Welcome to the website of the Galmpton and Churston Ferrers Local History Group
We organise regular illustrated history talks at the Galmpton Village Institute. Why not check our events page to see when the next one is and come along. You can also subscribe to our email newsletter which tells you about upcoming events.
The group was formed in 1996 by a group of enthusiasts eager to record and preserve features and information about our parish. Since then, our email subscriber list has grown to over 160.
Upcoming Events (listed below, and also as a downloadable file)
An Illustrated Talk by Angela Dodd-Crompton
Angela has meticulously researched the story of the garden’s creator, Arthur Smith Graham who bought the house in 1899 in order to live a life of seclusion, as a retreat from the social pressures of the time, creating the unique garden we see today, with the aid of well known architects and designers
Subscribers of our newsletter get automatic emails when this event is coming up, along with the latest information.
If you are not yet a subcriber, why not sign up here for free here https://www.galmptonandchurstonhistory.org.uk/subscribe/

There will be a short meeting for the AGM followed by an illustrated talk by Bob Mark entitled ‘South West Coast Path – A Smuggling Legacy’
Bob Mark is a former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the South West Coast Path Association, the charity which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, and which has been largely responsible for the restitution of the 630 mile coast path.
Bob’s lecture will trace the origins of the path from its earliest days as a key tool in the deadly battle between the revenue and smugglers. The role of tea, taxes, high-finance, and Napoleon’s scheme of economic warfare against his arch-foe Britain. Along the way we will meet a few colourful local characters.
The second half of the talk will bring the story up to date as a key part of the SW economy and social fabric.
About Bob Mark
Bob lives in Kingswear, returned to his roots, having trained as a young Naval Officer at Britannia Royal Naval College, and then subsequently teaching navigation at the College to young officers in his turn.
Bob specialised as a Hydrographic Surveyor in the navy, after twenty years at sea, he spent the latter third of his naval career in policy and strategy roles in the Ministry of Defence, before embarking on a second career in the private sector. He was fortunate to command several specialist naval hydrographic ships in various parts of the World, including charting UK shores so this coast has been part of his profession.
In tandem with his later work in the private sector, he spent a dozen or so years as a volunteer non-executive on various National Trust Boards, giving him a good understanding of the conservation, recreational, and economic background of the SWCP – the NT owns about a third – and something of the West Country elites who in their turn added layers to the rich history of the coast path.
Subscribers of our newsletter get automatic emails when this event is coming up, along with the latest information.
If you are not yet a subcriber, why not sign up here for free here https://www.galmptonandchurstonhistory.org.uk/subscribe/
What We Do
The group investigates and records details of our local past, preserves such as the Galmpton Lime Kiln and the Broadsands Neolithic Chambered Tomb, and provides information about the history and wildlife in the Galmpton Creek area.
A comprehensive ‘Guide to Galmpton’ map containing information of local historic interest is available via this link or at the Manor Inn and Galleon Stores.
A programme of talks and guided walks/visits is organised annually and listed on this website.
If you would like to keep up to date with our upcoming talks at the Galmpton Village Institute hall and other activities why not subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Talks at the Village Institute are usually just £3 to attend, payable on the door.
We are a friendly group and are always pleased to meet new potential members, so why not come along to our next talk?