At the time of writing, I am making two assumptions. One, the spring weather has arrived and secondly that the Colin and Dave evening took place, successfully with
no injuries, insults or arrests happening.
BH seems to be as busy as usual; Mary Ford, BH’s digital assistant, posts a very popular ‘Photo of the Week’ on Facebook and Instagram. Mary is a University of
Exeter History Graduate and a recent photograph she posted of the Old Blacksmith’s Forge, just up from the Ring of Bells Pub has attracted contact from Australia in
addition to many other interesting comments.
BH also welcomes Rosie Tone, a second year Exeter University History student, who joins us for a 3 month internship. Some of the work will involve researching
Medieval Bishopsteignton (I bet the parking wasn’t a problem back then!), to gather material for some website articles for the new museum when it opens later this year.
We have just published part five of Pat Yesin’s, ‘All we need is an audience describing Bishopsteignton Players productions from 2019-2020. A fascinating and
funny read!
Relatively recently a former Bishopsteignton resident and pupil at both the old primary school i.e. the Community Centre and the current Primary School popped
into the Heritage Hub. Tim Newton, a good friend of mine, a former trucker and sporting a BSc in Forensic Psychology took such an interest in the village history that
he has become another valued volunteer. Tim has researched his own family history and has written articles for BH namely ‘Rooted in the Land’, The Cornish Family of Wolfsgrove and Beyond’, in addition to the ‘The Ridgeway family of Bishopsteignton’ and an article about growing up in the village which are also ready for public viewing!
Prior to his own road transport exploits Tim accompanied me on many a trucking sojourn carrying the name of Bishopsteignton on my own lorries. One tale from
these times stands out amongst many…….
Tim was a good-looking boy back then, despite coming from Bishopsteignton and was commissioned to pose in several modelling assignments. He admitted that his tattoo sleeves limited the work available and recall ‘taking the micky’ telling him he might have the body of an Adonis but he had the voice of a Devonian farm worker
from the 1950s! The incongruity never fails to amuse me.
By the way I was too busy driving lorries to do any modelling!… What?
Dave Robbins
Would you like to know more about the fascinating past and present of Bishopsteignton, your own family history or the house that you live in?
Do you have any stories, photos or items that you would like to donate or lend for us to share?
Are you interested in joining our research, cataloguing, creative and new museum teams? (It’s a lot more fun than it sounds)
Get in touch at [email protected] or visit us at our Hub in the Old School Community Centre at the top of Shute Hill.
Current Hub opening times are Fridays 11 – 4, Saturdays 10 – 12 and by appointment.