Bideford Buzz

Welcome to the  on-line edition of the Community Newsletter for Bideford   and adjoining towns, villages, and rural area.

‘Bideford Buzz’ is produced and distributed by a team of volunteers, with financial and practical assistance from  Bideford Bridge Trust, Devon Community Foundation, Bideford Town Council, Torridge Volunteer Resource Centre, Devon Library Services, and many others.   If you are interested in helping produce, develop, or distribute this newsletter we’ll be glad to hear from you.

Please note that for commercial notices there is a charge from £18 per month – cheques payable to ‘Bideford Buzz’.

You can submit your article on disc or by e-mail.    However, ‘snail mail’ is equally acceptable. Material for publication should reach us by the 11th of the month preceding the month of publication.

Editor – Rose Arno (Bideford Buzz),    c/o Torridge Volunteer Resource Centre (‘TVS’),  14, Bridgeland Street, Bideford, EX39 2QE.  (TVS opening hours Mon.-Thurs. 9.30am to 3.oopm [12.30pm on Thurs.]).      Telephone 07929-976120, or E-mail: editor@bidefordbuzz.org.uk

For complaints procedure, see “Impress” category.

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Book Buzz; August.

Events at Bideford Library.

Tuesday 1 August 10 – 12; drop in activity. Become your own Secret Agent! Join us in making super sleuth disguises! Booking not necessary.

Friday 11th August 10-11 ‘Cops and Robbers.’   Fun session with Bideford Police Officers.

Friday 25th August 2.00 – 3.00; Children’s author of ‘Alex Sparrow and the really Big Stink,’ Jennifer Killick, will be running the following session: ‘Have you ever wondered what our animal friends get up to when we’re not looking? What if they were all secret agents?’ In this fun creative writing workshop, we will design our own animal agents and send them on dangerous missions. Warning: you may never look at your pet goldfish the same way again. Booking is essential for this session. In conjunction with the Burton Art Gallery.

Over the summer we will also have a special Animal Agent Treasure Hunt around the library which will run throughout the holiday and our Friends’ Group are organising a ‘Guess the name of the Library Otter. ‘ (stuffed not real!!) Look out for our Super Secret Agent Finishers’ event. More details at 01237 476075.

*****

Events at Appledore Library.

Thursday 3 Aug – Animal Themed Lego Club, 10.30 – 12pm.

Wednesday 16 Aug – Agent Eight Legs Craft, 2-3.30pm.

Thursday 24 Aug – Secret Agent Craft Activity 10:30 – 12pm.

The Summer Reading Challenge runs until 9th September. Collect your goody bag while stocks last and try the treasure hunt to be entered into a competition. More details at 01237 477442.

*****

Events at Northam Library.

Wednesday 2 August 10.30—Agent Eight Legs. FREE.

Monday 7 August 2pm—Really Wild Learning; £2.

Monday 14 August 3.30pm—The Fisher Knight’s Tale; £2.

Monday 21 August 2pm—Mini-medics first aid for 8-12 year olds. FREE.

Monday 4 September 2pm—Teen-aiders first aid for 13-16 year olds. FREE.

Booking is essential for most events. To book call: 01237 475111 or email northam.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk

*****

Bideford Library Readers’ Group.

The Luminaries”, by Eleanor Catton, discussed by Bideford Library Readers’ Group.

Eleanor Catton’s book won the Man Booker prize in 2013. It is a hefty book of 832 pages and this is maybe why apparently for every 10 people who buy the book only two actually read it. Our percentage was slightly higher. Yes there were only 2 of us who finished it, but there were only eight in the group. Those who abandoned it early on pointed not only to the length, but the fact that it is slow moving and has a very complicated plot.

The novel is set on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand during the gold rush of the 1860s. It reads like a genuine Victorian novel full of contemporary speech and detail unfolding leisurely with many twists and turns. We none of us really came to grips with the astrological influences which dominate the book – the title itself, the fact the book is in 12 parts, that the characters act in conjunction with the 12 signs of the Zodiac.

It opens with the arrival of Walter Moody, a young Scot, who has come to Hokitika, a town that has sprung up on the back of the Gold Rush in the hope of making his fortune. He lodges in the local hostelry where it happens a group of 12 men have gathered to discuss their predicament. They are all connected in various ways to the mysteries at the centre of the book – the disappearance of a young man, the death of a drunk, the whereabouts of a stash of gold, and the strange behaviour of a whore. Moody gains the trust of these men and listens to their stories. The reader is kept on tenterhooks as secrets are gradually revealed. Some critics have felt that although the book is brilliantly constructed, it lacks substance.

But it does seem to have in it much that is thought provoking and engaging. By the end of our discussion some of those who hadn’t finished it thought they might give it another try. Perhaps during the long dark nights of Winter.

Hilary Aikman.

Next meeting of the group is on Wednesday 2nd August 2pm at Bideford Library when we shall be discussing ‘How to be both’ by Ali Smith.

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A brief history of the Custom House.

Bideford’s buildings are constantly being reinvented – and anyone walking along to the Post Office will have noticed the old Custom House has become a new coffee shop – with some of the best views over the river from its first floor windows.

The main bulk of the building itself dates from 1695, just three years after the Bideford Bridge Trustees decided to develop a new street to be called Bridgeland. The first house was constructed by Nicholas Gascoyne in 1692-93, being the handsome brown brick building known to most as ‘Dr.Candler’s’. Nicholas, whose name suggests he was a descendant of French Huguenots who fled to North Devon, was a local carpenter and his work was evidently good enough for him to be granted a 99 year lease on the Custom House site on which he built himself a house.

