Spain – Bideford and River Torridge Heritage Harbour

Port of Bideford NDJ 22/05/25

May 23, 2025

appledore, Bideford, buoys, Cargo ships, Harland&Wolff, MT, navantia, navigation, Spain

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…

Will the Spanish buy Appledore Shipyard? NDJ 31/10/2024

Oct 31, 2024

Uncategorized

belfast, Harland&Wolff, history, navantia, Spain, TT

Shipbuilding Harland and Wolff Whilst we all want shipbuilding at Appledore to continue, the news that Spanish shipbuilder Navantia is in line to buy Harland and Wolff has had a mixed reception. Some say it should be the UK Government that should step in to safeguard a national industry. In Belfast, there is a particularly…

Bideford and Barnstaple Ports in History NDJ 19/01/24

Jan 19, 2024

Uncategorized

Barnstaple, Bideford, cloth, exports, France, Mariners, Merchants, Northam, Ports, Spain, Spanish Armada, TT

Which was the more important port historically, Bideford or Barnstaple? A cartoon in Barnstaple library suggests the question has been a matter of longstanding rivalry. But historical records show that we were closely connected and very much part of the same economic system. Two types of records from 1582 – only nine years after Bideford…