Past presentations and visits
2024 Meetings and visits
Friday 8 Mar QM - Guest speaker Felicity Goodall on 'Devon's lost industries'
Thu 16 May 11 - 12 - Tour of Exeter Guildhall, then 14.30 - 15.45 tour of St Nicholas Priory in Exeter
Wed 12 Jun 10.30 - Visit to the Downes estate near Crediton
Fri 28 Jun QM - Guest speaker Mark Baker on the Grand Western Canal
Tue 9 Jul 10.40 for 11.00 - Tour of Torre Abbey
Sat 3 Aug 10.30 - Tour of Poltimore House followed by optional lunch in their cafe
Fri 11 Oct QM - AGM plus talks by us on St Boniface Home
Fri 6 Dec QM - Phil Badcott on 'Folklore of Bygone Devon'
2023 Meetings and visits
Friday 10 March QM - Aspects of Sampford Peverell history
Tuesday 11 April O - visit to Hemyock Castle, 10.30
Friday 14 April QM - Guest speaker: Suzanne Jones on 'The Effect of the Industrial Revolution and Empire on Victorian Gardens of Devon'
Thursday 15 June O - Visit to Hestercombe house and gardens, Taunton
Friday 30 (changed from 23) June QM - Guest speaker: Paul Cleave on 'Devon Cream Teas, Clotted Cream by post, & Devon's food in the 1920s'
Tuesday 18 July O - Visit to the Avalon Marshes centre with guided tour of the historic reconstructions at 10.30
Tuesday 12 Sep O - 2pm, Visit to Taunton Castle and Museum
Friday 13 Oct QM & AGM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on 'Sins as Red as Scarlet' - turmoil and accusations of witchcraft in Bideford in the late 17th Century'
Friday 8 Dec QM - Guest speaker: Phil Badcott on 'The March of William of Orange through Devon'
Tuesday 11 April O - visit to Hemyock Castle, 10.30
Friday 14 April QM - Guest speaker: Suzanne Jones on 'The Effect of the Industrial Revolution and Empire on Victorian Gardens of Devon'
Thursday 15 June O - Visit to Hestercombe house and gardens, Taunton
Friday 30 (changed from 23) June QM - Guest speaker: Paul Cleave on 'Devon Cream Teas, Clotted Cream by post, & Devon's food in the 1920s'
Tuesday 18 July O - Visit to the Avalon Marshes centre with guided tour of the historic reconstructions at 10.30
Tuesday 12 Sep O - 2pm, Visit to Taunton Castle and Museum
Friday 13 Oct QM & AGM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on 'Sins as Red as Scarlet' - turmoil and accusations of witchcraft in Bideford in the late 17th Century'
Friday 8 Dec QM - Guest speaker: Phil Badcott on 'The March of William of Orange through Devon'
2022 Meetings and visits
Items are marked as either QM (Quarterly Meeting) or Outing.
All Quarterly Meetings are held in the Village Hall, or via Zoom if necessary, starting at 7.30 pm. In addition to the guest speaker, and when time permits, we aim to inform members about the Society's other activities, which may include displays or short presentations etc. Refreshments are also provided. Meetings are free for members, £2 for non-members
Places on Outings need to be booked and car sharing is arranged. Non-members are welcome to join us at a nominal charge. Dates and times are subject to change, sometimes at short notice. Admission charges may apply.
All Quarterly Meetings are held in the Village Hall, or via Zoom if necessary, starting at 7.30 pm. In addition to the guest speaker, and when time permits, we aim to inform members about the Society's other activities, which may include displays or short presentations etc. Refreshments are also provided. Meetings are free for members, £2 for non-members
Places on Outings need to be booked and car sharing is arranged. Non-members are welcome to join us at a nominal charge. Dates and times are subject to change, sometimes at short notice. Admission charges may apply.
Friday 4 March QM - Guest speaker: Dr Bryn Morris on 'Killerton bygones: three houses, two deer parks, one family'
Wednesday 25 May - a guided walk around the village looking at the geology and building stones, led by Maurice Tucker, a former Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Durham. We'll start at 2pm in the village car park.
Friday 10 June QM - Guest speaker: Robert Hesketh on 'Devon Smugglers - the truth behind the fiction'
Friday 14 Oct QM & AGM - Guest speaker: Derek Gore on 'The Vikings in the West Country'
Friday 9 Dec QM - Guest speaker: Todd Gray on 'Devon and Slave Emancipation in 1834'
Wednesday 25 May - a guided walk around the village looking at the geology and building stones, led by Maurice Tucker, a former Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Durham. We'll start at 2pm in the village car park.
