The Story of Bishopsteignton - Bishopsteignton Heritage

The Molly Coombe 2024 Photograph Competition is now open!

The second annual competition is underway with 5 x £50 cash prizes among the spoils up for grabs plus this year’s “Ken Irvin Trophy”. Once again the themes will be the people, places, events and environment of our wonderful Parish with extra points for demonstrating our uniqueness or just Bishopsteignton being Bishopsteignton. Photos can have been taken at any time recent or past.

Youth Competition

This year we are introducing an opportunity for 10 – 17 year olds to enter with one talented winner earning themselves a £50 prize.

Learn more and enter

Closing now extended to midnight Sunday 17^th November 2024!

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What we do

With stories from medieval Bishops to Nelson’s Admirals, Bishopsteignton’s rich heritage will always inspire ardour in its villagers. To share these stories, we manage and maintain a heritage facility in Bishopsteignton…see more

Can we help you?

Whether you are researching the story of your home in Bishopsteignton, want to learn about local industries or just want to share your memories, we can help you… see more

Join the team

We are always looking for volunteers to join our happy band of researchers, cataloguers, project managers and creative contributors. There are lots of roles… see more

Molly Coombe

Molly Coombe was born on 18th October 1929 to parents Grace Coombe neé Loud and Philip Coombe. She may have been born at a local hospital but the family lived, and Molly grew up, in a house called 'Locarno' on Berry Hill, Bishopsteignton. As a girl, Molly's favourite...

Bishopsteignton Football Club – The First 75 Years

It all started in 1920. It is noted in the Bishopsteignton United Programme 1998-99 that Bishopsteignton Football Club was founded prior to the 1920/21 season. Thus making the club, if not the oldest club in the South Devon League at least one of its senior members....

Huntly Hydro and Health Spa

Part Two 1878-1949 Huntly Hydro and Health Resort. For much of the period 1878 to 1949, Huntly operated as a hotel and health resort. Successive Kelly’s directories list Charles Carpenter as the proprietor of a hydropathic establishment. Charles Frederick...

The Bishopsteignton Players: How it all Began

In September 1959 a meeting of those interested in starting a village drama group was held at Radway House, Radway street, courtesy of Colonel and Mrs Rooth. Those attending this meeting (clockwise from top in the above picture) were: Bob Caldwell, Jane Caldwell,...

Bryan Dunford MBE

Bryan Dunford received an MBE, Member of the British Empire, in 1989, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, for his service in the RAF as a helicopter Engineering Authority. Bryan began his career as an RAF Apprentice at Halton in 1957. After initial training...

Sheila Maureen Robbins, 1932-2021: A Tribute

Sheila Robbins, née Skinner was born in County Cork in Ireland in January 1932, to Sydney Parnell Skinner, a Sergeant in the Royal Engineers and Margery Mary Davey. When Sheila was very young, the family moved back to Bishopsteignton where her father had been born....

Frederick William Pook

Family and life in the community Frederick was born in 1860 in Bishopsteignton, the son of John (gardener and postmaster for 34 years) and Eliza Pook (née Hore), one of eight children. They lived in Fore Street, known then as Post Office Street, on the high pavement...

19 Murley Crescent

Owners and residents 1910 - 1924 Deeds show the house was owned by Frederick William Pook. 1911 Census shows Algernon and Rebecca Collett Dauglish were in residence with two visitors and one servant, Thomas Henry Hulland, aged 13. 1921 Census shows Algernon and...

Central Garage, Bishopsteignton

One of the most interesting buildings in Fore Street, not particularly known for its shape or beauty, but more so for its historic standing, is the property that has for some time carried the name of Central Garage. The building has changed little over the years. It...

Dave Robbins Part 3: Childhood Reminiscences

It seemed like almost every week there would be a jumble sale in the Village Hall during the 60s. It would often be in aid of the Pantomime, Children's Theatre or Womans Institute. As Mum was often involved with many of these organisations, our house at 37 Fore...

Bishopsteignton Primary School 50th anniversary

I was pleased to be asked to give a presentation to the schoolchildren during their morning assembly on the 50th anniversary of the official opening, 30th November 2023, and also to a gathering of pupils from the old school, governors and staff later the same morning....

Remembrance 2023

Spotlight featureSocial media trailerSaturday 11th NovemberSunday 12th NovemberAnimals in Conflict - They Also Served Today, whilst we all take time to honour and remember those who gave their lives in two world wars and later conflicts, it’s fitting that we also...

Our story

The story of Bishopsteignton Heritage is rooted in an obsession with local history stretching over 100 years into the past…