Article and photos by Richard Wakefield, Vice Chairman Bude-Stratton & District OCS
Bude-Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society travelled back in time on Thursday 23 June to walk around the wharves in Bude as they were in 1901. In glorious weather, well over 30 members, locals and visitors participated.
Alan McIntosh (Chairman) and Carole Wakefield (Secretary) lead the fascinating guided walk along the banks of the upper and lower wharves and then on to St Michael’s Church. They brought to life what would have been seen in 1901 by recounting stories about key local characters and events.
Amongst others, we heard about ship building on the upper wharf including the conversion of The Lady Acland to the Agnes, Thomas Found who was the harbourmaster for 25 years, “who lived where” along Canal Cottages (now Breakwater Road) and how shipwrecked sailors were rescued by “breeches buoy”.
The walk concluded with a display of old photographs and some welcome refreshments in St Michael’s (with thanks to Malcolm and Madalene Warren, Rose McIntosh and Alan Rogers).