Bideford Black was a mining and manufacturing industry (until closure in 1969) unique to North Devon using a local mineral deposit which offered a range of black colouring pigments. These were used in paints, paper, cement, cosmetics and rubber reinforcing. Earlier on this year The Burton Art Gallery and Museum in Bideford set up a project to uncover memories and stories about BIDEFORD BLACK. A small display in the foyer of the gallery has a display and in the cafe I saw an exhibition of children's work. It is the most delicious black- and of course I couldn't resist setting out to find it. I did't quite succeed- or at least I don't think I did- I have not ground my samples finely as yet. It wasn't easy to identify the precise locations along the coast from Westward Ho! to Greencliff, Abbotsham …but at Fremington Quay (amongst other pigments) I did find a delicious grey (appropriately called called 'Poor Man's Black' by Pete Ward, Lead Researcher of The Story of Bideford Black).
See below.
Information about Bideford Black was gleaned from the publication: Bideford Black The History of a Unique Local Industry. (Sound archives North Devon)
available from The Burton Art Gallery where there is now a permanent display about the pigment and the industry.
Thanks to Pete Ward for making his research available.
See below.
Information about Bideford Black was gleaned from the publication: Bideford Black The History of a Unique Local Industry. (Sound archives North Devon)
available from The Burton Art Gallery where there is now a permanent display about the pigment and the industry.
Thanks to Pete Ward for making his research available.
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