BH continues to relentlessly document and archive stories and information with over 3000 images added this year alone to a total of over 10,000 digitally stored recording the heritage of our fabulous village available to view on the website and at the Hub. Fridays and Saturdays are attended by regular and new visitors, with Colin, James, Dawn, Mel, Hilary and Carol among others (occasionally myself) on hand to ably assist.
Colin has also conducted a walking tour of the village for the Ashburton U3A. Evidently one couldn’t walk past a single building without telling its history. Good man!
Recent visitors have included a lady from Teignmouth whose grandfather was the village blacksmith who popped in to clarify and confirm her family history. (I went to secondary school with her in the same class – little did we know!)
Another lady and ‘Bishop Girl’ now living in Cornwall visited the Hub with incredible stories to tell of the village and casually sharing photos of the likes of Michael Parkinson and other famous celebrities at her house ‘down west’.
Colin Back and Dave Robbins at D Day and Birthday celebrations June 2026
D-Day commemoration took place in the Old Commercial on a wet June afternoon with the fabulous Liberty Sisters performing. It was fantastic to see BH’s own encyclopaedia of the village, Colin Back, ‘letting his hair down’ in a red wine infused joint celebration of D-Day and his own 81 st birthday. Despite the rain a fine time was had by all – “The best birthday I’ve ever had!” slurred Colin - Accolade indeed!
At the time of writing we are looking forward to our presence at the Village Festival where we will be encouraging visitors and villagers alike to share stories and memories.
July news from the archives
On July 27 th 1850 the Western Times reported: At the court house on Tuesday, William Goss was committed to ‘Bridewell’ (a house of correction, like an early version of a borstal) for two months hard labour for stealing potatoes from a field belonging to Mr Petheridge of the New Inn Bishopsteignton. The prisoner is a labourer, said to be very poor, the prosecutor, having lost a large quantity of potatoes had watched by night and had caught him in the act.
On July 21 st 1950 the Torquay Times reported that an 18 year old Petula Clark presented a trophy at a ‘downtown’ Torquay Flower Show to a gentleman representing Orchard Nurseries, Bishopsteignton.
Take a look at this advert for Bunters restaurant, subsequently Moors Hotel and now Moors Park Nursing Home seen in the Torbay Express July 10 th 1975:
moors hotel image
Read the last line - “plus a chance for your first born to be educated at Eton or Roedeen” – How strange. Perhaps the Old Commercial will offer the chance for you first born to be educated at St Trinnians or Channings Wood!
For these and many other stories please explore our website or visit the Hub 11 – 4 Fridays and 10 – 12 Saturdays and of course watch out for news of ticket release for the next ‘Evening with Colin and Dave” at the Village Hall Thursday 9 th October.
Dave and the Hub team.