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At least 250 people filled the Quay to witness the firing of a replica historic cannon which heralded the start of Bideford’s second Heritage Day, an Elizabethan Pageant, in July 2011. In Elizabethan England, the late 1500’s and early 1600’s, Bideford’s town and port flourished and it was a boom town. Under the leadership of the then Lord of the Manor, Sir Richard Grenville, Colonists were settling in America; the Spanish Armada was being fought; there was a massive pottery export and tobacco import trade; and a fishing trade with Newfoundland. All of this contributed to prosperity and a sense of adventure with maritime and shipbuilding skills being at a premium. |
The large procession of townsfolk and school children, many in Elizabethan costume, and visitors alike followed Sir Richard Grenville, the Mayor and town crier past Bideford’s 13th century Longbridge to St Mary’s Church. Here Sir Richard spoke of Rawley, the native North American Indian, who was brought to Bideford in 1586 and baptised a Christian in this church. Sadly, a year later along with Grenville’s daughter, he died and was buried here.
The procession marched to the sound of a costumed drummer, and other Elizabethan musicians, along Allhalland St and Mill Street ending up at the square in front of the Baptist Church. Here, with the authentic smell of a roasting hog filling the air. Prizes were given out for the best costumes and banners, all generously donated by local traders.
All afternoon, visitors to the town were treated to guided heritage walks, demonstrations of Elizabethan life, Elizabethan music on traditional instruments including a hury gurdy, dance and cameo plays. Many of the local restaurants and cafés were offering special menus for the day and the feedback so far was that it was the busiest Saturday of the year!
Congratulations to the prize winners for Elizabethan costume, they were:
Daisy Burnell, Kingsley school
Olivia Jordan, East-the-Water school
Harry Edwards, Kingsley school
Simon and Fiona Woolcott
East-the-Water school (biggest banner)
Jacob Davies, Kingsley school (best banner)
Thanks to all who made the day special including traders who donated prizes: Walter Henry’s bookshop, Blazeys café, Bideford Pottery, Serendipity Bistro Bar, Craftihands and Polypress
Bideford 500 committee and volunteers, Peter Hood, Kingsley School, East-the-Water school, John Hextall and Lisa Sture, Bart’a T, Rosie Burns, PastPresent, Welcome Spinners, Mayor Trevor Johns, Steve Clarke, Chris from the Bideford Youth Pipe Band, St Mary’s Church, Bideford Baptist Church, TTVS, Bideford Co-op, Kopy Kat printers and Chopes
Heritage Day 2011