By 1760 Benjamin Grant was leasing the house and there is a note in the Bridge Trust minutes from 1778 asking him ‘to replace the Stone which some time since was taken down from the Wall of the House he inhabits facing Bridgeland Street which Stone sett forth the time the said Street was built.‘ I wonder what happened to that?

In 1792 a new lease was granted to Thomas Grant, who was the Bridge Trust Steward, but he does not appear to have lived in it as by 1794 he was building Northdown House (later the Convent). A decade later three spinster sisters called Morrison were leasing the house though whether they actually lived there or not is uncertain. A surviving sister was still the leaseholder in 1832 when the building was noted as being the HQ of the local customs officers.

The earliest surviving census from 1841 records various of these officers living here – as they are so recorded up until the 1891 census when 72 year old Thomas Martin, ‘a gentleman,’ was then the occupant. In the 1901 and 1911 censuses William Martin, a retired builder, was living here and it seems to have continued as a private house until becoming a shop.

People may recall the dry cleaners that were based here for some years before it became a public house (Tequila Jack’s, Quigley’s, Custom House etc). Today it has been refurbished as a coffee shop, delicatessen and cinema, and enters a new stage in its long life.

Peter Christie.

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Bideford Cinema – August.

Friday 4th and Saturday 5th at 7.30pm at Kingsley School; Spider Man; Homecoming (12A), 133 min.

Friday 11th and Saturday 12th at 7.30pm at Kingsley School; The Book of Henry (12A), 105 min.

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th at 7.30pm at Kingsley School; Dunkirk (12A).

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“Flavours of the World Market”, Bideford Quay; 4th-6th August.

Bideford is likely to be abuzz with out-of-town shoppers and tourists on the first weekend in August when an International World Food market sets up stall on the historic Bideford Quay

Carefully selected colourful stalls will stretch out along 150m of the quayside on 4th, 5th and 6th August. The 28-stall event will be advertised and promoted throughout North Devon and will comprise top-quality international traders selling artisan-produced foods and craft products from around the world.

Savoir Fayre’s landmark “Flavours of the World Market” normally operates in London and the South East but is making its first visit to Devon this year

‘We chose Bideford because of its evocative setting and waterfront location’ says Conrad Murray, spokesman forthe market’s organiser. ‘Flavours of the World is a market crafted to stir the senses and appeal to locals and tourists alike. We work hard to create an international atmosphere so people can enjoy exotic flavours and unusual aromas and delight in products they might not otherwise see or buy everyday.’

Mr Murray says the manifest for Bideford includes stalls selling Italian sweets and biscuits and delicate nougats; unusual cheeses not easily found in the UK which reflect the cultural and culinary traditions of rural France; and a stall which sells cured meats and scrumptious rustic saucisson sourced from every corner of Europe.

There are also stalls offering an unrivalled choice of coffee and mustards.

‘All of our traders are especially chosen for the knowledge of and passion they have for the products they sell and their delight in offering tastings and explaining the particular characteristics and features of the goods they sell’ says Mr Murray.

Beyond the stalls that tempt the taste buds, the market has traders who showcase the beauty of international craft traditions. They include bowls and ornaments carved from Moroccan marble; Baltic amber set into handcrafted jewellery; finely woven Italian clothing; and rugs and throws from Morocco and Turkey. One stall sells an astonishing 60 varieties of beauty bars and natural soaps derived from olive and argan oil.

‘We delight in bringing stalls which offer both unusual goods, a wide choice of products and good value to our customers and we have a record of bringing a lot of extra footfall to the towns we visit which pleases local traders in the town,’ says Mr Murray. ‘That means everyone is happy and we will normally hope to establish our visit as an annual event.

Bideford Flavours of the World Market

Fri 4th August; Sat 5th August; Sunday 6th August 2017

0900-1630 daily

The Quay,

Bideford.

(SatNav EX39 2EX).

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August diary.

Tuesday 1st

10am-1pm Lavington Church coffee and lunches.

10.30am Walking for Health. 421528

2pm Bideford WI, New Sea Cadet Bldg.

2-3.30pm Salvation Army ‘Fun & Fellowship’ Club meets at Baptist Hall.

7.30pm Bideford Sustainability Group at Blacksmiths Arms. 475375

7.30pm Bideford Camera Club meet at Chubb/Churchill hall. 421391

7.30-9pm Samba Baia Rehearsal at Community Arts Network,13 Rope Walk

Palladium Club – Jam Night.

Wednesday 2nd

9.30am-2.30pm Free Social Club for ages 19+ at Happy Café, W. Ho!

10am-12pm Bideford Healing Group at Sea Cadets Bldg in Victoria Park.

10am-3pm Westward Ho! Crafters Market at W.Ho! Baptist Church. 479474

10.30am Parkinson’s UK(Torridge Branch) coffee morning Common Room 1 Ethelwynne Brown Close. 478128

10.30am-12pm ‘Feel Better with a Book’ at Bideford Library. 476075

10.30am Walking for Health in Victoria Park. Meet at Cafe du Parc. 421528

11am-1pm Creative (Memory) Café at Quay Meeting Rm, 5 Danver Court, Clovelly Rd Ind Estate. 07817 976053.

1.30-3.30pm ‘Knit & Natter’ Group at Holy Trinity hall, Westward Ho! 475720

2pm Bideford Library Readers’ Group. 476075

4-6pm ‘Sew Together’ at Northam Library.

7.30pm Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal at Bideford Band Room.

7.30pm Bideford Lions meet at Golf Club Westward Ho! Visiting Lions welcome.

