Galmpton & Churston District Local History Group

There will be no fee for this guided walk but in its place a donation to Dartmouth RNLI would be much appreciated. Please remember to bring £3 for your return ferry crossing plus funds for your refreshments.

Dartmouth originated at the top of the hill during Saxon times originally known as Tunstal. Our walk on Saturday 7th May will be very much at the bottom of the hill, 90% of the time on the flat, on land that has been reclaimed from the river estuary over the past 1000 years. This means that we can access and identify the different periods of Dartmouth’s development as an historic seaport of national importance and the beautiful setting it finds itself in.

The Boat Float came into being in 1885 with the construction of the South Embankment, finally isolating New Quay from its international trading vessels. Now a haven of leisure and pleasure, ever-changing on the tide.

Galmpton Institute, or The Village Hall, was completed in 1902 on instruction of Squire Thomas Bolitho of Greenway, whose portrait still hangs over the fire place within the hall. It was originally opened as a Temperance Hall, Squire Bolitho being concerned that the preponderance of licensed premises in the area meant there was nowhere for more sober and genteel folk to meet.

From this colour tinted pre-war photograph of the Institute (above) taken before the extension was built in 1971, a garden area existed to the right of the building where No 6, The Roundings stands today.

To commemorate the first 25 years of our existence, we will also be launching the sale of a 2023 Calendar consisting of local scenes over the years at a cost of £5.

Led by John Risdon, the course has been created to highlight the sheer beauty and diversity of the South Devon coast. It is a perfect example of how our geology has moulded our geography, and hence our heritage of human development over the past thousands of years, from settlements to 21st century tourism.

All welcome.

Our Annual General Meeting will be followed by an illustrated talk by our very own committee member Dennis Sheen.

The story provides a brief outline of the gradual development of the early English railway system.

From Newcomen to efficient steam locomotives; wooden tracks to usable tracks; from public resistance and disbelief to realisation of the benefits of the world’s first commercial railways.

Photo originally uploaded by Urizzato at English Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Locomotive_trevithick.jpg

The World renowned river port of Britain, created through its geography and welded by kings, merchant traders and mariners for over a thousand years.

The fascinating story of the Eddystone Lighthouse, located on the dangerous Eddystone Rocks, approximately 9 miles (14 km) south of Rame Head in Cornwall, England.

The first lighthouse on the rocks, completed in 1699, was the first in the world in open ocean.

The rocks lie in the open sea beyond Plymouth Sound, one of the most important naval harbours in England. They are normally submerged and were a great hazard to shipping.

Ian Howes dramatically presents the story of a successive number of lighthouses, describing the immense challenges to successive builders and tragedies along the way.

The talk will commence at 7.30pm.

Photo by Benjaminevans82 at English Wikipedia., Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eddystonelighthouse.jpg

An illustrated talk by our very own committee member John Scotney who has written a book on the Mayflower II project.

The Mayflower II is a replica of the 17th century ship that took the first permanent settlers to America in 1620.

It was built at Upham’s Shipyard, Brixham, and in 1957 sailed to America in celebration of the arrival in the original Mayflower.

Photo by Paul Keleher – “Mayflower II” on flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3797175

Meet outside Information Centre, Centre of Village for a 9.30 start. The walk will last 2.5 hours, including a refreshment break. £2 fee. Enquiries and booking contact John Risdon Johnrisdon@heritage-southdevon.co.uk / 01803 844102.

Running October-November, commencing Friday 8th October for 7 Fridays. £5 per session. Places still available, contact John Risdon Johnrisdon@heritage-southdevon.co.uk / 01803 844102.