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Watcombe
Watcombe maps
Historic maps of Watcombe and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Watcombe maps
Watcombe area books
Displaying 1 of 26 books about Watcombe and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Watcombe
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Memories of Watcombe
I have wonderful memories of Watcombe. I lived there for many years. The beach was a favourite place to go in the summer, although even later for me as I used to help Bob Chapman with his fishing, he used to put out the lobster pots and salmon nets. I did the rowing and sometimes the sea very rough but it never worried me although I could not swim. Most of the beach would be filled with local people, and space to sit was at a premium. I hope anyone that reads this item will write a response. My brothers Gerald, Derick and Ronald have passed on. Perhaps someone will remember us and make a response to my letter.
Best wishes,
Eric Harwood.
Devon memories
Squire Brown's, Now Pontings.
The thirties were the very early days in my life. My mother would take us up to Greathill where we would sit and have a picnic, not a lot to eat but a chance to play in the fresh air. We were all very happy together. Sometimes we might see a skylark rising above us singing away. We used to try to find the nest but never did. My mother would tell me the skylark took off well away from its nest. Barton was also where Squire Brown's house was, a large place where we had an outing day from the church, it would be at Easter time and the helpers would hide chocolate eggs for us children to find. I remember that you had to have six stars for attendance on Sundays to be allowed on the trip.
The Greathill I talked about was the high part of Torquay, that was where we could look right over the fields to the sea, not many houses then to cloud our... Read more
Clog Morris Dancing at The Babbacombe Festival
A week long programme of events for the Babbacombe Festival included a display of clog morris by the Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers from nearby Combeinteignhead, accompanied by a large band of four squeezeboxes and percussion.
The dancers performed in the evening at the Precinct close to the Dolphin pub. It didn't take long before a crowd gathered to watch including drinkers from the pub who brought their beers outside to sit on the benches and watch. There was an hour long display of dancing which the onlookers regularly applauded!
Great fun, nice people and lovely weather for dancing - not too hot, just a gentle fresh breeze to keep both dancers and musicians cool on this summer evening. A lovely memory!
St Marychurch's "Party in The Precinct"
I was really surprised at how busy and popular this community event was. I went along with my wife, Elizabeth, who is a dancer with the Heather and Gorse Clog Morris Dancers. The team had been invited to perform outside the Dolphin pub half way along St Marychurch precinct.
We were booked to dance at 3 o'clock and the organisers of the event were ready for us and "coned off" a square of pavement so the dancers had space. I took along my accordian and helped with the music up on the nearby stage. The dancers looked splendid in their blue and white kit plus shiney black clogs. We provided a medley of jigs and polka tunes for more than half an hour finishing up with an audience paprticipation dance which went down well with the watching crowds!
This was a really well organised event and I hope it will be repeated as it was fun.
THE HOME THAT NEVER WAS
A St Marychurch lad I lived in Hampton Farm Cottage, Hampton Farm, Hampton Lane, St Marychurch, Torquay, Devon. I had been away from Torquay for several years - Army Service, etc....... but did eventually return to find that a BY PASS had been cut through the Farm area and there it was in front of me... the road by passing St Marychurch.... but no Farm and no House... not a trace... except for perhaps an end piece of old timber in the wall at the back of the MODEL VILLAGE (where the allotments used to be)... so... if you remember the building of this By Pass and witnessed the destruction of the House and Farm or perhaps even knew me, I would welcome your comments....... thank you for your kindness... Freddie.
Heather And Gorse Clog Dancers in Teignmouth Triangle
There is a beautiful wide paved area at Teignmouth Triangle which is a natural focal point to meet people and maybe sit and chat on one of the many benches nearby. This was the venue chosen by the Heather and Gorse Clog Dancers to put on a display of clog morris dancing along with their band of accordians and melodeons.
The dancers kit of blue dresses black waistcoats and dancing clogs attracted the attention of passers by and there was soon a gathering of interested spectators. This was my very first opportunity to play my accordian for Heather and Gorse and it was a magical morning as dancers, musicians and spectators all seemed so friendly - even the sun shone warmly on this November day and I was able to play my accordian in just shirt sleeves!
St Mary Chuch
I live in the USA, but my home was St Marychurch, a special place run by Catholic nuns during World War 2. I was barely two years old, and I was brought there with my five-year-old sister by my aunt, because my father was killed in action in a Lancaster bomber plane when returning back to England after a raid on Germany. My mother could not take care of us as she had a breakdown. We spent ten years at Marychurch with the refugees and even though I did not know the full consequence of war I can remember the siren and being lifted out of my bed by women in black and white hoods - the nuns. These Catholic nuns fed me, dressed me, and comforted me when I cried. I think of their caring hands when I was sick.
When I was old enough to attend the Catholic school with children that came from outside they called us "Indoor kids" and we called them "Day kids". I return... Read more
