New app puts Devon’s hidden history on the map

A SOUTH Devon filmmaker is developing a free app designed to bring the South West’s hidden history to life, using location-based audio stories to reveal the legends, characters and events behind familiar places.

William Westaway, a filmmaker with around 20 years’ experience, is creating GO RELICS, a location-based, audio storytelling app that plays short recordings when users are in the vicinity of places connected to a story.

Whether driving across Dartmoor, cycling through the countryside or walking around a historic harbour, users will be able to hear about the people, places and events that have helped shape the area around them.

The idea began with Westaway’s own curiosity about local history.

‘I do a lot of driving. I’m interested in history, and I often think, “I wonder what happened over there?”’, he said.

‘I wanted to create something for myself where I could have a guided tour while I drove around, with bite-sized, GPS-tagged stories linked to certain spots’, he added.

Initially, he began developing the app using artificial intelligence as a personal project.

But as he researched more stories, the idea grew into something bigger: a platform where people could contribute their own discoveries and help build a shared record of local heritage.

The app uses a map to pinpoint stories, with audio triggered when users come within the relevant location.

It is designed to work alongside other apps, meaning people can continue using their usual navigation apps while listening out for stories along the way.

Westaway hopes the project will eventually cover thousands of locations, from well-known landmarks to overlooked corners of towns and villages.

He said even a relatively small area could hold far more stories than people might imagine.

Torquay’s harbour, for example, already has several stories associated with it, but he believes there could be dozens or even hundreds more to discover.

The content will also be open to contributions from local people, although submissions will not automatically appear in the app.

Westaway has designed a multi-stage process in which stories are researched, developed into short scripts using AI and checked by a human before being turned into audio.

The recordings are then checked for pronunciation mistakes, particularly with local place names.

He also hopes users will be able to rate stories, helping flag material that might be inaccurate or need further investigation.

Not every contribution will necessarily be a proven historical fact.

But Westaway believes local anecdotes and folklore have a place alongside documented history, provided their status is made clear to listeners.

‘If it’s a good story and it’s genuinely interesting, there’s no reason why it can’t go on there as something a local person says’, he explained.

The aim is to create a living cultural heritage resource that can continue to grow as more people contribute their knowledge.

Westaway’s own interest in treasure hunting and forgotten history stretches back to childhood.

He recalls becoming fascinated by reports of gold coins discovered in an old wall in Torquay, an experience that sparked a lasting curiosity about what might be hidden beneath the surface.

Alongside his filmmaking work, he has since become involved in research projects exploring lost objects, historic mysteries and emerging technology.

Now, he hopes GO RELICS will encourage others to look at familiar surroundings differently.

The project is still in development, and Westaway is keen to hear from people across the South West who would like to contribute local knowledge and help shape the app’s future.

To get involved and share your stories, visit https://gorelics.co.uk/. Once released, the app will be available on iPhone and Android.