sid vale association Magazine Number 87 Winter 2017 £2.50 – free to members past • present • future

The Association promotes conservation and heritage, e the museum, and facilities for recreational th of and cultural activities in the Sid Valley n rs o ea a y so as 10 e a nd g d u www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk n s F ti en ra w b O th le ei Ce K

sid vale association A word from the Chairman… You will see that this edition of the magazine contains a number of articles concerning Keith Owen as we approach the tenth anniversary of his death. In the summer of 2007, he approached Neville Staddon, our Keith Owen Fund then treasurer, to discuss his idea to make the SVA the beneficiary of his will. Handel Bennett was then involved as chairman, and that was the extent of the early discussions. Although, as secretary, I was informed that there was an anonymous benefactor, neither I nor any other of the trustees were aware of who he was. I remember on one occasion, Handel telling me that the n

o ‘mystery man’ wished to maintain his anonymity, suggesting that his Fund should be called

Sidmouth Gig Club t g

n the Newo Fund, and that his identity should never be divulged. I did realise that NEWO ti

n was OWEN backwards, but that left a large number of people with that surname, or u H

l indeed fore name, so I was none the wiser, as I had never met him or indeed heard the a V

name of ‘Keith Owen’. y

Sidmouth Parish Church b Others who did know Keith, on the other hand, had no idea of his wealth, nor of what o t

window restoration o his intentions were. Most of them were surprised, not to say stunned, when they heard h P

. the full story! s t

c Neville took on the task of administering the will, and collecting the investments from e j o

r many parts of the world, from Canada to Australia and the Channel Islands. One small pot p

d of money only surfaced within the last year. e

d Keith’s money has made a huge difference to this Association, and indeed to the whole n u f valley. The dividends from the investments have enabled us to distribute almost a million F

O pounds to various good causes, and we are actively discussing more ways in which the K

Sidmouth t s

r Fund can benefit Sidbury, Sidford, Sidmouth and Salcombe Regis. fi

in Bloom

e It is still hard to realise that the Keith Owen Fund will be able to continue doing good for h t

f decades to come. I am glad Keith agreed, after all, to allow his name to attach to the fund: o

e it would have been sad to be remembering just an anonymous ‘Newo’. n o

–

Alan Darrant d n o P

w o d a e M Have we got your email address? y a

w We would like to make sure we have up to date email addresses for all our members. We p e

e promise not to bombard you with unwanted messages, but there are occasions when we D

: would like to contact you between newsletters with up to date information about events, o t

o or when we need your support. We know that some of you will have changed your email h p Wildflower Meadow planted addresses since you joined, and indeed many of you were members long before emails r e by the Friends of the Byes with v existed! So please email [email protected] with your latest address. Thank You. o help from the Keith Owen Fund C

3 sid vale association with the Surf Lifesaving, Sailing and Gig clubs, Ten Years of the Keith Owen Fund or the set up costs for the Netball club, or by Looking back over the decade that the Keith Owen Fund has been in funding the improvement to the rugby pitches. Keith Owen Fund existence, it is wonderful to see the range of projects supported, We’ve found ourselves supporting more with nearly £1million of grants paid already to over 150 different projects. festivals, such as the Science Festival, which I am very proud to have been a part has grown into a wonderful asset to the town. of that. I was asked to join the We can’t support every club and festival every committee for the very first meeting in year, so we try to spread our support around, Primary School folk singing project November 2008 since it was felt that without any becoming dependent on our my knowledge of wildlife and grants. conservation would be useful when There are things we can’t fund under the objectives, so for example, we can’t usually considering environmental projects. support individual requests for grants or bursaries and we can’t support projects Now that my children are older, I am intended to raise funds for other charities. Committee meetings usually include some able to take on the chairmanship of the lively debates on whether and how projects fit within the SVA objects. All the people on the committee throughout the last Sidmouth Horticultural Society was one of the committee and am looking forward to ten years have been a pleasure to first recipients of a KOF Award in 2009 encouraging even more applications. Keith Owen appreciated Sidmouth for work with – thoughtful and its natural and historic beauty and the sense of community he saw in action. In particular committed to improving our he respected the work of the Sid Vale Association and beautiful valley. entrusted the SVA with his vision of a fund to support I look forward to the Fund giving voluntary effort and improve the local environment. out another £1million in the next He left relatively few instructions about the fund, but few years, all from interest earned one thing he specifically said was “ It is my wish that on the intact capital, thanks to the the Keith Owen Trust Fund should be set up as simply wise overview of the volunteers on and as flexibly as possible ” and we have tried to stay the investment committee. An area true to that wish. As long as the nature of the project we hope to encourage more Sidmouth Surf Life-saving club fits the objectives, it is a really simple fund to apply to applications in is ways to make it for a grant. Seascape mural easier for people with disabilities, or the very old or very young, to take part in activities which allow them to enjoy their surroundings. Some of the early projects have As a final word, I would like to say a become part of the fabric of the Sid heartfelt thank you to all those people Valley, such as the pond at Sidbury who devote their free time, energy and Millenium Green, the red sandstone skill into helping our community in so climbing wall at the Ham playground, many different ways. The Keith Owen gardens at Sidmouth and Sidbury Fund can make it easier for projects to schools and Sidford pre-school, the happen, but without the dedication of Scout Hut, the new dome at the these people, good ideas would never Norman Lockyer Observatory and the get off the ground. So thank you to fish and other floral displays created by everyone who gets off the sofa and puts Sidmouth in Bloom. time into making your community tick. Keith Owen Fund grants have been Kate Tobin used to help children and young people 1st Sidmouth Guides 2010 get out and active, either on the water Beacon Surgery, Sidford

4 5 Keith Owen’s Bequest to the SVA The Norman Lockyer Observatory sid vale association December this year marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Keith Owen and ten years The observatory was established in 1912 when the eminent after he made his bequest of £2.3 million to the SVA. Through the diligent work of our astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer moved to Sidmouth h aving retired Keith Owen Fund volunteer investment committee led by Neville Staddon (who retired earlier this year), it from his post as Director of the Solar Physics Observatory at Kensington. has grown to over £3 million despite the financial market uncertainties. Now named after its founder, the observatory is home to several historic telescopes In the same decade, the Keith Owen Fund Grants committee has used the annual income including the famous 6.25 inch Cooke refractor with which Lockyer discovered Helium on from the investments to distribute Awards in accordance with the stated aims of the the Sun. Association to various voluntary organisations solely within the Sid Valley and Salcombe The NLO is now owned by East Devon District Council and leased by the Norman Regis. It seems likely that this will amount to almost £1m awarded in the last nine years. Lockyer Observatory Society which is responsible for the day to day running and To commemorate the generous and philanthropic act by Keith to leave his money to maintenance of the observatory. It is a centre for public outreach in astronomy and Sidmouth and the Sid Valley, the SVA is publishing a book on Keith’s life and motivation. regularly hosts public open evenings and afternoons as well as group visits for schools, It has been researched and co-authored by local writer Christine Hardy and myself, with scouts and brownies. contributions from Gordon Owen (Keith’s brother), some of those who served with Keith In 2012 following the donation of a 20 inch reflecting telescope it was decided to build in the RAF, and from those who knew and worked with him in Canada, his adopted a new observatory dome to house this instrument. This telescope complements the country. It is illustrated throughout, and contains information on the Keith Owen Fund – historic telescopes on site, since its greater light gathering power allows views of more what it is, what it does, and how to receive a discretionary Award. distant galaxies and star clusters. It is intended that the book will be on sale on Friday, December 1st, at the Sidmouth With the generous help of SVA Museum. the Keith Owen Fund and Handel Bennett, President other local benefactors our funding goal was reached and I was invited to the Keith Owen Fund (KOF) in 2007 by the then Chairman, Rev. Handel the new dome was opened by Bennett. I was aware of the fund through my role as AONB Manager but also as Trustee our patron Dr. Brian May in for Sidbury Millennium Green; both organisations having benefitted from the May 2012. benevolence bequeath by Keith, but for different reasons. The building has been a For the Millennium Green, the fund literally helped to plug a gap – in the leaking pond. resounding success, not only A simple but effective clay lining has fixed the leak and the result is now a flourishing does the elevated position of wildlife haven in the centre of the village, enjoyed by many. A symbolic purpose and the first floor give great views outcome and one Keith I am sure would have fully endorsed. of the night sky, but the The KOF has moved from a little known local source of support for community action ground floor has been equipped with a computer suite installed with software for the and volunteer engagement, to a regional and international news story, courtesy of the radar detection of meteors which monitors the sky twenty four hours/day. We also have Million Bulbs project. This publicity may have come at a small price; some people video cameras monitoring the skies to the north and east and recording video files of the believing that the Keith Owen Fund is all about daffodils. It is not. As you will see in this brighter meteor events. We have VLF receivers monitoring the Sun for solar flares and in publication, it is far more than a flower fund and has reached all corners of Sidmouth conjunction with Exeter University have a magnetometer recording changes in the Earth’s Parish and supported a huge range of organisations and projects to great effect. magnetic field. The KOF committee members put a huge amount of volunteer time and effort into Now named the Lockyer Technology Centre this building has allowed us to contribute delivering the fund and I feel privileged to have worked alongside them and more useful scientific data. It has inspired one of our young astronomers to write a computer recently be their Chairman. We have not always agreed on what to support and what not program to analyse meteor rates from our detectors and write a paper on his findings to support and it is right we debate and explore how to make best use of the fund. But I which has been recently published in a scientific journal. believe we have always applied the principles of what Keith desired alongside the Members of the public are very welcome to come along to our open evenings, be Charitable status of the Sid Vale Association with due care and diligence. inspired and wonder about the universe out there! Full details are available on our I wish the new and existing committee members all the very best in the future and website: www.normanlockyer.com echo the words of Keith Owen to “think big” in all they do. David Strange Chris Woodruff, retiring Chairman, Keith Owen Fund