Friday 10 June QM - Guest speaker: Robert Hesketh on 'Devon Smugglers - the truth behind the fiction'
Friday 14 Oct QM & AGM - Guest speaker: Derek Gore on 'The Vikings in the West Country'
Friday 9 Dec QM - Guest speaker: Todd Gray on 'Devon and Slave Emancipation in 1834'
2021 Meetings and visits
Due to coronavirus restrictions we do not know when we will be able to have meetings in the village hall again, or organise outings, so the schedule will be developed as we go along.
Friday 12 March QM via Zoom - Guest speaker: Bill Horner on 'The Romans in Devon'.
Friday 25 June. QM Guest speaker: Tim Burt on 'Our changing climate'. May be in the hall or via Zoom
Friday 8 October. QM & AGM - Speaker: Mike Sampson on 'The Gill altar in Blundell's School Chapel'.
Friday 10 December. - Speaker not yet decided
Visits and events planned for 2020 which had to be cancelled, which we may try again when restrictions allow:
Outing - Visit to Taunton Castle and Museum
Outing - Visit to the Fenix Carriage Museum at Clayhidon (a combined visit with Halberton History Group)
Outing - Visit to Lower Ebear local heritage collection
Outing - Visit to Avalon Archaeology Park and Avalon Marshes Centre
Workshop on the Sampford Ghost. The story so far, with input from Todd Gray
Other events:
Late summer, possibly more archaeological fieldwork at Battens Farm
Friday 25 June. QM Guest speaker: Tim Burt on 'Our changing climate'. May be in the hall or via Zoom
Friday 8 October. QM & AGM - Speaker: Mike Sampson on 'The Gill altar in Blundell's School Chapel'.
Friday 10 December. - Speaker not yet decided
Visits and events planned for 2020 which had to be cancelled, which we may try again when restrictions allow:
Outing - Visit to Taunton Castle and Museum
Outing - Visit to the Fenix Carriage Museum at Clayhidon (a combined visit with Halberton History Group)
Outing - Visit to Lower Ebear local heritage collection
Outing - Visit to Avalon Archaeology Park and Avalon Marshes Centre
Workshop on the Sampford Ghost. The story so far, with input from Todd Gray
Other events:
Late summer, possibly more archaeological fieldwork at Battens Farm
2020 Meetings and visits
Friday 13 March. QM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on 'Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs'.
After this all meetings and visits were cancelled due to Coronavirus until November, when we had our first Zoom meeting
Friday 27 November. QM via Zoom - Guest speaker: Michael Gee on 'Devon Orchards - how Devon took to cider'
After this all meetings and visits were cancelled due to Coronavirus until November, when we had our first Zoom meeting
Friday 27 November. QM via Zoom - Guest speaker: Michael Gee on 'Devon Orchards - how Devon took to cider'
2019 Meetings and visits
Friday 8 March. QM - Guest speaker: Richard Fox on 'The Whiteball Railway Tunnel'.
Wednesday 10 April at 2 pm*. Outing - 'Behind the Scenes' guided tour at RAMM (Exeter Museum). Maximum 8 people.
Friday 7 June at 2.00 pm* (suggested arrival time of 1pm for lunch). Outing - Guided tour of Willows and Wetlands Centre, Stoke St Gregory.
Friday 21 June. QM - Speaker: Rachel Jasinska on 'Devon Suffragettes'.
Monday 8 July at 2.30 pm*. Outing - Guided tour of Beer Caves.
August Outing - Redcoat tour in Exeter (details to be arranged when their summer timetable has been set).
Weekends of 27 and 28 Sept and 5 and 6 October (tbc) Archaeological fieldwork at Battens Farm.
Friday 11 October. AGM - Guest speaker: Jamie Byrom on 'What can Sarah's sad story tell us about Victorian rural life?'
Friday 29 November. QM - Guest speaker: Todd Gray on 'Mobs and Exeter'
Friday 13 March 2020. QM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on 'Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs'.
*Time at destination
Other events
Date tba: Launch of the first book about the businesses of Sampford Peverell.
We are also trying to arrange tours of Heathcoat's Factory and Turberfield House (courtesy of Clive Cotton) this year, with dates and times tba.
