East
-the-
Water

Some community organisations active in East-the-Water

East-the-Water is governed by Devon County Council, Torridge District Council, and Bideford Town Council. Local news coverage is provided by the North Devon Gazette and the Devon Liver (North Devon Journal) and the Bideford Buzz. The following are a number of other organisations that, through their regular activities, are serving the needs of the community of East-the-Water.

White painted church frontage There is a monthly Messy Church for adults and accompanied children. There are a range of churches on the west of the river, some of which have small groups that meet in East-the-Water. These include Bideford Baptist; Bideford Methodist; St. Mary's Anglican; Lavington URC; Central Church. The Bethel, in Torrington Street, has ceased meeting, but has been transferred to Central Church. As of Feb 2023, it remains unclear what use will be made of The Bethel in future.
General view of school buildings East-the-Water Primary School has an excellent reputation in the local community. The OFSTED figures for 2012/2013 indicate that 95% of parents would be happy to recommend the school, whilst the Department of Education's 2015 results page for the school indicated "there is no statistically better performing school in this group that is within a 75 mile radius."
Children's playground and range of buildings The Pollyfield Community Centre offer a regular program of community activities.
Flowers and newly planted trees Bideford Sustainability Group (also on Facebook) promote sustainable living in the local area. As part of that objective they maintain an allotment and a Community Orchard beside the Tarka Trail. The trees include less often grown varieties such as Quince.
Group of retirement bungalows Westward Housing Group (as Tarka Housing) manage local sheltered housing projects including housing at Chubb Churchill and Ethelwynne Brown Close.
People examining a display

Bideford Bay Creatives develop community based creative projects and are responsible for a range of events and public art in Bideford. In 2016 they launched the Way of the Wharves Project, to discover and celebrate local and historical connections to the East-the-Water wharves, including Brunswick Wharf. Way of the Wharves now continues similar aims as an independent charity.
Group of walkers with Torridge behind

Torridge Walk and Talk, a local Walking for Health group, offer weekly walks from East-the-Water, which provide an opportunity for light exercise with the company of others. 

Bed full of Colourful Wildflowers

By planting a mix of horticultural and native varieties, in various settings throughout the community, the volunteers of East-the-Water in Bloom are seeking to increase both the attractiveness and the biodiversity of the community spaces. As part of this they are establishing a wildflower walk, to run through the community, making use of plantings on various verges.

Shield with a representation of the bridge at the top and then the club colours quartered with a football and #SSR, encircled by the club name, and Est. 1965S Shamwickshire Rovers are the local football team. Established in 1965, by 2016 they were in the Premier division of the North Devon Gazette Football League. Despite that, the club ceased to play. The team is now re-established and using the upgraded pitch at Pollyfield.

There is a Community Pantry at the Pollyfield site

Bideford BMX Club operate the BMX track at Pollyfield

Bideford Boxing Club have a centre at Pollyfield

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