6 7 Trees and Sidmouth described its full extent to me, told me about the many interesting and rare trees it contains Soon after I had been first entranced by and remains my guide. I was later asked to be the seafront and all those beautiful iron Tree Artist for the Arboretum and to bring balconies, my family came for a holiday to drawings to events connected with it. So far, I Sidmouth. We have been coming every have drawn some 20 of the trees, mainly in year since for the past twelve years. pencil. This year, it was a particular pleasure to Having been interested in trees from the Great white cherrry, Salcombe Regis be able to draw, in pencil and pastels, the age of six, when my father bought me a beautiful Foxglove Tree in full flower in the tree book, having been unable to obtain one on birds, I spent a good part of each holiday gardens of the Hunters Moon hotel. The Cork oak, Sidbury in the Byes and other green spaces looking at the magnificent trees. majestic Cork Oak at Sidbury and the amazing From 2001 and retirement from Durham University, it has been possible to develop my Great White Cherry at Salcombe Regis were also lifelong interest in field sketching, focusing upon trees drawn "en plein air". The aim is to drawn together with a field sketch of the Golden Copse. This last is significant as I am combine the botanical and the artistic. In 2011, I working with the John Innes Centre in Norwich on Ash Dieback research and the Copse was fortunate enough to be commissioned to draw includes a number of Ash trees. These are especially suitable for monitoring as there their Heritage Trees for the Royal Botanic Garden, appears to be a sharp contrast between East and West in the incidence of the disease. Kew and exhibitions followed in places such as the If you see me drawing, please come and have a chat. Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Wisley, the National Memorial Arboretum and Durham Ewan Anderson Cathedral. For the past three years, I have been a Some of Ewan Anderson's tree drawings are available from Paragon Resident Artist at the Nature in Art Gallery and Book Shop as cards, sold in support of Sidmouth Arboretum. Museum near Gloucester, where the development of the Kaki tree can be drawn. This is a shoot from The Second Dr Bob Symes Memorial Lecture the Chinese Persimmon, which survived the Atomic Bomb at Nagasaki on 9th August, 1945. I want to draw your early attention to the talk to be given in In 2013, I first heard about the Sidmouth the Manor Pavilion Theatre on Wednesday 14 March 2018 at Foxglove tree, Hunters Moon Hotel Arboretum and later met Diana East, who 2.30 pm . It represents the second annual talk celebrating the life of Bob Symes who made great impact on Sidmouth through his long stewardship of the Museum and his active involvement in both the SVA and the Sidmouth Centre of the National Trust. The eminent palaeontologist, natural historian and renowned writer, Dr Richard Fortey, was one of Bob’s colleagues at the Natural History Museum in London, and he has agreed to speak to us on his latest book ‘The Wood for the Trees’ which describes in exquisite detail his year-long study of natural life in four acres of beech woodland he owns in the Chiltern Hills. In addition to his best selling books Richard will perhaps be most known to members from his various BBC4 TV series on fossils, fungi and other topics of nature. He is a former President of the Geological Society of London and of the Palaeontological Association. He is both a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Royal Society of Literature. We are most fortunate to be able to hear him speak in Sidmouth and I strongly recommend that all members put the date firmly in their diaries. Golden Copse Dr Keith Orrell, National Trust, Sidmouth Centre

8 9 Sidmouth Arboretum sid vale association attended to speak briefly about their tree related projects. This has become an annual Shortly after we settled into our house in June 2009, I was drawn into event and would not have continued without the SVA for a brief period as press secretary. I had pre viousl y been Keith Owen Fund the on-going support of the Keith Owen Fund. magazine editor at The National Arboretum at Westonbirt and in 2010, I found myself The Arboretum is now a regular at local diverted towards the creation of Sidmouth Civic Arboretum. Soon afterwards, the legacy Festivals including Salcombe Regis Fair in June, from Keith Owen began to be available to applicants in the valley and the Arboretum Sidbury Fair in September and Sidmouth received its first grant in January 2012 to support the official launch of the Arboretum Science Festival in October. project. The chamber of commerce organised an event at Kennaway to launch the At the AGM in January 2017 Jon Ball took Arboretum and the first Tree trail leaflet design. over as Chairman and, while continuing with Later that year the Arboretum established projects, has drawn our work out committee formally set up as an to include Sidholme Hotel gardens as well as Planting beech trees to restore the view association with a constitution, under the EDDC Countryside team events. The Keith from Keble’s Seat on Muttersmoor the guidance of Richard Eley, Edward Owen Fund has agreed – we are so grateful! – to support the reprint of Sidmouth Tree Willis-Fleming and Treasurer Cllr John Trail, and relaunch the Salcombe Regis leaflet. Dyson, together with Cllr Simon Do come and see us on Friday 24th November 6pm at our Tree Celebration – or visit Pollentine – a local businessman, Town www.sidmoutharboretum.org.uk to sign up for our newsletter. Councillor and Tree Warden. The We are also planning a Tree Week in April 2018 to include walks and talks, and some Arboretum would cover all the land new aspects of trees in the valley. under the jurisdiction of Sidmouth Town We are immensely grateful for the support of the Keith Owen Fund and are happy that Council. their aims coincide so regularly with our objectives. Roy Lancaster leads a tour in Belmont garden In 2012 we began publication of our Tree Trail leaflets, initially for Sidmouth Diana East Town – with support from local hotels and of course – on occasion from the Keith Owen Fund. Encouraged by the response from Sidmouth, we went on to publish Tree Trail Soldiers Hill Field – leaflets for Sidbury and Salcombe Regis. In 2013 we began our annual Tree Day series and were fortunate to attract Roy a brief glimpse in time Lancaster (thanks to support from the SVA Keith Owen Fund) as well as Dame Julia Slingo Forty years ago, plot 343 on the O/S map – who is now a regular contributor on science and climate issues in the valley. for Salcombe Regis was gifted to the SVA. In 2014 The Arboretum committee undertook Known as Soldiers Hill, it is a flat field on the iTree survey. A group of volunteers, guided top of the hill extending to 19 acres. It is by myself and Kenton Rogers of Treeconomics, believed to have been glebe land, surveyed 200 plots of land selected randomly belonging to Exeter Cathedral along with throughout the valley. Arising from our Tree most of the farm land in the village. To this Survey 2014 it was noted that the valley is likely day, some fields in the village are still to lose 40% of our trees in the next decade due owned by the Church. Fast forward through hundreds of years to some point in the early to the harvesting of Douglas fir and sadly, ash nineteenth century when George Cornish, a wealthy businessman from Teignmouth die back disease. acquired the field along with several farms by way of marriage to Sarah Kestell and by We have planted trees, but not nearly enough. buying up freeholds from the Church. The Cornish family were not only very wealthy but In 2015 the Tree Day was held in November also quite numerous and the field eventually descended down to Rev. Robert Kestell- and Jeremy Woodward was able to draw Cornish. He went on to become the Bishop of Madagascar and in order to fund his work together representatives from wide reaching in the Anglican Church, he sold Soldiers Hill Field, along with other parts of the estate, in organisations, many outside the valley, who 1906 for the grand sum of £1,525, to a distant cousin, the Rev James George Cornish. It Tree Survey

10 11 was slightly larger then, the boundary The Sidmouth Daffodil Society extending by several acres more to the east. Records show that at the time of sale, it was A group of Sidmouthians have gathered together to form a Sidmouth Daffodil Society rented out to a local barrister, John Younge under the chairmanship of Sally Blyth. The purposes of the Society is to promote daffodil Anderson-Morshead, for the grand sum of 8/- planting throughout the valley and to build on the legacy of the SVA Million Bulbs project, per annum. He lived at Lusways, on Salcombe which has brought tremendous publicity to the town and certainly encouraged visitors to Hill and was the son of a former vicar of the valley in the early months of Spring. The Society has been busy fund raising, and has Salcombe Regis. Little did he know that he already acquired two new daffodil varieties, which have been registered with the Royal would see the name of his son, Rupert, Horticultural Society. The first, named ‘Sidmouth’ is a multi- alongside others from the hamlet, on the war stem fragrant yellow bloom with a red centre, and the other is The Soldiers Hill reservoir memorial dedicated to the fallen of the Great named ‘Keith Owen’ in honour of Sidmouth’s benefactor, who War, which would be erected opposite the field in 1920. James George Cornish gave up first suggested the million bulbs idea. ‘Keith Owen’ is an his church work to concentrate on looking after all the rest of the Cornish family estate impressive pale daffodil with a pinkish trumpet. The Society he had managed to buy. On his death in 1928, the field passed to his wife Martha Jane. has obtained the varieties from a nursery in Cornwall, who She died in 1936 and the field passed on to their daughter Miriam Page (née Cornish). have retained a number for their private collection. Every The field continued to be rented out to a local farmers and part of it was sold to the other ‘Sidmouth’ and ‘Keith Owen’ bulb has now been safely neighbouring Wynards farm. In 1977, Miriam kindly donated it to the SVA. This is delivered to the Society who ‘own’ the variety. The bulbs commemorated on the flint monument at the entrance to the field. cannot be obtained elsewhere. A sale was held in October Looking at it today, it appears to be a pretty ordinary field, full of golden buttercups in when a limited supply of the bulbs was made available to the the spring and a haven for wildlife. It produces a valuable crop of hay each year, even general public on the strict conditions that they would be though the soil is not that good, mainly heavy clay and flint. In days gone by, the carefully reproduced so that in time, the two varieties become footpath, which runs along the eastern border and through the wood, must have been a a common sight throughout the valley. well used route down to Griggs Lane for servant girls walking to work at the grand houses The Society is holding a Daffodil Day next year, provisionally “Sidmouth” in Fortescue. Back in the nineteenth century, the field played a major part in the village. at Kennaway House on March 3rd. The idea is to establish In the middle of the field, there are the remains of a reservoir built in 1926 built by James Sidmouth as a centre for the promotion of daffodils, and especially early varieties which Cornish. This held water which had been piped up from wells some three hundred feet can benefit from the valley’s benign winter climate. Nurseries are already signing up to lower down in the combe, belonging to Northcombe Farm (which James Cornish also take part. The event will include other plants, but with an emphasis upon bulbs. The owned) via a ram located in a pump house in the orchard alongside the track to Combe Society has ordered more than three thousand bulbs for Wood farm. Water was piped from the reservoir and supplied many houses in the village, planting around the valley this autumn. The Million Bulbs animal troughs and a large piggery at the back of Soldiers Hill field. A fresh water supply scheme, being a large scale community project, was a major breakthrough in the agricultural wealth and the health of the village. concentrated upon block planting, but the Society will be Today, the field is rented out to a local farmer who pays a rent to the SVA to farm the hand-planting around the valley in carefully selected land for grass keep. This year, the grass was cut, left to dry briefly then baled in large bales locations, and choosing small sites to provide little areas of and wrapped in polythene to be used as silage for animal feed Spring colour, thus complementing the grander scale of the over the winter. The silage process relies on fermentation in SVA scheme. an airtight atmosphere, so any damage to the polythene The Society has identified a long distance walk around the allowing air in, can ruin a bale. Dog faeces picked up in the Sid Valley that best showcases all that is best about our grass can spoil an entire bale as well as the possibility of beautiful built and natural environment. The intention is to introducing worms to cattle. If this happens, the bale is subtly plant the route with appropriate species and varieties valueless to the farmer. Dog walkers should be aware of this to make it as attractive as possible. Effectively to create a and always pick up their pooches pooh when walking the natural looking ‘linear garden’ around the valley public footpath to avoid cross contamination. Richard Eley “Keith Owen” Val Huntington