8pm Torridge Male Voice Choir meets at Woolsery Village Hall. 441601

Thursday 3rd

10am-1pm ‘See Hear on Wheels’ bus at Hartland Pavilion.

10.30am Walking for Health along Tarka Trail. Clarence Wharf Car Park. 421528

2pm Torridge Ramblers stroll. 239129

2-3pm Seated Exercise for over 60s at W Ho! Baptist Hall. 01805 622666

2-4pm ‘See Hear on Wheels’ (SHoW) bus at Pill Car Park.

2-4pm Holy Trinity Church W Ho! Open.

6.45pm Westward Ho! Bridge Club at Trinity Church Hall. 470990

7.30pm Bideford Band Concert at Westward Ho! Green (Baptist Ch if wet).

7.30pm Appledore Men’s Group at Appledore Library Meeting Rm.425427

7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing at Westleigh Village Hall. 473801

8pm Bideford Folk Club at Joiners Arms.

Friday 4th

2-4pm ‘Sew Together’ at Westward Ho! Baptist Church. 01805 622666

2.30-4.30pm Torridge Table Tennis Club at Bideford Youth Centre.

7.45pm Modern Sequence Dancing, Kingsley Hall, W Ho! 01769 540309

7.45pm Bideford AFC v Stoke Gabriel.

8pm Ceilidh Club at Northam Hall.

Saturday 5th

Lifeboat weekend at Clovelly, in aid of RNLI.

Tea at Tapely Park”, in aid of RNLI. £7 per person; includes cream tea & grounds access.

12noon – 8pm Bideford Music Day, Victoria Park.

7pm Concert by Soul Intention at Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho! 476841

7.30pm Film Club at Littleham Village Hall. 471928

Sunday 6th

Lifeboat weekend at Clovelly, in aid of RNLI.

4pm Battle of Northam Walk and Talk from Appledore Library. To reserve a place – Appledore library on 477442, or Northam library 475111.

Monday 7th

10am-12pm Appledore Community Art Group at Appledore Community Hall.

2.30pm -4.30pm Westward Ho! Art Group exhibition in the Baptist Church, Westward Ho!

7pm Appledore Band Concert – training band followed by senior band at 7.45pm on Appledore Quay (St Mary’s Ch if wet).

7.15pm Appledore Singers rehearse at Appledore Baptist Church. 420652

Tuesday 8th

10am – 4.30pm Westward Ho!Art Group exhibition in the Baptist Church, Westward Ho!

10am-1pm Lavington Church coffee and lunches.

10am-12pm Macular Society Support Group at Burton Gallery. 441466

10.30am Walking for Health. 421528

2-3.30pm Salvation Army ‘Fun & Fellowship’ Club meets at Baptist Hall.

2.30pm ‘Lift Off for Ladies’ at Westward Ho! Baptist Church. 425471

7-9pm Torridge Tuesdays Women’s Club, Ethelwynne Brown Close 1. 07977 184897

7.30pm Bideford Camera Club meet at Chubb/Churchill hall. 421391

7.30-9pm Samba Baia Rehearsal at Community Arts Network,13 Rope Walk

Palladium Club – Jam Night.

7.45pm Bideford Phoenix & AngleTwich at the Beaver, Appledore.

Wednesday 9h

9.30am-2.30pm Free Social Club for ages 19+ at Happy Café, W Ho!

10am – 4.30pm Westward Ho! Art Group exhibition in the Baptist Church, Westward Ho!

10am-12pm Bideford Healing Group at Sea Cadets Bldg in Victoria Park.

10.15am Probus Club at Royal Hotel.

10.30am-12pm ‘Feel Better with a Book’ at Bideford Library.

10.30am Walking for Health in Victoria Park. Meet at Cafe du Parc. 421528

2pm ‘Tea with Friends’ at St Mary’s Ch.

2-3.30pm ‘Bideford Friends’ at Burton Art Gallery. 01805 622666

2-4pm ‘See Hear on Wheels’ bus at Tesco East the Water.

4-6pm ‘Sew Together’ at Northam Library.

7.30pm Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal at Bideford Band Room.

8pm Torridge Male Voice Choir meets at Woolsery Village Hall. 441601

Thursday 10th

10am – 4.30pm Westward Ho! Art Group exhibition in the Baptist Church, Westward Ho!

10.30am Walking for Health along Tarka Trail. Clarence Wharf Car Park. 421528

2-3pm Seated Exercise for over 60s at W Ho! Baptist Hall. 01805 622666

2-4pm Holy Trinity Church W Ho! open 6.45pm Westward Ho! Bridge Club at Trinity Church Hall. 470990

7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing at Westleigh Village Hall. 473801

7.30pm N. Devon British Bike Club at Robin’s Nest.

7.30pm Bideford Band Concert at Westward Ho! Green (Baptist Ch if wet).

8pm Bideford Folk Club at Joiners Arms.

Friday 11th

10am-12pm Coffee,Craft & Chat at Old School Rm, 17 Atlantic Way, W Ho!

10am – 4.30pm Westward Ho! Art Group exhibition in the Baptist Church, Westward Ho!

2.30-4.30pm Torridge Table Tennis Club at Bideford Youth Centre.

7.30pm Abbotsham WI in Village Hall 7.30pm Bideford Machine Knitting Club at Chubb/Churchill Comm. Hall. 477532

7.45pm Modern Sequence Dancing, Kingsley Hall, W Ho! 01769 540309

8pm Ceilidh Club at Northam Hall.

Saturday 12th

10am Torridge Ramblers day walk. 429080

10am – 4.00pm Westward Ho! Art Group exhibition in the Baptist Church, Westward Ho!

