OVER the 50 years since its founding by Louise Prideaux and her daughter Margaret Frost (Bude's Citizen of the year 2011), Northcott Tea Gardens has operated from a small converted caravan.

Now run by Margaret she has taken the momentous step to modernise the facilities with a new larger caravan at the same unique location 100 yards back from Northcott beach, Bude.

On Tuesday, January 31, with the old caravan having been removed and a new concrete base laid; a high lift crane was bought in by H&C Crane hire to lift the new caravan off the trailer, across onto the base.

Having first strengthened the picturesque stone bridge, with steel plates and a topping of gravel, to allow the access, the crane was positioned and the stabilising legs locked down. The caravan was brought alongside and hoists attached.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.