Feniton History Group held the 102 meeting in The Nog Inn

The meeting was started by Christine who welcomed everyone.
The meeting started with David telling u s that he has been looking at the Pring’s tomb near the
church door . H e noticed that the ends did not appea r to fit in with the overall de sign of the tomb.
 H e thought they gave the appearance of having been stuck on rather haphazardly while t he slab on the top looked like it may have been an alta r stone i n the past which had possibly been r emoved from the church when they had to be replaced by a wooden one c. 1550 The inscription on the tomb,
Prepare for Death , was possibly chosen because the village was experiencing an outbreak of plague
or smallpox at about this t ime. Since the meeting, Jenny has since read the parish registers in the
museum which reveal that the Pring family had lost four children and their mother in 1551 and
another four children who lived in Thorne in 1591. 1591.) This gave rise to a discussion about the plague hospital which was situated in Owl Lane at a safe distance from the village. It was not known when this was built. People from the village and surrounding neighbourhood would be taken there when in fected with the plague or smallpox in order to reduce the spread of the disease.

David also told us about the dole cupboard where bread was available for the poor out side the
church door. This gave rise to the word ‘dole’ today.

Christine talked about the lake a t Escot and the flooding that occurred when it swept through
property and fields as it headed for Sidmouth. No one, however, had been able to find a written
record on it and the story has only been passed on by word of mouth. Meanwhile, it was m entioned
that Escot House, prior to the fire faced the other way towards Clapperentale, but others disagreed
and pointed out that contemporary records show that it was facing the same direction that it does
today.

Brenda reported that she had been researching the land lord of the Greyhound Inn who lived there
during the Second World War Years. The family were called ‘Parsons’. In 1939 there was a mention
of a Lillian Parsons and in 1945 there was a reference to a Mr Parsons.

Brenda also told us that she has published a beautifully presented book let which starts with the
mystery of a bigamous marriage which took place in Feniton church before the couple moved to
Sidmouth. See Brenda if you would like a copy of this fascinating story.

Alan said he had been thinking of the battle of Fenny Bridges and the previous discuss ions of the
river c hanging its course. He thought that the rive r and main road bridge had possibly been two
hundred yards to the West. If you look at the present road it is raised up over the surroundi ng
ground which suggests that the river had made a sign ificant change of course with the bed probably
being where the cars are sold today. We queried whether the mill had therefore also been in a
differe nt position to where it is located now. Jenny mentioned that nearly all the archaeological
discoveries , particularly the peasants’ weapons, were found close to Bloomfield House, and not on
what is normally considered the main battlefield site. This suggests that the main battle was fought
closer to Bloomfield. (Did Bloomfield change its name from Bloodfield, perhaps?perhaps?) Just as had happened further downstream at Cadhay, the old river bed would have become filled in. It was also mentioned tha  flat bottomed boats use to sail past Fenny Bridges from Budleigh Salerton.

Peter informed us that it was Poetry day and he entertained us by read ing two of the poems he had
written.

RoseMarie said she had been to Sancreed church and seen the painting of Munnings the Horse
painter,

Lionel, our new member, said he had only recently moved and we were pleased to welcome him.
He said that his particular interests were the history of Honiton, where he now lives, and Penzance,
his former home.

George said that Christine had sent an email out about a very important find on Dartmoor and he
told us about a BBC programme about the discovery which he had seen. He offered to lend the
guide book and the recording of the film to whoever was interested.

We also discussed the meeting in the church with Dr Todd Grey when he told us the story behind
Uncle Tom Cobley and its relevance to Feniton which had its own, and much earlier version. No
one, however, could identify the names in Feniton’s version with local names at the time from the
old records. We concluded that the names were imported from elsewhere or purely fictional.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event and we were pleased it had raised so much for the church.

Christine thanked everyone who had worked to make the event so successful.

Date of next meeting is the first Thursday in November, the 7th November at 8 p.m.

Report on the lovely evening with Todd Gray, Jim Causley and the Tale Valley Choir with Keith Stevens and Alan Rosevear

Thank You Peter for this.

Feniton Hostory Group held the 102 meeting in The Nog Inn

Uncle Tom Cobley & All

With Dr Todd Gray MBE

in association with the Feniton History Group

An evening of word and song, revealing the long and curious history of Devon’s anthem. Unknown variants of the ballad will be reintroduced including one from Feniton in 1867.  The evening is part of a four-week Devon-wide tour recreating Sabine Baring-Gould’s Costume Concert Lecture Tour which introduced `Widdicombe Fair’ to the world in 1888.

We are delighted to say that Jim Causley will be making a guest appearance and The Tale Valley Choir

7.30pm, 12 September 2019

St Andrew Church, Feniton EX14 3BY

Tickets £5 at the door

Feniton History Group help their 101st meeting in the Nog Inn

Feniton History Group held the 100th meeting in the Nog Inn

The Group are very sad to hear that Val is in hospital and we all send her our best wishes.

Geoff came along armed with cakes to mark our 100^th meeting and also, we used the cakes to mark Alan’s Birthday, he was surprised we knew it was his birthday, his face was a picture!!

We talked through the arrangements for Todd Gray’s Book Launch, date is confirmed for Thursday 12^th September at 7:30 pm. This will be put in place at the July meeting. We are not meeting in August.

