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A handsome property deal
16 March 1956
Well Spring Close10 December 1971
What to do with it?18 June 1965
Who should pay the bill?11 March 1977
Luminaries should be honoured11 February 1977
A perennial problem10 June 1977
Inscribed chiming clock3 February 1950
Need to borrow £10k1 June 1956
Many tributes4 May 1956
The Quay to be narrowed?25 May 1973
Mr Boyle's tender was accepted for the pitching of bathing huts13 July 1937
Subject to discussion6 April 1973
Reduction in number of flats23 June 1972
Of no historic interest2 January 1959
A handsome property deal16 March 1956
Council pay £2,401 for Westward Ho! field
The sum of £2,401 was paid out by Northam Urban Council to complete the compulsory purchase order made in respect of the field beyond Seafield House, Westward Ho! acquired, together with Rock Nose Quarry, as public walks and pleasure grounds.
News of the settlement figure was announced by Mr L G H Braddick, managing director of Braddick’s Holiday Camp Ltd, Bideford, the owners of the land. Mr Braddick said “I am agreeably surprised at the settlement which, as far as I am concerned, amounts to a tax free payment.” Mr Braddick added that it seemed to him to be a large sum for the ratepayers of the district to have to pay for a field that had only been used by his firm for 28 days a year and even during that period the public had free access. “The field is now to be an open space as it was before other than for that 28 day period,” he said.
16 March 1956
Well Spring Close10 December 1971
The lowest of three tenders has been accepted by Bideford Rural Council
for the erection of 10 old people’s dwellings and ancilliary works at Well Spring Close, Hartland.
From Stacey and Co., of Holsworthy, it was in the sum of £32,497, which was within the yardstick, plus 10 per cent, explained the Surveyor (Mr L J Dunn).
It meant the Council could accept the tender and notify the Ministry accordingly, he added.
Tenders received for laying a water main from Natcott, Hartland, to Baxworthy, varied from £475 to £2,389, the Council were told. But in the case of the highest tenderers, the Surveyor commented: “They don’t want the job – otherwise they would do one job and retire!”
Successful tenderer was Mr Coles, of Langtree.
The Council were told that it would cost another £600 to supply pipes, but that when the work was completed and mains water available, they could obtain 75 per cent grants towards improvement works to the properties concerned.
The chairman (Mr S A Brimacombe) said...
What to do with it?18 June 1965
Some Abbotsham people are pondering a pleasant problem
how a surprise bequest of about £1,300 to the parish shall be spent.
It is one-third of the estate of former County Council roadman Mr William Richard Grigg, of Bideford, who died last April at the age of 71. He and his wife, who died before him, are both buried at Abbotsham, and some people believe that there is a connection between this fact and the bequest.
In his will Mr Grigg gave a free hand to the Vicar of Abbotsham (Rev E G Bevan) and churchwardens Major G Lomas and Mr C W M Turner as to the spending of the money.
Major Lomas said they had told the Parochial Church Council that the trustees wished to put the bequest to some Christian purpose in the village rather than merely add it to Church funds or help some established charity.
“The trustees have their own views about it but we have asked members of the Church Council if they have any alternative ideas. We shall consider their suggestions and make our final decision.”
W
Who should pay the bill?11 March 1977
The future of Clovelly’s picture postcard harbour
and the safety of its beachside cottages could be threatened unless action is taken quickly to repair the breakwater which protects the centuries old harbour wall, it was warned yesterday.
A repair scheme could cost upto £30,000 and the problem is who should pay the bill.
The harbour is owned by the Clovelly Estate Company and its managing director, Captain M W B Kerr, told the Gazette “We cannot afford to pay for the work”.
Up to now the Department of the Environment have refused to help financially but there were signs this week that Devon County Council may be trying to persuade them to change their minds.
The situation was highlighted on Wednesday when Mr Ted Pinney, chairman of the County Council’s Amenities and Countryside Committee, visited Clovelly to judge for himself the extent of the villagers’ concern.
The full Gazette article is dated 11 March 1977
Luminaries should be honoured11 February 1977
The names Hooper, Hodge, Parkes and Quick
should be included among those of seven streets and roads on the new Burwood housing estate, Torrington Town Council are suggesting.
A letter from Torridge District Council had put forward Burwood Road, Parkes Road, Pathfields Way, Pathfields, Parkes Walk, Burwood Walk and Burwood Crescent.
Names of people who had done or were still doing great work for the town should be given to the streets, suggested Mr Jim Martin. This was an opportunity to honour people who had honoured the town and would be a permanent reminder of the town’s appreciation.
The Council’s choice of names followed a discussion in private after the monthly open meeting.
The late Mr Walter R Hooper, hon freeman of the borough, was the author of a history of Torrington and steward of the Town and Alms Lands; the late Mr Frederick W Hodge and a son, the late Mr F R (Reg) Hodge, were both honorary freemen and Mayors of the borough and served on the Borough Council and other...
A perennial problem10 June 1977
Repairs to Westward Ho! slipway
had left a drop at the bottom and elderly people were no longer able to reach the beach, Mr A H Mansford told Northam Town Council.
Sand had been built up to bring the beach level with the slipway but this was washed away with the first tide, said Mr Mansford.
He suggested a solution to the recurring problem of the slipway would be to build steps or a slope down the side.
The Council agreed to put this suggestion to Torridge District Council
Gazette article dated 10 June 1977
Inscribed chiming clock3 February 1950
At Tuesday’s meeting of Bideford Rural District Council, Mr I C Williams received congratulations
on his recent marriage together with their best wishes for his future success and, on behalf of the members and staff, Mr J C Hilton presented him with an inscribed chiming clock.
