The 14^th meeting on 18 Nov 2010. 

David gave us an update on the progress at the church, all going as planned. Ideas for the use of the building with the new variable space. One being the provision of “Quiet Time”, something lacking in the hurly burly of life and a christening party may stay in the church for the tea afterwards.

The pew carvings of coats of arms are being researched, the quality of the carvings vary, those done by Mrs. Hart being the more amateur.

The plans for the re-opening on the 6^th March, Pam asked for ideas of periods of local history to portray in the parade from the Nog Inn to the church. Suggestions were the 1877 restoration, the Fenny Mead Battle, farming, the railway, the chapel and the persecution of the clergy during the 1645 troubles.

The History Group has given up the plans to buy the Chapel for the village, it will be a burden to fund raise for and repair, the asking price is about £90,000, plus an estimate of £130,000 to repair it. Rev. Cate and David have kindly agreed that we can have a permanent display in the church.

Alan kindly followed on last month’s discussion of the Roman road through the area to Taunton. It ran from Daisymount past Larkbeare to Colestocks via Talewater and up past Hembury Fort. A steep hill for horses!! The state of the roads was better before the use of carts, when the transport was pack horse or sledge. The 17^th C saw the stage coach come into use along with the associated coaching inns Colestocks House being one example. The 1720’s saw the introduction of carts and wagons on the roads.

During the war the “Exon Book”, part of the notes made to compile the Domesday was stored in the cellar of Feniton Court.

The Lytch Gate at the church is the village memorial for the fallen in WWW1. To help the school children understand this we are to research the soldiers’ names.

The thoughts of how to handle all the notes and research we have gleaned were aired. A book was thought to be too big a project and it would be better to put together small chapters to sell and then perhaps collate into a full size book at a later date.

Geoff has set up a template so that the folk with laptops who work in the Museum can digitise the Baptisms from the Late Eric Yates files. This will be wonderful asset and will complete the set, as we already have the marriages and burials done by Geoff.

We are pleased to welcome two new members Denise and Michael Banks. 

The 13^th meeting at the Nog Inn on 14th Oct. 2010. 

Thank you all for coming and making it such an interesting evening.

The coffee morning went very well and I have phone calls thanking us for putting it on. 

Caroline Cousins asked if we could locate her “Rats Castle” folder missing from the 2008 History Event. How did the name come about?

The BBC have asked if we would like to take part in a series relating to the history of the “High Street”, but as we don’t have a High Street it was decided the program was not relevant to us.

A question raised by Jenny while working in the museum, what does the term “oupes” mean, the answer is Bull Finches, classed as vermin as they eat the buds on fruit trees. This would not be allowed today.

A discussion on Roman roads in the area and the old road from Taunton, via Dunkeswell, Hembury Fort, Talewater and onto Exeter. The farm house at Talewater, known as Half Moon was once a Inn, as was Colestocks House. Before the railway came to Feniton folk would ride by horse or carriage to Cullompton to catch the London train.

A debate about the lane from Buckerell Cross to Fenny Bridges being closed off by the new A30 should not have been permitted.

Mention was made of the cold war observation tower at the high point towards Cheriton where the water reservoir is, this was c. 1950 to 1960, the command post being at Poltimore. Dunkeswell had a nuclear missile bunker near the Mansell Racetrack, this had a rainwater plant to give fresh water to the occupants.

The Group discussed how to present our notes and histories, booklets thought to be more beneficial rather than a big book.  I have mentioned the idea of a permanent History display in the church, once it has opened and this has had a positive response from David and the Rev. Cate. Rev. Cate has asked for help with planning for the re opening of the church on the 6^th March 2011. This will be a major event running all weekend Friday through to the Sunday. I am sure we can get become involved. Geoff has replied to Cate to this effect.

David updated the group on the work at the Church.

The builders have found a burial partially under the porch, a large male. The tower and the porch are later additions, c. 1500s. Medieval tiles of green, brown and cream have been uncovered, roughly dated 1400 / 1500. Small slates with wooden pegs.  The Reredos screen erected in the 1891 is being repaired. The old carved pew ends will be reused in the box pew area. Very old bricks have been saved from the removal of a wall and are for sale along with some long later pews.   The organ has been removed. Some bad repairs done in the 1960s or so, with the wrong paint are to be tackled. The quality of the stonework on the outer walls is rather rough, giving an indication that the walls were plastered and it would have been a white building.  The Parish Council are responsible for the Lynch Gate and will make good any repairs it requires. More bones have been found under the paving slabs. The flag pole is rotten and damaging the lead on the tower. This will be replaced with a lighter design and with the flag being raised from ground level, saving a climb up the narrow worn stair case.  The font is very unusual, having a shelf for the christening oils. Damage to the font had been repaired with plaster of paris and some time, which was washed away by the hosing down after the flooding. The stonemasons, A. Real are to repair it and replace a missing rose. The font is made from Beer stone.

