East Knowstone memories
Here are memories of East Knowstone and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of East Knowstone or a East Knowstone photo.
Farming Apprentiship at Wadham Farm Aged 18yrs
In response to an advert in 'Farmers Weekly' I was sent down from London to gain farming experience with Mr and Mrs Robb at Wadham Farm, before entering agricultural college at the age of 18 years. Locals took me in hand, teaching me to thatch, water divine, tickle trout and the whole cycle of the farming year. I was present during Lynmouth Floods of 1952. I have vivid memories of farming life and tricks played on me by locals! I travelled round Devon, playing rugger for Tiverton.
If this is of interest I can expand in more detail.
Adrian Marsden-Jones.
Memories of Devon
Christmas Holidays in Witheridge
30 years just passed but it still seems present, the time I spent in Witheridge since 24 December to 1st January when I got back to London and then flied back to Italy. I spent splendid days by a family of friends at 17 West Street and still I remember that house, very typical, with wood roof. Inside there were on plan floor an entrance with a wood stair up to 2nd flor for two bedrooms, down a living/dining room and on the back a little kitchen and then a little garden and a white rabbit. In the living room there was Maisie, a white colored big dog. Beside the stairs in the entrance of that house there was a bathroom with blue tiles and another independent room where was situated local Postal Office with Mrs. Mary who managed alone all kind of service. I used to sleep alone in the room on second floor under the roof with typical bow window. Now in the same place of that house... Read more
"After The Fair" at The White Horse Hotel, Bampton
This view is exactly the same as the hotel now looks in 2008 - although sadly the landlord, Robin, died just this year. It was his wish that the traditional music and dancing that follows the Bampton Fair should continue outside his pub after his passing.
I went along on Saturday 1st November and watched Devon based Grimspound Border Morris perform outside the White Horse Hotel along with three other teams of dancers including Sweet Coppin clog dancers from Taunton. Although the White Horse Hotel itself was closed we danced outside to honour the landlord's memory and later went inside other bars in the town to join in music sessions with visiting Breton musicians. My wife Elizabeth joined in some of the border dancing and loved it. It was a chilly day but a lot of fun.
Morris Dancing After The Fair at Bampton
I went along on Saturday 1st November and watched Devon based Grimspound Border Morris perform outside "The Swan" along with three other teams of dancers including Sweet Coppin clog dancers from Taunton to mark the close of the 2008 Charter Fair.
Sadly the landlord, Robin, died just this year. It was his wish that the traditional music and dancing that follows the Bampton Fair should continue outside his pub after his passing. Although "The Swan" itself was closed we danced outside to honour the landlord's memory and later went inside other bars in the town including "The Quarrymans Rest" to join in music sessions with visiting Breton musicians. My wife Elizabeth joined in some of the border dancing and loved it. It was a chilly day but a lot of fun.
St Michael's Church
St Michael's Church hall is a typical meeting hall for community events and is the venue for monthly dances organised by the Bampton Folk Dance Club. I first started going to these dances a couple of years ago with my wife Elizabeth and we enjoyed the live music by the 'Friendly Folk Band' and the new caller invited each time. It's a bit of a throwback to years gone by with a cup of tea and a biscuit midway through the evening. The fun makes one quite nostalgic for memories of dances attended years ago!
Bampton Open Day
Each August Bank Holiday Monday Bampton, near Exmoor, is the venue for a huge village open day. This year's event featured a duck race, teddy bear parachuting form the top of St Michael's Church Tower, tombola, white elephant sales and special opening hours by most of the village's shops, cafes and pubs.
For me the highlight was the entertainments offered in the Riverside Hall on a special music and talent stage. I was invited to join in a dance demonstrated by the Bampton Folk Dance Club which was fun.
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