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When British Summer Time began at 1am on Sunday 30 March, news stories mentioned not only that evenings would be longer but that the time of daybreak would vary across the United Kingdom. It is some twenty-five minutes earlier in London to the east than Londonderry in the west. The Bideford dawn occurs eight minutes…
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As the summer season approaches, it is good to recall that the quays, wharves and banks of the river Torridge have always been the focus for regattas, galas, markets and celebrations. Generations of children learned to swim by Bideford Bridge and there was even horse racing on the sand exposed at low tide along the…
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What a collection of ceremonial regalia was in evidence when Bideford’s Manor Court met in the Town Hall last Saturday 15 March! Bideford Town Band played in the balcony and welcomed the Mayor in full regalia, a bewigged Town Clerk, Beadle, Town Crier, councillors and guests, including Chair of Torridge District Council and Mayors from…
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With disputes about funding for North Devon District Hospital in the news, and a proposal to create a community health and wellbeing hub at Bideford Hospital, it is interesting to remember that hospital provision in the past was not free of controversy. Volunteers from Bideford Community Archive write that Bideford Isolation Hospital was first established…
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When the Bideford Manor Court met in the Town Hall in March 2024 there were a number of ‘presentments’ considered by the jury. These included cleaning the Kingsley statue by Victoria Park (completed within a couple of months) and celebrating the recognition, by the Maritime Heritage Trust in January of that year, of Bideford and…
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How far back does heritage go? A call for volunteers to take part in new archaeological investigations at Godborough Castle outside Bideford and Wrangworthy Cross (East Putford) reminds us that Torridge has plenty of pre-history – it’s not just about World War II and the Spanish Armada. A stone row on Isley Marsh, almost completely…
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We are all aware of Bideford’s outstanding pottery heritage, but it is not very evident in the town or celebrated publicly. A Millenium project a generation ago sought to remedy this by constructing a replica bottle kiln in Victoria Park, next to the Burton Art Gallery. Although it was somewhat smaller than the many kilns…
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What is the correct balance between conserving our heritage and encouraging investments which improve the town? When Brend Hotels put forward their application to convert the building on Bideford Station platform into holiday accommodation, there were howls of protest from residents, but the council decided that the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Of course we need…
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Regeneration of our town centres is high on everyone’s wish list, so it was interesting to see a new report just published that sets out twelve principles for reviving our town centres. It is of particular interest to the River Torridge Heritage Group as it strongly advocates celebrating local history and culture. The report is entitled…
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Picture the scene, the date is late 1855, a young married couple in their 20s are heading purposefully up Market St towards their new business. It is the Bideford Gazette newspaper. The couple are soberly dressed as befits members of the Wesleyan Church community. The Honeys, for this is who they are, Thomas and Eliza, are newly…
