Uplyme, the Church c1960

one of my many schools

I went to Uplyme school from about 1958/59, I was about 8 years old, we lived in Combpyne and came to school by bus which we caught at Rousden.  My memories of the school are three sisters by the name of Taylor, one I think was Belinda, and a girl called Ruth. I also remember two brothers Frank and Ralph I think they were from Africa. I thought the teachers were frightening at the time. I remember we were taken to someone's house in the village to watch something on television, something to do with the royal family I think. I have not been back to Uplyme or Combpyne since I left, hope to one day though.  My brother also used to catch the bus but he went on to a school in Axminster. I remember one day that I left my satchel on the steps were we used to catch the bus, and it was still there when we came home, it wouldn't be nowadays.  My name then was Sally Stapleton.

School days

My first school was at Uplyme. I started when I was 4 which was nearly 54 years ago now. I remember the headmaster was a Mr Denham and he lived in a house on the top of the hill opposite the Church. I remember being quite scared of him. The teacher who I also remember with great fondness was a Mrs Hurst, she was a very kind and caring lady. I also remember that at Christmas we always held the Nativity Play inside the church.

St Mary's School, Uplyme 1960 and 1961

I was at St Mary's boarding school, the summer terms 1960 and 1961. I came from Gothenburg, Sweden. I was just 12 and 13 years old and I couldn't speak much English.

I am now looking for girls that spent their school days at St Mary's. My best friend was Heather Dobell and she came from Whitestaunton, Chard.  I have lost contact with her but would like to get in touch with her. Is there anyone who knows something about her?

What about the school? Is it still there? Is the house still there?

I am now 60 years old. Please write to me!!

Mid 1960's - mid 1980's

My parents David & Valerie, and younger brother Roger Angus lived at 'Rosevine' opposite the Rectory.
The then vicar, Christopher Leach lived in the Rectory with his wife and children Godfrey and Hilary. Additionally, they charitably fostered many children, having a minimum of four guests at any given time if my memory serves me correctly, hence using many of the available bedrooms.
When the vicar moved to live elsewhere, the new owner, an insidious individual called Mr. Ryan who was very fond of dogs, had the unfortunate habit of discarding his dog waste over the hedge into the road below.
Local farmer Frank Webber used to provide much sought after weekend and holiday employment by lifting potatoes and swedes/turnips for them.
It was a wonderful place to live your childhood with the multiple benefits of having a close knit local community and no major external distractions such as traffic, pollution and crime.
You truly learnt how to live in and with the countryside, being able to run free and investigate your surroundings for hours in a completely safe and healthy environment.
Despite having our own apple trees, boys would be boys, and with the company of the 'Rectory children', 'scrumping' would occur from neighbouring gardens.
I do recall having turned off the village water supply and throwing away the key one sunny afternoon, shortly to be followed by a visit fom a rather angry farmer, Guy Moore who had a farm at the bottom of the village and was attempting to milk his cows. Needless to say the key was recovered by myself and supplies restored.
Many a happy hour was spent beside the harbour, wondering at the enormity of the trout, my only regret, never having fished it.
The church was our focal point every Sunday morning, with my mother being a Sidesman and delegating either my brother or myself to undertake the collection during service. Whilst primarily bored with the proceedings, I would spend most of my time looking at the ceiling trying to count the amount of boards it was clad with.
I have many happy memories of growing up in Combpyne and can still remember the names of many village worthies and where they lived, one day it will be very worthwhile making a return visit from the N.E. of Scotland with my children who are now of the age my brother and I were at Rosevine.

1994 to date

Richard, I am one of the current owners of the rectory (now The Old Rectory) where you came to visit and review the house you had lived in as a child and pointed out which room had been your bedroom.  Strangely though, the 27 rooms that you remember seem to have shrunk to a present day 12 (plus 2 loos and a bathroom)!

Combpyne has remained a "working village" though, unlike many of the surrounding ones, with many families remaining in the village through the generations!

By the way Frank Webber died a few years back and there were so many mourners that most had to be accommodated outside the church.  Giles is alive and well and to be seen now and again in the Glebe opposite our house.

Linda Jackson