12 13 Volunteering for the SVA Sidmouth’s Last BIG Flood… Were you there??? There are many ways you can help us. People 10th July 2018 will be the 50th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters to strike get involved in all sorts of different ways Sidmouth. The occasion was a major summer storm which affected a large part of East Devon creating one of the worst flooding events the town has witnessed. Sadly one lady whether it be in the museum, organising trips, 1 2 helping with planning issues or outside with the in Sidbury was drowned in her own cottage. On Wednesday 10 July 1968, some 65mm (2 ⁄ woodlands and estates team. inches) of rain fell in a very short period late in the afternoon. An even larger amount of Liz Warren stepped in to do the minutes of meetings and then became secretary of the rain was recorded further inland where Honiton suffered 100mm (4 inches) and even this SVA. She is also secretary of the Keith Owen fund committee. Liz says “I had worked for was surpassed by the amount recorded in the Blackdown Hills. The bridges over the River a large charity in a fundraising role. What is really nice about being on the Keith Owen Otter at Fenny Bridges and Tipton St John were washed away – the latter falling fund is being on the ‘other side’ and paying out to deserving organisations in the Sid Vale spectacularly at 1am the following morning. The whole of the River Sid catchment was and seeing what a difference the funding makes”. affected with water levels being recorded to a depth of 3ft 9inches in cottages in Sidbury Liz is pictured here with Carol and Sue, sorting and filing archives before being stored where an 86 year old lady was drowned in the front room of her cottage. The Salty Monk for future reference in the new SVA headquarters. at Sidford (then called Apple garth) was flooded to a depth of 5 ft, and the Sidmouth town Carol arrived in Sidmouth five years ago. “…knowing nobody here, I went into the recorded over 100 properties being flooded. The river in the Byes flooded the entire Museum to see if they needed a volunteer. A few minutes later I seemed to be about to width of the valley. Fortunately the rain ceased by 9.00pm – an hour after high tide, and take over the running of the shop – in spite of the fact I had no relevant experience at all. by 10.50pm the sky was clear and the moon was visible! Teams of volunteers turned out It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to meet the other people who had jobs there to help in the clean up operation which took several days and was a great tribute to all and visitors to the town, to go to trade fairs to choose goods for the shop and to have concerned. some laughs along the way. Perhaps most importantly, I learned so much about the town The SVA propose to hold a “Great Flood Exhibition” in Kennaway House on 7th & 8th and area that it has enhanced my time here. I no longer run the shop but I am on the July to commemorate the event. We have a number of photographs and maps showing SVA publications’ committee, which keeps the brain active, and am helping to sort out the extent of the flooding and the townsfolk involved in the rescue. It is hoped that the more than a century’s worth of paper which has been delivered to the new, and first, SVA Environment Agency will be on hand to explain the works that have since been office, from people’s garages, lofts and spare rooms. My tasks with the Association have undertaken to help alleviate a recurrence of the events of July 1968. It is anticipated that all been indoor ones but the SVA can use any talents, skills or interests that people have the exhibition will provide a great opportunity for the community to recall the events of and it’s a wonderful way to contribute to the area and meet like-minded others.” that July day. Sue is a very new member of the SVA. She moved to Sidmouth from Basingstoke and If you were involved, or know of any one who participated in the occasion, and who having seen the ‘legalised vandalism’ that comes with big business and globalistion, may have photos or stories of the flood, please contact either the Museum Ann Tanner, wanted to do her bit to conserve the Sid Vale. whose email is museumpublicity@sidvaleassociation,org.uk or myself [email protected] with details so that they can be incorporated in the Ann Tanner (Museum Publicity) My husband and I moved into the area in Exhibition. March 2016 after living in Cyprus for 15 years. I soon realised that I needed Peter Brookes [email protected] more in my life than just dog walking and gardening. One morning I passed the Museum went in, looked around and picked up an SVA Membership Form. The volunteering opportunities were very interesting and I was drawn to the Museum and Publicity.I filled in the form, wrote out a cheque, took it back to the Museum and immediately put my name down as a Relief Steward. I had such a good time at my first duty session. It was a rainy afternoon and we were very busy, my fellow steward had a good sense of humour and we laughed a lot. There were some memorable moments with the card machine, great conversations with visitors and the time flew by.I can honestly say I have never had a dull day at the Museum. I have met some lovely people, both fellow volunteers and visitors, and have had the opportunity to learn so much about the history of Sidmouth and the residents and visitors that have been so important to the town over the centuries. Mill Lane looking north

14 15 When did you last see… How to find them? GLOW WORMS? If you go looking for them and are successful, please leave them where they are. It will be Before I moved to Sidmouth, I used to visit my parents the right environment for them rather than here and bring the children. It was on one of these where you would like them to be. I would be visits that I saw my first glow worm. It was in Glen very interested to know of any seen on SVA Road in the middle of August at about 9pm and there land, so please contact me if you are was a cluster of tiny lights on a branch of a bush. On successful. They may be found in rough but closer inspection it was a group of male and female not too long grass in areas that are not glow worms getting together. cultivated and in hedges. The larvae glow as I was amazed and delighted and since moving to well but faintly and intermittently and may Salcombe Regis in 2004, I have found them in my garden and in the surrounding be found where there are very small snails about. The female adult could be anywhere in countryside. However, the numbers and frequency have decreased enormously lately. grass that is not too long and gives the male a chance to see their glow. Last year I found one in the garden and several on Salcombe Hill. This year, none in the The months of June, July and August are best, so good luck. garden or on Salcombe Hill. It could just be that I didn’t look in the right places and I For more information visit the glow worm web sites online. hope for more luck next year. They are unusual creatures with an extraordinary life which are becoming more and Richard Huntington, Woodlands and Estates more scarce as the habitats that support them seem to disappear. Not a huge amount is known about what affects their numbers but since they cannot travel long distances, they become localised. When that environment becomes unsuitable they die out as they Conservation and Planning cannot travel far enough to find another glow worm site in which to breed. The Knowle These creatures are not worms but beetles and it is only the male that flies. Hence the An appeal against the refusal of planning permission has been made by the intended limit on their ability to move from one location to another. Developers, Pegasus. The appeal will be heard in November at the Knowle. EDDC will be It is only the female that glows and she does so to attract the male. She may climb a defending the decision to refuse, employing a barrister to do so. branch of a bush or a tall piece of grass to improve her chances, which is why light We updated our original objection and have re-submitted it. We have obtained Counsel’s pollution can cause enormous disruption to the males’ ability to spot the females, so if opinion on “use Classes” for the development, (Pegasus are arguing that the “use Class” night lights become prevalent in an area previously dark, it will become unsuitable for should be C2 rather than C3, thereby escaping any Community Infrastructure levy glow worms. contribution and up to 50% Affordable housing). Adult glow worms can’t feed so they only live for roughly 14 days and once mated, the Sidford Employment site – There have been no further issues. female stops glowing and lays her eggs and then dies. After a few weeks the eggs hatch Port Royal into larvae and they remain as larvae for a couple of years before becoming adults. They The Port Royal Scoping Study, (PRSS), is reaching its final stages; we took part in the feed on small snails and probably slugs as well which they appear to paralyse before Reference group meetings on the 21st September and the 5th October, where we sucking them dry. commented on the Final Report. . We prepared and issued an official SVA response to the This two year larval stage may explain why I have not seen any for the last two years so PRSS exhibition, and this was sent to EDDC. The Herald quoted and summarised it. The I am going to look hard in 2018. report is on our web site. Other Planning issues Development of eight apartments at Sidmouth Harbour Hotel. We objected but it has Woodlands and Estates been approved by EDDC following a site visit. We objected to the Planning Application for two new dwellings at on a plot at the corner Interested in joining a working party? of Cotmaton Road/Moorhouse close, on the grounds of over-development. Everyone welcome – Every Monday, except Bank Holidays 9:30-12:00 We brought to EDDC’s notice the wilful damage to a Devon bank at Peak For details contact Richard Huntington 01395 519350 House/Cotmaton Road; this was investigated by EDDC, and remedial work carried out. [email protected] Richard Thurlow

