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Huntsham memories

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The 697 Bus From Tiverton to Wellington Via Huntsham


I suppose one of the advantages of being "old" is having both the pensioner's free bus pass and the time to use it!

So having retired to the middle of Devon with my wife Elizabeth in 2006 I gradually set about exploring the area.....and one of the best ways to do this is by bus. Armed with the local bus timetable I went down to the Tiverton Bus Station and boarded the 697. It sounds grand with a "big number " like that but in fact there is ( or rather "was" as the service no longer runs as it did ) just one return journey on a Tuesday and another on a Friday. These are Tiverton's miid-week market days so I boarded the Tuesday afternoon bus for its return run through Huntsham and Holcombe Rogus and on to Wellington in the neighbouring county of Somerset.

Believe me, I have never known another bus journey like it! The lady bus driver seemed to know ALL the passengers... Read more

Memories of Devon

BLIZ KID

I was fortunate to spend time during the war at Chevithorne Farm, the home of the Gale family. I have some photos and would be happy to share them and memories. Cordially Bert

"After The Fair" at The White Horse Hotel, Bampton

White Horse Hotel c1950
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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

Castle Street c1955
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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

The Church c1960
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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

Brook Street c1955
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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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