Heritage Harbour Blog

North Devon Journal

The River Torridge Heritage Group has been contributing this column in the North Devon Journal since December 2023. The column was previously written by the late Peter Christie, who did so much to research and promote the history and heritage of Bideford and North Devon.

The column follows a similar style with historical themed stories mixed with local politics and community interest.

The River Torridge Heritage Group is a partnership of local heritage organisations led by Way of the Wharves

Columns are copied here after publication

  • Pottery in Bideford NDJ 27/02/25

    We are all aware of Bideford’s outstanding pottery heritage, but it is not very evident in the town or celebrated publicly. A Millenium project a generation ago sought to remedy this by constructing a replica bottle kiln in Victoria Park, next to the Burton Art Gallery. Although it was somewhat smaller than the many kilns…

  • Conservation NDJ 20/02/25

    What is the correct balance between conserving our heritage and encouraging investments which improve the town? When Brend Hotels put forward their application to convert the building on Bideford Station platform into holiday accommodation, there were howls of protest from residents, but the council decided that the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Of course we need…

  • Regeneration NDJ 13/02/25

    Regeneration of our town centres is high on everyone’s wish list, so it was interesting to see a new report just published that sets out twelve principles for reviving our town centres.  It is of particular interest to the River Torridge Heritage Group as it strongly advocates celebrating local history and culture. The report is entitled…

  • Eliza Honey and the Bideford Gazette NDJ 06/02/25

    Picture the scene, the date is late 1855, a young married couple in their 20s are heading purposefully up Market St towards their new business.  It is the Bideford Gazette newspaper.  The couple are soberly dressed as befits members of the Wesleyan Church community. The Honeys, for this is who they are, Thomas and Eliza, are newly…

  • Local News and the Talking Newspaper NDJ 30/01/25

    Stuart has been blind since he was a young man. He and his black retriever guide dog are regular walkers along the Tarka Trail. Guide dogs stop working at about eight years old and, as his dog is nearing that age, Stuart has recently heard that he should be prepared for his dog to go…

  • Lundy the early leaders in wind generated electricity NDJ 23/01/25

    Lundy Island commands an important strategic position in the sea lanes between south Wales, the north coasts of Devon and Cornwall and the Western Approaches. Its history includes occupation by pirates, contested ownership and poor governance and it was only formally recognised as part of Devon in 1974.  In 1986 the seas around Lundy were…

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