16 17 The History of Sidmouth Rugby Club sid vale association normal fixtures in 1946 and within five years a formidable Sidmouth Rugby Club was founded in 1884 by local doctor Bingley team had developed, winning Gibbes Pullin, who was the captain for the first ten ye ars and Keith Owen Fund 130 games and drawing 21 president after he retired from playing. between 1950 and 1955. The club grew rapidly in both playing strength and popularity, with four figure crowds Indeed, again from Anna attending matches played in the first season on Coburg Field (where the current bowling Sutton’s History of Sidmouth , in green and tennis courts are located), before moving to the present headquarters on the 1952 she remembers a fixture Blackmore Field. between Exmouth and Rugby or “football” as it was called in those days, was very popular in Sidmouth. In an Sidmouth when scarcely extract from Anna Suttons book A Story of Sidmouth she describes the 1895 final of the junior anything else was talked about cup event in which Sidmouth took part, as ‘A good crowd of supporters. Coach for the players, previous to the big event. Sidford pavilion brakes, landaus and pony carriages. Besides these, many were seen making tracks by Shank’s Victory made it the seventh pony and several by boats. The coach and brake by way of Woolbrook and Newton match with no points scored against them. Later that year, they played Queen’s college Poppleford, although two miles longer than by Peak Hill, was easier on the horses. The Cambridge, hitherto unbeaten until their visit to Sidmouth. journey enlivened by music dispensed by means of a cornet by Mr J. Burgoyne and a violin by The 1960s saw a decline in playing standards but a significant development in facilities Mr G.Turner. The Sidmouth team were the winners. The scene after the match was a lively with the building of a clubhouse thanks to the voluntary labour of the members. one. On reaching Sidmouth a great welcome was ready and the coach drove along the In 1965, the U19 Colts, was formed. This put more pressure on the Blackmore pitch and Esplanade and through Fore Street. The musicians playing The Conquering Hero en route. The the club being able to keep it in match condition. In 1969, the council obtained land at scene at the headquarters was great and loud cheers greeted the visitors as they drove up.’ Sidford and offered the rugby club its use as a pitch for the Colts. The extra pitch also More success followed with winning the Devon Senior Cup in 1896 and again in 1897. provided potential for a third team (which was started in 1977). The facility was Playing standards fluctuated in the years up to the start of the First World War, when enhanced in 1976 with the opening of changing rooms to be shared with Sidbury United play stopped for the duration. FC, the building of a pavilion at Sidford with changing rooms to cater for the growing The club was reformed in 1919 and, despite the growing competition from association junior section including the future introduction of girls teams, and the complete football, it soon regained its old popularity with plenty of players and crowds of over renovation of the pitches at Sidford with levelling and drainage. The pitch renovations 1,000 attending matches. have significantly reduced the number of cancellations of matches and training sessions. In 1924, the local MP Sir AC Morrison Bell purchased the Blackmore Field and set up the In 1971, Sidmouth Rugby Club became the first in Devon, and one of the first in the Morrison Bell Trust to secure the facility for the Rugby Club for the foreseeable future. country, to start a junior section for boys aged from 9 upwards. This and strong Colts In 1930, they won the Devon Senior Cup for a third time and went on to reach the final (U19) team provided the springboard for success of the senior teams. Until the mid the following season, losing to Paignton. 1980s, Sidmouth was one of the strongest clubs in Devon. November 1932 saw the Blackmore Field became the first ground other than Leagues were introduced into the game in 1987 and since then Sidmouth have won the Twickenham to be visited by a Devon League and the Cornwall and Devon League twice. They currently play in the member of the Royal Family. Western Counties West League. Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke A highlight of recent years was when the 1st Team reached the semi-final of the of Connaught, attended the National Powergen Vase. 1,400 people were in attendance for an exciting game in which 1st Team match against Sidmouth lost to Sheffield Tigers with the last kick of the match. Devonport Services. Grants from the Keith Owen Fund have been very important in making recent projects The Second World War possible. Grants were received for both the pavilion and the pitch renovation work at ended any competitive Sidford. A further grant has been secured to purchase ground maintenance equipment to matches although a few ensure the pitches can be kept in good condition. This has enabled the club to become games of rugby were played more self sufficient and it now makes a good income from car parking on the Blackmore mainly between services pitch during folk festival week which helps to pay for the floodlighting. teams. The Club resumed Sidmouth ‘A’ Team, 1898-99 Terry O’Brian

18 19 The Morrison-Bell Cup 1920 a new football league (rugby) for East Devon Parliamentary District was proposed, providing there were 12 clubs. Researching my grandfather Arthur Morrish, I found Shooting was reported 12th June 1920 (5) “the second stage for the East Devon Cup at that he and his two brothers Fred and Bill, were Harpford House”. The semi-final reported on 19th June 1920 and the final 26th June members of the Sidford Miniature Rifle Club team, 1920. Sidford Miniature Rifle Club (with the Morrish brothers), succeeded in holding the who won the Morrison-Bell cup, in a rifle shooting trophy with a greater score than last year” meaning that they had won the cup in 1919. competition in 1911, when Arthur was 18 years Major Morrison-Bell presented the cup on 10th July 1920. (1) old . Today the Morrison-Bell Cup is connected with In 1921 newspapers (5) there weren’t any reports of shooting matches. In the 15th July the East Devon (association) football league, which 1922 report (5) , “Shooting” – The first round of the East Devon cup”. The brothers Morrish (2) dates back to 1920 . Was it the same cup? I decided represented Sidford. The final at Harpford House open air range on 29th July 1922, to find out. Exmouth won, Beer was second and Sidford third. Major Morrison-Bell presented the Major Arthur Clive Morrison-Bell was the MP for Challenge cup to Mr Langdon, team leader of Exmouth and miniature silver cups to each (3) Honiton from 1910-1931 . He was interested in Exmouth team member. rifles and from 1906-1908 he was the organising From 1920 the Morrison-Bell cup was also associated with the East Devon Association secretary of the SMRC (Small Bore Rifle Club) in Football League. In September 1920, matches were reported and the dates of future London, which formed in 1903, with Earl Roberts as matches were also given, up until April 1921 (5) . The cup was first won by Axminster Town (4) leader . The SMRC had a rifle club in every town who beat Beer 1:0 on 28th May 1920 (2) . The Exmouth Journal 26th March 1921 (6) and gained recognition from the Army Council in reported that “Exmouth Church Institute and Seaton met in the final of the Morrison-Bell 1906, by putting it on equal footing with the Cup at Axminster; Exmouth had won”. Maj Morrison-Bell presented the cup and National Rifle Association and exempting members from affiliated clubs, of the gun remarked “the competition had done much towards increasing the popularity of the licence which was 10/-. game in East Devon.” Sidmouth, in 1911, had many shooting clubs. Shooting matches between eight In May 1965 the Sidmouth Herald had a photograph of Sidmouth AFC winning the Sidmouth rifle clubs and two visiting clubs were reported during 14th January - 25th Morrison-Bell cup, it was a large double handed silver cup (7) . In July 1965 a photograph of (5) February 1911 . On 11th March 1911, the Sidford Rifle Club had a shooting match Budleigh Salterton Rifle Club winning the Morrison- Bell cup, the cup was taller, narrower against Sidmouth Rifle Club. F Morrish and W Morrish were members of the Sidford and possibly made of glass (7) . In conclusion, there were two cups. team. Rifle clubs in Major Morrison-Bell’s constituency were eligible to enter for the East References Devon Cup, for Miniature Rifle Shooting (this was the cup won by Arthur’s team as (1) Cox,Norma.sva Newsletter.86. Summer 2017. p30-31. mentioned). At the quarter final on 2nd June 1911 at Ottery St Mary, Sidford Miniature (2) www.defleague.co.uk. Rifle Club had the highest score of 759. “Special Notice was taken of the fine (3) https://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Clive-Morrison-Bell. performances of the three brothers Morrish”. The semi-final took place on 17th June (4) www.nsra.co.uk/index.php/home/reference/history/brief-history.. 1911. The final took place in the grounds of Harpford House,” residence of the popular (5) The Sidmouth Herald and Directory. 1911,1920,1921,1922. member”. Sidford Miniature Rifle Club won the cup, a silver two handled cup, which was (6) Exmouth Journal.1921. 26th March. presented by Major Morrison-Bell. (7) R & C Barnard. Sidmouth Museum.personal communication. August 2017. By 1914 the SMRC through its affiliated clubs had taught thousands of civilians to shoot and they were ready to take up arms (4) . Norma Cox After the armistice of 1918 the SMRC was in difficulties, club numbers were down to 1,500 because many club members had lost their lives in the war (4) . Others no longer Norma writes regularly for the magazine. She says: “I hunger for knowledge. If I am wanted to shoot after the horrors of the trenches and also, the Firearms Act of 1920 reading or thinking of something and I can’t find the answer then I research it. meant enthusiasm for shooting had waned. SMRC became NSRA (National Small-bore I adore history and by recording my own experiences and my family’s information, Rifle Association) in 1947 (4) . I make this information become my history. So it is essential to write it down and In Sidmouth from January to May 1920, there weren’t any rifle clubs reported, only give the references from where the information has come from. This gives the Billiards and Football (rugby) (5) . Cricket matches commenced 3rd May 1920. On 15th May reader confidence that the writings are correct.”

