Edition 3 - December 1989

On a more serious note, Bertrand Russell said, "I cannot imagine a life without a mind to comprehend it."

Barbara Pickup

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MATCHED

Our congratulations and best wishes for the future to Michael Johns [Lower Leigh Farm] and Tina Sanger, who were married at Combe Martin Baptist Church on the 14th September.

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THE BELLS OF THE CHURCH OF ST. PETER AT BERRYNARBOR

Illustration by: Kevin McLintock

The tower of the church about 100 feet high to the pinnacles and is built of local masonry. The bells are from the ground floor which has several disadvantages - for example, the cost of the bellropes and the difference in the ropes according to the weather. The bell frame was built in 1928 by Harry Stokes of Woodbury. It is carried on five 10" x 5" steel girders running east-west, with their ends resting on the offset in the walls. The frame proper is made of cast-iron trusses, arranged to have the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th bells swinging east-west [the way of the tower), and the 3rd and 4th swinging north-south along the east wall. The frame is in good order, but the rust must be cleaned off and preventive paint applied.

The gear all appears to be Stoke's and consists of elm headstocks, plate gudgeons, ball-bearings, traditional wheels, stays and gliders. There is a chiming hammer on the tenor bell, and the clock strikes on the 4^th. All the ironwork is rusty and must be tightened. On the 3rd bell, two of the bolts securing the bell to the headstock are loose, owing to the collapse of leather washers. All pulleys are worn beyond recover and rattle in their boxes - they must be replaced to include ball races. The ringers will find a remarkable difference. The clappers of the treble [1st bell], 3rd, 4th and 5th have leather lined straps over the pins on which they swing. These have disintegrated allowing the clappers too much play to left and right which causes them to rub the bells. Although the damage to the bells is slight, the longer repairs are delayed, each year will see more damage than the last. The 2nd and 3rd bells were modernised in their clappers and crown-staple and need no repair at present in that respect.

We are going to replace some clappers; anneal and reline certain parts of headstocks; drill out and replace crownstaples and turn the bells worn by the loose clappers. Similar work was neglected in a North Devon church with the result that the whole bell cracked and had to be recast. All our framework has to be freed from rust and treated - a very long and arduous process. We are very grateful to all of you for the money spent at our Summer Fayre.

P.S. The bells were a complete six by Evan Evans and his son William of Chepstow, who worked a good deal in North Devon about the time of their casting, 1772. The tenor is 40" diameter in G, the 3rd was recast in 1893 by Taylor's of Loughborough.

Finally : the team of ringers from this and the neighbouring parishes ring one of the best peals - under their Captain of the Tower, Michael Bowden - which it is and has been my pleasure to listen to [I have been both ringer and judge in my time] .

The bells call you to church, but please remember that we have old and invalid people who look forward to the practice and service peals because it links them to those who pray for them in Church.

R. O. H. Eppingstone

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P. & J. LETHABY Family Butchers 60a The Village, BERRYNARBOR, 882361 CHRISTMAS POULTRY We are taking orders now for our Home-reared Free-range TURKEYS, GEESE, CHICKENS, DUCKS Etc. Also Prime Beef * Pork * Home-made Sausages and Sausage Meat   Illustration by: Kevin McLintock Times of Opening Saturday, 23rd December - All Day 25th, 26th & 27th December - Closed Thursday, 28th December - Open All Day Monday, 1st January - Closed Tuesday, 2nd January - Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. PAUL AND JACKIE WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

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ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD

Ilfracombe College Musical Society is presenting 'Orpheus in the Underworld' in early December. This is their 9th Annual Production and follows last year's very successful 'Die Fledermaus'.

'Orpheus' is a comedy which pokes fun at the antics of the Greek gods and goddesses, performed in a modern idiom. It is full of humour and catchy tunes and includes pupils, staff and friends [many of whom come from the village].

Performances at the Pavilion Theatre, Ilfracombe, will be at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7th, 8th and 9th December. Tickets: Adults £3.00, Concessions £1.50, are available from the Main Office at the College [63427], or the Chocolate Box, High Street, Ilfracombe.

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WANTED

Lock-up Garage in the Village to rent. If you can help, please contact Guy Harding [883384].

The Spirit of Christmas - do you have it? How about a permanent Christmas Tree for the Manor Hall? Any money donations towards this would be gratefully received Drop them through Joy Morrow's door at Fuchsia Cottage.

Britain in Bloom 1990 Have you any spare cuttings of plants such as fuchsias,. geraniums, etc. , that would be suitable for baskets, tubs, etc., next spring? If so, please pot them on and contact Joy Morrow [882531] - the Committee would be most grateful.

Has anyone got Christmas Decorations [tree or wall] they no longer require? If you have, would you like to donate them to decorate the Manor Hall? Please ring Ann Davies [883837] or take them to the Hall on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings, 9.30 to 12 o'clock.

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HERITAGE HERD

When walking in the Sterridge Valley, one cannot fail to look in awe on the majestic beasts grazing on Smallacombe or the meadows below.

Sadly, the indigenous breed of North Devon cattle with their curly red coats and long horns, are becoming a rare sight in the area.

They were probably being bred at Woolscott in 1797 when Rev. Richard Polwhele wrote, "they are In many respects superior to any other breed in the kingdom... breeding bullocks are the farmers chief dependence, which they generally part with at about 4 years old, about half fat. Somersetshire graziers come down and buy them, work them for two or three years, then fat, drive them to London. Numbers of bulls are bought at a high price and sent even to Jamaica - a heifer lately sold for 30 guineas."

May this herd flourish in Berry Narbor for many years to come. They are part of our heritage.

Lorna Bowden

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REFUSE COLLECTION

Don't forget - WEDNESDAY is our collection day!