Wednesday 10 April at 2 pm*. Outing - 'Behind the Scenes' guided tour at RAMM (Exeter Museum). Maximum 8 people.
Friday 7 June at 2.00 pm* (suggested arrival time of 1pm for lunch). Outing - Guided tour of Willows and Wetlands Centre, Stoke St Gregory.
Friday 21 June. QM - Speaker: Rachel Jasinska on 'Devon Suffragettes'.
Monday 8 July at 2.30 pm*. Outing - Guided tour of Beer Caves.
August Outing - Redcoat tour in Exeter (details to be arranged when their summer timetable has been set).
Weekends of 27 and 28 Sept and 5 and 6 October (tbc) Archaeological fieldwork at Battens Farm.
Friday 11 October. AGM - Guest speaker: Jamie Byrom on 'What can Sarah's sad story tell us about Victorian rural life?'
Friday 29 November. QM - Guest speaker: Todd Gray on 'Mobs and Exeter'
Friday 13 March 2020. QM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on 'Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs'.
*Time at destination
Other events
Date tba: Launch of the first book about the businesses of Sampford Peverell.
We are also trying to arrange tours of Heathcoat's Factory and Turberfield House (courtesy of Clive Cotton) this year, with dates and times tba.
2018 Meetings and visits
Fri 9 Mar 2018: QM - Guest speaker: Paul Rendell on Dartmoor pubs
Saturday 14 April at 10.45 am*. Guided local history tour at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.
Friday 11 May at 2 pm*. Visit to Powderham Castle, including guided tour of house, the grounds and Deer Park Safari.
Monday 11 June at 2.15 pm*. Visit to Downes House and gardens, Crediton.
Friday 15 June. QM - Guest Speaker: Bruce Coleman on 'Migration from Devon to London in the 19th century'.
Friday 6 July at 10 am. Visit to Totnes for Elizabethan Museum, Timehouse Museum, Guildhall and Castle.
Thursday 27 September: Ian Mortimer on 'The Time Traveller's Guide to Restoration Britain'. (N.B. There will be an admission charge for non-members).
Saturday 6 October at 10 am. Depart from Sampford Peverell for visit to The Keep Museum, Dorchester.
Friday 26 October. Annual General Meeting. Guest speaker: Charles Scott-Fox on local historic houses.
11 November. Centenary of the end of WW1. Events on the day to include an exhibition in the Village Hall and launch of the WW1 book. We'll keep you updated with the rest of the programme!
Friday 30 November. QM - Guest speaker: Isobel Richardson on our local Roman site.
*Time at destination
Other events
Date tba: Launch of the first book about the businesses
Saturday 14 April at 10.45 am*. Guided local history tour at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.
Friday 11 May at 2 pm*. Visit to Powderham Castle, including guided tour of house, the grounds and Deer Park Safari.
Monday 11 June at 2.15 pm*. Visit to Downes House and gardens, Crediton.
Friday 15 June. QM - Guest Speaker: Bruce Coleman on 'Migration from Devon to London in the 19th century'.
Friday 6 July at 10 am. Visit to Totnes for Elizabethan Museum, Timehouse Museum, Guildhall and Castle.
Thursday 27 September: Ian Mortimer on 'The Time Traveller's Guide to Restoration Britain'. (N.B. There will be an admission charge for non-members).
Saturday 6 October at 10 am. Depart from Sampford Peverell for visit to The Keep Museum, Dorchester.
Friday 26 October. Annual General Meeting. Guest speaker: Charles Scott-Fox on local historic houses.
11 November. Centenary of the end of WW1. Events on the day to include an exhibition in the Village Hall and launch of the WW1 book. We'll keep you updated with the rest of the programme!
Friday 30 November. QM - Guest speaker: Isobel Richardson on our local Roman site.
*Time at destination
Other events
Date tba: Launch of the first book about the businesses
2017 Meetings and visits
Fri 10 Mar: QM - Guest speaker: Des Atkinson on "Canonsleigh Abbey"
Sat 06 May: Outing - 10.00, visit to the new Axminster Heritage Centre and walking tour of the town (nb date and time still to be confirmed)
Tue 06 Jun: Outing - 14.00, Crediton Town Trail, with guide, and visit to the Flower Festival
Fri 9 Jun: QM - Guest speaker: Amyas Crump on "Revelry, Courage and Crashes".
