MIKE DEGNAN, from Bude, delves into the history of the importance of Bude sand and its resulting construction of the Bude Canal — including a section relating to the little remembered Bude Aqueduct.

DUE to the heavy, wet and cold acidic condition of the soil on the Atlantic side of North Cornwall and Devon, much of the area was looked upon as extremely poor pasture land.

However, as early as the 14th century, land within the grounds of Tavistock Abbey had been enriched with the high level of calcium rich sand from Widemouth Bay which had been transported by pack mules.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.