2-4pm Bideford Creative Writing Group at Bideford Library. 700901

Sunday 13th

2.30pm Rolle Canal Society walk from Rosemoor.

4pm Appledore Carnival with Appledore Band.

Monday 14th

10am-12pm Appledore Community Art Group at Community Hall.

2.30pm Monday Club meet at Bideford Methodist Church.

7pm Appledore Band Concert – training band followed by senior band at 7.45pm on Appledore Quay (St Mary’s Ch if wet).

7.15pm Appledore Singers rehearse at Appledore Baptist Church. 420652

Tuesday 15th

10am-1pm Lavington Church coffee and lunches.

10.30am Walking for Health. 421528

2-3.30pm Salvation Army ‘Fun & Fellowship’ Club at Baptist Church Hall.

2.30pm ‘Lift Off for Ladies’ at Baptist Church, Westward Ho! 425471

2.30pm ‘Reflections’ at St Mary’s Church.

7.30pm Bideford Camera Club meet at Chubb/Churchill hall. 421391

7.30-9pm Samba Baia Rehearsal at Community Arts Network,13 Rope Walk

Palladium Club – Jam Night.

Wednesday 16th

9.30am-2.30pm Free Social Club for ages 19+ at Happy Café, W Ho!

10am-12pm ‘See Hear on Wheels’ bus at Kenwith Castle, Abbotsham.

10am-12pm Bideford Healing Group at Sea Cadets Bldg in Victoria Park.

10am-3pm Westward Ho! Crafters Market at W.Ho! Baptist Church. 479474

10.30am-12pm ‘Feel Better with a Book’ at Bideford Library.

10.30am Walking for Health in Victoria Park. Meet at Cafe du Parc. 421528

11am-1pm Creative (Memory) Café at Quay Meeting Rm, 5 Danver Court, Clovelly Rd Ind Estate. 07817 976053

1.30-3.30pm ‘Knit & Natter’ Group at Holy Trinity hall, Westward Ho! 475720

4-6pm ‘Sew Together’ at Northam Library.

7.30pm Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal at Bideford Band Room.

7.45pm Bideford Phoenix & Borderline Morris at Cyder Presse, Weare Giffard

8pm Torridge Male Voice Choir meets at Woolsery Village Hall. 441601

Thursday 17th

10.30am Walking for Health along Tarka Trail. Clarence Wharf Car Park. 421528

11am Bideford Sustainability Group Coffee Morning at The Old Custom House café. 475375

12.30-2pm Fish & Chip Club for over 60s at Royal Plaice, Appledore. 471394

2-3pm Seated Exercise for over 60s at W Ho! Baptist Hall. 01805 622666

2-4pm Holy Trinity Church W Ho! Open.

6.45pm Westward Ho! Bridge Club at Trinity Church Hall. 470990

7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing at Westleigh Village Hall. 473801

7.30pm Bideford Band Concert at Westward Ho! Green(Baptist Ch if wet).

8pm Bideford Folk Club at Joiners Arms.

Friday 18th

10am-12pm Northam Reminiscence café at Northam Hall. 459337

2-4pm ‘Sew Together’ at Westward Ho! Baptist Church. 01805 622666

2.30-4.30pm Torridge Table Tennis Club at Bideford Youth Centre.

7.45pm Modern Sequence Dancing, Kingsley Hall, W Ho! 01769 540309

8pm Ceilidh Club at Northam Hall.

Saturday 19th

10am-12pm Coffee Morning & Book Sale at Lavington Church. 424982

2.30pm Alwington Show in Village Hall.

3pm Bideford AFC v Wells City or Cribbs.

7.30pm Torridge Shanty Group concert at St Mary’s Church, Appledore 475449

Sunday 20th

Bideford Pannier Market. ‘Taste of Torridge’ Food & Drink Festival.

2pm Torridge Ramblers walk. 475168

Monday 21st

10am-12pm Appledore Community Art Group at Appledore Community Hall.

2pm Bideford Ladies Club at Marlborough Court. 421925

7pm Appledore Band Concert – training band followed by senior band at 7.45pm on Appledore Quay (St Mary’s Ch if wet).

7.15pm Appledore Singers rehearse at Appledore Baptist Church. 420652

7.30pm Appledore Amateur Radio Club, Appledore Football Social Club 473251

Tuesday 22nd

10am-1pm Lavington Church coffee and lunches.

10.30am Walking for Health. 421528

2-3.30pm Salvation Army ‘Fun & Fellowship’ Club meets at Baptist Hall.

2.30pm ‘Lift Off for Ladies’ at Westward Ho! Baptist Church. 425471

7.30pm Bideford Camera Club meet at Chubb/Churchill hall .421391

7.30pm Lions Club meet at Golf Club, W. Ho! Visiting Lions welcome.

7.30-9pm Samba Baia Rehearsal at Community Arts Network,13 Rope Walk

Palladium Club – Jam Night.

Wednesday 23rd

9.30am-2.30pm Free Social Club for ages 19+ at Happy Café, W Ho!

10am-12pm Bideford Healing Group at Sea Cadets Bldg in Victoria Park.

10.15am Probus Club at Royal Hotel.

10.30am-12pm ‘Feel Better with a Book’ at Bideford Library.

10.30am Walking for Health in Victoria Park. Meet at Cafe du Parc. 421528

2-3.30pm ‘Bideford Friends’ at Burton Art Gallery. 01805 622666

4-6pm ‘Sew Together’ at Northam Library.

7.30pm Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal at Bideford Band Room

8pm Torridge Male Voice Choir meets at Woolsery Village Hall. 441601

Thursday 24th

10.30am Walking for Health along Tarka Trail. Clarence Wharf Car Park. 421528

10-11 & 11-12 Tai Chi, Marlborough Ct.

