Bude Stratton Heritage Festival 2025
Welcome to the home of Bude Stratton annual Heritage Festival, presented to you by Bude Stratton Town Council. This is a popular annual celebration, not only of the area but the wider Cornish culture – showcasing our past, present and future with a huge variety of exhibits, stalls, free demonstrations, workshops and activities for visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy. This year saw a successful programme of events that were enjoyed by many.
This year’s event is over, but take a look at what we had for the day. We will be back again next year. If you are interested in exhibiting or joining in with us on the day, please email the team at: thecastle@bude-stratton.gov.uk
Live Music & Performances
Throughout the day, we had a number of live music and performances around the Castle Grounds. Bude Metric Brass opened for us on The Bandstand, then followed by The Hummingbirds and finally some shanty songs by The Bencoolen Wreckers.
The Barrel Morris performed twice for us, as well the Jason Thomas Performing Arts group for our annual Ballet Show, carrying on a tradition that started in the 1930’s by the Castle residents, the Nicholson family.
James Dundon and his Mechanical Organ delighted audiences throughout the day.
Scroll down to find out more about what was on offer during the day, or download our brochure above to see the full details and timetables.
Bude Metric Brass
The Hummingbirds
The sweet sounds of The Hummingbirds, Dotty & Clara, are set to grace the annual Bude-Stratton Heritage Festival on Saturday, July 13th! This much-loved local duo will bring their harmonious blend to an event that has become a firm fixture in Bude’s calendar.
Bencoolen Wreckers
Originally established in 2011 the Bencoolen Wreckers Singers were re-launched in October 2018 and enjoy the tradition of a capella shanty singing of songs from Cornwall and around the world.
The Barrel Morris
The Barrel Morris from Bude perform Border Morris dances (accompanied by their fellow musicians) from the tradition and beyond with passion, vibrancy and fun.
They are a popular sight throughout the county and are always welcome new members to dance or play. Stay around after their performances and find out more.
Ballet Show
In the 1930s, The Nicholson family moved into The Castle. The children, as part of their learning would be taught ballet and produce shows to entertain friends and locals alike, assisted by their governess playing the piano. Today, we honour this role by welcoming the dancers from Jason Thomas Performing Arts in Bude to continue this wonderful celebration of talented performers.
Tarot Readings
Hermione Swinford will be delighted to give you a FREE fifteen minute personal interpretation of the iconic 1910 tarot of Pamela Coleman Smith.
Hermione was trained in 1982 by the astrologer Frances Arthure, herself an initiate of the oral tradition of Cartomancy, in an approach based on positive spiritual support and respect for the freedom we can all use to shape our own destinies.
No need to book! Just queue for your free space.
James Dundon - Mechanical Music
Be amazed by the spectacular sights and sounds of this self-playing musical marvel! Long before record players and gramophones, mechanical organs like this were among the very first ways to enjoy recorded music. Operated by reading holes punched into strips of cardboard, these instruments are true wonders of pre-digital engineering.
But James Dundon takes it to the next level—pushing this vintage machine to perform incredible (and often delightfully outrageous) versions of your favorite songs. From Queen to ABBA, Lady Gaga to Meghan Trainor, the organ delivers unforgettable renditions in its own quirky, unmistakable style. Whether it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll or Drum and Bass, you’ll hear soaring ranks of pipes and see real drums come to life—all without a single electronic component. It’s entirely pneumatic: just air, mechanics, and magic. Take a sneaky peak at it in action…
Throughout the weekend, James performed from a five-hour library of modern hits. Requests are welcomed!
Free Talks and Exhibits
Throughout the day, there was a wealth of knowledge and heritage to discover and explore. From heritage exhibits both in The Castle Heritage Centre to The Ivor Potter Hall at The Parkhouse to hear tales and stories, both old and new from those that live and breathe it.
We had some very special guests with us to share their knowledge and their skills in our free talks, happening around The Castle.
There was also the chance to see a 6-ton Tandem Steam Roller named ‘Bullet’ will be with us all day. Hear her death defying story of a life very well lived and continues to stay strong!
Scroll down to find out more, or download our brochure above to see the full details and timetables.
Mark Ward – Bude Life Saving Club
⭐ ‘Beach Safety’⭐
Time: 12.30pm – 1pm
Bude Surf Lifesaving Club have patrolled the beaches in Bude for over 70 years ensuring the safety of water users. Club member Mark Ward will be talking about how to stay safe in the sea while enjoying the surf.
The Blanchminster Gallery is on the first floor of The Castle Heritage Centre. Use the map in the digital guide to find it, or follow the sign posts inside.
