Press Cuttings Archive

'Tug of war’ for a hamlet

THE “tug-of-war” between Witheridge and East Worlington for the hamlet of Drayford looks like going Witheridge’s way.

“The majority of people will vote to remain with Witheridge,” forecast Mr. Winston Stoneman, a Drayford resident, at a meeting of the Witheridge parish council.

I think things will stay as they are.

Drayford, at present in Witheridge's parish, has been wooed by the council at East Worlington since notification of a parish boundary review from North Devon District Council.

But Witheridge has not been keen to Iet go.

There have been talks between the “rival” councils and between councillors and the residents of Drayford.

And now the Drayford have been asked for their say by the dlstrict tcouncil.

According to Mr. Stoneman, they will plump forWitheridge — and that suits Witheridge fine.

It would be a case of change for change’s sake if Drayford decided to cut its historical link with Witheridge and ‘“move in” with East Worlington, said Mr. W. J. Stoddard, the Witheridge council chairman.

There was no advantage to be gained for any switch, for with both East Worlington and Witheridge lying in the North Devon district there would be little, if any, difference in rates.

WORLINGTON'S ONLY INN TO CLOSE

The only Inn in Worlington, North Devon - The Stucley Arms is to be closed.

South Molton County Magistrates at the adjourned licensing sessions last week decided not to renew the licence of the inn after hearing that certain alterations and improvements recommended by the visiting justices in December, 1938, had not been carried out.

A letter was received from Messrs. Smyth Richards, the agents for Sir Hugh Stucley, the owner or the premisesm stating that owing to wartime conditions they were unable to effect the desired alterations.

Sergt. Palmer, if Witheridge, said no provision hand been made at the inn for the washing-up of utensils, and no water was laid on in the bar. The ceilings of the two bedrooms had ot been replaced as suggested by the visiting Justices, and nothing had been done to improve the sanitary arrangements. The house was in a fair state of repair, but required redecoration.

The village water supply is by gravitation, and passed close to the inn, and Sergt. Palmer suggested water could have been laid on at no great expense.

The licensee, Mr. Osborne, said he was not in a position to execute the alterations himself.

Farm Fire

At Lower Blagrove Farm, East Worlington, some two miles from Witheridge, a fire broke out on Tuesday morning about half past ten, and did  a considerable amount of damage.

The farm is owned by Mr. E. Balman, of Carey Fitzpaine, near Taunton; and the tenant is Mr. George Luxton, married, and with one son and two daughters, all grown up, at home with them.

It is supposed that the fire originated from a defective flue, whence it spread to the thatched roof. The farm is in a lonely situation in a sparsely populated district nevertheless neighbours soon came to help, and did their best to fight the fire and save the furniture. Most of the contents of the house were got out in safety.

A telegram asking for the Southmolton fire-engine and brigade elicited the information that owing to the scarcity of horses and men the engine could not be sent.

About one o’clock a wire was sent to Tiverton, in response to which Head Constable Mercer with P.C. Perry, started for the scene in a motor-car, taking with them some hose and other fire-fighting appliances.

By the time they got there the house was almost destroyed. There was, however, a good supply of water, which had to be fetched from three sources at a distance, and by cutting away thatch and pouring water on the flames Mr. Mercer and his helpers saved the farm-buildings, which at one time appeared doomed, as they adjoin the house and are covered with thatch.

Mr. Mercer stayed there several hours, and got back to Tiverton about seven o’clock. The premises, we understand, are insured.

WITHERIDGE

The farm house at Lower Blagrove, East Worling ton, near Witheridge was destroyed by fire last week.

Most of the Furhibure has saved also the farm buildings thanks to the efforts of Mr. Mercer and the Tiverton Brigade.

The owner is Mr. E. Bowerman, of Carey Fitzpaine, near Taunton; and the occupier Mr Geo, Luxton, married, with several children.

The fire appears to have spread to the thatch roof from a defective flue. The premises were insured.