2-3pm Seated Exercise for over 60s at W Ho! Baptist Hall. 01805 622666

2-4pm Holy Trinity Church W Ho! Open.

6.45pm Westward Ho! Bridge Club at Trinity Church Hall. 470990

7pm ‘Life Drawing’ -Bideford Arts Centre.

7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing at Westleigh Village Hall. 473801

7.30pm Bideford Band Concert at Westward Ho! Green(Baptist Ch if wet).

7.30pm N Devon British Bike Club at Robin’s Nest.

8pm Bideford Folk Club at Joiners Arms.

Friday 25th

10am-12pm Coffee,Craft & Chat at Old School Rm, 17 Atlantic Way, W Ho!

10am-1pm Lundy Art Group at Blue Lights Hall, Appledore.

2.30-4.30pm Torridge Table Tennis Club at Bideford Youth Centre. 477932

7.45pm Modern Sequence Dancing, Kingsley Hall, W Ho! 01769 540309

8pm Ceilidh Club at Northam Hall.

8pm Auction in aid of Appledore Community Hall. Further details from margaretcaley@talktalk.net

Saturday 26th

11am-4.30pm Appledore Art Exhibition at Blue Lights Hall, Appledore.

Sunday 27th

11am-4.30pm Appledore Art Exhibition at Blue Lights Hall, Appledore.

5pm Appledore Band ‘Last Night of the Proms’ on Appledore Quay (or St Mary’s Church if wet).

Monday 28th – Bank Holiday.

11am-4.30pm Appledore Art Exhibition at Blue Lights Hall, Appledore.

Tuesday 29th

10am-1pm Lavington Church coffee and lunches.

10.30am Walking for Health. 421528

11.45am-12.45pm Tai Chi at Northam Community Hall.

2-3.30pm Salvation Army ‘Fun & Fellowship’ Club meets at Baptist Hall.

2.30pm Lift Off for Ladies at Westward Ho! Baptist Church. 425471

7.30pm Bideford Camera Club meet at Chubb/Churchill hall. 421391

7.30-9pm Samba Baia Rehearsal at Community Arts Network,13 Rope Walk

Wednesday 30th

9.30am-2.30pm Free Social Club for ages 19+ at Happy Café, W Ho!

10am-12pm Bideford Healing Group at Sea Cadets Bldg in Victoria Park.

10.30am-12pm ‘Feel Better with a Book’ at Bideford Library.

10.30am Walking for Health in Victoria Park. Meet at Cafe du Parc. 421528

4-6pm ‘Sew Together’ at Northam Library.

7.30pm Two Rivers Wind Ensemble Rehearsal at Bideford Band Room.

8pm Torridge Male Voice Choir meets at Woolsery Village Hall. 441601

Thursday 31st

10.30am Walking for Health along Tarka Trail. Clarence Wharf Car Park. 421528

10-11 & 11-12 Tai Chi, Marlborough Ct.

2-3pm Seated Exercise for over 60s at W Ho! Baptist Hall. 01805 622666

2-4pm Holy Trinity Church W Ho! Open.

6.45pm Westward Ho! Bridge Club at Trinity Church Hall 470990

7.30pm Scottish Country Dancing at Westleigh Village Hall. 473801

7.30pm Bideford Band Concert at Westward Ho! Green(Baptist Ch if wet).

8pm Bideford Folk Club at Joiners Arms.

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Shipping notes No. 148 (June/ July).

In port – Bideford Quay.

Catania – built 2012; flag St. Johns, Antigua & Barbuda; owners German; crew Russian & Ukrainian; from Bromborough* to Castellon; arrived 24/6, sailed 27/6; loaded 2,410 tons ball clay.

* For those interested, the port of Bromborough is on the River Mersey – the original dock was built to take in the shipping supplies for Lever Brothers Port Sunlight works. The original dock has been filled in.

Shipping at Appledore.

Arco Dee, 27/6.

Shipping at Yelland.

None since last issue.

Bristol Channel Observations.

11/6 at 13.47 bulk carrier Boreas Venture, 43,389 tons d.w., owners Diderot Financement 18 SNC France, outward bound from Newport having ailed at 08.27. At 18.09 cargo vessel Fri Skien, 3,740 tons d.w., owners Hogli AS Norway, inward bound for Cardiff (seen again on 17/6 at 14.47, having sailed from Cardiff at 09.38).

12/6 at 14.50 tanker Atlantic Twin, 15,000 tons d.w. ,owners Carl F. Peters GMBH Hamburg, inward bound for Avonmouth.

13/6 at 14.17 vehicle carrier Aniara, 30,089 tons d.w., owners Wallenius Wilhemsen Norway and Sweden, inward bound for Portbury. (Also seen again on 14/6 at 13.16 having sailed from Portbury at 10.14). At 15.20 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owners United European Car Carriers, inward bound for Portbury.

14/6 at 14.25 vehicle carrier Grande Benin, 26,097 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury. At 15.14 vehicle carrier Paganella, 11,453 tons d.w., owners Reederei F Laeisz GMBH & Co Germany, inward bound for Portbury. At 18.27 vehicle carrier Oberon, 24,600 tons d.w., owners Wallenius Wilhelmsen Norway and Sweden, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again at 13.20 16/6 outward bound from Portbury, having sailed at 09.14).

15/6 at 16.50 tanker Thun Genius, 7,559 tons d.w., owners Thun Tankers B.V. Sweden, inward bound for Cardiff.

