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

  • Bideford Manor Court 2025 NDJ 27/03/25

    What a collection of ceremonial regalia was in evidence when Bideford’s Manor Court met in the Town Hall last Saturday 15 March! Bideford Town Band played in the balcony and welcomed the Mayor in full regalia, a bewigged Town Clerk, Beadle, Town Crier, councillors and guests, including Chair of Torridge District Council and Mayors from…

  • Bideford Isolation Hospital NDJ 20/03/25

    With disputes about funding for North Devon District Hospital in the news, and a proposal to create a community health and wellbeing hub at Bideford Hospital, it is interesting to remember that hospital provision in the past was not free of controversy.  Volunteers from Bideford Community Archive write that Bideford Isolation Hospital was first established…

  • Shaped by the tides NDJ 13/03/25

    When the Bideford Manor Court met in the Town Hall in March 2024 there were a number of ‘presentments’ considered by the jury. These included cleaning the Kingsley statue by Victoria Park (completed within a couple of months) and celebrating the recognition, by the Maritime Heritage Trust in January of that year, of Bideford and…

  • Archaeology and heritage NDJ 06/03/25

    How far back does heritage go? A call for volunteers to take part in new archaeological investigations at Godborough Castle outside Bideford and Wrangworthy Cross (East Putford) reminds us that Torridge has plenty of pre-history – it’s not just about World War II and the Spanish Armada. A stone row on Isley Marsh, almost completely…

  • 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…

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