Zeal Monachorum, Devon

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... [more]

Sid and Nancy Harris

My granparents, Sid and Nancy Harris, nee Podgers, lived and went to school in Broadwoodkelly. They lived in the rectory, Silver Trees, when I and my sister Liz were growing up. We loved visiting and sleeping in this huge and wondrous house, it seemed so magical, especially the grounds. My gran, Nancy, would lay the enormous kitchen table for tea, with... [more]

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... [more]

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... [more]

A Saturday ramble at Fingle Bridge

The Heather and Gorse Clog Morris Dancers organised a ramble to celebrate the New Year and we met on a beautiful sunny January Saturday at the Fingle Bridge Inn.

My wife Elizabeth and I joined our group of friends some of whom took their walking very seriously judging by the Nordic walking poles and huge woolly caps!  Others were... [more]

The Friendly Post Office

As a kid this is where I cycled to from my home in Windy Ridge, Skaigh Lane, Belstone to save my pocket money - I knew I would never be a millionaire but I achieved my target of having a thousand pounds by my 18th birthday and I remember making the deposit at Belstone Post Office not long after my 17th... [more]

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... [more]

St Bride's School in the late 1940s and early 1950s

My maiden name was Quarman. I boarded at St Bride's School in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  The headmistress was Miss Thompson, assistant Miss Watson.  We wore a green unifrom.  I ued to enjoy ballet in gym on Wednesday afternoons. I played Mustardseed in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', ha ha ha.  A few of the friends I remember were Anne... [more]