20 21 Sidmouth Station – A Lifetime Ago Model railway enthusiast Richard Harper spent a decade building a model of Sidmouth station. He chose Sidmouth after leafing through a book of railway photographs and identified Sidmouth as having attractive architecture and a compact layout. Also, many of the buildings were still in existence. In August, the layout came to Sidmouth. It seems so long ago that hot, crazy week in August when over 1100 visitors came to see the Model Railway, Memorabilia and Photographic Exhibition at Kennaway House. There was great interest in the layout, which is a very accurate replica of the old Sidmouth Station, and it certainly provoked a lot of discussion amongst the local visitors many who had either personally worked on the station and branch line, or in a business that was heavily reliant on the railway, or had a family working connection. Visitors included those who have been coming to the town for years and had wonderful stories to tell, together with model railway buffs, steam engine enthusiasts, and tourists. We were given contact details from many people, with more Sidmouth railway memories, and over the next few months we will be in touch to ensure that these stories will not be forgotten. Thanks to all our contributors, helpers and visitors for making it such a successful event, it was gratifying to receive many favourable comments. There is now a DVD of the model from both photos taken before and at the event which is now on sale at the Museum. Ann Tanner

The Sidmouth Railway Galop The Galop (a lively ballroom dance) was probably played many times over the three days of celebrations for the opening of the Sidmouth Railway in July 1874. The sheet music was published later in the year and advertised for sale in December 1874 at C Culverwell’s, the Book and Music Seller, in Fore Street, Sidmouth Ironically, it was a relation of his, Mrs Sue Bartlett, who found a copy of the original sheet music and gave a photocopy to the museum. This was played by pianist Vyvian Bronk , recorded by Mike Gluyas, and produced by Chris Gadwell. Thanks to them for generously donating their time to produce such a charming piece of music. The CD is now on sale at the Museum for £2.50 to help fund the repairs to its storm damaged roof.

22 23 SIDMOUTH Model Railway Exhibition – Sidmouth Terminus in the summer of 1960 SIDMOUTH

24 25 Sid Vale Calendar 2019 Each year we hold a photographic competition and the winning entries are printed in a calendar which is sold to raise money for the Sidmouth Landscape Fund. If you Late Night Shopping in Sidmouth have a photo (or three) taken in the Sid Valley and would like to enter the competition please check our website www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk for details. Friday 1st December – 10am-8pm Here are some of the photos from the 2018 calendar Don’t forget to call in at the Museum for your calendars, books to suit every member of the family, and a great variety of stocking fillers! The 2018 Sid Vale Calendar Our calendar, sold in aid of the Sidmouth Landscape Fund for the conservation of the unspoiled Sid Vale countryside for future generations to enjoy, contains 14 stunning new pictures by local photographers. Complete with envelope for posting.

Keith Owen – Sidmouth’s remarkable benefactor Our new book, researched and compiled by Christine Hardy and Handel Bennett, commemorating the generous and philanthropic act by Keith to leave his money to the Sid Valley. Find out about his life and motivation.

Sidmouth Spotting Great fun for kids – see how many of the things in this book you can spot in Sidmouth and qualify for a Sidmouth Spotter badge.

Online Sales When the Museum is closed, many of the SVA’s publications and other items are available to buy online from our website www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk

26 27 Richard Henry Wood (1820 – 1908) related to the church. In 1904 she knew that Fort This is the first in a series of occasional articles about House, conveniently close Sidmouth’s philanthropists. to the Parish Church, was Throughout its history Sidmouth has been fortunate in for sale but that same year the number of citizens who have benefitted the town she died. Richard bought through their generosity. Keith Owen’s name is known to Fort House for £3,170 from most Sidmothians but the name of Richard Henry Wood, the Trustees of the former probably the wealthiest philanthropist of them all, is now owner, Mr Hine-Hancock. largely forgotten. However, if it was not for Mr Wood, It was a generous gesture Kennaway House, as it is now called, would have been by the Trustees as they lost to the town. were offered a higher sum He was born in Manchester in 1820, the son of a from a developer who Steam Fire Engine, Belmont lawyer; his upbringing was comfortable and middle class. wished to pull it down He worked initially as a stockbroker and in 1854 married Richard Henry Wood and replace it with a row of modern houses. The house was in poor condition but in Elizabeth Hatton. The Hattons were descended from Sir 1906 Richard purchased both Aurora at the rear of the building and the adjacent Barton Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Elizabeth 1. Soon afterwards Richard entered into Cottage. Profits from the rents of these properties were to help repair Fort House and a partnership with James Hatton, Elizabeth’s uncle, an iron merchant and a very major Trust was set up with the vicar of the Parish Church as chairman. Lancashire industrialist. When James died in 1879 his nephew by marriage became the The opening of the renamed Church House in principal heir to his enormous fortune. The couple lived in Rugby for many years and April 1906 was attended by Sir John Kennaway, donated both the St Cross Hospital and the library. An aspect of Richard’s character is the grandson of the first baronet who had lived in revealed by those that knew of his work as a magistrate in the town. He would the house early in the 19th century. The new reluctantly impose fines but, if the guilty party was poor, he would pay the fine himself. name was later to produce confusion as there He was also a major landowner and in the final quarter of the 19th century he owned were those who mistakenly considered that it was several thousand acres in the Trawsfynydd parish of north Wales, which included church property. (It had its third change of name precious mineral rights and is still known as ‘the Wood Estate’. He became High Sheriff of to Kennaway House in 2007.) Portraits of both the county of Merioneth, now in Gwynedd, despite being a newcomer, and he was a Richard and Elizabeth hung in Church House until keen rider to hounds. the 1960s when, sadly, they disappeared. In his private life Richard was a great ‘collector’ especially of ancient charters and rare Richard gave £500 to Sidmouth Victoria Hospital books, including the Prayer Book of Edward VI. He owned valuable paintings which are and, in memory of his wife, gave a window now in public display in Manchester. Above all else he was a staunch high Church portraying Elizabeth of Hungary, a symbol of Anglican, restoring a number of Welsh churches. Christian charity, for the North Chancel aisle of In 1896, mainly due to Elizabeth’s health, the Woods moved to Sidmouth, choosing the Parish Church. Belmont (now the Belmont Hotel). Richard was 74 and his wife 77. The Drill Hall had In 1908 Richard Wood died in his 90th year. The been built with borrowed money in 1895. One of his first donations following his move Woods had no children and the principal heir was was to pay the final £600 of the mortgage. a nephew in Nantwich. Both he and his wife are He bought land known as the Coburg Fields where bowls and tennis is now played, as buried at the Hatton’s family’s church in well as the Triangle, where there is now a putting green. Daresbury, Cheshire. In 1902 he bought the town’s first steam fire engine, named appropriately Belmont. Their granite tomb in the churchyard is next to The opening ceremony was marked by cheering crowds as the vehicle passed through the tomb of James Hatton to whom they owed flag lined streets. their great wealth. Elizabeth had been concerned about the lack of suitable accommodation offered by the Nigel Hyman Parish Church to visiting clergyman and also the lack of facilities for social activities Window in Parish Church

28 29 Edward M. Norfolk (1921-2017) Sidmouth Cricket Club The farewell to Edward Norfolk took place on August 14 Sidmouth Cricket Club is one of in his regular place of worship, Sidmouth Parish Church. the oldest cricket clubs in the His extended family, including children, grandchildren West Country. It was founded in and great-grandchildren, gathered with local SVA 1823 when a small thatched members and Sidmouth residents, to see him go. He was pavilion was constructed as a aged 95, and spent the last 30 years in the conservation changing area. A larger structure of the valley he loved. replaced it in 1870 providing Edward was born in Aberdeen. His family moved to changing rooms, a dining area London. He was educated at Latymer Upper School (Hammersmith), and Leeds and a room for relaxation after University (where he met Mary, who was to become his beloved wife). He studied for the game. This building was the priesthood at Mirfield, and was ordained in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. His significantly modified and expanded in the early 1930s when more rooms were added successful ministry over 63 years, included being appointed Archdeacon of St. Albans. On and the bar was enlarged. his retirement in 1987 Edward and Mary moved to Sidmouth. They quickly joined the Sid The facilities of the present pavilion are similar to those of the 1930s, although several Vale Association, a charity committed to conservation. Mary and Edward volunteered for of the rooms are used for different purposes to those of over 80 years ago. It has been the Social Committee (a significant source of income in the nineties) and as stewards of necessary approximately every 30 years to replace the thatch in order to help conserve the Museum. (Sadly Mary passed away in 2010). the building and preserve this special structure. Edward served on the Executive Committee 1989-2001, and as SVA Vice-Chairman from On several occasions it has been suggested that application should be made for the 1997 until 2000. In 1991 he became a member of the Fund Raising committee, and was pavilion to achieve listed status, but it has been decided not to apply because of the keen to encourage covenants and bequests. From 1992-94 he was a Property Trustee, likely restrictions that would be monitoring land tenancy agreements; and acquiring land for community use in placed on any proposed alteration. perpetuity. This included the addition of the Livonia and Gilchrist Fields, and Combe Head In 2010 significant wear and tear Field at Salcombe Regis. He was also involved in the leasing arrangements for Hope was apparent on the roof and the Cottage (Sidmouth Museum). He assisted others in the revision and preparation of a new club sought help from various SVA Constitution to operate from April 1999. charitable bodies to help pay for When Edward and Mary came to Sidmouth, the SVA cash assets were only £8,000. The the replacement thatch on the combined efforts of Edward and the Fund Raising committee, established a significant iconic cricket club roof. Several base for financing conservation by later trustees. Perhaps their joint efforts may have organisations and individuals influenced the late Keith Owen, to make his multi-million bequest to the SVA in 2007! contributed to the repair, none “Truly we stand on the shoulders of giants”, Sir Isaac Newton. more so than the SVA Keith Owen Handel Bennett, President Fund which donated the magnificent sum of £10,000. The total cost of the project was £55,000 a sum raised in twelve months from grants, club Countryside Walks funds, individuals, cricket club donations etc. The KOF contribution was crucial in starting the fund raising process, thereby stimulating offers from so many others. Join the SVA Countryside Walking Group and you Seven years on, the magnificent pavilion remains special to Sidmouth CC which has will never walk alone again! We meet on the first sustained its status as an outstanding West of England cricket club. Sidmouth CC are Tuesday each month at 10am and take a 5 mile regular winners of the Devon Premier league, and the Fortfield is first choice venue for circular walk through glorious East Devon, lasting 1 Devon CCC home fixtures and matches of Minor Counties representative teams. about 2 ⁄2 hours – see back cover for list of walks. You need to be reasonably fit and to enjoy sid vale association Neil Gamble chatting as well as walking – all our members are You can find out more about Sidmouth Cricket Club when Neil will be very friendly and welcoming. Do join us. Keith Owen Fund giving a SVA talk at the Manor Pavilion in January (see back cover).

