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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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