The Hope Cove history blog
Tuesday, 22nd August, 2023
Books Produced by the Local History Group
In 1819 Abraham Hawkins wrote "Kingsbridge and Salcombe with the Intermediate Estuary". It was a consideration of subjects ranging from Natural History; notes about the great and the good of the time, and a description of the coast from Bolt Head to Hope Cove. It was the first attempt at a local guide and other attempts throughout that century drew heavily on the work. The first modern work was by Kathleen Shrosbee for the local Women's Institute. Written around 1955 it was a well written interesting little booklet became the first stop for all those interested in local history.
That was it until 1985 when R Le Cheminant published "A Present from Hope Cove" in 1986. Revised and enlarged this reappeared in 1999 renamed as "Hope Cove, The History of a Devonshire Fishing Village". This valuable resource found new material and was enhanced by memories from old Hope Cove inhabitants,
In 2005 the Local History Group entered the world of publishing and it's first book with those that followed are shown below. These notes and photos featured on a panel compiled and presented by Tom Windle for the Hope Cove Weekend 2023 and was displayed in the Fisherman's Reading Room.
The first book was a collective effort drawing on the interests and knowledge of the whole of the 2005 Hope Archive Group. Produced in colour A4 size a lot of new information was offered and it remains a valuable resource.
This new work (2023) by Colin Trenear Harvey found new information from a variety of sources. Some things are in plain view and just need a closer look to reveal them.
The Hope Cove Methodist Chapel is an oasis of calm just off the picturesque Inner Hope Square. This history produced in 2023 by Netty Green will enhance a visit whilst you reflect on the generations of fishermen who have worshiped here.
Colin Trenear Harvey was able to track down a few of scattered artefacts from what was once a pretty little church. Memories from childhood playing in what was then an overgrown, ivy-clad ruin inspired the search. Tom Windle added an interesting supplement with extracts from the church records describing the slow decline of the building.
Written by John Stribling this booklet describes a building which was important in the young lives of generations of young people when they attended Sunday school there. Overlooking Bolt Tail and the bay it has been the subject of scores of holiday photos.
Maz Morris wrote this book in 2019 to commemorate the 150 anniversary of the building of The Holy Trinity. At the end of the book she acknowledges the help of Church members and History Group members. But this is true of all these publications. Help and encouragement have been provided to all the authors from a number of people.
The group has collected a wealth of material from personal memories and images of times gone by. More publications are likely to appear including a new history of Galmpton and a compilation of these blogs.
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This post is intended to share local history information, to promote discussion and inform research. The information included is to the best of my knowledge and belief accurate, and obtained from reliable sources. If you find inaccuracies or omissions it would be really helpful to know, so that we can update our information. Maz.
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