Feniton History Group held the 97th meeting in the Nog Inn


Very pleased to report that the replacement Boundary Stone is here, and it will be placed in due course. I am looking into setting up a QR code to explain the stone.

Following on from last month regarding the Art & Craft event in May. Brenda has been checking newspapers for mentions of local crafts entered in the flowers shows etc. but sadly nothing came to hand.  We had craftsman in the village, stonemasons, blacksmiths, carpenters, Mrs. Hart a woodcarver and may be lace makers. The task goes on.

David has been looking at documents in the Devon Heritage Centre and has found mention of a sexton who put a body in a reserved plot. It was a member of the same family, so the rightful plot owner raised no objection.
Other information was that the Rev Hart memorial in church caused an issue which had to be resolved by the Chancellor. It concerned part of the monument text being in Latin
and was included within the English text. The crest on the monument indicated the this particular Hart family had origins were in Ireland.

There was a proposal to line the whole of the North wall with oak panelling, as it was only the box pew in the Northwest corner was lined.

The 2 inch lettering on the lych gate cost 12/- per dozen letters.

A drawing of the churchyard showed a drain crossing the churchyard. A letter from Redferns to the Rev hart said that no such drain exists.

A man has been out looking round the church for graffiti, he is hoping to write a book on the subject.

Geoff is still busy at Southwest Heritage, he recommends talks on Victorian trains by a Mr. Trump given at the RAMM in Exeter.

There are rumours about a Smugglers’ Path from Feniton to the coast, perhaps Branscombe. Google has not thrown up much, apart from the essay:


Also lace was often smuggled I understand.

Bob has found an Italian Medal, always enjoy hear about the medals.
Jenny has asked for help with her family history, Geoff is working on the military side and I am looking for Smithfield Farm, near West Hill, in Tipton St. John, Metcombe area, can I ask if this is known to anyone.


I will fix up an afternoon at the farm next month, we can look at family history and sort out our display boards for the Craft Weekend. Thank you all for a fascination evening.

Next meeting in the Nog Inn on Thursday 4th April 2019.

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