HERITAGE Open Days is being supported by Teign Heritage Centre, Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum.

This year’s Heritage Open Days are taking place between the September 9 and 18 with free admission to over 5,000 events around the country celebrating our history, architecture and culture.

At Teign Heritage Centre, Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum will be open to visitors for free from 11am until 3.30pm on Saturday, September 17.

Malcolm Tipper, acting centre manager, said: ‘This is a golden opportunity to explore the museum galleries and find out more about our town life, fishing connections with Newfoundland, Brunel’s railway and the GWR airport on Haldon.

‘Visitors will also be able to see our latest exhibition “Dead Famous in Teignmouth and Shaldon” featuring the lives and achievements of some famous local people: the Homeyards who developed the cough medicine Liquafruta; James Spratt who fought at Trafalgar, and Thomas Spratt, who first charted the depths and sandbanks around the estuary.

‘Also featured are Charles Babbage who built the first computer, Elias Alvars, an international harpist and composer, and Mrs Lancaster Lucas who founded Shaldon Lace School.

‘While visiting, you may like to inquire about becoming a Friend of the Museum which provides free entry to the museum for a year along with journals and talks during the autumn and winter.

‘There are also volunteering opportunities if you have a few hours to spare.’