Peter Vickery – ‘Vicko’
⭐ ‘History of Bude Surf Life Saving’⭐
Time: 1pm – 1.30pm
Vicko was one of the founding members of the Bude SLSC, which was established in August 1953, making it the first surf life saving club in the UK. He shares his tales and knowledge for us in this fascinating historic talk.
The Maskell Room is on the first floor of The Castle Heritage Centre. It currently houses the ‘Weathering The Storm’ Exhibit. Use the map in the digital guide to find it, or follow the sign posts inside.
6-ton Tandem Roller, 1924 - Bullet
This engine was new to R. Dingle and Sons, contractors in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, and was used for all of its commercial days. TheEngine was even registered in Cornwall, being given an ‘RL’ number plate as opposed to the FE plates for Lincoln registered vehicles.
The engine was shot by a German plane while working for the War Office at RAF St. Eval (now RAF St Mawgan) probably in 1940 or 41 as there are a couple of accounts of the Luftwaffe strafing the airfield. Steam Rollers were essential during the war in repairing and maintaining runways for the RAF and the USAAF. Bullet, received shrapnel damage to her coal bunker, dashboard, oilers and steam fittings. Some of which she carries to this day – hence the name ‘Bullet’.
After having a number of buyers and reworks, she moved to the Robey Trust and can be regularly seen around Tavistock and here, today, opposite the Fire Station at the bottom of The Castle lawn. She will be on display from 11am until 4pm.
Family Entertainment
Throughout the day, there was a plethora of free entertainment for the all to be involved. Find out more about the entertainment that was with us for the day.
Scroll down to find out more, or download our brochure above to see the full details and timetables.
Face Painting with Claire Taylor
Time: 11am – 4pm
Join local professional face painter, Claire Taylor as she creates colourful, fun designs that bring joy to children of all ages! This activity is free.
What character will you be today?
Circus Skills with Higher Being Circus
Time: 11am – 4pm
Join Higher Being Circus on The Castle Lawn for an enjoyable day of circus workshops and games, providing children (and adults) with an exciting experience that combines fun with skill-building.
Bude Area Toy Library
Time: 11am – 4pm
Come and join us in this friendly play area for children to try out a fantastic range of toys for children aged 0-8. It Please note we are unable to accept unaccompanied children.
Raymond’s Vintage Amusements
Time: 11am – 4pm
The team from Raymond’s Amusements bring their street funfair to Bude to help celebrate our Heritage Festival.
Get involved in the entertainment, which there is a small cost for. A small amount of the proceeds go back to the Heritage Centre for help with our projects.
Raymond’s Amusements are run by a Cornish family who run street fun fairs for all the family across the South-West.
Heritage Colouring
Time: 11am – 4pm
Join our heritage colouring table in the Main Marquee for some mindful colouring and time out of the hive of activities on offer. Self-guided, pop along and join in.
Look out for our guest of honour – one of the soldiers from the Civil War has time travelled to our event!
Can you spot him?
Did you know that The Battle of Stratton happened in May 1643? Read all about it here, with some fascinating history for our small town!
Heritage Scavenger Hunt
Time: 11am – 3pm
Fancy a fun and exciting way to get out and explore even more things available at the Heritage Festival? We have an exciting scavenger hunt for you to join in, whether as a team or a family.
Pop into the main marquee on The Castle grounds lawn to sign up for the Heritage Scavenger Hunt. Collect your clue sheet and explore the festival, see the sights and solve the clues. Above all, have fun with your family or team!
Pick up your Free paper copy on the day and take your time to complete the trail, just make sure you return your form before 3pm for a chance to win one of five prizes. This means you can take your time to explore the many events and clues that we have waiting for your discovery.
Willow Weaving with Basketmakers South West
Time: 11am – 4pm
The team from Basketmakers South West will be with us all day to offer ongoing demonstrations of this traditional craft as well as ‘have a go’ sessions. Find the team on the Castle Grounds to try your hand at weaving a simple willow fish for free.
Weaving a Seascape Project with Emma Banford
Time: 11am – 3pm
Be a part of this great weaving project, create a seascape made of materials found on the beach. Emma will show you weaving techniques, lovely colour combinations, and talk you through how to collect and clean the materials used.
Medieval Story Time with Janine
Time: 12pm – 12.30pm
Location: The Peace Garden in The Castle Grounds
Join our Heritage Curator, Janine to discover the stinky life of a medieval peasant. Meet Alfie, Colin and Fletch as they navigate a pongy life as a medieval peasant (and being called Keith). Learn more about the medieval period with replica objects from our collection and talk .
