Well, it has been another busy year for BH!
Here are just some of the things we’ve been up to:
On the website:
We have published a third article from Dave Robbins in the ‘Born and Raised’ series, a number of articles by Hilary Davies about Pook the builder (he was also Postmaster, Parish Councillor and Fire Chief), his family and works within the Parish, a very popular article by Colin Back about the Central Garage and the first in a series of articles by Pat Yesin about the Bishopsteignton Players in the early 2000s.
Over 3000 items and 5000 images have been added to the online catalogue.
Talks and events:
In April the RSPB gave a presentation entitled “Cirl Buntings in South Devon – Rare Nature on your Doorstep” for this year’s Molly Coombe talk. A fascinating insight into conservation work being carried out within our Parish. Ticket proceeds were split between the RSPB and Bishopsteignton youth organisations.
In October a talk “A walk through the village” was given to the residents of Bishopsteignton House by Dave Robbins and Colin Back, ably assisted by new recruit Mel Deeks using a slideshow of images taken from our online catalogue.
This was a warm up for the highly successful “An Evening with Colin and Dave” in November. This entertaining and humorous trip down memory lane saw the duo share reminiscences and history of the village that included many in the audience. Tickets sold out almost immediately and a second performance is planned for March 2025. Nearly £500 was raised benefiting the Memory Café and Community Centre.
Produced by the BH Team the event represented a collaboration between us, the Players, Community Centre, Pantomime Society and Village Hall. Special thanks go to James Day for his over and above assistance with sound, lighting and bar.
Exhibitions:
Collaboration with other organisations also played a large part in two of the exhibits we put together during the year. We also started to use the Hawkins Room at the Community Centre for it’s greater accessibility.
We created a 1940s/D-Day exhibit in June in honour of the 80th anniversary. As well as featuring a taste of what life was like in Bishopsteignton in the 1940s, we were able to display some of the work carried out by the fabulous Knit&tinK under the guidance, inspiration and leadership of Caroline Martin-Early. In addition to their famous knitted Spitfire there were installations representing the soldiers who took part in the landings, including a portrayal of Gold Beach complete with authentic skyline. Some of the 1940’s material went on to the Old Commercial where it was on display for the following few weeks.
September saw the Bishopsteignton Players’s 65th Anniversary providing us the opportunity of gathering new material from members present and past as well as sharing some of the content from our archive. Colin Back, who was in the room when it all began in 1959 was on hand as well as some of the current casts and crew to tell their stories.
This year, as in previous years, we added new material to our November Remembrance Display. This time around we shone a light on Kenneth Arthur Wallis, brother of previously featured WWI casualty, Clifford Wallis. Kenneth served in and survived World War II. He and his wife, nurse Olive (née Skinner), were bombed out of their house in Teignmouth before returning to Bishopsteignton in 1942.
Making Movies:
We worked with students Emily Hartley and Ed Ford to produce some informative videos that were then distributed across various social media networks.
Molly Coombe Photo Competition
Judging has just taken place and winners will be announced shortly. Look out for a presentation date in the New Year.
Arts Council Museum Accreditation
Bishopsteignton Heritage has been accepted as “working towards” Arts Council Museum Accreditation status. Once achieved this will signify that we are recognised as having adopted and are working to the same standards that the top museums in the country adhere to in their working practices.
Hub Team and Trustees
Our team of researchers and volunteers continues to grow, helping us to acquire and share ever more stories, images and information. We are entertaining increasing numbers of regular and occasional visitors to the Hub – some from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. We are continually answering queries about people and places sent in by email.
Our Trustee team has seen some changes this year with Chairman John Parkes stepping down after a lot of hard work progressing the organisation, John Reynolds moving into the position from his role as treasurer. Steve Roberts (now treasurer), Sally White and most recently Lewis Myers have joined us, bringing a diverse set of skills and experience further enhancing the team.
We also marked with great sadness the passing of former trustee and treasurer Nigel Edwards. We very much appreciate the hard work and dedication he gave in support of our organisation.
Looking forward to 2025
We have several exciting projects lined up for the new year – be on the look out for new articles, 1000s more entries to the online catalogue, exhibitions, interviews, videos, the Molly Coombe Annual Talk, Colin and Dave part II, competitions and much more. We will be in touch shortly with news of what to expect and how you can join in.
We have opportunities for people of all ages to join the team and get involved in research, photography, videography, website design & development, social media and the museum industry, for all of which we provide training and support. Do not hesitate to contact us whether you want to develop new skills, want something of note on a CV or just have time to spend doing something creative, rewarding and worthwhile. Already have skills? – we would like to hear from you too!
Please remember we always want to hear your stories and see your pictures, videos, documents and other memorabilia – we have an ever increasing audience that want to share in that too.
Whether you join the team, just want to bring along a photo to share or want to learn more about the people, events, places and environment of our wonderful village you will be most welcome – we rely upon the contribution of the people of the parish, past and present, in order to successfully tell the story of Bishopsteignton – we are, as our strap line says, a project for the whole community!
We are open Fridays 11 – 4 and Saturdays 10 – 12 and other times by appointment or contact us at [email protected]