay.

Dairy Employees Wed - September 1957

Mr W E Attwood and Miss C M Pursey

Two employees of Bideford Dairies, Ltd. were married at St Margaret's Church, Northam, on Monday. They were Mr William Edward Attwood, eldest son of Mr and Mrs G Attwood, of 3 Pynes Lane, Bideford, and Miss Cynthia Marion Pursey, third daughter of Mr and Mrs J E Pursey, of 23 Morwenna Park Road, Northam.
The Rev E B Bridger, Vicar of Northam, officiated at the service at which the organist, Mr F Hutchings, accompanied the singing of the hymns "Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us" and "Love divine, all loves excelling," and played Handel's Largo, the bridal march from "Lohengrin" and Medelssohn's wedding march.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a dress of white lace net over taffeta with a short circular veil, held in place by a coronet of orange-blossom. She carried a bouquet of cream and gold rose-buds with white heather and trailing fern. Her only ornaments were pearl ear-rings. She was attended by three...

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