Colebrooke Parish, Devon

Category: Devon

Colebrooke Carnival: The 1925 Centenary Story

Posted:   |   Categories: Carnival, Colebrooke, Devon   |   Tags: 1920s Britain, Carnival history, Church tower restoration, Colebrooke, Community events, Devon history, Local heritage

Colebrooke Carnival The first week in November marks the centenary of Colebrooke’s first and only carnival. In 1925, the sports committee organised the event to raise funds for repairing the church tower. The tower had been declared unsafe for ringing because the pinnacles at the top were loose, and the structure needed extensive repointing. The Fundraising Plan My father and some friends My father and some friends, all members of the sports committee, either hired or procured a barrel organ, which they carried around the district in the back of Ern Hutchings’ car. Read more...

James Stone: The Legendary Devonshire Wrestler - The Little Elephant

Posted:   |   Categories: Devon, History, Sports   |   Tags: 19th-century history, Colebrooke, Devonshire wrestling, James Stone

James Stone: The Little Elephant of Devonshire Wrestling (1798–1841) James Stone, famously known as “The Little Elephant,” was a celebrated Devonshire wrestler and farmer. Born on March 28, 1798, in Crediton, Devon, James’s incredible strength and unmatched skill in Devonshire wrestling earned him a prominent place in British sporting history. Early Life of James Stone James Stone was born at Knowle Farm, Crediton, the second son of James Stone and Elizabeth Francis. Read more...

Widecombe Fair: Discover Devon’s Famous Folklore and Traditions

Posted:   |   Categories: Devon, Events, Folklore, History   |   Tags: Dartmoor, Devon, Folk Songs, Uncle Tom Cobley, Widecombe Fair

Widecombe Fair: A Celebration of Devon’s Folklore and History Widecombe Fair, held annually each September in the picturesque village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor on Dartmoor, is one of Devon’s most iconic cultural events. Renowned for its charm, rich history, and connection to the famous folk song “Widecombe Fair,” this event continues to draw visitors from far and wide. The History Behind Widecombe Fair The fair’s fame owes much to the traditional folk song “Widecombe Fair,” which was collected by Rev. Read more...

The Ship Inn Brawl of 1853: A Historic Tale from Coleford

Posted:   |   Categories: Devon, Local History   |   Tags: Coleford, North Devon Railway, The Ship Inn, 1853

The Ship Inn Brawl of 1853: A Historic Tale from Coleford In the early 1850s, the construction of the North Devon Railway from Crediton to Barnstaple brought a wave of activity to the quiet village of Coleford. The work attracted navvies (navigators) tasked with carving out a significant railway cutting east of the village. The Ship Inn: Lodging for Navvies Many of these navvies lodged at The Ship Inn, now known as Browns Farm. Read more...