REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE AND CHURCH SERVICE
Following the Meeting of the Staffing, Finance and General Purposes Committee of the Council on 8 October 2020, it was resolved that the Town Council will not be organising a parade or service this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, although the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be laying wreaths.
The Mayor has stated,
“Given the impact of COVID-19 on so many events it should come as no surprise that the Town Council has changed its usual plan for Remembrance Sunday. I, as Mayor, will be laying a wreath on behalf of the Town at the war memorial in Victoria Park but there will be no band present and none of the usual contingents from local clubs and organisations. Those who wish to lay wreaths will be asked to stagger their arrival times to avoid the build-up of a large crowd. It is sad but in the current situation it is the sensible thing to do.”
Please, when laying wreaths do so within Government directives (social distance, numbers).
The budget that is usually spent on Remembrance Sunday will be given to a Veteran’s charity.
BIDEFORD’S OLD TOWN WILL BE BLOOMING LOVELY
Bideford Town Council and Devon County Council have worked hard together to come up with a long term solution to parking issues in Old Town, which will create a floral gateway to Clovelly Road.
Town Councillor for West Ward, David Ratcliff and Devon County Councillor Tony Inch have worked with Highways and the Town Council Maintenance Team to provide 9 very smart planters which have been installed along the pavements. Councillor Tony Inch remarked “It was a pleasure to provide the majority of the funding from my Locality Grant for this project. We have had a problem with illegal parking along the pavements of Old Town for some time and the planters will provide a bright and colourful way of avoiding this” he added “all measures have been taken to ensure there is space for mobility scooters and wheelchairs to move freely along the pavements”.
Councillor Ratcliff was pleased with the result “This is a marvellous achievement for us which, to be honest, would have been put in place earlier, but due to the lockdown we have been a bit later with the project. It’s not the best time for flowering plants but we have hundreds of bulbs planted which will give a delightful show in the Spring”.
Mayor Peter Christie added “This is a great initiative and is an example of how Town and County Councils can work together with positive results”.
COMMEMORATING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF PIMLICO AND PROVIDENCE PLACE
Bideford has many secrets, as we know, and we can rely upon our local historian and current Mayor of Bideford, Councillor Peter Christie, to unearth wonderful gems from the Town’s history.
The plaque has been installed in a very fitting place – on the wall of No 1 Providence Row, and our grateful thanks go to the owners of that property for their permission to do this.
Councillor Christie explained “Bideford escaped the worst of the 1960s 'slum clearances' but one area did disappear - the two rows of houses known as Pimlico & Providence Place between the High Street and Honestone Street”. He added “On discovering this piece of history I was compelled to commission this plaque to record the presence and appearance of the houses.”
The plaque features maps and photographs which explains where these two rows of houses were originally sited.
CORONAVIRUS 2020
How it has affected this Town Council.
Currently, in light of Government and Health Executive guidelines, Bideford Town Council has cancelled all forthcoming meetings until further notice.
The officers of this Council are working from home, where they can, and the preferred method of contact is email, although there will be someone to answer telephone calls at most times during the day on 01237 428817. Just click on the Contact link to email us or get in contact with your Ward Councillor.
During this terrible time, the Maintenance Team have elected to carry on working, where possible and will be on standby to work with local voluntary organisations should they be required. In the meantime they will observe the 2m rule and work on projects around Bideford that keep them outside and away from the public.
ALLOTMENTS:
Our Allotment sites are open to plot holders and according to Government advice, gardeners are encouraged to tend their plots BUT must adhere to the 2 metre rule and ensure that they sanitise their hands and the gate locks when entering the sites.
Remember that the virus is spread easily so try not to use other gardener’s tools... The weather is great for gardening at the moment and you will reap your rewards later on.
At this time it can be confusing and worrying for us all - for information on what the Council is doing click on the Coronavirus tab in the top main menu.
For more comprehensive and specific information on COVID 19, Coronavirus, or need to know what local services are available from our District Authority please click on the Torridge District Council link.
Devon County Council also provide information on their Community Support Page.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/
INTRODUCING THE MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR
On Thursday, 16 May, the full Town Council elected the Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor for 2019-2020. Councillor Peter Christie was elected Mayor for the year and Councillor Ruth Craigie was elected Deputy Mayor for the same period of time.
Councillor Peter Christie, representing Bideford North Ward on the Town Council, is a semi-retired teacher, well-known local historian and author of historical books. He is the longest serving councillor on Bideford Town Council, and has previously served as Mayor of Bideford in 1985-1986 and 2004-2005.
Councillor Ruth Craigie was elected as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Craigie, representing Bideford East Ward, has been a serving councillor on Bideford Town Council since 2015.
