Programme of Events

Upcoming Events

Summer 2025 Events

Start date: 12 May 2025
End date: 30 September 2025
All-day event
Entrance Fee: TBA

The following events are in the planning stages, with more information to follow in due course.

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MONDAY 12th MAY
Ageless Dartmoor. Hidden gems of Dartmoor by car with very short strolls, led by John Risdon. Day’s activity with refreshment stops.

SUNDAY 8th JUNE
Galmpton Open Gardens Day – History Group presentation at Galmpton Village Institute.

TUESDAY 10th JUNE
Visit and tour of Dartmouth Museum relating to history of steam power, led by Dennis Sheen. 11 a.m.

SATURDAY 12th JULY
Dart Estuary Evening Cruise, from Greenway Quay  6.30 to 9.30 p.m.
Booking commences 1st June through John Risdon Tel. 844102

TUESDAY 19th AUGUST
Repeat visit to Buckfastleigh Caves organised by Tony Warner

SEPTEMBER
Lower Greenway Farm visit led by John Risdon 2 p.m. followed by refreshments at Greenway.

For further information please contact John Risdon on  01803 844102 or 07768 418417.

The Fairmile – Western Lady

Date: 10 October 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

An illustrated talk by John Risdon

More information to follow soon…

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The Story of the Water Supply to Torquay

Date: 14 November 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

An illustrated talk by David Hinchliffe

More information to follow soon…

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Sir Walter Raleigh

Date: 16 January 2026
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

An illustrated talk by Phil Badcott

More information to follow soon…

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The Wildlife of Dartmoor

Date: 20 February 2026
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

An illustrated talk by John Walters

More information to follow soon…

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AGM followed by Kents Cavern Talk

Date: 13 March 2026
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

Our AGM, followed by an illustrated talk by Nick Powe

More information to follow soon…

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Past Events

See some of our past events below.

Open Gardens Day History Group Exhibit – Sunday 8th June 2025

Date: 8 June 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: N/A
Churston and Galmpton Tithe maps (thumbnails)

There will be a chance to see us and our local history exhibit at the Galmpton Village Institute on Sunday 8th June, 11am – 4pm, as part of the Open Gardens Day in Galmpton

Having been presented with probably the only surviving original copy of our 1839 Parish Tithe Map, due to its size and rarity, we thought it only right that it should be taken to the Devon County Archive at Exeter for safe keeping.

However, before leaving our Parish it will be ‘on show’ as our main exhibit at the Institute during Open Gardens Day.

We will be retaining copies for reference, available on line, or in print form through Churston Library ( Local History) or the History Group Committee.

Ageless Dartmoor

Date: 12 May 2025
All-day event
Location: Departing from Galmpton
Entrance Fee: A share of mileage costs per vehicle

A day long nostalgic Dartmoor exploration by car of places and views off the main highways. See the hidden gems! Led by John Risdon

This trip is ideal for those who no longer have the ability to walk the open moors freely!
The group size is restricted to a total of four vehicles and there is only room for 2 more vehicles with drivers and passengers. (2 drivers plus 6 – 8 passengers, depending on the size of car)

There will be a number of short exploratory stops, Including for refreshment, with lunch break at Widecombe.

Cost: A share of mileage costs per vehicle. No other group charge.

For more details and to book a place, please contact John Risdon
email: johnrisdon@heritage-southdevon.co.uk
tel. 07768 418417


AGM followed by South West Coast Path Talk

Date: 14 March 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3
Poster for the illustrated talk entiteld "South West Coast Path – A Smuggling Legacy" by Bob Mark

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.


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The History of Great Ambrook House and the Italianate Garden

Date: 21 February 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

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

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Broadsands – A Changing Landscape

Date: 17 January 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3
Title graphics for John Risdon's illustrated talk "Broadsands - A Changing Landscape"

An Illustrated Talk by John Risdon

John Risdon, our very own historian and chairman will be as entertaining as ever with this fascinating talk about the history of Broadsands.

400 million years in the making and yet only around 6,000 years ago our ‘broad sands’ began to develop.
With human influence hardly perceptible, the 20th Century would see the human tide begin to rise.”


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Devon Archive & Local Studies Service, Torre Abbey

Date: 13 December 2024
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Torre Abbey, Torquay
Entrance Fee: FREE
Devon Archive & Local Studies Service, Torre Abbey . Research documents with Brian Carpenter.

The Devon Archive & Local Studies Service comes to Torre Abbey on this day.

The sessions will run from 11.00 am until 3.30 pm, and will take place in the Learning Lab at Torre Abbey.

Archivist Brian Carpenter, by prior arrangement will bring documents from the Devon Archive for people to see.

For more information please contact archivist Brian Carpenter on 01392 888712 or brian.carpenter@swheritage.org.uk

There is also some more information on our website here

Christmas Traditions – an Illustrated Talk by Todd Gray

Date: 15 November 2024
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3

More information to follow…

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/

Buckfastleigh Caves – an Illustrated talk by Sheila Phillips

Date: 11 October 2024
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Galmpton Village Institute
Entrance Fee: £3
Higher Kiln Quarry Caves at Buckfastleigh, Devon Caves

Sheila is an education officer at The William Pengelly Cave Studies Centre, Buckfastleigh, Devon where she gives guided cave walks.

Sheila tells the amazing story of 350 million years of development involving volcanoes, coral reefs, and a huge mountain range all in Devon. There is also a cave where you can see the remains of elephant, hippo, bison, hyaena and many other creatures that lived in Devon 100,00 years ago.

Devon Archive & Local Studies Service, Torre Abbey

Date: 13 September 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Torre Abbey, Torquay
Entrance Fee: FREE
Devon Archive & Local Studies Service, Torre Abbey . Research documents with Brian Carpenter.

The Devon Archive & Local Studies Service comes to Torre Abbey on this day.

The sessions will run from 11.00 am until 3.30 pm, and will take place in the Learning Lab at Torre Abbey.

Archivist Brian Carpenter, by prior arrangement will bring documents from the Devon Archive for people to see.

For more information please contact archivist Brian Carpenter on 01392 888712 or brian.carpenter@swheritage.org.uk

There is also some more information on our website here

Visit to Kirkham House, Paignton

Date: 6 September 2024
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Kirkham House, Paignton, Devon. This well-preserved late medieval house, built of local stone, lies near the centre of the Devon town of Paignton.

The Paignton Heritage Society have very kindly invited us for a free guided tour of Kirkham House, a mediaeval masterpiece, and other than the Parish Church, the oldest building remaining in Paignton.

We will also be taken to visit the nearby ‘clink’ and ‘Coverdale Tower’.

As space and access are constricted we will be limiting our number to two groups of twelve therefore pre-booking is essential.

Please reserve your place below.

Very kindly the Paignton Heritage Society will not be charging for this event.

Parking

Nearby parking will be difficult so car sharing or use of the bus is advised.

Should you have any queries regarding the event please do get in touch.
johnrisdon@heritage-southdevon.co.uk
Tel. 07768 418417