The presentation was made, said Mr W T Harris, to mark the occasion of Mr Williams’ marriage and also as a token of thanks for his services to the Council. Almost the whole of Mr Williams’ service had been under the chairmanship of Mr J C Hilton, and for that reason it was felt that Mr Hilton should make the presentation.
Inscription on the clock read: ‘Presented to Ivor C Williams on the occasion of his marriage and in recognition of services rendered as Surveyor from 1941-1950, by members and staff of Bideford RDC’.
The full Gazette article is dated 3 February 1950.
Need to borrow £10k1 June 1956
Beside the infant river Torridge at Kismeldon Bridge
on the Bideford-Bradworthy road stands this small building, a pump house, from which water is sent from the river through the pipe up and down the roadside to augment, as required, Melbury reservoir, Parkham, from which Northam Urban District draws its supply.
It is a delightful setting with the Torridge emerging from a stream into a river as it flows past forestry plantations through tree-lined banks and trout rise to snap at flies dancing just above the surface of the water.
This system of augmenting the reservoir supply was introduced during the last war to meet the growing needs and now comes under review.
Yesterday at Northam Urban Council offices an engineering inspector of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government held a public local inquiry into the Council’s application for a water abstraction Order which will permit them to take water not exceeding a quarter of a million gallons in any one day from the river at Kismeldon...
Many tributes4 May 1956
Presentations to Retiring Supt. and Matron of Torridge View Welfare Home
‘You have laboured here for over twenty years and shown a love for old people. We have come to know you and to the patients you are a father and mother.’
This tribute, voiced by the Chairman, Mr W H Copp, was among many paid at a special meeting of No. 5 area of the County Welfare Committee at Torridge View Welfare Home, Torrington, on Monday, when members said farewell to the Superintendent and Matron, Mr and Mrs Minhinnett, who are retiring.
The presentation to Mr and Mrs Minhinnett was made by the Mayor of Torrington, Miss F L Lake, who recalled that she had been a visitor to the home for some thirty years from the days of the Board of Guardians and the Public Assistance Committee. Mr and Mrs Minhinnett had first come to Torridge View as porter and cook and had later become Master and Matron.
Adding to his tribute, Col R Ward, Chairman of Devon County Welfare Committee, said “I have known these dear people for...
The Quay to be narrowed?25 May 1973
Bideford’s new river bridge is expected to be completed by 1979.
And the Bridge Street multi-storey car park for which the Town Council has pressed for so long, and about which a Department of the Environment inquiry has been sought, should not be built until after then. This is suggested by the county planning officer in his report on the long awaited Bideford town centre plan.
Part of Bridgeland Street and the Quay are show for office purposes and in order to preserve the character of these areas changes of use that would require alterations to their external appearances should be resisted, it is contended.
Traffic restriction to service and residents’ vehicles and others with particular business is advocated for an area covering the High Street, Alhalland Street, Grenville Street, Market Place, Mill Street and Cooper Street. This would involve changes to the one-way system.
The report says there is a need initially for about 400 vehicles at the northern end of the central area by...
Mr Boyle's tender was accepted for the pitching of bathing huts13 July 1937
County Council Help Intimated
At a special meeting of Northam Urban District Council it was reported that a letter had been received from the County Council regarding the proposed scheme for improving Appledore Quay from which it appeared that very material assistance would be forthcoming towards this scheme from the County Council.
A letter was also reported from the Transport and General Workers’ Union accepting the Council’s terms for workmen’s wages.
Messrs W H Badcock and Sons wrote withdrawing their tender for the erection of twenty houses at New Quay, Appledore, and the tender of Mr A A Beer, 32 Myrtle Grove, Bideford, in the sum of £7,640 was accepted, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health.
The tender of Mr Boyle for pitches for bathing tents and refreshment stall at Appledore bathing pool was accepted.
Northam and Westward Ho! sewerage scheme has been deferred for two months.
It was decided to advertise the post of rate collector in succession to the late Mr W F...
Subject to discussion6 April 1973
Negotiations are to be opened by Torrington Town Council with a property development company who want to buy the pannier market.
But it was stressed at Monday’s meeting that at this stage there would be no commitment.
The council is asking for particulars soon about the company’s detailed proposals for dealing with existing tenants of the market, including relocation of Devon county library.
At the appropriate time the council should engage private valuers, recommended the Highways Committee.
Councillor Michael Street said that the council must get the maximum price for this property, which belonged to ratepayers. He was told by the Town Clerk, Mr Alan Fitt: “I am doubtful if you would find two firms prepared to do the same work”.
The full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1973
Reduction in number of flats23 June 1972
Plans of R Pope Properties (Clapton) Ltd to build 111 houses and bungalows at Ford Farm, New Road, Bideford, were revealed at Monday’s meeting of the Town Council.
The divisional planning officer’s views were awaited, members were told, on a plan by the Baptist Men’s Movement Housing Association Ltd to demolish the schoolroom and erect 20 flatlets adjacent to the Baptist Church in Mill Street.
The Borough Surveyor had drawn attention to the reduction in the number of flatlets from 33, but had recommended refusal on sewerage grounds.
The full Gazette article is dated 23 June 1972
Of no historic interest2 January 1959
Grigg's Cottages
Bideford Rural Council were told at their meeting that the Minister of Housing and Local Government had agreed to remove Grigg's Cottages, Monkleigh, from the list of houses of architectural or historic interest.
This, it was pointed out, would permit the owner to demolish them if he so desired.
Gazette article dated 2 January 1959