Bideford heritage day proves popular

BIDEFORD S first Heritage Day was declared a great success as well over 2,000 people visited Victoria Park on Saturday to see the medieval times brought back to life. The spectacle of knights on horseback jousting and medieval combat brought pageantry, co

BIDEFORD'S first Heritage Day was declared a great success as well over 2,000 people visited Victoria Park on Saturday to see the medieval times brought back to life.

The spectacle of knights on horseback jousting and medieval combat brought pageantry, colour and excitement.

Displays by costumed members of the Medieval Free Company, including a herbalist, fletcher-archer, taverner, miller, cook, scrivener and spinner brought glimpses of the more everyday life of the times.

The Heritage Day was organised by Bideford 500, a group celebrating and promoting the past 500 years of the town's unique history to raise awareness and to boost tourism and regeneration. Financial support was provided by Bideford Town Council.

Event co-ordinator Sadie Green said: "The day went extremely well. The visitor numbers, well over 2,000, far exceeded our expectations."Where will it go from here? There will be a Heritage Day next year

"As a committee we haven't discussed a theme for next year, but our Mayor Philip Pester prophesised an Elizabethan theme, so watch this space!