Talk about John Marsh; composer and diarist

At our October meet, Starcross History group was taken back to the 18^th and 19^th centuries, as Kenton’s Ian Graham-Jones presented an illustrated account, with music, of John Marsh’s visits to Devon. Starcross’s Jon Nichol read extracts from the diaries in the voice of the curmudgeonly John Marsh; (1752 - 1828) diarist, composer, writer and father of 6. 

“ …[St Nicholas Church] Sidmouth… 2 psalms and an anthem sung by a coarse sett of singers accompanied] as coarsely by some noisy and untenable clarinets etc. ”

“St Sidwell’s in the suburbs, [of Exeter] a handsome church lately rebuilt with a good organ badly played. ”

An expedition to Mamhead, Oxton and Powderham describes the Reverend Swete’s Oxton House as  “a pleasant cottage”. The return journey was through Starcross to Dawlish.

Ian Graham-Jones has some John Marsh scores for sale, and the deciphered diary extracts which refer to Devon, in a bound cover.

Volunteers please: Exeter Cathedral Archives and other projects

Exeter Cathedral in 1830 from wiki

Volunteers are required to assist with various projects taking place in the Devon Heritage Centre’s Conservation Studio in Exeter.

The first is a conservation and preservation project which involves both the Devon Archives and Local Studies Service and the Exeter Cathedral Archives. 

The aim of the project is to replace the existing brown envelopes and acidic boxes in which many of the Cathedral Archives’ early deeds are stored.  Some cleaning and survey work may be involved, and people who can dedicate one day per week (preferably Tuesday) to the project will be ideal. 

The project is likely to last for several years, but any contribution which anyone is able to make will be extremely valuable.

The project will be managed by Deborah Phillips, Senior Archive Conservator for the Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, and Ellie Jones, Exeter Cathedral archivist.

There are also a number of opportunities to assist with the repackaging of photographic material which is part of the Westcountry Studies Library collection here at the Heritage Centre, as well as a wide range of other work, as summarized below.  All training and equipment will be provided.

Cleaning, packaging and surveying 

Necessary skills: Dexterity, an eye for detail and patience.

Packaging involving sewing with an over-locker

Necessary skills: Familiarity with sewing machines and simple dressmaking.

Rolled document bagging/Bags for Plans in Strongrooms

Protective bags for seals.

Document cleaning using Bassaire hoover unit, brushes & Chem sponge

Necessary skills: Manual dexterity, an eye for detail and patience.

Cleaning of new accessions

Data inputting

Necessary skills: Ability to use Microsoft Excel

Making manila dust jackets

Necessary skills: Manual dexterity, an eye for detail, clear handwriting

Packaging photographic materials

Necessary skills: Understanding of a simple machine, patience

Bookbinding and book restoration

Necessary skills:  Bookbinding experience

If you are interested, please contact Brian Carpenter at the Southwest Heritage Trust

Brian Carpenter

Community Learning Officer

Devon Archives and Local Studies Service

Devon Heritage Centre

Great Moor House

Bittern Road

Sowton

Exeter

Devon

EX2 7NL

01392 888712

07939 106549

Email: brian.carpenter@swheritage.org.uk

www.swheritage.org.uk

South West Heritage Trust is supported by Somerset and Devon County Councils

South West Heritage is a charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England. Registered office: Somerset Heritage Centre, Brunel Way, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6SF. Company number: 09053532 Charity Number: 1158791 VAT Registration Number: 197221592

 

Iconic Railway Carriages to open all year round

Not only have the historic Great Western Railway holiday carriages been saved, but, reports Devon Live,  planning permission has just been granted for the facility to open all year round

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Iconic Dawlish Warren railway carriages holiday park to open all year round

The holiday park consists of eight chalets in converted rail carriages

Plans for a railway themed holiday park to open all year round as a holiday destination have been approved.
The Brunel Camping Carriages site in Dawlish Warren – which features eight chalets in converted rail carriages – was sold at auction for £261,000 last year.
The holiday park consists of eight chalets in converted rail carriages, all of which are named individually after UK cities.
 Earlier this year, plans were approved to allow use of the site as holiday accommodation for eight train carriages and land for camping to be used between period of March 1 and October 31.

The iconic Brunel Camping Carriages Site at Dawlish Warren

 The applicants had asked planners for approval for the change of use of Brunel Camp Site in order to operate the whole park as a year-round holiday destination – which has now been approved.
Work has already begun on converting and improving the carriages.
 
Approving the application, planning officers said: “It is assessed that extending the available holiday season at this existing holiday park will improve the tourist accommodation provision in this area without having an adverse impact on the character of the surrounding area.
“The proposal offers clear socio-economic benefits to the local economy and tourism accommodation and can be provided in this location without harm being caused to residential amenity and as no additional facilities are proposed by this application or additional holiday units the proposal to expand the operating hours will have no adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area and therefore should be encouraged.”

Site Manager Josh Webster with one of the carriages being renovated at the Brunel Holiday Park (Image: Andy Uglow, Pyramid Torbay Photography)

 

 

 Outlining the plans, the applicants said: “The coaches have been a unique tourist attraction in Dawlish Warren since opening and have accommodated hundreds of families over the past 50 years.

 “Residents of Dawlish and regular users of the accommodation support the fact that the holiday park has been a prominent fixture in the village and a well-known and popular feature.
“The coaches were originally donated over 50 years ago for the use of members of families of the Great Western Railway Association and were later opened to the general public for holiday use.

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the Devon Live link for this, their story

Mary Berry visits Powderham Castle

The Earl of Devon, Charlie Courtenay, meets Mary Berry off Starcross Ferry

Episode 3 of the first BBC series: Mary Berry's Country House Secrets is available on BBC i-player. Here's the link:
Mary Berry visits Powderham Castle

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In this edition, Mary Berry visits Powderham Castle in Devon, to spend time with the Earl and Countess of Devon and their two young children. Known as Charlie and AJ, the newest generation of one of Britain's oldest families are taking up the challenge of running a great stately home, reinventing the castle and the Earldom for the 21st century.

Mary's time with the family reveals stories of romance and tragedy, as she discovers the attics and secret passages of this extraordinary home. In the historic kitchen she bakes a Devon cream tea and is shown a Powderham classic - curried cockles. She is also inspired to make a delicate peach posset for a Midsummer Eve woodland party the family are throwing to celebrate their two year anniversary at the castle, as well as to thank the local community.
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