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Diptford
Diptford maps
Historic maps of Diptford and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Diptford maps
Diptford photos
We have no photos of Diptford, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Gara Bridge| South Brent| Harbertonford| Woodleigh| Dartington| Dean Prior| Totnes| Loddiswell| Ashprington| Modbury| Buckfastleigh| Staverton| Harford| Ivybridge| Aveton Gifford| Ermington| Berry Pomeroy| Littlehempston| Torbryan
Diptford area books
Displaying 1 of 26 books about Diptford and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Diptford
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Devon memories
Gara as I Remember it
I came to live at Gara Bridge as a babe in arms in the early 1940s. We lived at 2 Hothole Cottages, and I remained there until I joined the forces in 1960. Our neighbours all that time were called Pullyblank, Phil, the elder, and wife lived in the house on the right, as you look at the cottages from the front. On the left lived Bill Pulleyblank and wife. Both these men were rabbit trappers We travelled to school at Kingsbridge each day, except for the last year, on the branch line train. The last year we had to ride on a bus that picked us up at the station yard gate and took us to school via Woodleigh and Loddiswell. Although it took longer we were dropped off at the school gates instead of walking from the station at Kingsbridge to the respective Junior or Senior schools. There were not many houses in the immediate area, the lodge at the entrance to the drive up to... Read more
Our Honeymoon
These pictures bring back delightful memories!
We spent a week of our honeymoon in the 16th century mill at Lydia Bridge. Across the lawn was a view of the brook and early spring flowers. We stepped outside to the sound of the waterfall across the narrow, winding road. From the bridge on closer inspection the waterfall was spectacular. A path along the brook led to the ancient church where we wandered around the cemetery and the historic interior, and then explored the village of South Brent, little changed since these pictures were taken. No tourist traps here! At the local pharmacy, we bought Hummel type, Leonardo Collection, figures as souvenirs and gifts for our wedding party; we ate at the tea room, feasted in the pub, and cooked local produce in our quaint, antique studded cottage.
Up the hill from our cottage, the lane twisted and turned sheltered on both sides by tall hedgerows. With only enough room for one car, occasional pull-offs beside the road allowed... Read more
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
Back to The Mid 1970's
1974-1975 I was a French assistant at Westlands School, Plainmoor in Torquay. I would often rent a cottage located in Woodleigh Road in Gara Bridge. This cottage belonged then to Mrs Wadstein who had a charming son named Charles. This family was extremely friendly and generous to me and I had a wonderful time at their place. I remember that a weekend cost 5 pounds! After living in Paris for 12 years and in Munich for 18 years, I am back in my home country the West of France, in a lovely town called Angoulême* famous for its Comic Strips Festival taking place each year in January. If anyone could give me news about the Wadstein family, I would be very pleased. Best regards from a friend of Britain Patrick Bouthinon * Isabelle of Angoulême was married to John Lackland and became queen of England.
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
