Exeter, Devon

The Wakely Family

I was born in Lower Shillingford (Shillingford Abbot) in 1939. My grandparents lived in Rectory Cottage, Higher Shillingford (Shillingford St George). My grandfather was gardener at the vicarage. He was also the sexton at the church, gravedigger, bellringer and caretaker at the church.
At Christmas time we would walk from Lower Shillingford to Higher Shillingford to attend the midnight service at... [more]

Cann Family History

My Great Great Grandfather was born William Honey Cann.   Born: March 12, 1845 in Topsham, England son of John Cann and Jane (Hill) Cann.  (William Married - Ann Pidgeon, from England also!).  Looking for more information on Cemeteries in this area.  John Cann was the son of Samuel Cann & Charity (Arscott) Cann.  Looking for information on location of where they... [more]

The River

My family moved to Brampford Speke in 1972 when I was two and we moved away in the summer of 1977 to Bristol. We lived in the bungalow opposite the village pub. I went to the village school and spent most of the time down by the river. I learnt to swim in the river too. I remember the hot summers... [more]

Drawbridge Cottage, Exeter Canal Photo Ref: 82302

Ref: 82302
This is a photo of Drawbridge Cottage where my family lived in 1901. John Thomas Helley and wife Eliza Ann(nee Gitsham) lived there with their children Florence, Maud, Louie Elizabeth, Hilda Ellen, Kathleen Nora, and Nellie. I would be pleased to know more about them and the cottage. Louie Elizabeth Helley married Reginald Hamilton and lived along the canal... [more]

35 years in Newton St Cyres

We moved into Shuttern Cottage in Pump Street in 1965, long before local developents started. It was quiet then, with little traffic, but the inevitable happened - first Woodlans, then Court Orchard, then lots else, but the atmosphere remained good and things for the good happened. The Recreation Ground in Station Road was set up, a rebuild of the Parish Hall... [more]

Happy days at Newton St Cyres

At the moment I am 66 years old. I lived at Newton St Cyres from 1950 to 1952.
My father worked at J. G. Quicke's farm where in 1952 he was unfortunately killed and my mother and I returned to Cornwall. I can still remember going to the school at the top of the hill. Ahh! those were the days.[more]

THe New Inn

My parents ran the New Inn (now The Nobody Inn) when my grandmother died, and we moved from Higher Ashton to take over the tenancy. The Pub was owned by the St Annes Well Brewery who operated from Exeter. Many memories flow from those days. School with Miss Mary Wippell Mallet who had the typical bun hairstyle, and lived with her... [more]