Charities

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Bideford Bridge Trust - The Leases

The Indentures, or leases, many of which date back to the early 1690s are made between the Mayor and Feoffees of the Bridge Trust and the lessee. The lease was for the land and invariably for a term of 99 years; determinable on the deaths of the lessee and usually two other 'lives'. Thus, as each person named as a 'life' in the lease dies, another lease for 99 years is drawn up. A fine or heriot, usually of 3/4d, has to be paid and a new name added within two years or the property can be claimed by the feoffees. The lives named were usually those of children or close relatives but sometimes well-known persons such as the Prince of Wales would be named. At the making of a new lease a 'consideration' - approximately two years rentable value of the house, as determined by two independent assessors, - was paid by the lessee. Although the lease was for the land only, the Feoffees laid down strict rules regarding the type of house that was to be built and its maintenance. Early leases stipulated that should the lessee allow the house to fall into disrepair or fail to pay the rent within a given number of days after the quarterly date, the house would become the property of the Feoffees. To ensure that proper maintenance was carried out, a workman or representative of the Feoffees could inspect property. About 1820 a clause was inserted into the leases stating that property would be examined twice yearly and that any repairs over 20/- must be put right within six months. There is evidence in later documents that these inspections were carefully carried out and the repair stipulation rigidly adhered to. In the late 1800s the 'lives' were discontinued and replaced by a term of 100 years.

Jill's Balloon Was The Winner

Jill's Balloon Was The Winner - 12th September 1975

The winning balloon in a race organised by Bideford Lions Club last month from Bideford water carnival and the North Devon Agricultural Show was released by Mis Jill Cleverdon, of Hankford, Bulkworthy. It reached Edinburgh. The helium filled balloons were returned from many areas including Lundy, Wales, Tamworth and Southport. But one balloon only reached Mill Street, Bideford.

Gifts And Tributes To The Torridge Hospital

Gifts And Tributes To The Torridge Hospital - 11th August 1972

Bideford Torridge Hospital's new £4,500 sun lounge provided a much needed amenity and they were grateful to all those who had made it possible, said Mr J C Woolley, group secretary of the North Devon Hospital Management Committee, at the official opening of the lounge.
The capital cost of £4,500 had been met by the Regional Hospital Board, he said, and the Hartland fund had met the cost of the furnishings. Anonymous donors had also contributed an electric clock and tables.
Dr William Ruddock, opening the lounge, revealed that he had been professionally associated with the hospital for some 35 years. The nurses treated the patients with affection and understanding, he said. A fine example had been set them by former matron Mrs J Morris and the present matron, Mrs M D Ray, who had done more than anyone to make the hospital what it was.
He wished the Torridge many more years of enterprise and success. They were already proud of the hospital but the addition of the sun lounge made them even more so.
Mr Leslie Aplin, vice-chairman of the Exeter Hospital Aid Society, presented the hospital with a television set for use in the lounge. Money for it had been raised by the local committee under their chairman, Mrs Arnold, said Mr Aplin, and he warmly thanked both her and the committee for their work.
Following the ceremony the hospital was open for inspection during the afternoon.