Harbertonford, Devon

MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

I arrived in Totnes January 1944 and lived up at Dartington until a day before the invasion at Normandy. Totnes became our "hometown." I returned for the fiftieth anniversary and honored for being the first American to come back. Bill Bennett arranged for us to be given the "keys to the city." Back then at age 19 it was a... [more]

Bridgetown Bridge

The consensus in the Albert Inn is that the gent with a folded coat under his arm is Owen MacLening, with his nephew Bill behind him. The youngster with the bicycle could well be Andy MacLening, also nephews to Owen.  Andy is currently (Jan 2009) barman in the Albert Inn.

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... [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"... [more]

Heather and Gorse Clog Morris 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... [more]

Dartington Morris with Heather & Gorse Clog Morris 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 Morris 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... [more]

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 Morris 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... [more]