Feniton History Group held the 91st meeting in the Nog Inn


Lovely to see you all. Pam has suggested we look at putting on a Heritage Weekend, it was back in September 2008 the last one was staged. It was decided to put a note in the parish magazine to see what response we get.

We confirmed we will hold an afternoon tea to commemorate the 100 years since the end of WW1. The Group will put up our display of the men from Feniton to mark both wars. Suggested date:  Sunday 11th November, unless we incorporate it into the Remembrance Day Service, having it before or afterwards?

Jenny’s contact Nigel and other like-minded people now believe the site of the 1549 Battle is in the area around Bloomfield and Skinners Ash Farm, could the name be derived from Bloodfield?  We are hoping Nigel will came and talk to us about the metal finds from that area. Smashed farm tools, bits of chain mail, Tudor buttons and a sword at found at Buckerell.

Alan mentioned that on old maps the river was bridged down by Greyhound Inn?  Over the years rivers would change course naturally, or man made diversions.

Peter recalled that boundaries in 1944 in Germany meant that there was better food in the hotel on one side of the border than the other.

Jenny tells us the work on the preparation for the Battle filming is going well. A decision is to be made on where to store the banner being made by Rosemarie’s team of needlewomen. This has taken some 300 hours of work. It would a great loss if it was not placed somewhere safe and have its purpose celebrated. The Honiton Museum is though to be an ideal location, along with a display featuring the battle. The Catholic Church don’t like the Protestant view in Jenny books!! The reason for the Battle in 1549 still rankles! 

Brenda loves looking through the old newspapers on line and came across the mention of a fire in Apr 1859. The railway workers lived in huts near the Honiton tunnel. The fire was caused by  a candle catching the curtain alight. Did they show they had their wives with them. Surely men living on their own would not hang drapes?

 In Jan 1859  there was an article about casting  an iron beam of eleven tons  successfully effected by Mr. Kerslake's foundry in the Bonhay Road on Wednesday afternoon. The casting will form a portion of the bridge, which will span the Yeovil Railway line in Longbrooke Street.

We had an interesting natter with Sam about his work with South West Archaeology. He
kindly printed out some reports relating to the village.  The depth of soil over the years varies depending on use of the land.

Rosemary asked about the Mill at Fenny Bridges. Val showed some wonderful old maps found in a relative’s effects.  

Hugh is off to the Walsall football match to see Plymouth Argyll play.

Jenny  brought along some trinkets, war time pieces, a sweet heart hanky and a little finger bible carried in  the glove, dagger brooch and an engraved 5/- silver coin.

Thank you all for such an interesting evening. Next meeting in the Nog Inn on Thursday 6th September at 8pm

No comments:

Post a Comment