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

  • Lifeboats anniversary and Jane Hannah MacDonald III NDJ 29/05/25

    On 4 May Appledore hosted the 200-year celebration of the RNLI. The day was fine and in the morning sunshine everyone could visit the Mollie Hunt, Appledore’s Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, brought along the quay while the tides were high. As people stood looking at the modern boat, all technology gleaming, leaflets were handed out to…

  • Port of Bideford NDJ 22/05/25

    We have heard a lot recently about ships bringing in cargoes of animal feed and wood pellets that have been docking at New Quay, Appledore – previously Harland and Wolff and now owned by Spanish company Navantia. Some have questioned why these cargoes have not been discharged in Bideford. There are some good reasons for…

  • Richmond Dock Appledore NDJ 15/05/25

    The recent planning application by the owners of Richmond Dock, Appledore has understandably generated a lot of discussion locally. The Wheatcroft Collection, claiming to be the largest collection of Second World War vehicles and artefacts in private hands, purchased Richmond Dock in 2020 in order to house their collection of boats and maritime artefacts, including…

  • VE Day 08/05/25

    The announcement that WW2 has ended in Europe was broadcast to the British people over the radio late on 7 May 1945. The BBC interrupted its scheduled programming with a news flash announcing that Victory in Europe Day would be a national holiday, taking place on 8 May.   Bideford & District Community Archive has…

  • Fish in the Archives NDJ 01/05/25

    A photograph that turned up in the Bideford and District Community Archive shows a man and a fish. The man has a late 1960s hairstyle, with a fringe and his hair growing over his ears. It’s reminiscent of the early Beatles and he’s wearing an arran pattern sweater – very fashionable at the time. The…

  • Rolle Canal – heritage and climate change NDJ 24/04/25

    Climate change brings many challenges and Rosemoor Gardens, Torrington have found a way to reduce their use of mains water for irrigation by working with heritage.  The Rolle Canal may not be the oldest heritage site locally, but at seven miles length it can lay claim to being the longest. The canal was built by…

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