Witheridge, Fore Street c1960

Christmas holidays in Witheridge

30 years just passed but it still seems present, the time I spent in Witheridge since 24 December to 1st January when I got back to London and then flied back to Italy. I spent splendid days by a family of friends at 17 West Street and still I remember that house, very typical, with wood roof. Inside there were on plan floor an entrance with a wood stair up to 2nd flor for two bedrooms, down a living/dining room and on the back a little kitchen and then a little garden and a white rabbit. In the living room there was Maisie, a white colored big dog. Beside the stairs in the entrance of that house there was a bathroom with  blue tiles and another independent room where was situated local Postal Office with Mrs. Mary who managed alone all kind of service. I used to sleep alone in the room on second floor under the roof with typical bow window. Now in the same place of that house instead of it, at number 17 West Street, I saw in Internet a photo of a shop  with a postal office more large, rebuilt. In the square there was a covered place where they stopped the buses on the right looking in front to West Street where I arrived on 24th Dec. Then on the back side there was the church where I and my hospitable family went that night for the nativity. All seemed so real and romantic, much cold and high snow in the streets and in the square. In the same square there was also a restaurant-hotel where one evening we had a very good meal, it was very friendly and comfortable. I remember there was a playing group, I would like sometime to return there and play my accordeon. It's better I stop now dreaming, but I am an incorrigible romantic who still lives on the past as someone used to say to me. Yet I can't believe they are just passed 30 years and ....che sarà sarà as we say in Italy, maybe some day I will return to visit the places even if I don't listen about my friends since long time, it happens in the life to be losted...it would be nice  to see again Sally, Elisabeth, Mrs. Mary and Mr. Courtney.
I don't forget... I would appreciate anything from Witheridge, photo, curiosities etc. Thanks and all the best. Sincerely, Guido

Woolsery School, 1948

I went to Woolsery School for a few months in 1948. We lived on a farm called Little Walland, and walked to school, about a mile. I went back this year, after a 60 year gap, and remembered the school immediately. I found the farm, with help from the villagers, and once again remembered it straight away, little change having taken place to the house. The old cow shed is still there, even some of the cob walling remains. Sadly no photos that far back.
Ken Elliott

Farming apprentiship at Wadham Farm aged 18yrs

In response to an advert in 'Farmers Weekly' I was sent down from London to gain farming experience with Mr and Mrs Robb at Wadham Farm, before entering agricultural college at the age of 18 years. Locals took me in hand, teaching me to thatch, water divine, tickle trout and the whole cycle of the farming year. I was present during Lynmouth Floods of 1952. I have vivid memories of farming life and tricks played on me by locals! I travelled round Devon, playing rugger for Tiverton.
If this is of interest I can expand in more detail.
Adrian Marsden-Jones.

Sandford re-visited

I grew up in Sandford, I lived at 2 Snows House when my name was Sandra Birch. I was one of 4 children and of course Mum and Dad were there too. We moved from Creedy Park Lodge where Dad worked for Sir Patrick Ferguson Davy but moved to Snows when Dad lost his job. It was around 1968 and I was 9 years old when I started at Sandford County Primary School and made friends with Maria Crowe and Annette Bird. The headmaster was Mr Way and his wife was the headmistress, Mrs Way. I remember some of the families that lived in the village, the Hammette family, the Whites, the Webbs, and who could forget old Charlie Perkins who had a riding stables where I spent many a happy time.
There was a little grocery shop which was owned by the Furzes and a friendly post office where I would spend my potato-picking money. Gradually we all grew up and moved away and I now live in Surrey and have a grown up daughter and a 5 year old grandson. Sadly though, today I lost my dad, just before his 81st birthday, and I lost Mum in 2006. One day I plan to return to Sandford and relive some of my mostly happy and some sad memories.

The Old School House at Coldridge

I went with my cousin Robert Allen to see the village of Coldridge to find out where our Grandad's sister had lived.  Now many of what were once the important village businessses are modernised houses called The Old Forge or The Old Bakery or The Old Post Office. It is a shame to realise that the heart of this beautiful country community has been lost but I have heard that village life still thrives.

My cousin and I thought that Coldridge is a beautiful place. Our Grandad was George Creasey Allen and he had a younger sister Winifred Kate who married a Mr Plumridge and lived in The Old School House right next to lovely Coldridge Parish Church.

Their home is still a lovely brick and stone building with a large porch and the old school hall still there on one side. Great Aunt Winifred died and was buried in the beautiful churchyard within sight of the windows of her house in 1972. Her daughter who I knew as "Cousin Madge" used to write to me in the 1970's but sadly I was never able to visit and see her lovely village at that time.  

Cousin Robert and I were able to see that Cousin Madge had died in 1982 and was buried in this churchyard right next to her mother. Our visit was on a cold damp December day and not ideal for tramping around a churchyard so we would like very much to return on a bright sunny summer day in 2008 and plant some flowers and bulbs on Great Aunt Winifred and Cousin Madge's graves to show we care for their memories and for the lovely place in which they were so lucky to have lived.

We took photographs on our visit to remind us of what a lovely place this is.