Eggesford Hounds at Affeton Castle with Mr and Mrs D F B Stucley.

Sir George Stucley finished the restoration of the gatehouse and entertained his tenantry in the guard- room which had not been used since February 14th 1646 when it was ransacked by army under the command of General Fairfax.

Wedding at West Worlington Church

Grist Mill and dwelling and land to let

Sale by auction 

A ewe strayed on to Halse property to be sold bt aucrion if not claimed

Death of  Rev. Clay son of Rev Clay of EW drowned at Ringstead Northamptonshire

Death of Reverend Benjamin Clay aged 88

Any claims against the Estate of Reverend Benjamin Clay to make requests to Edward Caryer Clay executor

Description of a Revel. A two day celebration. Gentry and Yeomen subscribed into the event. 300 women and children. Rev. B Clay present aged 80. Day 2 a bell-ringing competition followed by a meal at Stucley Arms. Church Warden West Worlington 'Health of the Worthy Rector' and East Worlington Health and Long Life to the Venerable Rector Reverend Benjamin Clay

Residents from East Worlington that were starred and were exempt from joining the military

Susan Beer daughter of late keeper on Stucley Estate Both Susan Beer and Crook were in service to same employer Mr Tremlett

Sale of Higher Blagrove Farm. 44 acres with dwelling house and additional buildings

For sale Breeding Ewes, Fat and Store Sheep and Lambs, Cattle, Pigs, 60 acres. for R Sowden

Thomas Bristow, William Bradford and wife stealing 9 fowl from Robert Middleton. Police inspector called Inspector Harford.

Bristow guilty 3 months; Bradford acquitted lack of evidence, wife guilty six weeks

Police had been suspicious that property stolen from the Church (West Worlington) was concealed in the well on the premises of William Hosegood who held the license for the Stucley Arms. Police gained a warrant to search the premises and found nothing. Then they dipped the well to remove the water and found a clapper from a church bell. The police arrested Hosegood and was remanded in custody. Hosegood bailed himself for  £50  with two sureties John Hosegood £25 and John Lake £25 both of West Worlington. A man named Edmund Holmes was committed for the felony to be tried in Exeter.

Thomas Halse Bankruptcy Notoce

Exeter Flying Post, 7 January 1847, p3

East and West Worlington. – (From a Correspondent.)

 – The annual good hospitality was displayed at this place, on Christmas-day, to a great number of poor people, who were bountifully regaled with old English fare, roast beef, plum pudding, strong beer, and tea, by that worthy gentleman the Rev. B. Clay, to whom much praise is due. Although above eighty chilly winters have passed over him his faculties are unimpaired; and it is hoped a kind Providence will grant him a long life for the benefit of the poor, for his liberal hand has been always extended to those in distress. And also E.C. Clay, Esq., and Miss Clay have shown forth their liberality.

In the morning before Divine Service the choir, sixteen in number, attended on the worthy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Cruwys, of the Stuckley Arms Inn, and were liberally served with breakfast of beef, bread, and tea; and much praise is due to the choir in showing forth their scientific skill.

The instrumental music was conducted as follows:- Mr. Wm. Hosegood presided at the bass, Mr. R. Luke the tenor, Mr. John Hosegood and Mr. John Gardener the counter, and Mr. John Boundy the treble. Many beautiful and appropriate anthems, by those eminent composers Chapple, Holmes, &c., were sung. It is remarkable to state that the progenitors of the above musicians have been members of this choir upwards of a century past.

After morning service the choir repaired to the Castle of Afton, where they made the mansion of the old worthies resound with heavenly music, after which an excellent dinner was provided by that respected Yeoman James Troake, Gent.

In the evening, after Divine Service the choir attended at the Parsonage House, where they gave much satisfaction to those ladies and gentlemen present, after which the choristers were conducted to a room decorated with evergreens and partook of an excellent supper, consisting of roast beef and plum pudding, strong beer, &c.