For ages 5 – 10 years.
Life as a Medieval Peasant and Life as a Medieval Knight books are both sold in Cafe Limelight. Open until 5pm to buy.
Cornish Language Activities
Available from: 2pm – 4pm
Join our volunteer Janie, as she coaches you through simple words and phrases in ‘Cornish’, discovering our rich culture and heritage for our visitors and beyond.
See our language brought to life through these card games and learn words that you can share with friends and family.
This activity is for children and adults of all ages.
Adrian Ward Magician – ‘The Magic Show’
Time: 2pm – 2.45pm
Location: Blanchminster Gallery in The Castle Heritage Centre
Every child should be made to feel special and Adrian makes sure that that happens in his shows. It’s the children that make the magic happen. Adrian will invite those with their legs crossed, arms folded and the biggest smiles to help make the magic happen.
Sadly not everyone can come up to help so several tricks involve ALL of the children.
Adrian’s magic show is the perfect length to keep the children (and adults) engaged.
Community and Interests
We were incredibly lucky to have a host of community and local interest groups here for the Heritage Festival. Find out more about the groups that were here and find out more about them, as well as the chance to get involved. Scroll down to find out more, or download our brochure above to see the full details and timetables.
‘Bude Canal & Harbour Society’
Come along and find out all about Bude Canal and the history of the society. Find out about its conservation, preservation and restoration and how to get involved.
‘Connect Bude’
Connect Bude exists to lobby, advocate and research to reconnect Bude, Holsworthy and North Cornwall to the rest of the country via rail, bus, and active travel. Come along and find out more on how this is happening.
‘Bude & Stratton Cancer Research UK’
We are a fun, friendly committee who run a number of fundraising events locally each year. We meet 7 or 8 times per year. New members are welcome, so come and chat to the team.
‘Cornwall Heritage Trust’
Come along and chat to the team to find out how they “preserve and strengthen” (“gwytha ha crefhe”) as well as manage some of the most important historic places in Cornwall. Discover how to become a member.
‘Bude-Stratton Old Cornwall Society’
Find out about the society’s important role in safeguarding Cornwall’s unique soul and identity through a sound knowledge of its past, whilst exploring how to get involved.
‘Bude-Stratton Twinning Association’
Come and chat to this community-led group to find out how we and our friends in France celebrate this partnership.
‘Friends of Bude Sea Pool’
Bude Sea Pool is a semi-natural tidal pool and is a safe haven for wild swimming on the edges of the Atlantic Ocean. There is no cost, no booking nor any other imposed restriction. Bude Sea Pool is for everyone to enjoy for free.
Come and chat to the team to find out how to get involved in raising funds for this well-loved facility.
‘Exercising For Mobility’
Come along and chat to the team to find out how to get involved in these fun, chair-based exercises. Find out how to join in, where and when the classes are held and how to get there.
‘Bude & Greater Area Chamber of Commerce’
Offering a volunteer membership, this organisation exists to support and promote business development in and around Bude and the greater area. They support local businesses, spark connections and help grow the town. Whether you’re running a small business or launching something new, come and chat to the team.
‘Sustainable Bude’
Come and chat to this community-led group of volunteers that exists to strengthen the local economy, reduce our environmental impact and build our resilience for a future with a changing climate.
‘Bude Surf Life Saving Club’
Come and chat to the team from Bude Surf Life Saving Team. The important role they play in Beach Safety, take away some tips for your friends and family and find out how to get involved with the club, whether competing or a novice.
There is a role for everyone.
Catch the free ‘Beach Safety’ Talk too at 12.30pm in The Blanchminster Gallery, inside The Castle Heritage Centre.
‘Bude RNLI’
Come and chat to the team from Bude RNLI Lifeboat Station. Find out what they do, the history of the club and how to navigate tidal time tables and forecasts. Get involved with fund raising and find out what facilities and information can be accessed at the station, based at Summerleaze Car Park.
‘Cornwall Adult Education’
Come and chat to the team to find out how Cornwall Adult Education offers a wide variety of high quality, interesting and enjoyable learning in a safe and clean environment and gain qualifications to move on in life and at work.
‘Future Coast Bude/Cornwall Council’
Future Coast Bude would like to hear your views on what you remember and know about the history of the coastline in Bude, as part of its work on adapting to change. Do you have photos of how the beaches, dunes and cliffs looked like in the past? Or historic paintings of Bude’s coastline? Come and visit us inside The Parkhouse Centre and chat to us about what you know. Bring along any photos for us to take copies of.