Following on from Colin Back’s BH piece in the March issue of the Parish Chronicle, this month guest contributor and regular volunteer, researcher and talk giver Jenny Ridd reflected on just how important your stories are to us.
“Everyone likes a story, young and old. What we do best at Bishopsteignton Heritage is to collect and save stories. We are Story Catchers! In fact, half the word ‘history’ is ‘story’, although it’s not always about history. Sometimes the story involves genealogy, geography, geology, archaeology, botany etc. You name it, we collect it!
We love hearing stories about you, your family, your ancestors and your interests. We want to know them all. And then we retell them in all sorts of captivating ways – verbally, in writing, digitally, on film, in interviews, booklets, recordings, exhibitions, talks and on social media etc.
Collecting your stories before they pass out of memory is our raison d’etre and in doing so we reflect the ethos of Bishopsteignton Heritage. Our professional standards sit alongside the welcome we will give you and the fun and fell-good-factor you will receive when you come and see us.
With the new museum opening later we would like to invite you to bring your stories and objects in to meet us on any Friday or Saturday.”
Jenny Ridd
Bishopsteignton Heritage Hub is open Fridays 11 – 4, Saturdays 10 – 2 and by appointment. Please drop in for a warm welcome or contact us at [email protected] or visit our ever growing online catalogue and articles at www.bishopsteigntonheritage.co.uk or join in the conversation at www.facebook.com/thebishopsteigntonstory/
Photo from one of Tim Newton’s latest articles shows Elizabeth Cornish (1900-1992) daughter of John E Cornish (1876-1941) with her husband William Hallet, daughter Brenda and son Trevor. The article traces the Cornish family and its farming traditions from Dartmoor in the mid 1600s to its arrival and activity in Bishopsteignton and Luton in the 1800s and 1900s.