  

We discussed the bricks found in the old wall and the known locations of brickworks, Ottery St. Mary and Talewater.

The bones found near the porch may be that of an early rector who was said to have been buried by the church door, "The burial described as being by the church door was that of John  Prynge, rector,  1524  -  1559.  As described in the List of Rectors as printed for the 2008 event." But this would need more evidence to prove.

This was most interesting, thank you David.

Hymn no. 247 in Hymns Ancient and Modern is played to the tune called “Feniton Court”. I hope it can be used at the opening of the church. 

The 12^th meeting at the Nog Inn on the 21 Sep 2010. 

The meeting, albeit a small one went very well and we are very pleased to welcome three new members, Pam, Bill and George.

The coffee morning was discussed, So many said they were sorry to miss the July event so the idea of repeating the display was adopted.

We meet at the Village Hall at 9:15 am to set up. Alan asked if we had a room full of people that we could keep the event open for longer. This was agreed.

This is on Sat. 25^th Sept. Cakes most welcome. No charges, just donations.

The general discussion ebbed and flowed on various topics, all very interesting.

The Battle of Fenny Meade.

Flooding.

St Anne’s Chapel.

The age and use of Sherwood Villa as stabling for horses in relation to the railway.

Castle Hill near Fenny Bridges, it’s age and archaeology.

The bungalow known as “Chequers and the Railway Cottages overlooking Camp Field.

The new members would like to see older maps of the village to understand the locations we talk about.

Books written about the village were asked about, Mr. Chown and Alan’s are the known ones, there is also “A Village in Olden Days”. I must scan in a copy of that to share. I have also scanned a copy of Peter Acland’s personal biography from a copy given to Mrs Myrtle Cumin of Feniton Court, in fear that this may be the only copy.

The hymn tune “Feniton” and how it came to be written? And is there one called “Escot”?

An Archive for the village, the chapel is still thought to be worth saving for the village, so we will and try and find out more ways to do this, if possible. Val mentioned a small store room in the village hall that may be a possibility, more to be found out about this. 

The 11^th meeting at the Nog Inn on the 6^th Jul 2010.

Another lively meeting, taken by Geoff. He set out all the little details for the day, hope you can all remember your respective roles!!!

We will open the chapel at 9:30 am on Saturday to get everything set up.

The prizes so far are:

SWT  ticket for the lucky program

Branch Line Video, a DVD of "Memories of the Bodmin & Wadebridge  Railway"

Escot passes, one family one, = 2 adults, 2 children

3    child goes free

9    2 for 1 Senior Citizen Offer

Spar shop. Don't know what yet! Bradfords, Otter Nurseries, a planter.

If we can rustle up a few more prizes please, this list looks good on quality, but perhaps a bit short on quanity!!

To sell on the day.

Admission, Programs, Raffle Tickets

 25 DVDs of the "Memories of the Sidmouth & and Budleigh Salterton Branches" to sale.

Retail price £18.95. I have done a display stand for the day.

Alan’s Book.

Valerie Stringer to be the treasurer on the day. Float and cash box in hand.

Items to display, promised, so far:

12 ft long station sign,                              Brenda

Posters                                                       Brenda’s son

Signal Arm, owned by Seaton Tramway, Roger Pinnuck

LSWR sign                                                Roger Pinnuck

Diesel name plate                                      Mark Goodenough  

Drivers’ Uniform                                      Maureen Jones

Poster, South Downs                                Anne Kendon

Platform Display, various items               Brenda

Collection of 60 photos                            Alan

Navvies                                                     Ann Payne

Workers and families                                Brenda

Hotel  & Station History                          Chris Gibbins

Nog Inn Scrapbook                                  Rosemarie Davis.

Collection of articles & Photos                Chris Saunders 

South West Circle

Video: “Train Now Departing”

DVD:   Branch Line.

Brenda and her team have all the catering in hand.

May we ask for cakes to serve on the day. Thank you.

Hope folk will help with any rush in the kitchen and with the washing up.

Sets of Display Boards from Ottery Volunteers and Margaret at Honiton Museum, plus the oak room dividers in the chapel, use White Tack only on these please.

I would like to thank you all for the help and support in getting Brenda’s “Plan” off the ground. Here’s to a very good weekend. It has been fun getting it all together.

The 10^th meeting at the Nog Inn on the 22 Jun 2010

We had a very lively meeting, so much enthusiasm!! 

