Another
good natter over a pint. Good to see Bob after his health problems.
We
looked at my notes from the talk given by Chris Wakefield, which led to us
discussing the Hayridge Hundred and how it came about:
The
hundred of Hayridge was the name of one of thirty two ancient administrative
units of Devon, England. It was originally known as Sulfretona and this name
was still used in the Geldroll of 1084 but two hundred years later it was
called Harigg in the hundred Role of Edward I after the place where the hundred
courts were held which is now Whorridge farm. The parishes in the hundred were:
Bickleigh; Blackborough; Bradninch; Broadhembury; Cadbury; Cadeleigh;
Cullompton; Feniton; Kentisbeare; Netherexe; Payhembury; Plymtree; Rewe (part);
Sheldon; Silverton; Talaton; Thorverton. According to White's History,
Gazetteer, and Directory of Devonshire, (1850) it "Is of an irregular
figure, extending about 16 miles from east to west, and varying from 9 to 6 in
breadth."
The
Domesday tells us we had 5 pigs and 15 sheep, but it was suggested this meant
Feniton had 5 pig keepers and 15 shepherds.
Alan raised
the point about the name of the Roman road that passed along the Old A30 at
Fenny Bridges, I had assumed it was the Fosse Way, but it seems I am wrong, can
anyone help with the correct name?
David
had brought along his laptop and was able to add to the discussion with his
extensive notes.
The
boundary stone is here and we look forward to erecting it after the crops are
harvested and we will plan that event then.
Chris's talk raised £48, so £20 will be used to cover the VAT on the
stone and I have asked David to accept the remaining £28 to cover the coat of
the church for the evening.
Colin
Harris has written a book on Papermaking in the Culm Valley and has offered to do a talk on the subject. David, Colin and I
will sort this out for a date in October.
I have a
Timeline file, which was set up by David and extended to cover all manner of
happenings in Feniton. I attach a copy for you all, please add anything you
think relevant, or I have made a error, using a red font, so I can pick out the
new entries and send it back to me. Thank you.
In writing up the time line I asked if we ever had a
serving policeman in the parish, it seems Feniton was covered by the
Broadhembury Police House at Colliton Cross. Mr. Tolman and Mr Gibbins were
Special Constables.
I also asked about the arrival of the telephone in the
parish, Brenda has kindly sent me her notes from the council minutes:
May 1927: The Telephone Authorities were willing to
install a Telephone Call office at Feniton P.O. if a guarantee of £19 for an
open telephone & £25 for a closed cabinet could be found. The PC did not
feel justified in guaranteeing that amount!!!! It must have been installed by September
1930: Mr. Chown reported that on 2 occasions when the Public Call Office was
shut he had to wait some considerable time before the attendant answered him.
He asked the Council if it were possible to get a night bell fixed outside the
Office.
The
parish clerk has raised the query that some of the Feniton Parish Council
minute books are missing, Brenda confirmed this, I offered to check the books
held by Devon Record Office, this is the reference to the holding: 4214A - Feniton Parish Council dated 1930 - 1982.
Jo has asked about the cobbled pavement by Court Barton.
It is shown in some of the old photos I have on file. We thought it would have
been just that a pavement, the road would not have been cobbled. David and
Brenda both confirmed that it is recorded and may not be covered.
I went to Escot Church Open Weekend and History
Display. It was fascinating. The WW1
research caught my eye as, of course, two of the names have come up in our
Feniton research, Arbery and Flay. So need to check those out. Also a name new
to us from WW2 is EM Wood who has a War Grave in Escot Churchyard, but not
recorded on the war memorial, Richard Powell who did the research for his book,
"The Men on the Cross, the Great War in Escot and Talaton" suggests
that EM Wood was a Feniton man killed in the second world war, I have no record
of him, yet.
We chattered about WW2 memories, the bombing of Exeter,
seeing the fires from Bitterly Cross, and Alan told us that a German plane shot
up the railway station and the Railway Hotel. The bulldozing of many old
buildings after the war was a great loss, but back then heritage was not in the
mind of the planners who had it all demolished for the new.
VE Day, no one had any recall to a celebration in the
village, but I have found a paper cutting to the contrary.
We next meet in September. I am still hoping for someone
to take on the Group admin, please?
Don't forget the wedding dress event in the Church on the
16 / 17 May, Brenda has researched the History of the Wedding Dress for the
event.
In July, date to be confirmed there is a talk on Stained
Glass in Escot Church, which has some very high quality work.
Now I have thank Bill for the wonderful plaque to place
on our displays to show who had produced the project. I am thrilled with it,
wonderful craftsmanship. Bill is also carving names to place on the heraldic
pews to identify the families. Fitting that we have a continuing craftsman
adding to the history of the church today.