17/6 at 08.15 vehicle carrier Michigan Highway, 17,673 tons d.w., owners Kawasaki Kisen K.K. Japan, inward bound for Portbury. At 15.03 project vessel Nordic, 3,000 tons d.w., owners Hartman Beheer 005 B.V. Netherlands, inward bound for Swansea. At 20.07 vehicle carrier Grande Scandinavia, 18,440 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy inward bound for Portbury. Anchored in Bideford Bay the buoy tender vessel Galatea, 1,300 tons d.w., owners Trinity House Harwich – she stayed over until about 08.30 on Sunday morning, then sailed towards towards Ilfracombe.

18/6 at 06.33 cargo vessel Hellenic, inward bound for Swansea. At 18.50 vehicle carrier Autosun, 6,670 tons d.w., owners United European Car Carrier Norway, inward bound for Portbury.

19/6 at 08.05 vehicle carrier Amber Arrow, 21,120 tons d.w., owners Ray Car Carriers Israel, inward bound for Portbury. At 09.55 vehicle carrier Victory Leader, 13,363 tons d.w., owners Ray Car Carriers Israel (in Nippon Yusen Kaisha Japan colours) inward bound for Portbury.

20/6 at 12.55 Airbus aircraft parts carrier Ciudad de Cadiz, 3,500 tons d.w,.owners Anita 2 SNC France, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 05.49.

21/6 at 19.15 container ship MSC Koroni, 48,244 tons d.w., owners Waldo Shipping Co Greece, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 14.43.

23/6 at 12.55 vehicle carrier Grande Togo, 26,650 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury.

27/6 at 17.05 cargo vessel Anita, 2,625 tons d.w., owners Anita Vertom UCS B.V. Netherlands, outward bound from Newport having sailed at 11.39.

29/6 at 17.20 vehicle carrier Suzuka Express, 15,154 tons d.w., owners Vroon B.V. Netherlands, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 13.04.

30/6 at 19.10 bulk carrier Weaver Arrow, 51,364 tons d.w., owners Gearbulk Holding Ltd Bermuda, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 13.36.

1/7 at 07.30 cargo vessel Hav Snapper, 2,767 tons d.w., owners Hav Ship Management AS Norway, outward bound from Birdport having sailed at 0025. At 07.45 cargo vessel Prosna, 3,650 tons d.w., owners Prosna Shipping Ltd Poland, outward bound from Birdport having sailed at 00.49. At 08.10 cargo vessel Wilson Harrier, 4,206 tons d.w., owners Wilson A/S Norway, outward bound from Newport having sailed at 02.24. At 14.45 cargo vessel Wave, 4,500 tons d.w., owners Wave B.v. Netherlands, inward bound for Swansea.

2/7 at 14.20 buoy tender vessel Galatea, 1,300 tons d.w., owners Trinity House Harwich, outward bound from Swansea having sailed at 10.59 heading for Teesport. At 14.33 cargo vessel Olza, 2,690 tons d.w., owners Baltramp Shipping SP Z 00 Poland, inward bound for Newport. At 16.18 vehicle carrier Grande Napoli, 13,565 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 11.35.

5/7 at 05.45 cargo vessel Lady Magda, 3,284 tons d.w., owners Magda Netherlands, inward bound for Newport. At 07.10 vehicle carrier Coral Leader, 12,614 tons d.w., owners Nippon Yusen Kaisha Japan, outward bound for Portbury having sailed at 01.51 At 14.15 Ciudad de Cadiz, 3,500 tons d.w., owners Anita 2 SNC France, outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 0746. At 14.33 vehicle carrier Glovis Cougar, 26,532 tons d.w., owners Glovis & Co Ltd South Korea, inward bound for Portbury.

6/7 at 08.43 vehicle carrier Grande Spagne, 12,594 tons d.w., owners Grimaldi Line of Italy, inward bound for Portbury. (Seen again on 7/7 at 08.24 outward bound from Portbury having sailed at 03.49).

7/7 at 19.15 cargo vessel Eems Spring, 2,600 tons d.w., owners Spring B.V Netherlands, inward bound for Briton Ferry .

8/7 at 11.44 tanker Stolt Kittiwake, 4,700 tons d.w., owners Stolt Nielsen Rotterdam, inward bound for Barry. At 17.40 cargo vessel Beaumont, 3,794 tons d.w., owners Faversham Shipping Ltd U.K., changing anchorage from Bideford Bay to Woolacombe Bay, awaiting berth at Briton Ferry. At 17.45 tanker Lillo Swan, 4,800 tons d.w., inward bound for Cardiff.

9/7 at 10.07 cargo vessel Moseldijk, 4,927 tons d.w., owners Moseldijk B.V. Netherlands, inward bound for Sharpness. At 12.00 vehicle carrier Dalian Highway, 21,616 tons d.w., owners Kawasaki Kisen K.K. Japan, inward bound for Portbury.

Regards

Norman.

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“Buzz” subscriptions, for paper copies.

If you’re reading this, obviously you are able to access “Buzz” content online (including our many archived copies, under ‘Downloads’).

If in future you’d like to receive a paper copy through the post every month, to send a copy to friends or family outside the area or overseas, we have a subscription service.

A year’s subscription costs £13, which covers postage (second class) and includes a small contribution to “Buzz”, and comprises eleven copies (Christmas issue is a double edition).

To subscribe, download a form here and return it to the address shown.

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‘Elevation Festival’, Cranford Cross – 5th August.

www.ElevationDevon.uk

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Exmoor Pony Centre “Birthday Bash”, 30th July.

www.exmoorponycentre.org.uk

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‘Bideford Triathlon’, 13th August.

www.twomoors100.co.uk

www.bidefordtriathlon.co.uk

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July’s Youth Page.