Posters and program are now all in hand and nearly ready to go. Many thanks to all for your time and input.

The various research projects for display are going well. Feeling very excited about it all.

Brenda has some lovely Art Deco posters to put up in her “Platform Corner”.

The catering is all organised. Brenda has worked her magic on her chums!!

I have a rough layout of the room in my mind, just hope we have enough space, if not,  I will ask Mike if we can spill over into the pool room at the Nog. I want to thank Mike and Rose for hosting our meetings. Toilets will be available in the Nog.

Welcome to our new chums, Simon, Arnie and Brian.

Simon and Arnie are doing the advertising board prints outs, thank you. Brian has a wealth of knowledge of the trains.

The sign boards, I will bring them to the next meeting. The PC have asked that we don’t put them out on the green and at Patteson’s Cross until 48 hrs before the event.

Ann Payne is doing some notes on the Navvies. Thank you.

Alan’s book reprint is going ahead, very pleased to hear to that. Thank you to Alan and Val.

Chris Saunders has been approached by the South Western Circle (Train Group) to have a table display on the day. What do you all think?

Maureen has offered to display her father’s train driver uniform, thank you.

Thank you to Maggie and Brenda for providing some pictures for the children to colour in, so we will cater for all ages!!

We have been offered a place at Feniton Fun Day. Sun 4^th July. I will set up at about 12:00. Love to see you all, if you have any bits and bobs to put on display, relevant to the village, we are not just about trains, hard to believe I know!!!!

Thrilled with all the enthusiasm and help from the team!!! Thank you all most sincerely.

The  9^th meeting on  8 Jun 2010  at The Nog Inn.

This was a most enjoyable and positive evening, the programme is taking shape very well and I want to thank you all for all your efforts, wonderful.

Geoff, Colin and Chris. Saunders  have the printing of the programme all in hand and financed by the regulars in the pub!!! Wonderful.

Each individual projects are all hand and going well. Ann Payne is doing the Navvies History for us.

Adverts and mentions have been sent to as many parish magazines, events listing and local papers as I can find. The poster design to be discussed at the next meeting. Colouring sheets for the children to be printed out. Catering all in hand.

I have a set of signs for Patteson’s Cross and the green by the chapel, just need someone skilled to paint them!!

There is a bit of a debate as to who the preacher at the chapel was, Mr. Lilley or Mr. Miller, can anyone help with this?

Parking to be in the station car park. Toilets at the Nog Inn, thank you Mike.

It was lovely to hear all the memories being spoken about, we all wished we had a recorder to take a copy!!

This was such a useful evening we will hold all our meetings here.

The  8^th meeting on 19 May 2010.

We met, firstly at the Chapel. It was a worthwhile visit, and we are very pleased with the venue. We met Danny, who was most helpful. The kitchen is very adequate and Brenda is to ask around for help with serving coffee, teas and salad rolls from there on the day. The screen and a projector will be available for us on the day.  But as this is rather dominate in the room, we think we may use a laptop to run the DVD, and the best bit is that the Chapel has a licence to run film and video, so we may be able to show the BBC video of the Station from the series “The train now departing” without paying a copyright fee.

The plans are shaping up well. Alan is hoping with Val Jones’ help to be able to re- publish his book. We have had promises of memories about the “Railway Hotel” and the station to write up and display. Alan will display his wonderful photos.

Brenda is working on the Railway staff families from the census. We also will have old newspaper articles, bits about the station and it’s architecture and the navvies who built the line. Geoff to do some maps of the line, before and after.

The Nog Inn, Rose has a scrapbook for us to display, other than this, with the Chapel answering all out needs, it is thought we will not need another space.

Car park at the Station, must check this with Alex. Signage for the day. Ask Fenny Signs.

Alan to ask if Mr Peter Tasker would be able to pass on his thoughts about the re-opening of the line.

We will need a few more raffle prizes, no alcohol please.

Chris Saunders has worked out the programme layout. Chris Gibbins to see the local businesses to ask for an advert in the programme, or sponsorship, Spar, Pizza Express, Hairdressers, Spence Excavations, etc.

We need to be ready to place adverts in all our local papers, parish magazines, BBC, TV, radio and What‘s on Listings. This will need to be done before mid June. Chris Gibbins to do this.

We will need volunteers for the day, the sales and admission table, raffle, the food etc.

The chapel is covered by insurance as a public building. The Church insures need a resume of the day and a “Risk Assessment”.

So all in all coming along very well. Thanks to the team for their support.

Does anybody know when the cottages adjoining the Chapel were built? What came first, chapel or the cottages,  also Sherwood Villa, how old would this be?