Holsworthy History Society

Paul Watts gave a very interesting talk on 'Drinking in Shebbear Through the Ages'. He focused on the public houses in the village and their numerous and varied landlords and ladies. It seems nothing is new in the behavior of patrons and owners of such establishments.

 Simon Dell talked about the history of Lundy Island, especially the last 50 years .  He explained how Lundy went from being in private ownership to being managed by The Landmark Trust.  It was purchased in 1969 by the British millionaire Jack Hayward for £150,000 who then gave it to The National Trust who then leased it to The Landmark Trust.

Simon brought Lundy to life with anecdotes and photographs which made for a most fascinating talk.

 David Kendrick talked about Winston Churchill and his days at boarding schools. 

He wasn't a particular good scholar but did develop a love for the English Language and Literature which held him in good stead for when he became a war correspondent in South Africa.

He was captured by the Boers and imprisoned.  But only after a couple of months he escaped and journeyed some 300 miles to the neural territory of Portuguese East Africa, now Mozambique.

Ria Zoltan delighted the Holsworthy History Society with her talk about Holsworthy during WWII.

Ria explained how Holsworthy had played an important part in the war and how agents with the Special Organisation Executive (SOE) came to Holsworthy to complete their training.

She also shared many stories about the African American soldiers who were stationed in Holsworthy and their role in the war.

Ria was accompanied by the "Holsworthy 1944 Group" who brought exhibits,  relating not just to WWII but also to WWI.

Revd Paul Fitzpatrick gave a fascinating talk on the Disturbing History of Luffincott.

It centred on the church and rectory and how a number of vicars in the mid-late 19th Centurty either left the rectory, never to be seen again, went mad and were institutionalised or remained as the vicar but refused to ever again enter the rectory.

This talk was given by two of the History Soci
ety's members.  Julia Warren spoke about two Zulu battles - Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift - and the heroic deeds that led to 11 Victoria Crosses being awarded.

Alan Strike was dressed in the uniform of the Victorian soldier and explained the life of a soldier of that time.  He also showed some of the equipment that the soldiers would have used.

A talk was about ghostly goings on, myths and tales from bygone years on Dartmoor.  This talk was given by Paul Rendell.

The talk was about a notorious family who lived in the small parish of Nyment Rowland in the 19th century. They were thieves and rogues and not a family you would want living next door to you.

 This was a fascinating talk about the murders of Jack the Ripper which took place in London in 1888. Several theories were explained before the speaker said what she believed to be the reason for the murders and who the murderer was. The talk was given by Julia Warren.

Visiting the Lime Kilns at RHS Rosemoor was fascinating. These kilns were in operation in the 19th century. Although in ruins now, a group of dedicated volunteers are working hard to restore them to their former glory. Guided by Ian Harrison.

During the group’s visit to this railway it was explained that this line originally ran from Bideford to Torrington. Opened in 1872, 1965 saw the end of the passenger service whilst in 1982 the last train left from the station. Now a heritage line, the first passenger train to run – just 300 meters – was on 5th August 2023. Guided by Martin Wilson.

A fabulous afternoon spent east-the-water Bideford. Exploring steep footpaths, previously unnoticed, culminating at Chudleigh Fort with its magnificent views over the estuary. Guided by Peter Christie.