Ashprington
Ashprington photos
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Ashprington maps
Historic maps of Ashprington and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Ashprington maps
Ashprington area books
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Memories of Ashprington
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Devon memories
A Village Entertainment at The Church House Inn
This is the spot where the dancers and musicians of Dartington Morris and their guests Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers performed in August 2008. The view shows some villge women sitting on a low terrace where a crowd had gathered for the dance performance just recently!
I recall there is now a plaque on the front wall of the Inn inviting people to try the village stocks although that doesn't appear in this Francis Frith view.
I brought my piano accordian along and played in the band for Heather and Gorse and also enjoyed a pint of lovely Flowers Best Bitter! There were probably a hundred folks gathered around the front of the Inn and also standing in the road enjoying the show! There was a family of three boys who we encouraged to join in the music making with our band.
Dartington Morris With Heather And Gorse Clog Dancers at The Church House Inn
This view is EXACTLY the spot where the dancers and musicians of Dartington Morris and their guests Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers performed in August 2008.
It was a lovely warm August evening and a crowd of villagers and holidaymakers gathered for the dance performance at 8pm. I recall there is now a plaque on the front wall of the Inn inviting people to try the village stocks but that doesn't appear in this photo.
I brought my piano accordian along and played in the band for Heather and Gorse and also enjoyed a pint of lovely Flowers Best Bitter! There were probably a hundred folks gathered around the front of the Inn and also standing in the road enjoying the show!
Singing in The Middle Bar!
From early 1970 to 1975, when I left Brixham, we used to go on a very regular basis, winter times Friday/Saturday, Summer time every night (except Sundays) when I could make it, and sing along with my local friends from Paignton and Brixham with a fine lady on the piano, "Winnie" ,what great times we had!! When I have had a few drinks now I can even remember all the words! even now at 57! Is there anybody out there who also remembers those times?? Back in that time - yes! they had 3 bars open in the summer at busy times!! Times you never forget!!!
Memories 1920 - 1951
My name is James Ryder, i was born on the 2nd January 1920 in Factory Road, the youngest of seven children, of William and Lucy. Started school [C of E] at the age of 3 and left at the age of 14., during which time I sang in the Village Choir untill my voice broke. In 1934 I started a 6 year Apprentiship with T Brooks of Totnes as a Builder and cycled daily to where ever I was directed. One period was to Holne Chase for several months (sixteen miles e/w!!). On my twentiith birthday I volunteered for service in the Army and was enlisted in the Royal Engineers on the 16th April 1940 and servied six and a half years in Iceland, North Africa and Italy. In June 1946 I returned to Harbertenford after being discharged. When I came home I lived with my mother in chapel cottages as she had now moved. This lasted until a new council house was built in riverdale where i moved in... Read more
Heather And Gorse Clog Dancers Entertain in Totnes
Tuesday 11th December was a frosty clear night but the crowds of late night Christmas shoppers filled Totnes town centre to enjoy the candlelight, carol singers, buskers and stalls lining both sides of the streets.
At the top end of the High Street by the Market Square a large crowd gathered to watch the Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers with their band of accordians and drums. They gave an hour long performance of dancing and music from the north west of England and the crowd loved the rhythmic sound of clogs on the road and the girls in their smart blue kit plus Christmas sparkling decorations!
It was a really enjoyable evening rounded off with shopping and generous free coffee and mince pies offered by several of the Fore Street churches. Hot coffee was truly appreciated to warm my frozen accordianist's fingers! Altogether, I have to say that the Totnes version of late night Christmas shopping is brilliant and I will be back next time!... Read more
Morris Dancing And Clog Dancing at The Steam Packet Inn
This is the view from the Steam Packet Inn where there is a splendid large patio area which we used for morris dancing recently. We chose an early Summer's evening in June but were disappointed with the unexpected rain! However there were plenty of seats under the pub's umbrellas for the large crowd to take shelter!
Three "sides" of dancers performed during the evening: first to take the stage were Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers looking splendid in their smart kit of blue skirts and fancy blouses and waistcoats plus shiny clogs and bells. Next were the athletic mixed dancers of Harberton Navy with their repertoire of Cotswold dances. The third side to dance were the local team - Blackawton Morris - with a selection of dances in the "North West" style.
Christmas Shopping in Totnes
Totnes provides lovely late night Christmas shopping evenings each December when the High Street and Market Square are decorated, the shop windows have illuminated Christmas displays and stay open late and the place is transformed into a fairyland of old-fashioned entertainments and street traders. There are hot chestnut and mulled wine vendors, arts and crafts for sale and entertainments provided by musicians and dancers. Its a real family occasion and a good excuse for young children to stay out late - in fact I took along my granddaughter Anna aged just two and she stood next to me and was fascinated by the lights, the music and most of all the dancing.
The Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers provided part of this entertainment along with their band of melodeons, drums and accordians. The group is from Combeinteignhead but perform clog dances from the north-west of England to lively jigs and polkas played by the musicians. Our favourite spot to play and dance is the top of the High... Read more