30 31 World War 1 Centenary – Sidmouth’s Sacrifice In 1917 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Thomas Boddington, 34 years, served with the British Egyptian Expeditionary The War Memorial Tablets in Sidmouth Parish Church record the names of 41 individuals Force and was killed on 2 November in fierce fighting with local connections who died in uniform in 1917. at Gaza. He is buried at the Commonwealth War Of these, three died in the Royal Navy and 37 in the army. The other was Mary Tindall, Cemetery in Gaza City, which is immaculately tended of The Marino, Sidmouth, who was a Red Cross volunteer nurse attached to a military by Palestinian staff. hospital in Exeter. She died of illness on 20 September. Private Frederick James Brown served with the Two of the men dying in the Royal Navy were lost at sea. 10th Devons, fighting with the British Salonika Force Petty Officer James Agg was one of 843 men lost when HMS Vanguard, a Dreadnought in Greece. He was killed in action on 25 April, aged Class battleship, sank following an explosion at Scapa Flow on 9 July. This was the biggest 26, and has no known grave. He is honoured on the accidental loss ever suffered by the Royal Navy in wartime. Doiran Memorial to the Missing, up near the Able Seaman Albert Victor Horn died on 26 September along with the rest of the crew Macedonian border. when the drifter Ocean Star (a trawler used for minesweeping) was sunk by a German Two soldiers deserving special thought on this mine off The Solent. centenary are Corporal Reginald Arthur Small, aged The majority of those who died in the army in 1917 are buried – or commemorated 23, of West View, Newtown, Sidmouth, and 19 year with no known grave – either in France or Belgium. This includes 11 men with local old Private Garnett Oldrey, from nearby Mill Street. connections who died during the Battle of Passchendaele, which raged around the town Reginald was a gardener before the war. Garnett’s of Ypres in Belgium between 31 July and 10 November. Private Garnett Oldrey occupation before It is not possible to pay proper tribute to all of these men in this short space, but one he signed-up is example paints the grim picture. unclear but we know he left school at 14 to become Maurice Randall Fishwick was a schoolteacher in an errand boy. Sidmouth who signed-up with the 9th Battalion of the Reginald and Garnett both served with the 4th Devonshire Regiment. In April 1916, 24 year-old Maurice Devons in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). On 3 February married 20 year-old Alice Mary Youlden, of Sid Road, at 1917 the 4th Devons, along with the 2nd Gurkhas, Salcombe Regis church. He was killed at Passchendaele were ordered to capture entrenched Turkish positions on 26 October 1917 when the 9th Devons were ordered on the Hai Salient. Although the attack was successful, to capture the village of Gheluvelt. As they left their and was strategically significant, this came at a heavy trenches and struggled forward in deep mud they were cost - the 4th Devons suffered almost 50% casualties. machine gunned from their flank, suffering very heavy These included Garnett, who was killed in the battle, casualties. and Reginald, who died of wounds two days later. Maurice has no known grave and is commemorated They were both buried in the Commonwealth War on the Memorial to the Missing at Tyne Cot, Belgium. He Cemetery at Amara. is also honoured on the War Memorial at Salcombe In recent times the cemetery at Amara has been Regis, as well as Sidmouth’s War Memorial Tablets. extensively desecrated and vandalised, and reportedly Whilst the campaigns in France and Flanders parts of it are now being used as a rubbish tip. Maurice Randall Fishwick dominated, many men from Sidmouth also fought Unfortunately the Commonwealth War Graves Corporal Reginald Arthur Small German forces in Africa or Ottoman Turk forces in the Commission has been unable to work in Iraq since near east. They often fought in atrocious conditions of extreme heat, disease and 1991 and Amara can be a dangerous place for anyone to visit. privation. The War Memorial tablets in Sidmouth church commemorate 5 such men who Chairman of the Sidmouth Branch of the Royal British Legion, Dave O’Connor, speaks died in 1917. for many when he says, “it feels like we’ve abandoned these boys and that’s a bitter pill Private Sydney Henry Jewell, 18 years old, served on the East African campaign. He died to swallow.” on 13 January of Blackwater Fever, a complication of chronic malaria, and is buried in a War Cemetery at Nairobi. John McCarthy

32 33 The Girl in the Mirror The family lived at Higher Efford, in the parish of Egg Buckland, where Some years ago in the course of our museum work George William Soltau owned a house we came across a small undistinguished looking book and land. In 1851 George is described in one of the museum cabinets. On opening it we as a Landed Proprietor and Magistrate discovered 12 watercolours of local scenes, at least for Devon. Fanny died in 1860 and was five of which are dated 1819. buried at Plympton St Mary, aged 58. The book had been acquired in the 1970s as “a The book of watercolours probably book of watercolours by Fanny Coulter.” It was then passed to her eldest son on her death, catalogued as “a sketch book by Fanny Culine.” On hence the inscription date. inspection neither Coulter nor Culine appeared to be correct and, a bit of sleuthing later, we managed to George Soltau Symons (the 3rd name) trace the real artist and her family. George William Culme Soltau was born in May 1831. He was the 5th child and eldest The painter was Frances Goddard Culme, known to son of Fanny and George Soltau. In 1845, George Soltau senior was granted a Royal her family as Fanny. Even more exciting, on the very Licence, on behalf of his eldest son who was a minor at the time, to alter his name. The back page was this enchanting little self-portrait with the detail “Fanny Culme Age 17. request was a condition of an inheritance in the will of George junior’s maternal great- Done by herself in the glass.” In other words, this is a mirror image. Inside the front uncle, Colonel William Symons. It required George junior and his issue, to assume the cover there are three names with dates: name of Symons, in addition to, and after that, of Soltau. Fanny G Culme – August 26th 1819 In June 1853, just prior to the start of the Crimean War, George William Culme Soltau Elizth Seymour – May 17th 1833 ‘For Auld Lang Syne’ Symons was arrested in Odessa whilst travelling with a school friend. Mistaken for a George Soltau Symons from his mother 1860 revolutionary Pole, who had the similar sounding name of Soltan, he was detained for From these clues the following story emerged. several weeks before being denied permission to continue his journey. None the worse for his escapade George eventually made it back to England where he received a full Fanny G Culme (the 1st name) apology from the Russian Ambassador. Fanny was born 3 April 1802, one of 2 daughters born to the Rev Thomas Culme of George married the Hon. Adele Isabella Graves, 2nd daughter of Lord and Lady Graves, Plympton, and his wife Elizabeth (nee White), who had married in 1795. Fanny’s sister in December 1859 and the couple took up residence at one of his inherited properties, Elizabeth had been born in August 1800. Chaddlewood at Plympton St Mary. George then settled into public life taking an active Thomas Culme was one of 8 children of John Culme of Tothill, near Plymouth. John had interest in agriculture and politics. He died at Plympton in 1916, aged 85. married his second cousin Grace Goddard, daughter of Rev William Goddard, vicar of Plympton St Mary; hence Fanny’s middle name of Goddard. Elizabeth Seymour (the 2nd name) Sadly Fanny and Elizabeth were orphaned very young, their father dying in 1803, Fanny’s sister, Elizabeth Culme, married in 1833; the 2nd entry in the book probably followed 5 years later by his wife. Their aunt, Thomas’ sister, Elizabeth Lean Culme, took commemorates this marriage. Her new husband, the Rev John Hobart Seymour, was over the upbringing of her Prebendary of Gloucester and eldest son of Rear Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, Bart. KCB. orphaned nieces. The holiday at In addition, since 1827, he had been Chaplain in Ordinary to Queen Victoria. A year after Sidmouth in 1819, recorded in their marriage, on the death of his father, Reverend Seymour succeeded to the baronetcy the paintings, was probably becoming the Rev Sir John Hobart, Bart. overseen by Miss Culme. Elizabeth, Lady Seymour, died in March 1841 after giving birth to a daughter: she was In 1823, Fanny married George 40. The following year, her widower assumed his wife’s surname in addition to his own William Soltau of Plympton St becoming the Rev Sir John Hobart Culme-Seymour. He remarried in 1844 and died in Mary. Fanny and George would 1880; being succeeded to the baronetcy by his, and Elizabeth’s, eldest son Captain have 7 children; their eldest son Michael Culme-Seymour. was named George William So, a small book but what a story; not to mention some wonderful images. Culme Soltau. Rab & Christine Barnard

