Thursday 7 April 2022

Bideford Railway Trails. End of the line.

Below is one of the views passengers would see while waiting to alight from the train arriving at the platform Bideford. I can imagine them stepping off the carriage and being greeted by the staff from the Royal Hotel which could be accessed from the trackside. Opposite the hotel by the river is Brunswick Wharf, home berth for many years to the iconic Top Sail Schooner 'Kathleen and May'. The wharf and building has been cleared recently cleared in readiness for the 'Brunswick Wharf Regeneration'. >Pic 2 is the iconic hotel rising up from the platform. Welcome to Bideford.

The railway from Barnstaple to Bideford was opened in 1855 but was sadly closed to regular passengers in October 1965 as part of the notorious Beeching Report. The line from Barnstaple-Torrington-Meeth remained open for freight traffic until 1982. The railway track was lifted in 1985 and the whole of line was purchased by Devon County Council and converted into the now popular Tarka Trail Footpath & Cycleway. The Bideford & Instow Railway Group was set up in 1988 and has worked hard since that date to restore the Bideford Station site. The Bideford Railway Heritage Centre is situated here

Bideford Long Bridge view from the Tarka Trail. Photo copyright Pat Adams

Bideford Railway - Photo copyright Pat Adams (North Devon Focus) AA Rights Reserved
The Royal Hotel rising up from the Bideford Railway platform. Photo copyright Pat Adams
Bideford Railway Heritage Centre- Photo copyright Pat Adams (North Devon Focus) AA Rights Reserved Bideford Railway Heritage Centre on the Tarka Trail, Bideford. Photo copyright Pat Adams

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Bideford Railway Tracks Blog Post Click Here

Kathleen and May Maritime Heritage Links and the Duke of Edinburgh - Click Here

Explore Bideford Railway Station and the Tarka Trail with the North Devon Focus - Click Here

Join Pat's North Devon Focus on

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About: "Kathleen and May is the last remaining British built wooden hull three masted top sail schooner. Registered in Bideford, North Devon, but presently based in Liverpool, she is listed as part of the National Historic Fleet." (>wikipedia)
About: Brunwick Wharf Regeneration > "A beautiful new quayside development, featuring apartments, design studios, retail and restaurants"

Friday 11 March 2022

Community Spirit. Get ready for an action-packed Bideford Soapbox Derby 2022

We have all seen the one on T.V, well get ready for Bideford’s very own version of the Soapbox Derby packed with all the spills and thrills, carnage and calamities that come with a derby. Come and witness man and his handbuilt machine battle it out to be crowned champion of the steep Bideford High Street course, whilst skilfully driving up, over and around stratigically placed obstacles all in aid of charity.

With a stage, live music, food, drink and stalls for all to enjoy come along, watch the action unfold and be a part of BSBD amazing journey and enjoy the “jaw dropping” action for free!

Bideford Soapbox Derby 19th June 2022 from 12 until finish
In aid of a great charity ChemoHero.

The fantastic photos showing the real community spirit of the colourful event above were captured at the 2021 event by Andy Francis, Tarkography

To Enter please email for an application pack: it is filling up fast.
If you want a stall, sponsor the event or have an advert in our program please
Email bidefordsoapboxderby@gmail.com
Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo copyright Tarkatography by Andy Francis (All Rights Reserved)Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo copyright Tarkatography by Andy Francis (All Rights Reserved)Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo copyright Tarkatography by Andy Francis (All Rights Reserved)
Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo copyright Tarkatography by Andy Francis (All Rights Reserved)Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - Photo credit Andy Francis

Bideford Soapbox Derby
About Bideford Soapbox Derby
This is a community event raising funds for ChemoHero. The event would not be possible without the support from family, friends, volunteers, businesses and everyone involved! ,
 
Contact BSBD

Email: bidefordsoapboxderby@gmail.com
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Twitter: @bidefordsoapbox

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Bideford SoapBox Derby 2021 - All photos copyright Andy Francis Tarkatography (All Rights Reserved)

Tuesday 22 February 2022

Happy Twosday

Whatever way up the 22nd February 2022 is a very special day. A "Once in a lifetime" day and there won't be another one like it for 200 years.

Palindrone Day is when the day’s date can be read the same way forwards or backwards.

I looked out the window to see the moon setting around 8am and took a shot of the golden sky at sundown.

Happy #twosday 2222222

Male Bullfinch -  bright sight for a special day #22222

 He’s weathered the storms. A bright sight for a special day #22222.-

Happy #twosday 2222222. Watching the sun going down on Palindrome Day
Happy #twosday 2222222. Watching the sun going down on Palindrome Day

HAPPY NEWS

22.02.2022: social media gets excited over palindrome ‘Twosday’ >The Guardian