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Littlehempston
Littlehempston photos
Displaying the first of 2 old photos of Littlehempston. View all Littlehempston photos
Littlehempston maps
Historic maps of Littlehempston and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Littlehempston maps
Littlehempston area books
Displaying 1 of 26 books about Littlehempston and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Littlehempston
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Devon memories
High Cross House And Dorothy Elmhirst's Steinway Grand Piano
On the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate there is a unique “International Modernist House”, now used as a gallery, just to the north-east of Dartington Hall School. High Cross House reopened to the public this year under a partnership between the National Trust and The Dartington Hall Trust and I was able to visit within weeks of its opening with my wife Elizabeth. It is amazing in its simplicity both outside and in. Brutal straight edges of wall rendered in white on the outside and whitewashed walls indoors used as a blank canvas by designers wanting gallery space. A tower gives access to a flat roof terrace. This stunning modernist house is worth spending hours to admire and is stewarded (if that is the right word !) by knowledgeable and friendly National Trust staff that seem keen to involve visitors in living the minimalist and modernist experience. They encourage comments and involvement by younger visitors in the model making area of the former garage downstairs. Elizabeth loved the house and... Read more
Former Residents of Combe Fishacre
I, along with my three brothers and two sisters was brought up in Combe Fishacre House from 1965 to about 1988. My father lived there with his Aunt and Uncle (Neville and Anne Parry) who bought the house in the 1930's. The house was given to my parents in 1965 when we all moved in. We remained there until we sold it to the Longs in the late 1980's.
Much of our childhood was spent on Normans farm (owned by Frances and Aida Luscombe), where we helped out with milking, feeding cattle, gathering hay, etc. The Matthews were at Combe House (then the Monks, then Grant-Sturges's, then the Collins). Miss McVittie lived in the thatched cottage Old Walls until she died in the late 70's. She gave the cottage to Mrs Barbara Marsh who was formerly at The Combe Fishacre Lodge. Bill and Barbara Marsh used to keep enormous Pyrannean Mountain dogs in the tiny lodge, and used to let them... Read more
Staverton Elizabethan Fayre
The Staverton Playing Fields were the location for the Elizabethan Fayre on August Bank Holiday Monday. Lots of entertainment was arranged including a jazz band, the Babelfish Ceilidh Band, Dog Racing, Punch and Judy, the South Hams Dog Agility team, and the Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers. I was there with my piano accordian to provide some music for the dancers and I think my job providing music was a lot easier than the effort needed by the dancers to perform on the soft grass!
It was a huge event and the tea tent seemed to have queues all afternoon. Fortunately there was no rain so many people chose to sit outside on straw bales with their teas while watching the entertainments.
The dancers provided two spots and at the finish of the second spot had just enough remaining energy to organise a giant Cicassian Circle dance for the crowds - most of those who joined in seemed to be mothers with small children but we... Read more
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
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.
