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South Brent
South Brent maps
Historic maps of South Brent and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all South Brent maps
South Brent area books
Displaying 1 of 26 books about South Brent and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of South Brent
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of South Brent.
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Our Honeymoon
These pictures bring back delightful memories!
We spent a week of our honeymoon in the 16th century mill at Lydia Bridge. Across the lawn was a view of the brook and early spring flowers. We stepped outside to the sound of the waterfall across the narrow, winding road. From the bridge on closer inspection the waterfall was spectacular. A path along the brook led to the ancient church where we wandered around the cemetery and the historic interior, and then explored the village of South Brent, little changed since these pictures were taken. No tourist traps here! At the local pharmacy, we bought Hummel type, Leonardo Collection, figures as souvenirs and gifts for our wedding party; we ate at the tea room, feasted in the pub, and cooked local produce in our quaint, antique studded cottage.
Up the hill from our cottage, the lane twisted and turned sheltered on both sides by tall hedgerows. With only enough room for one car, occasional pull-offs beside the road allowed... Read more
Devon memories
Wartime in Ivybridge 1939
I was one of ten little girls, plus our teacher, who arrived in Ivybridge as evacuees from Acton, London, at the outbreak of the Second World War. We were taken to a hall (probably at the school) where we were collected in pairs by our 'families'. The first family we stayed with lived in Exeter Road. They had a little boy, a large house and garden. They also had a car. I had never even been in a car before! We used to visit elderly relatives of the family, who lived in an old farmhouse in Cornwood. They kept a cow and made their own cream. The farmhouse had no electricity, and it was lit by oil lamps. Owing to the ill health of the wife, we had to move to Woodland Terrace, where we were looked after by a lady whose husband was away in the army. I have memories of going out primrose-picking in the spring and of playing in the fields at the back... Read more
An Interlude in Buckfastleigh And Buckfast
I remember being a pupil at the little Buckfast school, now St Mary's primary. I presume it was the same then but can't remember. It was in the early to mid 1950s and I have a photo of what I think is a school play there. I think that I am in the photo but cannot be sure. Anyone remember milk tablets? We lived in Buckfastleigh at the time, my mother, my sister and me. It was a very dark and pokey little terrace cottage at the western end of the town. I can remember we had a copper basin in the backyard that mother used to do the washing in. As far as I recall she filled it with water and lit a fire underneath it. For a while too, we lived in a caravan in the small park by the bridge near the railway station. Not sure what's there now.
Memories 1920 - 1951
My name is James Ryder, i was born on the 2nd January 1920 in Factory Road, the youngest of seven children, of William and Lucy. Started school [C of E] at the age of 3 and left at the age of 14., during which time I sang in the Village Choir untill my voice broke. In 1934 I started a 6 year Apprentiship with T Brooks of Totnes as a Builder and cycled daily to where ever I was directed. One period was to Holne Chase for several months (sixteen miles e/w!!). On my twentiith birthday I volunteered for service in the Army and was enlisted in the Royal Engineers on the 16th April 1940 and servied six and a half years in Iceland, North Africa and Italy. In June 1946 I returned to Harbertenford after being discharged. When I came home I lived with my mother in chapel cottages as she had now moved. This lasted until a new council house was built in riverdale where i moved in... Read more
War Years
Born in 1938 in Modbury, I can remember the latter years of World War II.
I remember vividly the nights during the months of the heavy blitz on Plymouth, with the beams from searchlights that were based just outside the town criss-crossing the sky as German bomber formations droned overhead.
The American forces had an army camp in a field across from Modbury School and as a youngster I used to wander through the camp and GIs would give us sweets or chewing gum. The roads were lined with trucks and tanks preparing for the build-up to the Normandy invasion and the villagers used to volunteer for rehearsals by lying in the streets as casualties to be carried off to first aid stations.
In the evenings, some of the GIs would sneak into town and come to our home. My sister Peggy would sometimes play the piano for them and they would bring canvas bags of goodies for me and my sister. At Christmas time the children... Read more
Jarrett Family of Ermington
In 1907 my Great-uncle, Arthur Jarrett, married Elizabeth Daniels in Ermington church. Elizabeth was the daugher of Frederick Daniels, who was then the landlord of the 'First and Last' Inn in Ermington.
Arthur Jarrett was a groom for Lord Mildmay at Flete House. He also served in the cavalry, possibly the King's Dragoon Guards.
I believe Arthur and Elizabeth lived in, or near, Ermington all their married lives. In 1947 their address was 3 Park Hill Terrace, Ermington.
They had at least six children, three boys and three girls, born between 1907 and 1919. Does anyone remember this family?
Thanks for great website. Sue
The Jarretts of Ermington
My mother's maiden name was Jarrett, her father was Fred Jarrett who along with his brother Jim ran a small building company. I lived in Ermington from 1957-1974 and was related, or so it seemed, to almost everyone within a 5 mile radius. There was a Daniels, Peter, I think who ran the First and Last. It was where I had my first half of mild at 15 years of age!
I was very close to my grandfather (Fred) and spent many happy hours in his workshop with its smells of seasoned wood, linseed oil and saw dust, looking at the massive oak tree at the bottom of Town Hill. It is still there today and whenever I return to Ermington it is my link with the past. It is a constant, it is no larger or smaller than I remember, just the same old tree reminding me of happy times.