34 35 SVA Excursion – Spring 2018 and Next Year’s Excursion Programme Wyke Farm Cheese Making and Energy Conservation, Minterne House, Gardens and Dorset Cream Tea This is the first of our Excursions for 2018. We visit Wyke Farm, Somerset - famous for a family tradition of Cheese Making for over 100 years, and for its recent use of Energy Bio-diversity. At Wyke Farm we will be in the dry! We won’t be trudging around the cows in the fields! We will be viewing a presentation on cheese making, tasting their prize-winning cheeses, and tour the bio-energy producing Minterne House and Gardens are located in plant. We will hear the story of their green 1,600 acres of parkland stretching through an journey and how they are dedicated to enchanting valley in the heart of the Dorset helping others learn about sustainability. countryside. Minterne House is the birthplace The Clothier family have been making of The Duke of Marlborough and cradle of the cheddar in Somerset since 1861. Today this Churchill dynasty. family-run business is one of the largest Spring Is a good time to visit the Gardens at independent cheese makers and milk Minterne, noted for its colourful rhododendrons processors in the UK, using the same award Wykes Farm’s maturing cheese and magnolias. There are a number of sub-tropical winning 150-year-old recipe. plants discovered by unsung English explorers – the plant hunters of Victorian times. Wyke Farm’s Richard Clothier with his girls Historic Minterne has been featured in films, television, radio, broadsheet newspapers and books. This excursion will be escorted by Stephen Pemberton and Handel Bennett. Full details of the date, travel arrangements, what is included, the price and a Booking Form, will be sent by e -mail in January, if you have already registered for excursion information. Otherwise, please send your e-mail address today! SVA ExCURSIONS 2018 If you have no e-mail, please give your postal address to receive a printed copy. Spring: Wyke Farm cheese making and Minterne House & Gardens Your contact is: 4th July: Gants Mill and Fursdon Stephen Pemberton, House 7, Glenisla Terrace, Sidmouth EX10 8BP 12th September: Padstow and Tel: 07810 496566 Pencarrow Email: [email protected]

36 37 The Sidmouth Hopper bus – a fairy tale in three Acts capacity of the 16 seater, and again Nick Hutt had the answer, but at a significantly higher cost. The larger modern coach has room for more standing passengers, dogs and luggage, Act one – 2004 Town Councillors decide to do som eth ing to sid vale association and no steps to climb from the pavement. improve the town’s traffic congestion. We now have a service which has gained the consistent support of many town Chairman Tony Reed proposed that a service to carry people from businesses, from small shops to the largest hotels, and of course the Donkey Sanctuary. the Manor Road Car Park to the Town centre was nece ssary – but Keith Owen Fund On behalf of the Town Council and 21,000 passengers during both 2016 and 2017, who would provide the service – and how much would it cost the Town Council? Would it I should like to thank the SVA’s Keith Owen Fund for its strong financial support during be free, or would there be a fare? If fares are charged, the dreaded Traffic the development phase, now completed. A donations tin on the bus is now making a Commissioners could visit at any time and check that the service was running reliably and significant contribution to costs. that the operator was a fit and proper person to manage it. Inevitably a committee was I have been pleased to welcome Cllr Kelvin Dent, who is assuming my responsibilities formed, including County Councillor Stuart Hughes, hotelier Mark Seward, ideas man for the Hopper next year. Richard Eley, and others including a keen new boy, John Dyson, who had just moved to John Dyson Sidmouth and been elected to the Town Council after Bernard Clark’s death. Following an advertisement for a suitable bus and driver, Cook’s Coaches of Wellington was chosen, as sid vale association they had some smaller buses as well as double-deckers. All went well until Cook’s The Talking Newspaper Coaches was sold to Stagecoach, who were looking to expand in the South West. This The Keith Owen fund has given grants to some quite small was bad news for us, as Stagecoach gave priority to their major regulated services, and charities. One of these is the Sid Vale and East De von Ta lking Keith Owen Fund the quality of driver didn’t always suit the retired/holidaymaker clientele of Sidmouth. Newspaper. Though small, it makes a significant difference to people’s quality of life. Act two – 2009 Nick Hutt, a former manager at Cook’s coaches, approached us for It was founded in 1987 by Colin Beaumont-Edwards. A former captain of the Queen’s the contract, and took over the service with a small 16-seater coach, well suited to the Royal regiment, he lost his sight in WW2 whist fighting in N. Africa. He went on to hills and narrow streets of Sidmouth. Better still, a more regular driver appeared – Jim become president of St. Dunstan’s, a charity for blind ex servicemen and women. He Tucker, who manoeuvred his bus deftly and soon became a popular feature of the set up the paper to keep blind people in touch with events in the Vale. service. A third change occurred: Tom Cox, who had been chair of the Town Council for Mrs. Kath Eveleigh was on the original committee and explains the aims and how it two years, finished his term of office by leaving the running of the Hopper (as it had works: become known) in my hands. Jim Tucker was not just a driver – he listened to people and “We are a registered charity whose aim is to bring local news to people with visual looked for possible service improvements. Soon the Hopper went up the hills on both impairment. When the local newspaper comes out, there are eight teams on hand to sides of town, and not surprisingly reached the Donkey Sanctuary. This was a major step produce the talking newspaper. Each team consists of an editor who cuts out and forward and proved popular both for the passengers and for the Donkey Sanctuary itself. pastes the stories onto cards, readers who read the stories, a producer who does the It wasn’t long before all three caravan parks around the Donkey Sanctuary had expanded recording onto a digital stick and packers who send them off to the recipients in a with the growth in caravan holidays and, in two cases, new management. This was good returnable wallet. The sticks can be listened to via a computer or an orb, which is news for the Hopper – not supplied to the listener and then returned to be wiped and reused. The post office only more passengers, but offer a free delivery/return service though they do charge for a PO Box address. We for Sidmouth’s businesses, also send out a quarterly magazine with information, recipes etc. We also try and visit no extra cars to find a our listeners and there have been time when we have been recognised in the street by parking space. our voices.” Act three – 2015/6 Things have changed over the years. Originally work started in Kath’s living room, Another worrying factor was then moved to Woolcombe House before being offered a room at the Manor Pavilion. causing concern: the bus was Before memory sticks, cassettes were used. With the advent of sticks, the Keith Owen regularly leaving passengers fund was approached in 2008 and a grant was given for memory sticks and wallets. At behind due to its limited its peak there were 220 listeners. With advances in modern technology there are capacity. In early 2016 the more aids available for visually impaired people, so numbers have fallen. None the Town Council advertised for a less, the talking newspaper still provides a vital service. larger bus – twice the Renee Forth and Kath Eveleigh

38 39 In the Footsteps of Peter Orlando Hutchinson project 2010-2013 following sites: Farway Castle, East Hill, Berry Camp, Seven Stones, Broad Down, Gittisham Hill, Littlecombe shoot prehistoric field system, High Peak enclosure, Blackbury sid vale association Born in Winchester in 1810, Peter Orlando Hutchinson spent all his Camp, Salcombe Hill. adult life in Sidmouth where he pursued his very diverse range of An interactive ‘archaeology trail’ which aims to bring you closer to the archaeology and interests. His geological and archaeological observations are of history of the AONB landscape has been created by the project and can be seen here. Keith Owen Fund immense value, but above all it is as an artist and ceaseless and This virtual trail allows you to visit the above sites through the medium of the web and devoted recorder of everything he heard and saw that he will be remembered, making learn more about their history. his diaries an immensely valuable source for Devon landscape studies. Theme 3 – Helping people to take an active part in their local heritage The Keith Owen Fund supported this East Devon • Organising work parties so that local people can help clear scrub from ancient sites. AONB Partnership run community heritage project • Giving people archaeological field walking opportunities and experience. aimed at raising awareness of landscape change, help • Facilitating local people to lead walks about their heritage. conserve and enhance historical features, and continue • Providing training opportunities and surveying and excavation experience. the legacy of volunteer study and involvement in • Transcribing documents and compiling indexes. landscape heritage that has grown through the AONB • Working with local and professional artists to revisit Hutchinson’s iconic views. Partnership. Drawing on the work of Peter Orlando Hutchinson, it provided a detailed and fascinating For further details visit www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/ourwork/culture-and-heritage/poh account of the Victorian landscape. Focusing largely in and around the Sid Valley, the Chris Woodruff project sought to revisit many of the historical features of the landscape that Hutchinson recorded, such as hill forts, tumuli, medieval chapels and quarries with a view to their conservation, Restoration of 34010 Sidmouth enhancement, interpretation and public engagement therein. Work continues at Southern Locomotives’ The Project had three main themes which delivered the following actions: workshop in Swanage on the restoration of the 1946-built Southern Railway loco number 34010 Theme 1 – To improve learning about our heritage named Sidmouth. So far the wheels have been ‘re- • Through a series of guided walks, illustrated talks, special events, workshops and tyred’, the boiler will shortly move to a sub- training. contractor for overhaul, and the myriad of parts • Making Hutchinson’s diaries more readily available for study on our website. required to assemble the loco from are being • By scanning Hutchinson’s pictures and his unpublished Histories of Sidmouth to make found, bought, repaired or re-made one by one. them available online. Recent work included repair of the middle • By organising a yearly conference featuring outside speakers and local research. eccentric which powers the valve gear for the • Working with students from Sidmouth College to monitor landscape change using POH loco’s inside cylinder. The bearing surface has to pictures. be coated in ‘white metal’ and fitted to the • Fixed point photography – from the exact places POH painted his views (with GPS) eccentric by hand, a highly skilled technique rarely readings. used these days. Note the “engineer’s blue” on the The photo shows the two parts of • Working with local museums and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, to bearing surface. Southern Locomotives are the split bearing of the eccentric display artefacts collected by POH. fortunate to have staff capable of such which drives the inside valve gear. • Mount exhibitions featuring the work of the project. craftmanship, and indeed the group has an apprentice who’s being trained to follow in their Theme 2 – To improve access and interpretation of our heritage footsteps. For more details of the loco and its restoration please visit Working with landowners and in close liaison with English Heritage and Devon Historic www.southern-locomotives.co.uk or email me at [email protected] Environment Service, and aided by our volunteers, we have been involved with the Nick Thompson

