Help Choose the Stories of Bideford Retold
A group of young people aged 14–21 recently spent two days exploring the remarkable Chope Collection at Bideford Library. This is part of Bideford Retold, a new 12-month project we are delivering alongside dBs Pro that will empower young people to rediscover Bideford’s heritage and reimagine it for today.
They searched the collection for books, people, places, myths, folklore, language, images and anything else that sparked their curiosity. They then selected 10 books and one historic map that they believe have the potential to connect with people in Bideford today.
Now it’s your turn. Choose THREE stories you’d most like to see retold. Find out about the shortlisted books and how to vote below.
The three choices receiving the most votes will become the focus of the next stage of Bideford Retold, with young people working alongside professional creatives to develop new music, podcasts, art, creative writing, games and digital experiences.
Meet the 10 stories
1. A Dialogue in the Devonshire Dialect, By A Lady (Anonymous author), 1937
This book explores Devon’s people and everyday lives through language, dialect and class. It contains a series of satirical plays, with a glossary of Devonshire terms. Some of the words and expressions recorded have since been lost or forgotten.
Why did the young people choose it?
“I voted for this book because of Chope’s major focus on dialect and language. It felt representative of the collection while remaining interesting.”
The plays were written by a woman, which was relatively unusual during the period which the Chope Collection focuses on.
The book was written by a sister of the artist Sir Joshua Reynolds and was intended to illustrate the distinctive features of local West Country dialect.
2. The Visitations of the County of Devon, John L. Vivian, 1885
An extraordinary record of influential families in Devon, containing family trees, coats of arms and heraldic pedigrees.
Why did the young people choose it?
“History is about people. The Chope collection is about Devon. This book is both.”
The book is packed with elaborate heraldic symbols, including griffins, eagles and coats of arms, some gathered by Chope himself.
3. The Dialect of Hartland, Richard Pearse Chope, 1891
One of Chope’s own studies, exploring the pronunciation, grammar, folklore and customs of his home area of Hartland. It also contains a glossary of local dialect and slang.
Why did the young people choose it?
“I picked the dialect of Hartland because of what is inside the book – and it is the only book in our selection that is written by Chope himself.”
Chope believed Hartland’s relative isolation made it particularly interesting for studying local speech.
4. A Farm in Creamland, Charles Garvice, early 1900s
A glimpse into Devon’s rural landscapes and communities, portraying rural life through a romantic and nostalgic lens.
Why did the young people choose it?
“I picked this book because it represents a way of life for people in Devon’s rural communities.”
The book offers an insight into how rural Devon was imagined and represented in the past.
5. Devonshire Characters and Strange Events, Sabine Baring-Gould, 1908
A fascinating collection of people and events from Devon’s past, bringing together local history, folklore, beliefs, fact and fiction.
Why did the young people choose it?
“I was drawn to this book not only because of the historical significance of the arsenic in the cover, but also the collection of local stories that people may not know about.”
The book focuses on people who might otherwise have been overlooked by conventional histories. And there’s an unusual detail: its vivid emerald-green cover may contain arsenic, which was once used to create this colour in book production.
6. A Peep at the Pixies, Mrs Bray, 1854
A collection of fairy tales and legends about Devon’s pixies, including stories of pixies helping people, playing tricks and living alongside humans.
Why did the young people choose it?
“I was interested in this book because of the cultural significance of the pixies to Devon. It is such a huge old belief within our communities that deserves to be celebrated.”
Illustrations hidden within the pages also help bring the stories to life.
7. The Creation of the World, Whitley Stokes, 1864
This religious text tells the story of creation in verse, with the English and Cornish versions printed side by side.
Why did the young people choose it?
“This book is not only a representation of Cornish heritage, but a clear gateway into a language that may, if not for books like this, be lost to the slow march of time.”
The book preserves not just a story, but a language that might otherwise have disappeared from everyday use.
8. Dorsetshire Folklore, John Symonds Udal, 1922
A 400-page collection of customs, superstitions, songs and children’s rhymes, combining academic research with stories and beliefs from everyday life.
Why did the young people choose it?
“Dorsetshire folktales perfectly portrays the cultural aspect and customs of the wider Dorsetshire area, ranging from the charms of witches to the mottos of the everyman. This is what I picture of Dorset.”
The folklore includes some wonderfully strange beliefs — including one about an apple tree that could supposedly foretell your death.
9. Kitwyk, Anna John Lane, 1903
A novel set in a quiet Dutch town, containing a collection of different stories accompanied by illustrations.
Why did the young people choose it?
“I chose Kitwyk because it has stunning illustrations.”
This particular copy also contains a handwritten message to Richard Pearse Chope, apparently given to him as a New Year’s Day gift. Could it reveal something about Chope’s life, friends or the books he enjoyed?
10. Sir Walter Raleigh Historical Biographies, Louise Creighton, 1902
This book follows Sir Walter Raleigh’s life, from his childhood through his voyages and political career to his eventual execution.
Why did the young people choose it?
“This reminds people of the importance of Bideford and its connections to the wider world. Were the first settlers in America from Bideford?”
The book opens up questions about Bideford’s connections to much bigger stories of exploration, empire and the wider world.
And one more choice…
Map of Instow and Appledore, Ordnance Survey, 1904
The young people also selected a historic map to represent the collection visually.
The map shows Instow and Appledore, including waterways, wooded areas, sandbanks and buildings, as well as a cricket ground and tennis court.
Why did they choose it?
“For those who find reading about their history difficult, however still have interest, a map is a perfect way to bring us together. Not as words in a book, but as people and individuals on a map.”
And there’s a mystery to solve: a large black ink stain stretches across both sides of the map. How did it get there?
Now it’s your turn
The young people have explored the collection, debated what matters to them and selected the stories they most want to see retold. Now we want you to choose three. Maybe you recognise a place or a name. Perhaps you’re fascinated by Devon dialect, folklore, strange events, local people or Bideford’s connections to the wider world. Or maybe one of these stories simply makes you want to know more.
There are no right answers.
To Vote for your THREE favourite stories click here
Voting closes Monday 31 August at 12pm. You can vote once and select three choices.
This project was made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
