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

  • Time and tide NDJ 4/07/24 

    In Bideford, we are conscious every day of the movement of the tide. Here on the edge of the Bristol Channel, the river Torridge enjoys one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. Tidal range is the difference in height between low and high tide. The only place with a larger tidal range is…

  • Planned demolition of collar factory building NDJ 27/06/24

    Among the many services the late Peter Christie performed for Bideford was the publication of an excellent book on our collar industry. From the 1870s to the 1920s, generations of local people – mainly women – worked in factories producing detachable starched collars which were sold all over the UK and as far afield as…

  • Arts culture heritage at Bideford Fair NDJ 13/06/24

    Saturday 8 June marked a highlight in the Bideford events calendar. Bideford Fair, put on by Bideford Town Council, is a premier local event and brings our community out and together for an excellent fun packed day. The weather was glorious and there was something for everyone. Local community events are so important in maintaining…

  • From Morocco to Alverdiscott – big clean energy story NDJ 06/06/24

    There have been public consultations this week about the plan by Xlinks to bring massive amounts of solar and wind-generated power to the UK from Morocco. The scheme promises to provide 8% of Britain’s electricity needs and to make a substantial contribution to the transition away from fossil fuels, supplying 7 million homes with clean…

  • In memoriam: Peter Christie NDJ 29/02/24

    It was typical of the late great Peter Christie to write his own obituary. It is typically modest, factual, and understated, especially in relation to the mass of tributes which poured on to Facebook sites from Holsworthy to Ilfracombe. As this was Peter’s column, it is only fitting for us to fill the gaps with…

  • Activity on the Quay NDJ 15/02/24

    Some of us woke the other morning to find that an exceptionally high spring tide – 6.7 metres – had flooded the development site at Brunswick Wharf. The huge area of water made a pretty sight in the winter sunshine, but it also raises questions about the robustness of our flood defences as the earth…

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