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RE-CYCLING or WASTE

The first collection was made on Wednesday, 1st November, and although not vast in quantity, South Molton Recycling were happy with the amount and all the arrangements went smoothly. Thank you for keeping the area tidy. The next collection with be on Wednesday, 6th December, between 11.00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. [The January collection will be on Wednesday, 10th January.]

START COLLECTING THOSE RECYCLABLE ITEMS NOW!

Since no permanent collecting point has come to light - if anyone has a spare, disused garage, barn or shed, please contact Judie Weedon [883544]. The Management Committee have agreed that once more items may be left on the area beside the Penn Curzon Room, but only on the Tuesday, 5th, or Wednesday itself. Items MUST NOT BE LEFT THERE EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER these dates.

If you have any queries about what is recyclable, etc. please do not hesitate to contact Judie.

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'AT A GLANCE' DIARY

Don't forget the regular events taking place in the Village given in the October issue.

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"LET ME SING MY SONG OF CHRISTMAS"

This is the title of a professionally made tape of songs made by the children of North Devon. Ten schools have taken part, and 2 of the 14 tracks are by children from Berrynarbor Primary School. On Sunday, 10th December, all the children involved in making this tape will be taking part in a Concert at the Queens Hall, Barnstaple. All monies raised from the sale of tapes [obtainable from the Primary School at £4.00 each] and the Concert are to go to the North Devon Scanner Appeal. Hopefully, they will receive support from the Village.

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FREDERICK JOHN DRAPER [UNCLE JACK]

"Uncle Jack", as he was known throughout the Village, was born during Queen Victoria's reign on 8th December, 1886, to John and Selina Draper [nee Richards] of Combe Martin. He died on the 21st February 1985, at the ripe old age of 98 in the Tyrell Hospital, Ilfracombe, his second visit - the first at the age of 5 when he lost the last 3 fingers on his left hand in a "chaffe Cutter".

"Stalagmites" of Berrynarbor.
L to R: Jock the Barber, Uncle Jack and Corny Burgess who had been deep into the caves above Broad Sands.

Jack attended school in Combe Martin, but at the age of 10, on the death of his father, he was put out to work at Girt Farm as a general labourer. He later became well known as a stone mason, general labourer and water diviner! On the 28th September, 1914, he married his first cousin, Florence May Draper, who was 21 and the daughter of William Draper of Berrynarbor. She had been in "service" at Beech Lee and their honeymoon lasted but one day, as Uncle Jack was drafted off to India with the 6th Devons, as a member of the Regimental Band playing the bombardon, and he spent the next 6 years out there.

On his return from India, he and Florrie lived in higher Combe Martin, but within a year or so, with Florrie suffering from asthma, they were advised to move and came to Berrynarbor first to Croft Lee and then "Ferndale, 94B" on 15th May, 1924. His first Driving Licence, No. D5890 [Motor Car Act 1903] was issued by D.C.C and lasted one year at a cost of 5/-! During the '20's and '30's he was a jobbing mason and also swept chimneys, taking his brushes with him in the sidecar of his belt-driven motorcycle! He was a keen member of the Church Bell Ringers and would travel with them all over the County to competitions.

During the Second World War he was in the Home Guard, and in addition to his normal work was employed as the Church Sexton, responsible for the digging and caring of the graves and maintenance of the Church, Rectory and paths. During this period, he also held a licence No. 72 from Devon Constabulary allowing him to store and use quantities of gelignite and detonators for blasting! Known locally as "Powder Monkey" he would be employed in blasting large rocks. He worked on the installation of the gas main to and in Combe Martin, built walls in Ilfracombe, and even worked on the installation of the railway engine turntable at Ilfracombe Station.

In 1955, at 65, Uncle Jack retired, giving his tools to one of his nephews. Moping at home and fed up with nothing to do, Florrie told him he should buy new tools and get back to work! He did, and continued to do so until he was 84 years young. Florrie died in 1955, shortly after his 'first' retirement. Uncle Jack smoked a pipe of 'baccy' until at the age of 84, he fell asleep with it lit and nearly set himself on fire - he hung his pipe up on the wall and never touched it again!

Uncle Jack was a very popular figure in the Village, well-liked by villagers and visitors alike. He was particularly proud of his continued maintenance of the church steps and cobbles and could often be seen making small repairs and talking to children, for whom he always had great affection.

To Jack's nephew, Ken Draper and his wife, my grateful thanks for their help with the information for this article and also for the loan of their photographs. Again I apologise for any inaccuracies. Can anyone help me with information or pictures of Miss Leaworthy?

Tom Bartlett

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EDITORIAL NOTE

Thanks for all the contributions, but please keep them coming! The deadline for February's issue will be the 15th January - just pop your piece in the boxes at the Manor Stores or Post Office.

To all our Readers:

A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR

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OLD BERRYNARBOR - VIEW NO. 2

This view, taken c1908 by the accomplished Bristol photographer, Garratt, shows just how well he was able to persuade children and villagers to pose for his lens. In this superb shot taken outside the then Tom's house- hold, 24 & 25 Hagginton Hill, are Florrie Ley & Ada Toms making the arch, with Majorie Jones & Cecil Toms underneath.

From L. to R. Albert Latham, Doris Richards, Fanny Toms, Freda Ley, Lorna Richards, Edie Toms and Polly Latham. Watching from the steps are Mrs. T. Toms and young Leonard, and Mrs. Ley, young Johnnio and Emily. For the identifications, I am indebted to sisters Lorna Price and Muriel Richards back in 1985/6, and it is Lorna who is the smallest girl seen here with her hand by her mouth.

[Inset] A delightful picture of a pretty Miss Muriel Richards c1919. Note how Hagginton Hill was still just compacted stone, although telephones had reached the village.

Tom Bartlett,
Tower Cottage, November 1989

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