STORIES from Bude Canal are to be unearthed by Bude Youth Theatre.

Following the storms in Bude recently, what appeared to be railway lines were suddenly revealed on Summerleaze beach (pictured). In fact, these sand rails are relics of the Bude Canal and usually lie hidden under the sand. Almost 200 years ago, they fanned out across the beach from a turntable beyond the iron bridge, beneath the sealock, allowing lime-rich sand to be shovelled into side-tipping trucks on wheels, before being pulled up to the canal and transferred into tub boats to be transported inland via the canal.

Bude Youth Theatre director, Richard Wolfenden-Brown, spotted the rails on Sunday, November 11 and thought this was a timely appearance, as the theatre have been invited by the Bude Canal and Harbour Society to create an original play with songs to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bude Canal in 2019, and are currently hoping to unearth canal-related stories, memories, snippets and photographs to be used in the theatre production, which will be performed from March 27 to 30.

Richard said: “We are keen to hear from anyone with stories to share about the canal. They could be to do with your family history or the people whose lives have been shaped or changed by the canal over 200 years, or the abundant wildlife, or the rich environment of the canal, or a simple story about something that has happened to you or your family and friends, on or near the canal. The young actors in Bude Youth Theatre are keen to hear your stories in order to build a play that truly reflects the memories and feelings of local people in relation to the canal.”

Information can be posted to Richard at 7, Killerton Road, Bude, emailed to [email protected] or on the phone on 01288 356537.

Young people aged nine to 17 are also welcome to get involved in the production.