Sun 9 Jul: Outing - visit to Cothay Manor Gardens*
Fri 15 Sep: Outing - 14.00, Guided walking tour of Dulverton, and visit to the Heritage Centre (nb date and time still to be confirmed)
Fri 13 Oct : AGM/QM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on "Uproar and Disorder: the impact of the Bible Christians in North Devon".
Fri 20 Oct: Outing - 10.30, guided tour of Exeter Cathedral Archives*
Fri 8 Dec: QM - Guest speaker: David Pugsley on "The Duel on Haldon 1833; the Judge who short the Doctor"
* Admission fee applies
Sat 06 May: Outing - 10.00, visit to the new Axminster Heritage Centre and walking tour of the town (nb date and time still to be confirmed)
Tue 06 Jun: Outing - 14.00, Crediton Town Trail, with guide, and visit to the Flower Festival
Fri 9 Jun: QM - Guest speaker: Amyas Crump on "Revelry, Courage and Crashes".
Sun 9 Jul: Outing - visit to Cothay Manor Gardens*
Fri 15 Sep: Outing - 14.00, Guided walking tour of Dulverton, and visit to the Heritage Centre (nb date and time still to be confirmed)
Fri 13 Oct : AGM/QM - Guest speaker: Janet Few on "Uproar and Disorder: the impact of the Bible Christians in North Devon".
Fri 20 Oct: Outing - 10.30, guided tour of Exeter Cathedral Archives*
Fri 8 Dec: QM - Guest speaker: David Pugsley on "The Duel on Haldon 1833; the Judge who short the Doctor"
* Admission fee applies
2016 Meetings and visits
Fri 11 Mar: QM - Guest speaker: Mark Hailwood on "What did women do all day in the 16th and 17th centuries?"
Thu 17 Mar: Outing - 14.00, Exeter's Underground Passages *
Tue 03 May: Outing - 14.00, Guided tour of Colyton and visit to Colyton Heritage Centre
Fri 10 Jun: QM - Guest speaker: Geoffrey Harding on "The industrial history of Countess Wear".
Mon 11 Jul: Outing - time TBA, walking tour of Cullompton
July/August Outing - date TBA, visit to Holcombe Court *
Thu 1 Sep: Outing - 14.00, Guided tour of Topsham and visit to Topsham Museum
Fri 7 Oct : AGM/QM - Guest speaker: Michael Patrick on "The canal that never was: Topsham to Taunton".
Fri 14 Oct: Outing - 10.00, leave SP for visit to 'Bygones' at Torquay *
Fri 2 Dec: QM - Guest speaker: Todd Gray on "Reputation and Slander in Elizabethan Devon".
* Admission fee applies
Thu 17 Mar: Outing - 14.00, Exeter's Underground Passages *
Tue 03 May: Outing - 14.00, Guided tour of Colyton and visit to Colyton Heritage Centre
Fri 10 Jun: QM - Guest speaker: Geoffrey Harding on "The industrial history of Countess Wear".
Mon 11 Jul: Outing - time TBA, walking tour of Cullompton
July/August Outing - date TBA, visit to Holcombe Court *
Thu 1 Sep: Outing - 14.00, Guided tour of Topsham and visit to Topsham Museum
Fri 7 Oct : AGM/QM - Guest speaker: Michael Patrick on "The canal that never was: Topsham to Taunton".
Fri 14 Oct: Outing - 10.00, leave SP for visit to 'Bygones' at Torquay *
Fri 2 Dec: QM - Guest speaker: Todd Gray on "Reputation and Slander in Elizabethan Devon".