We were pleased to welcome Margaret  with some Feniton related photos and paper cuttings relating to the bellringers  in 1979, 11 year old George Tibbet, Tom Virgin, 73 and the Tower Captain Les Stevens, who received a Long Service  award for Les who had worked at Feniton Court for 41 years in 1988 at Devon County Show. The other show Mrs P B E Ackland (sic) presenting the Championship trophy in the Shorthorn Class at Crewe Show in 1973.

A local historian and metal detectorist, Nigel was made welcome to the group. Good to have you on board Nigel.

A letter has been received from Graeme sending us a wonderful article dating to around the date of the Fenny Bridges Battle 1549. It is a Scabbard Chape, this was the piece of metal at the point of the scabbard to protect it. The Group thank Graeme for passing this to the Group Archive.

We are always amazed how the evenings in The Nog evolve  with random snippets coming together. This evening exceeded that. It is the 75^th Commemoration of the D Day Landings, may of us have been watch the BBC programs that mark the day. I hope my notes do this justice. The personal recollections of the Group members are just humbling and heart wrenching. 

Alan recalled the American Troop trains passing through, The Heathfield Camp in Honiton, now the trading estate, billeted the US Army, much to the delight of the ladies!!! Nylons, sweets,  tined meat,  fruit and chewing gum being some of the perks!!!

The US Navy were at Dunkeswell doing submarine patrols over the south west approaches,

the planes they used were liberator bombers. Alan recalls one of  the planes failed to take off and crashed near Sheldon, loaded with fuel and depth charges. Alan and his brother Keith wet off on their bikes to see this, Brenda still has the bits from the crash that Alan ad Keith brought back.  You can still see the site as the hedge has no trees growing  there.

Cycling home from Kings School by Cadhay, Alan spotted a glider in the corn field  with an US  officer by the gate, Alan engaged him in conversation to ask why, he was told the glider needs to go back to Upottery know as Smeatharpe. An  aircraft  came and caught up the hook cable and lifted off  towing the glider back to Smetharpe. This would have bee the

5^th Jun 1944. A lot of air craft towing gliders from Upottery off to the Normandy landing beaches.

RoseMarie remembers her Mum telling she would get Nits if she played on the bombed sites in Plymouth.  George  remembered taking sugar to the sweetshop for the shopkeeper to make his sweets.  Brenda’s family were living in the South East and the wonderful Christmas food parcel sent by her Grandparents in North Devon brought back memories of the farm with the smell. Margaret’s mother was hard at work scalding cream to make clotted cream for the hotels and Dellers.

 http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_buildings/dellers-photos.php

Other members of the group passed on such devasting personal family tragedies; I thank them for relating their experiences that changed their lives for ever.

The meeting closed with Peter reading his poem about a Dead Russia Soldier. Thank you Peter. Peter shared his war experience and brought along his medals.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Feniton History Group held the 99th Meeting in the Nog Inn

Thank you all for a wide ranging and lively discussion.

We spoke about the harsh attitude to dissenters during the war, men many of whom have seen the most terrible sights and, today, would be said to have traumatic distress syndrome.

Peter lost his wife 2 years ago after 70 years  together. He wants to help the communities which have helped him over the years. He had hoped to make a big gesture like doing a skydive,  or rowing the English Channel, but ill health prevents him. Sharon Cleal  will do the skydive on his behalf for Hospice Care. Look out for the sponsor forms!!   Peter is still doing a Marathon, that is to write 26  poems, 1 poem for each mile in a Marathon!! Peter is an amazing man to talk to, thank you for coming to our meetings and sharing you life and thoughts with us.

Brenda related that the sad death of Mrs. Rita Down of Sherwood Farm coincidences with the death of Mr Cruwys who died 100 years ago to the day, he farmed Sherwood too.

Brenda tells us that she and Val Jones are needing to recruit help with publishing the Feniton Parish magazine each month. So please make contact with Brenda if you can help. Her details are on the Magazine.

Alan told us he had read an Article in  the book “Devon” by Robin Stains a very keen local historian, it was a recollection of the prayer book rebellion memorial stone placed near the Bloody Meadow. The stone is off Cornish Granite. The stone commemorates the Battle of Fenny Bridges in 1549. There is current debate about the location of the Battlefield, some thoughts are linking the name of the old Fenny Bridges Pub to the battle the name being Bloomfield House.

RoseMarie remembered the event when the stone was placed, sadly many of the Cornish folk attending that day, did not know the words to  the Cornish Anthem “Trelawny”

George  took a walk  by the River Otter to work out how it had changed its course  over the years.

We remarked on the  BBC House History series based on a house  in Newcastle, it was very well presented by David Olusoga. Fascinating.

Geoff is helping catalogue James Ravilious’ wonderful photographs, which will put on the Internet.

 We commiserated with Hugh on the woes of Plymouth Argyle football team!

Peter rounded the evening off with a wonderful  coincidence, he met a fellow nurse, with a similar background to his own and in comparing notes they realised they came from the same town and same area, Peter being aged 93 and the nurse 39!!! They also went to the same school.

Thank you all for a wonderful evening.

Next meeting on 6^th June in the Nog Inn, we thank Mike and RoseMarie for their kind hospitality. This will be our 100^th meeting.