Newton Abbot’s workhouse (S Devon Branch)
John Ellis will talk to us about the Union workhouse that opened in Newton Abbot in 1839. By the 1890s it housed several hundred and the conditions there caused a national scandal. Note our...
Tagged: history
A Brief History of Torrington (Bideford Branch)
A talk by Dr Hugh Reed. He will describe his research and the background to his recent book delving into the long, interesting and colourful history of a Devon town that, until the mid...
Exeter Branch Report: Aug 2019 to Jan 2020
In early August (2019), several of our members joined local historian Dr David Pugsley at the Half Moon pub in Clayhidon for A re-enactment of the infamous 1853 Clayhidon Murder. Over coffee in the...
The picture of Plymouth 1812 (Plymouth Branch)
A talk The picture of Plymouth 1812 by Edward Luscombe.
Breton woodworkers in early Tudor Devon (Plymouth Branch)
A talk Breton woodworkers in early Tudor Devon by John Allan, FSA, DA President 2019-2020. In this talk John will show that Devon and Cornwall had a large immigrant population at the end of...
From Druids to Drones (Plymouth Branch)
A talk From Druids to Drones: a history of Dartmoor archaeology by Andrew Thompson. From prehistoric stone rows and roundhouses to 20th-century quarries and firing ranges, Dartmoor is one of Europe’s richest archaeological landscapes....
Clayhidon Murder Trail (Exeter Branch)
David Pugsley’s guided walk is designed as a re-enactment of the infamous murder of William Blackmore in Clayhidon in 1853, and the subsequent trial, conviction and execution of the perpetrator, George Sparks. Participants will...
Exploring the history of Widecombe (S Devon Branch)
Firstly we will visit the North Hall Manor archaeological site with Andy Crabb, then explore the parish church of St Pancras. To be followed by an optional cream tea at Higher Venton Farm, once...
“Mad, bad and fascinating to know” (Tavistock Branch)
An illustrated talk by Dr Geri Parlby on the colourful ancestors of the Dukes of Bedford. Wine merchants, poisoners, mine owners and creators of afternoon tea – the colourful history of one of England’s...
The medieval longbow, truths and legends (Tavistock Branch)
A demonstration with artefacts by Chris Thomas. The true story behind the nature, use and some of the science behind this famous but frequently misunderstood or misrepresented part of history, and those who used...