Rockbeare, the Bridge 1954
Rockbeare, the Bridge 1954 Ref: r257002
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Memories of Rockbeare, the Bridge
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Rockbeare & local memories
Read and share memories of Rockbeare and Devon inspired by Frith photos
Ottery St Mary, the Cottage Guest House c1960
Ref: O28036
How funny! We now own and live in this house. It has barely changed since this photograph, although it is no longer a guest house and its name is different. There are some barns and a coach house in the background which have been partly demolished; a small conservatory has been added to the left of the porch. We believe the people who ran it as a guest house were called Haywood, his first name being Cecil. He had been a manager at the factory in Ottery (since closed). Mrs Haywood was famous for her cooking. They rented it from Lord Coleridge (known as "Lordy"). It was called "The Cottage" because it had been Lady Devon's Cottage, a dower house for the Courtenay family. It was originally built in the 17th Century as a Huguenot weaver's dwelling. This part of Ottery is known as Dunkirk, because of that French connection. The house then comprised only the left hand section and there are four other cottages nearby that share the same origin and design. The larger central section of this house was added in the 18th Century and the grand drawing room with Gothic windows on the right is Victorian. A number of people have lived here since, including a well-known still-working High Court Judge. For many years it was lived in by a Miss St Quintin, known as Quinnie, who used to have a pet monkey which lived on her shoulder. She used to play croquet on the lawn in the foreground. At some point it must have been bought from the Coleridge Estate because it is no longer rented. It has also belonged to a sculptress, a dentist, another descendant of the Dukes of Devon, a writer and a retired navy captain. We believe at least one owner - possibly Cecil Haywood - died in the house. One of the bedroom windows has an ancient etching on the outside, possibly from the ring of a builder or decorator, called "Govier", which is a well-known local name. We have some images of the house taken from the other side, which is the lane leading to Cadhay House; as well as an aerial photo taken in 1967. If anyone else has any memories of this house we would love to hear them.
Shared on 07 March 2008
My name was Evelyn Smith "Eve". I was evacuated to my uncle and aunt's home during the war. My uncle was Sidney Smith - he was station master. We lived at 3 Coombe Lea. Miss Richardson was our school teacher - a really beautiful lady and an excellent teacher. My best friend was Nancy Leach - she lived in Dawes Cottage. I remember the gypsies who came through the village - the eldest girl was named Caroline. There were twin boys who lived on a farm - can't remember their names. Skinner's farm was just down the lane from 3 Coombe Lea - they brought fresh milk to our house every day - or maybe we fetched it from the farm in our little churn - not sure - but it was always warm from the cow - LOVERLY!! My cousin Josie and another cousin from London (Ettie) were land girls in Tipton.
Buster (last name skips my memory at the moment - was connected with the Great Train Robbery when he grew up). Does anyone remember him? Does anyone remember who he was bilited with? I remember a little black girl from Abyssinia who lived in one of the Coombe Lea houses - I thought she was one of the most beautiful little girls I had ever seen - I just adored her tight curly black hair. She was the very first black person I had ever seen. There was another local girl who lived in Tipton - I think here name was Renee West - a friend of mine and Nancy's. I married and came to the United States in 1955 - my name is now Eve White - husband's name is Kenneth. I still keep in touch with Nancy Leach - since 1945!! I would love to hear from anyone in Tipton.
By the way, I am a writer of cat books. Look me up on the web for a synopsis of my first book at "www.dinklesmiff.com"
E-mail: ew37214@bellsouth.net
2700 Nodyne Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214 U.S.A.
Shared on 10 December 2006
Some of my first memories were picking the daffodils which my family grew, my great grandfather being the Walter Hill who grew the first King Alfreds. We lived in Ova-Yonda in Back Lane, my grandparents lived in Waterleat, now the tea rooms. It was in the brook that ran through the property that I watched my grandfather tickle trout and I caught minnows and sticklebacks.
My great-aunt lived in a cottage further down the High Street and my great-uncle lived a house near the Cannon.
My parents were Percy and Betty Hill. They entertained many, Dad playing the piano, Mum singing and eventually me doing 'a turn'. Dad had a dance band during the 1950s and in the 1960s going into a pub with a piano and tinkling away so people could have a good old sing-song.
The fun we had in the village hall, fancy dress parties and games, later on dances. Christmas time was when the school would put on a concert. I was Angel Gabriel for at least 3 years.
Does anyone remember the Furry Dance we did down through village, gosh was I shattered by the time we reached the village hall! The Coronation was celebrated with yet another fancy dress parade but I remember crowding into Rita Wood's house in School Lane to watch their TV, just catching the crowning.
I can't remember exactly the year, maybe it was 1956, when we held a pageant celebrating a charter given to the village. I rode my pony as a princess, and Mum and was a peasant.
To have the railway was great because it was on this that we travelled on many a school trip. It was so sad when it closed.
Aylesbeare Common was a good old stomping ground too, walking up to Benchams on a Sunday afternoon. We'd pick heather and watch for the skylarks. Mum had an aversion to snakes, and sod's law she would be the one to find an adder, which meant the end of our little jaunt.
There are so many memories, but I just wonder if there is anyone else who can remember some of these things?
Susan Snell
Shared on 17 July 2009
My friends and I spent many happy hours playing on the old platform and under the old railway bridge before they were both demolished.
We used to play hopscotch on the platform and had a camp amongst the trees at the back.
We made a rope swing there and used to take a packed lunch down on school holidays and spend all day there messing about.
We had a secret club and had to give a password before you could enter it like children do.
The old bridge was shored up with peices of wood and we would climb up and down it racing each other to the top.
I remember there was an old tramp lived under there at one time.
Shared on 08 June 2006
Harpford, the Village 1906
Ref: 53832
My forebears came from the village of Harpford. In the Tithe schedule of 1839 Joel Carter rented the small cottage in the centre of the photo and also the cottage on the far right (which had a workshop at the back.) Joel was born at Podbury's Cottage (then a farm) which I think is at the back of this photo - certainly Podbury's is the main subject of the other Harpford photo. In the 21st century all these buildings are still there, little altered externally except that there is now more vegetation - trees/bushes etc. Joel Carter farmed at Harts which was on the outskirts of the village and has long been destroyed. Joel and his wife Mary (nee Paver) had 15 children of whom 9 lived to adulthood.
The lane is still very narrow and the area of the River Otter valley best appreciated on foot.
Shared on 31 May 2007