The churchwarden was also present and gave the following toasts, “Health of the Rev. B. Clay,” and also “Prosperity to the Church and Choir.” After much enjoyment the parties departed for their homes in such order as becomes the character of good churchmen. Much praise is due to that worthy lady Mrs. Clay, widow of the late Castal Clay Esq., who has supplied a great number of poor families, in the two sister parishes, with a quantity of meat, clothing, and sums of money to a large amount. She will surely finally receive a blissful reward.
 

Cover page of Whites Devonshire Directory

 East and West Worlington. – From a Correspondent.

– The annual good hospitality was displayed at this place on Christmas day, to one hundred and four poor people of the Two Sister parishes, who were bountifully regaled with old English fare, roast beef, plum pudding, and strong beer, tea, &c.; and many other families that dwelt at a distance were liberally served with necessaries for a good Christmas dinner, by those worthy gentlemen and lady, the Rev. B. Clay, E. C. Clay, Esq., and Miss J. Clay, to whom much praise is due in showing forth their liberality. Although eighty five Christmas’s have passed over the rev. gentleman his faculties are unimpaired, and it is hoped the lord will grant him a long life for the benefit of the poor, for his liberal hand hath been always extended to those in distress.

The divine service was performed by the Rev. W. M. Bruton, who preached an impressive sermon from Isaiah 9th chap. 6th verse. After which the choir under the superintendence of Mr. Hosegood, attended at East Worlington Parsonage House, and where they sung with scientific skill many beautiful and appropriate anthems by those eminent composers, Bennett, Chapple, and Northcott, which gave much satisfaction to those ladies and gentlemen present.

The choirsters were then conducted to a room decorated with holly and evergreens, and partook of an excellent supper, consisting of roast beef, and plum pudding, and strong beer, &c. The churchwarden was also present and gave the following toast, the health of the venerable rector, and also prosperity to the church and choir; after much enjoyment the parties departed for their homes in such order as becometh the character of good church men.

On the following morning, the choir by invitation, attended on that respectable yeoman, Richard Melhuish, gent. and were liberally served with breakfast; and also Samuel Price, gent. showed forth his liberality. Between the morning and evening service, the choir repaired to the Castle of Afton, where they made the mansion of the nobles of yore, resound with heavenly music; after which an excellent dinner was provided by that respectable yeoman James Troake, gent, and to conclude the choir attended on the following evening, at West Worlington Parsonage, where they partook of an excellent supper, provided by that worthy lady and gentleman, the Rev. W. M. Bruton and Mrs. Bruton, and then all departed for their homes in peace and conviviality.

Newspaper unknown.  Has hand written date on it.

Notice of the retirement due to ill health of Rev H A Hill, incumbent of East and West Worlington.  Newspaper and date unfortunately unknown.  Hand written date range on it of 1918, but it is uncertain if this is date of publication.

Date and WMN (Western Morning News) written by hand.  

Article describes house, mentions Edgelake and has a small biography of Sir George Stevens, occupier of East Worlington House until his death in 1973.  

Newspaper WMN (Western Morning News) and date written on by hand.

Article in E&E (Express and Echo - Exeter Newspaper) when The Gables was put up for sale in 1984.

Article in WMN (Western Morning News) when The Gables was put up for sale in 1984.  It references that The Gables was built in 1847 (for £700) on the site of a previous rectory. 

A Post Office van became stuck in high snow drift near Knowstone and the driver abandoned the vehicle and walked to the main road where he managed to get a lift back to South Molton.Post Office. The following day the van driver and three other men set out in a lorry to recover the vehicle. They encountered 9 and 10 feet snow drifts on Knowstone Moor and they spent two hours digging the lorry out of the drifts until they became exhausted. They could not move the lorry and they did not find the van.. So they decided to walk back. They knew they couldn't walk to South Molton so they decided to walk towards the main road. On the way they came across a farm house where they found sheltered and warmed themselves. 

Heavy snow in Witheridge area resulted in the road from Nomanslane to Witheridge been totally block l