The game of life.

The Olympics are a long way off. Mo Farah is still the face of meat supplements first, endurance running second, but when he leaves his bowl of high quality fungal protein alone and once again takes to the track, it will usher in weeks of inescapable sport broadcast across the BBC. If the Gods of Mt. Olympus truly are all-seeing, all they’d see for the best part of a month is running, jumping and a succession of beautiful flags. The Olympics are a great sport showcase, but they do like to dig their claws in. Not all championships are quite this domineering. Much easier to miss are the virtual championships going on right under our nose.

Yet to be taken up by a major broadcaster, eSports have certainly found a niche online. Tens of thousands tune in every day to watch video-gamers in action, mashing at computer keys with the dexterity and bloodlust of a troubled surgeon, all in the hope of sweet victory at the end. As players gear up for summer tournaments, they gear up for bigger prizes too as this year has seen a spike in funding. If you’re a keen ‘League of Legends’ ‘player, for example, then you yourself have contributed to its popularity and thus this season’s lucrative sponsorship deals, which see funds rise to $4 million.

As always, hopes are high and 2017 may be the year that a winner is made in Bideford! The joy of online play is that anyone from anywhere can make a name for themselves, all they need is a computer and an internet connection- or a restaurant with free wifi… (As long as you nurse a coffee they can’t possibly complain.)

The idea of earning a living from games, the same way as a tennis player, or a Formula 1 driver, may take a little getting used to, but a small echelon of people actually manage it. And why shouldn’t they? They are good at what they do and each virtual match inspires the same camaraderie, passion and vindictive hatred as any other sport. This season, we have already seen snapped keyboards, smashed monitors and a cultural smorgasbord of cuss words that would make serial racket-botherer John McEnroe proud. It may not be sportsmanlike, but it sure is fun to watch.

It is a movement to look out for too, as football simulation ‘Fifa 11,’ along with two or more others, are set to be thrown into the Asian Olympics in 2022. Whether or not Japan will include something similar as their demonstration sport at the 2020 Olympics remains to be seen, but this will probably be ‘virtual sport’s last year in the shadows. At the moment, they can only be viewed first hand at Stadiums, or through streaming services like twitch.com. in their own time.

ESports don’t thrust themselves under the spotlight too often, they expect to be sought out and studied.

Volunteer Week.

In other news, Tuesday the 6th was the day of the TTVS charity awards, where special nominees flocked from all over North Devon to the Milky Way tea room to meet one another, share stories over coffee and custard-cream platters and be honoured for their work . It was a real eye-opener meeting other volunteers from the breathtaking range of local charities we have – the Talking Newspaper, who spread word to the blind or partially sighted with the help of hypnotic voiced volunteers; Young carers, giving support to the supportive; Intergr8 – whose members dedicate upwards of 5 days a week to community centres and housing projects; the North Devon display gymnastics club and all they do to inspire the young; TorrAGE ageing well, and many others. New Mayor, Dermot McGeough, also saw in his 16th ceremony so far, handing out awards ( and biscuits) whilst getting to know the volunteers. Here at Youth Page, we came away with an award too – but so much more! We forged links with a lot of these great charities and the people who make them possible – no doubt we’ll be hearing a lot from them all in coming months! A massive ‘congratulations’ to everyone there.

Millie Sutherland O’Gara.

Millie (with Buzz chairman Neil Bennion) receives her award from the Mayor.

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One hundred years ago; July 1917.

Of immediate interest this month is a Notice of Sale of the entire Appledore Gas Works. Established in 1874 on land in a field called Barn Close, which is part of Watertown in the Parish of Northam. The site, leasehold at £4 per annum comprises – “Extensive buildings, Plant and Machinery. Manager’s Dwelling house. Retort House. Smith’s shop. Engine House and stores. 2 complete Gasometers, a Crossley Gas engine and many other tools, furniture and fittings”. All for sale on Thursday next, 19th July 1917, at the Rechabite Hall in Appledore. (The site eventually became part of Hinks’ boatyard.)

To be let at Hallsannery, 26 acres of productive farmland in four separate fields for the next 4 years. The taker is to crop these fields with 2 crops of corn followed by a root crop and then followed by another corn crop. The seeds will be supplied by the landlord. The tenant is to pay all the rates, taxes, and is required to keep all the fences and gates in good repair. The owner reserves the sporting rights.

From an earlier month we reported on the call-up relaxation for farm workers. In this month’s newspaper any worker in full time employ since 31st March this year who receives his call up papers should take them to his employer and the Recruiting officer, who will have them rescinded. Of 500 soldiers held in Exeter, 400 have been placed with farms needing immediate labour. However several have been returned to Barracks because”They could not milk”.

Bideford Guardians in Meddon Street report that the numbers using the Workhouse are the lowest for several years. There are 65 inmates compared with 87 during the same period last year. The committee have accepted a tender for the supply of butter at 2/- per pound, surprising considering the hard times many of the public are experiencing and the Guardians are seeking tenders for the supply of 120 tons of coal for the winter.

At Weare Giffard the strawberry season is over for this year ; most of a considerable crop has been sent to Wales. Mr K P Balson of The Barton has 2 lady assistants on his farm who are doing most useful work. Throughout the village the potato crop has been sprayed and Mr Lock from Locks Beam Farm was relieved to hear that a prize bullock originally presumed drowned in the river Torridge during a flood spate has been found downstream on the other bank among a herd of cows.

