Nostalgic memories of Chagford's local history
Share your own memories of Chagford and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying all 10 Memories
I was born in Chagford in 1940 at Moorlands Hotel which my Grandfather owned. I do visit from time to time but am rather a long way away in Australia. I have many memories of Chagford and Dartmoor and even now I often tell my Wife about things that happened in the years that I lived there.
One thing that I have no knowledge of and that is who built Moorlands Hotel and when. If there is anyone who may read this and ...see more
Hi my grandparents lived in the house where the girl is standing - maybe my mother - I can't tell. There was a terrible fire that took out a lot of those houses and the ones behind. My grandparents lost almost all their belongings and had to live in small area behind Webber's shop for quite some time till Orchard Gardens were built - they were called Mabel and Jim Yeo. I was a little girl at the time of the fire. My ...see more
The school where my mother taught was evacuated to Holystreet Manor from Surrey in 1939, and I recently found her and her colleagues staying there in the 1939 census. Fascinating to find the school listed and know it was also a school in the 1950's. Apparently the dormitory where the teachers slept was haunted...
I used to spend my summer holidays with an aunt and uncle at corner cottage in the 1960's. They were Margaret and Claude (Ginger) Cousins. As I grew up I lost touch with them I now live in Tiverton and visited Chagford I managed to find a headstone for them in Chagford church. Does anyone remember them. My auntie used to be a housekeeper for Sir Frank Whittle. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers them as I have very fond memories.
I remember it as a school; the headmistress was Aunty Vera (I do not remember her surname). The classrooms were in the stables and I remember as students we believed there was a tunnel to a church on the moors. I remember going for walks on the moors, sitting on the raised lawn in the back doing handiwork, swimming in the little creek, cleaning Chapel silver and some of the students and the many pranks we played...but also were caught doing! What a wonderful time of life and so many memories.
I also went to St Brides in the early 1950's and in fact remember Patricia Quarman and Ann Bradford. Who could ever forget Aunty T and Miss Watson. I particularly remember coming back from half term and hiding sweets in the floor boards in our dorm, and yes, the sneaking around the school at night. What a wonderful time of life.
My family moved to America in November of 1952, so that ended my time at St Brides. ...see more
I was a pupil at Holystreet from 1956 till it closed as a school a few years later. I have vivid memories of Miss Watson and Miss Thompson, also Miss Wyatt and Mrs Ruegg. It was a beautiful place for a school, I remember the chilly dips in the river and many nature walks in the grounds, the lovely chapel and the wisteria arch at the back where we had an afternoon rest. I also remember getting my knuckles rapped, ...see more
I have an album that belonged to a member of my family in years gone by. In this album, my ancestor's friends have made drawings, sketches, ditties and paintings. There is a beautiful painting entitled "Chagford", which appears to be Holy Street Mill, painted by Edwin Jackson, 1911. If anybody would like a copy of this painting, then please contact me with your email address.
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 Bradford, Athenie Gerome, Penelope Kennedy ...see more
I am wondering if anyone remembers the school in Chagford at Holystreet Manor. I went to this school in the mid 1950s and at the time it was called St Brides, later to be re-named Holystreet Manor School with a change of Principal. I believe it closed down shortly after. I lived in Moretonhampstead at the time (my parents were managers of the White Hart Hotel) and used to catch a bus from Moreton to ...see more