Firemen’s six-hour Saturday night call in bitter wind

In a strong, bitter wind that at one time sent flurries of sparks repeatedly across the top of narrow Queen Street towards other property, Bideford firemen, with two fire appliances, fought an outbreak on the top floor of a three-storey building, part of Messrs Heard Bros’ garage premises, on Bideford Quay.

Damage at Messrs Heard’s and at the Southern National Omnibus offices is estimated to run substantially into four figures.

Cause of the outbreak is unknown. Principal damage was to the roofing. A records and stationery store and part of the staff

Veteran ex-fire officer

"Harry was a really fine fireman" said Mr C Morris. An ex-serviceman of the first world war, Mr Blackmore spent his life in the building trade, being foreman for a local firm for many years. Bowling was one of his great hobbies and he spent happy hours at the Bideford Strand club even if unable to play as his declined. 

Torrington and Bideford firemen were occupied for about two hours

on Sunday evening in dealing with a fire in woodland and thick undergrowth on a steep hillside near Riverdale, Weare Giffard.

Approximately 10 acres were damaged.

Fanned by a wind, the fire blazed intensely for a while, but fortunately did not spread in the path of houses.

The main Bideford-Torrington road provided a grandstand view for many people.

The smoke could be seen rising from the river valley from high points a long way round.

Using beaters and hosereels coupled to water tanks refilled from the public mains the firemen

Part-Time Fire Fighter For 23 Years

A man who was ‘badgered’ into joining the Fire Service when he returned from the war is retiring on reaching the age limit after 23 years, during the last eight of which he has been station officer at Bideford. 

He is Mr Tom Trick, deputy foreman-storekeeper in the Borough Surveyor’s department.

Presentations were made to him on Friday at a commemorative dinner at the New Inn Hotel, Bideford, the scene in 1968 of one of a number of big fires that he has helped to fight.

A Bidefordian, Mr Trick has had no other

Damage estimated at around the £500 mark

was caused by fire at the South Western Electricity Board’s social club in Lower Gunstone, Bideford, just after midnight on Sunday.

Two appliances from Bideford were called and prevented the blaze from spreading in a confined area.

Damage included to a false roof and to walls and woodwork surrounding door frames.

The fire was discovered by Mr and Mrs L J Darke, licensees of the Heavitree Inn, which adjoins the club.

While watching television Mrs Darke smelt burning but a search of the premises revealed nothing. Mr Darke then went into the street

New Fire Engine 18 January 1938

Fire Brigade & Fires.  Decision to purchase a new Merryweather Fire Engine, the cost not to exceed £1,200. Mr T Burton; Mr W Harris; Mr WC Friendship; Mr C Morris (Chief Fire Officer); Mr CT Braddick; Mr and Mrs Satchwell; Mr WH Sanders; HW Greenwood (Mayor of Bideford); WH Chubb; JC Hilton; J Heywood; WJ Pillman; AR Allin

New Fire Engine Christened 'Kipling' 23 August 1938

Fire Brigade & Fires.  Bideford's new fire engine was christened 'Kipling'.  Mr WJ Pillman; Mr WC Friendship; Rev AE Green; Mr JC Hilton; Chief Officer C Morris; Chief Officer Southcombe; Chief Officer Holwill; Chief Officer Brown; Messrs Merryweather; Messrs Heard Bros

Bideford District's Joint Fire Brigade 7 May 1940

Fire Brigade & Fires.  Christening ceremony of 'Kipling', the new fire engine for Bideford, Northam and District Joint Fire Brigade. Chief Officer C Morris

Bideford Boy's Death 1 October 1940

Fire Brigade & Fires.  Collision with Fire Engine. A 12 year old Bideford boy. Wallace George Cawsey; Mr and Mrs WJ Cawsey; Chief Officer Morris; Messrs Webb; Messrs Northwood; JR Seward; Mr Shaxton

New Fire and Ambulance Stations 5 November 1965

Fire Brigade & Fires.  £28,800 new fire and ambulance stations in Bideford Old Town.

High Street Fire Damage of £20,000 6 December 1963

Fire Brigade & Fires. Messrs Merediths

Torrington now possesses one of the most modern fire engines in the county – it was recently delivered direct from the works – but although good progress has been made, it will be some weeks before its new ‘home’ will be ready to accommodate it.

At the moment the new engine is housed in the fire station that was built by the NFS during the war. The Town Council were then promised that as soon as possible after hostilities ceased a new station would be provided. But the end of the war found the county so badly off for such accommodation that

It was almost inevitable that young Anthony Morris, of Bideford, would join the fire brigade. It has become a family tradition.

His paternal grandfather, veteran Bideford Reds rower, Mr Charles Morris, was in charge here for many years and was succeeded by his son, the late Mr Stanley Morris, Tony’s uncle. And for some time, before joining the Royal Air Force, his father, Norman, was also a member. But Tony wanted more than voluntary service. So when he left the Grammar School with nine GCE O levels his sights were firmly fixed on a fire service career.

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When Hartland fire siren is sounded at dead of night it awakens everyone in the town - but not, sometimes, some of the firemen who live at a distance.

Now, following represenations from Mr N Westlake, secretary of Hartland Volunteer Fire Service, the Parish Council are to press for the installation of alarm bells in the homes of the 12 firemen so that the siren need not be sounded during the night.
Mr H Conibear, who is a firemen, reminded the Council that the brigade had one had a handcart and operated only in Fore Street. Now it covers the town

New Fire Station Officially Opened at Appledore 25 October 1968

Fire Brigade & Fires.  The station cost £13,000. Mr George Northcott; PK Harris and Sons; Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd; JK Bowden; Messrs J Hinks and Son; East Yelland Power Station; Mr J Farrell; Tom Anstey; Mrs EMV Patt; Rev RC Dixon; Mrs Northcott; Ann Bowden; WMH Drake

Local fire and ambulance workers thanked 22nd July 1966

The Mayor of Bideford (Mrs Vivian Patt) expressed thanks to local members of the fire and ambulance services for their valued work for the community when she officially opened the new fire and ambulance stations at Old Town. To symbolise the opening, the Mayor pulled a lever which automatically flings wide the doors of the fire station to enable the applicances to make a quick get away.

Mr J Farrell, chairman of Devon County Fire Brigade Committee opened the proceedings.  The Mayor, who was accompanieed by the Mayoress (Mrs P Galliford)