Bideford 500 – what is it, what does it aspire to achieve, who supports and who works for it?
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Bideford 500 was born out of a smaller Pilot Project which was developed and supported by a group of like minded people and brought to life by Pauline Smith, a local researcher and writer. Pauline was employed by the Pilot to undertake a specific piece of research and present her findings back to the Pilot’s funders and to as many local people as possible. During this time Pauline also collaborated with Tony Koorlander to make short film that could demonstrate the many untapped opportunities that the town presented. This film was shown along with the earlier mentioned research to several audiences. |
The particular focus of Pauline’s work, and indeed the continuing work of Bideford 500 being delivered over the next two years, is on the last 500 years of the town’s history and heritage. Bideford 500 is particularly fortunate to have Dr Mark Horton, a Reader in Archaeology at the University of Bristol and one of the ’Coast’ Team of BBC fame as its President. Mark’s support for the Project came about after he’d spoken at a Manor Court Ceremony in 2008 where he gave a Talk that clearly indicated that Bideford’s significant past was not being celebrated as it should. Bideford 500 continues today as a Constituted Project supported by an enthusiastic Committee intent on celebrating and promoting those 500 years between the 16th and 20th century in Bideford.
Heritage Day
The Heritage day is the first of what the Project hopes will become an Annual event and one of many which will help the local people and visitors alike, to discover and enjoy the town’s important and unique history. It has already considered the mystery of the ‘Lost Colony’ on Roanoke Island in North Carolina; the importance of the Pottery and Tobacco trades and how Bideford became a hugely significant port. The adventures of Grenville and Raleigh and the development of Bideford’s maritime and shipbuilding heritage; the trial of the Bideford Witches; the amazing stories of Bideford during World War 2 and its relationships with the American GI’s; and the building of the Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway.
Who to contact - Sadie Green, Bideford 500 Project Development Worker.
Sadie and the Committee are looking to work with and train volunteers to get involved and learn about Bideford’s Heritage. If you would like to know more, are interested in volunteering, getting involved or sharing your knowledge, please contact Sadie by email at:
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or call 01237 428871 (Thursdays)
call 07855 760411 (Wednesdays & Thursdays).
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This project is part-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for |
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This work Copyright © by Bideford 500 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.
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