Talk with Historian Todd Gray - Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts in North Devon

Todd Gray is the author of Blackshirts in Devon - a detailed study of the British Union of Fascists in Devon, Plymouth and Exeter from 1933 to 1940. The Blackshirts under Oswald Mosley were active in North Devon and Mosley gave speeches in Barnstaple's pannier market. Come along for this free talk to learn more.

Todd Gray FRHistS, MBE is probably Devon's best known historian who has written over 50 books on the history of Devon. He has won numerous awardsRecent publications include Exeter's Lost Buildings, Destruction from 1800 to 1899 (2023), Voices of Empire in Exeter, 1575 - 1996 (2024, in two volumes), Waterwogs and the Contested History of the Golliwog (2025) and Devon's Home Front Diaries, 1937 to 1945 (2025), the first county study from the Mass Observation archive.

Part of our 'Back to the Market' project.

The project will offer a wide variety of free workshops and events for all ages, including launching three artist commissions that will investigate key events from Barnstaple’s rich past. The commissions will culminate in an exhibition in the gallery, as well a variety of research presentations both in the Pannier Market and online.

As an arts organisation that has been based in the market since the beginning of 2024, we love the hustle and bustle of the market and know what an important community asset we have here. In a time of online shopping and struggling high streets, we want to celebrate the market as the beating heart of the town, and we’re really looking forward to deep diving into its history through artistic expression and creative researching. We would like to thank Barnstaple Museum, Barnstaple Pannier Market, Sunrise Diversity and most importantly the Heritage Fund for making this project possible.