Bideford and the River Torridge has been granted Heritage Harbour status by the Maritime Heritage Trust, joining eleven other ports whose contribution to Britain’s maritime history has been officially recognised.
The announcement comes as a result of a campaign by ten local heritage charities, led by Bideford-based Way of the Wharves, and supported by the Town and District Councils, local businesses, the education sector and other stakeholders. The vision is to see the ongoing preservation and development of buildings and infrastructure along the whole waterfront from Appledore to Torrington, bringing to life stories of the maritime history of the whole Torridge Estuary.
Mike Teare, Chair of the charity Way of the Wharves, said:
‘This decision is of huge significance for our area, not only for highlighting our magnificent maritime heritage, but for developing Bideford and Torridge as an attractive place to live, work, and visit. The award of funding to create the Clean Maritime Innovation Centre in Appledore already shows how important a strong sense of heritage and identity is for attracting new investment with skills and jobs for the future. Heritage Harbour status is good news for anyone who cares about our past and wants to see us thrive in the future.’
