Galmpton & Churston District Local History Group

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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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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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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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

Torbay Archive Service

There is also some more information on our website here

More information to follow…

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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.

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

Torbay Archive Service

There is also some more information on our website here

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

This event is now fully booked, but you can always make your own arrangements for another day via The Italian Garden website https://www.theitaliangarden.org/

A guided tour of The Italian Garden exploring the garden, seeing the work in progress, and learning about its fascinating history, its creators and their restoration plans.

The Italian Garden, which is not open to the general public, is located just outside of Ipplepen.  

For more information about The Italian Garden, see their website https://www.theitaliangarden.org/

• Fermoy’s Garden Centre, Totnes Road, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 5TN

Useful Information

LOCATION

The Italian Garden, TQ12 5UL

A local history exhibition in Galmpton Village Hall supporting Garden Open day.

More information to follow…