* Admission fee applies
2015
Fri 6 Mar: QM - Guest speaker: Bill Horner (County Archaeologist) on "The Romans in East Devon"
Sun 26 Apr: Outing - Haldon Belvedere at 2 pm (admission fee), preceded by picnic lunch (weather permitting)
Fri 15 May: Outing - Westleigh Quarry at 10 am
Fri 5 Jun: QM - Guest Speaker: Charles Noon on "Jack Russell"
Tue 16 Jun: Outing - Tiverton Town Trail with Peter Maunder at 6.15 pm
Wed 22 Jul: Outing - Smeatharpe and Honiton Museums, with pub lunch
Sep (date tba): Outing - Princetown tour (admission fee) with Simon Dell
Fri 2 Oct: AGM/QM - Guest speaker: Valerie Belsey on "Devon's Green Lanes"
Fri 9 Oct: Outing - Finch Foundry (National Trust, admission fee) at 11 am
Fri 27 Nov: QM - Guest Speaker: Jill Drysdale on "Murder most foul"
Sun 26 Apr: Outing - Haldon Belvedere at 2 pm (admission fee), preceded by picnic lunch (weather permitting)
Fri 15 May: Outing - Westleigh Quarry at 10 am
Fri 5 Jun: QM - Guest Speaker: Charles Noon on "Jack Russell"
Tue 16 Jun: Outing - Tiverton Town Trail with Peter Maunder at 6.15 pm
Wed 22 Jul: Outing - Smeatharpe and Honiton Museums, with pub lunch
Sep (date tba): Outing - Princetown tour (admission fee) with Simon Dell
Fri 2 Oct: AGM/QM - Guest speaker: Valerie Belsey on "Devon's Green Lanes"
Fri 9 Oct: Outing - Finch Foundry (National Trust, admission fee) at 11 am
Fri 27 Nov: QM - Guest Speaker: Jill Drysdale on "Murder most foul"
2014
Quarterly Meetings
Friday 7 March. Guest speaker: Stephen Powles on ’Wildlife Photography – in pursuit of the improbable’
Friday 6 June. Guest Speaker: Robert Hesketh on ‘Devon Ghosts’
Friday 3 October. AGM. Guest speaker: Simon Dell on ‘The History of Policing in the West Country’
Friday 28 November. Guest Speaker: Todd Gray on ‘Looting in Wartime’
Outings
Saturday 12 April, 2pm The Walronds, Cullompton.
Thursday 1 May, 11am.The Museum of the Moving Image, Exeter.
Tuesday 10 June, 6pm. Tiverton Castle.
Tuesday 15 July, 2pm. Fursdon House, Cadbury.
Friday 15 August, 2pm. Lower Ebear Museum, Westleigh.
September (date tba). All day. Visits to Watchet Museum and Williton’s Bakelite Museum by train from Bishops Lydeard.
Friday 10 October, 2pm. Bampton Heritage Centre and Town Trail.
Other events
Monday 26 May. Navvies’ Fair. To be held on the Picnic Ground from 11am to 4pm, being part of the celebrations for the bi-centenary of the Grand Western Canal.
Friday 7 March. Guest speaker: Stephen Powles on ’Wildlife Photography – in pursuit of the improbable’
Friday 6 June. Guest Speaker: Robert Hesketh on ‘Devon Ghosts’
Friday 3 October. AGM. Guest speaker: Simon Dell on ‘The History of Policing in the West Country’
Friday 28 November. Guest Speaker: Todd Gray on ‘Looting in Wartime’
Outings
Saturday 12 April, 2pm The Walronds, Cullompton.
Thursday 1 May, 11am.The Museum of the Moving Image, Exeter.
Tuesday 10 June, 6pm. Tiverton Castle.
Tuesday 15 July, 2pm. Fursdon House, Cadbury.
Friday 15 August, 2pm. Lower Ebear Museum, Westleigh.
September (date tba). All day. Visits to Watchet Museum and Williton’s Bakelite Museum by train from Bishops Lydeard.
Friday 10 October, 2pm. Bampton Heritage Centre and Town Trail.
Other events
Monday 26 May. Navvies’ Fair. To be held on the Picnic Ground from 11am to 4pm, being part of the celebrations for the bi-centenary of the Grand Western Canal.
Previous talks
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Guest speakers
2009 Helen Harris Todd Gray Colin Gale 2010 Dorothy Lomas Tom Coleman Bryn Morris Rob Wilson-North 2011 Elizabeth Thurgood Geoff Harding Todd Gray Colin Gale 2012 Jenny Durrant Claude Capel Rod Lawrence John Allan 2013 Rev Andrew Jones Dick Sibley Isobel Richardson |
Topic
Incomers to Devon Devon and Africa: black and white slavery Watercourses of Exeter The Fox family East Devon Farmhouses Roman site at Cullompton Archaeology on Exmoor The history of costumes Tollhouses and turnpikes in Devon The Great War and Remembrance in Devon More history of Exeter Rediscovering Roman Devon WW II airfields in the Blackdown hills The wildlife of the Exe Estuary and Jurassic Coast The building of Exeter Cathedral Social History of Victorian North Devon Health and welfare of farmed livestock in the West Country Batten's Farm Roman site |