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These and many more items of local interest are available to read at the Bideford Community Archive at the Council Offices, Windmill Lane, Northam. Tel: 01237 471714. Open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Website – www.bidefordarchive.org.uk

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Buzz Byte – the Internet & the World Wide Web.

Most of us use it, but what is the World Wide Web (www)? Well it’s certainly not a giant sky-bound spider that cast its home over the Earth!! Though the Internet and the ‘web’ are often referred to as one and the same they are in fact separate entities.

The internet is the ‘device’ that allows you to connect to other computers (at home and across the world), to use the web for research, shopping and social interaction and to search documents that have been shared by other users. It is basically a gigantic networking infrastructure, a pathway of interconnecting networks where computers can communicate with one another. There are billions of computers, globally, connected together via the internet.

The World Wide Web is accessed via the internet and is the space where information is held – the websites that contain the data/images/interactions we use on a daily basis. For the techies the resources accessed via www.addresses are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and are interlinked by hypertext links!!! The World Wide Web (www) was invented in 1989 by English scientist Tim Berners-Lee. If you liken it to a PC, then the Internet is the hardware and the web is the software.

This is the Google data centre which is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA. It is the closest we will get to seeing the internet in a physical form. This site is one of thirteen spread across the globe and is home to the servers that hold users’ data. That Google cloud system you use to backup your data ; well it isn’t in the sky, it’s here! The pipes are thousands of feet long, carry hot air out from the facility and carry processed water for cooling back in; the pipes are colour coded to aid in the process of identifying each pipe.

Nickie Baglow (Complete Computing)

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Buzz Word – July.

The letter in June’s ‘Buzz Word’

I am looking for information on the lane now known as May Hilder Way which is the footpath between Kingsley Terrace and Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! No one, not even Northam Town Council, who named the footpath, seem to know who May Hilder was. Nor is it known who maintains the footpath or who created the original path, although Torridge District Council were approached and asked to maintain it according to the Northam Council Minutes of 3rd June 2003.

I would appreciate any help as the footpath is part of Westward Ho’s past history and its future.

Many thanks

Alan F Fulford.

And the replies

May Hilder.

Just read Alan Fulford’s piece on the mystery of May Hilder. I am astonished the town council has never heard of this lady. May Hilder was extremely well-known in Westward Ho! in the Fifties and Sixties and lived at Atlantic Way, not far from the top of the Beach Road junction on the opposite side. She used to be a live wire with the Follies drama group and, to my knowledge, was involved in many other local activities, such as the Kingsley Hall committee. Indeed, when I started out in journalism around 1960 she was a local contact of mine, not only for the Follies but other newsy bits too. She had a family – her son was a classmate of our daughter at Bideford College.

Graham Andrews.

****

Regarding the article in the June Bideford Buzz about May Hilder. May was the first Pro Warden of our Holy Trinity Church, Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! She was born in 1909 and passed away in 1994. (We have a Harry Juniper Jug in Church with these dates on.) She had been the Mayor of Northam. I am very surprised that Northam Council do not have a record of this. She was also involved in many charity committees and events and attended our Church for many years. She lived in the bungalow in Atlantic Way beside the lane now known as May Hilder Way.

Audrey Harding.

****

I expect by now you have had several letters in response to Alan Fulford’s letter!

Mrs Hilder was a well known figure in Westward Ho! in the 1950s and ’60s. She was President of the Westward Ho! Women’s Institute, a Councillor and Chairman of Northam District Council. I’ve just been down to the Northam Council Offices – there is a photo of Mrs Hilder as Chairman of the Council for the years 1978-1979 and 1986-1987. My on-line research gives her dates from 1909 to 1994.

She, and her family, lived at ‘Point Garry’, which is the house adjacent to May Hilder Way. Her daughter, Nesta, married Danny Ingrouille of Appledore.

I lived in a flat, further along Kingsley Road, in the early 1960s. As far as I can remember, the steep footpath in question was just a rough footpath. It certainly didn’t look as it does today (see photo at top of letters).

Your ‘new’ Buzz is very impressive – a friend remarked on it yesterday!

Cynthia Snowden.

Photo below shows Mrs Hilder as W. I. President at a Halloween evening in October 1961.

(I am the pirate with the eye patch in the photo!)

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3rd July – from Northam Town Council.

We have noted the articles in the last two months’ “Bideford Buzz” concerning May Hilder Way.

Northam Town Council totally refutes the suggestion that it is unaware of May Hilder. Her name is shown on our Honours Boards in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, once as Chairman of the Northam Urban District Council and twice as Mayor of Northam Town Council. Both Members and staff are well aware of her and the contribution she made to the area.

Jane Mills,

Mrs M J Mills, MILCM,

Town Clerk,

Northam Town Council.

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Burton Art Gallery : July.

As if having Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine and the Clangers at the Burton last year wasn’t enough, we now can enjoy another children’s favourite – Roald Dahl’s ‘Big Friendly Giant‘!

Children will love the 35 drawings by Quentin Blake of Sophie and the Giant, but adults can also learn something of the process by which an artist of his standing takes on a commission of this size and importance. Some drawings have never been seen before, as Blake made many preparatory sketches before he was satisfied they were right for the text. Fun for everyone from 15th July to 1st October.

When you see sculptures of the human (male) body in many different forms, such as wire or metal, the first artist you might think of is Anthony Gormley, as his most famous example is the ‘Angel of the North.’ Another well known creation is a group of figures spaced out on Crosby Beach, as if walking to the sea. He also created prints, using etchings and aquatints, which will be on show at the Burton. This collection of his work comes to the Burton from 22nd July until 8th September.

Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm.

Diana Warmington,

Friends of the Burton Art Gallery & Museum.

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