40 41 Looking Out for Bats Membership Application Form sid vale association The East Devon Area of Please send completed form, with payment if Outstanding Natural Beauty applicable, to The Membership Secretary (SVA) Team were delighted to be one of the first recipients of a grant 67 Malden Road, Sidmouth Ex10 9LZ past • present • future from the Keith Owen Trust Fund in 2008. The grant was to I/We wish to become Member(s) of the Sid Vale Association support our bat project which was trying to identify where Title Surname (BLOCK LETTERS please) the greater horseshoe bats that hibernate in Beer Quarry Caves First name(s) 1 went in the spring to forage Second member and to have their young. An Sidbury Primary school pupils at the cave entrance additional aspect of this project Address was to carry out work with local schools to raise awareness of these rare species and to organise public events. We were able to visit local schools to run activities within the school and then to take Post Code Phone local schools to Beer Quarry Caves to see the hibernating bats and experience for themselves the conditions that the bats choose to over winter in. Bat walks were also E-Mail Address organised to allow local people to see these rare creatures in their natural environment. EITHER I/We enclose my/our Annual/Life Membership subscription of £ A short film made for this project can be viewed at www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/our- Please delete as appropriate and make cheques payable to The Sid Vale Association work/wildlife/looking-out-for-bats 3 This funding was very helpful in convincing other funding bodies that there was local OR I/We have completed the standing order mandate opposite (Please ) support for the initiative which will have helped unlock funds from national charitable GIFT AID SCHEME funders. This allowed extensive original research and enhanced knowledge about how rare species of bats used the local landscape. I wish to make payments under the Gift Aid Scheme. I want the Charity to treat as Gift Aid This project was the first of its ALL donations and subscriptions I make to the Association, from the date of this kind in East Devon and has been declaration, until I notify you otherwise. I confirm that I pay an annual amount of Income the catalyst for much work in the Tax which is not less than the amount of tax which may be redeemed by the Sid Vale area since then and was Association. instrumental in establishing the current county-wide Devon Signature Date Greater Horseshoe Bat Project. The Sid Vale Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1154749 For more information about the current project why not visit Outside the Sid Valley Within the SUBSCRIPTION RATES including postage Sid Valley http://devonbatproject.org By cheque or cash – or cheaper by Cheque/ Standing Cheque/ Standing Pete Youngman standing order! cash order cash order AONB ANNUAL MEMBER an individual £12 £10 £10 £8 sid vale association 2 at same address £18 £16 £16 £14 LIFE MEMBER an individual £120 - £100 - Sidbury primary school pupilsmeet a rescue bat Keith Owen Fund 2 at same address £180 - £160 -

Area Date Receipt Memb.Card WG NMM GA 42 43 Help us – and make new friends at the same time! Thank you for joining the SVA. Your membership is greatly appreciated. If you would like to become more involved or know more about all the work we do, there are many areas where we need help, whether it be on a regular basis or just a few hours. See the point of contact list for the relevant person (inside the back cover) who will be happy to hear from you, or 3 any of the following and your interest will be passed on for you. Membership o Local delivery of magazines to members Magazine o Writing articles and editorial Museum o Stewards o Archivists o Computer Operators o Administration o Shop Meetings Team o Planning o Setting up in the Manor Theatre IT Presentations o Powerpoint presentations Website o Updating of content o Technical management Footpaths o Monitoring and maintaining access on country paths River Patrol o Monitoring rivers and streams Woodlands and Estates o ‘Hands-on’ managing grass, hedging, trees, wild-life Conservation and Planning Team o Monitoring planning applications

STANDING ORDER MANDATE To The Manager Bank Branch Address Post Code Please set up the following Standing Order from my/our account: Name(s) of account Sort Code - - Account Number Recipient Sid Vale Association CIO Recipient’s Bank CAF Bank (Charities Aid Foundation) 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Sort Code 40 - 52 - 40 Account Number 00016416 Please pay the sum of £ First payment date And annually thereafter until further notice Quoting SVA reference (please leave blank for SVA use)

Signature Date

44 sid vale association Sid Vale Association Can you persuade a friend to join us? Executive Committee Officers Throughout this magazine there are articles about the many President Keith Owen Fund projects that the Keith Owen Fund has contributed to in its first Rev Handel Bennett 01395 514211 [email protected] ten years. But we have to remember that the Fund cannot be used for the day-to- Chairman day running of the SVA. So running the Museum, maintaining over 40 acres of land Alan Darrant 01395 519848 [email protected] and nearly 60 miles of footpaths in the Valley, helping to keep the River Sid free Vice Chairman from litter and pollution, and everything else we do, has to be done by volunteers, Ed G. Harrison 01395 514430 [email protected] and funded by our membership subscriptions – which is why we need more Honorary Treasurer members and volunteers! Vacant It’s only £8 per year if you pay by standing order – the price of two pints of beer Secretary at most pubs in the town, so please try and get a friend to join us. And as you Liz Warren 01395 576998 [email protected] know, volunteering isn’t necessary, but help in running things is very welcome if it Points of contact can be offered. Conservation and Planning Please talk to your friends and use the membership application form in this Richard Thurlow 01395 513171 [email protected] magazine to get them signed up. Both the SVA and the Footpaths Museum have pages on Facebook, and the more “likes” we Vacant get, the more people will know about us and what we do. Museum Curator Nigel Hyman 01395 579815 [email protected] The Sid Vale Association Local History Group meets every second Monday of every History Group second month at 7pm in the SVA HQ, 36a Fore Street, and welcomes anybody with Prof. Brian Golding OBE 01395 578474 [email protected] an interest in local history. Discussions evolve from issues raised by members and Keith Owen Fund Grants occasional guests. Kate Tobin 01395 579804 [email protected] Meetings John Ridgley 01395 579819 [email protected] Fancy Writing an Article? Brendan Lee 01395 513102 [email protected] We welcome any article that has a relevance to the Sid Valley area and may interest Membership our members. The maximum word count is about 800 words and accompanying Andrew Scott 01395 519797 [email protected] digital pictures are much appreciated. Publicity and Magazine Editor Val Huntington 01395 519350 [email protected] This magazine is published twice a year in July and November and articles are Publications required two months prior to publication. We cannot guarantee that all articles John Dowell 01395 568681 [email protected] submitted will be published. River Warden Send your articles to Val Huntington: [email protected] Peter Brookes 01395 597461 [email protected] Walks Elizabeth Cotton 01395 514690 [email protected] Editor’s apology Woodlands and Estates In the July issue, the article entitled “R.W. Sampson memorial” was wrongly Richard Huntington 01395 519350 [email protected] attributed. It should have read Pamela Gordon-Lee who is the membership Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership secretary of the R.W. Sampson Society. Any information regarding the Sampson Brian Hall 01395 515787 [email protected] Society can be found at www.rwsampson.com. My apologies to Pamela. Excursions Steve Pemberton 07810 496566 [email protected]

46 Dates for your Diary – see website for more information Wednesday 8th November 2.30pm SVA Talk – Manor Pavilion ‘The Roman Army in South Devon’. Speaker: John Smith Friday December 1st – Museum open 10am-8pm Late Night Shopping in Sidmouth – call in at the Museum for your calendars, books and a great range of stocking fillers, and the launch of two new books: Keith Owen – Sidmouth’s remarkable benefactor and Sidmouth Spotting – a fun book for children Tuesday 5th December – SVA Countryside Walk Leader: Bettina 01395 260599. Meet 10am at Sowton Park & Ride. Grid Ref: SX 959 914. About 5 miles, urban edge and countryside loop. Lunch at Half Moon, Clyst St Mary. Tuesday 2nd January – SVA Countryside Walk Leaders: John and Naomi 01395 512973 Meet at 10am at Sidford carpark. Grid Ref: SY 134 900. Moderate walk around the Byes and Soldiers Hill. Optional lunch after at Blue Ball. (Please book personally in advance 01395 514062) Monday 8th January 7pm SVA Local History Group – SVA HQ, 36a Fore Street (Above Trumps) Anyone with an interest in local history is welcome. Wednesday 10th January 2.30pm SVA Talk – Manor Pavilion ‘The History of Sidmouth Cricket Club’. Speaker: Neil Gamble Tuesday 6th February – SVA Countryside Walk Leader: Phil 01395 512339. Meet at 10am at Junction of Bickwell Valley and Boughmore Road. On street parking or walk there. Only about 4 miles but the steep climb up Peak Hill makes up for the shorter walk! Wednesday 14th February 2.30pm SVA Talk – Manor Pavilion ‘Bats in the Sid Valley’. Speaker: Louise Woolley Tuesday 6th March – SVA Countryside Walk Leader: Graham 01395 445872. Meet at 10am at Four Firs carpark Grid Ref: SY 032 864 Monday 12th March 7pm SVA Local History Group – SVA HQ, 36a Fore Street (Above Trumps) Anyone with an interest in local history is welcome. Wednesday 14th March 2.30pm SVA Talk – Manor Pavilion Bob Symes Memorial Lecture : ‘The Wood for the Trees – a long view of nature from a small wood’. Speaker: Richard Fortey Friday 23rd March – Museum opens for the summer. Tuesday 3rd April – SVA Countryside Walk Leader: Liz 01395 514690. Meet at 10am Meet at 10.00am at Newton Poppleford Recreation Ground carpark. Grid Ref: SY 088 899 Wednesday 25th April 2.30pm – Manor Pavilion SVA Annual General Meeting SVA Spring Excursion to Wyke Farm Cheese Making and Minterne House & Gardens – Date to be confirmed – see inside for details

The Sid Vale Association CIO, 36a Fore Street, Sidmouth EX10 8AQ The Sid Vale Association CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1154749. The Association promotes conservation and heritage, the museum, and facilities for recreational and cultural activities in the Sid Valley © 2017 Designed and published by the Sid Vale Association